Is CBN oil legal? One of the big questions surrounding cannabinoids has to do with it’s legality. We hear a lot about CBD and confusion about how federal and state governments are treating it. But how about other cannabinoids? For example, CBG, CBN, or any of the other 100+ cannabinoids?
Cannabinol (CBN) is one of over 100 known cannabinoids science has identified – and while it’s not as widely used or as well-known, its more popular sister, Cannabidiol (CBD), it’s certainly on the rise in the US and beyond.
Like CBD, it has properties that make it useful in the treatment of countless ailments, such as insomnia, and it is, in fact, believed to be the most potent sedative of all the cannabinoids (and far more potent than most prescription sleeping pills.)
However, while CBD is not psychoactive (high-inducing), the jury is still out on whether or not CBN is psychoactive, with some studies suggesting it is mildly high-inducing while others have indicated it is non-psychoactive.
This is very important, as it may not only deter some potential users who may benefit from CBN from taking it, but it also impacts its legality (as many governments don’t want a high-inducing product to be legal and accessible, certainly not without some restrictions in place.)
So, is CBN Oil Legal?
CBN products are legal in the US at a federal level, as they don’t have a high concentration of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – a major cannabinoid that is high-inducing. However, some states have different laws regarding the extraction, sale, and use of CBN products, so you should double-check your State’s exact stance on the safe side.
In other countries, such as the UK, CBN is classified as a controlled substance, and so its sale and consumption are illegal. In continental Europe, each country has a different stance on CBN.
However, it would help if you kept in mind that while most CBD products, such as CBD oils and edibles, are legal in these countries, supplements that contain CBD usually aren’t (many countries have specifically outlawed such products over the last two to three years.)
CBN in Other Products & Being Sold as a Dietary Supplement
As mentioned, CBD is legal in far more jurisdictions around the world than CBN, as Cannabidiol isn’t high-inducing (while Cannabinol potentially is.) However, when it comes to these cannabinoids being added to other products or being marketed as “dietary supplements”, the FDA is much harsher on CBD.
This is because of the “drug exclusion rule” – in other words, because CBD was researched and approved by the FDA as a brand new, individual drug, it cannot be added to other products. For the same reason, CBD cannot be promoted and sold as a “dietary supplement” in any part of the US.
CBN, on the other hand, has not been approved as a drug by the FDA, so the “drug exclusion rule” doesn’t apply. In fact, the FDA has specifically acknowledged that “parts of the cannabis plant that do not contain THC or CBD might fall outside the scope of the drug exclusion rule,” so Cannabinol can legally be added to other products and be promoted as a dietary supplement in the United States.
However, rules related to false advertising and making unsubstantiated claims in marketing materials still apply, and are particularly stringent when it comes to cannabinoids such as CBN.
What Are the Benefits of CBN?
CBN products, such as oils, tinctures and creams, are still nowhere near as popular as their CBD rivals, but the market is rapidly expanding as more and more people learn about the immense potential of Cannabinol.
It’s known as the “sleepy cannabinoid” as it is best known for treating sleep-related ailments, such as insomnia and sleep apnea. CBN’s sedative properties are up to 10 times stronger than those of prescription and over the counter sleeping drugs, so it’s easy to see why Cannabinol oil is great for treating many of the aforementioned ailments.
However, like Cannabidiol, CBN can also be used to treat countless other conditions, from skin conditions such as eczema, to epilepsy and even cancer, according to some studies.
Where Can I Buy CBN?
As mentioned, the market for CBN products is far less established than the CBD market, but it is still possible to find trusted brands. But, it’s always best to only ever buy a CBN product which has been tested and vouched for by an independent CBN reviewer, so you know exactly what you’re getting beforehand.
At this time, we can recommend two CBN Oil suppliers, both offering high-quality CBN sleep products at reasonable prices. They are:
Slumber CBN
Read our Review
Visit SlumberSleep.com
Pot Luck Expo
Read our Review
Visit PotLuckExpo.com
Is CBN High-Inducing?
From a practical perspective, CBN does not produce a “high” To understand why some scientists believe Cannabinol is psychoactive, you need to take a look at its structure at a molecular level and consider how it’s produced. CBN is derived from THC, which is highly psychoactive. THC is actually the main psychoactive compound in marijuana and is the reason why people who smoke cannabis get high.
CBN is only found in trace amounts in marijuana, as it only forms as THC is oxidized and begins to degrade into CBN.
When CBN enters the body, it binds to certain receptors that form part of the endocannabinoid system, triggering a mildly psychoactive response (far less potent than the response THC compounds trigger, according to research.)
CBD, on the other hand, is not only believed to be 100% non-psychoactive, but it also has non-psychoactive properties, which it triggers when it stimulates CB1 and CB2 receptors in the body. This means that taking CBD together with CBN can offset the latter’s potential psychoactive properties.
A Quick Summary
- Known as the “sleepy cannabinoid,” Cannabinol (CBN) is one of over 100 known cannabinoids known to man and was the first cannabinoid to be discovered.
- It isn’t present in large quantities in a typical, fresh marijuana plant, as it is only formed via the degradation of THC (a major cannabinoid, like CBD.)
- Like CBD and THC, Cannabinol can be used in the treatment of countless ailments, and is often taken for pain relief and to treat an array of skin conditions.
- CBN is legal at a federal level in the US, as it isn’t a listed controlled substance, but some states have outlawed it or at least placed certain restrictions on its sale and consumption.
- While CBD is legal throughout most of Europe, including in the UK, Germany, and Austria, CBN is outlawed in many European nations, primarily because it is believed to be mildly high-inducing.
- However, many supplements that contain CBD are outlawed even in countries that have legalized CBD products, such as oils and creams.
- CBN is believed to trigger a high once it enters the body by binding with certain receptors that form part of the endocannabinoid system.