One of the common misconceptions Hemp for Horses founder Renee Vandenberg encounters is that CBD has the same effects on the user as marijuana. Legally, CBD must contain less than 0.3% THC — the psychoactive compound — for it to be sold across the U.S. because of the 2018 Farm Bill. The difference between CBD and marijuana is the quantity of THC in the hemp plant, a result of selective breeding. Without the psychoactive component of THC, horses still benefit from inflammation reduction, lung and joint support, pain relief and the calming effects of CBD. 

It significantly helped Vandenberg with her chronic nerve pain after a car accident, and it helps horses stand better for the farrier, improves mobility and reduces the perception of pain in the brain. 

Both humans and horses have endocannabinoid systems, which support various processes in the body. CB1 receptors control the activity levels of other neurotransmitters, including pain responses, mood and alertness, while CB2 receptors are present in the immune system and help dictate inflammation, according to Harvard Health. This system produces enzymes (endocannabinoids) that are similar to those produced by the cannabis plant (phytocannabinoids).

Scientists are unsure of the exact mechanism in…