Cannavist 3

editor LETTER from the

Welcome to the first issue of The Cannavist!

A couple of months ago we decided to rebrand this magazine from Vapouround CBD in order to be more representative of the legal cannabis industry in the UK, while still staying true to our background. After much debate, and going back and forth, we settled on a name we feel best recognises what we want to do.

The Cannavist aims to be your go-to publication for everything to do with CBD and the long list of up and coming cannabinoids, and perhaps more importantly, the people who are benefitting from their discovery.

We’ve got a packed issue for you, with everything from the woman who supposedly inspired Oasis epic Wonderwall, to our top picks on CBD in food.

I’m writing this very brief note to you all from Barcelona, more specifically the World CBD Awards, which you can read more about on page 129. Did we meet at the Europe CBD Expo recently? Go to page 117 to relive the biggest CBD event to come to the UK yet.

Feeling like a motivational real-life story? Read our cover story featuring Brandon Stump of Charlie’s Chalk Dust and try not to get emotional, we dare you. He’s amazing!

This publication and the products shown herein are intended for an 18+ audience. The comments and opinions given by contributors to this publication are not the views of the editor or magazine, unless otherwise stated. The products featured in this magazine are not sponsored, were included at the decision of the editor / publisher and were not seen or altered by the suppliers in any way prior to publication. While every effort is made to respect editorial and advertising standards, Vapouround cannot accept liability for issues raised or comments made by those featured in this magazine. Should you have a query about the content in this publication, email the editor: roisin@cannavistmag.com

Director Pom Kaila

Razaque

The Editor Róisín Delaney Assistant Editor Gordon Stribling Journalist Lucy MacKinnon

Executive Anna Difusco Finance Executive Lauren Pilliner

Marketing Manager Katie Loomes

Potter

Design Manager Hayley Parker Creative Director James Parnell Lead Graphic Designer Victoria Smith Graphic Designer Connor Dimberline Junior Graphic Designer Ayaz Arshad

EXTRACT the

Abercrombie & Fitch have announced plans to sell Green Growth Brands in 160 of their US stores. After a successful pilot run, which saw the CBD range sold in 10 stores, the teen retailer has decided to make products available at over 60% of their stateside locations. Abercrombie & Fitch will stock sugar scrubs, lip balms and body lotions from Green Growth Brands’ Seventh Sense Botanical Therapy line.

CELEBRITY TREATMENT SKIN-TO-SKIN

US model, actress and reality star Kimora Lee Simmons recently opened a luxury Korean Spa offering CBD treatments with her friend Anna Margaryan. Kim Kardashian, Jessica Alba, Demi Moore and Angelica Huston have all visited Pellequr, located in Beverly Hills where treatments start from $175.

Image Credit: @abercrombie

Results from a recent skin survey conducted by Botanix Pharmaceuticals have shown that CBD alters immune and inflammatory response pathways. These reactions were found in skin biopsies taken from Australian psoriasis patients and symbolise the potential for CBD to be used as a topical treatment option for other skin problems like acne and eczema in the future. The results from this dermatological study have boosted confidence for a phase two study which is currently underway.

DEMENTIA DISCOVERIES

51% of seniors who have used CBD say the cannabinoid has improved their quality of life. Remedy Review surveyed 1,000 over 54s and revealed that of the nine percent who have tried CBD, more than half agreed it had an overall improvement on their quality of life.

Finding that the most popular administration method was using CBD oil drops, the research discovered the most common use was to manage inflammation. The results show 41 % used CBD to help with chronic pain, 39 percent used CBD to help them sleep and 32% said it was to combat the swelling and pain symptoms of arthritis.

Discussions between the Aryshire County Council and Australian medical cannabis company LeafCann are underway following the proposal of Scotland’s first cannabis farm. Monica Lennon, spokesperson for Scottish Labour Health has called these negotiations ‘encouraging’.

SENIOR FREEDOM TO FARM CBDUNKABLES

Oreo and Triscuit-maker Mondelēz International is considering developing a CBD-infused cookie. CEO Dirk Van De Put said that the company has not yet come to a decision on whether cannabidiol will be added to existing products or if Mondelēz will release a new product line specifically for CBD.

20 long-term care facilities in Ontario are taking part in a study investigating the use of CBD as a treatment for dementia symptoms. Preliminary data from 500 patients suffering from insomnia, pain, anxiety and disruptive behaviour will be released in six months’ time. A UK study investigating the effects of CBD and THC drug Sativex on dementia will take place in the Autumn. The study is funded by Alzheimer’s Research UK.

EDIBLES OUT BRITISH HEMPIRE

New York State’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is cracking down on CBD-infused food and drinks. CBD is federally legal in the US. However, the Food and Drug Administration prohibits CBD as a food supplement and is instructing health inspectors to watch out for violations. Businesses found to be breaking this rule from October 1 will face fines ranging from $250 - $600.

The benefits and sustainability of hemp are being analysed in the newest and largest UK study of its kind. More than 200 million hemp plants are being grown in Market Harborough, Leicestershire as part the research project. The crop can absorb as much CO2 in its 120-day growth cycle as an ordinary forest can in 25 years.

know

63

Almost two thirds (63%) of Londoners think that cannabis should be legalised for recreational use, according to a recent poll.

The poll was commissioned by the Evening Standard and independent think tank Volteface.

The findings reflect an increased appetite for reform since a YouGov poll taken last year showed a 50/50 split in opinion.

Just under a fifth of respondents to the Survation survey opposed the reclassification of the Class B drug.

The margin of pro and anti-legalisation opinion was slimmer through the rest of the UK, where 47% or respondents were for and 30% against reform.

The greatest support was among the 25-34-year-old age group, with 65% supporting and just 15% opposing legalisation.

Respondents were also asked which arguments they found the most persuasive – 72% were convinced by the potential economic benefit of taking £2.5bn from criminals to inject into the regular economy.

66% believed it could lead to a reduction in violence and exploitation while 68% were convinced by the potential £1bn in tax revenues a legal market could generate.

The poll also addressed some of the potential negative effects of legalisation – 66% of respondents were concerned about the potential association between cannabis and mental illness and 65% feared that legalised recreational cannabis could lead to an increase in car accidents.

Almost half of the respondents were concerned that legalisation could lead to wider drug reform.

Liz McCulloch, director of policy for Volteface, said: “This is the first time the public have been asked what arguments for and against they find most convincing.

“The result shows the economic incentive is most prominent, as well as health concerns to limit potency of cannabis, which probably reflects concerns around the harms of high potency cannabis known as ‘skunk’.

“The link between heavy use of skunk and psychosis rightly worries the public, so legalisation campaigners would have to assure the public that it would lead to fewer mental health cases, not more.”

The push for reform has received support from across the political spectrum, including the Conservative party, which has historically opposed any liberalisation of the drug laws.

The party launched the Conservative Drug Policy Reform Group (CDPRG) on June 27.

In an opinion piece published in the Evening Standard, Conservative MP for Sutton Coldfield and a former Cabinet minister Andrew Mitchell argued that a decriminalised market would be beneficial to public health and reduce crime.

