Study: Cannabis Compound CBD May Help Prevent, Treat COVID – VOA Learning English

A new study provides evidence that the cannabis compound CBD can block infections of COVID-19 in human cells and mice.

The study was led by American researchers from the University of Chicago. Marsha Rosner led the team. She is a professor in the university’s Ben May Department of Cancer Research.

Rosner told Reuters the research showed that CBD was able to block the virus that causes COVID-19 from replicating, or making copies of itself, in human lung cells.

CBD stands for cannabidiol. It is the second most active substance found in cannabis, also known as marijuana, Harvard Medical School reports. The main chemical substance in cannabis is THC. THC is what gives marijuana users the mental state known as a high. CBD contains almost no THC.

In the experiment, researchers treated human lung cells with CBD for two hours before introducing the virus to the cells, the University of Chicago said in a report. The team found that CBD, when given in the right amounts, reduced the virus’ ability to replicate in the cells.

The researchers reported the same results when the experiment was performed on two other kinds of cells. They said CBD was able to reduce virus replication in several different versions, or variants, of COVID-19.

The team noted that CBD was not able to stop the virus from entering cells. But it was found to be effective at blocking replication of the virus during early infection and six hours after the virus had already infected the cells. Similar results were reported in experiments involving mice.

The study was recently published in Science Advances. The research offers some hope for CBD as a possible treatment for COVID-19. But Rosner said more studies are needed to measure the true effectiveness of CBD. „Our findings do not say this will work in patients. Our findings make a strong case for a clinical trial,” she said.

The researchers also looked at a group of adults with severe epilepsy who were taking an approved CBD drug. They found that individuals in the group had lower rates of COVID-19. But Rosner said that area of research also needs actual clinical trials before any conclusions can be made.

The team also included THC in the experiments. But Rosner said the substance did not keep the virus out of cells or prevent it from replicating. „Not only did THC not work, but combining it with CBD prevented CBD from working,” she said.

Several other studies have been carried out and some small CBD trials with COVID-19 are currently going on, Reuters reports. Rosner’s team plans to explore the possibility of a clinical trial involving people with mild cases of COVID-19.

Rosner says she is concerned that media reports overstating that possible use of cannabinoids may lead people to self-medicate with CBD and avoid getting vaccinated or wear a face covering.

„We would love to be able to say specifically” that a set amount of cannabinoids is helpful, she said. But, she added, at this point, „vaccine-induced antibodies and antibody drugs are much more effective at blocking infection.”

I’m Bryan Lynn.

Reuters and the University of Chicago reported on this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the reports for VOA Learning English.

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Words in This Story

clinical trial – n. a scientific test of the effectiveness and safety of something such as a drug or medical treatment

conclusion – n. the final part of something

overstatev. to describe or explain something in a way that makes it seem more important or serious than it really is

specificadj. relating to one, particular thing

induce – v. to cause something to happen

Nerds, SweeTarts Maker Gets Consent Win In Pot Candy Row – Law360

By Katryna Perera (January 31, 2022, 4:06 PM EST) — An Illinois federal judge issued a judgment and permanent injunction Friday against a group of cannabis companies sued by the maker of Nerds, Trolli and SweeTarts candy products for allegedly selling THC-infused versions of the products violating the candymaker’s trademark rights.

Chicago-based Ferrara Candy Co. filed two separate complaints in Illinois and California in October, asking the courts to block the cannabis companies from continuing their alleged infringement and to pay Ferrara the profits they made from the allegedly infringing products, saying the similar packaging was putting children at risk.

Ferrara alleged that Illinois prohibits the sale of the purportedly infringing…

Best CBD Oil for Anxiety: Top 10 Brands of 2022 – D Magazine

The CBD Break gives readers our top ten brands for the best CBD oil for anxiety so they can find relief from their tough stress and anxiety.

Anxiety, much like stress and depression, can be difficult to manage and control. In fact, those diagnosed with anxiety often report that they feel the illness is debilitating, frustrating, and even painful at times. The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation reports that anxiety disorders like PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder have genetic and environmental factors involved in them. Some of those factors include:

  • Being exposed to high-stress circumstances as an adult or a child
  • Financial stressors
  • Family history of anxiety disorders
  • Social anxiety, extreme shyness, or other childhood behavioral issues
  • Becoming a widow or widower
  • Going through a difficult divorce
  • Elevated cortisol levels

As with any health issue, anxiety disorders can become worse over time if you do not seek the proper treatment. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that if left untreated, anxiety disorders can negatively impact relationships, job performance, social interactions at work or school, and many other aspects of life. What’s interesting is that anxiety and depression share a lot of the same symptoms. Some common characteristics of both include:

  • Feeling sad, hopeless, or empty
  • Extreme irritation over small issues
  • Outbursts of anger
  • Loss of energy or feeling constantly fatigued
  • Lack of appetite
  • Having a hard time concentrating
  • Increase in weight
  • Increased food cravings
  • Lack of interest in things or activities that you once found pleasurable
  • Physical pain that cannot be explained
  • Feelings of worthlessness

According to the Mayo Clinic, depression is categorized as a mood disorder that causes intense feelings of sadness and a loss of interest in daily routine activities. Typically, those who are diagnosed with depression experience disruptions in their lives because of emotional and/or physical issues. Some of the most common treatments for anxiety and depression include talk therapy, prescription medication. However, thanks to CBD’s rise in popularity, more anxiety and depression sufferers are turning towards CBD products to help them manage their symptoms.

Today, more people are learning about CBD’s healing benefits thanks to a host of research studies that have been conducted over recent years. In one study, scientists discovered that CBD can help alleviate depression, sleep and insomnia issues, anxiety, and other health conditions that cause pain. Our guide to the best CBD oil for anxiety and depression, written in conjunction with The CBD Break, will explore various types of anxiety and depression and how CBD oil can help improve the symptoms that stem from those conditions. We’ll also give readers our top ten choices for the best CBD brands for anxiety and depression so they can take the guesswork out of finding the best CBD oil for their particular health needs.

Top 10 CBD Oils for Anxiety and Depression in 2022

We put a lot of time and effort into selecting our top ten brands. We wanted to make absolutely sure that our readers were able to choose products from the best brands in the industry. To that end, these top ten brands measured up to our high standards.

  1. FAB CBD — Best Overall
  2. Joy Organics — Best Broad Spectrum
  3. Green Roads — Mission-Minded
  4. CBDistillery — Large Product Variety
  5. Premium Jane — Strong Potency Variety
  6. Populum — Best Organic
  7. NuLeaf Naturals — Clean Extraction Practices
  8. MedTerra — High-Quality, Hemp Derived Products
  9. Lazarus Naturals — Most Accessible
  10. Cheef Botanicals — High-Quality CBD Oils

How We Came up With the Brands of CBD Oils for Anxiety & Depression

Before we wrote our article, we looked closely at some of the strongest CBD oil brands in the industry. Because CBD skyrocketed in popularity over time, our list quickly became much too long. We then took each brand apart by examining verified customer reviews, where the brand sourced its hemp from, how the brands created their products if they used an independent third-party lab to routinely test products for potency and purity, and if the brands practiced transparency by publishing those lab reports on their websites or by finding other ways to get lab reports into customers’ hands.

This helped us cut down our list of brands even further until only a small handful remained that measured up to our high standards. We next whittled the list down even more until we were only left with our top ten brands that are presented further down in our guide. Lastly, the information in our article is also drawn from respected CBD journalists, industry experts, and verified CBD users.

When we looked at specific CBD oil brands, we focused closely on:

  • How effective each brand was at calming anxiety, sleep issues, pain, depression, and other tough conditions.
  • Do the brand’s products meet FDA guidelines?
  • Does the brand sell full-spectrum, broad spectrum, or CBD isolate products?
  • Are the THC levels in the brand’s products 0.3% or less in accordance with federal law?
  • Are the usage and dosage instructions on products clear?
  • Overall brand reputation.
  • Is the information that the brand puts before the public truthful?

After we examined all of these factors, we finally were able to settle on our top ten CBD oil brands for anxiety.

Best CBD Oil for Anxiety and Depression in 2022

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Since 2017, the team at FAB CBD has been hard at work bringing customers top-quality, clean, innovative CBD products. In fact, the brand has effective and exceptional CBD oils for anxiety. The team at FAB CBD has many years of experience in the health and wellness industries, which is one of the many reasons why the brand is so successful.

The brand’s mission has always been to create the cleanest, most effective CBD products so that customers can live a preventative wellness lifestyle. To this day, the brand has never diverted from its high set of standards when it comes to crafting its award-winning CBD products. FAB CBD sells full-spectrum oils in an array of strengths and palate-pleasing natural flavors. The brand also produces a topical CBD cream, full-spectrum CBD body salve, “Anytime” CBD gummies, “Nighttime” PM CBD Chews, 2400mg CBD+CBG oil, Calm & Cool Crunchy CBD Dog Treats, and a line of non-CBD green superfoods.

All of FAB CBD’s hemp is organic and grown and harvested in Colorado. The brand also uses the industry-preferred CO2 extraction process to obtain all of its clean and potent hemp extracts. This process ensures that all of the extracts are pure and free from harmful impurities. Every one of FAB CBD’s products is packed with beneficial cannabinoids, terpenes, and phytonutrients.

Highlights

FAB CBD was the clear choice for our number one brand pick for best CBD oil for anxiety and depression because:

Top-Notch CBD Oils: FAB CBD has an exceptional line of full-spectrum CBD oils in strengths of 300mg, 600mg, 1200mg, and 2400mg and in smooth, refreshing, bright flavors of vanilla, mint, citrus, berry, and natural.

Product Offerings: Along with the brand’s best full-spectrum oils, FAB CBD also offers a topical CBD cream, full-spectrum body salve, CBD+CBG oil, daytime gummies, nighttime gummies, CBD dog treats, and a line of CBD-free vegan green superfoods. If CBD oil isn’t what you’re looking for, then one of FAB CBD’s other amazing products just might do the trick.

Hemp Sourced in the USA: All of the organic hemp that FAB CBD uses in the creation of its high-quality products comes from Colorado. The hemp is grown and harvested using state-of-the-art growing and cloning equipment. This ensures that all of the brand’s hemp is clean, potent, and free of harmful pesticides, herbicides, and other dangerous chemicals.

Independent Third-Party Lab Testing: Every product that FAB CBD creates is routinely tested by ProVerde Labs, an independent third-party lab. The brand also cares about transparency. To that end, FAB CBD publishes each lab report on its website where customers can easily find them.

30-Day, Money-Back Guarantee: FAB CBD is a wonderful brand for first-time CBD buyers to go with. Each one of the brand’s products comes with a 30-day, money-back guarantee. So, trying CBD and finding the right type of product for your unique health and wellness needs has never been easier.

Pros

  • Wide array of full-spectrum oils in a variety of strengths and flavors
  • Top-notch, caring, knowledgeable customer service department
  • All products regularly tested by an independent lab
  • Fast and secure shipping
  • Free shipping on all orders over $89

Cons

  • No auto-ship or subscription options
  • No international shipping offered

Joy Organics is a compassionate, highly reputable brand that cares deeply about integrity and excellence in product creation. The brand’s mission is to create high-quality CBD products using innovation and a superior level of customer service. Ever since its inception, Joy Organics has been dedicated to product quality. The brand’s customer service department is modeled after CEO and Co-Founder Joy Smith’s own personal experience with CBD. Smith, a mom, grandmom, and humanitarian, has always made it her mission to bring comfort and compassion to everyone.

Smith journeyed through her own health and sleep struggles throughout her life, and started looking for natural remedies for her body after traditional means failed her. Her son urged her to try CBD products, and though she went through quite a few different brands, only a few of them actually worked for her. She used this experience to found Joy Organics. To this day, her brand has been one of the top brands in the industry because of its strong manufacturing, testing, and quality control standards.

Highlights

High Standards: Joy Organics creates effective products that are regularly tested by an independent third-party laboratory. All of the products are organic, cruelty-free, gluten-free, and devoid of harsh chemicals or metals. Joy Organics sources its hemp from USDA-Certified farms. Every one of the brand’s products is Farm Bill compliant, which means they are all hemp-derived and contain 0.3% or less THC. The brand also uses the industry preferred CO2 extraction method.

Interesting CBD Oil Flavor Selection: Joy Organics’ oils come in an interesting array of flavors like Tranquil Mint, Unflavored, Summer Lemon, Orange Bliss, Tropical Sunrise, and Fresh Lime. The strengths include 450mg, 900mg, 1350mg. And 2250mg. All oils come in either full-spectrum or broad-spectrum varieties.

Lab Testing and Transparency: All of the third-party lab reports can be easily found on the Joy Organics website.

Affordable Products and Fair Policies: The brand’s products are affordable. Joy Organics also partners with non-government organizations and donates a portion of its sales to charity. Free shipping is available, and there is no minimum order amount required. The brand offers both standard delivery and expedited shipping. Lastly, Joy Organics offers a 30-day, money-back guarantee and provides an additional 15-day grace period for all refund claims.

Pros

  • Uses an independent third-party lab to regularly test products
  • Products have an 18-month shelf life
  • The brand’s hemp selection and extraction process are clearly explained
  • All products are created from organic hemp grown in the USA
  • Wide product variety

Cons

  • International shipping is not offered
  • Not every product is vegan

Since 2013, everyone who works at Green Roads has been on a mission to help people become the healthiest they have ever been. Green Roads was founded by a pharmacist who created unique product formulations. Each product was specifically designed with busy, stressful customers’ lives in mind. Every lab-certified product has won awards and verified positive reviews of customers. Green Roads employs three full-time pharmacists who oversee product development and manufacturing. All products are routinely tested by an ISO-certified external lab for strength, purity, and quality. Customers can see lab reports by scanning the QR codes on product packages.

