CBD Is The New Black — The Seventh District

Everything You Need To Know About CBD

CBD is the new black and it’s everywhere you go. With increased attention around mental health and self care the masses are finally discovering what CBD can do for stress and anxiety. People automatically associate CBD with marijuana and getting high but that’s not the case. CBD has many known health benefits including pain relief, reducing inflammation, and mood enhancement. As a federal drug regulator by day and public health advocate I am beyond fascinated and hopeful in how cannabis can improve our overall health.

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol-CBD is the non-psychoactive compound in cannabis found to have medical benefits. It contains untraceable amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)- the psychoactive element in marijuana which means CBD will NOT get you high, and most importantly you will not fail any drug tests. CBD actually counters some of the effects of THC. The reduced psycho activity makes it an alternative health treatment option without all the negative side effects of prescription medications. Scientific and clinical studies indicate that CBD could be effective in easing symptoms of a wide range of difficult-to-control conditions like: stress and anxiety, PTSD, epilepsy, antibacterial resistant infections, and neurological disorders, and pain management. (BYE opioids)

Do I need to try CBD?

I don’t like to tell adults what to do. My approach will always be to try it for yourself and figure out works best for you. CBD has maximum efficiency when used consistently and it will take a while for your body to adjust to the chemical compounds found in CBD. Its recommended to take CBD consistently for at least 7 to 10 days to allow its full effects to work properly. If you’re new to CBD, try using 2-3 milligrams daily at first. Depending on your metabolism, body weight, cannabinoid tolerance, and desired effects, you may wish to start with 5 milligrams instead. You can always increase your dose once you know how CBD will affect you. Do your googles or talk to your doctor to figure out the appropriate dose for your condition.

Here's what you should look for in CBD products:

Organic, 100% Natural-Pure CO2 extracted, Gluten free, Non GMO Hemp, and no heavy metals.

In order to get the CBD that best suits your needs, the two most important things to consider are the strength and concentration. A quality product will start off having somewhere between 250mg to 1,000mg per fluid ounce. Don’t be misled by the total volume of oil. The milligrams of CBD are what counts. Knowing the total milligrams of CBD rather than the total volume of oil will help you compare products and get the best value. Just like everything in life, you get what you pay for. Production of quality CBD oil isn’t cheap.

Is CBD even legal ?

33 states and the District of Columbia currently have passed laws broadly legalizing marijuana in some form. CBD derived from hemp is legal in most states. This includes all hemp-derived CBD products like oils, edibles, and ointments. However, marijuana-derived CBD is a different beast. 15 states have limited-access laws that allow cannabis only as CBD oil, with restrictions on the levels of THC varying per jurisdiction. These 15 states are: Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wyoming, and Wisconsin.

Medical and Recreational

There are currently 11 states where cannabis is completely legal for medicinal and recreational use. If you live in one of these 11 states you can use CBD that comes from hemp or marijuana. These states are Alaska, California, Colorado, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont plus here in the District of Columbia.

Medical

There are 23 states where cannabis is legal under certain circumstances with a doctor’s recommendation. These are Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and West Virginia.

Where To Buy CBD?

You can buy CBD hemp oil from your local health/wellness shops, medical and recreational dispensaries, or online CBD stores. If you're in DC I highly recommend: Grass and Co in Adams Morgan, Qi Kratom CBD or The Garden for quality products.