Co-authored By: Op-ed Blogger, Quinton Charles & Green Wellness Life Operations Guru, Cara Oorbeck

A Lot Happening With Hemp

In 2018, 38 plus states considered legislation relating to hemp including current law clarification, removing current legislative obstacles and establishing new programs and research.  The hemp industry is moving in many directions and has the potential for new and innovative products in a variety of areas which include paper, fabric, health and beauty products, animal feed, food, insulation and so much more. The 2018 Farm Bill and its possible legislative effects, should it be voted into law is an enormous step forwards in federal Hemp policy, and has already cleared the Senate’s agricultural committee.  However unresolved issues in the proposed Bill prevented an agreement before the Bills deadline on September 30th (food stamps, crop insurance, and some cotton provisions) and most experts agree that the Bill’s future depends on who keeps or gains control of the House of Representatives after November 6, 2018.

Some Of The Key Players

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By Quinton Charles Op-Ed Blogger

Changes in Farm Bill

Until 2014 (and its farm bill of the same year,) hemp was illegal to cultivate. What the farm bill of 2014 changed was that it allowed either small-scale cultivation by farmers or experimental cultivation by research laboratories (and, often, a combination of the two), and left up to the discretion of the states the extent to which they wanted to permit hemp cultivation. Unfortunately, the 2014 Farm Bill was unable to completely legalize industrial-scale growing, and farms were limited in size, thus forcing vendors of hemp-derived products (like CBD) to import hemp, increasing their prices and access to goods. That all may change now.

Not just CBD users will benefit

If the 2018 Farm Bill is signed into law (and it is currently on the way to being so), the industrial production of hemp by domestic producers in the United States would be legal, and the price of most CBD oil products would likely decrease (as well as access to CBD products being expanded). In addition to allowing hemp to be grown by domestic producers, it would also remove several barriers to their acquisition of banking and crop insurance http://(https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/s2667)

Those who will NOT benefit

Read the rest of this entry »

CBD Oil Products in Legal Grey Area Under Ohio Law

In the state of Ohio, as opposed to elsewhere in the Midwest, cannabidiol (CBD) is classified as Medical Marijuana; most CBD products on the market are derived from Hemp Cannabis Sativa Specified as “all parts of a plant of the genus cannabis, whether growing or not; the seeds of a plant of that type; the resin extracted from a part of a plant of that type… the resin extracted from the mature stalks, fiber, oil or cake, or the sterilized seed of the plant that is incapable of germination,” (Ohio Revised Code Title (37) XXXVII 3719.01 (O)), the definition of “Marihuana” within the state of Ohio includes CBD sourced from Cannabis Indica, which is sourced from the resin of the plant.

Why does this matter?

You are probably wondering “why do I need to care how Ohio classifies CBD?” Fair question.  If you ever use CBD oil, then this information is incredibly important, and I’ll get to why. The most recent house bill in Ohio regarding Hemp and Marijuana, House Bill 523 (passed in 2016), prohibits any non-licensed dispensaries from selling what is designated “Medical Marijuana.” As CBD lacks any intoxicating qualities, it does not have the same effects as Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is associated with the type of “high” that people receive from cannabis products that contain THC. “Medical Marijuana” as defined by the state of Ohio is “marijuana that is cultivated, processed, dispensed, tested, possessed, or used for a medical purpose.” (Sub H.B. No. 523, sec. 3796.01 (A) As I had already discussed before, the state of Ohio includes CBD derived from Cannabis Indica in its definition of “Marihuana,” and because of this, its definition of “Medical Marijuana” also includes CBD derived from Cannabis Indica, but not Hemp Cannabis Sativa.

