Company is expanding its product line in response to higher global market demand
Escondido, CA — (July 18, 2019) – MARIJUANA COMPANY OF AMERICA INC. (“MCOA” or the “Company”) (OTCQB: MCOA), an innovative hemp and cannabis corporation, today announced that the Company’s hempSMART™ brand has launched its new product called hempSMART Body Cream™.
Each bottle of hempSMART Body Cream is formulated with 300mg of organically grown, full spectrum, non-psychoactive cannabinoid (CBD), derived from industrial hemp. This revolutionary nourishing topical formula combines premium CBD oil with a unique blend of synergistic Ayurvedic herbs and botanicals.
“The new hempSMART Body Cream is a major advancement in the wellness arena,” said Paula Vetter, holistic nurse practitioner, certified herbalist, and Chair of the hempSMART Medical Advisory Board. “The cream is completely free of toxins that are commonly found in many skin care products and absorbed through the skin and into the blood stream. Instead, hempSMART’s Body Cream is a topical wellness solution that sets a new standard in the industry by improving the overall health of skin with each use.”
hempSMART Body Cream takes a quantum leap beyond hydration to replenish, restore and rejuvenate skin cells for improved elasticity, supple texture and healthy radiance. This innovative formula is rich in omega 3, 6, 7 and 9, along with naturally occurring plant ceramides to build a strong and vibrant cellular matrix deep within skin layers. Premium botanicals include organic aloe, sacha inchi oil, argan kernel oil, macadamia nut oil, rose hip seed oil, frankincense, tulsi, pomegranate seed oil, ashwagandha, turmeric oil, coconut oil and sea buckthorn oil.
“Our Company continues to dedicate itself to providing our customers with all-natural products infused with the highest quality CBD oil found on the market,” said MCOA’s CEO, Don Steinberg. “We are excited by this launch and anticipate great customer feedback.”
The hempSMART product line distinguishes itself from competitors through its premier quality extracts from industrial hemp plants grown specifically to provide the highest concentration of CBD. The exclusive hempSMART line currently includes six popular products: hempSMART Brain™, hempSMART Drops™, hempSMART Face™, hempSMART Pain™, hempSMART Pain Cream™, and hempSMART Pet Drops™. These products have all been carefully formulated to provide the desired “Entourage Effect,” which is the most natural interaction the human body can have with CBD.
About Marijuana Company of America, Inc. MCOA is a corporation that participates in: (1) product research and development of legal hemp-based consumer products under the brand name “hempSMART™”, that targets general health and well-being; (2) an affiliate marketing program to promote and sell its legal hemp-based consumer products containing CBD; (3) leasing of real property to separate business entities engaged in the growth and sale of cannabis in those states and jurisdictions where cannabis has been legalized and properly regulated for medicinal and recreational use; and, (4) the expansion of its business into ancillary areas of the legalized cannabis and hemp industry, as the legalized markets and opportunities in this segment mature and develop.
About Our hempSMART Products Containing CBD The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not recognized CBD as a safe and effective drug for any indication. Our products containing CBD derived from industrial hemp are not marketed or sold based upon claims that their use is safe and effective treatment for any medical condition as drugs or dietary supplements subject to the FDA’s jurisdiction.
Legal Status of Cannabis While legalized in California for recreational and medicinal use, cannabis remains a Schedule 1 drug under the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. § 811) and illegal under the federal law.
Forward LookingStatements This news release contains “forward-looking statements” which are not purely historical and may include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such forward-looking statements include, among other things, the development, costsandresults of new business opportunities and words such as “anticipate”, “seek”, intend”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “project”, “plan”, or similar phrases may be deemed “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainties associated with new projects, the future U.S. and global economies, the impact of competition, and the Company’s reliance on existing regulations regarding the use and development of cannabis-based products. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and we assume no obligation to update the forward-lookingstatements,or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that any beliefs, plans, expectationsandintentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in our annual report on Form 10k, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For more information, please visit http://www.sec.gov.
During Louisiana’s most recent legislative session, lawmakers passed two house bills that would regulate and make legal the sale of Cannabidiol, otherwise known as CBD.The first was House Bill 138, which would make it so “hemp” doesn’t get grouped in with the regulations that apply to marijuana.The second was a bill that lays out the guidelines for growing hemp legally.
This makes it so CBD manufacturers can officially start working with regulators in the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control (LOATC).They have since started issuing temporary permits to those who wish to sell CBD, as long as those establishments are in line with the new regulations.
