HOW’S BUSINESS?

From a business standpoint, the CBD industry is too good to be true. There are individuals that enter the CBD world just for quick and easy money and not for the true belief in the alternative medication.

It’s depressing to see when someone is just in the business for the money and not have a true passion for the culture, but can you blame them? We will be transitioning from CBD benefits and educational posts to a strict analysis of the CBD business. We will be Interviewing a CBD store owner to get a direct link into the industry, as well as other reputable sources along the way.

Iris Dorbian a writer for for http://Forbes.com stated, “Affecting industries as diverse as cosmetics, food and beverage and pharmaceuticals, the exploding CBD (cannabidiol) market has generated considerable headlines, providing fodder to umpteenth analysis and forecasts. The latest one, by leading cannabis researchers BDS Analytics and Arcview Market Research, projects that the collective market for CBD sales in the U.S. will surpass $20 billion by 2024. Interestingly, this figure is a slight increase from than the recent forecast made by New York-based investment bank Cowen & Co, which estimated that the market could pull in $15 billion by 2025”.

This goes to show that the numbers are clearly there, but there is still much danger in this field. With no FDA regulations and stores popping up all over the country it’s becoming a flooded market that’s struggling to expose the legitimate businesses.

CBD DISTRIBUTORS

A small mom and pop store located in Beckley, West Virginia that entered the CBD industry later than most in a bigger picture, but for the state of West Virginia they were one of the first. We were able to sit down for a personal interview with the store owner to answer a few questions on why he is in the business.

Jeff Brooks, in his mid 50’s has only had the CBD store for almost 2 years now, but it’s not the only business he has owned or managed. Ever since his late 20’s he has worked in the medical field, from owning his own respiratory company, to now a pharmacy. At first glance it’s simple Mr. Brooks is a business man, but was it the promising numbers that attracted the store owner? Or the true passion for helping his already existing patients at the pharmacy? Of course the main reason to start a business is to create revenue, but are they any other intentions?

According to Mr. Brooks, it was a very slow start for his business in the small populated area of Beckley. He stated that his main concern was getting the people educated in the area and destroying the label of CBD as a direct association with marijuana. West Virginia is typically behind when it comes to new trends, and mix that with a much older demographic than other areas it’s a challenge to spread CBD education. For someone that has taken a certain prescription for years and thinks CBD is marijuana, it’s a tough sell. Let alone the danger of other business flooding the market and ruining the name of CBD for potential patients.

Owner Jeff Brooks started his CBD journey at his pharmacy by offering products to his existing customers, to then open a separate retail store for more opportunities. It’s very unique to see how someone in the pharmaceutical industry that profits off prescription medications would even be interested in an alternative medication that could wing patients off their prescriptions.

Loyal to his customers and truly in the CBD business for the well being of his clients, owner Jeff Brooks takes all measures in offering his patients with premium CBD to ensure the highest chance of success.

Mr. Brooks mentioned that once he got passed the education of CBD and began pushing more and more business that the best part was yet to come. It wasn’t the profit margins that kept the business alive it was the repeat customers that came in month after month that no longer took prescription medications they have been prescribed for years.
Thank you to CBD Distributors, and Jeff Brooks for the information.

CBD EXPANSION

CBD has spread all throughout the country and if you take a look at the picture above you can see January on 2019 this is the kind of numbers we are looking at. Now in almost May of 2020 we can picture these numbers at an even higher level.

Businesses are popping up in every state all over the country and nothing is slowing these entrepreneurs down. Without the FDA stepping in it is leaving doors wide open for business opportunities, but the ones entering the industry just for quick cash without the care for patient well being will be very short lived.

Top 10 CBD Facts and Stats

  • The US CBD market had a marvelous growth of 706% in 2019.
  • 91% of Americans are in favor of legalizing cannabis for medical or recreational purposes.
  • CBD can help treat heroin addiction.
  • Most CBD oil products are made in the Middle East, Africa, and South America.
  • You cannot get addicted to CBD.
  • The market is filled with CBD products of questionable quality.
  • CBD oil production or distribution is a brilliant business opportunity, CBD statistics for 2019 report.
  • The pet CBD market increased by 946% between 2018 and 2019.
  • The most popular method of consuming CBD oil is sublingual administration.
  • Epidiolex is the only CBD oil that is approved by the FDA.

Thank you to loudcloudhealth.com for these great visual aids and other useful statistics.

The CBD Industry is full of endless possibilities, it’s just making sure the business you support or the business you may run make sure it’s for the right reasons. Have a passion for the natural alternative and really strive to get patients away from prescribed medications.

CAN YOU PROVE IT?

