If you’ve used cannabidiol (CBD) products or have a friend that swears by them, then you are already in tune with the potential benefits CBD gummies and oils offer.
According to a recent Gallup poll[1], nearly 14% of people in the United States use CBD products. Within that number, 40% of people use it for pain, 20% use it to combat anxiety, and 11% use it to help with sleep.
CBD is a phytocannabinoid that was discovered in 1940. It makes up approximately 40%[2] of the cannabis plant’s extract. Along with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD is one of the most commonly studied compounds in the cannabis plant.
Lately, parents and caregivers have begun using CBD in children as a natural way to relieve symptoms associated with anxiety, depression, autism spectrum disorder, and other ailments.
This may lead you to question if CBD is a safe, natural alternative treatment method for your child.
In this article, we’ll explore the ins and outs of CBD gummies and oils for kids. We’ll discuss its safety, effectiveness, legality, and potential health benefits.
We will also provide you with a guide for buying CBD for kids, and you’ll see our top 7 picks.
Best CBD Gummies & Oils For Kids on the market in (February. 2023)
- CBDfx – Editor’s Choice
- Royal CBD – Best Taste
- Spruce CBD – Best Quality
- Joy Organics – Best THC Free
- CBDPure – Purest
- Penguin CBD – Best Gummy Worm
- Medterra – Best Variety
Can CBD Make Children High?
Since CBD is cannabis-derived, you may, understandably, question if CBD will make your child high.
The short answer is no, CBD does not make children high.
THC is the part of the cannabis plant responsible for marijuana’s psychoactive effects. CBD gummies typically contain pure CBD derived from hemp and should not contain THC or create any feelings of euphoria or being “high”.
However, some full-spectrum CBD oils contain all of the compounds from the cannabis plant and may contain traces of THC in amounts less than 0.3%.
Is It Legal To Use CBD For Children?
While CBD derived from marijuana plants remains illegal on the federal level, the 2018 Farm Bill[3] made it legal to sell CBD derived from hemp as long as it contains less than 0.3% THC.
However, the FDA can still regulate products that contain cannabis and cannabis-derived substances.
To date, the only cannabis-derived medication on the market approved for use by the FDA is Epidiolex[4]. It’s used to treat seizures caused by two severe forms of epilepsy, Dravet syndrome, and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
Even though it is legal on the federal level, some states still disapprove of CBD possession, so checking with your individual state’s laws is always important.
The legality of giving children CBD remains a gray area. Although it will not get your child high, it’s not legal to give your child THC, and even a slight amount of THC may result in a positive drug test.
Is CBD Safe For Children?
Since it isn’t widely studied in children, we can’t say for sure that CBD is 100% safe.
According to the FDA[5], they are actively working on learning more about the safety of CBD in special populations like children.
The World Health Organization[6] (WHO) reported that CBD is generally safe and well-tolerated by the adult population. However, children process drugs and medications differently, so we need more studies on this population to consider it safe.
The Line Up At A Glance
7 Best CBD Products For Kids
CBDfx Oil
If you’re in search of a high-quality, vegan-friendly CBD oil, CBDfx Oil has you covered. All CBD oil offered by CBDfx is extracted from the hemp plant using C02 extraction and is third-party tested to ensure potency.
- Organic CBD
- Third-party tested
- Contains CBD+CBN
- Verified potency
- C02-extracted
- Infused oil tinctures
- Pricey
CBDfx was founded in 2014 with a mission to provide customers with the purest, highest-quality CBD products in the world. All products offered by CBDfx are organic from seed to sale and are third-party tested to ensure quality.
Their hemp oil is extracted from the cannabis plant by the “gold standard” carbon dioxide method, and the oil tincture includes MCT oil for improved bioavailability and absorption. They also offer infused oil tinctures to meet your individual needs.
Some of the most popular infused oils they offer include a broad spectrum sleep tincture which includes melatonin and CBN (the relaxation cannabinoid) and a wellness tincture that contains curcumin and coenzyme Q10 and CBG (the mother of all cannabinoids). Potencies offered range from 400mg-4000mg per bottle.
