CBD With Pain Disability Program - April 2024

Overview: What Is CBD? 

Cannabidiol, more commonly called CBD, is one of the active phytocannabinoids (plant-based cannabinoids) of Cannabis sativa plants. 

This compound is nonpsychoactive or does not cause a euphoric high in users and exerts various beneficial pharmacological properties, such as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects⁽³⁾. 

CBD may interact with the ECS (endocannabinoid system), found in most mammals’ nervous and immune systems. 

Aside from the ECS mainly being present in humans and most animals, the system also has a crucial role in maintaining the body’s homeostasis or balance⁽⁴⁾. 

Benefits of CBD

Research has hypothesized that CBD may possess therapeutic benefits, specifically for pain and inflammation. These benefits may help individuals suffering from chronic pain and improve their overall quality of life⁽⁵⁾.

Moreover, the compound’s purported anti-inflammatory properties make CBD a promising option for managing different types of pain⁽⁶⁾.

Studies have suggested that CBD may help reduce pain associated with the following medical conditions⁽⁷⁾:

• Inflammation
• Migraines
• Arthritis
• Multiple sclerosis
• Diabetes
• Fibromyalgia
• Parkinson’s disease
• Cancer

CBD interacts with the body’s ECS or endocannabinoid system⁽⁸⁾. The ECS has various cannabinoid receptors, such as CB1 and CB2 receptors, which can are found in the central nervous system and immune system⁽⁹⁾. 

CB1 receptors have an essential role in regulating the sensation of pain. Meanwhile, CB2 receptors activate the body’s anti-inflammatory response⁽¹⁰⁾.

When CBD interacts with both receptors, it may yield anti-pain (analgesic) and anti-inflammatory benefits⁽¹¹⁾.

Furthermore, an animal study examined the effects of transdermally administered CBD on rat models with arthritis⁽¹²⁾. 

The researchers noted that CBD topicals may help decrease arthritis-pain behaviors and inflammation without causing detrimental effects on the rats.

Although this study was done on animal models, the research findings on the benefits of CBD may open the possibility for further studies on CBD and humans. 

Lastly, researchers investigated individuals diagnosed with epidermolysis bullosa and the effects of CBD topical products like cream, oil, and spray on the disease’s symptoms⁽¹³⁾.

Epidermolysis bullosa is a rare disease that causes fragile, painful, and blistering skin.

The study indicated that CBD may have decreased the pain and the formation of blisters and promoted more immediate wound healing. 

Despite these clinical studies on the promising effects of CBD, further research is still required to determine the efficacy of the compound on medical conditions accurately.  

Risks and Side Effects of CBD

Generally, individuals who are using CBD may experience minor side effects, such as⁽¹⁴⁾:

• Dry mouth
• Diarrhea
• Drowsiness
• Fatigue

Furthermore, taking cannabidiol alongside certain medications may induce potential drug-to-drug interactions. 

CBD may be an inhibitor of the cytochrome P450 enzymes at specific doses⁽¹⁵⁾.

This inhibition may cause adverse effects on how an individual’s body breaks down or metabolizes different prescription medicines. Some of these pharmaceutical drugs include⁽¹⁶⁾:

• Antihistamines
• Antibiotics
• Antidepressants
• Anesthetics
• HIV antivirals
• Beta-blockers
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Therefore, it is vital to consult a medical health expert for advice before buying or using CBD for a medical issue. 

These medical experts may advise CBD users of any side effects or possible drug-to-drug interactions. 

Legality of CBD

Epidiolex is the only CBD-derived product currently approved for use by the FDA. This medication treats tubular sclerosis and seizures caused by two rare forms of childhood epilepsy⁽¹⁷⁾.

The Farm Bill in 2018 states that CBD products are federally legal in the United States⁽¹⁸⁾ as long the product contains no more than 0.3% THC. 

However, individuals are still highly encouraged to verify their state laws and check product labels before purchasing, using, and traveling with CBD products. 

CBD Assistance Programs & CBD Discounts

CBD may provide various therapeutic benefits, such as analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects⁽¹⁹⁾.

