The CBD line was created with the respect for the intensity, agility, and endurance canine athletes and working dogs experience.
Redbone Nutrition has released its first CBD product line—CBD oils and CBD treats— geared towards working dogs and canine athletes after spending time working alongside and developing a deep respect for these dogs’ intensity, agility, and endurance.
Similar to human athletes, canine athletes and working dogs place a considerable amount of stress on their bodies, often suffering from joint pain as a result. According to a company release, this risk was another key factor in releasing these solutions to help canines overcome this unavoidable aging side-effect.1
Redbone Nutrition CBD products are formulated in the USA and contain all-natural organic ingredients. The products have also been tested by a third-party, independent lab. Both the CBD treats and the oils come in various enticing flavors and help curtail anxiety and joint pain while offering a wide array of benefits that can improve a dog’s lifestyle.
While CBD research studies remain ongoing, the American Kennel Club2 (AKC) chief veterinary offer, Jerry Klein, DVM, states, „there’s anecdotal evidence from dog owners suggesting [CBD] can treat pain, especially neuropathic pain, as well as helping to control seizures.”
The AKC highlights additional benefits of CBD2:
Anti-inflammatory properties
Cardiac benefits
Anti-nausea effects
Appetite stimulation
Anti-anxiety impact
Along with these listed advantages, Klein noted that most CBD is derived from hemp, not from marijuana.2 This standard rings true for Redbone Nutrition’s products as they are designed to help dogs perform well and feel their best.
Learn more about Redbone Nutrition’s mission and its CBD products here.
Finding the perfect blend is something wine marketing executive Terry Wheatley knows all about.
A rarity, Wheatley not only runs Vintage Wine Estates as president, she serves as chairwoman on the board of directors for CannaCraft, a cannabis producer, also based in Santa Rosa.
But Wheatley has always looked ahead for opportunities.
She kicked off her career at E. & J. Gallo Winery, before landing a senior vice president job at Trinchero Family Estates in the Napa Valley. From there, Wheatley’s entrepreneurial spirit led to the launching of her own wine brand marketing company — Canopy Management — which Vintage Wine Estates bought out in 2014 and made her president. As the head of Vintage Wine Estates, she spearheaded the company going public this past June.
“I’ve been in wine all my life,” Wheatley told the Business Journal. With Canopy Management, sales rose to 300,000 cases in five years.
Wheatley introduced the Middle Sister and Purple Cowboy wine labels to the public. At the same time, she created a loyalty-building tool called the Wine Sisterhood, a social media platform designed to create a community for women enthusiastic about wine.
Wheatley was named Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s 2018 Innovator of the Year.
In 2019, she became chairwoman to CannaCraft’s board of directors as a result of her affiliation with the cannabis company founders.
Wheatley has also mixed the professional with the personal. A breast cancer survivor herself, she co-founded Tough Enough to Wear Pink, a campaign intended to help families deal the issues surrounding this form of cancer that afflicts one in eight women in the United States.
And as a way of giving back more, Wheatley was also instrumental at forming her company’s Angels Share program, which fights food insecurity in partnership with the Redwood Empire Food Bank.
For all her involvements, Wheatley comes across as a woman grounded in her intents, goals, philosophy and the ability to reinvent herself.
At age 68, she’s come a long way, having grown up outside of Red Bluff in the Central Valley, where ranching is king. Her love of agriculture and a retired professional rodeo cowboy husband, eventually resulted in a move to Hughson, a community located southeast of Modesto where she has lived for the last four decades.
Proving her appreciation of many interests, Wheatley has set up a roping arena in her back yard — something her grandson now uses.
As part of its ongoing Inside the C-suite series, North Bay Business Journal asked Wheatley to provide a glimpse into this multi-faceted professional’s life.
Is there a time when your experience in both industries, wine, and cannabis, has helped with a project and/or effort?
The time is now. Vintage Wine Estates is exploring innovation beverage projects that put the worlds of wine and cannabis together. Where I think I can really make a difference in my role in the cannabis industry is in the areas of marketing, sales and distribution. I would love to see cannabis be marketed, merchandised and sold using a wine model, and I believe there will be opportunity for both industries to collaborate in the future.
Are there any crossover opportunities?