Royal CBD Gummies
If you’re looking for a wide selection of high-quality, broad-spectrum CBD gummies that are entirely free of THC and vegan friendly, Royal CBD has you covered.
- Third-party testing
- Variety of flavors
- Vary in CBD potency
- THC free CBD gummies
- C02 extraction
- Vegan
- Pricey
Royal CBD is well-known for its high-quality CBD oil that consistently tops the charts for quality and customer satisfaction.
All products are made from organically grown hemp and extracted using C02. Their gummies are also free of harsh chemicals.
Royal CBD has quite an impressive selection of CBD gummies that come in sweet dots and sour drops to satisfy tiny taste buds. Each bottle includes a medley of strawberry, orange, and grape flavors. All CBD gummies are completely THC-free and vary in CBD potency (10mg, 25mg per gummy).
Spruce CBD
Spruce CBD is relatively new to the CBD scene, but that hasn’t stopped them. They offer excellent customer service, lab-grade CBD products and provide higher concentrations than other companies on the market.
- Higher concentrations
- Third-party tested
- 30-day return policy
- Ethanol extraction
- Lab grade CBD products
- Full-spectrum
Spruce CBD was founded in 2018 and has been a key competitor in the CBD industry ever since. They are a family-run business that produces high-quality, affordable products. Spruce CBD is known for the unique terpene profile in the strain of hemp they use that dates back to 1812. According to their website, this strain provides more effective relief than others.
All products are third-party tested, pesticide-free, and made with 100% natural ingredients. Their oils are not flavored, but they typically offer a limited-edition flavor each season. CBD potency varies from 750mg to 2400mg per bottle, and all oil is extracted using ethanol.
They only offer full-spectrum CBD, which can be an issue if you want your child to have CBD without traces of THC. Plus, they have a disclaimer at the bottom of their site telling you not to use their product if you are subject to a drug test.
Joy Organics
If you’re looking for a flavored, kid-friendly CBD oil, Joy Organics is a great option. All of their organic CBD oils are full of flavor and offer THC-free options.
- No THC
- Organic CBD oil
- Three concentrations to choose from
- Comes in a variety of flavors
- Third-party testing
- C02 extraction
- Expensive
Joy organics was founded in 2018 by Joy Smith, who was passionate about finding products that worked. She eventually decided to create her own CBD, and her business has flourished ever since.
When looking for CBD products for our children, we want to choose the purest, organic form. Joy organics offers both full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD oils in various flavors, including tropical sunrise, fresh lime, and tranquil mint. All traces of THC are removed from their broad-spectrum CBD oil.
Potencies range from 250-2250 mg per bottle. All oils are grown in the United States, USDA certified organic, and are extracted with C02 to ensure quality and safety.
CBDPure
CBD pure offers high-quality, affordable CBD and is an excellent option for those new to CBD products.
- Reasonably priced
- Third-party tested
- Certified organic
- 90-Day money-back guarantee
- C02 Extracted
- Limited product selection
- Only offers full spectrum CBD
- No flavors
CBD Pure was founded in 2016 with a goal to create the highest quality CBD on the market. All of their hemp plants are grown by local farmers and are USDA-certified organic. Their extraction is C02 based and preserves the natural cannabinoids and terpenes. Products also go through third-party testing and offer a generous 90-day money-back guarantee.
Unfortunately, they do not offer broad-spectrum CBD. However, all products are guaranteed to have a less than 0.3% THC concentration.
Furthermore, they do not offer flavors that may not appeal to children. Potencies range from 300-1000 mg per bottle.
Medterra
Medterra offers a wide selection of affordable, US Hemp Authority Certified CBD gummies free of THC. Products are researched, formulated, and created by a team of medical advisors.
- Four concentrations available
- Wide product selection
- Great customer service
- CBD gummies are free of THC
- Non-GMO
- Vegan
- C02 extraction
- Caution recommended with full-spectrum CBD
Medterra is a smaller CBD company based out of California with a mission to produce safe yet effective CBD. Their CBD oils are free of THC, non-GMO and are U.S. Hemp Authority certified.