The brand offers a strong line of full-spectrum and broad-spectrum products. Green Roads’ CBD oils come in a 25mg daily dose, 300mg, 750mg, and 1500mg strengths. Flavor options for the oils are Mint Breeze and Apple Kiwi. Even though the daily dose is convenient, it is still priced expensively. All oils are gluten-free and vegan-friendly.

Highlights

Lots of Options: The brand has an interesting product selection. Full-spectrum, broad-spectrum CBD, and THC-free CBD isolate varieties are offered. Free shipping is also available for all products.

Special Programs Available: Green Roads offers discounts to military personnel and first responders. The brand also offers generous discounts and rewards and referral programs because it is committed to making CBD more accessible to everyone.

Pharmacist-Formulated Products: All products are formulated by a team of licensed pharmacists. The award-winning products have even been recognized by the Cannabis Business Awards in 2018 and 2019.

Pros

  • Top-quality products
  • Pharmacist-formulated products
  • Uses CO2 extraction process to ensure products are clean
  • Wide array of products
  • Offers gifts and bundle options

Cons

  • Product prices are fairly expensive
  • Only ships to the USA
  • Limited CBD strength range
  • Lack of information on hemp sources

A group of friends from Colorado founded CBDistillery in 2016 as a way to combat poor quality CBD brands that were overtaking the industry. The brand is one of the fastest-growing, most affordable brands in today’s CBD industry. Since its inception, CBDistillery has been on a mission to educate customers around the world about the benefits of CBD using its strong social media presence. The brand offers a unique line of products that include full-spectrum oils, CBD isolate powder, CBD soft gels, topicals, gummies, and CBD pet products.

CBDistillery creates a wide array of CBD tincture options in a nice selection of strengths and sizes. Customers can choose from full-spectrum and broad-spectrum oils that come in concentrations of 500mg, 1000mg, 2500mg, and 5000 mg of CBD that only comes in a full-spectrum variety. The high potency CBD extracts appear to only come in unflavored options, which explains why some customers report that they dislike the oil’s earthy hemp flavor.

Highlights

Organic Hemp Sources: All of the brand’s hemp oil comes directly from Colorado and is organic. CBDistillery is also certified through the US Hemp Authority Certification Program. The brand has a strong belief in transparency and is involved in all product creation from seed to sale.

Belief in Transparency: CBDistillery uses an independent lab to routinely test all of its products. Those reports are then published on the CBDistillery website where customers can easily find them. Customers can also scan the QR codes on product boxes to see lab reports. The brand also has a highly responsive customer service department to answer any and all customer questions and concerns.

Clean Products: All products are free from pesticides, fungicides, heavy metals, and other dangerous contaminants. CBDistillery is GMP-, U.S. Hemp Authority-, ISO- and GRAS-certified.

Pros

  • Large product selection
  • Affordable product prices
  • Cost-saving programs for veterans, the disabled, and low-income individuals
  • Independent third-party lab testing
  • Free shipping on all orders
  • 60-day, money-back guarantee

Cons

  • Unflavored CBD Oil tinctures have a hempy flavor that some customers find unappealing
  • Uses ethanol extraction process over CO2 extraction

Premium Jane has worked for a number of years to educate customers on the benefits of the hemp plant. The brand, that’s located in Scottsdale, Arizona, creates affordable, organic products that customers enjoy. Premium Jane uses knowledge, science, innovation, and passion to make its products. Along with high-grade material, the brand also has agricultural experts, chemists, biologists, and marketing developers on staff.

Highlights

Local Hemp Sources: All of Premium Jane’s hemp is grown in Kentucky on regulated farms. Hemp Source — Hemp that’s grown and regulated in Kentucky

Strong Reputation: The brand has a solid reputation for being extremely transparent. All of its products are regularly tested by an independent third-party lab.

Clean and Strong Products: Premium Jane creates full-spectrum CBD oils that come in 300mg, 600mg, and 1000mg strengths in natural flavors like Natural, Peach Nectar, Lemon Lime, and Mint Chocolate. All of the brand’s extracts are obtained using the industry preferred, clean CO2 extraction process.

Pros

  • Lots of flavor varieties in the brand’s CBD oil

Cons

  • CBD oil strengths are limited to only three potencies

Populum focuses on crafting potent and pure CBD in an ethical and honest way. All of the brand’s products are created in the United States and are made using a proprietary formula of full-spectrum hemp extracts. Every product that Populm makes is vegan, non-GMO, and gluten-free. Since 2016, the brand has been creating high-quality products that customers love in a transparent way.

Highlights

Natural Ingredients: All of Populum’s full-spectrum hemp is non-GMO and grown in Colorado. The brand’s products contain natural ingredients that include grapeseed oil, MCT oil, hemp seed oil, natural flavors, beneficial terpenes, and cold-pressed orange oil. Hemp Source — Non-GMO, Colorado-grown hemp

Large Potency Choices: Even though Populum’s oils only come in a natural orange flavor, they do come in a wide array of potencies that include 250mg, 500mg, 1000mg, and 2000mg strengths.

Strong Belief in Transparency: Populum strongly believes in being transparent with its customers. To that end, all of its products are thoroughly and regularly tested by an independent third-party lab.

Pros

  • All products tested by a third-party lab
  • Free shipping on all orders.

Cons

  • Ethanol extraction process
  • CBD oils only come in natural orange flavor

NuLeaf Naturals was first founded by a group of people who were passionate about plant medicine. The brand’s vision is to blaze a path for wellness through the creation of top-notch CBD products. NuLeaf Naturals began in 2014 and has always been committed to creating the best quality CBD products in the most potent and pure forms. All of the brand’s full-spectrum products are free from herbicides, pesticides, and other harmful additives.

NuLeaf Naturals is GMP certified (Good Manufacturing Practices certified) and ISO-compliant (International Organization for Standardization-compliant). The brand’s full-spectrum oils come in 300mg, 600mg, 1200mg, and 3000mg strengths. All of the CBD oils contain full-spectrum cannabinoids and are regularly lab tested. The oils, which contain 100 percent natural ingredients, were extracted using the industry preferred CO2 extraction process.

Highlights

Clean Farming Practices: NuLeaf Naturals uses sustainable and organic farming methods to cultivate its Colorado-grown hemp.

Clean Products: The brand’s full-spectrum oils are GMO-free, and do not contain any pesticides or artificial flavors. NuLeaf Naturals also uses the clean CO2 extraction process to obtain its extracts.

Quality-Focused: In order to ensure that the quality of its products meets and exceeds standards, the brand’s production lab is registered with the US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and is inspected by the Colorado State Department of Public Health and Environment. All products are then tested by third-party labs to make sure that they are free from pesticides, fungicides, and heavy metals.

Pros

  • NuLeaf Naturals is involved in product creation from seed to sale
  • Offers a money-back guarantee on products
  • Organic hemp sources that are sustainably farmed

Cons

  • No flavor options for oils
  • No CBD isolate options
  • Limited product selection

Everyone at MedTerra believes that the cannabis plant holds tremendous healing powers. In fact, the brand was founded by a group of people who were passionate about CBD. Everyone who works for MedTerra does everything they can do to make sure that all people have access to CBD products regardless of financial status. In order to show customers that they believe in transparency and being accountable for the products they make, the MedTerra team is involved from seed to sale in the entire product creation process.

Highlights

Natural, Full-Spectrum CBD Oils: MedTerra’s full-spectrum CBD Oil Hemp Drops come in 750mg, 1500mg, 3000mg, and 6000mg strengths. The oils also come in interesting flavors like Citrus and Chocolate Mint. All of the brand’s extracts are obtained through the clean CO2 extraction process. As far as additional ingredients, MedTerra’s oils contain MCT oil, natural flavors, and stevia extract.

Clean Hemp Sources: MedTerra sources all of its hemp from Kentucky. The brand’s hemp is free from herbicides, pesticides, and other harmful chemicals and is also non-GMO. Each product that’s made from hemp is tested by an independent third-party lab.

Team of Experts: MedTerra spares no expense to create some of the cleanest, most potent CBD products in the industry. In fact, the brand employs experts in vegetable genetics, quality control, food-grade compound extraction, and best hemp farming practices.

Pros

  • Large array of CBD oil potencies
  • International shipping
  • Reward and assistance programs available

Cons

  • Limited flavor options available

Lazarus Naturals was founded on the belief that CBD can positively impact people’s lives through the cannabinoid’s many documented benefits. The brand works hard to keep its products priced affordably so that customers from all walks of life can have access to them. Lazarus Naturals also offers a 60 percent discount to veterans, active military personnel, people on long-term disability, low-income individuals, first responders, nurses, medical providers, social workers, caretakers, teachers, students, and non-profit groups and organizations.

Lazarus Naturals was founded in Washington in 2014 by Sequoia Price-Lazarus. Ever since its founding, the brand has been 100 percent owned by its employees. To that end, those who work for the brand are also wholeheartedly invested in the products they sell. The brand creates CBD oils in flavors of Classic, Yuzu, French Vanilla Mocha, and Chocolate Mint in potencies of 600mg, 1200mg, and 2400mg. For those who are not familiar with Yuzu, it is an East Asian citrus fruit. The brand also offers CBD isolate oils in flavors of Blood Orange, Unflavored, Mango Pineapple, Yuzu, and Wintermint, in strengths of 750mg, 1500mg, and 3000mg.

Highlights

Source of Hemp: The brand sources all of its hemp from its own Central Oregon farm. All of the hemp from that farm and any hemp gathered from neighboring farms is certified by the Oregon Department of Agriculture Hemp Research Pilot Program.

Strong Product Selection: Lazarus Naturals crafts a wide array of products including capsules, CBD isolate oils, full-spectrum CBD tinctures, capsules, pet products, balms, and lotions.

Independent Lab Testing: All of the brand’s products are regularly tested by an in-house third-party laboratory.

Pros

  • Discounts for veterans, disabled individuals, low-income households, and other groups
  • Uses an in-house lab and a third-party lab to test all of its products
  • Involved seed to sale in the product creation process

Cons

  • Does not offer international shipping
  • Some customers don’t like the earthy taste of the brand’s CBD tinctures

Cheef Botanicals was founded by health-conscious cannabis lovers who had many years of organic food industry experience. The brand works with Colorado hemp farms to craft its top-quality CBD products. The brand was created because the owners felt there was a definite lack of health-conscious, plant-based cannabis products in the state of California. Cheef Botanicals creates a line of plant-based, unique, organic products that contain vegan ingredients. All of Cheef Botanicals’ products are non-GMO, gluten-free, cruelty-free, and dairy-free. All of the products are free from artificial flavors and colors. The brand also offers a 30-day, money-back guarantee.

The brand’s tinctures are made from 100 percent natural ingredients. Its products are also free from additives or preservatives. Cheef Botanicals offers four different full-spectrum potencies ranging from 300mg to 3000mg strengths. The brand offers a wide array of products at extremely affordable prices.

Highlights

Transparency and Quality: The brand partners with organic hemp farms in Colorado. Cheef Botanicals creates a unique line of high-grade, clean CBD products that are free from artificial colors and flavors.

Third-Party Lab Testing: All products are regularly tested by an independent third-party lab. Those in-depth reports are then published on the brand’s website where customers can easily find them.

Affordable Prices: All products are affordably priced. Many customers commented that the quality of the products exceeded the prices that they paid.

Pros

  • Wide array of products
  • Verified positive customer reviews
  • The brand offers a 100 percent, money-back guarantee
  • Bundle & Save and Subscribe & Save options
  • Pleasant CBD oil flavor choices

Cons

  • There are no third-party tests for contaminants
  • Cheef Botanicals does not support any charities
  • The brand doesn’t offer any assistance programs
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What is Anxiety Disorder Anyway?

There are many different types of anxiety disorders. Some of the most common kinds of anxiety disorders include panic attacks, phobias, and generalized anxiety disorder. People who have been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder typically are plagued with constant worry for long periods of time about various things such as work, social interactions, daily happenings, health, and other issues.

Common symptoms that stem from generalized anxiety disorder are:

  • Trouble concentrating
  • Irritability
  • Restlessness
  • Excessive muscle tension
  • Easily fatigued
  • Sleep disturbances that include insomnia, restlessness, and sleep that isn’t refreshing or restorative

There are also different symptoms that come with other types of anxiety disorders. For example, if someone has been diagnosed with panic disorder, they may struggle with the immediate onset of panic attacks that bring about feelings of intense fear. The attacks are sometimes triggered by situations or objects with heavy meanings attached to them. Sometimes people who are diagnosed with panic disorders also experience heart palpitations, shortness of breath, trembling, shaking, feelings of impending doom, or feeling as though they’re losing control.

Lastly, some individuals with panic disorders have an intense desire to stay away from specific objects or social situations. Their perceived fears and aversions always tend to feel extremely overblown when compared to the danger caused by an actual situation or object. Specific phobia-related anxiety disorders include agoraphobia, separation anxiety disorder, selective mutism, and social anxiety disorder.