Mr Mitchell wrote:

“The clear truth is that the evidence for reform on both medicinal and recreational cannabis is strong.

“Let’s get the evidence and the debate out in the open, and let’s talk about an issue that has haunted the centre-right in a mature and fact-based way.”

“The clear truth is that the evidence for reform on both medicinal and recreational cannabis is strong”

God bless

AMERICA

More and more men and women Stateside are warming up to using CBD on a regular basis. And ladies are leading the way for wellness, according to new data.

said they had tried it

respondents said they had heard of CBD say they use it regularly

A Harris poll of over 2000 Americans asked about the use and perceptions of CBD for Quartz.

RELAXATION

More women than men said they use CBD to help them relax and for relief from stress and anxiety.

STRESS / ANXIETY

Top 5 Reasons for using CBD in 2019, according to new data 1. Relaxation

Stress/anxiety relief

To improve sleep

To relieve muscle aches

To relieve chronic pain

results from data originally published by qz.com, conducted by the Harris Poll.

WOMEN

CUBID CBD MOVEMENT

MEDICAL CANNABIS INQUIRY FINDS THE GOVERNMENT FAILED THE BRITISH PUBLIC

WHEN MEDICAL CANNABIS WAS LEGALISED IN THE UK, THE GOVERNMENT FAILED TO COMMUNICATE WHO WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR TREATMENT AND HOW THESE NEW MEDICINES WOULD BE ACCESSED, RAISING THE HOPES OF THOUSANDS OF PATIENTS.

when medicinal cannabis was legalised last November, the government failed to communicate that most cannabis-based prescription medicines remain governed by a restrictive prescribing process, according to a parliamentary inquiry.

A cross-party Health and Social Care Committee has found this in turn unduly raised the hopes and expectations of patients and their families.

The report, published in July, outlines that the British public believed the rescheduling would enable medicinal cannabis to be prescribed for a range of ailments and illnesses.

However, currently the only licensed cannabisbased product for medicinal use in humans (CBPMs) in the UK is Sativex. It can be prescribed for treatment of multiple sclerosis symptoms. However Sativex is not regularly prescribed and, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, is not cost effective.

WORDS BY LUCY MACKINNON

The report recommends:

“The Home Office, Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHS England should consult relevant patient and professional organisations and form a communications plan to relay clear information to patients about the availability of CBPMs and the need for further research.”

The publication also encourages the NHS to make structures for prescribing more transparent and calls on the government to support the research community to improve healthcare.

It also states that patient voices should be listened to in the creation of medicinal cannabis guidelines by the DHSC, and that long-term international deals need to be secured to ensure a constant supply of medicinal cannabis products into the country.

The inquiry also welcomed calls from the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) for research proposals into such products.

It was argued DHSC and the NIHR should encourage further research into specific conditions that were outlined by the Chief Medical Officer’s report, that found good evidence for the use of cannabis based medicinal products.

Currently other CBPMs can be prescribed by specialist doctors who are on the Specialist Register of the General Medical Council, however many are hesitant to do so. This is likely due to these products being unlicensed, having not been assessed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency or the European Medicines Agency.

Professor Mike Barnes, who provides Drug Policy Reform evidence, said:

“The main barrier, to be honest, is education. There are bureaucratic barriers, but I think they can be overcome. I think most doctors do not want to prescribe because they do not understand the nature of cannabis. They do not understand what dose to give or in what format to give it. We can overcome that with an educational programme; there are one or two around at the moment.”

This was emphasised in the inquiry which found the NHS should “issue targeted guidance to practitioners and pharmacists explaining the procedure for prescribing and supplying cannabis-based products for medicinal use in humans.”

E-learning modules for circulation to clinicians are currently underway from Health Education England, which could potentially begin to rectify the issue of misinformation.

The report also stated that action is needed to be taken as a matter of urgency.

“The government should focus efforts in facilitating research especially in those areas where there is greatest patient need, as in the case of children with intractable epilepsy.”

“I think most doctors do not want to prescribe because they do not understand the nature of cannabis.”

WORDS BY GORDON STRIBLING

CONTROL Taking BACK

ONE MAN’S JOURNEY FROM HEROIN ADDICTION

TO CEO OF A WORLD-LEADING BRAND

‘It’s from cannabis, but it doesn’t get you high’ is a refrain commonly used by CBD advocates. This can be an important distinction for people who’ve discovered the benefits of cannabis via the nonrecreational route.

But for Brandon Stump, co-founder of Charlie’s Chalk Dust, makers of the Pachamama range, staying clear-headed is literally a matter of life and death.

“I just assumed [CBD] was marijuana-related,” Brandon explains when we catch up on the phone. He takes my call en route to Colorado from Charlie’s HQ in California.

“I wasn’t educated on the products. I’m a sober guy myself, I have almost 10 years of sobriety, I don’t smoke weed or ingest THC.”

The growth of CBD within the vape industry he works in forced Brandon to re-evaluate his opinion. After treating a basketball injury with CBD, he finally understood the hype.

But it’s little wonder he was so reluctant to try CBD given his tumultuous past.

What began with casual partying in high school would soon spiral through psychedelics and cocaine at college and led onto opiates. Percocet opened the door to Brandon’s descent into heroin addiction.

“Once you get addicted to heroin you don’t really have a choice. You wake up every day, you’re a slave to the drug and it takes your entire life.

“It destroyed my life and ran it into the ground.”

Brandon dropped out, lost all his jobs and got caught in a cycle of overdosing, hospital visits and rehab. “I was working for my Pops trying to sell copier machines in Cleveland Ohio and couldn’t keep a needle out of my arm and overdosed at work and crashed my car. He gave me one shot and said I could go to rehab.”

Thinking that Ohio was the problem, Brandon moved to a facility in California. But sobriety only bookended his bouts of heroin-use over the next two years.

It took a life changing spiritual experience to shake him to act.

“I was in my car and I remember writing in my journal, ‘Hey God, if you exist, get off that cloud, come into this car and change my life because I’m going to die in a few days, I can feel it.”

The next morning, Brandon snuck into a nearby hotel cafeteria and posed as a guest in a doomed attempt to get a free coffee. For a salesman who always got what he wanted, this was an indignity too far.

Realising that he could probably blag a cigarette and a cup of coffee from a nearby AA meeting, he jumped in his car and headed back out. But before going into the building, he considered a different approach.

“I decided to try to be sober for just one day. That was nine years ago. I haven’t touched a drug or drink since.

“I believe that God did come into that car and do something like I’d prayed for the night before. I did get a cup of coffee and I did get a cigarette and that started my journey working the 12 steps to change my life.”

After four ‘miraculous’ months of sobriety, Brandon returned to his hometown, where many of his old friends were in the grip of heroin addiction.

They instantly saw the change in him and asked for his help in doing the same. So he invited them to move in and gave them tasks to do while he was at work.

“I really just tried to take them under my wing and show them what I was doing.

“I realised that these people were staying sober and living a life beyond their wildest dreams. I was contributing to their life changes and was having a lot of fun doing it.”