Medterra’s CBD gummies are formulated by a board of medical advisors and contain additional compounds to meet your individual needs. Some of their great-tasting formulas include: stay awake gummies with added green tea, immunity-boosting gummies with vitamin C and elderberry, and calm CBD gummies with added L-theanine. Each gummy contains 25 mg of CBD.
Their hemp is extracted with C02 and grown following the strict guidelines of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. Additionally, their CBD oils have been through lab purity testing and are guaranteed to have over 99% CBD.
Penguin CBD
Penguin CBD offers premium, naturally grown CBD products. They offer CBD gummy worms that are completely free of THC made with CBD isolate, which is great for children.
- Kid-friendly
- THC free
- Non-GMO
- Naturally grown hemp
- C02 extraction
- CBD isolate
- Some artificial ingredients
Penguin CBD was founded in 2019 with a mission to provide high-quality CBD products at an affordable price. All products are third-party tested and contain no THC. For a fairly new company, they are dominating the CBD market.
They offer CBD gummy worms with 10 mg of CBD isolate in each tangy sweet and sour worm. All gummies are extracted using C02. Their gummies do contain artificial ingredients and colors, which can be a dealbreaker for some buyers. Penguin CBD gummy worms only come in CBD isolate, so you won’t get other compounds of the cannabis plant as would with broad-spectrum.
Benefits Of Using CBD Oil for kids
Many people use CBD oils or gummies to treat symptoms associated with ADHD, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and other ailments. While studies on the adult population certainly appear promising, there isn’t enough evidence at this time to consider it more effective than traditional medicine. In children, studies are even more limited.
Here’s what you should know about the current research behind CBD use for children:
Epilepsy
The only FDA-approved CBD-derived treatment for epilepsy at this time is Epidiolex.
Epidiolex[4] is an oral solution made from CBD derived from cannabis sativa.
Its effectiveness was studied[7] in three randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials and included 516 children with either Dravet syndrome or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. This study concluded Epidiolex to be a safe, effective treatment for stopping seizures in these populations.
Anxiety
CBD has been studied[8] to benefit adults with anxiety. However, research among children is minimal.
In one study[8], a ten-year-old girl with PTSD was treated with CBD when pharmaceutical medications did not provide complete symptom relief. This study suggested that CBD oil is a safe treatment for reducing anxiety and improving sleep patterns. The patient did not voice any complaints of negative symptoms associated with using CBD.
Autism
Symptoms[9] of autism can include unusual emotional reactions, hyperactivity, and anxiety.
One study[10] suggested that cannabidiol may improve symptoms such as rage, hyperactivity, and sleep in children with autism. The only adverse symptoms associated with this particular study[10] were changes in appetite and somnolence.
A data analysis[11] looked at 188 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) during 2015-2017. Participants were given a cannabis oil composed of 30% CBD and 1.5% THC under the tongue three times daily.
After six months of treatment, 30% reported a significant improvement in symptoms, and 53% reported a moderate improvement. Unfortunately, 25% experienced side effects, with restlessness being the most common.
ADHD
Despite many anecdotal reports of CBD helping ADHD symptoms, very little research has been completed.
A recent review[12] reinforces the need for additional studies to determine the effectiveness of CBD for the treatment of ADHD. However, it does admit that a positive relationship between CBD and ADHD and other mental health disorders exists.
How To Choose The Best CBD Oil For kids?
With CBD sold online and available everywhere these days, it’s definitely not hard to get your hands on. However, we want to be especially mindful when searching for a product that is appealing to children yet safe and effective.
If you’re looking for a place to start, here are a few things to consider when buying CBD gummies or oils for kids.
Source of Hemp
You will want to consider the source of hemp before giving it to your child. If a hemp plant is grown in poor conditions, the plant may draw in harmful substances.
When hemp is grown in ideal conditions with quality soil and care, it thrives. This means it absorbs the proper nutrients it needs and will provide maximum benefits to your child.
To ensure your hemp is as clean as possible, I strongly recommend purchasing from farmers who sell organic hemp plants grown in the United States. By buying organic, products are far less likely to contain pesticides and other harmful substances.
