Cannabidiol (CBD), a cannabinoid derived from the Cannabis plant, is being supplied as a medicine in Australia, but often as a component of oils and extracts of cannabis. A purified product has recently been approved for treatment of certain paediatric epilepsies in the US and is under regulatory evaluation in Australia as a registered medicine. There is increasing use, patient demand and health care practitioner interest in its use in clinical practice, as well as widespread use in over the counter medicines, complementary medicines and cosmetics in some countries.