Before long, Brandon was getting calls from people asking for a room in the ‘Ohio House’. But it wasn’t a business yet and it certainly couldn’t meet the demand. He needed another house and a program built on his own experiences and passion for helping others.

“I called my Pops to ask if I could borrow $20,000 to start the business. He laughed and said no, but I started my journey and today we have over 20 properties and have helped over one thousand people achieve a full year of sobriety.”

The Ohio House works with all the major inpatient rehab centres in the US.

Clients spend 30 days in residential treatment and can then move to a long-term extended care program for seven months to a year.

“We also have a medical detox facility called The Mend. That program has changed the lives of thousands of people and it’s an amazing organisation.”

It was in 2014 that the committed Newport-smoker discovered vaping, a harm and cost-reduction solution that he would pass onto the residents of the Ohio House. It turned out that Brendon had quite a knack for making vape liquid.

“I sold 200 bottles and for me, I was really fired up because I’ve always been in sales. But when I started the Ohio House program, I was providing a service and I really wasn’t selling anything.

“I made the decision that I was going to get into the vape industry. I was going to deliver a brand.”

That brand would become Charlie’s Chalk Dust.

Among the team were graduates of the Ohio House program drafted in to work in sales or marketing at the warehouse.

Five years on, everyone working at Charlie’s is sober from the program and The Ohio House has begun to incorporate CBD into its addiction treatment.

As for Brandon, his journey has gone full circle.

“I actually have some studies going on right now at my detox facility on how CBD can help with heroin withdrawal.”

Meg-a starCBD

Wonder-oil? Meg Mathews’ brEAKS ground in menopause relief

After conquering the music management world, entrepreneur and activist Meg Mathews set her sights on dominating a less rock ‘n’ roll industry: menopausal relief.

The creator and founder of Meg’s Menopause (MM) and ex-wife of Noel Gallagher tells The Cannavist about her range of natural CBD products and her ambitions with CBD.

A: It started over a year ago when a girlfriend of mine was over from New York. Every night I would see her taking these CBD drops. I was intrigued and she asked me to give it a go, so I did.

I started to take it every morning and night and after seven days, I felt like a new woman.

At first, I noticed a huge difference in my anxiety levels and I was sleeping much better. But as I continued to take it, I noticed so many more of my symptoms lessening, if not disappearing.

WORDS BY LUCY MACKINNON

A: I started talking to James, the owner of the company who made the CBD drops and asked all about CBD and the company itself. As I was talking to him, I had a “lightbulb moment” and asked him if he thought it would be possible for me to bring out a range targeted at women over 50 going through the menopause.

He loved the idea, so I took a month, kept taking the drops and did my own research into CBD and the effects it could have on women going through the menopause. After this month, I went back to James and we decided to work together to create the M Blend.

Q: Can you tell us about your background with CBD?

Q: How did this develop into a business?

A: The M Blend is a sister company to the MM range. Both are aimed at women going through the different stages of the menopause, but both have different functions, so we decided to keep them as different companies.

A: In all honesty, when it comes to the farm side of the business I don’t know very much. I’m not very involved in that side of things. I fully trust the team, they’ve always done a great job, so I leave that side of the business to them.

A: Yes, there was definitely a huge gap in the market. That’s why I created the M Blend, to fill that space and bring CBD to these women who needed it.

Of course, all the M Blend products can be taken by anybody, but I wanted to have something that was more readily available and promoted for these women who could benefit from them most.

A: I would 100% recommend CBD for any woman dealing with any one of the 34 symptoms of the menopause, especially for those suffering with headaches, anxiety, insomnia or aches and pains. Personally, I’ve noticed the most changes in these symptoms. It’s a real game changer for us women dealing with menopausal symptoms.

A: Menopause is seen as a taboo subject. Women have been brought up not knowing about the menopause, let alone talking about it. And as well as that, we were expected to just deal with it. But that’s what I’m here to change. It’s why I started MM in the first place. Because we deserve better than that.

A: A lot of alternative synthetic medicines can be so harmful for not just our bodies, but the environment as well. As our bodies are processing these materials, it can be causing serious harm, specifically to our organs such as our heart and liver. Natural products are processed differently, causing a lot less harm to our bodies, which is especially important for us women going through the menopause as our bodies are already going through so much.

A:

most of my friends have starting using CBD

after seeing how much of a difference it made to my life. It’s not my place to say exactly who is or isn’t using CBD, but it’s definitely being used by many people around me.

Yes,

products

Q: And is this part of the MM range?

Q: How involved are you in the farming side of the business?

Q: Do you think there is a lack of CBD products designed for women over 50?

Q: What would you say to others considering using CBD for menopausal symptoms?

Q: Why do you think the menopause is not often discussed?

Q: And why are natural products important?

Q: Is the use of CBD prominent in your circle of friends?

CBD GAVE ME my life back

When various medications repeatedly failed to combat her non-epileptic seizures, Rachel Whitchurch decided to take a different route and last year discovered a more natural option: CBD.

“I was having two seizures in a day and one whilst I slept before taking CBD. I had constant seizure headaches and woke up with dislocated shoulders, fingers, knees, ankles, you name it. But now I’m at the point where I’ve only had two seizures this year.”

Her CBD adventure started by reading testimonials online about how cannabinoids had reduced seizures in fellow non-epileptic seizure patients.

On the hunt to find the same kind of relief, Rachel visited a local vape shop in Bambury and asked for some advice. She left the same day with a simple vape pen and her first bottle of CBD vape liquid.

“I was willing to try anything … I thought, ‘OK, I have to try something because I am just getting no quality of life here.’

“I couldn’t cook properly, I lived on my own and I didn’t really get to go out or do anything because I was just so ill. I either had migraines from seizures or I was actually having a seizure.”

Hesitant about the concept of vaping, being a religious non-smoker, Rachel told us she approached the idea with caution because of the branding around e-cigarettes.

After asking a friend to set up her new device, Rachel waited until the signs of a seizure started to appear and then inhaled CBD vapour for the first time.

“I wasn’t convinced it was going to help but I felt a sort

BY LUCY MACKINNON

Rachel Whitchurch from Banbury suffers from non-epileptic seizures but credits CBD oil for giving her a quality of life back.

of burning at the bottom of my back and I was thinking, ‘this is really scary – but let’s go with it’ and then all of a sudden it just stopped. “I was really tired afterwards, but I hadn’t actually had a seizure. So, I called my friend and said, ‘I’m not sure if this is just me – or did this really just work?’”

She continued to vape CBD oil each time she felt a seizure coming on and was astonished at the rate it was reducing them. A month later, Rachel invested in a bigger, better device.

Although she finds vaping to be the fastest and most effective way to combat her seizures, Rachel has tried other CBD products and consumes CBD sweets when travelling, as stress is a major trigger for her.

“I can’t vape on the train, so I try to keep calm and take some CBD sweets. The first time I tried them I didn’t know if it would work but it did, it just washed over me, and my body was saying, ‘you can let go now.’

