CSUN On Point

Cannabinoids, most commonly known as CBD products, are making their way into the consumer market, but questions continue to arise as to whether they are safe and legal.

New Frontier Data found that the $390 million market for all hemp products will triple by 2022. CVS and Walgreen have already announced they would begin selling hemp-derived CBD products in stores nationwide.

The products are gaining popularity after users reported they reduce anxiety and help with sleep issues. Some users believe CBD offers a natural alternative to drugs that relieve pain and treat anxiety, inflammation and depression.

The Controlled Substances Act of 1970 had made all hemp-derived products prohibited under federal law, but that ban ended with the 2018 Farm Bill. This bill lifted the federal ban, and allowed states to grow CBD products, which are extracted from cannabis and known as hemp. States that want to grow hemp products must apply and meet the requirements of the Agriculture Department.

Despite CBD’s increasing popularity, few scientific studies exist to prove its benefits, leaving many people confused about the difference between CBD and medical marijuana. CBD does not contain the THC component of marijuana, but some people, including some doctors, say they still have safety concerns.

“A lot of doctors kind of don’t know [what CBD can do] either, so they’ll discourage their patients,” said CBD entrepreneur Marissa Sanchez.

Sanchez said she started using CBD because she did not want to become dependent on prescribed medications for depression. She attended a CBD workshop at Feeling Groovy Wellness and Cafe, in Claremont, Calif., where she met CEO and Founder Nicole Lanni, and learned about the benefits of using CBD infused products.

“My overall well-being is much better, ” Lanni said. “Physically, I feel better. My skin is better. I think my relationships with people are better.”

Questions about the legality of products containing CBD oil still come up, despite how common they are in some cities.

States are allowed to ban CBD, despite it being legal now under federal law, and in states where CBD is produced legally, truck drivers may still be arrested for drug trafficking when trying to deliver it across state lines.

Still, proponents say its popularity will continue, especially because of its potential to help people.

“CBD can actually help people get off of other addictive substances,” Sanchez said.

Moderator: Chris Farias

Producer: Chris Farias

Anchor: Jamontae Hickman

Social Media Editor: Karissa Preciado

Reporters: Gloria Alas, Enrie Amezcua, Chris Farias, Darya Hariri, Jamontae Hickman, Coraima Hurtado, Karissa Preciado

Habitual marijuana use seems to be becoming the norm on many college campuses, as our society’s perceptions regarding the cannabis culture continue to change.

According to the University of Michigan’s Monitoring the Future study, marijuana use among college students is at its highest in more than three decades.

Marijuana’s rising acceptance in the media has had an impact on the way many college students view this drug.

“I think that the media has influences on all aspects of our lives,” said Shannon Franklin, a CSUN University Counseling Services therapist. “I think having that system that is surrounding us, telling us what is good and what is bad can definitely influence what a student thinks is appropriate for them.”

The last few years have seen a dramatic shift in the public’s attitude towards legalizing marijuana, and marijuana has become an alternative treatment for individuals with physical ailments such as cancer and other illnesses.

Marijuana’s popularity among college students is also due to its potential psychological benefits. When the pressure of college becomes too much to handle, some student may turn to marijuana as a way of dealing with feelings of anxiety or stress.

“I do see students who come in [for counseling], who are stressed, anxious, depressed,” Franklin said. “They might have tried marijuana to manage those symptoms, [but] the thing I’m really concerned about is why [they turned] to marijuana. Why was it interesting to them and how were they trying to reduce their symptoms? Were they trying to feel more calm? Were they trying to get away from their problems?”

Many college students may be unaware that smoking weed is potentially harmful for them. It can affect the brain’s development if it has not yet fully matured.

“Our pre-frontal cortex develops until we’re the age of 26,” Franklin said. “What that regulates, is your ability to make decisions and decide whether something is good for you.”

Marijuana can also have a negative impact on a college student’s academic performance, if it’s used inappropriately, such as in class or while studying.

“I think that being under the influence of anything will definitely alter your focus,” said Margaret Spryzynski, a Registered Nurse.

“If you smoke right before class, you’re not going to be able to concentrate as well,” Franklin said. “You might experience some symptoms of paranoia, [and when you’re] focused on what other people are thinking, [you are not] able to retain the memories that you need.”

A rise in daily marijuana use among college students could also be due to its accessibility, and that accessibility may be making it as popular as prescription drugs. But medical experts warn there are risks involved with replacing prescription medication with weed.

“From a medical perspective, I don’t think that marijuana is a good alternative for prescription medications because you have to look at why they need it,” Spryzynski said. “There are so many medications that we have, that marijuana should never be your first line of treatment.”

“Weed definitely has side effects such as withdrawals,” Franklin said. “You can be diagnosed with a cannabis addiction, and those are the things I keep my eyes open for.”

The American College Health Association conducts a survey every year to determine students’ habits and behaviors. The 2014 study reported that 37 percent of CSUN students said that they have tried marijuana at least once. It also found that only 15 percent of CSUN students said they smoked marijuana on a more regular basis or within the last 30 days.

“This is part of human nature and social norms,” Franklin said. “What we think everybody is doing isn’t necessarily what they’re actually doing.”

“Marijuana can be a quick fix for some people, but I want to work on skills you can take into your adulthood,” Franklin said. “[That way] you can figure out what to do when you’re stressed, and what to do when you’re anxious. Students can come over to the University Counseling Services, and meet with one of us, and have that conversation and that attention, and get the knowledge that they need.”

Moderator: Jon Gripe

Anchor: Daisy Lightfoot

Producer: Andrew Pitters

Reporters: Jon Gripe and Ashley Horton

Social Media Editor: Sarina Sandoval