Purchasing CBD in Ohio

So what does this all mean for the status of CBD in the state of Ohio? It means that, unless licensed by the Ohio Department of Commerce and the State Board of Pharmacy (Ibid., sec. 3796.02),no dispensary can sell or offer CBD products derived from a specific type of Cannabis. But what if you have one of the pre-approved medical conditions (epilepsy, alzheimer’s, etc.) Sub H.B. No. 523, sec. 519.21 (D.6.a-v) that entitles you to receive a medical card in the state of Ohio that allows for the purchase of Medical Marijuana? Then you are fully able to purchase CBD for use, no problems. But unfortunately, there are some snags in the system, and there currently are none of the 56 promised dispensaries in operation run by the state of Ohio. However, this does not mean that there is no way to get CBD in the state of Ohio. Some business owners, like Kevin Kidd, continue to operate their stores and sell CBD products, despite a lack of licensure. Kidd has argued that, since CBD oil he uses is hemp-derived, and not marijuana-derived, he can continue to sell CBD oil products. As of yet, he has not been required to shut down or to stop selling CBD products.

For now, the sale and use of CBD in the state of Ohio will remain in an awkward, legal grey area, invariably hurting those who either rely on CBD for its medicinal qualities, or for those who rely on the sale of CBD to keep their stores open. If the people of Ohio are lucky, the state’s Pharmacy board will start issuing licenses to businesses soon; however, until that time, CBD will have to be purchased at the older establishments that sold, and continue to sell, hemp-based products.

CBD and Midwest States

For the people of other Midwestern states, such as Michigan, Wisconsin, and Indiana, hemp and hemp-derived products continue to be fully legal under both State and Federal law. Their purchase is permitted, as is their use and sale. So, despite Ohio’s setbacks, the Midwest is on track to be a region that aligns with Federal law, where citizens can enjoy the benefits of hemp-based CBD products.  At Green Wellness Life, we operate under that federal law and will continue to service our customers throughout the Midwest, including the great state of Ohio (even though there are Buckeyes there.)

By Quinton Charles Op-Ed Blogger

This month we want to help our customers keep it simple… So we thought we’d take it back to the basics on cannabinoids.

Whether you call it reefer or ganja, grass or marijuana, Cannabis remains the most used drug globally. The chemical compounds that give cannabis it’s infamous and highly beneficial properties are referred to as Cannabinoids. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – is the most abundant and well-known cannabinoid with psychoactive properties that affects pleasure, concentration, memory, appetite, and perception. Inhaling or ingesting THC can affect areas of the brain associated with movement, sensations, visions, coordination, memory, reward, and judgment. Users often describe the high as a very mellow, euphoric, uplifting, and physically relaxing experience. Although it has been demonized since the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937, THC in cannabis has recently been explored as a medicine, as research has shown its use highly beneficial for those with a variety of conditions and chronic pain. It’s also no secret that marijuana has helped patients undergoing chemotherapy regain their appetite. States with legal marijuana have also seen a decrease in opioid overdose and prescription rates, suggesting that patients would prefer to treat their pain with cannabis as opposed to opiates.

Cannabinoids – What Are They and How are They Relevant?

Cannabinoids are a natural occurring chemical compound unique to the Cannabis plant, Outside of THC, there are nearly 80 more. Here are just a few of those subclasses: Read the rest of this entry »

We’ve talked a bit about the Farm Bill and have urged you to get involved by reaching out to your local elected officials and asking them to help our farmers and our bodies by voting “yes” on hemp.  Here’s a brief overview on the Farm Bill as it pertains to hemp (this is a big fat bill with BOATLOADS of other non-hemp provisions)  and our progress to date.

Recently, the U.S. House and Senate introduced a new Farm Bill to build on the 2014 Farm Bill that brought a variety of programs to help agriculture and food policies. While the 2014 bill helped bring a pilot research program for hemp, the new bill is poised to make domestic hemp officially legal.

It’s been a long road for hemp farmers dealing with the ambiguities of U.S. legality. Will this finally bring more clarity to what hemp really is to avoid confusion with marijuana?

