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Federally Legal Cannabis for Natural Wellness in the USA

March 24, 2025
Federally Legal Medical Cannabis

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Hemp is federally legal with <0.3% Delta-9 THC while traditional cannabis remains a controlled substance.

2018 Farm Bill Impact – Legalized hemp, allowing CBD, Delta-8, and other cannabinoids but left state laws variable.

Increased availability of hemp-derived products raises concerns about quality control and state compliance.

Hemp cannabinoids provide a natural alternative for patients suffering from aches, soreness and other unwanted symptoms.

In the previous two decades, the cannabis market in the United States has undergone revolutionary changes. With a growing number of jurisdictions legalizing medicinal and recreational cannabis use, the plant’s role in wellness has moved from an illegal topic to a respectable field of natural health concern. More precisely, the federal legalization of cannabidiol (CBD) derived from hemp in 2018, following the passage of the Farm Bill, marked a watershed moment. This provided the potential for CBD to be widely used as an ingredient in health products, as people increasingly turned to cannabis as a substitute for health and wellness.

With the increased use of cannabis, the industry has expanded to include well-being items. The growing acceptance and understanding of its medical potential, notably for insomnia, chronic pain, and inflammation, has prompted many people to seek its benefits as a natural cure. This essay will look at how cannabis became a health product, how it is used in medicine, how consumers behave, and how the 2018 Farm Bill enabled this shift.

The Rise of Cannabis as a Wellness Product

Since the legalisation of hemp in most states, the company has experienced a growth explosion since then. NIDA’s DrugFacts about Cannabis indicates that individuals aged 50 and older have experienced the largest increase in cannabis use of any demographic, with more than 5 times that of the same age group in 2018. The 2023 Cannabis Business Times report went on to suggest that the cannabis health wellness market, which includes CBD and THC products, to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10% from 2023 to 2028, resulting in a $58 billion market by 2028.

More use of cannabis is also evident in its increased acceptance. By 2023, nearly 40 states had legalized cannabis in some form, most of which permit cannabis for medicinal purposes. Customers, particularly those seeking substitutes for traditional medicines, are turning more and more to cannabis products due to their non-psychoactive nature.

Cannabis, specifically hemp-derived cannabis, has been added to various wellness products like oils, tinctures, balms, and edibles, all of which are being sold due to their health-benefiting attributes and ability to heal the body naturally.

Studies and Research on Wellness Cannabis Consumption

Some studies have been conducted to assess the efficacy of cannabis in treating various wellness conditions. In a survey carried out in The Journal of Pain in 2024, it was found that approximately 20% of individuals who consumed cannabis did so for the primary purpose of pain relief. Even more dramatically, a study published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in early 2025 finds that 62% of people who use cannabis products do so for sleep troubles, 43% for PTSD or anxiety, and 43% for stress.

A 2021 cross-sectional study published in the Journal of Cannabis Research surveyed 387 CBD users and found that the most common reasons for use were anxiety (42.6%), sleep problems (42.5%), and stress (37%). Most participants used low daily doses (under 50 mg) and reported that CBD was effective in managing these concerns. The study also noted that women were more likely to use CBD for anxiety and sleep, while older adults tended to use it for pain.

The price and availability of hemp-derived products since 2018 have also been contributing factors. Sales of wellness products containing CBD and other cannabinoids have increased exponentially, and a number of consumers have used some form of cannabis to support overall well-being in the past year.

The Role of Hemp-Derived Cannabis in Wellness

CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), are cannabis’s most common compounds that are known for the therapeutic effects of cannabis. CBD, in turn, is non-intoxicating and has been consumers’ sweetheart as it creates wellness without THC’s “high.” THC, though psychoactive, is also now being utilized for products of well-being because it is pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory.

However, today’s modern science has unlocked the hemp plant to offer a more tailored suite of cannabinoids for people who need them the most. For brain stimulation and focus, there’s CBG. For sleep support, there’s CBN. For intense physical relief and potent sedation, there’s THCp. There’s a hemp-derived cannabinoid for everyone.

Hemp’s usefulness in treating common wellness issues, such as sleep issues, stress, and anxiety, is well-documented. A study published in Frontiers in Pharmacology in 2022 looked into the effects of daily 50 mg CBD administration for eight weeks in healthy people. The results showed considerable improvements in sleep quality. THC’s involvement in pain, on the other hand, is well documented, particularly in the treatment of chronic pain, because it works on the body’s endocannabinoid system to eliminate pain.

Cannabis for Sleep

Sleep disturbance is one of the most common health complaints in the U.S. A 2024 survey conducted by the American Sleep Association found nearly 70 million Americans have some sleep disorder. Most are looking for relief from cannabis products, particularly CBD and low-THC products.

A 2019 study published in The Permanente Journal examined the impact of cannabis on sleep and anxiety in a clinical trial. The trial involved 103 adult patients and gave them CBD as an adjunct to their standard drug. At one month, 79.2% of patients had a reduction in anxiety and better sleep scores. These trends were sustained throughout the trial. CBD gummies, oils, and tinctures have been in the trends for inducing relaxation. Most users prefer them as they are non-psychoactive, especially for individuals who want to avoid the high caused by THC. This is also followed by increasing numbers of sleep-focused cannabis products entering the market.

Cannabis for Physical Relief

Research published over the last few years continues to show cannabis’ effectiveness in relieving chronic aches and soreness. According to research done in 2017, many cannabis patients, including those with chronic disomfort, report health benefits such as improved physical recovery and reduced soreness. However, it also notes that pharmacoeconomic factors are a significant limitation.

