Insights into public use and attitudes of cannabidiol (CBD) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland: secondary analysis of an official statistic consumer survey, Food and You 2

Introduction

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a naturally occurring phytocannabinoid found in Cannabis plants. CBD is used for skin care, pain, anxiety and insomnia. There is a growing range of CBD products and formulations on the market, which have been driven by the increased demand for CBD products. The aim of this study was to identify knowledge and use of CBD products among adults in England, Wales and Northern Ireland; exploring patterns of CBD use of different products and characteristics associated with awareness and use of CBD.

Methods

The current research analysed data from the Official Statistics survey, Food and You 2 (n=13 879), Wave 1 (2020), Wave 3 (2021) and Wave 7 (2023). A series of binary logistic regression models were used to identify the characteristics associated with CBD awareness and use. Cluster analyses examined CBD product usage and how consumers decide on a suitable dose/serving.

Results

It was identified that 61.9% of respondents had heard of CBD, and of those who had heard of CBD, 17.1% had used CBD in the previous 12 months. The characteristics associated with CBD awareness and use are not uniform. How CBD users decide on a suitable dose/serving varies, with some using a combination of methods, others relying on pack instructions alone or not thinking about this issue.

Conclusions

This research offers novel insight into the awareness and use of CBD products across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, providing an evidence base for policymakers to better understand and monitor CBD awareness and use.