There are endless crossover opportunities with a little creativity. Wine-flavored edibles would be fun. Wine and cannabis pairings — winemaker-dinner style — are already a bit of a thing. Infused beverages with de-alcoholized wines are growing. We’re just on the horizon of possibilities.
What kind of advice would you give young people wanting to follow in your footsteps at either a startup or to advance to the upper echelons of management in one of those industries?
My footsteps might not be anybody else’s footsteps, but here are the fundamentals in my humble opinion:
Be educated. Sometimes that means “formal education”, but sometimes it doesn’t.
I’ve been in the wine business for 40 years and been involved in the cannabis business for three. I did a real-life crash course in cannabis, courtesy of the founders Ned Fussell and Dennis Hunter, and now I’m chairperson of the board of Cannacraft, California’s second largest cannabis business.
Pat Roney, founder and CEO of Vintage Wine Estates, took my knowledge to another level about finance, mergers and acquisitions, and I became the first female president of a wine company to take the company public in June of this year. One of my personal values is mentorship, especially to young women coming up in the wine and cannabis businesses.
ALBANY – Key players in New York’s push to establish its marijuana market are encouraged that Gov. Kathy Hochul, who took office on Aug. 24, has said her nomination of cannabis regulators is a „priority.”
The appointment of those who will oversee the state’s fledgling retail cannabis industry is considered a critical first step in meeting the roll-out timelines that had been established when the drug was legalized for adult-use at the end of March.
“I think she does see our vision here, and I don’t see any reason why she would delay any longer than she needs to,” said Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes, a strong proponent of adult-use legalization.
Peoples-Stokes said Hochul had taken the initiative to ask explicitly about the majority leader’s priorities for the rollout of the state’s cannabis industry, after the drug was legalized under legislation signed into law by ex-Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.
The Assembly majority leader said she hopes the new governor’s posture on moving the industry forward will be different from her predecessor’s, adding that Hochul seems to have a “broader view of the economic potential.” She asked the incoming governor to move swiftly on nominating a chair of the Cannabis Control Board and the executive director of the Office of Cannabis Management, two positions which need to be confirmed by the Senate.
In the months after the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) was signed into law, some observers remained perplexed about why Cuomo was slow-walking the nomination of any candidates for the cannabis oversight roles. That delay had also occurred as Cuomo was facing investigations on multiple fronts. A number of cannabis industry sources told the Times Union his administration had long ago circulated names of contenders for those positions, but never advanced nominees. Proponents of the retail market contend the delay in regulations and licensing guidelines is hampering the industry’s potential.
Members of NY Cannabis United, a coalition of over 30 partners ranging from a New York City community board to the state chapter of NORML, worry the delays have put the state behind schedule. The process to get legal cannabis grown and sold in New York was already projected to take at least a year and a half without the slowdown. In a July letter, the group wrote that the additional regulatory stalemate encouraged municipalities to opt out, delayed redress to the communities most harmed by the war on drugs and left the legacy market of illicit dealers going strong.
Imani Dawson, a coalition member and the owner of TCC Media, added that “the people with information (were) also the people with the privilege to hire lobbyists that have inside connections.” She said outsiders had no insight on potential nominees or on the progress of the legalization rollout. Dawson said NY Cannabis United is heartened by Hochul’s “commitment to the process,” but hopes that the new administration lives up to her day-one promise of transparency.
For would-be adult-use cannabis farmers, the state’s regulatory timeframe could make the difference in whether they produce crops next year. Allan Gandelman, a hemp farmer and president of the New York Cannabis Growers and Processors Association, said plants for outdoor grows need to be in the ground by May due to New York’s climate.
“Now we’re racing against the seasons, we’re racing against New Jersey, which has already released its regulations, and we’re racing against the federal government, which is trying to legalize cannabis and allow for interstate commerce,” Gandelman said.
With a growing anxiety in his own community over the lack of clarity on the industry’s direction, state Sen. Jeremy Cooney, D-Rochester, introduced legislation in July that would allow for provisional licenses for growers, in case new regulators don’t have time to establish processes before the spring.
“If Gov. Hochul wants to utilize the bill that I’ve written in terms of giving her flexibility … it’s there for her to use,” Cooney said. “If she wants to put forth a (nominee’s) name next week, even better.”
