2019: a year to watch for CBD
W
hile CBD has been one of the
stories of 2018, the novelty
phase is now over, and 2019 will be
the year the longer-term future of
CBD products becomes clearer.
There is every sign of big continued interest in
medical and recreational marijuana. And while
such products should not be confused with CBD, we
can expect some of that interest to rub off on the
CBD market.
Meanwhile, there is likely to be increased scientific
interest in trying to establish how efficacious CBD
really is for health, pain-relief and general well-
being.
Globally 2019 will continue to be a mixed bag for
CBD, with growth expected to continue at a rapid
pace in established markets while barriers remain
in smaller or non-existent ones. Countries such as
the UK should continue to see growth. CBD-Intel
analysts expect CBD use to become even more wide-
spread as it is accepted into more health food stores
and mainstream supermarkets.
But in other jurisdictions, such as France and Italy,
where CBD products have seen greater restrictions,
the future does not appear quite as bright. Despite
some advances, uncertainty and clampdowns are
expected to continue in France. In Italy the story is
slightly better. Flowers and foods are expected to
see continued restriction but a ministerial decree
should add some clarity on foods.
And in Spain an increase in enforcement is
expected to continue while the country sorts out its
CBD regulation.
There is mixed news in the Czech Republic. A new
proposal for the legalisation of cultivating, handling
and using small amounts of low-THC cannabis for
personal consumption was given a negative recep-
tion by the Czech government during its first
reading in the country’s House of Representatives.
It is expected that the soon-to-be published national
anti-drug strategy for 2019-2027 will mention
cannabis in general. However, that does not mean it
will deal with CBD.
Other countries that have taken a negative
approach to CBD are not expected to loosen controls
in the near future. CBD-Intel does not predict a
market in Russia within the next year, for example.
Further afield, countries such as Australia will see
slow increases in CBD popularity but levels will
depend on future regulation.
About CBD-Intel
CBD-Intel provides impartial, independent and premium market and regulatory analysis,
legal tracking, and quantitative data for the cannabidiol (CBD) sector, with a focus on non-
US markets.
We offer a one-stop source of market and regulatory strategic data for the CBD industry.
Providing all the data in one online platform reduces the amount of time and money spent
monitoring the sector for multiple international markets. Our global perspective on the
international CBD sector offers you key data such as market trends, key players, regulatory
obligations and industry dynamics.
CBD-Intel’s team is made up of lawyers, economists and journalists. The team is based in
London, Barcelona and New York, and enhanced by correspondents and contributors from
around the world.
In addition, we offer customised research and consultancy support. We also publish
ECigIntelligence for the global e-cigarette and tobacco-alternatives sector.
www.CBD-Intel.com