Extraction Method
The way that CBD is extracted can tell a lot about its quality and safeness. Some manufacturers who sell cheap CBD oil may use toxic substances such as butane or propane. These products may hold a risk of containing toxic residue that you will not want to put in tiny bodies.
Though often more costly to the manufacturer, two safer extraction methods involve using carbon dioxide and ethanol. These substances typically leave little to no harmful chemicals behind.
Carbon dioxide extraction is considered to be the “gold standard” extraction method in the industry. It involves using pressurized carbon dioxide to pull all of the natural, beneficial compounds out of the hemp plant. This process results in clean oil-free of toxic byproducts.
CBD Type
Knowing the differences between the different types of CBD is essential.
Full-spectrum CBD oil will contain all of the phytonutrients and cannabinoids that are naturally occurring in the plant. However, it will likely contain traces of THC.
Broad-spectrum CBD oil still contains multiple cannabinoids naturally found in the plant but will not contain any THC.
CBD Isolate only contains CBD with no other cannabinoids.
Many prefer full-spectrum CBD oil because it may have an entourage effect[13]. This means that when the terpenes and cannabinoids are all present, they may work better together and give the user maximum benefits.
While to be legal, all full-spectrum products must contain less than 0.3% THC, some parents would, understandably, prefer to give their child a product 100% free of THC.
In this case, I recommend broad-spectrum CBD oil that allows your child to benefit from the additional cannabinoids without the THC being present.
Third-Party Testing
To ensure maximum safety and purity, you’ll want to be sure your product of choice has been third-party tested by an independent lab.
Most of the time, companies will put these test results available online. If you have difficulty finding these testing results or getting the company to send them to you, I choose a different brand.
Form of CBD
If you’re new to CBD products or question how much CBD you should give your child, I recommend starting with CBD gummies.
They are easy, convenient, and often come in assorted flavors. CBD gummies are easy to dose and have a set amount of CBD in each gummy.
Once you get comfortable, you may consider transitioning to CBD oil if your child.
CBD oil can be a little more difficult to dose and usually involves administering drops of oil under your child’s tongue and holding it there for a few seconds before swallowing.
Despite the flavored CBD tinctures on the market, CBD gummies are usually easier to take and preferred by children.
CBD Dosage for Kids
Since cannabidiol oil hasn’t been widely researched in young children and is not currently approved by the federal drug administration to treat medical conditions, there are no publicly recommended CBD dosages for children.
It’s always best to speak with your child’s pediatrician to establish a proper CBD dosage for your child.
Dosages will vary depending on the condition you are treating and the child’s size, so it may take some trial and error before you see results.
Risk & Side Effects
CBD gummies and CBD oils haven’t been extensively tested in children, so there are not many reported risks or side effects associated with giving CBD to children to treat health conditions.
It could, however, cause restlessness[14] and other sleep issues in some children. Though mild, some studies[14] have also reported appetite changes and somnolence.
Before giving your child CBD gummies or oils, be sure to speak with your child’s doctor or another healthcare professional certified to provide medical advice.
Final Thought
While CBD appears to have the potential to produce promising results to treat symptoms associated with several medical conditions, it’s essential to speak with your child’s pediatrician before use.
Once cleared for use, be sure to select a CBD product from a reputable company that uses organic hemp products and third-party testing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are CBD gummies safe for my child?
Although most CBD gummies should be safe for your child, it’s essential to discuss the safety and risks of CBD use with your child’s pediatrician.
Should I try CBD gummies or CBD oil for my child?
If you are new to CBD, consider starting with CBD gummies since they are convenient, easy to dose, and have a set amount of CBD per gummy.
Will my child fail a drug test if I give them hemp-derived CBD products?
If you choose a product with trace amounts of THC, it can result in a failed drug test. If you are concerned about this, consider broad-spectrum CBD products that are 100% free of THC.
Is taking CBD gummies a type of medical cannabis treatment?
While CBD is a component of medical marijuana, CBD gummies do not contain enough THC to produce a euphoric feeling the way that medical marijuana does.
