Professor can comment on beverage maker’s possible move into drinks infused with CBD

CHICAGO --- Coca-Cola on Monday issued a statement responding to speculation that it is interested in cannabidiol (CBD)-infused beverages, and said it is “closely watching the growth of non-psychoactive CBD as an ingredient in functional wellness beverages around the world.”

Northwestern University opioid abuse and addiction expert Richard Miller, professor of pharmacology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, is available to speak to the media about the medical aspect of drinks infused with CBD. He can be reached at 312-503-4892 or [email protected].

Quote from Professor Miller:

“It's an interesting throwback to the origins of Coca-Cola. When the drink was first formulated in the latter part of the 19th century, it contained both cocaine (from coca leaves) and caffeine (from cola nuts). The cocaine was removed from the drink in 1904, leaving the caffeine. The new drink is based on CBD, which was originally isolated from cannabis. However, the new drink will not contain any of the psychoactive derivatives from the plant, such as THC. It's almost like history is repeating itself.

“Whether the new drink will have any health benefits will depend on the dose of CBD contained in it. If it’s just a trace for advertising purposes, then it won’t actually do anything. The dose will be critical.”