If you were to make a CBD purchase for the first time, would you know what to look for? If you’ve already purchased CBD, do you know if your product is real? If you already have an effective product, do you know what makes that product work so efficiently? CBD can be an extremely beneficial product for someone, but if it’s a low grade product or derived from an unreliable source it could have little to no benefits for the consumer. This could also give a bad rap for the CBD image.

I will be giving current and potential consumers the necessary knowledge in order to select a quality product that has the highest chance of success. Everyone’s need for CBD will vary, but the need for a quality product will never change. This information will be a permanent quality assurance guide for all future purchases.

Certificate of Analysis

http://Botanacor.com

Two letters, C of A. Short for Certificate of Analysis, this is everything a consumer needs when searching for a CBD product. The NutritionalOutlook states a trustworthy C of A must reflect the true and representative properties of the subject material. Normally, a C of A will list each item of analysis required by the specifications of the material and report actual analytical data against the specification point or range of the corresponding analysis. COA’s are a must-have for reliable, law-abiding CBD manufacturers. They unveil a true composition for each product.

WHAT TO EXPECT ON A C.O.A.

For CBD, Medium.com states that a Certificate of Analysis should include a total list of cannabinoids, microbiological levels, terpenes, and possible contaminants such as pesticides, solvent residue or heavy metals.

On your COA you will see some of the basic following information:

  • Product Identity– Product name, item #, batch #, manufacturer, manufacture date, and expiration date.
  • Product Source– Country of origin, scientific/botanical name, and plant part if derived from a botanical source, which CBD is.
  • Product Type– Crude material, powder, cut, and whole herbal extract.
  • Physical Property– Color, odor, taste, appearance, PH value, and particle size.
  • Identification Method– Microscopic
  • Chemical Assay and Method– Active or marker compounds, purity or specified ranges, and titration.

Most importantly on the Certificate of Analysis, it should be signed and dated (see the picture above for reference) by a quality control or quality assurance person representing the manufacturing or testing company.

TIPS

If you, the consumer are unsure of a product, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Simply ask to see the Certificate of Analysis, because any law-abiding and ethically behaving organization will be able to provide such information. To ensure that the COA links with the specific product make sure the batch or ID number of the product matches the number on the COA. To save troubles, it may be smart during your search of CBD to call ahead at whatever store you’re looking at and check if they can provide a C of A. If they can not, that is your main sign to not go through with a purchase. This will separate the legit companies that care about the well being of their consumers as well as having a true passion for the alternative medication from the pop-up shops who are looking to make fast and easy money. With no FDA regulations put into place it allows these fake CBD companies and their products to make an entrance into the industry, which has the ability to ruin the CBD image or worse, take the hope away from potential consumers that this alternative has the ability of a beneficial impact.

For more in depth information on how to read a Certificate of Analysis, learn about some of the scientific/botanical names, and other information not addressed in this article, reference the two links above in the post.
Lastly, stay educated!!!

CBD’S ROLE WITH COVID-19

Covid-19 has definitely made a name for itself in the last few weeks. News stations, Social media platforms, and word of mouth has resulted in a huge panic for citizens all across the globe. Some of these rumors are true and most are false, but it does not change the fact that this epidemic has shut down schools, lead to cancellations of major sporting events, and affected major business conferences.

Image result for coronavirus
http://nbcnews.com

With all this being old news at this point, and it’s no surprise when another school gets shut down or the postponement of large gatherings, I want to channel my focus to how CBD can react with the Coronavirus. Of course CBD can’t cure the coronavirus but it does have qualities that can make the illness more tolerable for the patient.

In some of my earlier posts I have touched on many benefits that CBD can bring to the table, but for this post, I want to focus on 3 key benefits that could potentially play a huge role for a patient with Covid-19.

CBD For Nausea:

Nausea is one of the symptoms of Covid-19 that causes the unfortunate patients a lot of added pain and lack of comfort-ability. According to naturalwellnesscbdoil.com, “CBD oil could work for nausea because it interacts with receptors that release serotonin. In small doses, CBD oil for nausea could prove useful in managing nausea and vomiting. There is also evidence that CBD helps ease anxiety. As a result, calmer patients are better able to handle the unwanted nauseous feeling.”

CBD For Anti-Inflammatory:

CBD having the anti-inflammatory properties is a huge factor in regards to maintaining ones health, and helping push through illnesses. According to http://leafly.com, “Cannabinoids, including CBD, are believed to be anti-inflammatory. Several studies in cells, rodents, and humans support the idea that CBD may be an effective anti-inflammatory, but more research is needed to determine how it works and the best applications for specific types of inflammation.” Author Laura Tennant also states, “Inflammation is a complicated process involving many signalling pathways. The body uses signalling molecules called eicosanoids to initiate the inflammatory response. One of the ways CBD can reduce inflammation is by inhibiting an eicosanoid enzyme called COX2. NSAID medications such as Advil and Aspirin also target COX2 in their method of action.” This allows patients to choose a healthier more natural alternative for their medication choice.