Commonly, phobias can also include a fear of:

  • Blood
  • Heights
  • Enclosed spaces
  • Flying
  • Insects or animals

A Word About Major Depressive Disorder

People who have been diagnosed with major depressive disorder typically feel great sadness, hopelessness, or worthlessness. They sometimes have a difficult time finding joy in their everyday lives and in activities like sports, work, or hobbies. Medical experts say that the signs and symptoms of major depressive disorder are strong enough to make a noticeable difference in the way that people function in activities such as work, social relationships, school, sports, or social activities and events.

In older adults, depression shows itself as:

  • Personality changes
  • Memory issues
  • Loss of appetite
  • Increased appetite
  • Immense fatigue
  • Sleep issues
  • Weight loss or weight gain
  • Suicidal thoughts or feelings
  • Social withdrawal
  • Decreased interest in sex

Prescription medications and talk therapy have been common forms of treatment for major depressive disorders. However, positive scientific studies are showing that CBD may exhibit anti-anxiety and antidepressant effects in animal models. Therefore, it makes sense that CBD can be a valid form of treatment in the fight against both anxiety and major depressive disorder.

What Causes Anxiety

There are many different factors that go into causing anxiety. Some of them include:

  • Trauma either as an adult or as a child
  • Stress caused by an illness
  • Stress buildup that’s not properly handled over time
  • Personality
  • Other mental health conditions such as depression
  • Family history of anxiety
  • Drug or alcohol abuse or withdrawal

Why are Pharmaceutical Anxiety Medications Dangerous to Our Health?

Pharmaceutical medications come with a host of side effects — many of them severe. In fact, some of the general side effects linked to anxiety medications include drowsiness, confusion, and clumsiness. These side effects typically happen with low doses. Conversely, the side effects become more intense as the dosage of the medication gets higher. For example, one of the major long-term side effects of benzodiazepines (a common anti-anxiety medication), includes becoming overly sedated. Because this type of medication takes a long time for the body to metabolize, it can build up in your system over time. Typically, when someone is overly sedated, they feel and act as if they are inebriated. After the over sedation wears off, it’s common for people to be left feeling hungover. In this hungover state, they can experience headaches, lethargy, and depression. When the medication is used for an extended period of time, people can experience flu-like symptoms, nausea, sleep disturbances, memory issues, emotional fog, and memory issues, among other things.

Other medications used to treat anxiety can sometimes cause symptoms like these if used incorrectly or abused:

  • Dizziness
  • Grogginess
  • Dry mouth
  • Headaches
  • Stomach pain
  • Vomiting
  • Agitation
  • Paranoia
  • Speech issues
  • Blurred vision
  • Tremors
  • Confusion
  • Profuse sweating
  • Seizures
  • Lack of appetite
  • Low blood pressure

Research on CBD and Anxiety

According to a 2015 review, CBD helps anxiety by interacting with the CB1R, or cannabinoid type 1 receptor, the serotonin 5-HT1A receptor, and other receptors located in the brain that work to regulate fear and other behaviors caused by anxiety. The review’s authors also found that CBD is an effective treatment for many other anxiety disorders including:

  • Generalized anxiety disorder
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Social anxiety disorder
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder
  • Panic disorder

In an article written in 2020, the authors closely looked at eight studies that investigated CBD’s role in the treatment of different anxiety disorder types. In reviewing the studies, the authors found proof that supported CBD’s effective use in the treatment — whether as a sole treatment or a complementary therapy — of social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The authors also discovered that there was much variation in the doses that were used to treat these anxiety disorders. This also proved that everyone’s body is different and that a dose of CBD that works best for one person might not work that great for someone else.

CBD Oil vs CBD Gummies: Which One is Best for Anxiety

There is no right or wrong answer to this question. At the end of the day, it all comes down to preference. Both CBD oil and CBD gummies enter the body in different ways. While CBD oil enters the bloodstream through the thin membrane under the tongue, CBD gummies must travel through the digestive tract before entering into the bloodstream. As we stated earlier, there is no set dosage of CBD oil that will work best for everyone. Therefore, it takes time, patience, and consistency to find the dose of oil that will work best for your particular health and wellness needs. The dosage of CBD gummies, however, is predetermined, making dosing easier overall.

CBD oil is one of the most popular ways to consume CBD, however, some people prefer the taste and ease of CBD gummies over CBD oil. Gummies are sometimes more appetizing than oil, which can make CBD easier to take each and every day. Gummies are also a more discreet way of getting CBD into your body. Because of this, gummies can be consumed out in public without drawing attention to yourself.

The effects of CBD oil are stronger and more immediate, and can be great if someone feels a panic attack coming on. Conversely, the effects of CBD gummies will last longer and feel milder because they have to travel through the digestive tract. Therefore, some people may find it helpful to take a couple of CBD gummies at the start of their day so that they can better handle the stressors of everyday life. At the end of the day, you should always choose the best product for your particular health needs.

How Does CBD Oil Help with Anxiety?

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is one of the more commonly known compounds in the cannabis plant. It will not cause feelings of euphoria like the cannabis plant’s other main compound, THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, will. A number of studies show that CBD is a strong potential treatment for various types of anxiety disorders.

How Can CBD Specifically Work to Alleviate Anxiety?

When CBD is extracted from the hemp and cannabis plants, it’s used in the creation of CBD oils, topicals, edibles, gummies, salves, and other products. CBD can be an effective treatment in anxiety disorders because it is loaded with beneficial cannabinoids, terpenes, and phytonutrients that bind to specialized endocannabinoid receptors in the brain. Within the human body, there’s an endocannabinoid system that helps bring the body back into a state of balance. When CBD is taken into the body, the cannabinoids bind with the CB1 and CB2 receptors in the brain to help alleviate conditions like anxiety, depression, insomnia, pain, and other issues. There’s also an entourage effect that happens with cannabinoids.

During the entourage effect, the cannabinoids boost each other’s positive properties while lowering their negative ones. A study conducted in 2014 found that the antidepressant effects of cannabidiol helped to calm anxiety and depression. Moreover, another study conducted in 2015 found CBD to be a solid potential treatment for different types of anxiety disorders. Some of the disorders that CBD was effective against were generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and others.

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How Safe is it to Use CBD for Anxiety and Depression?

Many scientific studies are discovering that CBD oil is a safe and effective treatment for both anxiety and depression. When you think about all of the dangerous and potentially addictive prescription medications that are used to treat anxiety and depression, CBD rises to the top as one of the safest, most effective, and most natural alternative treatment methods.

If you are on prescription medication, then you might want to check with your primary care doctor or prescribing physician before beginning a CBD regimen. It’s always best to confirm any and all possible interactions of the CBD with your current prescriptions before you begin taking any CBD oil for anxiety or depression. Furthermore, if you’re taking a prescription medication with a grapefruit warning attached to it, then you should be aware that CBD can interact with that medication in very much the same way that grapefruit juice, grapefruit, or other citrus fruits can. Grapefruit juice, grapefruit, and other citrus fruits can interfere with the way the body metabolizes medications, thus allowing too much medication to enter into your system. Therefore, you need to discuss adding CBD into your daily supplement regimen with your primary care doctor or prescribing physician before taking any CBD oil on your own.

What Determines the Quality of CBD Oil?

There are many factors that go into determining the quality of CBD oil. Some of the factors that you should look at in trying to buy a high-quality CBD oil for your anxiety or depression include:

  • Extraction Process: Currently, the industry-preferred extraction method is the CO2 process because it produces extracts that are potent, pure, and free from harmful chemicals.
  • Hemp Source: Look for brands that create their products from organic, non-GMO hemp that’s free from herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, or other chemicals.
  • Product Labels: All reputable brands with top-quality CBD oil have product bottles that are clear to read with instructions that are easy to understand.
  • Third-Party Testing: Reputable brands believe in being transparent. Part of that transparency involves having each product regularly tested by an independent third-party lab and then posting those results on their website or making them easily accessible for customers.
  • Certificate of Analysis and Cannabinoid Profile: All lab reports should include a certificate of analysis that lists any and all findings. Likewise, look for a cannabinoid profile report so that you can see the percentage of cannabinoids and which cannabinoids are in the extract.
  • THC Percentage: In order for hemp-derived CBD oil to be federally legal in the United States, it has to contain 0.3% or less THC. Anything over that amount will be illegal, unless the state has recreational or medicinal marijuana laws on its books. THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is one of the main compounds in the hemp and marijuana plants that can cause feelings of euphoria if ingested in large quantities. (Well over 0.3% THC, as is found in the marijuana plant.)

All top-quality CBD oils are created by reputable brands who follow these basic set of guidelines, and maybe a few more. The best way to find the highest quality CBD oil for your health and wellness needs is to take the time to thoroughly research both the product and the brand.

CBD Oil Dosage for Anxiety

When it comes to CBD dosage, everyone’s body is different. Therefore, there is not one set dose that will work best for everyone. It takes time and patience to find the best CBD oil dose for your body and your anxiety. It’s also good to remember that the highest dose isn’t always the best dose. Typically, mid-range doses work the best. Additionally, you may have to adjust your dose or your strength over time to suit your body and your needs.

When it comes to strengths, 300mg and 600mg strengths are perfect to help support general health, while 1200mg and 2400mg strengths are great for those who are struggling with difficult health issues like anxiety and depression. Consistency is also key when it comes to taking CBD oil. You will be able to get the most benefits from your CBD oil if you take it with some food in your stomach and around the same time(s) each and every day.

How to Use CBD Oil for Anxiety

Finding the best dose for your body and your needs is not an exact science. And as we stated earlier, there’s not one perfect dose for every person. When beginning a CBD oil regimen, the best rule of thumb is to start low and go slow. If you’re new to CBD, a great method to follow is to start with a dose once a week and stay with it for seven to ten days. For example, if you’ve purchased a 600mg bottle of FAB CBD full-spectrum CBD oil, take half a dropper full once a day for about one week. This will equal 10mg of CBD oil once a day. After one week, check-in with yourself to see how your body is feeling. It’s also a perfect time to keep a symptom journal so that you can keep track of your anxiety and depression symptoms and how you are doing while on the CBD oil.

If you aren’t noticing any changes, then it’s time to move up to a half dropper full twice a day. This will now equal 20mg of CBD a day or 10mg of CBD twice a day. Stick with this dose for an additional week, making notes of your signs and symptoms. At the end of this week, do another check-in with yourself to see how you are feeling. Keep following this pattern until you have found the best dose for your body. While you are finding the right CBD oil dose, be patient. It will take time for your body to get used to both the CBD oil as well as the dose.

Other Benefits of CBD Oil

Along with anxiety and depression, CBD oil is also used for other health issues such as pain, insomnia, arthritis, and much more.

  • Pain: Scientific studies have shown that CBD can help reduce pain by positively interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system to reduce inflammation. Interestingly, a study performed on rats found that CBD significantly lowered both sciatic nerve pain and inflammation.
  • May Help Alleviate Cancer-Related Symptoms: Studies have been conducted that prove CBD can help calm side effects from cancer treatment like vomiting, pain, and nausea. One such study found that cancer patients treated with both CBD and THC experienced a significant reduction in pain. Yet another study discovered that side effects from chemotherapy — nausea and vomiting — were eased in cancer patients.
  • Can Have Neuroprotective Benefits: Scientists believe that CBD’s ability to positively impact the endocannabinoid system may have great benefits to those diagnosed with neurological disorders. CBD has shown great promise as a treatment for those struggling with neurological disorders like multiple sclerosis and epilepsy. One study found that when people with epilepsy were given CBD, their seizures were reduced by 36.5 percent.
  • May Have Heart Health Benefits: Research studies show that CBD may be able to help lower high blood pressure. One study discovered that when nine healthy men were given one dose of 600mg CBD oil, it reduced their resting blood pressure. Likewise, these same men, when given CBD, only had a small increase in blood pressure during stress tests that normally increase blood pressure.
  • Can Help with Sleep Issues and Insomnia: Many issues can disrupt sleep. For example, anxiety, depression, medication, caffeine, physical conditions, and certain environmental factors such as loud noises or an uncomfortable mattress can all disturb your sleep-wake cycle. A study conducted in 2019 discovered that CBD could improve sleep while reducing anxiety. In the study, 72 subjects were given CBD each day. Within the first month, 79.2 percent reported decreased anxiety levels and 66.7 percent reported better sleep.
  • Can Help to Control and Alleviate Epilepsy: CBD works with the body’s endocannabinoid system to help bring it back into a state of balance. Therefore, CBD can help control and alleviate epilepsy by having a therapeutic effect on the brain, thus calming down seizure activity.

CBD also can help with schizophrenia and other mental health disorders, substance abuse, diabetes, and tumors.

Possible Side Effects

CBD is generally well tolerated and considered safe among the general population. However, there are some minor side effects associated with it.

Some of these minor side effects include:

  • Diarrhea
  • Changes in appetite
  • Changes in weight
  • Fatigue
  • Sleepiness
  • Nausea

If you have any questions or concerns surrounding CBD or whether or not you should be starting a CBD regimen, then you should reach out to your primary care physician for the proper guidance.

Thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, CBD is federally legal across all 50 states. However, each state may have its own laws and regulations surrounding CBD. Therefore, before you purchase any CBD oil or other CBD products, it’s best to look into your state’s legislation regarding CBD. Moreover, if you will be traveling through different states and want to take your CBD oil along with you, then you should also look into the CBD laws of the states that you’ll be traveling through.

