Maryland is among seven states where CVS stores will soon begin selling topical products infused with the hemp derivative CBD.
The pharmacy chain will soon begin offering creams, lotions, sprays, roll-on products and salves containing CBD, a wellness ingredient used to treat ailments ranging from epilepsy and chronic pain to anxiety and insomnia.
CBD — short for cannabidiol — is among the primary chemical compounds found in hemp. Both hemp and marijuana are cannabis plants, but hemp’s main chemical compound is CBD, while THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the prevalent active ingredient in marijuana plants.
Unlike THC, CBD does not contain psychoactive properties.
CVS will not sell supplements or food containing CBD.
CVS is working with multiple CBD product manufacturers, said Michael DeAngelis, a spokesman for CVS, in an email.
Among them is Curaleaf Holdings, a marijuana company based in Vancouver, Canada, which has a dispensary in Reisterstown and sells its products at dozens of Maryland dispensaries. Curaleaf announced its agreement with CVS during an earnings conference call Wednesday.
Other states where CVS will offer the products include California, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee. Previous reports indicated CVS stores in Alabama also would be offering CBD products, but that state is no longer on the list, DeAngelis said.
“While hemp and hemp-derived CBD are no longer controlled substances under federal law, some state laws may be more restrictive than federal law and other states still prohibit or limit hemp,” he said.
DeAngelis declined to provide information about specific stores in Maryland where the products will be sold.