CBD For Pain Relief:

With all the talk going around just about everywhere, its quite the obvious trait of Covid-19 that it is not a comfortable feeling. Just like the nausea benefit, CBD has the ability to truly offer a noticeable relief for patients. When looking on http://Healthline.com, we see a solid description on CBD’s benefits with pain. “The effects of CBD oil on your brain’s receptors may also help you manage pain. Studies have shown that cannabis can offer some benefits when taken after chemotherapy treatments. Other pre-clinical studies sponsored by the National Institutes of Health are also looking at the role of cannabis in relieving symptoms caused by:

  • Arthritis
  • Chronic Pain
  • MS Pain
  • Spinal Cord Injuries

CBD is like an old snake oil, there are so many benefits that is still requiring professionals to continue research in order to find new studies and prove them right or shut them down. Covid-19 is nothing to mess around with, but with that being said it is reality that citizens are going to get the disease. I personally believe that CBD can offer patients great results under such an illness. With that being said, I want to make it clear to make sure everyone is staying clean and healthy, washing their hands, etc. so that the thought of CBD helping with the Virus isn’t even a thought. What do you think about the natural alternative helping with the Virus? Comment below or give a shout-out on twitter, and i’d love to discuss it further with you.

CBD V. THC

You may have heard that CBD and THC have major differences, or that they are pretty similar, regardless of the side you have been exposed to, they are actually both true. Aside from the similarities and differences, the question may be asked, which one is more beneficial to the human body? or to be even more exact, is THC better for me or CBD?

According to cbdoilreview.org , “Both substances interact with the cannabinoid receptors found in the human body and brain but differ dramatically in their effects.” As a therapeutic option CBD has key differences that make this a better option than THC. This being true, it does not mean that THC can not benefit a consumer searching for that kind of relief.

Image result for cbd v. thc
https://coloradocannabistours.com/guides/hemp-cbd-uses-benefits/

For the ones that do not understand some of the medical terminology, lets break down some of the import benefits and possible side effects for the two.

  • CBD
  • The non-psychoactive properties are easily what separates CBD from THC. This is what creates that high feeling that impairs cognitive and physical abilities.
  • Every other term is simply great health benefits that can not be found in THC.
  • According to https://www.mayoclinic.org the only negative side effects that could possibly be a result of CBD is dry mouth, reduced appetite and fatigue.
  • CBD can also be a great tool for helping consumers struggling with insomnia. THC also covers this condition.
  • THC
  • Unlike CBD, THC does include psychoactive properties which result in the consumer reaching that high feeling.
  • Paranoia and Anxiety are two words that can create a very negative outlook on THC, but as long as you aren’t an anxious person and easily susceptible to paranoia it will not be an issue. Understanding your own body and mental state is key using anything with psychoactive properties.
  • Appetite stimulant can be a huge plus for individuals that struggle to find an appetite throughout the day, to the point that it effects their overall health.
  • THC is also great for relaxation and getting good rest.

The legal issues are also a very important factor due to CBD being federally legal and THC not. There are only a select few states that have legalized the use of medical THC and even fewer legalizing the recreational use.

Image result for cbd and thc legality

The United States government defines hemp as any member of the cannabis species that contains less than 0.3% THC. It defines marijuana as any member of the cannabis species with greater than 0.3% THC.2 

When looking at the comparison of the two it is clear to see that they are very different, but at the end of the day you can see positive benefits from both. It is important for the consumer to fully understand what symptoms they are facing and look at the two in order to decide which one would result in the best outcome for that specific individual. Of course, you will have to keep in mind of federal law, due to some areas not legalizing the medical or recreational use of THC.

Personally, I feel that the use of both THC and CBD should both be 100% federally legal due to the countless benefits of both, multiple issues to be treated on any level. What is your take?

CBD Was Made for You!!

Whether you have tried CBD or not it doesnt change the fact a part of your body has a system that is meant to interact with cannabinoids. An article on Healthline.com reviewed by medical professional Alan Carter, PharmD stated, “The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complex cell-signaling system identified in the early 1990s by researchers exploring THC, a well-known cannabinoid (cannabinoids are just compounds found in cannabis).”

How does ECS Work?

3 components go into making sure the ECS is working porperly.

Endocannabinoids: Molecules made by your body that help keep internal functions running smoothly. Your body knows when to produce them.

