Walgreens joins its rival company CVS in selling cannabis-infused cream, patches, and sprays available in 1,500 stores in select states.
The drugstore will sell the products in Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, New Mexico, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Vermont.
New CBD Trend
Non-psychoactive cannabis-based products are becoming popular especially after Congress passed the 2018 Farm Bill. There is growing consumer interest in cannabis due to its potential in treating conditions such as anxiety, pain, and nausea.
FDA said companies still cannot add cannabidiol (CBD) as an ingredient to food or dietary supplement. Selling topical beauty and skincare products appear to be less risky and a stepping stone for retailers.
"This product offering is in line with our efforts to provide a wider range of accessible health and wellbeing products and services to best meet the needs and preferences of our customers," Walgreens said in an official statement.
CBD For The Skin
Research presented at the 2018 American Academy of Dermatology annual meeting showed cannabis' promise in treating skin diseases. Lead investigator Dr. Jeanette Jacknin called hemp as "the new cosmeceutical ingredient."
"This is something in which the public is extremely interested, and researchers have responded accordingly," Jacknin said. "We've learned a great deal about the dermatologic applications of cannabis over the past several years, and we're continually learning more."
The anti-inflammatory properties that can be found in topical cannabis can improve outcomes for acne, psoriasis, and eczema. Jacknin said there were no associated negative side effects aside from contact dermatitis.
Contact dermatitis is a normal skin reaction to topical products. The rash that may occur at the site of contact may be due to the other ingredients, not just CBD, that irritates the skin.
A commentary published in the Journal of American Academy of Dermatology noted that cannabinoid may be useful in the treatment of contact dermatitis and atopic dermatitis.
A cannabinoid is also found effective in the treatment of itch in patients who underwent maintenance hemodialysis. The study of 22 patients showed reduced itchiness by 86.4 percent with no notable adverse effects.