“Now I can get my life back, I can start planning the future a bit more, I don’t have to think, ‘oh no I can’t do this’ because I might have a seizure. I can make plans for next month and know I’ll be able to keep them.

“Since taking CBD I’ve been able to start baking, I’ve made cakes for people, I’ve started going out a lot more to see my friends and I’ve even been able to adopt a kitten which is something I’ve always wanted to do, but before it was never safe enough.”

Rachel was over the moon when she discovered that

CBD is now available on prescription in the UK in special circumstances as it would significantly reduce the amount of financial strain she is facing. But after speaking to three different doctors and a neurologist she is yet to be accepted and has been told that she does not meet the required guidelines to be given a prescription.

“For the really decent stuff in my area it’s about £50 but that’s only going to last me two weeks at a stretch. That’s £100 a month and it becomes a matter of I either have to eat or have CBD.

“People think a seizure lasts only five or ten minutes, but it’s not just the actual seizure itself, it’s how it makes you feel afterwards. It’s like spending a few hours in the gym and then putting your fingers in electrical sockets.”

Because of the difference it’s made in her life Rachel regrets waiting so long to try CBD oil. She believes there is a lack of information easily accessible to those that need it and the stigma around using CBD often puts people off.

Trying to explain that taking cannabidiol was not ‘doing drugs’ to her parents was something Rachel found challenging.

“That’s a big thing, trying to get people to step away from the idea that its cannabis so you must be ‘doing drugs.’ There is a big stigma around it when there shouldn’t be.

“I just wish I’d started using CBD sooner because it has changed my life so much, I could have had months longer with less problems. I just want to be able to help others get the help I have.”

“Now I can get my life back, I can start planning the future a bit more, I don’t have to think ‘oh no

I can’t do this’ because I might have a seizure”

ALL BETS ARE OFF

DAN BILZERIAN SET TO IGNITE THE UK’S LEGAL CANNABIS SCENE WITH A CBD-INFUSED LIFESTYLE LIKE YOU’VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE.

WORDS BY ROISIN DELANEY

DAN BILZERIAN WILL NEED LITTLE INTRODUCTION TO MANY OF OUR MILLENNIAL OR GEN Z READERS. BUT FOR THE UNINITIATED, THE HIGH-STAKES POKER PLAYER WITH PRESIDENTIAL AMBITIONS (IF TRUMP CAN DO IT...) IS BEST KNOWN FOR A CRAZY PARTY LIFESTYLE, AN IMPOSSIBLY GOOD LOOKING ENTOURAGE, HIS CHISELLED PHYSIQUE AND A CELEBRITY CIRCLE OF FRIENDS, ALL OF WHICH IS CHRONICLED ON INSTAGRAM.

IN 2018, THE FORMER BUSINESS AND CRIMINOLOGY STUDENT BURST ONTO THE CANNABIS SCENE WITH HIS IGNITE BRAND. WE CAUGHT UP WITH DAN TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT LAUNCHING HIS ‘IGNITED KINGDOM’ IN THE UK.

Why did you get involved in the legal cannabis community?

Back in 2016, I noticed the industry started to pick up. Legalisation was on the horizon in some US states and in Canada.

I recognised that most of the companies out there were not doing it right. The quality of products in the marketplace was subpar and there were essentially no

brands. I started to form the idea for what would become IGNITE. The focus was to provide consumers with the best products available.

I remember a specific post I had created on Instagram. I was with a girl and there was a ton of marijuana plants behind us. That post did better than basically anything I had ever posted. So, it was immediately clear that I already had an audience for this kind of thing and that I had the power to really break into the industry and do something nobody else was doing.

Tell us about the brand, what are your hopes for IGNITE here in the UK?

Our first consumer products rolled out in October 2018 with CBD disposable vape pens, CBD tinctures, cannabis pre-rolls and cannabis vape pens. At IGNITE, we put out the most consistent, highest-quality products available in the cannabis and CBD industry, with recognised branding backed by superior marketing and a massive social media following.

How is this different to your previous experiences?

I think in a lot of ways my reputation precedes me on this. I’ve been known for my social media presence and as a poker player but the best way to describe myself is an entrepreneur. I take pride in everything I do and IGNITE is my biggest venture yet.

What would you say are your goals now?

I always tell people that I want IGNITE to be the Coca-Cola of cannabis and CBD. I want to be that leading brand that’s instantly recognisable in every dispensary in the US and around the world; that brand where you know exactly what to expect as soon as you pick up the package or see the logo.

To that end, we’re always pushing outward and upwards, trying to capture bigger markets. We do this by creating products that appeal to every kind of consumer.

Vaping, for instance. We see it as, in a lot of ways, the future of the industry. That’s what we’ve seen from our numbers. So, I’d love to have a single proprietary device that lets a user switch between THC pods, CBD pods and nicotine pods. Hell, I’d even like to have caffeine and hookah options added to that list. I want us to have a hand in all of it!

“I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE WAKING UP TO HOW AWESOME CBD CAN BE FOR AN ACTIVE LIFESTYLE.”

What do you bring to this community that others don’t?

I think we’re the only brand on the market that has exactly that: a brand. We’re not trying to run a slipshod operation that just puts out some half-assed products and uses Instagram to push them.

From a production perspective, we partner with the best in the industry and vet every operation inside and out before we consider any one as a partner. Our QA team ensures that every IGNITE-branded product meets the highest standards for quality. That way you don’t use one of our products once and build an expectation, then get sent to the moon next time you try it because the batches are so different.

We’re going for the same consumer-brand consistency that you would expect out of any CPG [Consumer Packaged Goods] product you find at any store. This is what we promise to provide.

What aspect of CBD are you most excited about? As a guy who’s in the gym a lot, I’m really fascinated by what CBD can do in the world of fitness and athletics. Whether it’s CBD topicals for targeting inflammation or if it’s hitting a pen after a hard workout and getting relief

from that soreness, I think a lot of people are waking up to how awesome CBD can be for an active lifestyle.

Another thing that’s really cool about CBD is that it works as an awesome alternative to smoking. If you can get a guy to trade cigarettes and that nicotine rush for the relief and de-stress of CBD, they realise it’s a whole different way to relax and get rid of that anxiety in a much healthier context.

The above image was originally published on Instagram by @danbilzerian / @ignite

NUN’S

The documentary BreakingHabits had the potential to push the Sisters of the Valley global brand further. Unimpressed with the ‘pulp fiction version’ of her life, Sister Kate tells The Cannavist’s Lucy MacKinnon the real story.

sister Kate traded in her fast-paced lifestyle in the male dominated business world of communications after facing years of sexism and moved to California. In 2014 she chose a new path – one potted with cannabis.

Arming herself with a habit and a strong sense of spirituality, Sister Kate found a higher calling in the cannabis industry and started up a movement of likeminded women which has become known as The Sisters of the Valley.

She had hoped BreakingHabits , a documentary released last year, would bring awareness to her spiritual CBD company, but was left disappointed by Hollywood dramatisation.

