National CBD Day may not be as widely recognized as traditional holidays like Christmas or Black Friday, but it holds a special place on the National Day Calendar, the official source for celebratory days in the US. It shares the spotlight with other quirky days like National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day, National Ear Muff Day, and National Mad Hatter Day. While it may not have the same level of popularity as other unofficial cannabis holidays like 4/20 and 7/10, August 8 is still dedicated to celebrating the benefits of CBD.
So why hasn’t National CBD Day caught on like its counterparts? The answer is not so simple. From a cannabis culture perspective, there are a few reasons why it may not have gained as much traction. For one, CBD is often associated with health and wellness rather than getting high. As Matt Coapman, CMO of cbdMD, a North Carolina-based CBD manufacturer and founder of National CBD Day, explains, “We founded National CBD Day in 2018 to bring awareness to an unknown wellness wonder. Hemp-derived wellness is critical, and August being wellness month, it made a lot of sense to put a finer point on it as a wellness product. We knew back then what we know today: CBD can help millions of people.”
The lack of enthusiasm from the cannabis industry also sheds light on the divide between THC and CBD, and the industries that surround them. Unlike other holidays that revolve around a shared activity, such as protesting, praying, shopping, or smoking joints, CBD does not have the same participatory appeal. As one cannabis industry executive puts it, “CBD doesn’t get you high. People don’t go to concerts and smoke CBD, or pack bowls of CBD or connect with others while passing around a joint of CBD. No one’s having the best day or night of their life on CBD. Plus, the effects of CBD are so subtle, it’s questionable whether it’s actually working or if it’s more of a placebo thing.”
However, Coapman argues that the lack of recreational use does not diminish the benefits of CBD. The science behind it shows that CBD can reduce inflammation, anxiety, improve sleep, boost the immune system, and even help with epilepsy. The fact that it doesn’t produce a “high” does not make it any less effective.
Ultimately, the culture surrounding CBD is still evolving, and it may take some time for it to gain the same level of recognition as other cannabis holidays. But for those who have experienced the benefits of CBD, National CBD Day is a reminder to celebrate and spread awareness about this wellness wonder.