Cannabidiol (CBD) – An update

Cannabinoids are synthetic, semisynthetic or natural organic molecules that bind to cannabinoid receptors, and they have similar pharmacological properties as produced by the plant, Cannabis sativa L. .Of the 113 naturally occurring cannabinoids identified to date, D9-tetrahydrocannabinol (D9-THC or simply, THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are the two major cannabinoids, biosynthesized by C. staiva . While D9-THC is the main contributor to the psychoactive property of C. sativa, interestingly, the other major compound, CBD, possesses antipsychoactive property as well as other beneficial medicinal properties, because of which, this compound has been in the lime light for its potential pharmaceutical/medicinal and cosmeceutical applications. However, because of various legislative bottlenecks and restrictions regarding the use, sell and possession of Cannabis and Cannabis products including CBD have made difficult to its breakthrough in the market in many countries, especially in the UK.