“There’s no sense from that film that we’re women working with sick people all day long, and that we’re focused on healing. That got lost in the guns and nuns extravaganza, but that is what we do.”

The documentary, produced by Salon Pictures, emphasised the efforts The Sisters went to in order to protect their crops from thieves in 2016. After hiring crop security and arming herself with a gun and guard dogs,

Sister Kate would stay overnight in an RV watching over her plants.

She ended up in a shootout once with thieves, until she tricked them into thinking she was on the phone to 911.

Luckily, these incidents have ceased and the cartel-style crop-watch is no longer necessary.

Based in the Central Valley, this new age order of Beguine women live, work and pray together, aligning their production of hemp to the moon cycle.

The Sisters begin their planting on a new moon, a spiritual symbol of new beginnings. By the arrival of the full moon, a sign of completion, they have produced their full line.

With an aim to empower, educate and employ spiritual women, The Sisters of the Valley pay their members a fair wage, enabling them to be completely devoted without compromising their financial, spiritual balance.

“It is providing housing, healthcare, job and career path security, and once you have all that, it allows women to blossom in their spirituality and in their activism.”

Banks, permits and court orders

“It was a triple shot to the bow. It was the loss of banking, the banning of hemp, and then we got a cease and desist order to close down our manufacturing operations for not being permitted.”

After seeing the trailer for Breaking Habits, The Sister’s bank delivered an ultimatum: bank elsewhere or ensure the balance of your account remains above $60,000.

Viewing the industry as high risk, the bank’s actions threatened their survival.

Relying on public donations and the money pot put aside for their retirement, the organisation struggled to stay afloat.

At the time of our mid-July interview, The Sisters await a site visit from the president of a North Carolina bank who is considering their case.

The absence of a business permit could complicate this deal. That’s a whole other issue. Despite repeated applications for a business permit, The Sisters of the Valley operations in Merced County have not been granted one.

Sister Kate

She describes herself as an ‘accidental nun’ and says her sisterhood is a group of Beguine revivalists. The Beguines pre-date Christianity, and their mission is simple: to reward women with independence and wealth. By working, praying and living together, and taking life-time vows The Sisters, by definition, are nuns.

This led to them recently receiving a cease and desist order for operating without the necessary papers, and The Sisters were told to shut down their manufacturing and processing operations.

However, Sister Kate has a plan. She has had regular meetings with a representative of the County Sheriffs Marijuana Enforcement Team and hopes to be granted a permit soon.

She says a sergeant told her, “You stay in your CBD, nonpsychoactive, non-smokable lane and I will help you. Just be real loud about the fact that this weed won’t get anyone high.”

The addition of a 45-day hemp ban issued by Merced County made the waters even more treacherous, but Sister Kate remains optimistic.

“What’s happened as a result of the hemp ban has forced me to talk to everybody and forced the county to figure out a way not to shut us down.”

Instead of focussing on what is best for profit and production, The Sisters of the Valley want to do what’s best for their plants, community and products. They propose ‘a women model’.

“We think that with cannabis and hemp products local is best just like honey. We want a women model; a women model is ‘let’s get every village making their own medicine’ model.”

Organic CBD protein products can boost your performance in the gym and much like synthetic protein powders, contain beneficial nutrients – without any harmful chemicals. Using third party tested, natural additive like CBD protein can positively influence your workout regime by helping the body stay active and avoiding muscle spasms during strenuous exercise.

1. Power to the Protein 2. Exercise and the ECS

Taking a few drops of CBD oil a short time pre-workout can also have a positive influence on your performance. When soaked up by salivary glands, CBD is entered into the blood stream and stimulates the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and its receptors positioned all over the body. This has been shown to balance energy levels, mood and improves homeostasis and which can have a positive influence in activities like yoga and pilates.

Fail to prepare… and relax…

3. H2Oh! 4. Blissful Bath Time

Keeping hydrated is essential pre, during and post-workout. For extra calm when cooling down after a crazy cardio class, try sipping on a CBD water. With 60% of the body made up of water, water soluble CBD is rapidly absorbed when you need it most.

Post-sweat sesh, there’s nothing like a long soak after pushing those muscles to the max. Make your bath time more relaxing with a CBD bath bomb, which may also help reduce DOMS. Game-changer.

5. Mindful

Massages

Massage therapy has been used for centuries to relieve tension, calming the mind, body and soul. A deep sports massage is recommended if you push your body to its limits on a regular basis, and CBD oils can make this even more soothing. CBD’s natural anti-inflammatory properties get to work whilst your connective tissues are in recovery mode.

Wick Liquor Ultra

Wick Liquor Ultra is a 1000mg unflavoured CBD additive and oral tincture that can either be dripped directly under the tongue, or added to your favourite shortfill E liquid. Presented as the perfect solution for users who require flexibility from their CBD consumption, Ultra is offered in a 10ml bottle size, making it easily carried on a daily basis.

Flavourless and ready to use straight from the bottle, Ultra is best enjoyed as a sublingual dosage, allow ing you to have hassle-free CBD doses on-the-move. Adding your chosen dose to your E liquid will instantly create a CBD infusion, which brings the benefits of hemp extracted isolate CBD to your

Scientist ASK THE

NOT ALL CBD IS MADE THE SAME

Richard Cunningham, PhD explains the many ways CBD is extracted from the luscious leaves of our hero hemp plant.

A recent publication from a research team from the University of Berkeley, California, managed to bio-engineer yeast to produce cannabinoids such as CBD and THC using only sugar as fuel. In the future, these yeast ‘factories’ may result in much more cost effective and environmentally favourable ways of producing desirable cannabinoids.

However, at the moment, we are not quite there yet, and CBD needs to be extracted from industrial hemp before it can be utilised.

As CBD is a lipophilic (fat soluble) molecule, you need a solvent that CBD is soluble in to extract it from the hemp plant.

Most commonly, ethanol or else supercritical CO2 is employed, although other solvents can be employed such as butane, but residual solvent could be an issue with butane.

Ethanol extraction

Ethanol is passed over the plant material, in which it solubilises the compounds found in the leaf including cannabinoids and terpenes, while leaving behind the unwanted fibrous materials.

However, as ethanol can also solubilise water soluble components it will also take along other components such as chlorophyll, which is why some products that have had little subsequent purification can be green.

Ethanol is highly efficient in extracting from hemp and ethanol itself has GRAS status which means it is generally recognised as safe. Most people drink it after all.

More complex industrial systems can control the temperature of ethanol during the extraction process, minimising the quantity of unwanted components. After extraction ethanol is removed from the solid matter and evaporated under reduced pressure.

Supercritical CO2 extraction

CO2 extraction is a bit more complex and uses supercritical CO2, normal states of matter which everyone will be aware of is solid, liquid and gas.

However, under specific pressured conditions CO2, beyond its critical point and above 31.10 °C, the distinct boundaries of solid and gas no longer exist as the supercritical CO2 can effuse through solids, while still solubilising components like a liquid.

One great example of using supercritical CO2 is in the preparation of decaffeinated coffee, where it is used to extract the caffeine from the coffee beans while leaving the bean intact.

