CBD oil has become ubiquitous at smoke shops, gift stores, markets, festivals, and some gas stations, and has found its way into everything from skin care products, to shampoo, snacks, candy, hot sauce, and beverages like tea, soda, and smoothies. So, what is CBD and why the controversy? Cannabidiol, CBD, is a phytocannabinoid found in cannabis plants. Many people swear by its calming effect, and it has become popular as a pet supplement since it can purportedly calm anxious cats and dogs, or help stem negative or destructive behaviour.
Others have estimated that the U. Those rates of growth are incredible, particularly when you consider the legal gray area CBD has historically inhabited. CBD is currently legal according to the Federal government, however, CDB is still technically illegal in some states, and the FDA continues to view CBD as an illegal food additive largely because it is still untested or approved.
Because of this, many ecommerce platforms and credit card processors have refused to support sales of these products. Some retailers have tried to skirt the restrictions of ecommerce platforms and traditional payment processors like PayPal, and most major credit cards, by using various alternative payment options like bitcoin, money transfer, or high-risk payment processors, many of which are typically associated with porn websites.
Historically, commerce platforms like Shopify have revoked access to their own credit card payment processing, Shopify Payments, if they have found that a retailer is selling CBD or hemp related products, and some platforms will ban certain businesses altogether.
Shopify announced that it is now possible to support CBD product sales. With some significant caveats:. These include businesses like gambling, adult content or services porn, massage parlours, dating sites, fetish gear , or regulated products like tobacco, e-cigarettes, weapons, and - unfortunately - marijuana or hemp-related products see the full list here.
