The DEA has a new drug code for marijuana extracts: 7350. This code was created to wipe out the gray areas that exist in the current scheduling, especially when it comes to compounds extracted from hemp. A highly medicinal and scientifically lauded compound called CBD happens to fall under 7350. And because of this, starting January 13th, 2017, CBD will be administratively classified as a Schedule 1 drug.
So whatโs the big deal?
Cannabidiol oil, otherwise known as CBD, is a unique compound found in marijuana – since THC causes the actual high from smoking marijuana, it gets most of the attention. CBD has a plethora of medicinal uses and benefits, many of which are being researched to help create safer alternatives to highly addictive prescription pills and dangerous procedures. Itโs possible to grow marijuana that has very little trace of THC but high traces of CBD; and this is a practice that has been growing as we learn more about the medicinal benefits of the compound. A big thing to note about CBD is that it, unlike THC, does not cause a high.
The medical benefits of CBD are incredible. Some to note are:
- Anti-nausea
- Anti-oxidant
- Can help with the battle against cancer
- Can help with depression and other mental issues
- Treatment for symptoms of epilepsy in children
The list honestly goes on… if you want to learn even more about CBD and its’ benefits, check out our post Giving Thanks for CBD.
Scheduling
The DEA turned its’ sights on marijuana extracts and it has been clarified as a Schedule 1 drug. However scary this may sound, CBD remains just as it was before any of this was announced – perfectly legal. CBD was not singled out and even if it had been, the change was/is purely administrative (for tracking purposes).
Up until now, CBD has operated under the radar. While marijuana has been illegal in most places, CBD was considered an extract and therefore not connected. Now that the DEA has clarified all extracts of marijuana are also included as a Schedule 1 drug, many have sounded alarms that testing and use will come into question. As of now, CBD is only getting a new drug classification code and itโs purely for administrative purposes. Your CBD oil is safe, friends.
The DEA has no right or power to change or create laws, so let that put your worries to rest if nothing else will. If that doesnโt do it, know that the DEA is not allowed to interfere with a licensed legal business just because they decided a substance didnโt suit them. This is not a repeat of the Kratom debacle – and weโre thankful for that.
Just in case you need a reminder of what a Schedule 1 classification means (according to the DEA website):
– Schedule I drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Some examples of Schedule I drugs are: heroin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), marijuana (cannabis), 3,4- methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy), methaqualone, and peyote.
Of course, CBD has been proven to have plenty of medicinal uses. In fact, medicinal use is really the only reason to use it!
Weโll leave you with a quote from the DEA on this decision:
โFor practical purposes, all extracts that contain CBD will also contain at least small amounts of other cannabinoids. However, if it were possible to produce from the cannabis plant an extract that contained only CBD and no other cannabinoids, such an extract would fall within the new drug code 7350. In view of this comment, the regulatory text accompanying new drug code 7350 has been modified slightly to make clear that it includes cannabis extracts that contain only one cannabinoid.โ
If you have any questions about the current laws or would like to learn more information on how CBD can help you, please contact us or stop in to any of our three Denver locations.