The bioavailability challenges facing CBD medicines

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is one of more than 100 different derivatives of Cannabis. CBD is produced from both synthetic and natural sources. It is non-psychotropic and is being increasingly promoted for its potential therapeutic benefits in pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, cosmetic, food and beverage applications. Companies and consumers are following benefits such as treating pain, nausea, anxiety, schizophrenia, epileptic seizures, and more. There are currently only two pharmaceutical products with clinical data that have been approved by regulatory agencies. There are multiple clinical studies in progress in various phases and for different indications. The number of studies has more than doubled in 2019 over the previous year. Based on some of the early results, an outlook of strong growth is projected for CBD formulations in the pharmaceutical sector. Market research data indicate global market projections for sales of CBD ranging up to $22B by 2022. While there may not be consensus on the actual size of the market, the one thing researchers seem to agree on is the strong growth rate of up to ~30% per year that is forecast to continue well into the next decade.