Cannabidiol (CBD) has a rich and evolving history that traces back to its initial discovery in the mid-20th century. The compound was first isolated in 1940 by Roger Adams, a pioneering chemist at the University of Illinois. Although Adams successfully extracted CBD from the cannabis plant, the compound’s precise structure and the full range of its properties were not yet known. This early discovery laid the groundwork for future research.

The 1960s were a pivotal period for cannabinoid research, largely due to the work of Dr. Raphael Mechoulam, an Israeli chemist often referred to as the “father of cannabis research.” In 1963, Mechoulam and his colleagues successfully identified and mapped the chemical structure of CBD, differentiating it from its psychoactive counterpart, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which he described a year later in 1964. This landmark achievement allowed scientists to better understand how CBD and other cannabinoids interact with the human body.

In the 1970s, the focus shifted toward exploring the potential medicinal applications of CBD. Early studies suggested CBD’s efficacy in reducing symptoms such as nausea and anxiety. The 1980s brought significant research advancements, particularly in the realm of epilepsy. Dr. Mechoulam conducted a 1980 study that indicated CBD could reduce the frequency and severity of seizures in patients, sparking broader interest in its therapeutic applications.

The story of Charlotte Figi in the 2010s played a crucial role in popularizing CBD and reshaping public perception. Charlotte, a young girl with Dravet syndrome, experienced up to 300 grand mal seizures a week. After conventional treatments failed, her parents turned to CBD oil derived from a strain of cannabis known as Charlotte’s Web, named in her honor. The results were groundbreaking, reducing her seizures to only a few per month and bringing global attention to CBD as a potential treatment for severe forms of epilepsy.

This growing interest and mounting anecdotal evidence spurred significant changes in policy and public attitudes. In 2018, the U.S. Farm Bill was signed into law, legalizing the cultivation and sale of industrial hemp and removing hemp-derived CBD from the list of controlled substances. This legislation opened the door for further research, commercial growth, and widespread availability of CBD products.