The child who legalized CBD in the world
CBD is everywhere these days: oils, flowers, cosmetics, beverages, pet products… In just a decade, this non-psychoactive cannabinoid has become one of the most visible faces of legal cannabis. But behind this apparent ubiquity lies a long, complex, and often little-known history.
In a new video posted on our YouTube channel, Newsweed takes a look at the complete history of CBD, long before marketing and specialty shops. A journey that traces back to the first scientific studies conducted in the 1960s, to patients and their families who championed the therapeutic potential of cannabidiol, and to European breeders who played a key role in spreading CBD-rich genetics.
The video covers the following topics:
- the central role of Raphael Mechoulam in the identification of CBD
- the emergence of Project CBD and the first activist networks
- the story of Charlotte Figi, a child with epilepsy whose story changed the world's perception of cannabis and sparked the rise in popularity of CBD
- the work of The Stanley Brothers and variety Charlotte's Web
- the decisive contribution of breeders such as Resin Seeds, Reggae Seeds, and the CBD Crew
- the Switzerland and the shift to hemp à 1 %de THC, the pioneer of the CBD flower market in Europe
- the persistent regulatory inconsistencies in France and the European Union
Beyond the historical narrative, the video also explores the paradoxes surrounding CBD: from genuine medical advances to commercial exploitation, legal uncertainty, and its role as a «gateway» to broader cannabis normalization.
👉 An in-depth look at the history of CBD, at the intersection of science, genetics, politics, and contemporary practices.
📽️ The video is now available on the Newsweed's YouTube channel and above.
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cbdtech
January 28, 2026 at 1:51 p.m.
Thank you, Aurélien, for this essential historical overview. We often forget that before becoming a product on store shelves, CBD is first and foremost a scientific and human journey.
It is crucial to pay tribute to pioneers like Raphael Mechoulam and to the courage of Charlotte Figi’s family. It is these individuals and their research that have helped break down taboos and bring hemp out of the shadows. At CBDTech, we believe that understanding the plant requires an understanding of its heritage: the contributions of European breeders and the rigor of early clinical studies are the foundations of what we experience today.
The current standardization is a victory, but the challenge remains to maintain these high standards of quality and transparency in the face of widespread adoption. This video is a must-watch for anyone who wants to understand that CBD is not just a passing trend, but a true social revolution. Fabien CBDtech