For millions of consumers, CBD has become an integral part of their wellness toolkit. Whether they’re looking for rapid pain relief, anxiety reduction, or help with insomnia, CBD is increasingly considered a natural and effective solution. Given this growing awareness of its benefits, which are being backed up by scientific studies, it’s no surprise that parents are asking: should I use CBD to treat my kids and what are the CBD age limits?
Let’s go through the facts and common misconceptions.
Are CBD Products Age-Restricted?
The majority of dispensaries won’t sell CBD products to minors, and quality online vendors carry out age checks, as required by law.
This means that it’s a parent’s decision as to whether their child should use CBD. No one under the age of 21 can buy CBD directly.
Also, federal law prohibits minors from buying or using any inhalable or smokable CBD products- so kids can’t vape.
IS CBD Even Legal, to Begin With?
THC is the psychoactive component of cannabis – the chemical that produces an intoxicating effect associated with recreational cannabis use.
Providing that the THC content of any CBD product you buy is less than 0.3%, no legal issues surround the sale, purchase, or use of CBD oil in the USA. There are no limits on the quantity you can possess.
Is it Safe to Give CBD to Children?
To date, studies have revealed no significant harmful side effects. However, warns trusted website WebMD, ‘there’s no evidence that the CBD products on the market are safe or effective for children.
Although the amounts of THC in full-spectrum products are insufficient to have any effect in adults, the impact on a smaller child’s body is likely to be stronger. In addition, the long-term effects of THC, when full-spectrum CBD products are used over time, aren’t known.
There are several other concerns:
- The actual CBD content of a product may vary between batches, so it’s difficult to gauge how much a child is getting.
- There’s no way to know how much of the product is absorbed.
- Products may contain other ingredients which the child doesn’t tolerate
If you decide to give your child CBD products, the best advice is to discuss the matter with a professional doctor first and be vigilant for any negative changes in health or behavior, and to avoid continuous, long-term use.
If your child is taking other medications or undergoing treatment for any medical condition, consult their physician, before using, for advice on adverse interactions.
Based on Your Child’s Age What CBD Products Should You Consider?
The question many parents ask is: How much CBD should I give my child?
Some experts suggest starting with 0.5mg of CBD per pound of body weight per day, and gradually increasing to three times a day. This allows you to adjust the dosage according to how your child reacts to CBD and avoid unwanted side effects.
It’s a common misconception that all CBD products are essentially the same. There are three completely distinct types you should be aware of when considering what type of CBD product you’ll be using.
Isolate CBD, has only CBD as an active ingredient, with all other compounds and terpenes in the cannabis plant, removed. It’s considered the option with the gentlest effect. With no concerns about the THC content, this is probably the best option for children.
Broad-spectrum CBD contains a variety of helpful compounds 120+ found in the cannabis plant but has all the THC removed. The compounds are believed to work in synergy, creating a so-called ‘entourage effect’. Broad-spectrum is generally considered suitable for children, as there’ll be no concerns about the cumulative effects of THC.
Full-spectrum CBD, which provides the strongest effects, contains all the compounds and terpenes extracted from the cannabis plants, including THC (though less than 0.3%). Given that the consequences of long-term THC ingestion, even in low doses, isn’t yet known, it is probably wisest to avoid giving full-spectrum products to kinds.
Conclusion: when you’re using CBD with children, sticking to isolate products at first is probably the best choice. When you’re sure they have no adverse reaction, you could move on to test the benefits of broad-spectrum.
CBD Oils
Many adults choose to take their CBD in the form of tinctures specially in liquid form like oils, which are now sold in many delicious kid-friendly flavors. Double-check to ensure that tinctures aren’t alcohol-based. Only choose oils from reputed brands that carry out independent 3rd party testing, and make the results accessible, so you can assess the strength of the product.
CBD Topicals
CBD salves and creams are used to relieve muscle and joint pains. The benefit of using CBD topicals is that they’re not metabolized by the liver, so there’s no risk of interactions with other medications. Considered a safe option for kids.
CBD Capsules
The advantage of capsules is that they deliver a specific dose, and avoid the unpleasant taste of some CBD oils.
CBD Edible Gummies
Everyone loves CBD edibles! These edible CBD gummies are the most popular and widely used form of CBD products. Although they look great and taste good, that doesn’t mean they can be grabbed whenever you feel like a sweet snack. They’re intended to be taken once, or at most twice, per day by full-grown adults – so the dose for these CBD gummies may be far less, depending on their age/weight.
CBD Bath Bombs
These will typically contain a very small amount of CBD, combined with essential oils and other ingredients such as sodium bicarbonate, or Epsom salts. They’re fun, safe, and pleasant to use – regardless of age.
Guidelines for Purchasing CBD Products
Choose your brand carefully
As with anything, it pays to look for quality. Select a CBD brand that emphasizes the purity of its CBD and other ingredients, and that makes the results of 3rd party lab testing easily accessible to help you determine an appropriate dose of CBD for your child.
Online vs. In-store?
Attractively-packaged CBD products in your local health-food retailer are tempting. The advantage is that you get a feel for the product, and perhaps even test it. However, before you impulse-buy, it’s wise to check online and reassure yourself that they use 3rd party labs to verify the amount of CBD in each product batch.
Online – it’s easier to compare brands and prices. You’ll get a feel for the company as well as the products themselves. In addition to 3rd party testing, online brands usually offer a money-back guarantee –important if you’re trying CBD on your child for the first time.
Final Thoughts
Parents are turning, in increasing numbers, to CBD products to help their children with a range of health issues, including ADHD, anxiety, and sleep disorders. However, you should always consult your child’s physician for advice first.
Start with minimal doses, ideally of isolate or broad-spectrum CBD. Monitor the effects carefully.
The jury is still out about the benefits of using CBD products for underage, but the buzz around their efficacy is being spread by parents, making them an increasingly popular choice. If you’re ready to give them a try, just take it slowly, and they may provide positive benefits as you expect.
