Cannabidiol (CBD) is arguably the most popular cannabinoid on the planet right now. Whereas THC is associated with intoxication, CBD is not.

That is a significant distinction because while many consumers are fans of THC’s effects, not everyone is.

Someone that has no interest in experiencing the euphoric effects of THC, and thus has avoided consuming cannabis, may still want to experience the wellness benefits of CBD.

The market for CBD is larger than the market for THC. That is not a knock on THC – the market size for THC is massive, and increasing as reform victories pile up across the globe.

With that being said, it is no secret why CBD is growing in popularity at an exponential rate because it is appealing to a wider audience.

Favorable Regulations

THC-based business models are hindered by public policy at the local, national, and international level in most countries.

Right now, Canada is the only country on earth where an adult of legal age from any country can legally purchase high-THC cannabis.

Uruguay also allows legal adult-use sales, however, those sales are restricted to residents of Uruguay.

Compare that to CBD products derived from hemp, which are being legally sold all over the globe. Sure, there are some countries that do not allow it, but many countries do.

It is far easier for an entrepreneur to create and sell a CBD-focused product at the international level than it is for them to create and sell a THC-focused product.

Those more-favorable regulations directly contribute to a situation in which innovators are scrambling to create CBD products and get them to the marketplace.

CBD Oil As A Food Preservative?

The food industry can be a tricky thing for farmers and entrepreneurs due to the fact that food products typically do not have a long shelf life. That is especially true for produce.

Anyone that has visited a grocery store knows from firsthand experience that it does not take very long for produce to spoil, which is why consumers often have to pick through produce to find the ‘best’ items to purchase.

A recent study found that adding CBD oil to strawberries increased the strawberries’ shelf life and reduced the microbial load found on the strawberries.

“Strawberries were evaluated for visual quality and microbial load before and during storage,” researchers stated. “Results from this study showed that CBD oil was effective at maintaining the visual appearance of strawberries…compared to the fruit that was not treated.”

For better or worse, global consumers often base their purchases on visual qualities, so the fact that the CBD oil seemed to make the strawberries redder for longer is significant.

It will be interesting to see if the concept of covering produce with CBD oil is extended to other produce, and if/when that happens, how effective it is.

Hemp is a superfood, largely because of the CBD contained in it and the wellness properties that CBD provides, and so being able to add it to other produce to increase shelf life is a win-win situation for consumers across the globe.