Many people today purchase their CBD oils online. If you do the right research, you can find a wealth of reputable brands, like FAB CBD, that create top-quality, effective, potent products. While there are many wonderful CBD brands online, beware that there are also many poor ones. Therefore, it’s important to thoroughly look at a brand’s website to read any third-party lab reports and verified customer reviews. Moreover, reputable brands will be very transparent and will publish all of their third-party lab reports online and make them easy for customers to find.

FAQ

What is CBD Oil?

CBD oil is what’s made when phytonutrients, cannabinoids, and terpenes are extracted from the cannabis plant and are mixed together with a carrier oil like MCT oil. Depending on what you’re looking for, you can buy CBD oil in full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or CBD isolate varieties. Full-spectrum oils contain all of the phytonutrients, terpenes, and cannabinoids in the hemp plant. Broad-spectrum oils are the same as full-spectrum oils, except that all of the THC has been filtered out. Lastly, CBD isolate oils contain only 99% pure CBD as the rest of the plant parts have been filtered out using a special process. 

Does CBD Really Work for Anxiety and Depression?

A lot of anxiety and depression sufferers have found success through using CBD oil. A lot of people have found that their symptoms have either diminished completely or have been alleviated through regular and consistent use of CBD. In fact, scientific research has proven that CBD is effective against the symptoms of both anxiety and depression.

Is CBD Addictive?

CBD has been proven safe, effective, and non-addictive. In fact, a 2017 study that was published in the Journal of Drug and Alcohol Dependence found that CBD is about as addictive as a placebo pill. Additionally, a 2019 study discovered that CBD may help lower drug cravings, paranoia, impulsivity, and symptoms of withdrawal linked to crack-cocaine addiction. Lastly, the World Health Organization found that CBD has no abuse or dependence potential.

What is the Recommended Dose of CBD Oil for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?

According to a study conducted in 2018, researchers found that PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, affects at least 10 percent of people during the course of their lifetime. PTSD comes out of a place of extreme trauma such as abuse, war, accidents, traumatic loss, or disasters. People who have been diagnosed with the condition become easily overwhelmed and have a hard time coping. Researchers have found that CBD can help alleviate PTSD by:

  • Eliminating nightmares
  • Preventing fear memories from forming
  • Reducing depression and anxiety
  • Helping with insomnia issues

In order for CBD to be effective in the treatment of PTSD, you have to find the best dose for your body and your needs. Everyone is different, therefore, a dose that works well for one person may not work that great for someone else. The best way to find the right dose for your PTSD is to start with a small dose of oil and then gradually increase over time. The dose of CBD depends on the product you choose, your weight, and the desired strength of your oil. Studies show that high doses of CBD ranging from 12mg to 25mg have the ability to significantly lower symptoms of anxiety. In starting low and going up slowly over time, you will eventually be able to find the ideal dose for your unique needs. It also helps to keep a journal while you’re going through this process so that you can pinpoint the exact dose when your symptoms begin to improve.

What’s the Difference Between a CBD Oil and a CBD Tincture?

Even though some brands use the terms CBD oil and CBD tincture interchangeably, they are not the same. CBD oils are typically made with CBD and a carrier oil like MCT oil. CBD tinctures are alcohol-based extracts that use high-proof alcohol as a medium to steep the cannabis plant material in.

How to Buy CBD Oil Legally

Thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, CBD oil can be legally purchased throughout the United States as long as it’s hemp-based and contains 0.3% or less THC. Therefore, you can legally buy CBD products either in a brick-and-mortar location or online from a reputable brand. It’s highly recommended to purchase CBD online from a reputable brand because doing this will afford you all the time you need to perform any research you need in order to have all of your questions thoroughly answered.

What Does it Mean to Take CBD Oil for Anxiety Sublingually?

Taking CBD oil sublingually is just a fancy way of saying that you should drop the CBD oil under your tongue and hold it there for about 60-seconds before swishing it around in your mouth and swallowing it. When you hold the oil sublingually, you’re allowing all of the cannabinoids, terpenes, and phytonutrients to enter into your bloodstream through the thin membranes under your tongue. The same thing happens when you swish the oil around in your mouth prior to swallowing it. You’re simply allowing the cannabinoids to enter into your bloodstream through the soft tissue in your mouth.

The Bottom Line on CBD Oil for Anxiety

Even though it can be stressful and frustrating to deal with anxiety and depression on a daily basis, the good news is that there’s hope for a natural and safe alternative treatment by way of CBD oil. To that end, many who are diagnosed with anxiety and depression are actively exploring the use of CBD as an alternative treatment against social anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorders, phobia disorders, major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, seasonal depression, and many others.

Positive verified customer reviews and industry expert reviews show that FAB CBD full-spectrum oils are the best when it comes to calming and controlling the symptoms of anxiety and depression. Moreover, Joy Organics, our next choice, comes in as a strong second-place brand. All of the reputable brands in our top seven brands for the best CBD oil for anxiety have clean, potent, and effective products that you’ll want to use time and again.

Additionally, the strong results from a wealth of scientific studies confirm the reasons why CBD oil can be used as a natural treatment for anxiety and depression and the difficult symptoms that they create. Due to CBD’s fast rise in popularity, the market has become inundated with brands. Therefore, it’s important that you take the time to do the research into any brand and product that you’re interested in. Remember, not all brands are created equal. Sadly, there are brands on today’s market that use substandard ingredients and whose products are laden with harmful pesticides, solvents, herbicides, and other dangerous chemicals.

When looking into CBD oil brands, you should closely examine third-party lab results, whether the products contain the legal limit of 0.3% or less THC, hemp source, verified customer reviews, the words of respected CBD journalists, and much more. If you’ve been searching for a good place to start your research, then our guide is a great place to begin. CBD oil is a fantastic option for anxiety, depression, and a host of other conditions because of its low number of mild side effects and lack of intoxicating effects. However, if you’re unsure of whether you should be adding CBD oil into your existing supplement regimen, then you should never hesitate to reach out to your primary care doctor or medical specialist.

Best CBD Oil for Pain: Top 10 Brands of 2022 – D Magazine

It’s no secret that pain is a major part of many people’s everyday lives. In fact, sometimes, the pain is so excruciating that it stops people from living life as normal and even enjoying pleasurable activities like swimming, hiking, being out in nature, or spending time with children or grandchildren. In 2019, the CDC found that over 20 percent of adults live with chronic pain, while over seven percent of adults suffer from high-impact chronic pain. Typically, when someone experiences either acute or chronic pain they turn to over-the-counter remedies or are prescribed painkillers by their primary care doctor or medical specialist.

Today, more people are learning about the healing power of CBD as they research natural alternative methods to help calm and eventually end their pain. Researchers and scientists have been curious about CBD as well. To date, there are a wealth of studies that support evidence of CBD’s pain-relieving benefits. It’s also encouraging that these studies are also backed up by verified customer reviews and published articles written by both CBD journalists and experts in the cannabis field.

Our guide to the best CBD oil for pain, written in conjunction with Cannabis Radar, will take a deep dive into the causes of pain and the ways that CBD oil can help to calm both chronic and acute pain. We will also profile our top ten CBD oil brands so that our readers can easily select the best CBD oil that will help them naturally treat their pain.

Top 10 CBD Oil Brands for Pain in 2022

In choosing our top ten CBD oil brands for pain, we thoroughly looked at some of the most reputable and popular brands in the industry. Upon careful scrutiny, our final top ten brands are as follows:

  1. FAB CBD — Best Full-Spectrum Oil
  2. Joy Organics — Certified Organic
  3. CBDistillery — Interesting Product Selection
  4. Green Roads — Mission Oriented
  5. MedTerra — Sustainably Made
  6. Lazarus Naturals — Effective and Accessible CBD Products
  7. PlusCBD — Education-Oriented
  8. Premium Jane — Strong Flavor Options
  9. NuLeaf Naturals — Green Extraction Methods
  10. Cheef Botanicals — High Grade CBD Products

After weeding through an overwhelming list of brands, these seven brands rose to the tops as having some of the best, most potent, and cleanest CBD oil for pain.

How We Came Up with Our Best CBD Oil for Pain Brands

Before our guide could be written, we found it necessary to take an extensive look into all of the CBD oil brands on today’s market. Since the market is currently flooded with a seemingly endless number of brands, our list grew to impossible lengths. In order to whittle this list down, we looked at customer reviews, each brand’s hemp sources, how the brands made their products, if an independent third-party lab was used, and if those lab reports were made easy for customers to find.

Thanks to this set of guidelines, we were able to cut our list down until we were only left with our top ten CBD oil brands that are presented to you in this important guide. As an added bonus, we also looked at articles from reputable CBD journalists and writings from niche experts. As we were narrowing down our list of CBD oil brands, we focused on:

  • How effective each brand’s oil was at tackling chronic pain
  • Source of hemp
  • How the brand processes its hemp and if it follows the strict guidelines set forth by the FDA for CBD products
  • Whether the brands sells full-spectrum, broad spectrum, or CBD isolate products
  • Third-party lab reports
  • If the brand’s products contain 0.3% or less THC
  • If dosage and usage instructions were clearly written and given to customers
  • If the brand clearly explained what CBD does, how CBD works, and what CBD’s benefits are

Only after measuring each brand up against these tough guidelines, were we able to find our top ten CBD oil brands that we present to you below.

Best CBD Oil for Pain and Inflammation in 2022

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Since 2017, FAB CBD has been creating some of the strongest, most innovative CBD products on the market. To that end, the brand is also on a mission to make CBD accessible to everyone. In order for FAB CBD to bring its highly-rated, top-shelf products to everyone, the team knew that it had to have the highest and toughest standards in the industry. FAB CBD is also unique in that all of the staff has had experience in the health and wellness industries. Therefore, they know what it takes to put forth clean, potent products that benefit their customers’ health and wellness.

The brand has a stellar line of top-shelf products that include full-spectrum CBD oils, CBD+CBG Oil, “Nighttime” PM CBD Sleep Gummies, “Anytime” CBD Chews, Topical CBD Body Salve, CBD Topical Cream, a line of non-CBD Vegan Green Superfoods, and even Calm & Cool Crunchy CBD Dog Treats. FAB CBD sources all of its organic hemp from Colorado. The brand also obtains all of its pure and potent extracts through the industry preferred CO2 extraction process.

It’s because of FAB CBD’s high standards and clean and potent products that it was selected as our number one pick for the best CBD oil for pain.

Highlights

  • Clean and effective products
  • Pure and potent full-spectrum CBD oil
  • Caring, kind, and smart customer service department
  • Constant product innovation
  • Strong belief in transparency
  • Organic hemp from Colorado
  • Use of state-of-the-art cloning and growing equipment and practices
  • Uses industry preferred CO2 extraction process
  • Uses ProVerde Labs, an independent third-party lab, to routinely test products for quality and potency
  • All lab reports are posted on the FAB CBD website

About FAB CBD’s Full-Spectrum CBD Oils

FAB CBD’s full-spectrum CBD oils are some of the best and most potent in the industry. The oils come in strengths of 300mg, 600mg, 1200mg, and 2400mg, and in smooth, bright, refreshing flavors of vanilla, citrus, berry, mint, and natural. The oils are clean because, as stated before, FAB CBD uses organic hemp from Colorado and the industry preferred CO2 extraction process.

Pros

  • Seed to sale product involvement
  • Products created from organic Colorado hemp
  • Affordable prices
  • High CBD concentrations
  • Palate-pleasing, natural flavor options

Cons

  • International shipping is not offered at this time

Joy Organics prides itself on compassion, integrity, and excellence. The brand has a clear initiative to create high-quality CBD products using innovation and a top level of service. The brand is dedicated to product quality. Its customer care department mirrors itself after CEO and Co-Founder Joy Smith’s personal experience with CBD products. Smith, who is also a mom, grandmother, and humanitarian, has a mission to bring comfort and compassion to anyone she can reach.

Smith struggled with sleep and other tough health issues throughout her life. Because of this, she started seeking out natural remedies for her body. At the urging of her son, she tried CBD products. Though she ended up trying many different brands, only a couple of them worked for her. Through this experience, she started Joy Organics. To date, the brand has become one of the leaders in the CBD industry because of its manufacturing, testing, and quality standards.

Highlights

  • Effective products
  • Hemp that comes from USDA-Certified farms
  • Products regularly tested by third-party labs
  • Organic, cruelty-free, gluten-free products
  • Products are free from harsh chemicals or metals
  • Farm Bill compliant

About Joy Organics CBD Oils

Joy Organics’ oils come in interesting flavors including Tranquil Mint, Unflavored, Summer Lemon, Orange Bliss, Fresh Lime, and Tropical Sunrise, and in a range of potencies including 450mg, 900mg, 1350mg, and 2250mg. The brand offers both full-spectrum and broad-spectrum oil varieties.

Pros

  • Use of third-party labs
  • 18-month product shelf life
  • Hemp selection and extraction process are clearly written
  • All products are made from hemp that’s been grown, processed, and manufactured in the United States
  • Large product variety

Cons

  • No international shipping
  • Not all products are vegan
  • Product prices are somewhat expensive

In 2016, a group of Colorado Natives created CBDistillery as a way to fight against subpar CBD brands that were flooding into the industry. According to the brand, CBDistillery is one of the most affordable, fastest-growing brands in the CBD industry today. To that end, the brand is on a mission to educate people throughout the world on CBD’s benefits by using its social media platform.

CBDistillery creates a variety of interesting products including full-spectrum oils, CBD Isolate Powder, CBD Softgels, topicals, gummies, and CBD pet products. The brand has certainly made its mark in the ever-shifting and constantly growing CBD industry.

