The novel Coronavirus may have wiped out whole industries in the long tail of its economic
cyclone, yet it has shaken up others, leaving them ripe for the kind of innovation that only a
crisis of this magnitude can catalyse.
One industry that is primed for exponential growth in the wake of the pandemic is that of
cannabis, specifically cannabidiol (CBD).
According to the World Health Organization, CBD is generally well-tolerated with a good
safety profile. It is non-psychoactive and exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or
dependence potential [1], and is renowned for its pain-relieving [2], anxiety-alleviating [3],
and sleep-promoting properties [4].
Says Herschel Maasdorp, CEO of CANNAFRICA, the soon-to-launch lifestyle cannabis
brand of Labat Healthcare, “CBD’s role in a time of COVID is becoming ever more
prominent, if the international scene is anything to go by.”
Alphagreen.io, a UK-based CBD marketplace, recently revealed that spend on CBD
products in Britain surpassed £150m in the first four months of 2020, putting the market on
track to achieving a staggering 50% growth when compared to the previous year.
Some are touting this boom to be a side-effect of the wholly unsubstantiated belief in
certain users that CBD could possibly alter the trajectory of the COVID-19 disease.
While one Canadian study titled ‘In Search of Preventative Strategies: Novel
Anti-Inflammatory High-CBD Cannabis Sativa Extracts Modulate ACE2 Expression in
COVID-19 Gateway Tissues’ tentatively showed that certain strains of CBD may potentially
lower the risk of contracting COVID-19, the lab conducting the study was quick to caveat
that far more research was needed [5].
Maasdorp, however, cautions the industry against suggestions of this nature, and advises
that merchants “be wary of filling the vacuum of fear wrought by the pandemic with
unfounded claims, which undermines our hard-won credibility; something that the industry
is still battling to establish among certain stakeholder groups.”
The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) bars CBD companies
from making claims that a product can ‘diagnose’, ‘cure’, ‘treat’, ‘mitigate’ or ‘prevent’ any
medical conditions. These guidelines are in line with international guidelines, such as the
Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the United States’ regulatory authority. In addition,
CBD manufacturers and distributors are required to adhere to strict guidelines when
developing marketing content related to CBD products, while Google’s advertising policy
still prohibits brands from promoting CBD products to online users.
Maasdorp admits that while certainly no cure for Corona, there’s substantial evidence in
support of CBD’s anti-bacterial [6], anti-anxiety [7,3] and anti-inflammatory [2,4] properties,
making it highly attractive in the midst of a global pandemic.
“Along with virtually every other business, the CBD industry took a knock during South
Africa’s initial hard lockdown in March, as consumer spending ground to a halt in the face
of the proverbial rainy day, which had suddenly materialised. However, CBD retailers have
since experienced a rapid recovery – particularly those with e-commerce platforms, as
many consumers continue to give brick-and-mortar outlets a wide birth,” he says.
He offers two reasons for this rising popularity. “Firstly, in a disease pandemic, wellness
becomes a high-value currency. ‘Self-care’ has taken on a whole new meaning: having
finally outgrown the sheet mask, it now encompasses the full spectrum of mental,
emotional and physical health, cementing its place in society.”
CBD has shown that it may contribute towards promoting homeostasis by boosting
endocannabinoid activity, leading to a growth in demand as consumers seek to enhance
their immunity.
Maasdorp says that the second reason for this growth is the sharp spike in conditions such
as depression and anxiety across the country “While wide-scale unemployment has risen
around the globe, the deep fissures that already exist in our country’s socio-economic
fabric have been exacerbated by the pandemic.”
The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) recently reported that the
number of calls to mental health and suicide hotlines had more than doubled since the
beginning of lockdown, and were climbing every day.
“The post-COVID landscape is a fertile breeding ground for increased chronic stress,
anxiety, depression, alcohol dependence, and self-harm.”
Stress management is an area where CBD shines. One study [1] that investigated cannabidiol as a potential treatment for anxiety disorders showed that systemically administered CBD lowered acute increases in heart rate and blood pressure. The compound also conclusively demonstrated its efficacy in mitigating anxiety-related behaviours relevant to multiple disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) and seasonal affective disorder (SAD), among others, with a notable lack of anxiogenic effects [1].
With consumers under mounting pressure, Maasdorp believes that CBD has a valuable role
to play in a post-COVID world.
“This places an even greater responsibility on us, as an industry. It is vital that we avoid
making unverified or grandiose claims. We must commit to ongoing education that will
empower our customers, while adhering to the parameters laid out in the regulatory
framework. Remaining transparent and ethically accountable will ensure our industry’s
long-term viability, in a world forever changed by this pandemic.”
