Cannabidiol—more commonly abbreviated as CBD has a magical effect on people, who consistently suffer with anxiety, depression, headaches, insomnia, and joint pains.
Believe it or not, but this one has extraordinary qualities that eases pain and aids inflammation.
CBD oils have become more of assistance for Americans than just a drug. CBD oils are widely sold in the country, even in the states where cannabis isn’t legalized yet. This is the charm of CBD Oil.
Now that most of us are soaking in the healing properties of CBD oil, it is time to make it a significant ingredient of food and drink.
Is it legal to use CBD Oil in food and drinks?
Unlike THC, CBD has no psychoactive effect on a person. Thus, it is absolutely safe to use it in food and drinks. In fact, its therapeutic qualities have attracted the attention of food and wellness industry quite a lot in the past few years. Back in 2017, no one had a clear idea about CBD, let alone its usage as food. In 2018, people came across the term ‘CBD Oil.’ In 2019, it’s everywhere!
As per The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the addition of even approved drugs in human or animal food is prohibited. Even so, CBD-infused water and food has become the ‘it’ ingredient in the US. Anyone who is still wondering, Cannabis is still not accepted as a legal drug in many parts of the US, yet people have accepted its oil as a healthy and functional food. At the federal level, having CBD in food and drink is undoubtedly, considered to be illegal.
The reason behind the same is that CBD, even if derived from hemp, contains more than 0.3 percent of THC—the ingredient responsible for giving a ‘high’ to the person. It technically is ‘marijuana’ even though no clear statement has been released about the same by the scientists or experts.
Thanks to the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill, according to which, hemp-induced CBD is absolutely legal to have. However, many states in the US have still not totally embraced the legality of this Bill.
As per FDA, adding CBD to a food ingredient, even as a dietary supplement, under federal law, is illegal.
How restaurants infuse CBD oil on their menus?
Even though FDA has clarified the prohibition of adding any approved drug to human or animal food, still there are a lot of restaurants in the US who have started serving CBD oil-infused food.
For instance, James New York Nomad hotel offers CBD-infused menu to its guests who want to relax. Similarly, Ankeny Tap & Table, a friendly pub in Portland, Oregon, serves locally-produced hemp-derived beer. CHLOE, New York, offers CBD-infused sweets to its customers.
The point is, there are numerous restaurants that have now embraced the CBD-oil as a food and drink ingredient. No wonder there are chances of a possible controversy in future. However, if a restaurant wants to introduce CBD oil in its menu, like many others are, a well-thought plan must be rolled out. Most of the restaurants in the US are following these two rules :-
- They are using CBD oil more of as an addition to the food, and not as a whole food. Same is the case with drink.
- Most of them are served as an experimental food, such as coffee, cocktails, tea, sweets and desserts.
Additionally, most of these restaurants fall under the states where cannabis is already legal. Where it’s not, the restaurants serving CBD oil have probably checked the same with their lawyers and restaurant associations.
Why CBD oil is on the rise in restaurants?
Having food and drinks at a pub or restaurant often hints unwinding in a chill environment, with friends, family or date. CBD is known to make you feel at ease, not high, but at ease. A pinch of the same in your cocktail or dessert can not only relax you without going through the pain of damaging your liver with alcohol intake. It also reduces many health problems, such as anxiety, insomnia, joint pain, and body aches. Until now CBD was only available as tinctures, lotions, soaps and capsules which didn’t cost a lot.
“It gives you a different kind of ‘buzz’ for a relaxed state of mind,” says the owner of NYU’s first known CBD bar, Zsolt “George” Csonka. “If you are using pure CBD oil, it will taste earthy and plant-like, but this can be a great addition to many cocktails—a lot of gin and amaro-based cocktails work very well with this mixture,” says Ryan Fleming, the brand ambassador of whiskey producer Stillhouse Spirits Co.
However, all these experts have some advice for restaurants using CBD oil in the food or drinks. Since it is federally illegal to add CBD oil in food, it is advisable to do a thorough research on the purchase of premium CBD oil, and not settle for low-quality product, since it is under no government supervision. One of these experts cheekily explains that having CDM-oil infused drinks is also one way to break the ice with the person next to you.
Another reason for restaurants serving CBD oil-infused food is the amount of profit it generates. Until now, CBD was only available as tinctures, lotions, soaps, and capsules, which didn’t cost a lot. However, every drop of this product in a food product or drink increases the cost of selling. It seems that people of the country do not seem to mind paying for this relaxing ingredients. The reaction of people is quite positive about the CBD-infused food and drink. Let’s see what happens in the future.
Conclusion
Earlier this year, a survey, based on the opinion of top culinary experts and chefs, concluded that CBD-infused food and drinks will be the hot trending food of the year. Popular bands, such as Coca Cola and Ben & Jerry’s have also joined hands to launch CBD-infused products, and many stores, including Walgreens, Kroger and CVS are also planning to sell these products. Their popularity is such that currently more than 1,000 CBD-oil infused food products are available online. No wonder, this food is trending everywhere in the US.