Local business owners in one of the few places that sold CBD before the regulations took effect, offered his perspective on what selling this product was like before the regulations. “The CBD was starting to sell well,” he said. “Most of your customers were older people. It’s an anti-inflammatory, so it’s good for arthritis. A lot of them were a little afraid of it being marijuana. You had to show them that it wasn’t, and explain to them what hemp is and what marijuana is and what THC is and that hemp doesn’t have it.
We’ve done 0% THC from day one,” he said. He then went on to explain why exactly people started selling CBD so quickly and the government’s part in starting to regulate the process. President Trump signed a bill in December of last year that legalized hemp up to 0.3 percent of THC.
That’s what kicked this thing off and everybody jumped in. Well, midstream the state said you can’t do this, so we quit. The legislature was in process, they had a bill, and they said they were gonna fix it, and they did. We had a lag time of five to six weeks where we couldn’t sell it.
I was asked to put my signs up and stop, and I haven’t sold any for about a month. ”According to the world health organization, “Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the naturally occurring cannabinoids found in cannabis plants. In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential. CBD has been demonstrated as an effective treatment of epilepsy in several clinical trials, with one pure CBD product (Epidiolex®) currently in Phase III trials. There is also preliminary evidence that CBD may be a useful treatment for a number of other medical conditions.
CBD is generally well tolerated with a good safety profile.
To date, there is no evidence of recreational use of CBD or any public health-related problems associated with the use of properly extracted CBD.
“Essentially, CBD products are those that have the potential medicinal benefits of hemp’s sister plant marijuana, without any of the chemicals that get people high.
Businesses in Louisiana aren’t going to be able to start selling CBD products again until they get a temporary permit from the LOATC, but this owner believes that it is not necessarily a bad thing. “It’s just a state process you have to go through, deliver the papers, get a health department certificate, but the main thing, it looks like to me, is the LABEL!
According to the application for a temporary CBD permit, “the label must contain
‘This product has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease,’ the label shall not contain any medical claim, and the label shall have a Scannable code, QR code, or a web address linked to a website that contains certification of analysis provided by law. ”
I’ve got no problem with this, said the business man. I t’s gonna be a little more time added to the process, but once we get it situated, I won’t have a problem,” said the owner.
The American Intelligence Media community is interested in finding truth wherever it may be – from politics and culture to health and finance. Lately, Douglas Gabriel has been researching the properties of cannabinoids. In this summation of several articles that Douglas reviewed, he offers this white paper to help our truth community get up-to-speed on […]
via The Truth About Endocannabinoids — Patriots for Truth
The American Intelligence Media community is interested in finding truth wherever it may be – from politics and culture to health and finance. Lately, Douglas Gabriel has been researching the properties of cannabinoids. In this summation of several articles that Douglas reviewed, he offers this white paper to help our truth community get up-to-speed on the endocannabinoid system.
To get started, the video above provides a general overview on the endocannabinoid systems.
Cannabis and the endocannabinoid system
The Wonders of CBDs
Cannabinoids are the chemical compounds made by the cannabis plant that unlock its many healing secrets. There are over 100 known cannabinoids and these chemicals imitate the endocannabinoids naturally produced in the human body. The shiny little crystals you see on cannabis buds are called trichomes where cannabinoids are stored. Human bodies (and many animals) have endocannabinoid systems (ECS), meaning that cannabinoids are naturally made so they can bind to endocannabinoid receptors creating changes in our physiology.
The shiny little crystals you see on cannabis buds are called trichomes.
To understand the master gland and immune system of the human body it is crucial to have a basic understanding of the endogenous cannabinoid system, otherwise known as the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The endocannabinoid system is essential to human health because it maintains homeostasis in the body. Research into the endocannabinoid system has increased in recent years as scientists begin to reveal how complex and important this system is to our bodies.
The legal cannabis movement started in San Francisco in the early 1990’s when it was discovered that cannabis treated many symptoms that AIDS patients suffered from, including pain. It was medical marijuana laws that changed the legal status of cannabis nationwide, opening the doors for research and an adult-use market and creating a path towards full legalization. Cannabis patients across the country have used the plant to treat a growing number of medical conditions. In Colorado alone, there are nine different qualifying conditions for a medical card: cancer, glaucoma, HIV or AIDS, cachexia (wasting syndrome), persistent muscle spasms, seizures, severe nausea, severe pain, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
What Do CBD’s Do? The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is responsible for maintaining homeostasis in the body. Homeostasis is defined as: “any self-regulating process by which biological systems tend to maintain stability while adjusting to conditions that are optimal for survival.” If homeostasis is successful, life continues; if unsuccessful, disaster and ill health ensues.
