Understanding the Cultural Significance of Cannabidiol in the United Kingdom

• In Event: Cannabis and cannabinoids

Abstract

Background: The rapid growth of the industry has caused confusion over the legal and regulatory status of the substance in the UK. This raises questions over the cultural understanding of CBD and cannabis. Previous research has showed a clear medicinal and pharmacological benefit for CBD but has lacked any understanding of the social and cultural aspects of consumption. By understanding the reasons, patterns, and barriers of consumption, this will produce a clear understanding about the environment and purpose of CBD consumption. Therefore, the project is investigating the history and cultural significance of CBD and the demographics of consumption within the UK. Specifically, analysing the relationship between CBD, cannabis, health, and wellbeing cultures.

Methods: Online anonymous questionnaires and interviews will assess the culture around CBD, by asking consumers about the environment, reasons, and ways they learnt about the substance. Participant observations and ethnography in the CBD stores will evaluate the environment and the feelings that customers experience when purchasing the substance.

Results: The presentation will give the findings of the research project. An extensive literature review of cannabidiol culture, the legal framework for CBD and the pharmacological literature on CBD will be outlined. In addition, the data from the online survey of CBD users and CBD store owners will be reported to show the trends and findings. The results from the participant observations of CBD users around CBD stores in Manchester and Birmingham will also make part of the presentation.

Conclusions: A clear link has been identified between CBD culture and other cultures, most notably cannabis culture and health and wellbeing culture, with tension evident between different cultures. There is also significant association with CBD and medicinal cannabis as well as an association with the wider cannabis legalisation movement

Author

• Joe Price, Lancaster University