The lighting quick speed in which individual states are legalizing Cannabis has been grabbing the headlines, and rightfully so.
But as designers and builders of Cannabis dispensaries, we are well aware that Cannabidiol (CBD) is the unsung hero of the industry, helping to bring the true benefits of Cannabis to the mainstream.
What Is CBD?
CBD is the non-intoxicating compound found in Cannabis.
It was made federally legal across the board in 2018. The benefits of CBD are numerous, but it is primarily used for anxiety, pain/inflammation, and as a sleep aid. However, there is so much more.
Health Benefits: Seizures
One of the more remarkable benefits of CBD is the effect that it can have on seizures, especially with children.
There are numerous videos online of children in the midst of seizures or uncontrollable tics, and within seconds of ingesting CBD, the seizures dissolve to a manageable state or even nothing at all.
Under some circumstances, the CBD is literally the only treatment that works.
“The strongest scientific evidence is for its effectiveness in treating some of the cruelest childhood epilepsy syndromes, such as Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), which typically don’t respond to anti-seizure medications. In numerous studies, CBD was able to reduce the number of seizures, and in some cases it was able to stop them altogether.”
Dr. Peter Grinspoon, a contributor for the Harvard Health
Studies are still ongoing, but for the sufferers of seizures, CBD is a nothing short of a miracle treatment.
Health Benefits: Chronic Pain
It seems that these days, everyone is suffering from some kind of chronic pain, whether it’s…
- grandma’s arthritis
- the weekend warrior doing a cross fit tournament
- an NFL running back hitting the gridiron (the field goal bars)
In fact, they say every play in the NFL is like putting your body through a small car accident. So one could imagine the chronic pain that these athletes endure once the games stop.
But instead of relying on the next bottle of Vicodin or Norco, many are hoping that the future of chronic pain management is CBD.
Celebrities Drawing Attention
Rob Gronkowski, a future Hall of Fame tight end who played for the New England Patriots in the NFL was the first high profile athlete to sign with a CBD Cannabis company.
‘Gronk’ is a spokesman and sponsor of Abacus Health Products. Abacus makes topical medications with CBD specifically made to deal with pain management.
When news broke of Gronk’s deal, it was seen as a breakthrough; Gronk was the first high profile athlete to lend his name to a Cannabis company.
This not only helps remove the stigma of Cannabis, but also opens peoples eyes that a world-class athlete is using CBD for chronic pain management.
Other High Profile Support
While Gronkowski is lending his name to CBD, an entire professional sports organization, the Ultimate Fighting Championship league (UFC) is lending theirs.
Canadian based Cannabis company, Aurora Cannabis recently partnered with the UFC. The partnership is centered around studies on how CBD could be used for pain, inflammation, wound healing and recovery for MMA athletes.
The studies hope to lead to educating and advocating UFC athletes are constantly battling injuries and pain, and are susceptible to going down the path of opioids and prescription drugs.
Dana White, the UFC president was quoted as saying, ‘“Would you rather have these guys taking pain pills, sleeping pills?” And he’s right. CBD has been proven to be safe, effective, and non-addictive.
CBD’s Impacts on The Retail Industry
What does the popularity of CBD mean for the Cannabis retail industry? The Cannabis companies are extremely excited about the prospects of CBD and the potential market share.
Since CBD is federally legal, many people who wouldn’t have had access to it in the past can now try it without fear of legal repercussions.
CBD dispensaries are seemingly popping up in almost every town. In these CBD dispensaries, you can find CBD products made from hemp that are non-intoxicating and available to almost any age.
THC & CBD
In states where Cannabis is legal, products sold at marijuana dispensaries contain a mix of THC and CBD for various medical and recreational purposes.
These combination THC and CBD products are rated based on a ratio. For instance, a product with 1:1 CBD to THC ratio provides ‘relaxation with very light ‘high’ effects, with added calmness and tranquility’.
CBD In Dispensaries
At Grow America Builders, we look at every Cannabis dispensary design differently, but CBD should have a place among the shelves and displays in every new dispensary being constructed.
More and more consumers are coming to marijuana dispensaries looking for CBD products, thereby gaining the recreational benefits of the THC with the therapeutic benefits of enhanced CBD.
Conclusion
CBD is providing people with the opportunity to discover the benefits of Cannabis without being intoxicated or risk breaking the law. Whether it’s to treat insomnia, or remedy a child’s seizure, or to treat chronic knee pain; more and more people are realizing that these benefits are legitimate treatments to numerous ailments.