The endocannabinoid system is made up of three parts: cannabinoid receptors, endocannabinoids, and metabolic enzymes.
Endocannabinoid receptors are found throughout the body on the surface of cells in the brain, organs, tissues, and glands. These receptors are embedded in cell membranes and produce varying reactions when stimulated by cannabinoids.
Cannabinoids come from two distinct places — the body, which produces naturally occurring endocannabinoids, and foods like the cannabis plant, which produces phytocannabinoids.
Metabolic enzymes act like a natural referee in that they destroy endocannabinoids once they are used up by the body. The two main metabolic enzymes are fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL).
This self-regulating system ensures the interaction of CBDs with the ECS only happens when needed and therefore keeps the workings of the endocannabinoid system relatively quiet to the conscious brain. Because homeostasis is so important to health, all vertebrates and invertebrates are known to have an endocannabinoid system.
Cannabinoids can also be produced synthetically. Marinol (dronabinol) and Cesamet (nabilone) are synthetic versions of THC that have FDA approval to be marketed and sold as a prescription drug. Synthetic cannabinoids do unlock the endocannabinoid system to produce effects, but they often fail to incorporate the entourage effect which states that the sum of the different cannabinoids works better as a whole unit than any cannabinoid individually. With an understanding of the endocannabinoid system and its role in ensuring homeostasis in the body, it may be easier to see how this could be true.
The Endocannabinoid System
Despite its critical importance, the endocannabinoid system (ECS) was only discovered in the early 1990s when Lisa Matsuda, a researcher at the National Institute of Mental Health, and her colleagues discovered a DNA sequence that defines a THC-sensitive receptor in a rat’s brain. This discovery was quickly followed up with further evidence by Dr. Raphael Mechoulam, the famous chemist who discovered THC. With less than 30 years of research, the endocannabinoid system is one of the least studied systems in the body. Currently, restrictions on cannabis research limit what scientists can examine in terms of furthering the understanding of how cannabis and hemp interact with the endocannabinoid system. Two cannabinoid receptors have been discovered by researchers: CB1 and CB2. CB1 is found in the central and peripheral nervous system. It’s also found in the brain and is the receptor that THC interacts with, giving the user a “high.” CB2 receptors are predominantly found in the immune system and the gastrointestinal system where they regulate inflammatory responses in the bowels. CB2 receptors are also found in the brain, although not as densely as CB1 receptors. These receptors, a large part of the endocannabinoid system, play roles in regulating cardiovascular activity, appetite, mood, memory, and pain in the body.
CBD does not fit exactly into either CB1 or CB2 receptors. CBD stimulates both receptors and causes a reaction without binding directly, creating changes in cells that contain them. CBD also binds to a protein-receptor couple, TRPV-1, responsible for regulating body temperature, pain, and inflammation. CBD is also known for counteracting the effects of THC, activating serotonin receptors, and inhibiting a gene attributed to several cancers. CBD has grown in popularity recently as research and anecdotal evidence increasingly demonstrates the impact it can have on the body.
The body’s endocannabinoid system reacts to CB1 and CB2 based upon the organ or bodily system that is sensitive to one or both.
The brain is especially sensitive to CB1, the lungs to CB1, the spleen to CB2, the vascular system CB1, the pancreas to CB1 & CB2, the liver to CB1 & CB2, reproductive organs to CB1, the colon to CB2, the muscles to CB1, the immune system to CB2, and the bones to CB2.
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is also involved in regulating a variety of physiological and cognitive processes including fertility, pregnancy (during pre- and postnatal development) appetite, pain-sensation, mood, and memory, and in mediating the pharmacological effects of cannabis. The ECS is also involved in mediating some of the physiological and cognitive effects of voluntary physical exercise in humans and other animals, such as contributing to exercise-induced euphoria as well as modulating locomotor activity and motivational salience for rewards.
In humans, the plasma concentration of certain endocannabinoids (i.e., anandamide) have been found to rise during physical activity; since endocannabinoids can effectively penetrate the blood–brain barrier, it has been suggested that anandamide, along with other euphoriant neurochemicals, contributes to the development of exercise-induced euphoria in humans, a state colloquially referred to as a runner’s high.