Notably in hemp, cannabinoids don’t exist naturally in the form you will most commonly be aware of such as CBD and THC, in fact they are found as their acidic precursor and require a process called decarboxylation. This process, involving the loss of CO2 from the molecule is catalysed through heat and time.

After initial extraction, be it using solvents such as ethanol, butane or CO2, you will be left with what is effectively a crude oil. If you are involved in the purchase of CBD oil extract you may has seen this and this is generally the cheapest option available from suppliers and would likely have low CBD content in around the 10% region.

Products using this would have a very strong grass-like taste, while still containing the full range of terpenes and oils found naturally within the plant.

The next step of purification is to remove any of the unwanted components, this can utilise refinement processes such as winterisation or distillation.

Winterisation

In the process of winterisation, the crude extract is solubilised in an alcohol, namely ethanol, in which it is

cooled to near freezing temperatures, and henceforth the name. As solubility is a variable dependent upon temperature, those components less soluble in ethanol, (like waxes, chlorophyll and other fats) will precipitate out of the solution and can then be filtered off and discarded.

A way to think of this in an everyday example is where sugar will collect in the bottom of a cold cup of coffee. After this winterisation process you will be left with CBD oils that will be much higher in CBD content with up to 66% CBD and other cannabinoids.

Short path distillation

The other method of refinement is known as short path distillation. Going back to our school days, you may remember doing distillation, and this process is pretty much the same. As different compounds have different boiling points, they can be separated through applying heat under reduced pressure. This vapour will then travel through a column which is cooled, causing the vapour to condense and it can then be isolated.

This process allows CBD oil to be isolated containing up to 90% CBD content, along with other cannabinoids.

One thing to note is that in both refinement processes, a lot, if not all of the terpene profiles will be lost. Many manufacturers will add the specific terpenes back in at the end of the process to the refined oil.

Isolate

This is CBD with everything else removed, and only pure CBD.

CBD isolate is prepared by a process called column chromatography. Again, from your school days you may remember doing an experiment where you blotted ink on a piece of paper and placed it in a glass jar with a carrier solution ‘the eluent’. As the eluent (or you can also call this the mobile phase) travels up along the paper, you would have seen the ink separating out into different colours. This effect is due to how different compounds interact with the paper, the more the molecule ‘interacts’ with the stationary phase (the paper), the slower it will rise. Each molecule is slightly different, and you can then see them all separate out.

Although that was a very simplistic description, the method for purifying crude CBD oils work much the same. The crude oil will be loaded onto a stationary phase such as silica gel and then an eluent will be fed through the column. As each component will have differing affinities

More often than not, in rapidly growing industries people will try and take shortcuts or mislabel inferior products, so it is good to be aware that you are getting the quality product that you are paying for. If you’re buying a CBD product anytime soon, ask the seller for as much information as possible. When it comes to CBD, there’s no such thing as too much information.

So,

YOU THINK CANNABIS IS LEGAL IN THE NETHERLANDS?

The Netherlands is considered by many to have some of the most liberal and progressive drug laws in the world. But strict regulations govern the production and sale of cannabis and cannabis-derived products, including CBD, as The Cannavist’s Lucy MacKinnon has discovered.

Quick history lesson. Without getting too deep into dusty history books, The Netherlands have been miles ahead when it comes to cannabis-based products for decades. The Dutch Opium Law was first enforced a century ago in the country, and many of the laws around CBD there stem from this.

In 1919, List I substances became illegal. This was followed up with the introduction of List II in 1928. List I now covers ‘hard drugs’ such as heroin and cocaine, and List II includes cannabis, CBD and hallucinogenic mushrooms. ‘Soft drugs’ such as these, are tolerated under strict terms and conditions.

In 1999, the Opium Act was amended to state that the growth of hemp plants containing less than 0.2 percent THC, used to produce CBD, would be legal in The Netherlands. However, the extraction process is still forbidden because it is seen to be the production of hard drugs. Therefore, the plant must be exported to other countries, manufactured into CBD and then transported back for sale.

The government has emphasised that CBD products on the Dutch market are legally required to contain no more 0.05% THC.

The Office of Medicinal Cannabis (OMC) opened in 2001 and since 2003 has granted Bedrocan with an exclusive license to produce and supply pharmacies with three types of medical cannabis flower. These prescription medicines contain various levels of CBD and THC. Patients can only be prescribed cannabis if standard treatments have proven to be ineffective or have caused intolerable side-effects.

Aware that it is almost impossible to eliminate recreational drug usage completely, the Dutch authorities operate toleration criteria to protect its people, policing and profitability. They argue that their pragmatic approach allows cannabis to be sold safely, generates profit from taxes and frees up police time to pursue serious criminals who profit from the sale of hard drugs.

TECHNICALITIES

The Netherlands does have a clear contradiction in its drug laws. Coffeeshops are permitted to buy and sell cannabis according to certain rules but suppliers are not actually allowed to grow plants or sell to these establishments. This is colloquially known as the ‘back door policy’.

The Public Prosecution Service does not prosecute coffeeshops even though their sales and possession within these establishments are technically offences. They also take this stance for individuals who are found with up to five grams of hash or cannabis.

Although coffeeshops are technically against the law, they are tolerated provided that certain strict rules are followed. The sale to under 18s and sales of quantities larger than five grams are forbidden. There must also be no advertising of drugs or public nuisance caused by these cafes and shops.

In 2017, the proximity regulations forced the closure of 28 coffeeshops, including one that had been in the business for 50 years called Mellow Yellow, which was shut down due to being within 250 metres of a school.

DON’T CONFUSE COFFEE HOUSE WITH KOFFIEHUIS.

A koffiehuis is a casual restaurant or bar. If you’re looking for a cannabis-infused café, look for a green and white sticker on the windows of coffee shops. Each municipality has control over its individual coffeeshop requirements, including the number of people allowed onsite, proximity policies and admission conditions. In 2013 a residency law was implemented across The Netherlands which stated that only residents could visit coffeeshops and purchase cannabis from them.

Before a sale is made, buyers are asked to give evidence of their residency by showing their residence permit or an identity permit, along with an extract from the municipal population register.

After considering the economic benefits cannabis tourism brings to the city, the mayor of Amsterdam opted out of the ‘weed pass’ scheme, so the law is not enforced in the capital.

GenCannaTM is a vertically integrated agriculture-technology company specializing in the production of hemp rich in CBD, and the manufacturing of world-class hemp-derived CBD products. An industry pioneer since 2014, GenCanna works closely with universities, consumer protection agencies and other regulatory bodies to drive key industry language and legislation. Consistent extraction methods and innovative processing technologies ensure GenCanna production processes exceed all regulatory standards for FDA registered and inspected food production facilities.

What do you do when your industry has no set standards?

THE LACK OF INDUSTRY-WIDE STANDARDS COULD BE A THREAT TO CBD’S SURVIVAL

WORDS By Lucy MacKinnon

Without clear and enforced regulations, it becomes difficult for reputable companies to prove they are committed to producing high quality, safe productsand easy for others to take shortcuts to cash in on the crop.

