This policy explainer reports the demographics of cannabidiol (CBD) consumers and shows that people in all states (especially people in key groups such as veterans, the elderly, and children) use CBD. It also shares the reasons that people use CBD—often for healthcare—and raises the potential consequences of public policies that would drastically restrict CBD use.

Key Findings:

• A Forbes survey of US adults finds that 60 percent of respondents—including 89 percent of respondents age 77 or older—have tried CBD. Many respondents report having used CBD to treat a medical condition.
• A new law set to take effect in November 2026 could eliminate 95 percent of all hemp-derived CBD products made in the United States.

Policy Implications:

• Postponing implementation of the new law would give hemp producers time to prepare and give lawmakers time to weigh alternative regulatory frameworks that consider the health benefits of CBD. The Hemp Planning and Predictability Act (H.R. 7024/S. 3686), for example, would create such an extension.

Download the PDF here.