Cannabinoids
Cannabinoids are broadly known for their anti-seizure, anti-inflammatory, anti-nausea, anti-fungal, and anti-cancer effects — and science has just scratched the surface. How much these effects are expressed is a result of the entourage effect is not fully known. The entourage effect states that the cannabinoids work better in tandem than they do alone. THC and CBD produce stronger healing properties together that are shown differently based on their concentrations and the presence of other cannabinoids. In addition, terpenes, the oils that give cannabis its fragrance, contribute to the therapeutic effects of the plant on the body when paired with cannabinoids. The powerful combination of these naturally occurring chemicals produces the medical effects that have given cannabis its reputation as a wondrous medical agent.
In California, there are twelve qualifying conditions for a medical cannabis card, including one described as, “any other chronic or persistent medical symptom that substantially limits the ability of the person to conduct one or more major life activities (as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990) or, if not alleviated, may cause serious harm to the patient’s safety or physical or mental health.”
There are over 100 known cannabinoids and we’ve only briefly described a few. There is a lot more research to be done to understand the intricacies of each cannabinoid and how they interact with each other.
Cannabinoids can bind to receptor sites in either the brain (CB-1) or the body (CB-2). Cannabinoids will produce different effects on the body depending on which type of receptor site they bind to. Cannabis strains are filled with multiple cannabinoids that when consumed, bind to these sites, creating a symphony of effects on the body and thus corresponding to the wide variety of healing properties. This is why one plant can treat many different conditions.
Cannabinoids begin as cannabinoid acids that are activated when heated. This heat-based activation, also known as decarboxylation, removes the acid from the molecule, turning it into a bioavailable compound that the body can register. The decarboxylated molecule is often more powerful and produces a different effect on the body than the acidic version. This is why you see both “THCA” and “THC” when looking at the contents of a cannabis strain.
Here is a list of a few of the well-known types of cannabinoids and their effects:
THCA
Delta 9 THC is arguably the most widely known cannabinoid. When people refer to “getting high” they are referring to the experience of the psychoactive effects of THC. THC begins as THCA, tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, which is one of the most abundant cannabinoids found in cannabis. When THCA is heated and turned into THC, it binds to CB1 receptors in the brain producing psychoactive effects. THC is the only known cannabinoid to produce a psychoactive response, a high, and strong therapeutic benefits.
CBDA
Cannabidolic acid is very abundant in the cannabis plant and turns into CBD when heated. Preclinical studies demonstrate that CBDA is a strong antiemetic used to treat vomiting and nausea and is often given to mitigate the side effects of opioid use or chemotherapy.
CBD
Cannabidiol has exploded in popularity in recent years. CBD has been the subject of much scientific interest after it hit the mainstream in 2014, following a CNN documentary in which a non-psychoactive, CBD rich cannabis strain, helped a five-year-old girl with severe epilepsy drastically reduce her daily seizure count. The FDA has approved the first ever CBD-based drug for seizures. CBD is making waves in its ability to treat pain, nausea, anxiety, sleep disorders, and more.
CBGA
Cannabigerolic acid is a precursor to one of the three main cannabinoid lines: THCA, CBDA, and CBCA. CBGA is the chemical parent to THC and CBD. Enzymes direct it down one of these lines before heat can change it into different forms. CBGA can help reduce inflammation and relieves pain.
CBG
Cannabigerolic is considered a minor cannabinoid because it is present in very low levels. It’s also powerful in treating glaucoma because it is a strong vasodilator meaning that it widens blood vessels. This helps increase blood flow and provide oxygen to the tissues that need it. CBG is showing promise as an effective antibacterial, anticancer, and neuroprotectant.
CBCA
Cannabichromenic acid is one of the three main cannabinoid lines. It is used to treat fungal infections like athlete’s foot and ringworm.
CBC
Cannabichromenic, binds poorly to CB1 receptors in the brain, but it binds well with other pain-related receptors, helping to increase the body’s levels of natural endocannabinoids. CBC may be impactful against cancer because of this. CBC has also been shown to be an inhibitor of acne. In conjunction with the THC and CBD, CBD also appears to have antidepressant effects.
CBN
Cannabinol is the result of THCA over time breaking down and turning into CBN. CBN has been shown to delay symptom onset of Lou Gehrig’s disease in mice indicating that it may help with motor neural diseases. CBN is also known for its anti-asthmatic, anti-inflammatory, and sedative properties.
THCV
Tetrahydrocannabivarin is similar to THC, but with a few less carbon atoms. THCV has been shown to be an anticonvulsant, has neuroprotective properties and may be an appetite suppressant.