The senator said that under Cuomo, many conversations about potential nominees for the regulatory roles were happening at a high level, with Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins’ office among others. But in the majority conference, senators had discussed how “there wasn’t a good faith effort by the Cuomo administration to put forth a candidate that would meet the expectations of our conference.”
Once Hochul puts forward her nominations for the cannabis positions, Stewart-Cousins will have to call a special session for the Senate to move forward with a confirmation vote.
“This new administration is a breath of fresh air on this issue,” said Mike Murphy, a spokesman for Stewart-Cousins. “She understands the importance of moving quickly on this.”
Will statements turn to action?
Hochul has made her commitment to a smooth nomination process public, with her office saying she wants to start the regulatory process “as soon as possible.” She also highlighted issues that have been central to the rhetoric of the legislators behind the MRTA: ensuring industry access for small businesses, communities disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs, and legacy operators who want to be above-board.
“The governor is committed to appointing individuals with diverse experiences and subject matter expertise who are representative of communities from across the state,” said Haley Viccaro, Hochul’s spokeswoman.
The pledge of urgency aligns with Hochul’s past involvement in New York’s cannabis industry. Previously, the state had legalized cannabis for limited medical purposes, as well as hemp – a cannabis plant with a low percentage of the psychoactive component THC that can be grown either for consumption or for fiber.
“FINALLY! Adult-use cannabis is legalized in New York,” Hochul said in a tweet on March 31, the day recreational legalization was signed into law. “Not only will this help correct an unjust system that targets marginalized communities, it will create jobs & invest in those who have been historically underserved.”
She was involved in promotion of the hemp industry years earlier, in her role as Cuomo’s former lieutenant governor. In 2018, Hochul tweeted a “flashback Friday” on „420,” a day of celebration for many cannabis users which falls each year on April 20. It featured a photo of her and Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo flanking a towering hemp plant during the state’s first ever Hemp Summit in 2017.
“I know that she’s supportive of this emerging industry,” Lupardo said. Though the new governor has a lot of pressing issues, Lupardo said she “would be surprised if we don’t see some action after Labor Day.”
“She and I have talked about this on many occasions. This matter will be in good hands,” Lupardo said.
Besides the adult-use cannabis hopefuls, existing businesses in the medical and hemp extract industries whose programs now fall under the still-to-be-formed Office of Cannabis Management are eager to see an accelerated implementation of the MRTA.
“There’s a provision in there to expand the medical program with some of the same kind of equity provisions around the licensing that are being applied to adult-use. I just hope we can actually see that momentum,” said Ngiste Abebe, president of the New York Medical Cannabis Industry Association.
“I think it’s good to have fresh eyes,” said Ryan Lepore, an interim executive director of New York City’s NORML, a cannabis advocacy group. “But the second that Cuomo was stepping down, a lot of groups that have lobbyists in place were already setting up meetings with her administration.” Lepore said that it’s unclear who may be seeking to influence Hochul’s decisions on the industry.
There is a lot of flexibility in the statute legalizing adult-use cannabis, including how many licenses will be given out and to whom. David Feldman, an attorney who focuses on clients in the cannabis business, said Hochul’s nominees could have a dramatic impact on how the industry rolls out.
„From what I understand, Gov. Hochul is very much in favor of this legislation, and sees the job creation and the tax revenue, and in particular is focused on the social equity benefits,” Feldman said. „Gov. Cuomo was a reluctant supporter.”
He pointed out that as recently as 2017, Cuomo was opposing the push to legalize marijuana, calling it a “gateway drug.” That’s the same year that Hochul spoke at the first-ever Hemp summit and was photographed with Lupardo — a photo that Hochul later promoted in support of the industry.
On July 23, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA” or “Agency”) rejected two New Dietary Ingredient (“NDI”) notifications to market full-spectrum cannabidiol (“CBD”) as part of dietary supplements.1 This move signals that FDA does not believe there is a clear regulatory pathway to market CBD products in the United States, despite the fact that the global CBD market is expected to reach $13.4 billion by 2028.2
BACKGROUND
The 2018 Farm Bill explicitly preserved FDA’s authority to regulate products containing cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds, including CBD. Generally, FDA treats products containing cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds as it does any other FDA-regulated products, meaning that they are subject to the same authorities and requirements as FDA-regulated products containing any other substance.
