CBD oil — made in Ukraine!

21/09/2023

In recent years, the cannabidiol (CBD) market has experienced rapid growth. Analysts predict that global sales of CBD will reach $23.6 billion in 2025.  Today, the CBD industry is one of the fastest growing niche industries in the world [1].

CBD is not euphoric or addictive.  The WHO urges national governments not to include "preparations containing pure CBD in the International Drug Control Conventions" [2].  However, most countries in Europe, Asia and North America still have different laws regarding the sale and production of CBD [3].  In particular, in the USA the industrial use of cannabis with a low THC content (<0.3%) has been legalized only recently in 2018 [4].  This allowed the production of cannabidiol from industrial hemp.  In the same 2018, 49% of the global CBD market was accounted for by the USA, 35% — EU and 11% — China [5].

CBD oil production in Ukraine

Since 2021, the Government of Ukraine has lifted "state control measures" regarding the substance cannabidiol isolate [6].  CBD isolate is an industrially obtained powder, crystals with > 99% purity.  Import of CBD isolate is allowed in Ukraine.  At the same time, the production of cannabidiol in Ukraine has not been legally regulated.

In the world, CBD is produced from industrial hemp, the buds of which contain almost no THC (< 1 %) and therefore are not psychoactive.  In Ukraine, according to current legislation (as of 2023), the production of any extracts from the cannabis plant (except seeds) is illegal.

How is CBD oil produced in Ukraine?

Ukrainian manufacturers import cannabidiol from European countries or China.  Next, Ukrainian companies have to test the quality of CBD in laboratory conditions.  First of all, high-quality CBD should not contain any traces of psychoactive THC.  The results of laboratory studies of the chemical composition of CBD powder should confirm the purity of the product > 99%.  After that, cannabidiol is dissolved in oil (natural cannabidiol is not soluble in water).  For the production of CBD oil, hemp, sesame or coconut oils are most often chosen.  Due to its unique structure, MCT (medium chain triglycerides) oil is especially beneficial.  But for the most part the oil affects the taste of the final CBD product.  Instead, the therapeutic properties of CBD oil depend on the concentration of its active ingredient — cannabidiol isolate.  The most convenient (especially for beginners) is a 10-% concentration of CBD in oil.  This is the same "formula" as the pharmacological drug Epidiolex has, which contains only pure CBD and a flavor additive.  CBD is safe and some of its therapeutic effects require the use of larger doses (300-600 mg).  That is why companies also produce CBD oil with a concentration of 20 - 30%.

References:

1. https://www.twistertrimmer.com/gl...

2. https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/han...

3. https://www.321cbd.com/en/blog/17-...

4. https://hemptoday.net/clarification-by-dea-expan

5. https://www.statista.com/statistics/980...

6. https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/sho...