Just a few years ago, CBD was everywhere—front and center in wellness stores, splashed across media headlines, and the topic of endless curiosity among consumers.
After the 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp-derived products containing less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC by dry weight, CBD surged into the mainstream. The market ballooned with product launches and bold claims, many of which outpaced scientific backing or regulatory clarity.
Today, that hype has cooled. As economic conditions, evolving regulations, and new cannabinoid products reshaped consumer interest, CBD has shifted from star player to supporting role. But it hasn’t disappeared. Instead, it’s maturing—integrated more subtly into broader health and hemp categories where its long-term utility is still taking shape.
Now, signs of stabilization are starting to emerge. Brightfield Group forecasts 2025 U.S. CBD sales to reach $2.8 billion—including $2.0 billion from non-pharmaceutical products. Public CBD companies have also reported steadier quarter-over-quarter performance, indicating that the worst of the decline may be behind them.
That said, growth is unlikely to return in full force without regulatory change. The FDA has yet to provide clear guidelines for CBD in food and dietary supplements, leaving larger retailers and CPG players hesitant to fully engage. Should this change, the market could rebound more meaningfully, with Brightfield Group projecting up to $3.9 billion in total sales by 2030. Without it, CBD’s trajectory will resemble that of a mature category—growing slowly at a projected 1.2% CAGR between 2025 and 2030.
As the industry matures, CBD has increasingly found itself entangled with adjacent markets. Many wellness-focused brands have reformulated or repositioned their offerings to emphasize functional outcomes, combining CBD with familiar ingredients like melatonin, L-theanine, or ashwagandha to support distinct need states such as sleep, stress, and immunity. Some have even expanded into non-CBD supplements to cater to health-conscious consumers who may not even be familiar with or seeking out cannabinoid products, diversifying their revenue streams.
At the same time, CBD has faced competitive pressure from hemp-derived THC products. While many CBD companies initially tried to highlight the differences between CBD and THC, there was a segment of CBD consumers that seemed to purchase it because it was the closest thing to legal cannabis that was readily available.
Notably, some of today’s leading hemp THC brands started out as CBD-focused businesses before pivoting. Companies like 3CHI and Hometown Hero initially built their reputations on CBD before shifting attention toward psychoactive hemp derivatives. Meanwhile, many brands still committed to CBD are diversifying their lines, introducing low-dose THC SKUs or hybrid formulas to retain consumers drawn to cannabinoids more broadly.
Today’s evolving CBD market is defined less by hype and more by consistent, focused usage around key health needs. Brightfield Group’s H1 2025 consumer survey shows a clear throughline in how and why people continue to turn to CBD. Among those who use it, physical relief and sleep are the most sought-after effects, each cited by around 50% of respondents. Relaxation followed closely behind at 46.1%, while all other desired effects fell below 35%.
These preferences for restorative and therapeutic effects are reflected in usage patterns. One in three consumers report taking CBD before bed, making it a go-to for winding down. Many (roughly one in five) prefer to use these products when in acute moments of need, with a similar proportion integrating CBD into their daily routines.
While CBD may not command the same sales as it did previously, the industry remains sizable and continues to provide valuable relief for many consumers, especially those seeking ways to naturally help their body rest, recover, and regulate. These focused use cases give the category staying power—less as a fad and more as a dependable, functional tool. As long as consumers continue prioritizing restorative care, CBD will have a seat at the table.
The category’s strength now lies in consistency, reliability, and integration into wellness behaviors—whether that’s winding down at night, easing tension, or supporting recovery.
As long as consumers prioritize natural self-care, CBD will remain a trusted option—even if it’s no longer the cannabinoid of the moment.
Updated: 07/10/2025