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Eight in 10 Americans have made a U-turn in their opinions surrounding cannabis and marijuana usage, according to a new survey.
A study of 2,000 Americans saw 82 percent agree with the sentiment that their opinions on cannabis and related products have changed in recent years.
Of respondents who completed some form of U-turn, 46 percent strongly agreed that it was due to the rise of CBD products.
A further 36 percent were more gradual in their turnaround, citing themselves as somewhat in agreement with the notion of the CBD boom contributing to their opinion.
The study, conducted by OnePoll on behalf of HempFusion, showed that legislation – as well as overcoming initial hesitation toward cannabis imparted from early anti-drug schooling – may well be playing a role in America’s embracing of the CBD boom.
When respondents were asked if they felt they had become more open to CBD usage after overcoming hesitation from early drug awareness and anti-cannabis messaging when younger, 47 percent of U-turners were in strong agreement.
Legislative changes have also had a heavy impact. A provision in the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 – also called the 2018 Farm Bill – lifted a previous federal ban on hemp production, which relates to CBD’s new-found boom.
And this is verified to an extent in the data, as approximately a quarter (26 percent) of those surveyed said changes in legislation played a part in them trying new things.
This shows, as 36 percent of respondents said they have tried a CBD product within the past year alone.
“Once people realize two things, they’re much more open to trying CBD,” said Ashley Grace, Chief Marketing Officer at HempFusion. “One – your own body makes cannabinoids as part of what’s called your Endocannabinoid System (ECS). Two – the U.S. Department of Health patented the plant-based cannabinoids found in hemp as ‘antioxidants and neuroprotectants.’ Given this, clearly there might be some value in plant-based cannabinoids as a dietary supplement. And since they don’t get you high – why not give them a try?”
Odds are that the first CBD product people try is a dietary supplement, according to the results. Of the 67 percent of respondents who have tried CBD at some point in their lives, six in 10 said they first tried a dietary supplement.
Next in line were candies (51 percent), coffee (49 percent) and topical oil (49 percent).
Baby boomers surveyed – who currently use or have tried a CBD product in the past – were the most likely to try a CBD candy as their first product, at 62 percent.
Americans aren’t only using CBD for themselves, however. Three in 10 of those in the study who have ever used CBD, tried a pet-friendly product their first go-around with the compound, and a quarter currently use one for their furry friend.
The U-turn tendency emerged in a wider study examining Americans’ openness to trying new things across the food, wellness and health sectors.
Reflecting on their opinions from just five years ago, over half of Americans surveyed said they view themselves as more-open minded today than in the past.
Of those surveyed, 86 percent describe themselves as open-minded people.
Speaking to this, the survey found that the average American will try approximately four new things a month.
“The CBD market is very interesting in that it spans multiple generations,” said Grace. “Younger generations have grown up with Medical Marijuana so they are already onboard with legal, hemp CBD. Older generations are interested as well, and their attitudes are now clearly shifting to be more open to these natural, plant-based solutions.”
TOP 5 THINGS AMERICANS ARE WILLING TO TRY
1. Food 68%
2. Drinks 67%
3. Health and wellness products 65%
4. Natural pain remedies 54%
5. Visiting or traveling to new places 53%
TOP 5 INFLUENCERS TO TRY NEW PRODUCTS
1. A friend’s introduction to the product 54%
2. Advertisement on social media 54%
3. Advertisement on TV 51%
4. A family member’s introduction to the product 51%
5. A trusted store begins to carry a product 48%
