Over the past 2 years, since the laws were changed making hemp and CBD extracted from it legal, CBD has found its way into supplements, lotions, beauty products, flavored beverages, and more. This is just the beginning and, based on the positive impact it is having on such a wide range of health and wellness issues, we believe that the opportunities are endless. Over the past 2 years, CBD has been trending as the new “cool” must-have. We can thank the Farm Bills of 2014 and 2018 for that, which legalized the production of hemp as an agricultural commodity unlike its cousin, marijuana.
Cannabidiol (CBD), has become a product that many now turn to for themselves and their pets and it is becoming commonplace to find it in kitchen and bathroom cabinets, and bathrooms and night tables across the country. If you are wondering why it is now an essential part of so many people’s daily lives – it is because it is a natural, plant-based alternative to aid people and pets on their health and wellness journey. People are on a quest to find natural alternatives to common issues they struggle with, without using over the counter and prescription medications. We always caution that you should consult with your health care practitioner before considering CBD, that using CBD is right for you to incorporate into your daily regimen.
Chances are that you have a friend or family member that has tried CBD. I find it frustrating when people tell me they’ve tried it and that “it’s another one of those BS products that claims it will do something and I spent money on it, and it did nothing for me. Another wasted product purchase.” That is disappointing because there is much recent research that has shown potential benefits with CBD and more supporting research is published regularly. If CBD did not work for your friend or family member, it is likely that the product they were taking did not have the CBD advertised on the package, or the person did not take the correct amount of CBD for their body type, weight, and circumstances. Anecdotally, we have heard many people tell us of its benefits for them as a holistic alternative to prescription or over-the-counter drugs.
The stories about CBD not working for them were based on purchases made because the product purchased claimed it was a miracle product that would cure something. This showcases the misconceptions, false claims made by companies, and misinformation being provided from “bad actors” selling CBD products.
At High Falls Hemp NY, we believe it is critical to educate consumers about CBD so regardless of whether you purchase our products, or someone else’s, you can make the best decision about your health and wellness issues and spend your money wisely. We are here to dispel the myths about CBD.
What is CBD?
CBD is short for cannabidiol, which is one of the many compounds found in the hemp plant. Cannabis (AKA marijuana) is a cousin to hemp. CBD is the primary active ingredient in hemp and is not psychoactive like its cousin THC, the primary active ingredient found in cannabis; CBD it will not get you “high”. It is not addictive, and it has been touted as potentially having many benefits to both humans and pets. The FDA does not regulate the CBD market and therefore it is important that you are well informed.
9 things to check before you purchase a CBD product of value
- The product is from a reputable company
- The company does not make false claims about the product’s ability to treat or cure an illness – making those kinds of claims is illegal
- The product has a QR code on it so that you can easily access lab reports
- The product has detailed full panel lab reports for your reference from an independent lab which verify its potency and safety
- The product ingredients are clearly labeled for your reference
- The products are grown in the USA by the manufacturer
- The products are vegan, gluten-free, no GMO’s and cruelty-free
- The products have verified reviews from consumers for your reference
- The company offers a 30-day money-back guarantee
Where does CBD come from?
CBD can be found in the cannabis and hemp plant. Thank you to the Farm Bill of 2018 which eliminated hemp from the controlled substance list. On a scientific level, technically, a cannabis plant that contains THC and a hemp plant that contains a little THC are in the same category which creates a lot of confusion for people who are not interested in cannabis/marijuana.
It is important to know that CBD is not psychoactive, unlike its relative, cannabis which is.
We are here to debunk the myths and properly educate you about CBD.
The 5 Myths about CBD
Myth #1 – Will CBD get me high?
No – CBD will not get you high. Whether you ingest it or rub it on your body, it does not produce the “high” that cannabis/marijuana does. To legally sell CBD online or at retail, CBD must contain no more than 0.3% THC. CBD may relax you and calm your body, but it will not get you high. If you choose to take more than the suggested amount, you may want to take a nap. But you will not have the side effects associated with marijuana.
