The Next Revolutionary Anxiety Medication?

A fairly new outbreak in the cannabis related industry is cannabidiol, commonly referred to as CBD oil. This compound found in cannabis plants is rapidly gaining attention as a potential medication to relieve the effects of anxiety. CBD oil remains in the beginning stages of research for its effects on anxiety, but the potentiality is undeniably exciting and seemingly safe.

According to Apple Wellness ¹,research suggests CBD oil could be a possible alternative to addictive anxiety meds, like Xanax and Prozac, but scientists still hesitate to confirm the benefits before long-term studies conclude. Still the interest in this possible anxiety treatment for those suffering persists. In reality, this is just the start for CBD.

Unlike the most popularly known cannabidiol, tetrahydrocannabidiol (THC), CBD does not produce a high after usage. In fact, CBD oil impacts the mind without putting the user in an altered state. However, it may be quite a bit of time before scientists reveal conclusive results on CBD’s effects on the brain. With extensive marijuana research still being new to the world, it’s difficult for scientists to predict long-term effects.

According to Leafly ², www.leafly.com/news/health/cbd-for-treating-anxiety.

, some of the anxiety disorders scientists believe CBD oil may assist in helping include:

• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
• Social anxiety disorder
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Panic Disorder

Beyond anxiety disorders, CBD oil could possibly help reduce anxiety-induced insomnia in the future. There’s even talk about CBD as a possible aid in the relief of mild to moderate depression, however there’s not enough research and it’s still somewhat inconclusive.

The alarming number of anxiety-ridden adults in the U.S. makes potential of natural alternative medication a radical discovery. Current medications treating anxiety disorders have risky side effects, such as addiction. The hope is that CBD oil shows low or no risks comparatively to other established medications. If so, CBD could help a slew of patients unable to take pre-existing anxiety meds.

To visualize the need for effective anxiety medication options, the chart below illustrates the millions of adults struggling with the anxiety disorders listed above.

*The following statistics are in accordance to information presented by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.

The slow worldwide adaptation of recreational and medicinal marijuana products allows CBD oil a shot as a medicinal drug in the future. Last year, the CBD oil market hit a $202 million value and shows exponential estimated growth for years to come. Only time and additional extensive research will prove the positive benefits of this cannabis compound., and the results may be nearly revolutionary.

Mistakes to Avoid In Your Cannabis Marketing Strategy

Even though the cannabis industry is the least taboo it’s ever been, it still lives in somewhat uncharted territory. In this brief experimental period of cannabis marketing, many companies learned the hard lessons of what not to do. Fortunately, new and future cannabis companies can benefit from these hard-learned lessons to create a more detailed road map for their personal marketing strategies ahead. Before developing your cannabis company’s marketing plan, here are some important guidelines to follow.

Most social media platforms don’t welcome you, be careful what you post on your company pages. Specific guidelines for each social media platform censor the extent of cannabis related content allowed. The censorship of these social platforms reflects the reputation of these sites, therefore these guidelines tend to be strict and regularly monitored. It’s your duty to memorize the rules and craft your marketing strategy accordingly.  These platforms will notice if you try to cut corners and the penalizations could be detrimental to your marketing efforts.

Always avoid the use of inappropriate terminology. Maintaining professionalism in your marketing effort is critical. The language must appeal to this new age of cannabis use and neglect past terminology around the subject. Old street terms like “weed,” “bud,” and “pot” are out of the question. Stick to the term cannabis and other appropriate professional related terms. Your company is helping set the standards for the cannabis industry and how you communicate with consumers.

Don’t post visual or written content before considering the consequences. Certain visual content may be great for engagement with your target market, but unfortunately, it’s not just about the consumers. Refrain from posting photos of oils, plants, and other cannabis products in your marketing efforts. Social media platforms will detect them eventually and the punishments could be detrimental to your marketing efforts.

Minors are looking- so don’t be “that” guy. Culturally, the adaptation of legal marijuana is still brand new which makes it especially sensitive for some viewers. Any current cannabis store plays a role in the overall development of this industry’s public perception. Even though you’re not targeting minors, it’s inevitable some will see your content. Think as a parent and thoroughly question what you’re posting. Prioritize high marketing standards for your company and you just might become the example for exceptional cannabis marketing.

Keep the hashtags to a minimum. Like we stated previously, professionalism is imperative here. Along with that, overloading posts with hashtags tends to decrease engagement on social media. Limit your hashtag use to just a few and only what is relevant to the individual post.

Generalizing your audience won’t help your cause. Don’t assume the demographics or psychographics of your target market. The image of the lazy cannabis smoker is not accurate or progressive for the industry. Know your audience to properly engage them. This starts by knowing your brand to understand what type of consumer you attract. Once your audience is identified, discover how to personally engage them by appealing to their specific needs

Since the views on legalization of marijuana are still split, it’s a good idea for cannabis stores to fully understand their marketing rights and restrictions. Strategic and transparent are to keywords you should keep in mind throughout your strategy development. Now that you know what marketing methods to avoid, you can learn to market your brand more effectively. If you can’t seem to grow your brand and navigate the cannabis industry’s marketing standards, contact the professionals at Herban Creative.