The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (“FD&C Act”) requires that manufacturers and distributors who wish to market dietary supplements that contain “new dietary ingredients” notify FDA about these ingredients.3 A “new dietary ingredient” is an ingredient that has not been present in the food supply as an article used for food in a form in which the food has not been chemically altered. Generally, the notification must include information showing that there is a history of use or other evidence of safety establishing that the new dietary ingredient, when used under the condition recommended or suggested in the labeling of the dietary supplement, will reasonably be expected to be safe.4 If FDA determines that this requirement is not met,5 then the dietary supplement is considered to be adulterated because there is inadequate information to provide reasonable assurance that the new dietary ingredient does not present a significant or unreasonable risk of illness or injury.6
In March 2021, Charlotte’s Web and Irwin Naturals—which sell CBD-based oils and capsules—filed NDIs to market their own “Full Spectrum Hemp Extracts” as dietary supplements. They did so, notwithstanding the fact that FDA had already concluded that CBD could not be used in dietary supplements.7 The Agency’s position then and now is that CBD—whether in an isolate form, full-spectrum form, or broad-spectrum form—does not meet the statutory definition of “dietary supplement” because of the FD&C Act’s dietary supplement exclusion provision, which excludes from the definition any substance that (1) is an active ingredient in an FDA-approved drug product or (2) has been authorized for investigation as a new drug (i.e., is the subject of an investigational new drug application).8 The definition excludes CBD because that ingredient is the active pharmaceutical ingredient in at least one approved pharmaceutical drug product (Epidiolex), and substantial clinical investigations regarding CBD have been made public. While there is an exception if the substance was “marketed as” a dietary supplement or as a conventional food before the drug was approved or before the new drug investigations were authorized, FDA had concluded that this is not the case for CBD.9
FDA UNSURPRISINGLY REJECTS THE NDIS
Given its previous position, it is not surprising that FDA rejected Charlotte Web’s and Irwin Natural’s NDIs. In July, FDA sent letters to the two companies, determining that their Full Spectrum Hemp Extracts could not be used in dietary supplements pursuant to the dietary supplement exclusion provision, discussed above. FDA spelled out exactly what it meant: the product “may not be marked as or in a dietary supplement.”10
Notably, FDA explained that the companies’ notifications did not provide an adequate basis to conclude that the products would reasonably be expected to be safe. FDA concluded that even if CBD was not excluded from the definition of dietary supplement, the Agency still had “concerns about the adequacy of safety evidence” that the companies had submitted.11 The Agency noted that the companies’ submissions relied on deficient categories of evidence; their evidence of the history of use was insufficient and/or vague; and their studies were unreliable.12 It also determined that none of the clinical and pre-clinical studies that the companies provided adequately addressed reported toxicity endpoints of CBD, such as hepatotoxicity and reproductive toxicity.13
CONGRESS WILL NEED TO INTERVENE
FDA’s letter highlights that, until Congress intervenes, the CBD-products market remains on shaky legal footing. The timing could not be better, as Congress is currently considering two bills that would affect the regulation of CBD-infused products. In February, a bipartisan group of representatives introduced the Hemp and Hemp-Derived CBD Consumer Protection and Market Stabilization Act of 2021, which, if enacted, would allow the use of hemp-derived CBD in dietary supplements. In addition, a bipartisan group of senators introduced the Hemp Access and Consumer Safety Act. If enacted, the Senate bill would allow hemp-derived CBD products to be lawfully used in dietary supplements, food, and beverages. But unfortunately, until Congress enacts a bill, this profitable market will likely remain in an uncertain position.
1There are three main types of CBD. CBD isolate is the pure form of CBD, while full-spectrum CBD is an extract containing other compounds of the cannabis plant, such as terpenes and other cannabinoids. The third type is broad-spectrum CBD, which contains many cannabis plant compounds.
10See Letter from Cara Welch, Ph.D., Acting Director, Office of Dietary Supplement Programs, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, FDA, to Tim Orr, Charlotte’s Web, Inc. (July 23, 2021), available at FDA, 75-Day Premarket Notification for New Dietary Ingredients 2021, Docket No. FDA-2021-S-0023-0053 (posted Aug. 11, 2021), https://www.regulations.gov/document/FDA-2021-S-0023-0053; Letter from Cara Welch, Ph.D., Acting Director, Office of Dietary Supplement Programs, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, FDA, to Irwin Naturals (July 23, 2021), available at FDA, NDI 1199 – Full-Spectrum Hemp Extract (FSHE) from Irwin Naturals, Docket No. FDA-2021-S-0023-0050 (posted Aug. 11, 2021), https://www.regulations.gov/document/FDA-2021-S-0023-0050.