A further 2024 review of cannabis use in chronic musculoskeletal (MSK) pain patients found that 23% of patients had reported cannabis use for pain, with most users considering it to be helpful. Of non-users, 65% had reported they would use cannabis, albeit ignorance and stigma were common deterrents. The review identified the possible therapeutic role of cannabis in chronic MSK pain but stressed that more clinical trials were needed to substantiate its effectiveness and establish its position in treatment guidelines.

The painkilling properties of cannabis are generally attributed to its action on the body’s endocannabinoid system, through which a number of physiological functions are regulated, including pain. THC specifically is reported to induce significant relief from ailments such as arthritis, muscle pain, and fibromyalgia. However, increasingly, users are seeking out CBD for its painkilling properties without the psychoactive effect, especially for those seeking a more natural treatment than traditional painkillers.

Cannabis for Inflammation

Cannabis, in the form of CBD, has been promising in reducing inflammation. A 2024 review published in Frontiers in Pharmacology found that CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties may potentially benefit patients with diseases such as arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and other inflammatory conditions.

The anti-inflammatory effect of cannabis is widely utilized in topical preparations such as balms, creams, and oils. These are designed for local application and are increasingly being utilized for the treatment of conditions such as joint pain and muscle inflammation.

Other Wellness Benefits

Along with sleep, discomfort, and inflammation, cannabis is also being used to improve mental health. The wellness cannabis market also includes products designed to improve mood, focus, and overall mental health. The products, often sold as “wellness enhancers,” are usually in the format of oils, edibles, and soft gels containing CBD, THC, or a combination of both. Their popularity is bound to increase more as new research emerges indicating the use of such products to improve emotional and mental well-being.

Consumer Demographics and Usage Patterns

Cannabis and wellness use

Hemp or cannabis for well-being is no longer niche to a demographic. Even though older persons, particularly those over 50, have always been the predominant users of cannabis for therapeutic use, new generations are increasingly using cannabis for well-being as well. The 2024 Survey found that adults aged 35-50 have a cannabis use prevalence of 24.9%. Additionally, a 2023 Gallup survey reported that 15% of Americans smoke cannabis, with usage varying by age, gender, and education level.

The gender split is proportionally even, with men and women both using cannabis for well-being, but with women choosing non-psychoactive formulations like CBD. As cannabis use becomes more mainstream, the population for cannabis focused on wellness keeps growing.

The consumption of cannabis edibles has become a booming trend, where the majority of consumers prefer gummies, chocolate, and any other type of infused foods. The balms and creams, being topicals, are also gaining popularity due to the localized and targeted effects that they offer, particularly for arthritis or muscle pain patients.

The consumption of CBD products that don’t get a person high has also grown with people seeking wellness without the high from THC. It has thus established the market for a new wellness-focused generation of cannabis products, such as skincare products, bath bombs, and even pet wellness products with CBD.

The Role of the 2018 Farm Bill in the Wellness Movement

The 2018 signing of the Farm Bill was a milestone for the cannabis industry. The federal legalization of hemp-derived CBD permitted CBD products to be widely distributed in mass quantities, spurring consumer demand into a boom. CBD products began to appear in stores, like health and wellness stores, and were made available to the masses.

This law was crucial in gaining consumer trust in cannabis products. The act provided a regulatory framework for the sale of hemp products, thus ensuring consumers that such products were safe, regulated, and of quality. As the wellness cannabis market grew, the Farm Bill was an important milestone in the industry’s development thus far.

The Future of Cannabis in Wellness

The wellness cannabis industry will continue to follow an upward path in the next few years. With an increasing states legalizing cannabis and the taboo around its use fading, the wellness-oriented cannabis products market will grow. The CBD and wellness cannabis market is anticipated to witness a growth rate of more than 20% every year for the next decade.

Predictions for Cannabis in Mainstream Wellness

Thanks to the legalization of hemp-derived cannabis, this natural wellness solution will increasingly find its way into mainstream wellness routines, with consumers increasingly incorporating it into their daily lives. New and innovative products, such as CBD-infused beverages, sleep aids, and wellness supplements, will continue to fuel this growth.

As research continues to highlight the medicinal potential of cannabis, its position within mainstream wellness will continue to expand. Education offered to consumers about the worth and potential harms of cannabis consumption will also be an important determinant of the future of this industry.

Final Thoughts: The Surge of Cannabis for Wellness

Cannabis has undeniably made a significant place in the natural health market. More and more becoming accepted and supported by increasingly more research into its therapeutic worth, cannabis—specifically CBD and THC—is the new hot thing for individuals seeking natural remedies to traditional drugs. From insomnia and pain relief to inflammation reduction and mental wellness improvement, cannabis is proving itself to be an excellent health tool. As the industry continues to expand, it is crucial for ongoing research and consumer education to help unlock the full potential of cannabis in natural wellness.

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What are cannabinoids?

Cannabinoids are natural compounds in cannabis that interact with your body’s endocannabinoid system, influencing mood, relaxation, focus, and overall well-being.

Does THCa get you high?

Yes. While THCa is non-psychoactive until heated, once decarboxylated, it converts into THC, producing the euphoric effects commonly associated with cannabis.

How is Delta-8 different than Delta-9 THC?

Delta-8 offers a milder, smoother high than Delta-9, with less intensity and potential for reduced anxiety or paranoia.

What makes THCp stronger than Delta-9 THC?

THCp binds more strongly to cannabinoid receptors, making its effects significantly more intense than regular THC.

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