CBD—a popular compound extracted from the cannabis plant is quite known for its therapeutic benefits and medicinal qualities. It’s a plus point is that even though it’s a drug, it is non-intoxicating.
Laws about CBD and its usage in the USA are a bit confusing. On one hand, the CBD and hemp-driven products are legalized and CBD is no longer a controlled substance (as per 2018 Farm Bill). This means that it is legalized in all 50 states. However, as per the state laws, there are still a few states that are apprehensive about the use or consumption of CBD-infused products.
When it comes to safety of people, CBD is in fact, quite helpful. It has effectively improved people’s mood, reduces anxiety, alleviate joint and muscular pain, cured depression, even lessened inflammation, etc. However, when it comes to consumption of CBD before driving, there is still confusion amongst the people, in terms of its legality. So, is CBD oil legal? CBD and driving? Let’s find out.
What is CBD?
CBD—a popular compound extracted from the cannabis plant is quite known for its therapeutic benefits and medicinal qualities. It’s a plus point is that even though it’s a drug, it is non-intoxicating. The reason for the same is that there is no or almost nil level of THC, also known as tetrahydrocannabinol, which is largely responsible for giving the user a ‘high.’ Thus, CBD is considered to be a non-psychoactive substance.
How CBD affects the brain
As mentioned earlier, CBD is a non-psychoactive substance. Thus, it only relaxes the brain and doesn’t bring the high that is usually created by other cannabis compounds, such as marijuana and hashish. Even so, it might impact your brain in terms of mood and altering its chemistry to calm down your whole system.
If ingested in high doses, it can produce anti-anxiety effects and brings major changes in serotonin level. It also contributes to an increased level of anandamide and act as an allosteric modulator—it can enhance or inhibit receptor transmission. This also leads to a state of calmness.
So, if you think you cannot drive responsibly after the above alteration in your brain, by all means, avoid it.
CBD and driving: Is it safe?
Even so, CBD affects the brain by raising levels of anandamide and GABA, the hormones responsible to increase relaxed state of mind. They also bring a decrease in the excitability of brain activities. Since the effects of CBD aren’t intoxication, the user starts feeling better about him or herself. CBD, in no way, can impair or alter your brain functions, never to the point where it meddles with your driving capabilities. However, it has been noted that a few people’s driving abilities were lowered after taking a CBD-infused product, as a part of its side effects.
The other side effects of CBD reportedly include lightheadedness, sleepiness, low blood pressure, and drowsiness. Thus, it is advised to avoid driving right after taking a dosage of CBD.
Usually, people suffer with CBD side effects due to the large amount of dosage they take. Reducing the dose generally helps is removing or reducing these effects. Thus, it is recommended to consult your doctor about the same.
So, can one drive after taking CBD?
The answer is yes! Absolutely yes! CBD contains only 0.3% of THC. In no way, you can be intoxicated after taking THC. It will not affect your judgment while driving; neither can it make you feel drowsy, unless taken in extremely high dosages, which any one in their sane mind would avoid doing.
However, prolonged use of uncontrolled usage of CBD-infused products might lead to irresponsible driving and create unwanted results in your brain, such as, reduced concentration. Thus, it is advised to use the prescribed or small dosage of CBD products, at least when you are only a beginner.
It is also recommended that your relaxed state of mind must not meddle with your driving skills. If you are someone whose brain might interfere with your driving judgment after CBD intake, then don’t risk it for your own good.
Also, do check out your state laws about driving after CBD intake to be sure about the legality of CBD and driving.
Conclusion
The final thoughts on CBD and driving are still the same—it is legal. However, if you are driving irresponsibly, then you might get a ticket, no prizes for guessing that. Also, if your recklessness is the result of driving after taking CBD, police might even charge you for that, depending on your THC level.
So, the best advice is to be aware of the CBD laws of your state, take prescribed dosage of CBD, and in any case, drive safe.