Highlights

  • Organic Colorado hemp sources
  • Belief in transparency
  • Seed to sale product involvement
  • Certifications through the US Hemp Authority Certification Program
  • Independent lab, ProVerde Labs, routinely tests all products
  • All lab reports published on CBDistillery website
  • Customer service department is highly responsive

About the CBD Oil

The brand offers several CBD tincture options in an array of sizes and strengths. Customers can purchase full-spectrum and broad-spectrum oils. Oils come in strengths of 500mg, 1000mg, 2500mg, and a 5000mg strength that only comes in full-spectrum. From looking at the website, it appears that the oils only come in natural flavor, which is why some customers report that they do not like the oil’s earthy, hemp flavor.

Pros

  • Wide array of products
  • Affordable products
  • Cost-saving programs offered for veterans, the disabled, and low-income individuals
  • Third-party lab testing
  • Free shipping on all orders
  • 60-day, money-back guarantee

Cons

  • Website is difficult to navigate
  • Oils have a hempy flavor that some customers dislike
  • Uses ethanol extraction process over CO2 extraction
  • Oil bottles can be tricky to open

The mission at Green Roads is simple: to help every person become the healthiest version of themselves. The brand is unique in that it was founded by a pharmacist who created distinctively formulated products. All products are designed with each customer’s stressful, busy, and beautiful life in mind. All products are lab-certified and have won both awards as well as certified positive reviews from customers.

The brand currently has three full-time pharmacists on staff who oversee product development as well as manufacturing. This both makes Green Roads’ formulas unique and as well as ensures that each product is created to specifically help customers with their health and wellness goals. Every ingredient that goes into the products is of the highest quality, and all products are regularly tested by an ISO-certified external laboratory for quality, strength, and purity. Customers can access the lab reports by scanning the QR code on any product package.

Highlights

  • Award-winning pharmacist-formulated products
  • Diverse product selection
  • Has full-spectrum CBD, broad spectrum CBD, and CBD isolate options
  • Offers free shipping
  • Discounts for military personnel and first responders
  • Reward and referral program

About the CBD Oil

Green Roads provides customers with a solid range of full-spectrum and broad-spectrum products. The brand’s oils come in concentrations of 25mg daily dose, 300mg, 750mg, and 1500mg, and in flavors of original, Mint Breeze, and Apple Kiwi. While the daily dose offers convenience, it is a bit on the expensive side. All of the brand’s CBD oils contain the usual CBD oil ingredients along with hemp, MCT oil, sunflower seed oil, glycerin, and sunflower lecithin. The brand’s CBD oil is created using a proprietary formula that is gluten-free and vegan-friendly.

Pros

  • High quality products
  • Products that are formulated by licensed pharmacists
  • Uses industry preferred CO2 extraction process to ensure potency and purity
  • Large product variety
  • Offers gifts and bundle options

Cons

  • Oils are somewhat expensive
  • The website is a little difficult to navigate

The brand MedTerra is the brainchild of a group of CBD-loving enthusiasts. The brand’s founders started MedTerra out of their strong belief in the cannabis plant’s healing powers. To this day, the team at MedTerra works hard to ensure that everyone has access to CBD. One of the ways MedTerra ensures transparency is to be involved in the creation process of its products from seed to sale. In fact, the brand has a team of professionals with expertise in vegetable genetics, food-grade compound extraction, best hemp farming practices, and manufacturing quality control.

Highlights

  • Non-GMO Kentucky hemp
  • Full-spectrum CBD oils in a variety of strengths
  • MCT oil, natural flavors and stevia extract are the only additional ingredients
  • CO2 extraction method
  • All products tested by an independent lab

About the CBD Oil

MedTerra crafts full-spectrum CBD oil Hemp Drops in Citrus and Chocolate Mint flavors in 750mg, 1500mg, 3000mg, and 6000mg potencies.

Pros

  • Large variety of CBD oil strengths
  • The brand offers international shipping

Cons

  • Limited flavor options.

Lazarus Naturals has been creating affordable and effective products since 2014. The brand, located in Portland, believes that everyone should have access to CBD products regardless of physical limitations or financial hardships. Lazarus Naturals makes sustainable, potent, and clean CBD products for everyone. The brand oversees all product creation from seed to sale. All of Lazarus Naturals’ hemp is herbicide-free, non-GMO, USDA Certified Organic, and is grown in Oregon. This ensures that all extracts are pure and effective. Lazarus Naturals also uses a third-party lab to routinely test all products for heavy metals, pesticides, and levels of potency.

The brand creates a wide array of unique products including a CBD balm, CBG oils, CBD tinctures, and CBD soft gels. It’s encouraging that Lazarus Naturals, like many of the other brands that we’ve profiled, also offers veterans, the disabled, and low-income individuals a 60 percent lifetime discount through a special assistance program. Lastly, Lazarus Naturals also owns a facility that’s current cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practice) certified and also holds USDA Organic certifications.

Highlights

  • Organic hemp from Oregon
  • Hemp that’s certified non-GMO and USDA Certified Organic
  • Believes in sustainability
  • All products are tested by a third-party lab
  • Customers can click the “Test Results” tab on the brand’s website to find reports
  • Cryogenic ethanol extraction process
  • Responsive and friendly customer service department

About the CBD Oil

Lazarus Naturals has many different offerings for its CBD oil. The brand crafts oils in flavors of Classic, Yuzu, French Vanilla Mocha, and Chocolate Mint in strengths of 600mg, 1200mg, and 2400mg. (Yuzu is an East Asian citrus fruit.) Lazarus Naturals also offers CBD isolate oils in concentrations of 750mg, 1500mg, and 3000mg in Blood orange, Unflavored, Mango Pineapple, Yuzu, and Wintermint flavors.

Pros

  • Affordable products
  • Large product variety in CBD isolate and full-spectrum options
  • Uses only all-natural, non-GMO ingredients
  • Third-party lab testing
  • High-strength tinctures that go up to 6000mg

Cons

  • Uses ethanol extraction
  • No international shipping

The crew at PlusCBD works diligently to help improve the health of its customers. Since 2012, the brand has been educating customers on the healing power of hemp and the importance of transparency. PlusCBD makes effective and affordable CBD products because the brand’s founders believe that physical and mental health is important. To that end, the brand has been on a mission to craft top-quality CBD products that support the health and wellness of its customers. PlusCBD believes in integrity, trust, high-quality customer service, and in being an industry leader that creates products that are backed by both science and nature. 

Highlights

  • European agricultural hemp from EU-certified seeds
  • Full-spectrum CBD oils in an array of flavors and potencies
  • Along with full-spectrum CBD, the brand’s oil also contains extra virgin olive oil, natural sweeteners and natural flavors
  • CO2 extraction process
  • Independent third-party lab testing on all products

About the CBD Oil

The brand’s full-spectrum CBD Drops come in Dark Chocolate Mint, Lemon Ginger, unflavored, Peppermint, and Unsweetened Original flavors and in potencies of 250mg, 500mg, 750mg, 1500mg, and 3000mg.

Pros

  • Solid line of full-spectrum oils
  • Large array of strengths and flavors

Cons

  • No information listed on where the brand sources its hemp in Europe

Premium Jane, located in Scottsdale, Arizona, has worked for years to educate customers about the benefits of CBD. The brand has a line of unique and affordable organic products that customers love. In order to put forth some of the best CBD products in the industry, everyone at Premium Jane employs passion, experience, knowledge, science, and the best materials to carefully craft all of its products. PlusCBD hires agricultural experts and farmers to make sure that all of its hemp is clean and potent, and biologists, chemists, and marketing developers to ensure that its product line is forever growing and evolving.

Highlights

  • Kentucky grown and regulated hemp
  • Full-spectrum tinctures in three potencies and a nice selection of natural flavor options
  • Additional ingredients that include fractionated coconut oil, natural flavors and terpenes
  • CO2 extraction process
  • Every product is routinely tested by an independent third-party lab

About the CBD Oil

Premium Jane crafts full-spectrum CBD tinctures in delicious flavors like Natural, Mint Chocolate, Lemon Lime, and Peach Nectar in potencies of 300mg, 600mg, and 1000mg strengths.

Pros

  • Interesting flavor options
  • Clean hemp sources

Cons

  • Limited variety of CBD oil strengths

NuLeaf Naturals was founded in 2014 by a group of plant medicine lovers. The founders’ main goal was to craft the most potent and cleanest CBD products that were organic, natural, and that were routinely tested by an independent third-party lab. All of the brand’s hemp comes from licensed farms in Colorado. NuLeaf Naturals oversees the cultivation and growth of its hemp, product manufacturing, and product sale.

The brand uses only the best whole leaf extracts in its product creation. It does not use any synthetic ingredients. In order to obtain its potent and pure extracts, NuLeaf Naturals uses a CO2 extraction process. In order to maintain a high level of transparency, all third-party lab reports are posted on the brand’s website and are also given to customers upon request. Each report contains detailed information including cannabinoid and terpene profile, and solvent, heavy metal, and pesticide lab test results.

Highlights

  • Hemp from licensed Colorado farms that also use sustainable farming practices
  • Preservative-free products
  • All products tested by a third-party lab with results made easy for customers to find
  • Friendly and helpful customer service department

About the CBD Oil

NuLeaf Naturals’ full-spectrum CBD oils come in 300mg, 600mg, 1200mg, and 3000mg strengths. All oils are lab tested and contain full-spectrum cannabinoids, 100 percent natural ingredients, and were extracted using the industry preferred CO2 extraction method. They are also free of additives and preservatives.

Pros

  • Strongly believes in transparency
  • An independent third-party lab regularly tests all products
  • Uses CO2 extraction process
  • Fast shipping
  • 30-day, money-back guarantee

Cons

  • Only natural flavor option for CBG oil
  • Expensive products
  • Flavor variety lacking in the brand’s other products

Cheef Botanical was started by health-conscious cannabis aficionados with many years of experience in the organic food industry. The brand partners with Colorado hemp farms to create high-grade CBD products. Because the group had knowledge in the consumer market, they all came to the consensus that there was a definite lack of health-conscious, plant-based cannabis products in California. In light of that, they set out to fill that void. 

The brand has a unique line of organic, plant-based CBD products that contain vegan ingredients. Cheef Botanicals’ products are cruelty-free, non-GMO, gluten-free, and dairy-free. The brand also doesn’t use any artificial flavors or colors in the making of its CBD products. Cheef Botanicals offers a 30-day, money-back guarantee.

Highlights

  • Partners with organic Colorado hemp farms
  • Unique line of high grade CBD products
  • Clean products that are free of artificial flavors or colors
  • In-depth third-party lab reports that are displayed for customers on the brand’s website
  • Affordably priced products

About the CBD Oil

Cheef Botanicals creates tinctures that are made from 100 percent natural ingredients. Products also do not contain any additives or preservatives. The brand offers four different potencies ranging from 300mg to 3000mg. All oils are full-spectrum.

Pros

  • Large product variety
  • Positive verified customer reviews
  • 100% money-back guarantee
  • Bundle & Save and Subscribe & Save options
  • Nice CBD oil flavor options

Cons

  • Third-party lab does not test for contaminants
  • The brand doesn’t offer an assistance program
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CBD and Pain Research: What the Science Says

There are a great many ways that people can try to calm chronic pain. These days, more people are trying CBD oil over harmful prescription medications or over-the-counter treatments. For those who are new, CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of the beneficial compounds found within the hemp and marijuana plants. It will not cause you to feel “high” like THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, another main cannabinoid, will.

Full-spectrum CBD oils contain both THC and CBD. However, thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, by law they are required to have 0.3% or less THC. Thankfully, only hemp-derived CBD products are legally allowed, and it just so happens that the hemp plant is bred to contain very low levels of THC. Moreover, you cannot get “high” from any full-spectrum hemp-derived CBD products.

How CBD Interacts with the Body

The combination of THC and CBD, along with other phytonutrients, terpenes, and cannabinoids is beneficial to the body because they work in conjunction with each other to create an entourage effect. During the entourage effect, the cannabinoids boost each other’s positive properties while dampening their negative ones.

CBD oil is helpful in chronic pain management because it can reduce the inflammation, pain, and discomfort that are associated with some of the health issues we’ve listed below. Scientific studies show that CBD oil can be helpful in tackling tough pain that stems from:

How CBD Helps to Combat Different Kinds of Pain

What researchers have learned is that CBD oil is an effective treatment for both pain relief as well as pain management. When CBD oil is taken into the body, the terpenes and cannabinoids interact with the body’s endocannabinoid receptors — specifically the CB1 and CB2 receptors — to help regulate the pain response as well as other bodily functions and body systems. While doing this, the cannabinoids in the CBD oil also help raise serotonin levels to help people feel good while the pain is being lowered. This process will ultimately allow the body to return back to a state of homeostasis, or balance.

The endocannabinoid system helps to regulate body functions and systems such as:

  • Sleep
  • Mood
  • Appetite
  • Memory
  • Reproduction
  • Fertility
  • Metabolism
  • Chronic pain
  • Inflammation
  • Learning
  • Stress

The CB1 and CB2 receptors are the body’s two main endocannabinoid receptors. While the CB1 receptors are mostly found in the central nervous system, CB2 receptors are located in the peripheral nervous system. Once the endocannabinoids have carried out their mission, enzymes like fatty acid amide hydrolase and monoacylglycerol acid lipase go to work to break the endocannabinoids down. This prevents the endocannabinoids from going above and beyond what they’re needed to do so that they won’t cause different unwanted issues to arise.

