Many parents ask: is it safe to give to kids? With the growing popularity of CBD, we have to dig further to ensure we are making the right decision for the health and safety of our children.  CBD has exploded due to its many useful purposes such as helping to treat chronic pain, anxiety, ADHD, autism, and cancer. Because research is limited on the safety, applied uses, and how well it works, especially for children, we have to give this topic careful consideration. 

Public Opinion on Giving CBD to Kids

In this article, we are going to review the results from the Mott Poll: Parent Perspective on CBD use in Children. We would like to warn you that the poll is done as a survey of the general public, who is generally not educated on CBD and even admit to not knowing the difference between CBD and marijuana.  

Is it safe to give my child CBD?

CBD (cannabidiol) is a compound derived from the cannabis plant that has become increasingly popular due to its potential health benefits. Many parents are now wondering if CBD is safe for their children. We dive into this topic in depth in our article: Is CBD Safe for Kids, so that you can make an INFORMED decision on if CBD is a good fit for your children. There is also the general public opinion on CBD use for kids which sings a different tune to the knowledge we share here at SOCIETY. The Mott Poll shows how much work needs to be done on educating the public about cannabis.

Parent's Perspective on CBD for Children - Mott Poll Data

The Mott Poll published the results from a survey looking at the Parent's Perspective on CBD use in Children, which compounds the data of the opinions of parents when it comes to administering CBD to children. The nationally representative poll report is based on responses from 1,992 parents of children 3-18 years surveyed in October 2021.

“There is very little data on how CBD may impact children’s developing brains and only certain types of situations when it’s considered for pediatric medical reasons. Still, CBD has become much more accessible and widely advertised, with some companies claiming benefits for kids,” said Mott Poll co-director Sarah Clark, M.P.H.

What is the Mott Poll? 

The C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health (Mott Poll) measures parental attitudes, experiences, and priorities regarding health-related issues and trends for US children. Poll findings can inform new policy initiatives and research ideas regarding a wide range of child and adolescent health issues, including parenting, school environments, mental and emotional health, and vaccines.

Notable findings on the CBD for Kids Poll

The following are some of the highlights from the Mott Poll that we found interesting. 

• One-third of parents in this Mott Poll believe that taking CBD is the same as using marijuana, showing parents’ overall limited knowledge about CBD products.
• 3 in 4 parents say CBD for children should require a doctor’s prescription.
• Among the 7% of parents who have given or considered giving their child a CBD product, only one-third talked with their child’s healthcare provider about CBD use.
• The majority of parents have never used a CBD product themselves, while 24% have tried it and 5% use a CBD product regularly.
• 83% of parents think CBD products should be regulated by the FDA, but only 58% say FDA approval would be important to their decision about whether to give a CBD product to their child.

Parents that Give Their Child a CBD Product

Out of the 7% of parents who have given or considered giving their child a CBD product, the most common reasons include anxiety (51%), sleep problems (40%), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, (33%), muscle pain (20%), autism (19%) and to make their child feel better in general (13%). Less than ⅓ of those parents have spoken to their primary care doctor about giving their child CBD. 

What if a Prescription was Required to use CBD? 

Three in four parents that completed the survey felt CBD should only be available with a prescription from a doctor. This shows the lack of knowledge many parents have about CBD as a plant-based medicine. For decades we have been at the mercy of the medical complex, most health professionals have little knowledge of the health benefits of CBD and cannabis, and even if they did, they would still operate within their own biases. Until the stigma around cannabis is dissolved this could be an awful set-up for desperate parents. Creating yet another gatekeeper from allowing the public to access the benefits of cannabinoid therapy. 

Telling your Pediatrician about Adolescent CBD use. 

The survey shows that only a small percentage of parents that gave their children CBD supplements told their child’s pediatrician. Could this be because they were nervous about the repercussions of making this decision? Unfortunately, because of the stigma, lack of knowledge, and those biases again it can be nerve-wracking to tell anyone that you’ve made the informed decision to give your child CBD. 

What if the FDA Regulated CBD Products? 

Currently, the FDA does not regulate CBD products, and unfortunately, if they did, then the restrictions they would likely place over the industry could potentially impede the customer's choice to use CBD in the way that fits their lifestyle and preferences. Due to the restrictions that brands must comply with on how they describe the ingredients, we already have to read between the lines regarding what health supplements would be helpful for acute health issues. If government agencies add further red tape to our right to choose the way we care for our families and personal bodies, this could be detrimental. 

Common Uses for CBD in Children

CBD is found to have a myriad of uses but the following are the ones most commonly mentioned. Check out our article: Is CBD Safe for Kids to read further into each of these uses. 

• CBD Anxiety Treatment for Children

• Overcoming Adolescent Sleep Problems with CBD

• CBD for Kids with ADHD

• CBD for Children on the Autism Spectrum 

• CBD for the treatment of Epilepsy

There is work to do to educate the public on CBD 

The results of this poll go to show the lack of knowledge and high level of fear that the public still holds about cannabis and particularly CBD.  High Society Mama, the owner of SOCIETY, is on a mission to normalize cannabis use amongst parents, but that includes educating them on CBD. Clearly, there is work to be done and we hope that you join us as we dispel myths and overcome fears about cannabis. 

FDA Disclaimer: Do not use these products to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product. The statements made about these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, and their efficacy has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. The information presented here is not intended as a substitute or alternative to information from health care practitioners.  Please consult your healthcare professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act require this notice.