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What is full spectrum CBD oil?
To begin with, full spectrum CBD is more than just CBD. The compound contains whole plant hemp extract molecules and all of them have some effect on human & pet’s health in one way or another. There are over 100 cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids and a plethora of other essential oils. Does full-spectrum CBD oil contain THC as well? Full-spectrum CBD oil contains a small amount of THC less than 0.3% on dry weight, however not enough to produce euphoric effects.
Blue Gem Hemp is always busy with the continuous innovative enhancements, to improve the extraction processes, says Rudaba Naqvi, the CEO of Blue Gem Hemp.
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You don’t have to be an experienced medical cannabis user to learn how to incorporate it effectively into your migraine treatment plan.
If you live with migraine, you’re probably very aware that not every attack is the same. Migraine is a spectrum disorder with a whole host of symptoms ranging from mild to severe.
If you’re like me, you may also experience several types of migraine. That’s why treating our attacks can be so tricky. Something that helps one type may not help another. And of course, what helps one person may not help another.
It has taken me years to develop an understanding of how to decrease my pain levels, improve my symptoms, and, when I’m lucky, abort an attack altogether.
One tool that’s been immensely helpful for me over the years — but took a lot of trial and error to get right — is medical cannabis. I’ve found that tracking your medical cannabis over time is key to understanding what works, what doesn’t, and if it’s appropriate to keep in your migraine toolkit.
It’s important to note that medical cannabis isn’t a cure for migraine — and it isn’t for everyone. However, if you’ve talked with your doctor and decided together that it’s worth a try, there’s a significant amount of trial and error involved in figuring out which products are best suited to your needs.
Just like each of us experiences migraine medications a little differently, cannabis affects us differently, too. That’s why it can be incredibly helpful to keep track of everything you try in a journal or app designed especially for medical cannabis patients.
Put simply, keeping track takes a lot of the guesswork out of figuring out what helps you and what doesn’t.
When I first received a medical authorization to try cannabis, I felt a little lost. There are so many types of cannabis out there to try in a vast variety of forms and strengths. It can be quite overwhelming and difficult to know where to start.
With the support of my doctor, I began carefully experimenting, always taking it low and slow — a good rule of thumb when it comes to cannabis. I saw each migraine attack as an opportunity to try something new. I noticed fairly quickly that some cultivars (strains) reduced my pain, while others exacerbated it. Some improved my mood and others made me drowsy.
There’s no way I’d have been able to remember everything I tried and how it affected me, so keeping track in a journal was necessary. In doing so, I was able to learn over time what lowers the frequency, intensity, and duration of my attacks.
Patterns emerge over time that can help you understand how to use cannabis for both preventive and abortive purposes.
The key to a successful tracker or journal is consistency. When deciding what style of tracker to use, opt for the method you’re most likely to use every time you medicate.
Here are six tools and resources to get you started.
DIY journal
For those who love paper and pen, grab yourself a fresh notebook and divide the pages into sections for easy referencing later on. You can include as few or many sections as you feel are helpful.
Here are some key points to note:
Baseline: What symptoms are you experiencing? Migraine type? Pain level? Are you experiencing nausea or anxiety?
Product type: What form of cannabis are you trying? (Flower, oil, concentrate, topical, etc.)
Cultivar details: Include the strain name, if it’s indica, sativa, or hybrid, and the cannabinoid and terpene profile (you can find this information on the label).
Product strength: Include the THC to CBD ratio or percentages, mg/mL, etc.
Dose: How much did you take? (2 puffs, 5 mg, etc.)
Delivery method: Note if your delivery was inhalation, sublingual, transdermal, etc.
Effects: What was your pain level after 30 minutes? After 2 hours? Did your symptoms improve or worsen?
Cannabis and migraine journal
For those who love journals but don’t want the hassle of creating their own, I like The Patient Journal. The makers of this stylish journal, Goldleaf, aim to simplify the process so you have a helpful tool to chart your medical cannabis journey.