CBDV
Cannabidivarin is a less potent version of CBD. The CBDV molecule is similar to CBD but has been changed in some ways. CBDV is an anti-nausea and anti-epileptic. CBDV is a powerful anticonvulsant. A 2012 study shows that CBDV stopped seizures in mice and rats.
In general, CBDs, cannabidiols, can be taken into the body in different ways – from smoking cannabis to eating CBD-rich food substances, as a drink, as an aerosol spray into the cheek, or transdermally. CBD oil, containing only CBD derived from hemp as the active ingredient, is legal in all 50 States and has no tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in the oil. Some types of CBD oil may contain THC or one of many other CBD-like compounds that can be refined into a distillate and then made into oils, pills, foods, candies, drinks, many forms of hash, salves, creams, and many other substances used as medicine.
Other Foods that Contain CBDs
You may be surprised to know that cannabinoids aren’t limited to their presence within cannabis and hemp plants and feature in many household foodstuffs that you probably already have in your kitchen. The cannabinoids that are produced in plants are called phytocannabinoids. So, if you want to enhance your body’s own endocannabinoid system, look at the following list of foods and consider adding them to your diet.
Black Pepper contains the terpene beta-caryophyllene (BCP) that will bind to the same cannabinoid receptors that THC does and produces a calming, relaxing effect and is also known for its anti-inflammatory action. Current research is going on into BCP’s effects within cancer treatment and for conditions such as arthritis and osteoporosis. To achieve instant and natural calming effects, it is recommended to eat 3 or 4 cloves (high in BCPs) or use them in cooking or teas.
Dark Chocolate that contains cacao as its main ingredient is high in anandamide. Cacao or its full name Theobroma Cacao (translates as “food of the gods”) has been known to be a superfood for millennia. It contains a high concentration of a cannabinoid called anandamide, which is also naturally produced in the body. Anandamide is known as the body’s own natural antidepressant and is often referred to as the human body’s natural version of THC.
Rosemary, Cloves, Basil, Oregano, Lavender & Cinnamon all contain cannabinoids, most commonly beta-caryophyllene (BCP). The terpene’s present in these herbs help contribute to the specific aroma that each one has. These terpenes are also present in marijuana plants and contribute to their aromas.
Hops – humulus lupulus – share a common ancestor with the cannabis family of plants if you follow the history back to the Order Urticales and the Family Cannabinaceae — they share similar properties genetically.
Flax Seed has many compounds within it that are very similar to the cannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) as well as containing CBD itself. The CBD within flax has anti-inflammatory properties and develops autoimmune response.
CBD Legal Status
In the United States, CBD’s legal status depends on the source from which it is derived. When derived from marijuana it is a Schedule I controlled substance under the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA). When CBD is derived from hemp or some other lawful source it is not a controlled substance. Hemp is excluded from the definition of marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). CBD is not specifically scheduled in the CSA and is therefore lawful when derived from hemp, which is not a controlled substance and the definition of which includes cannabinoids.
In 2013, a CNN program brought increased attention to the use of CBDs in the treatment of seizure disorders. Since then, 16 states have passed laws to allow the use of CBD products with a doctor’s recommendation (instead of a prescription) for treatment of certain medical conditions. This is in addition to the 30 states that have passed comprehensive medical cannabis laws, which allow for the use of cannabis products with no restrictions on THC content. Of these 30 states, eight have legalized the use and sale of cannabis products without requirement of a doctor’s recommendation.
The 2014 Farm Bill legalized the sale of “non-viable hemp material” grown within states participating in the Hemp Pilot Program. This legislation defined hemp as cannabis containing less than 0.3% of THC delta-9, grown within the regulatory framework of the Hemp Pilot Program. The 2018 Farm Bill allowed for interstate commerce of hemp derived products (CBD oil), though these products still fall under the purview of the FDA.
Legal CBD Oil and Your Health
The body’s endocannabinoid system is vital for the overall balance of the immune system, sleep, the digestive tract, cognitive functioning, and the health of the nervous system. Hemp extract, which is legal in all 50 States (CBD oil) has been shown to provide incredible support to the human endocannabinoid system. Numerous studies have proven CBD oil to relieve chronic pain, reduce anxiety and depression, as well as benefit heart health and many other ailments. Also, hemp extracted CBD oil has been used to treat patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and even cancer with positive effects.
According to an article published in Forbes in 2018, the CBD market is looking to grow 700% by the year 2020 because of positive health benefits experienced by a growing number of individuals. According to a new estimate from cannabis industry analysts The Brightfield Group, the hemp CBD market alone could hit $22 billion by 2022.
