CBD, Hemp, and Medical Marijuana: What Do These Terms Actually Mean?

As the demand and acceptance of medical marijuana grows in the United States, more Americans are finding themselves in the position of buying cannabis-derived products — and a lot of them. To put it in perspective: CBD products earned 108 million dollars in consumer sales in 2014; that number more than doubled by 2016, earning 262 million dollars, and has grown exponentially since, according to Statista.

The popularity of CBD oil in particular has resulted in an explosion of similar products trying to jump on the bandwagon. The problem is, not all cannabis-derived products offer the same potential benefits, so it’s important to know exactly what you’re buying.

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Written by:

Lauren Smith, MA

Lauren Smith, MA, has worked in health journalism since 2017. Before joining GoodRx, she was the senior health editor and writer for HealthiNation.

Reviewed by:

Brian Clista, MD

Dr. Clista is a board-certified pediatrician who works in private practice in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He previously served as a National Health Service Corporation Scholar in the inner city of Pittsburgh for 11 years.

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