They encourage people to use the information gathered within to tweak their routine in order to improve their therapeutic results. (With the help of your doctor, of course!)
You can also download a printable journal template on Etsy and collect the sheets in a binder.
Spreadsheets
Another simple option is creating a spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets customized to your needs with as many columns and rows as you want. The great thing about doing this is you can add, remove, and reorganize your tracker with the click of a mouse.
Apps
There’s an app for everything, including cannabis and migraine tracking! These are a few of my favorites:
Strainprint is a free app, available on the App Store and Google Play, that was created by a medical cannabis patient who saw the need for this type of tool and designed it for patients like us.
It’s user-friendly and visually appealing. It also has many migraine symptoms pre-loaded, so rather than writing everything down while you’re in pain, you simply tap buttons to log a session. It will ask you what symptoms you’re treating and some details about your cannabis, such as form, brand, and delivery method.
Ninety minutes after medicating, it will send a notification asking you how you feel. Once you have some logged sessions under your belt, it will create a snapshot of what strains work best for you.
Releaf was created in partnership with Americans For Safe Access, a well-known advocacy organization. Available free on the App Store and Google Play, it creates graphs and reports based on your input to help you understand the effects of cannabis over time.
The app allows for very detailed tracking, but also recognizes that sometimes we just aren’t up for that and offers a “quick-log” option. This allows you to enter the basics of your experience and it will remind you to record how it affects you later. (Note that Migraine is listed as “Pain – Migraine.”)
You may already be familiar with the Migraine Buddy app, available on the App Store and Google Play, because it’s one of the most popular apps for tracking migraine.
It has the capability of tracking your medication and other remedies, so it’s easy to include cannabis by adding a custom button. Plus, there’s the added benefit of keeping tabs on your triggers at the same time.
You don’t have to be an experienced medical cannabis user to learn how to incorporate it effectively into your migraine treatment plan. It just takes patience and the willingness to observe over time.
Whether you learn that cannabis isn’t a good fit for you, or you find a method that works for you and decide to keep at it, the detailed notes will pay off.
Jodie Epstein is a patient advocate and the proud founder of MigraineBuds, an initiative that provides cannabis education and support to migraine patients all over the world.Through education, she aims to raise migraine awareness, destigmatize medicinal cannabis, and empower patients to make informed choices.Find her on Facebook and Instagram.
Allergies can greatly affect a person’s quality of life, causing symptoms like sneezing, congestion, rash, and swelling. These symptoms can disrupt your daily life, by causing discomfort, sleep loss, and lower productivity at work. If you experience any or all of these symptoms, it’s natural to want to seek relief.
People with allergies may consider CBD (cannabidiol) to help relieve their symptoms. While research into the effects of CBD on allergies is limited, there is evidence that the compound can help relieve pain and inflammation, and mitigate some of the body’s immune responses to allergens.
This article will discuss how CBD can help with allergies, the best types of CBD to use, and any side effects.
Martin Leigh / Getty Images
CBD and the Endocannabinoid System
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays a role in many of the body’s systems and processes, including metabolism, immunity, and the central and peripheral nervous systems. The body produces cannabinoids that are received by cannabinoid receptors to keep the body functioning normally.
Cannabinoids help regulate the immune system by lowering inflammation in the body. When the body’s cannabinoid system is not working properly, inflammatory and immune-related disorders, such as allergies, can occur.
Because it’s a cannabinoid, CBD may be helpful in relieving allergy symptoms such as itchy eyes, congestion, and runny nose.
What Is CBD Oil?
CBD oil is derived from the cannabis sativa plant, otherwise known as marijuana. Unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the other cannabinoid compound derived from the cannabis plant, CBD is non-psychoactive.
While CBD and THC are the most commonly discussed compounds from the cannabis plant, more than 100 other cannabinoids have been identified.
CBD vs. Hemp Seed Oil
The cannabis sativa plant has been cultivated in two different ways: “drug hemp” (marijuana) and “industrial hemp” (hemp). Drug hemp contains high levels of THC, whereas industrial hemp has a THC level less than 0.3%.
Hemp plants grown for recreational or medicinal use have high THC and high CBD levels.