Let’s take a look at the bill’s major details to understand what it means. Read the rest of this entry »

New Patents Pending Could Impact Peoples Lives The Future

It is an exciting time to be in the hemp industry.  The stigma about hemp is lifting (finally!) and people all over, are learning and becoming more open to the incredible benefits of CBD and hemp-based products. All this new information and forward progress means more dollars for science.   Pharmaceutical companies are not going to be left behind. On June 25, 2018, the Food and Drug Administration approved the CBD-based drug Epidiolex for the treatment of epilepsy. Epidiolex, which will help treat epileptic symptoms in Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet syndrome in patients two or older, is just one example of many pharmaceutical interventions that use the power of CBD to create positive change in people’s lives.

Other Exciting Pending Pharmaceutical Patents for CBD

Some of these pending patents will hopefully be the beginning of life-changing science and CBD that will offer consumers a way to manage their pain, reduce symptoms, and improve their quality of life.

1. Kalytera: Pharmaceutical Solution for Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD)

Kalytera has two U.S. patents issued to use CBD to treat graft versus host disease (GVHD).

GVHD is a life-threatening complication that can take place after a bone marrow transplant. In GVHD, the cells of the transplant donor attack the recipients’ organs. There is currently no FDA-approved drug to treat or prevent GVHD. Because of this, GVHD can cause chronic illness, disability, organ failure, and death.  Kalytera hopes to harness the power of CBD to help treat and prevent GVHD in patients who undergo transplants. Though Kaytera’s drug is not available to the public yet, several trials have shown promising results. In one study, none of the patients taking their CBD-based solution developed acute GVHD. By day 100 of the study, the risk of developing GVHD was significantly decreased. In addition, patients treated with CBD experienced fewer gastrointestinal and skin issues.

2. KannaLife: CBD as Antioxidants and Neuroprotectors

Kannalife currently holds a patent for “Cannabinoids as Antioxidants and Neuroprotectors.” As an antioxidant, CBD has been studied for its ability to reverse oxidation processes, which damage cells. And as for being neuroprotective, that means CBD has been studied for its ability to reduce damage to the brain and help grow new brain cells or neurons. KannaLife, which received attention for producing a patent for its “super-CBD” product, hopes to use CBD for its antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. Some of the diseases that KannaLife hopes to confront include Hepatic Encephalopathy (“HE”) and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (“CTE”). Both of these stress-related diseases affect behavioral and cognitive functions. To meet these ends, Kannalife hopes CBD’s antioxidant and neuroprotective features will help protect patients’ neural health and shield their brains from further damage. By helping to decrease inflammation, decrease issues following strokes, and protect the brain from autoimmune disorders, KannaLife aims to make a real change through CBD.

3. Zynerba’s topical ZYN002 gel: Control Symptoms of Fragile X Syndrome

The topical ZYN002 drug produced by Zynerba hopes to help with symptoms of neuropsychiatric disorders.

Fragile X Syndrome, for example, is a genetic condition associated with intellectual disability, increased anxiety, and mood disorders. This gel hopes to help treat those with Fragile X Syndrome by helping modulate their anxiety and mood, including hyperactive or compulsive behavior. Zynerba’s gel could also help with symptoms associated with Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathies (DEE), which are rare brain disorders associated with seizures. Zynerba’s “permeation-enhanced” gel will be directly applied to the skin so it can bypass the digestive system entirely. Though it’s still in development, there’s a hope that this gel will produce positive changes for those with Fragile X syndrome.

4. INSYS Therapeutics: Cannabidiol Oral Solution for Prader-Willi Syndrome

Prader-Willi syndrome is a genetic condition that can cause delayed development, weak muscle tone, feeding difficulties, and poor growth. One of the most challenging symptoms is hyperphagia, which is another word to describe excessive hunger and overeating. This is the symptom that the Cannabidiol oral solution from INSYS hopes to treat. INSYS Therapeutics is another company with a patent for CBD pharmaceuticals. They’re developing a Cannabidiol Oral Solution aimed specifically to help children with Prader-Willi Syndrome. Studies are projected to start in September 2018 and end May 2020, and will assess kids aged 8 to 17.

One Thing In Common

Though these pharmaceutical companies have pending patents out for wide-ranging medical issues, they all have one thing in common: The use of CBD to help treat serious medical conditions. More and more companies are recognizing the potentially life-changing effects possible from the hemp plant.