Different Types of Pain

There are two different types of pain: chronic pain and acute pain. Chronic pain is long-lasting pain that stays around long after the initial injury has taken place. Acute pain can linger for a little bit, but it tends to ease up over time. Acute pain is sometimes easier to deal with than chronic pain. Typically, chronic pain can last for up to 12 weeks or more. People who live with chronic pain sometimes say it can feel dull, sharp, burning, crampy, or achy across many areas of the body.

Some common examples of chronic pain are:

  • Arthritis
  • Trauma pain
  • Surgery pain
  • Low back pain
  • Psychological pain
  • Headaches
  • Nerve pain

According to the U.S. Pain Foundation, 50 million Americans live with daily chronic pain. While there are no accurate tests that can measure chronic pain, clinicians can still rely on patient reporting to help determine the overall severity of the pain and where it’s coming from. Moreover, tests like bloodwork, nerve conduction tests, genetic testing, mobility and strength assessments, and others can also help doctors to diagnose pain and find the best method of treatment.

Various health issues can also cause chronic pain. Some of these conditions can include:

  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome
  • TMJ, or temporomandibular joint dysfunction
  • Chronic bladder issues

Chronic pain does not discriminate about age. It can happen to anyone. Doctors are finding, however, that it’s much more common in older adults. People can also develop chronic pain if they’ve had surgery, are obese or overweight, or have been injured. Chronic pain is typically treated with physical therapy, massage, chiropractic, psychotherapy, yoga, nerve blocks, surgery, over-the-counter pain relievers, NSAIDs, prescription painkillers, and other methods.

CBD Oil for Chronic Back and Nerve Pain

CBD oil works on back and nerve pain in that it interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system. The receptors receive the signals from different stimuli — like endocannabinoids and cannabinoids — to help the cells respond. When the cells respond, it generates anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects that help the body to properly manage pain.

CBD Oil for Arthritis

A 2016 study looked at arthritis in rats and found that CBD oil decreased both inflammation and pain levels in affected joint areas. The researchers did not see any obvious side effects in the rats from the CBD. The scientists concluded that CBD’s anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects could help people with arthritis. Further human studies, however, need to be performed.

CBD Oil and Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Pain

Scientists studied the effects of CBD on MS and discovered that it helps to both reduce pain and spasticity along with symptoms like anxiety, fatigue, and urinary issues. Most of the studies, however, used the prescription medication Sativex, which is an oral spray containing a 1:1 ratio of CBD to THC that is currently unavailable in the United States due to it not being approved by the Federal Drug Administration.

CBD Oil in Sports: Injuries and Muscle Endurance

According to a recent study, CBD has been shown to have a number of psychological, biochemical, and psychological effects that can benefit athletes. Researchers found evidence to support that CBD’s anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, analgesic, and anti-anxiety actions may protect against gastrointestinal damage associated with inflammation, and also promote healing in skeletal injuries. Even though the research is limited, CBD does show promise in treating many conditions linked to athletic performance like inflammation, joint pain, and muscle soreness. 

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CBD Oil or CBD Cream: Which Should You Use for Pain?

The answer to this question is fairly simple. CBD cream works great for muscle and joint pain in specific, targeted areas, while CBD oils are better for systemic or whole-body issues. For example, if you’ve been having joint or muscle pain, then massaging CBD cream on the area is a fast way to get immediate and lasting relief, as the effects of the CBD cream can be felt for up to six hours. CBD cream works well to help reduce inflammation and calm headaches, cramping, migraines, and other issues. The cream allows the CBD to go straight into the muscle or joint through the skin, which is the largest organ in the body. Keep in mind that the CBD in a topical cream will not enter your bloodstream as CBD oil will.

As we just stated, CBD oil is great for systemic issues related to pain like inflammation, anxiety, soreness, insomnia, depression, and others. When CBD oil is held under the tongue for about 60-seconds, it enters into the bloodstream where it can then go to work with the body’s endocannabinoid system to help bring the body back into balance. Typically, it can take anywhere between 15-30 minutes to feel the effects of CBD oil, and those effects can last for up to six hours. Since everyone’s body is different, these times will vary from person to person. If you’re looking to get the most benefits out of CBD, then using a combination of CBD oil and CBD cream can be the best way to tackle tough chronic or acute pain.

CBD Dosage: How Much CBD to Take for Pain?

Those who are new to using CBD commonly ask this question. The answer is that there simply isn’t one set dose of CBD oil that works best for everyone. Since everybody is different, a dose that works best for one person might not work that great for someone else. It’s best to begin any CBD oil regimen by starting at the lowest dose and then gradually increasing over time. Additionally, while some people think that higher doses are best against pain, the fact of the matter is that mid-range doses work best over higher and lower doses.

How To Use CBD Oil for Pain

When using CBD oil for pain or any other reason, it’s best to start by taking the oil once a day and then gradually increasing it to twice a day. For example, if you’ve purchased a 600mg bottle of FAB CBD’s full-spectrum CBD oil, begin by taking half a dropper full once a day. This will roughly equal 5mg of CBD a day. Stay with this dose for about one week before checking in with yourself to see how your body is feeling. It might also be a good idea to keep a pain journal at this time. This way, you can document how your body is feeling, your pain levels, improvements, sleep issues, and anything else you think is important to keep track of while you’re finding your best dose.

If you feel like you want to increase your dose after one week, then go up to half a dropper full of CBD oil twice a day. This will come to 5mg of CBD twice a day, or 10mg of CBD a day. Stay with this dose for an additional 7-10 days before checking in with your body again. If you still need to increase your dose, simply follow this pattern until you’ve found the right dose for your body and your health and wellness needs. Keep in mind that you can also shift to a higher oil strength or even to a different oil type over time. So, if you aren’t achieving your desired results with your 600mg bottle of FAB CBD oil, then you can go up to a 1200mg bottle of FAB CBD full-spectrum oil. You can even try FAB CBD’s newest CBD+CBG Oil for an entirely new way of calming tough pain.

How Long Does It Take for CBD Oil for Pain to Work?

Since everyone’s body is different, there won’t be a quick and easy answer to this question. Typically, the effects of CBD oil can be felt in the body from anywhere between 15-30 minutes, and these effects can last for up to six hours. Having said that, consistency and patience are key to a successful CBD regimen for chronic and acute pain. CBD oil should be taken with a little bit of food in the stomach and at the same time(s) each and every day. This way, the levels of CBD in your body can remain steady over time.

Furthermore, it may take some people a little bit of time before they’re able to feel the full effects of CBD oil. Therefore, patience is imperative. It might take the CBD oil at least a month or two of building up in your body before you feel any lasting effects against your pain.

What You Should Know When Purchasing CBD Oil for Pain

Since CBD oil’s rise in popularity, there has been a wave of new brands on the market. And while it may seem great to have a ton of brands to choose from, you should remember that all brands are not created equal.

When you make the decision to purchase CBD oil for pain, you need to always keep in mind:

  • Where the brand sources its hemp: Be aware that hemp coming from Europe or Asia is not held to the same regulations as hemp that’s grown in the United States.
  • The amount of THC in full-spectrum products: Because of the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp-derived CBD products are legal throughout the United States. All of these products, however, must contain 0.3% or less THC. Unlike marijuana, hemp is bred to naturally contain this level of THC.
  • Know the difference between full-spectrum, broad spectrum and CBD isolate: Full-spectrum and broad spectrum products have the most benefits because they contain all or most of the cannabinoids, terpenes, and phytonutrients in the hemp plant. Full-spectrum and broad spectrum oils also work better with the body’s endocannabinoid system. CBD isolate is 99% pure CBD, which means that it is THC-free.
  • Product ingredients: Sometimes, less reputable brands will cut corners and include unhealthy and unnatural additives, preservatives, colorings, flavors, and other chemicals in their CBD oils. Always purchase CBD oil from brands that use all-natural ingredients, and whose hemp extracts are free from herbicides, pesticides, and other harmful chemicals.
  • If the brand uses an independent lab to test its products: All reputable brands will use a third-party lab to routinely test its products for purity and potency. These reports should also be published on the brand’s website where customers can easily find them. When brands use a third-party lab, they’re telling their customers that transparency is important to them.

Other Benefits of CBD Oil

A host of studies prove that CBD oil is effective at quelling many tough health issues like:

CBD oil works great on issues like pain, insomnia, and anxiety because it positively interacts with the brain’s endocannabinoid receptors. In doing this, the cannabinoids in the CBD oil help to regulate pain while increasing serotonin levels in the body. Even though it’s great to have low levels of pain, it’s also important to have proper levels of serotonin because this hormone is responsible for producing that “feel good” feeling. So not only can CBD oil help reduce pain, but it can also boost your mood.

What are the Potential Side Effects?

Some of the common side effects of CBD oil include:

  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Tiredness
  • Changes in appetite
  • Changes in weight

When compared with prescription medication, researchers found that CBD had fewer and more mild side effects overall. Some other minor side effects that have been reported are drowsiness, mood changes, and low blood pressure. Many prescription painkillers can cause a host of dangerous side effects and can also be highly addictive. This is one of the top reasons why people with chronic pain are looking toward CBD as a natural and safe alternative to prescription pain medication.

Additionally, anyone on prescription medications containing a “Grapefruit Warning” should be mindful of starting a new CBD oil regimen. Prescription medications with a grapefruit warning interact with grapefruit, grapefruit juice, and some other citrus fruits in such a way that they disrupt how the liver metabolizes medications. This causes too much medication to enter the body, which can lead to dangerous outcomes such as increased side effects or, in extreme cases, drug overdose. CBD oil acts in very much the same way as these medications. Therefore, if you’re on prescription medications, it’s best that you consult with your primary care doctor or prescribing physician before starting a CBD regimen.

FAQ

What is CBD Oil?

CBD oil is made when all of the cannabis plant’s terpenes, cannabinoids, and phytonutrients are extracted from it and blended into a carrier oil. CBD oil can come in full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or CBD isolate varieties, and in many different strengths and flavors.

How Safe is CBD Oil?

Thanks to CBD oil’s rise in popularity, scientists have been able to perform a great number of meaningful studies on the hemp and marijuana plants’ cannabinoids. In these studies, they looked deeply at the safety and efficacy of CBD oil. In fact, a 2017 study on the safety and side effects of CBD found that not only is CBD safe, but it also contains very few relatively mild side effects.

Is CBD Oil Right for Me?

Only you can make that decision for yourself. In trying to figure out the answer to this question, you should take the time to do your own research into different brands and products. You can also read various scientific studies that have been published on the benefits of CBD oil for certain health conditions. If you are still unsure of whether CBD oil is right for you, then you can always consult with your primary care doctor or medical specialist.

Where can I Buy CBD Oil?

These days, you can buy CBD oil from just about anywhere. While it’s great to be able to travel to the nearest brick and mortar store, you’ll have more success buying CBD oil from an online retailer. Not only will buying CBD oil online from a reputable brand allow you the time you need to research brands and products, but it’ll also give you the time you need to make sure all of your questions are thoroughly answered through your research. You may not be able to do this while shopping for CBD at a physical location.

Can I Pass a Drug Test After Consuming CBD Oil?

If you are subjected to regular drug testing, then it’s advised that you consume either broad-spectrum or CBD isolate oils. Even though full-spectrum oils are preferred because of all of the benefits associated with them, there is a chance that the small amount of THC (0.3% or less) in them will cause you to have a false positive on a drug test. If you want a CBD oil with many of the same benefits as a full-spectrum oil, then you should opt for broad-spectrum varieties. Broad-spectrum oils are very much the same as full-spectrum oils except all of the THC has been filtered out of them. 

Is CBD Oil the Same as Hemp Oil?

CBD oil is different from hemp seed oil. CBD oil is what you get when you extract the terpenes, cannabinoids, and phytonutrients from the cannabis plant and then blend them into a carrier oil such as MCT oil. Hemp seed oil is made from hemp seeds. It has a high nutritional value and contains Vitamin C, calcium, iron, omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, magnesium, and much more. Hemp seed oil can be used in skincare products, and can also be used in cooking, in salad dressings, or taken straight. Hemp seed oil does not interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system as CBD oil does.

Can CBD Oil Cause Insomnia?

While it’s unlikely that CBD oil will cause insomnia, there are some instances where it can be used to help people stay awake. People mostly turn to CBD oil to help with sleep and insomnia issues because of its sedative properties. However, there are others who use CBD oil to help them stay awake. People who suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness disorders have a hard time staying awake during the day. Studies show that CBD can help function as a wake-inducing natural alternative treatment. A 2017 study found that lower doses of CBD can be stimulating, while higher doses may be sedating. Lastly, further research shows that higher doses of CBD can help to increase sleep duration, while doses below 15mg can have stimulating effects that help keep people awake.

Our Final Thoughts on CBD Oil for Pain

Chronic pain can take all of the enjoyment out of life. While many traditional treatment methods are available to help alleviate chronic pain, more chronic pain sufferers are looking at CBD oil as a safe and natural alternative treatment. Not only does CBD oil have just a few mild side effects, but it’s also non-addictive and one of the safest pain treatment options around. Full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD oils also contain a wealth of beneficial cannabinoids, terpenes, and phytonutrients that work with the body’s own endocannabinoid system to bring bodily functions and systems back into a state of balance.