Industrial hemp is legal throughout the United States and is grown for fiber, paper, hemp seeds, construction materials, textiles, and hempseed oil.
Like CBD oil, hempseed oil has been touted for its health benefits. Hempseed oil is known for its nutritional value, as it contains a balance of omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Hempseed oil also contains polyphenols, tocopherols, proteins, and carbohydrates, which have nutritional benefits.
Cannabis Allergy
While you may seek CBD or hemp to treat your allergies, be aware it’s possible to develop an allergy to cannabis itself. Hemp allergy is similar to other allergies, like pollen allergies. Symptoms can range from skin irritations, like rashes or hives, to respiratory afflictions such as asthma, congestion, and runny nose.
Though more research needs to be done, smoking marijuana or hemp may increase the likelihood of developing asthma and other allergic diseases. If you have allergic asthma, you may want to avoid smoking the compound.
Allergy Symptoms and Triggers
Allergies occur when the body’s immune system overreacts to a foreign substance that is normally harmless in most people. Common allergens include, but are not limited to:
Pollen
Dust mites
Pets and farm animals
Insect stings and bites
Foods
Medication
Contact allergens, such as metals for fragrance ingredients
Mold
Many allergies are triggered by situations and environmental factors, such as a bee sting or eating certain foods.
Seasonal allergies can be triggered by pollen in the air when plants are blooming. Pet allergies can be triggered upon entering someone’s home where there is pet dander in the air.
Any of these types of triggers can cause symptoms. Common allergy symptoms include, but are not limited to:
Runny nose, coughing, and sneezing
Breathing problems
Watery or swollen eyes
Itching
Rash or hives
Stomach or bowel problems
When to Seek Emergency Help
If you experience difficulty breathing or your throat begins to close or swell, call 911 immediately. This can be a sign of a life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis.
CBD for Allergies
While research into the effects of CBD on allergies has been limited mainly to small studies and animal studies, there is promise that CBD can help mitigate or eliminate allergic symptoms and reactions.
Congestion
CBD is known to work on one of the pathways of the ECS that produces histamine-activating cells in the body. There is some evidence that CBD could greatly reduce the amount of histamine produced in an allergic reaction, which would reduce congestion.
Skin Rashes
The ECS helps regulate and control immune function in the body, and more recent research suggests that the ECS also plays a role in maintaining skin health.
Some studies suggest that CBD applied directly to the skin can help with rashes and other inflammatory conditions of the skin, such as eczema, but further research is still needed.
What Are the Side Effects of CBD?
Studies have shown that CBD is relatively safe to consume, however these studies are limited. Further research is needed to determine the effects of CBD on the entire body and its effects over long-term consumption.
The most common side effects of CBD are:
Drowsiness or lethargy
Mood changes and irritability
Lower appetite and weight loss
Diarrhea
Best CBD for Allergies
The most common methods for consuming CBD for allergies and inflammation are topical treatments, herbal extracts, and edibles. Choosing a method depends on the type of allergy symptom being treated.
For rashes and skin inflammation, a topical cream or ointment may be best. For hay fever and other full-body symptoms, an herbal extract, edible, or nasal spray might work best. A nasal CBD spray may be beneficial, as the lining of the nose is thin, and CBD can pass directly into the blood, which produces faster effects.
The other factor to consider is the type of CBD: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or an isolate.
Full-spectrum CBDuses all extracts of the cannabis plant, which includes CBD, terpenes, flavonoids, essential oils, and other cannabinoids. The THC concentration in full-spectrum is 0.3% or less.
Broad-spectrum CBD contains CBD and other cannabinoids, but it has no THC.
A CBD isolate is pure CBD with no other parts of the cannabis plant.
The “Entourage Effect”
Some evidence suggests that broad- or full-spectrum CBD produces better benefits, due to the synergistic effects of the other compounds within the spectrum, including THC. This is known as the “entourage effect.”
Dosage
CBD dosage will depend on the delivery method chosen and what symptom is being treated.
Doses ranging from 300 mg to 600 mg have been shown to help treat anxiety disorders. Another study showed that a dosage of 25 mg helped improve poor sleep.
There is very little regulation on the dosing of CBD, so you may need to experiment until you find the right dose for your body and symptoms. You can also talk to your healthcare provider about appropriate dosing.