UK laws concerning THC content in CBD products and advertising restrictions have set some parameters for CBD companies to adhere to. But worryingly there are no rules concerning the actual manufacturing processes. This could be due to the industry being relatively new, or that there is a lack of research into safe manufacturing processes. For the time being, conforming to existing standards in other industries such as food and drugs is one way for brands to prove that they are doing everything in their power to produce safe products.

US company GenCanna focus on scaling premium agricultural hemp production for food products. Along with using independent third-party testing, Chief Sales and Marketing Manager Garrett Bain believes that conforming to the standards designed for the food market is the most effective way to reassure their customers of the safety and quality of their products.

With a lack of regulation, consistency controls and

standard operating procedures, trust in manufacturers is imperative.

Garrett said: “What we see in the marketplace is consumers looking to build trust with brands. The only way to build and gain that trust is through compliance and consistency and transparency.”

As market leaders take such measures, their rivals are likely to follow suit in order to stay competitive. But Garrett warns that an industry absent of regulation can invite ‘bad actors and opportunists.’

“They can manufacture sub-standard products in an unsafe environment, which is not good for building that trust.

“I think this is bad for the market in general because if there is a product safety issue then it tarnishes the reputation of the entire industry, not just one brand or producer.

“So, as an industry we should be banding together to enact standards. If they aren’t being handed down by regulators, then we need to impose them on ourselves.”

With a lack of involvement from regulatory bodies, the US CBD industry has been taking measures to selfregulate.

The US Hemp Roundtable has created the US Hemp Authority, a manufacturing accreditation seal that brands can apply to be certified for. Garrett describes this as ‘a pre-emptive push towards standards.’

These self-regulation tactics demonstrate that the industry is ‘trying to do the right thing’.

“The US market is creating a model that potentially global markets could follow.

“Establishing regulatory policies that ensures customers safety is imperative.”

Most other reputable products are expected to conform to regulations and accreditations, so Garrett poses the question:

“Why would we assume that this product should be any different?

“Consumers want protection, and the only way to do that is to work with legislators and regulators to create safety measures.”

Companies like GenCanna are doing everything in their power to ensure customer safety and satisfaction by setting their own high standards and benchmarks for the CBD industry, from plant to product to promotion.

Competitors will have little choice but stay in line if they hope to thrive in this highly competitive market.

“Trying to fight regulation is going to be detrimental to trust and to the consumers.”

“Establishing regulatory policies that ensures customers safety is imperative”

AS SEEN

on...

Mad Men actress Alison Brie is ahead of the curve, saying recently that she has been using CBD ‘for years.’ Brie posted to celebrate Manitoba Harvest and the brands recent broad spectrum launch, saying: “CBD is part of my daily wellness routine and I love the way I feel.” Working on spandex-laden Netflix series GLOW, which involves three-hour training sessions and performing her own wrestling stunts, Brie told The Hollywood Reporter her set medic advised her to use CBD for muscle recovery. “I’ve been using CBD products for muscle soreness for years, especially since working on ‘Glow’ and having an added level of muscle soreness, given all the wrestling and stunt work we do. I remember coming into the hair and makeup trailer one day and I was like, ‘Is someone smoking weed?’ And they were like, ‘No, it’s this cream.’”

Is there anyone left on Instagram who hasn’t tried CBD? From BBC documentaries to Netflix series, CBD is everywhere this summer.

Let’s Rock!

The lead vocalist of heavy metal band Five Finger Death Punch has launched his own CBD line. Ivan Moody created Moody’s Medicinals after CBD helped to ease his OCD, PTSD and anxiety symptoms. He then introduced his mother to the wellness product and she too noticed an improvement. The rocker said: “On the road, I’m often not able to eat on a normal schedule and Moody’s Medicinals has managed my appetite when I need it and helped me stay focused and healthy.”

watch this:

Can Cannabis Save My Child? on the BBC iPlayer. A BBC Scotland Disclosure documentary which follows the story of two Scottish mothers who smuggled prescription cannabis oil into the UK to treat their sons.

Miley’s Mane

Miley Cyrus’ hair stylist used a CBD serum in her hair to achieve the ultimate blonde beachy waves for her red carpet appearance at this summer’s Avengers: Endgame premiere. LA hair guru Aleksey Bishop said: “I used @nomadhaircare serum throughout that ends to piece it up a little,” (sic). The cruelty-free vegan product is called Transcend Serum and is described as ‘designer CBD haircare’ and it retails in the US for $54 (approx. £43) Nomad specialises in ‘clean, non-toxic beauty.’

Image credit: @aleksey_hair

Image credit: @ivanmoody

In honour of this summer’s mega Spice Girls reunion, we’ve picked some of the best herbs and spices, tried by us, to mix with CBD oil.

your life SPICE UP

DIY FACEMASK

Add a few drops of CUBID CBD’s oil drops to your DIY facemask every now and then, especially after being away on a sunny break.

Mix one tablespoon of oats with one teaspoon of room temperature manuka honey. Add a teaspoon of coconut oil and half a pipette of your favourite tincture. No need for a super high dose here.

Combine and apply to the face, avoiding the lips and eyes.

Wash off after 10 – 15 minutes.

Don’t worry if it feels like your face is rapidly cooling, let the CBD and peppermint do their thing.

skin brightening powers. We are loving these Bumblezest Turmeric, Ginger and CBD shots! Zigazig ah!

A no-brainer, right? Peppermint is probably the most popular flavour you’ll find in tinctures. But did you know this amazing plant oil has almost as many benefits as CBD itself? Peppermint oil can be used aromatically, topically and internally to address a plethora of health concerns, aiding everything from inflammation to symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) to from muscles aches and hay fever. According to the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, peppermint has significant antimicrobial and antiviral activities and is also a strong antioxidant.

GINGER

This wonder-spice kicks serious benefits boxes. High in gingerol, a substance with powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, ginger has long been used for fighting nausea.

Lady BUSINESS

It’s that time of the month – time to learn all about ladies within the CBD business. This issue, TheCannavist’s Claire Michalski meets two inspirational women making earth-shattering moves.

OHNE co-founders and best friends Nikki and Leah aren’t just going with the flow, they’re leading the way with organic period products and pro-period CBD oil.

It was actually a pretty natural transition. Once we discovered CBD for ourselves, it occurred to us that this could be an incredible tool for women who suffer from bad cramps, hormonal acne or menstrual migraines during their periods. Making periods easy is a mission of ours and after we found how CBD helped us during our own cycles, we knew we had to bring it to our customers too!

There’s no sob story! Anti-Teardrops is just a play on the idea that whatever’s pain ing you, CBD has your back. Our personal favourite ways to use it are by rubbing directly onto our bellies or backs, wherever the cramping is hitting hardest.

Yep! Leah first discovered it through a family friend who was using it to help with his cancer treatment. Leah began using it to help with her bad period pains and, once we started looking into the various benefits, that’s when I realised it might be able to help me out with my hormonally related skin problems.