Myth #2 – CBD Can Cure Anything
Absolutely not! CBD is not a treatment or cure for any medical issue. It is illegal for a CBD company to make those claims. Any CBD product you are considering that promises to cure anything is not a product you should buy. Scientific studies performed by a host of reputable organizations suggest that CBD has holistic plant-based wellness benefits to address people’s issues across a broad spectrum of health issues, but it is not currently regulated by the FDA, so no claims have been legitimized by the agency yet, and more research and clinical trials are needed.
For those that have chosen CBD as an alternative, we recommend that you first consult with your health care practitioner to agree that CBD is right for you.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that people have used CBD for a host of things including stress, muscle, and joint discomfort, swelling, nausea, appetite, sleep, and support for their immune system.
CBD works with the body’s endocannabinoid system and has a role in maintaining homeostasis and balance in the body across many systems and organs to assist in their jobs to manage the body’s functions effectively and efficiently.
Myth #3: All CBD is the Same
Hell no! Not all CBD is created equal. As we have always been told, “you get what you pay for.” If you recall at the beginning of this, I shared that you might have friends who have said that CBD is full of crap – it does not work. Well, after asking more questions, it became evident that their CBD did not work because they bought something based on cost – not based on quality. You would not buy a Chevy expecting it to be a Maserati. It is the same thing with CBD, except that a good CBD product will not break the bank like a Maserati.
All CBD products have different degrees of hemp quality and the products depend on the parts of the hemp plant that is used. The way the plants are grown, how they are extracted and blended matter too. And the farming process is also an integral factor. These factors are why it is important to research the product and learn about it before you make a purchase.
Myth #4: Is CBD Safe?
Yes, CBD is safe when you purchase it from reputable, trusted companies. If you purchase CBD products from “bad actors” there may not be safety controls taken into account. It could be from a company that does not list ingredients or makes false promises. Do not be penny-wise and pound-foolish. You should never put something in or on your body that is not safe.
One element to verify safety is that the CBD product has a 3rd party independent lab report which is easily accessible and verifies that the product has the CBD advertised on the label and that the product is safe to consume and does not have unacceptable levels of pesticides, heavy metals, residual solvents and is free from biologic contaminants. Just because a brand has a 3rd party lab report, you should look to see what the lab report says. We have found some brands with lab reports which do not verify the contents of the product they are selling.
Myth #5: Is CBD Legal?
Yes, purchasing CBD is federally legal in the United States since the passage of the Farm Bill of 2014 and 2018 if it contains 0.3% THC or less. However, some state/city/county laws may prohibit or place restrictions on its purchase. CBD is legal in the United States, but it may not be available in all states. We suggest that you check your state laws before purchasing or possessing any CBD products.
What is not legal is for CBD to be infused in any food or beverage products in accordance with the FDA, though many of these products are available and “legal” on a state level, depending on individual state and local regulations and enforcement. As we mentioned earlier, it is also not legal to make false claims that CBD can treat or cure anxiety, pain, heart disease, COVID-19, cancer, and many more. While there are research studies conducted and anecdotal evidence, in accordance with the law, for CBD to make these claims, they would have to undergo FDA clinical trials. We look forward to that!
Myths Dispelled
We hope this clears up confusion or false information about CBD. The most important takeaway is that CBD is a safe product that may have many benefits however it is essential that you consider spending a little more for a high-quality product, from a reputable, trusted company, like High Falls Hemp NY, with a 30-day guarantee.
High Falls Hemp NY products are trusted, triple lab tested, have QR codes on every product for ease in accessing the full panel lab report, provide verified reviews by independent sources, are vegan, gluten-free, no GMO’s, cruelty-free, and proudly grown in the USA on their farm in High Falls NY. Their array of products may satisfy many of the things you are looking for to address your needs with natural, plant-based wellness alternatives.