There are a great number of conditions that can be treated by using CBD oil. Some of these include nerve inflammation, anxiety, depression, insomnia, back pain, arthritis, fibromyalgia, inflammatory bowel disease, and many others. Because of CBD’s documented health benefits, more chronic pain sufferers are now finding both hope and relief for their tough health issues. In fact, because CBD oil is so safe, an increasing number of people are taking CBD oil as part of their daily natural supplement regimen.

Whether you’re dealing with acute or chronic pain, anyone can enjoy CBD’s many benefits. In our guide, we went to great lengths to find our readers some of the top brands that make the best CBD oils for pain. A host of verified customer reviews, articles from CBD journalists and industry experts, and other reasons we’ve presented above are why we’ve selected FAB CBD as our top brand for CBD oil for pain. Not surprisingly, Joy Organics (another strong contender), made it to the number two spot in our deeply researched list of CBD oil brands.

Even though it’s easy to find CBD oil brands online these days, it’s still important to take the time and do your own research before purchasing any CBD oils for pain. Some strong bullet points to focus on in your research are hemp sources, third-party lab testing, brand transparency, and product quality, among others. It’s also important to make sure that the brand’s CBD oil contains 0.3% or less THC, as any oils containing over that amount are both illegal and are most likely not derived from hemp. If you’ve been frustrated or confused as to where to begin your search for the best CBD oils for pain, then our simple guide is the perfect place to start.

Lastly, you should consult with your primary care doctor or prescribing physician before adding anything new to your daily holistic supplement regimen. He or she will be able to answer any questions or concerns you might have, as well as help you decide if CBD oil is the safest option in the management of your chronic or acute pain. If you do decide that CBD oil is the best fit for your wellness needs, then choosing an oil from our top brands is a fantastic place to start. 

CBD store purchases its Walker’s Point building – BizTimes Milwaukee

Image from Google
810 S. 5th St. Image from Google.

Canni Hemp Company, a cannabidiol (CBD) and hemp specialty store in Milwaukee’s Walker’s Point neighborhood, announced that it has purchased the 2,000-square-foot building that it occupies at 810 S. 5th St.

Milwaukee musician Colin Plant, the founder and CEO of Canni Hemp Company, bought the 132-year-old building from David Herro. The deal closed on Friday, Jan. 28.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The property has an assessed value of $247,200, according to city records.

During the last three years Plant has made numerous improvements to the outdoor space behind the building. According to a news release, Plant is “looking for ways to modify the space to benefit his neighborhood.” Especially during the warmer months, he plans to transform the property’s outdoor space into a destination for the community to come together.

“I want to continue to find new ways to contribute to the neighborhood and support the people living in my community,” said Plant. “We want to benefit our company, the local residents, as well as neighboring businesses.”

Plant plans to apply for a liquor license. He and his team are also planning to host weekly events such as live music and maker’s markets.

“I have a real passion for working with other small businesses,” said Plant. “We’d like to provide an opportunity for those that don’t have a brick-and-mortar shop to be able to set up at our location and support them.”

Plant is also looking to use the outdoor space to provide more CBD educational opportunities for the community. 

“Our customers often rely on us to filter out the inaccurate information that’s out there about the industry,” said Plant. “We want to offer more ways to responsibly educate our community about alternative and natural ways of dealing with things such as stress, anxiety and pain.”

Cannabis Business Office Announces Partnership with Make Green Go! for Technical Assistance Program – Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade

DENVER – The Cannabis Business Office (CBO), housed in the Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), announces an exciting partnership with Make Green Go! to implement a technical assistance program for new cannabis ventures.

Under the leadership of Governor Polis and state lawmakers, the Cannabis Business Office was established in July 2021 by the passage of SB21-111 to create equitable economic opportunities for diverse populations, produce more good paying jobs within the industry and further grow Colorado’s strong cannabis community. The office is focused on developing new programming to help entrepreneurs and small business owners navigate the cannabis industry with a priority for social equity licensees.

“As the first state where voters supported legalizing the recreational use of cannabis, Colorado is a leader on programs, research and education that continue to create jobs and opportunities in the cannabis industry,” said Governor Polis. “We are thrilled to announce this work to make Colorado even more of a national leader.”

The Cannabis Business Office’s mission aligns with that of Make Green Go!, a group that has provided business development services to social equity communities since 2010. Make Green Go! has extensive experience in content development, user-friendly platforms and a network of members and subject matter experts. Together, the CBO and Make Green Go! will develop, launch and deliver programming centered on foundational business development in the cannabis industry.

“Over the past 7 years [since Make Green Go! has been in the cannabis industry], not only have we crafted a robust platform, but we have honed in on creating a curriculum that is realistic, relevant and just as innovative as the industry itself,” said La Wanda Knox, Consultant at Make Green Go!. “This new partnership is designed to be accessible and offered on-demand to accommodate the various schedules of our participants.”

Cannabis Business Technical Assistance program participants will engage in 15 free, self-paced modules, including but not limited to scenario-based learning, videos, exercises and assignments. Modules will cover a variety of topics to help entrepreneurs develop business plans, discover market opportunities and strategies, understand financial elements, develop pitches and marketing materials, and more.

The program is scheduled to open February 2. This technical assistance program is a prerequisite to the Cannabis Business Pilot Grant, unless supplemented by a partnership technical assistance program.

To be notified when the technical assistance and grant become available, sign up for the Cannabis Business Office monthly newsletter.

CBD and Hemp Legal and Regulatory Roundup – January 2022 | Kelley Drye & Warren LLP – JDSupra – JD Supra

Welcome to our weekly roundup of CBD and hemp-related legal and regulatory news:

A complaint filed by GenCanna trustee Oxford Restructuring Advisors says the Hemp Industries Association (HIA) received a wire transfer of $50,000 from the bankrupt CBD manufacturer in 2019, at a time when it was insolvent. The trustee alleges it sent two demand letters to the HIA seeking a return of the money transfer, both of which were unanswered. Law 360 (sub. req.)

State bill AB-1656 could provide the cannabis industry with another mechanism to create value. “This is an opportunity for California to make it easier for its people to access a non-intoxicating alternative product they want, and for farmers to establish themselves in a fast-growing industry,” said Assembly Member Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters). Meanwhile, Omar Figueroa, a director at both the National Cannabis Industry Association and the Cannabis Travel Association International, questioned the testing hemp will be subject to, noting cannabis testing is already imperfect. He expects in the future somebody with clean cannabis may end up contaminating it before it gets to market by mixing it with a hemp-derived product that didn’t face the same scrutiny. LA Weekly

The cap is part of a hemp ordinance under board review, to keep the amount of area limited to what is currently used. In addition to capping the acreage, the ordinance would ban cannabis from hemp fields and allow the county Agricultural Commissioner’s office and Sheriff’s Department to conduct unannounced inspections and take samples at harvest time. Hemp growers would be required to own the land where they plant the crop, and apply annually for a county business license and register with the state. Further, hemp farmers would pay a yearly bond of $2,800 per acre to the county to cover the cost of destroying their crop, should they break the rules for legal harvests. edhat Santa Barbara

Blue Water Hemp owner Taylor Marks revealed his company experienced an increase in calls from people interested in the CBD products and the connection to COVID-19 virus-blocking abilities following the Oregon State University-led study. “We are seeing consumers be a lot more interested in our CBD products, whether it is a gummy or an oral tincture or even a CBD salve,” Marks said. Researchers discovered a pair of cannabinoid acids bind to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, blocking a critical step in the process that the virus uses to infect people. WAAY 31 ABC

A Calif. appellate court sided with the Ventura County government in its fight against a medical cannabis business’s petition to recover the costs of property damaged or destroyed in four raids, including a crop of marijuana plants purportedly worth $75 million. The court ruled that dispensary Shangri La Care Center filed its latest petition after the three-year statute of limitations expired. Law 360 (sub. req.)

In three recent cases, the federal legality of cannabis played a role, regardless of whether or not marijuana is legal in the state:

  1. U.S. District Judge Steven D. Grimberg pressed attorneys on whether the business licenses at issue in the Ga. lawsuit could be decoupled from the illegality of the product. “How can I, as a federal judge, grant any relief with regard to a license that would authorize your clients to grow and or distribute contraband?” he asked an attorney for Georgia Atlas, Jerome Lee. The attorney responded that the issue wasn’t whether his client was awarded a license to sell, but rather the application process itself was fundamentally unfair;
  2. U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael E. Hegarty relied on the illegality defense, whereby courts can’t grant judicial relief on claims involving violations of federal law. He dismissed with prejudice a large portion of the claims against numerous cannabis companies and their principal in a suit brought by investors who alleged the principal employed a “shell game” to siphon assets from the business; and
  3. A cannabis security company, Helix, argued its staff wasn’t entitled to overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act because the work for the marijuana industry was illegal.

    Law 360 (sub. req.)

In a case of misappropriation of federal funds by three medical marijuana business associates from Maine, the DOJ argued the court should adopt a “strict compliance” standard when drawing the line on when federal prosecutors can prosecute marijuana charges in a state that legalized it. For all but “small technical noncompliance,” federal law enforcement should be able to press charges, it said. The court didn’t adopt the government’s argument, but also didn’t side with the defendants’ arguments that the federal government should, under most circumstances, ignore matters pertaining to state marijuana laws. “Instead, we adopt an approach that falls between the parties’ positions,” the court said. “In charting this middle course, we need not fully define its precise boundaries.” Law 360 (sub. req.)

[View source.]

CBD Oil vs CBD Gummies: Which is Best? – D Magazine

CBD oil and CBD gummies both have amazing benefits. However, they are each broken down by the body differently. Along with that, they both have different absorption times. Therefore, before you decide on CBD oil or CBD gummies, you should know some facts about each as well as some of the pros and cons when comparing one against the other.

What is CBD?

CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of the main chemical compounds in the hemp and marijuana plants. While CBD alone has its own set of unique benefits, there are considerably more benefits when the compound is used in full-spectrum or broad-spectrum products that contain other cannabinoids, terpenes, and phytonutrients. The main components are removed from the cannabis plant through a special extraction process. Currently, the CO2 extraction process is the industry’s preferred and cleanest method of obtaining extracts. The extracts are then blended with an oil, like MCT oil, to create what’s commonly known as CBD oil.

What Research Says About CBD

A wealth of studies and clinical trials have been conducted on CBD to help understand its many benefits. What scientists discovered was that CBD has many anti-seizure, neuroprotective, analgesic, and anti-anxiety characteristics. As CBD is growing in popularity, scientists and researchers have increased the number of studies and trials they are conducting to discover more about CBD’s prospective health-boosting benefits. For example, a study from 2018 found that regular CBD users were taking CBD as a means to help treat depression and other difficult health issues.

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Benefits of CBD

As we stated earlier, CBD has many documented health benefits. In scientific studies, it was found that CBD has the potential to help with anxiety, depression, epilepsy, sleep issues, insomnia, chronic pain relief, arthritis, and much more. Interestingly, a 2017 study in the Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry found that CBD helped alleviate anxiety related to public speaking. Additionally, in 2018, researchers used a synthetic CBD gel to help calm down knee pain in patients that were caused by osteoarthritis. Those participants who received a daily 250mg dose of the gel found that they had weekly improvement in their knee pain during their worst pain levels. Lastly, both preclinical and clinical studies prove that CBD has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Scientists believe that these properties can offer a degree of neuroprotection against a good number of medical disorders. Research into the benefits of CBD is still ongoing, with many of the already concluded studies producing exciting and positive findings.

Specifically, it’s been discovered that while CBD oil is excellent for tackling issues like pain, anxiety, and sleep, CBD gummies are great at helping to manage anxiety and sleep issues. Remember, each product is broken down differently by the body, so this will cause one to be better than the other for any specific issues you’re seeking to target. Before purchasing CBD oil or gummies, it’s a great idea to spend some time thinking about what your goals are in taking CBD and which product will be best able to help you meet your needs and reach those goals. Seeking out medical advice from your healthcare practitioner is also a smart idea.

CBD is considered to be a relatively safe natural supplement. In fact, it is found to be well tolerated by a majority of the population. Some of the minor and few side effects associated with CBD use are:

  • Changes in weight
  • Changes in appetite
  • Nausea
  • Sleepiness
  • Diarrhea
  • Dry mouth
  • Potential interactions with some prescription medication

When it comes to mixing CBD with prescription medications, you should always consult with your primary care doctor or prescribing medical specialist. Any medications that contain a grapefruit warning may also not mix well with CBD. In these types of medications, grapefruit, grapefruit juice, or other citrus fruits can impact the way that the body metabolizes the drug, causing too much or too little of it to enter into the system. CBD acts in very much the same way that grapefruit does with these kinds of prescription medications. Therefore, you should always consult with your doctor before adding CBD into your existing prescription drug regimen.

As far as legality goes, thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, all hemp-based CBD products are federally legal across the United States, providing they contain 0.3% or less THC. Thankfully, the hemp plant is bred to naturally contain this amount of THC, unlike marijuana, which has well over that amount and is currently illegal in states where medicinal and recreational marijuana laws are not in effect. However, each state may have its own laws on the books regarding hemp-based CBD products. So, if you’re traveling and want to bring your CBD with you, or if you’re thinking about using CBD for the first time, it’s worth looking into the state laws beforehand.