How to Buy CBD
Buying CBD will depend on where you live. In states where marijuana, and thus CBD derived from the “drug hemp,” is legal, you can find CBD at a dispensary. In states where marijuana is not legal, you will have to buy CBD that is derived from “industrial hemp.” As with all supplements, it is best to research the product to make sure it’s good quality.
A Word From Verywell
While much research still needs to be done on CBD and its effects, there is promise that it could be useful for treating allergy symptoms. If you are considering taking CBD to help alleviate symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider to discuss the best options. In the meantime, remember that there are many over-the-counter antihistamines that can help with seasonal and year-round allergies.
Frequently Asked Questions
CBD is not a decongestant, but it is theorized to work on the endocannabinoid system, which can reduce inflammation and congestion.
Using CBD for allergy treatment can be used the same way as other allergy medications, though it is important to note that the FDA has not approved CBD use for allergies. If you choose to try CBD to help manage your allergy symptoms, you can use a nasal spray, edible, or topical treatment.
Allergic asthma can worsen in people who are allergic to CBD, or the marijuana/hemp plants and their seeds. A severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis can occur.
Terpenes are compounds in plants that cause their fragrance. Cannabis is known for its fragrance and therefore its terpenes. Terpenes are found in full- and broad-spectrum CBD. In one study on the effects of CBD for epilepsy, it was discovered that the full- and broad-spectrum versions had better outcomes, thus suggesting that terpenes play an important part in CBD’s effectiveness.
As previously reported here, on February 22, 2021, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed A21, the “New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act” (CREAMMA), which is enabling legislation for the amendment to the New Jersey Constitution making lawful the recreational use of marijuana in the state.
While the new law, among other things, allows employers to conduct numerous forms of drug testing for marijuana, the law limits an employer’s ability to rely on a positive marijuana test result in making employment decisions. The law requires that a drug test include both a “physical evaluation” and “scientifically reliable objective testing methods and procedures, such as testing of blood, urine, or saliva.” The “physical evaluation” must be conducted by an individual certified to provide an opinion about an employee’s state of impairment, or lack of impairment, related to the use of marijuana. The law tasked the Cannabis Regulatory Commission with adopting standards for a “Workplace Impairment Recognition Expert” (WIRE), who must be trained to detect and identify an employee’s use or impairment from marijuana or other intoxicating substances and to assist in the investigation of workplace accidents.
On August 19, 2021, the Commission published its “Personal Use Cannabis Rules,” which say virtually nothing about employer drug testing practices. That said, according to the Commission, until it “develops standards for a Workplace Impairment Recognition Expert certification” in consultation with the Police Training Commission, “no physical evaluation of an employee being drug tested in accordance with [the new law] shall be required.”
It remains to be seen when the Commission will issue another set of regulations and whether they will clarify some of the law’s unanswered questions, most importantly how the law impacts employers with employees in safety-sensitive positions. Until then, New Jersey employers should consider working with experienced employment counsel to determine whether to (a) modify their drug testing practices, including the possibility of eliminating marijuana testing either pre-employment or for certain types of positions, (b) provide training to managers tasked with making reasonable suspicion determinations, and (c) determine the best person to serve as the employer’s WIRE. We will provide an update once the Commission adopts additional regulations.
Despite 18 states having “legalized” recreational cannabis use, marijuana remains illegal under federal law. This discrepancy creates several policy challenges, particularly with respect to taxation, observes AAF’s Director of Fiscal Policy Gordon Gray. As taxpayers are required to report all income – even from illegal sources – this legal disparity creates challenges for owners of cannabis businesses, including lack of access to banks, paying taxes in cash, and lacking the ability to use standard business deductions.
An excerpt:
The lawful cannabis industry faces numerous regulatory hurdles that makes even good-faith compliance with the law a challenge. For example, even though cannabis dispensaries cannot deduct employee wages against their taxes, they nevertheless must comply with minimum-wage laws. While these businesses must pay taxes, they are largely unbanked due to regulatory hurdles that prevent such businesses from accessing banking and other financial services. Without bank accounts, these businesses must make tax payments in person, in cash, at regional IRS offices. Indeed, former Secretary Mnuchin testified in 2020 that the IRS had to construct cash rooms to accommodate these payments.
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