Could CBD (cannabidiol) oil — which is extracted from pot plants — be the new go-to
for calming kids down? With states green-lighting the green stuff one after another, marijuana-using millennials are more curious than ever before about giving it to their kids and babies.
This week, in one of the private mom groups I belong to on Facebook, there was an honest conversation unfolding between parents about an article that featured a CBD-infused hot chocolate recipe. Moms wanted to know if it was safe or not to serve it to their kids before bedtime.
The general consensus in our culture is "Don't give pot to tots," but how harmful is CBD oil, really? And in what cases do the benefits outweigh the potential negatives? We chatted with cannabis expert Frank Lucido, MD of Berkley, California and canna-parent Melissa Hilt of Albany, New York, to find out the real deal on reefer oil for kids.
Here are 11 things you should know:
1. THC and CBD are different.
They're the two main compounds in the marijuana plant, but THC is psychoactive, and CBD is not, so you can get high and maybe feel paranoid after using THC, but you can't after using CBD. The oil used to medically treat a child will often be legally sold through a dispensary and contain a CBD-to-THC ratio like 19-to-1. The oil sold over the internet doesn't contain THC. Keep in mind that plenty of medical professionals argue that CBD loses its efficacy when it's not used in conjunction with THC.
2. CBD oil can change lives.
There are incredible testimonials from families who have found relief after incorporating CBD oil into their daily lifestyle. Melissa Hilt's 10-year-old daughter, Haley, was seizing over 100 times daily. Haley underwent surgery, tried alternative diets, and attempted taking over 15 medications to slow down her seizing. A dose of 19-to-1 (CBD-to-THC) oil is given to her at breakfast and dinnertime, and Melissa told us she finally feels like she's "met" her real daughter. Her kiddo is no longer in a constant "haze" from all of the different medications she was trying. Now, Haley smiles and plays with her sister. Melissa told us, "It's been the greatest gift to our family to be able to finally 'meet' her." Now, that's powerful ...
3. It's not cheap to use CBD oil on a regular basis.
Parents like Hilt can pay around $500 monthly for the oil out of pocket because it's the only thing that'll provide real relief for her daughter. The price will vary depending on what you're getting, from where, and what the state tax is. http://www.bestproducts.com/parenting/kids/a1971/safety-of-cbd-oil-for-kids/