Receptors: Are found all throughout your body that signal the ECS to take action. There are two types of receptors, CB1 (Central Nervous System), and CB2 (Peripheral Nervous System).

Enzymes: Break down endocannabinoids once they’ve carried out their function.

Image result for ecs system

More Functions of The ECS:

  • Appetite/Digestion
  • Chronic Pain
  • Motor Control
  • Learning/Memory
  • Inflammation
  • Stress
  • Sleep

Image result for cbd gif science

With limited research in the field and specifically the ECS, a lot of questions have yet to be answered. In broad terms, we know what is and how it works but only to a certain extent. Details about the interactions of CBD and the ECS will only improve over time as more research is completed.

Thank you to these sources for additional information: (https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2018/11/1/18024806/cbd-oil-vape-hemp) (https://www.healthline.com/health/endocannabinoid-system) (https://www.vitalibis.com/bewell/endocannabinoid-system-overview.html)

5 Benefits of CBD

There is no question that CBD has already made a credible name for itself in the health industry, but someone that is completely uneducated on CBD as a whole might not know where to begin when searching for health benefits and understand what is facts and what is just rumors. Doing a simple google search of the benefits of CBD you are going to get thousands of results but how many are proven? What can you believe? There is a large grey area when it comes to factual evidence behind CBD.

For the average person with no major medical conditions (epilepsy) the products that are going to be purchased from a retail store are not FDA regulated. Which means if you are purchasing it for aches and pains or even just sleep the benefits are not proven. This really challenges the consumer to do their research and get as many personal statements as they can to ensure that product will do its job. With that said, CBD success rates are increasing as the research gets stronger, so its important to look at the facts and personal statements of others despite the majority of products lacking the FDA’s approval.

  1. Pain Relief: this can include anything from arthritis, headaches, muscle pains, etc. when treating these symptoms, the use of CBD oil or topical has shown great results. Depending if the pain can be targeted or if it’s internal decides which form of CBD to administer.
  2. Reduce Anxiety/Depression: When talking on anxiety/depression, CBD oil has shown great results. This is also huge news because CBD products have the opportunity to replace pharmaceutical drugs. Using this healthier alternative cuts out the chance of addiction and wipes out possible side effects. According to an article by New York Times, 60% of CBD use in 2019 was for anxiety and depression.
  3. Acne Reduction: Jillian Kudala, MS, RD stated, “CBD oil may help with acne due to its anti-inflammatory properties and ability to reduce sebum production.” Studies on this benefit are still relatively fresh but definitely promising.
  4. Drug Addiction: CBD contains no addictive properties, so with the health benefits the CBD offers immense support with the withdrawal period. Mainly the studies with addiction revolve around nicotine and opioids, there has been a new break on CBD helping with heroine addicts. CBDoil.org shows us these statements in more detail.
  5. Insomnia Support: The sleep support from CBD has created a whole new wave in the industry. The top reviews include the fact that the CBD won’t make you drowsy before bed and you wake up clear minded and relaxed. Using CBD as a sleeping aid could give some people the chance to wing off prescription medications in the same sense as the anxiety/depression benefit.

WHAT’S SO GREAT ABOUT IT?

It is very clear to see that CBD has gotten the attention of many, but do we really know why? Patients, physicians, entrepreneurs all show high interest in this product and the level of interest has risen drastically over time. This blog will cover information all the way from a consumers standpoint to a business owners, sharing useful knowledge that benefits everyone associated with the CBD industry. Each post will have In depth descriptions of products and how they work with the body, facts and studies on CBD, business opportunities, laws and regulations, as well as what to look for as a customer.

What is CBD? As Dr. Peter Grinspoon wrote for Harvard Health Publishing, “CBD stands for cannabidiol. It is the second most prevalent of the active ingredients of cannabis (marijuana). While CBD is an essential component of medical marijuana, it is derived directly from the hemp plant, which is a cousin of the marijuana plant.” This is a very large misconception within society that CBD has direct relations with the marijuana plant. This medication has proven itself over time that the benefits are truly amazing and work wonders for the hopeless. Along with the medication being a great source of pain relief it can be an even better source of income. According to BDS Analytics, the collective Sales in the CBD industry is expected to exceed 20 billion by 2024. The numbers that CBD business generate is astounding.

Aside from the product benefits and economic opportunities, I want to touch on my connection to this field. I grew up in a state where prescription pain pills are all you hear about. People overdosing left and right and all because crooked physicians and pharmaceutical companies spit the pills out like candy machines. This has been the talk for years and hardly nothing has changed. With the legalization of the cannabidiol and popularity rising in the state the number of people hooked on pain pills have dropped and it is giving addicts a much healthier alternative. I want this blog to give the public the information they need and more.

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