Skeptics who assume CBD is just 21st-century snake oil, may be surprised to learn that the substance is being studied as a potential treatment for maladies as diverse as schizophrenia, insomnia and cancer.
“CBD is the most promising drug that has come out for neuropsychiatric diseases in the last 50 years,” said Dr. Esther Blessing, an assistant professor at New York University School of Medicine, who is coordinating a study of CBD as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder and alcohol use disorder. “The reason it is so promising is that it has a unique combination of safety and effectiveness across of very broad range of conditions.”
The National Institutes of Health database lists about 150 studies involving CBD as a treatment for conditions as varied as infantile spasms and Parkinson’s disease. And the research has led to medical treatments. The Food and Drug Administration approved a cannabidiol-based drug called Epidiolex as a treatment for severe forms of epilepsy, representing the first government-sanctioned medical use for CBD. Preliminary research also indicates that CBD may be effective as an antipsychotic in reducing the symptoms of schizophrenia, with fewer side effects compared with current antipsychotic drugs.
CBD has also shown promise to reduce cravings among people addicted to opioids, according to a study published in Neurotherapeutics in 2015. It may fight cancer, too. The authors of a review published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology in 2012 wrote: “evidence is emerging to suggest that CBD is a potent inhibitor of both cancer growth and spread.”
CBDs and Evolution
What is the evolutionary impetus for the creation of cannabinoids? Even single-cellular organisms like cyanobacteria – the descendant of the original photosynthetic bacteria – produce chemicals that act on cannabinoid receptors. But the cannabinoid receptors evolved much later, first appearing in the ancient Hydra (not the god) around 500 million years ago.
It is still unclear why plants produce cannabinoids without corresponding receptors to bind with. Some insects do the same. There may be an undiscovered mechanism by which plants regulate themselves with phytocannabinoids that has yet to be found – like so many other aspects of the ECS. In humans, the ECS has developed into a homeostatic system – a fundamental adaptive mechanism that enables our bodies to maintain health through the stresses of life.
CBDs are all the rage these days and has become a wellness craze. Unfortunately, it is fashionable to fixate on a single cannabis component. But we should not lose sight of the fact that well-known herbal medicine provides countless remedies relevant to modern disease. Ultimately, purified pharmaceuticals are not inherently superior to multicomponent, whole plant formulations. These whole plant remedies have been used for millennia and we would be well-advised to not forget the wisdom of the ancients.
At this point in time, single-molecule CBD and single-molecule THC are both FDA-approved medications. The medical development of cannabinoids should build upon traditional knowledge and herbal folk-wisdom, which often involved a mixture of various CBD herbs and foods, including CBD-rich cannabis, which has been part of the human pharmacopeia for thousands of years. At least with herbs we have a long, successful history, while novel pharmaceutical development is experimental without many longitudinal studies.
History, on the other hand, has proven that hemp and other CBD rich foods, herbs, drinks and spices have been at the heart of the human diet since our first ancestors discovered CBD-rich nourishment which is crucial for human health. As we welcome hemp and cannabis back into the pantheon of medicinal herbs, let’s honor the “crude” plants that have sustained humankind since time immemorial.
In the wake of Hurricane Maria, as it made it’s way throughout the panhandle of Florida, I was unaware of the total destruction of one of our state’s Agricultural Resources, Timber. Therein lies the rub. Florida’s next new resource should be farming, followed by what’s happening, up north, well Kentucky.
Now that it’s legal to grow hemp in the United States, a man who’s spent the last decade developing hemp “hardwood” is building a $6 million factory to manufacture the product.
His patented product called “HempWood” is made out of compressed hemp pulp fibers, held together with a soy-based glue.
While that may sound like some newfangled version of particle board, it’s not.
It looks and feels like oak, but is actually 20 percent harder than the famous hardwood tree.
It also grows 100 times as fast. While it takes an oak tree at least 6 decades to mature, it takes hemp 6 months.
That’s good news for oak trees, as they are among the most endangered trees in the planet because of the high demand for solid oak furniture.
The owner of the new start up company Fibonacci, Greg Wilson, was a pioneer in the bamboo flooring industry before hemp became legal.
The company uses technology popularized by China’s strand-woven bamboo industry, in addition to technology developed at Wilson’s other company SmartOak, which creates engineered wood products using logs that would otherwise be converted to wood chips.
HempWood will be used to make blocks, boards, flooring, cutting boards and skateboards, all at prices far cheaper than oak, the company said.
The company will be headquartered in Kentucky, where more than 40,000 acres of hemp are already being cultivated.