However, not everyone can afford CBD products. Some CBD brands offer discount coupons or discount codes to lower the cost of the products.

CBD brands also offer CBD financial assistance programs to make the compound more affordable for consumers.

Brands With CBD Assistance Programs

According to several websites, the following CBD brands offer CBD assistant programs for the following qualified individuals:

• Lazarus Naturals may offer 60% off retail orders to veterans, individuals with low income, or long-term disability. 
• NuLeaf Naturals and CBD American Shaman offer a 30% discount off their CBD orders for people on long-term disability, low-income, and veterans. 
• Charlotte’s Web may give veterans, people with low-income or long-term disability 15% off their orders, except for bulk orders or their original strength formula products. 

How to Apply for CBD Disability Programs

Every CBD product brand may provide different guidelines for individuals who desire to apply for their CBD disability program. It is best to review these guidelines to determine if one is qualified for the program.

According to various websites, in general, individuals who are eligible to apply to CBD disability programs are veterans, people with long-term disabilities, or low-income. 

According to Title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations, a veteran is an individual who served in the active navy, military, or air service and was released under conditions that are not dishonorable⁽²⁰⁾. 

Meanwhile, individuals with long-term disabilities are people who are unable to work for a long time due to an injury, illness, or accident⁽²¹⁾.

Lastly, low-income is a person from a family who has a taxable income from the previous year that did not exceed 150 percent of the amount equal to the poverty level established by the Bureau of the Census⁽²²⁾.

Each individual may be asked to provide qualifying documents depending on the CBD brand requirements.

1. Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cannabidiol
   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7023045/
2. Cannabinoid Delivery Systems for Pain and Inflammation Treatment
   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6222489/
3. Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cannabidiol
   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7023045/
4. The Endocannabinoid System of Animals
   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6770351/
5. A Balanced Approach for Cannabidiol Use in Chronic Pain
   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7204604/
6. page 167 of Healing With CBD
   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AGlxnhS2SoFeOXEuysv75bd_C9pEnwsU/view
7. page 167-168 of Healing With CBD
   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AGlxnhS2SoFeOXEuysv75bd_C9pEnwsU/view
8. Review of the neurological benefits of phytocannabinoids
   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5938896/
9. Cannabinoids and Pain: New Insights From Old Molecules
   https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2018.01259/full
10. Ibid.
11. CBD oil: What is it and how does it work?
    https://www.eehealth.org/blog/2019/09/cbd-oil/
12. Transdermal cannabidiol reduces inflammation and pain-related behaviours in a rat model of arthritis
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4851925/
13. Cannabinoid Delivery Systems for Pain and Inflammation Treatment
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6222489/
14. CBD: What You Need to Know Before You Try
    https://www.cedars-sinai.org/blog/cbd-safe.html
15. CBD user’s guide
    https://www.projectcbd.org/guidance/cbd-users-guide
16. page 115 of Healing With CBD
    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AGlxnhS2SoFeOXEuysv75bd_C9pEnwsU/view
17. FDA Approves New Indication for Drug Containing an Active Ingredient Derived from Cannabis to TreatSeizures in Rare Genetic Disease
    https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-new-indication-drug-containingactive-ingredient-derived-cannabis-treat-seizures-rare
18. Hemp Production and the 2018 Farm Bill
    https://www.fda.gov/news-events/congressional-testimony/hemp-production-and-2018-farm-bill-07252019
19. A Balanced Approach for Cannabidiol Use in Chronic Pain
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7204604/
20. What is a Veteran? The Legal Definition
    https://va.org/what-is-a-veteran-the-legal-definition/
21. See the Essentials About Long-Term and Short-Term Disability Insurance
    https://www.thebalancecareers.com/what-is-long-term-disability-insurance-1918178
22. low-income individual
    law.cornell.edu/definitions/uscode.php?width=840&height=800&iframe=true&def_id=20-USC-912417993-1672098327&term_occur=999&term_src=title:20:chapter:28:subchapter