CBD Oil vs CBD Gummies: Definitions and Differences

By definition, CBD oil is a product in which extracted components of the hemp plant are mixed into a carrier oil. CBD gummies are created from hemp plant extracts as well, only instead of mixing the extracts in with a carrier oil, they are either added into a gummy mixture or are coated onto a gummy after it’s been created. CBD tinctures come in small colored glass bottles with a dropper lid that helps in dispensing them, while edibles like gummies typically come in jars. CBD gummies are great for people who are on the go and who don’t have the time to worry about dosing because the amount of CBD per gummy is already predetermined. Conversely, with CBD oil, it takes time, patience, and consistency to find the best dose for your body and your wellness needs. CBD edibles and oil are similar in that they both come in different strengths and flavors.

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CBD Oil vs Gummies: What Are the Benefits?

Both CBD gummies and CBD oil have the same benefits linked to them. However, they are different in how quickly they take effect and for how long those effects can be felt. We will be discussing these benefits related to bioavailability in detail further down in our article. Overall, CBD gummies have a major advantage over CBD oil because they are easy, fast, discreet, and also come with a set amount of CBD already in or on them. If you’re more of a CBD oil fan, then you probably prefer the oil because it typically comes in higher doses than gummies, and you have more leeway to adjust your dose.

CBD Oil vs Gummies: Best Type to Choose

The type of CBD oil and gummies you choose will all boil down to personal preference. There are three main varieties when it comes to CBD: full-spectrum CBD, broad-spectrum CBD, and CBD isolate. Full-spectrum oil and gummies contain all of the components of the hemp plant. Broad-spectrum oil and gummies have all of the same contents as full-spectrum oil and gummies except the THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, compound that has been filtered out. In CBD isolate oil and gummies, all of the plant parts have been filtered out using a special process, leaving only 99 percent pure CBD.

Full-spectrum and broad-spectrum oil and gummies evoke what is known as the entourage effect. In this phenomenon, the compounds and terpenes boost each other’s positive properties while dampening any negative ones. Since CBD isolate contains only pure CBD, there is no way for the entourage effect to occur. If you’re looking to experience an entourage effect so that you can obtain all of the benefits of the full hemp plant, then full-spectrum or broad-spectrum oils and gummies are the way to go. If, however, you have to submit to regular drug tests for work, then you might want to go with either a broad spectrum or CBD isolate oil or gummy. Even though full-spectrum oils and gummies contain 0.3% or fewer amounts of THC, they still can cause a false positive on some sensitive drug tests.

CBD Oil vs Gummies: Duration and Onset

If you’re wanting to quickly feel the effects of your CBD extract, then you might want to choose CBD oil. When taking the CBD oil, it is held under the tongue for around 60 seconds and swished around in the mouth before swallowing. This allows all of the cannabinoids, terpenes, and phytonutrients to swiftly enter into your bloodstream through the thin membranes of your mouth and under your tongue. While you’ll be able to feel the effects fairly fast — within 20 minutes, they will typically only last anywhere from two to six hours. Conversely, since a CBD gummy has to be broken down by your digestive system and metabolized by your liver, it may take you roughly 30 minutes to one hour to feel its effects. The good news is that the overall effects of a CBD gummy can last for about four to six hours.

CBD Oil vs Gummies: User Experience

User experience is relatively subjective. While some users find taking CBD oil to be an easy and enjoyable experience, those who use gummies may beg to differ. On the whole, there is a bit of a learning curve to taking CBD oils. It takes time, patience, and consistency to find the best dose for your body and your needs. But, once you’ve found that sweet spot, it should be smooth sailing from here on out. Die-hard CBD gummy users tend to love the convenience and simplicity of the product. Since the dose in gummies is predetermined, there’s no fiddling with dosages or taking the time to figure out which dose works best. Additionally, people who like CBD gummies love the fact that they can take them anywhere while on the go. Not only that, but because they look like gummy candies, they can be taken in a discreet manner without having to potentially face any questions from strangers, friends, or family. At the end of the day, the choice between CBD oil and CBD gummies has to be a personal one that works best for your needs, goals, lifestyle.

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CBD Oil vs Gummies: Serving Amount and Dosage

As we stated earlier, each serving and dose of CBD gummies is conveniently predetermined. Users simply have to follow the instructions on the package. It’s a little more complicated with different forms of CBD, like CBD oil. When it comes to taking oil, it’s best to start at a low dose and then slowly increase over time. And because everyone’s body is unique, a dose that works great for one person might not work that well for another. When you start taking CBD oil, it’s best to also keep a journal so that you can write down how you’re feeling, anything that’s improving, and anything that’s not. If, for example, you’ve purchased a bottle of 600mg CBD oil, you’ll want to start by taking half a dropper full once a day. This will equal about 10mg of CBD oil. Stick with this dose for about one week before checking in with yourself to see how you feel. If you feel that you need to increase your dose, move up to half a dropper full twice a day. This will now equal 20mg of CBD oil a day. Stay with this dose for one week before checking in with your body to see how you’re feeling. If you still need to increase your dose, then it’s recommended that you follow this pattern until you’ve found the best dose for your body.

CBD Oil vs Gummies: Where to Buy

There are many options for buying CBD oil and CBD gummies. While some people prefer to venture out to the CBD store nearest to them, there are quite a few drawbacks associated with that. For starters, if you find a product or brand that you’re interested in, you won’t have the time to thoroughly research either. Secondly, it’s not a guarantee that the staff at your traditional brick-and-mortar store will be able to answer all of your questions to your satisfaction. These days, the better option is to buy your CBD oil from e-commerce brands online. This way, you can spend as much time as you need researching both the brand and the product. After all, you should know everything about the CBD oil or CBD gummy that you’ll be putting into your body.

In looking at brands and products, some of the things you should take into consideration are:

  • Hemp sources
  • Extraction process
  • Verified customer reviews
  • Any publications by industry experts
  • Product ingredients
  • Brand reputation
  • Third-party lab reports
  • Brand transparency
  • Customer service

It’s also important that you take as much time as you need to completely answer any questions you may have about CBD, brands, and products. In the end, knowledge is your best key to finding the best possible products that are made by highly reputable brands. 

Final Thoughts on CBD Oil vs CBD Gummies

While we can write a post trying to sway you to choose one product over another, at the end of the day, it’s your decision whether you want to use CBD gummies or CBD oil as part of your regular natural supplement routine. Both oil and gummies have their own specific set of benefits and drawbacks. While one is easier to use, the other affords more room to increase or decrease your dosage if you need to. The key to all of this is making sure that you buy your oil or your gummies from a reputable brand that has the best standards when it comes to high-quality products, customer service, and overall transparency.

Author

Bridgette Finn

Bridgette Finn

Can the Smell of Cannabis Get You Arrested? – Cannabis Now

The distinctive odor of cannabis has long been a give-away exploited by law enforcement to justify a search of one’s vehicle, home or person. Many lives have been destroyed by this self-revealing nature of the plant. The matter has been brought before the courts many times, with some rulings favorable and others not. But with growing legal and cultural acceptance for cannabis, is the mere smell of weed still sufficient cause for a search that could potentially land you in jail? Pennsylvania doesn’t think so; on Dec. 29, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Fourth Amendment, declaring that the smell of cannabis alone cannot be the basis to justify a warrantless search.  

Fourth Amendment Victory in Keystone State 

Last year’s ruling was prompted by events taking place in Allentown, Pa. in November of 2018, when state troopers stopped Timothy Oliver Barr II for a minor traffic violation—failing to stop at a solid white line. The officers said the cannabis smell was apparent at the car window. A loaded handgun and a small bag of cannabis—less than one gram—were found in the subsequent search of the vehicle.

Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana has been in place since 2016, and both Barr and his wife (who was driving) showed their cards, indicating that they were enrolled in the state program. But the cannabis was in a plain unmarked baggie, with nothing to indicate it was purchased at a licensed dispensary. And in any event, the Pennsylvania program bars actual herbaceous cannabis. Charges were brought against Barr. 

 Swayed by the testimony of Dr. David Gordon, who had issued the medical marijuana cards and stated that smell alone could not indicate illegally obtained cannabis, the Lehigh County Court issued an order to suppress the evidence. But prosecutors argued that cannabis “has not lost its ‘incriminating’ smell by virtue of its legality for some,” and appealed to the state Superior Court to vacate the suppression order. This was granted in September 2021.

The Superior Court decision was recently reversed by the Supreme Court, and the order suppressing the evidence is now reinstated. 

According to NBC Philadelphia, Chief Justice Max Baer of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court wrote, “The odor of marijuana alone does not amount to probable cause to conduct a non-warranted search of the vehicle, but rather, may be considered as a factor in examining the totality of the circumstances.”

The Supreme Court ordered the case remanded to the Lehigh County Court “for proceedings that are consistent with this opinion.”

Confused Case Law 

This matter has been batted about by the courts for years—with widely varying results among states. In a ruling hailed as landmark by rights advocates in the Green Mountain State, the Vermont Supreme Court in January 2019 found unanimously in favor of an African American motorist who challenged a March 2014 stop by a state trooper as unlawful and racially motivated. The ruling found the police may be held liable for the improper search, which was carried out with the justification that the officer smelled cannabis.

The motorist, Gregory Zullo, was pulled over in Rutland County for a minor traffic violation. But again, the state trooper said he smelled cannabis, and on that basis had the car towed and searched. The search turned up a small pipe with cannabis residue. Zullo was not charged, but he had to pay $150 to recover his vehicle. 

The case wound up before the state Supreme Court when Zullo, represented by the Vermont ACLU, sued for damages, arguing that the stop was racially motivated. The high court remanded the case back to the lower court for reconsideration in light of its ruling.

In June 2019, the state of Vermont reached a $50,000 settlement with Zullo.

On the other hand, in December 2018, the Kansas Supreme Court upheld a cannabis conviction in a case that similarly relied on supposed olfactory evidence to justify a search. Worse, this case actually extended to a private home the accepted police practice in Kansas that the odor of cannabis can justify the search of a vehicle.

Douglas County resident Lawrence Hubbard was found guilty of possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, which led to a term of probation. Thanks to the state’s high court ruling, his conviction stands.

The case began in November 2013, when a police officer followed Hubbard home, mistaking him for someone with an outstanding arrest warrant. But as they cleared up the misunderstanding at his front door, the officer allegedly detected the smell of cannabis and carried out a “security sweep.” This turned up a roach and bongs—which were then used to justify obtaining a warrant for a more complete search, which uncovered 25 grams stored in a closed Tupperware container locked inside a safe in Hubbard’s bedroom closet.

Then there was the horrific case of Bob and Teresa Almond, who had lived in their home in the Alabama town of Woodland for 27 years, raising children and running a small business there, with back-yard chicken coops. Their modest dream of comfortable retirement in the house came crashing down on Jan. 31, 2018. That day, the Randolph County Drug Task Force raided their home, supposedly on the basis of cannabis smell.

Their home was ransacked during the raid, which revealed a small quantity of cannabis, estimated to be worth $50. The charges brought against the couple were all dismissed, but the home was forfeited—seized by the county. The Almonds have filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the Randolph County Sheriff’s Department, which remains pending.

There have been two relevant US Supreme Court rulings—and they went different ways. In March 2013 the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in Florida v. Jardines that evidence from a search warrant obtained on the basis of a drug-sniffing dog alerting to a home from the outside was inadmissible. Charges were dropped against Joelis Jardines, whose Miami indoor grow operation was uncovered in the search.

But in an April 2014 decision in Navarette v. California, the US high court ruled 5-4 that a traffic stop leading to a cannabis arrest was constitutional because police had reasonable suspicion the driver was intoxicated. Charges for 30 pounds of cannabis found in the truck were upheld against Lorenzo Prado Navarette of Mendocino County.

The firm Pot Brothers at Law, based in California’s Orange County, really is made up of a couple of brothers—Marc and Craig Wasserman, specializing (as one might imagine) in cannabis cases. They’ve developed a seminar on the “etiquette of engaging with law enforcement and how to shut the fuck up when cops ask questions,” in the words of Marc Wasserman. He tells Cannabis Now that they most recently gave the presentation earlier this month at the CannaCon Northeast Cannabis Expo in New York’s Javits Center. “We’re looking to do our seminar all over the place,” he says.

Asked about the cannabis smell factor, he says: “The case law is divided, and it varies from state to state. Here in California, smell alone is no longer considered probable cause for a search. And when legalization passed in New York last year, a directive similarly went out to the police that they can no longer use smell to justify search.”

“That’s why it’s so important to not consent to a search, and to keep your mouth shut,” he continues. “If you consent to a search, you will never be able to fight the search. The more someone talks or consents, the more you wipe away defenses that you might be able to use.”

Marc went on to explain the importance of knowing what your Fourth and Fifth Amendment rights are. 

“The Fourth Amendment protects us from unreasonable searches and seizures, and the Fifth Amendment protects us against self-incrimination,” he said. “But people have to learn to utilize their Fourth and Fifth Amendment rights. It’s so important. Even when you think you’re doing something legal, you’ve got to shut the fuck up.”

In a video posted to the Pot Brothers’ Instagram page in October 2019, Marc expounded on this point with an example: “We had a client today who was sitting in a car outside a hotel when a cop came up on him and said she smelled weed… And she asked him, ‘Do you have any weed in the car?’ And he answered, ‘I’ve got a little.’

He should have said, ‘I’m not discussing my day.’ When she searched the car based on that statement, to see if he had a little—he had five pounds in the trunk. The judge specifically said that if he hadn’t said he had a little, the case would have been dismissed. It would have been unreasonable search and seizure if it was based on the smell alone.”