Iain S McGregor1, Elizabeth A Cairns2, Sarah Abelev3, Rhys Cohen4, Mat Henderson2, Daniel Couch5, Jonathon C Arnold6, Natalie Gauld7. 1. The Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Level 6, Building F, 94 Mallet St, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia; Faculty of Science, School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. Electronic address: iain.mcgregor@sydney.edu.au. 2. The Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Level 6, Building F, 94 Mallet St, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia; Faculty of Science, School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. 3. Faculty of Science, School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, Discipline of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. 4. The Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Level 6, Building F, 94 Mallet St, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia; Cannabis Consulting Australia Pty Ltd, Level 5, 62 Pitt Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia. 5. The Centre for Medicinal Cannabis, 18 Hanway Street, London, W1T 1UF, United Kingdom; School of Medicine, Royal Derby Hospital, University of Nottingham, Derby, United Kingdom. 6. The Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Level 6, Building F, 94 Mallet St, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, Discipline of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. 7. Natalie Gauld Ltd, PO Box 9349, Newmarket, Auckland 1149, New Zealand; Department of Paediatrics, Child and Youth Health, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Recent legislative change has allowed increased access to cannabis products in many jurisdictions. In some locations, this includes over-the-counter (OTC) and/or online access to products containing cannabidiol (CBD), a non-intoxicating cannabinoid with therapeutic properties. Here we compared the availability of CBD products and the associated legislative and regulatory background in nine selected countries. METHODS: Accessibility of CBD products was examined in the USA, Canada, Germany, Ireland, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand as of May 2020. Regulatory and other relevant documents were obtained from government agency websites and related sources. Relevant commercial websites and some physical retailers were visited to verify access to CBD-containing products and the nature of the products available. RESULTS: A range of CBD products appeared to be accessible without prescription in seven out of nine countries reviewed. Australia and New Zealand were the exceptions where clinician prescription was required to access any CBD-containing product. CBD products commonly available without prescription included oils, gel capsules, purified crystal and topical products. The daily recommended doses with orally administered non-prescription products were typically well below 150 mg and substantially lower than the doses reported to have therapeutic effects in published clinical trials (e.g., 300-1500 mg). The legal foundations enabling access in several countries were often unclear, with marketed products sometimes failing to meet legal requirements for sale. There was an obvious disparity between federal directives and available products in both the USA and European countries examined. CONCLUSIONS: There are a variety of approaches in how countries manage access to CBD products. Many countries appear to permit OTC and online availability of CBD products but often without legislative clarity. As consumer demand for CBD escalates, improved legislation, guidelines and quality control of CBD products would seem prudent together with clinical trials exploring the therapeutic benefits of lower-dose CBD formulations.
BACKGROUND: Recent legislative change has allowed increased access to cannabis products in many jurisdictions. In some locations, this includes over-the-counter (OTC) and/or online access to products containing cannabidiol (CBD), a non-intoxicating cannabinoid with therapeutic properties. Here we compared the availability of CBD products and the associated legislative and regulatory background in nine selected countries. METHODS: Accessibility of CBD products was examined in the USA, Canada, Germany, Ireland, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand as of May 2020. Regulatory and other relevant documents were obtained from government agency websites and related sources. Relevant commercial websites and some physical retailers were visited to verify access to CBD-containing products and the nature of the products available. RESULTS: A range of CBD products appeared to be accessible without prescription in seven out of nine countries reviewed. Australia and New Zealand were the exceptions where clinician prescription was required to access any CBD-containing product. CBD products commonly available without prescription included oils, gel capsules, purified crystal and topical products. The daily recommended doses with orally administered non-prescription products were typically well below 150 mg and substantially lower than the doses reported to have therapeutic effects in published clinical trials (e.g., 300-1500 mg). The legal foundations enabling access in several countries were often unclear, with marketed products sometimes failing to meet legal requirements for sale. There was an obvious disparity between federal directives and available products in both the USA and European countries examined. CONCLUSIONS: There are a variety of approaches in how countries manage access to CBD products. Many countries appear to permit OTC and online availability of CBD products but often without legislative clarity. As consumer demand for CBD escalates, improved legislation, guidelines and quality control of CBD products would seem prudent together with clinical trials exploring the therapeutic benefits of lower-dose CBD formulations.
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