In recent years, the number of opportunities to see the term "CBD (Cannabidiol)" in the healthcare and wellness industries has increased significantly.
The market for CBD-related products is growing rapidly in North America and Europe, and is being incorporated into a wide range of areas, including food, beverages, cosmetics, and supplements. In Japan, CBD oil and CBD gummies are now being sold within the scope of regulations, and specialized online stores are also becoming available.
CBD is a cannabinoid found in cannabis plants and industrial hemp, and is generally considered to have very low psychoactive effects .
This is a major difference from THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the same cannabinoid but is strictly regulated.
This time, we will explain future business opportunities based on trends in academic papers.
1. Current state of CBD research: Background and figures for the increase in academic papers
1-1. Increasing trend in the number of academic papers
As evidence that CBD research is expanding worldwide, let's first look at the number of papers in the academic literature database PubMed .
Around 2010, there were only about 200 research papers on cannabidiol.
However, as of January 2025, the search for "cannabidiol" returned more than 7,000 research papers.
In simple comparison, the number has increased by about 20 times, and you can see from the image that most of the additions were made after 2020.
In addition to basic research, there are many reports on animal experiments and some clinical trials, and there is an increasing movement to investigate the effects of CBD on the nervous and immune systems of humans and animals.
1-2. Digging deeper into the factors behind the increase in research
The most important event is probably the deregulation and establishment of laws and regulations in the United States.
In the United States, the " Farm Bill " was passed in 2018, accelerating the movement to legalize the cultivation of industrial hemp. In European countries, the handling of medical marijuana and CBD has been relatively relaxed, creating an environment that makes it easier to conduct research.
CBD has attracted the attention of pharmaceutical companies and supplement companies, who believe it could be a new option for many people's problems, such as sleep disorders, stress care, and chronic pain. In particular, cosmetics and food companies require academic evidence when selling to consumers, which is likely why the number of papers has increased sharply.
2. What is the market size and growth potential for CBD?
Global market size
In recent years, various market research companies have published reports on the CBD market, many of which predict high growth in the global market. For example, Grand View Research estimates the global CBD market size to be approximately $5.18 billion (approximately JPY 680 billion) , and predicts that it will expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 16.8% by 2030.
Market Research Future also predicts a rapid expansion of the CBD market. It is clear that they are analyzing that demand will grow not just in cosmetics and beauty, but in collaboration with the food and beverage sectors in particular. If the trend of deregulation in Europe and the United States continues, it is likely that more investors and major companies will enter the market.
On the other hand, Asian countries such as China and Korea have strict laws regarding narcotics and marijuana, and it is unlikely that these laws will be relaxed anytime soon. Similarly, Arab countries may also have strict prohibitions, so we must be very careful about export destinations.
What will happen to the Japanese market?
In Japan, the revised Cannabis Control Act, which came into effect on December 12, 2024, strictly regulates the content of the narcotic component "THC," so only THC-free CBD products can be legally distributed.
Therefore, the most common business model is to import CBD ingredients extracted overseas, process them domestically, and sell them as oils, gummies, and cosmetics.
Immediately after the revised law came into effect, there have been cases of arrests of businesses, but large companies such as Otsuka Pharmaceutical have also entered the market, and we are now at the stage where clean businesses are beginning to enter the market. This is seen as a cautious trend.
While there is room for regulations to be established, it is necessary to assess Japan's unique rules and administrative policies, making risk assessment essential for investment.
What do academic studies suggest are the potential benefits and risks of CBD?
It is true that an increasing number of papers are suggesting the potential of CBD in many areas, including anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. One paper that has garnered support is the paper published in Frontiers in Immunology (Crippa JA et al., 2018).
The paper touches on the immune-modulating and anti-inflammatory properties of CBD.
In addition, the European Journal of Pain (Schilling S et al., 2021) reported on animal studies that examined how CBD affects chronic pain.
However, at present, there are no guidelines regarding the appropriate concentration or dosage for the general human population, and the common approach is to try multiple CBD oil products to find the optimal dosage for each individual.
Are there any business opportunities?
More and more companies are expanding sales by incorporating CBD into health foods and cosmetics , rather than just CBD products alone. We believe that this could create even bigger business opportunities by combining with existing markets such as the supplement and beauty markets.
On the other hand, the biggest risk factor for the CBD industry is the fluidity of legal regulations in each country. The same is true in Japan, and if regulations are revised or new standards are established, the way the market develops could change dramatically.
If unapproved ingredients are carelessly promoted as having medical effects, there is a risk of violating the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Device Act and other laws, so companies must be careful when formulating their promotional strategies.
When considering investing in CBD-related companies or startups, it is essential to check whether you are violating local laws and guidelines and how they may change in the future.
Companies that have extraction technologies or formulation patents, and companies that are conducting joint research with academic institutions, are likely to be able to maintain a competitive advantage in the long term.
If major food and beverage companies and cosmetics manufacturers actively enter the market, the market may expand rapidly. How to gain the trust of consumers will be a key point of differentiation in the future.
5. Summary: The future created by the fusion of research and business
Research on CBD is currently in a period of expansion, with the number of international academic papers continuing to grow at a rapid pace. Corporate products and branding strategies are becoming more active, and collaborations with health foods and cosmetics are opening up new markets.
ASA.tokyo offers OEM and raw material sales for those who want to start a CBD business. For more information, please contact us using the inquiry form below.
We recommend that you continue to explore the potential and risks of CBD in depth, paying close attention to the latest research data and legal trends.
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