Identifying Cannabidiol (CBD) Research Priorities Relevant to Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Cannabidiol (CBD), a plant-derived cannabinoid compound found in cannabis, has been readily available in the United States since the legalization of hemp products in 2018. With all 50 states legalizing some form of CBD, many products have appeared in the marketplace. The American public generally considers CBD a safe and effective way to manage pain, mental health conditions, and other health issues in children and adults, even though CBD has only been approved for the treatment of specific types of pediatric seizures. This report describes early findings from preclinical CBD studies, select clinical trials, and naturalistic observational studies of CBD users and identifies knowledge gaps in this emerging field, especially those relating to the developmental effects of CBD. The main goal of this report is to identify priorities for future CBD research, particularly those that will benefit the field of child and adolescent psychiatry.