HOW DID THIS LEAD TO DE VELOPING THE FIRST PRO-PE RIOD CBD OIL?

YOU’VE CALLED THE PRODUCT ‘ANTI-TEARDROPS’. IS THERE A SOB STORY BEHIND IT?

It’s definitely important to us. We absolutely love it ourselves and love that it’s a natural alternative. It’s also a way for us to talk about period pain, which is a real problem for so many women. It’s really an overlooked problem in medicine.

We like to use social media in a fun, light-hearted way and make no bones about our bold, unapologetic opinions and our pro-period mission. #myvaginasaysno is a hashtag we’ve been using since we launched in 2018.

Though it’s really important to note that just because there are more concentrated CBD products on the market doesn’t necessarily mean you should be using them or that they’re automatically more likely to help you. Our CBD is full-spec trum extract (no cheap CBD isolates here). Full-spectrum CBD extract, such as ours, is extremely effective at doses as low as 1%. Tl,dr: in our case, less is more!

We’ve chosen them because not only do they have a bunch of therapeutic and healing properties in their own right, but they are also known to work in conjunction with CBD to help bind and enhance the overall effect it has on the cannabinoid receptors found all over the body. There’s hemp seed oil (a natural superfood for the skin), argon oil (hydrates skin), evening primrose oil (regulates and balances hormones), lavender oil (soothes physical pains, soothes anxiety, and helps with sleep), lemon oil (improves circulation, mental health, and immune system) and finally, lemongrass oil (which is antiseptic, antifungal, antibacterial, and super hydrating). Quite the supergroup.

HOW IMPORTANT IS CBD EDUCATION TO YOU?

WHAT’S THIS WE’RE HEARING ABOUT #MYVAGINASAYSNO ?

CUBID CBD

Life Force Topical Treatment Serum, £86.99

Do you have personal experience of CBD? Has CBD influenced your lifestyle in any way? It definitely helps in social situations if I'm finding it hard to be around people. It brings me more into the moment and I feel more relaxed. It also helps relieve stress and calm my mind through my busy day.

PREMIUM LABSDPS

It's amazing winning almost every category in the vaping and e-cig industry over the past four years. It's one of my most honourable awards as it's the first of its kind and knowing I can make one of the best quality CBD products in the world, breaking into a new industry.

legalisation

legalisation

e-juice ,

the world with very lengthy and through blind judging methods day-to-day

does get tough having to travel due to our world reach as an international company.

We also have some exciting news and are in the works of licensing our Dr Fog CBD division and becoming a publicly-traded company which very exciting news.

bite me

London’s bars and cafés are undergoing a CBD infusion right now. Amidst a summer of beer garden glory and iced coffees, we’ve rounded up our top six places to sip and dine on CBD in the capital.

Farmacy Kitchen

W2

Based in Notting Hill, Farmacy was the first London restaurant to serve CBD. This place offers High Tea like you’ve never seen it before. Nibble on some CBD home-made infused chocolates whilst you sip on a CBD cocktail or enjoy a freshly brewed pot of hemp leaf tea. This plant-based experience is free from dairy, refined sugars, additives and chemicals. Bonus!

The Plant Hub & Culinary Academy

As you’ll probably have guessed from the name, The Plant Hub specialises in all things organic, gluten-free and plant-based. The drinks menu includes a calming CBD and camomile herbal tea. And relax…

Glow Bar

70 MORTIMER STREET, LONDON, W1W 7RY

Anyone for pudding? How about a Matcha-Rose CBD Chia Pudding to be exact? This pinked-out café screams ‘coffee with the girls’ vibes. Glow Bar focuses on serving “mood boosting, gut friendly and skin soothing ingredients” on its menu. If you like milkshakes, try their Golden Moon Milk infused with CBD, or add a shot of cannabinoids to another menu item for as little as £1.50.

Kalifornia Kitchen

The folks at this Fitzrovia eatery pride themselves on serving delicious, sustainable food options, ‘because healthy is sexy.’ And now they offer an Instaworthy CBD latte. Yes please!

Maison Bab

Covent Garden’s ultimate kebab shop. How would you like to wash down a cheeky kebab with a G&T? Make that a G&C. Maison Bab do a trendy Gin and Chronic cocktail made with CBD oil, Bombay Sapphire and lemon. The perfect blend of sweet, sour and a “herbaceous finish.”

The Feel Good Café

This place in Chingford may be a little trek out of town, but if you are wellinto wellness, you’re not going to want to miss out. The Feel Good Café is fully embracing the wellbeing potential in CBD, hosting Vinyasa Flow yoga classes where CBD tea is served. Need something a bit more deluxe? We like the sound of their Hot Cacao Ceremony with CBD. Dreamy!

CBD Queens

From film stars to fashion designers, these fashionistas have seen the high potential of CBD.

“EASES THE PAIN OF WEARING HIGH HEELS ALL NIGHT LONG”

Last year we saw some of the most surprising wellness and beauty trends dominate the globe.

With glitter faces, activated charcoal, avocado on toast and kale smoothies, just when you think you’ve seen it all, along comes something new. This summer, there is something a little more exhemplary taking the celeb world by storm.

CBD products have become a staple ingredient to many day to day and skincare routines, and why shouldn’t it? It’s fit for the stars, and here’s some that agree…

Fifty Shades actress Dakota Johnson, along with Bella and Gigi Hadid all confess to using CBD tinctures to calm the nerves that accompany be ing America’s sweethearts. The Hadid sisters have been said to hold the drops under their tongues as they strut their stuff modelling prestigious designers. A cannabidiol catwalk, if you will.

Haley Baldwin (now Bieber) and Victoria Secret model Alessandra Ambrosio have both spoken publicly about their nighttime routines involving CBD oil, using the natural extract to ensure they get enough beauty sleep. Baldwin told the American fashion publication W Magazine, “I’ve never been into THC or enjoyed how I felt being high. I’ve never like it at all, but I like CBD because I enjoy feeling the relaxation. I use it in lotions and it helps a lot”.

After weeks of performing on Broadway, Olivia Wilde used CBD cream to sooth her aches and muscle pains, proclaiming to The New York Times that it was something she’s “a huge believer in, in terms of body care.”

Triple threat singer, songwriter and actress, Mandy Moore uses a roller-ball applicator when applying lotion to her feet, saying that it eases the pain of wearing high heels all night long.

Celebrity stylist Kate Young uses Dosist’s Calm Pen to relax before red carpet events and recommends the product to her highprofile clients including Margot Robbie, Selena Gomez and Natalie Portman.

YOGA @ GYMBOX Cannabliss

A weekend of scorching London heat mixed with a gin festival and two late nights in a row called for some serious R&R. Unluckily, I have a 9-5 which doesn’t pity those who maximise what short bursts of summer we’re granted here in Blighty, so what better way to unwind on a Monday evening than with a helping hand from CBD? Enter Cannabliss.

We started off the 45-minute class at Westfields London with the lovely Arron checking for injuries and explaining the premise of a CBD-infused yoga session. A small green patch is worn on your arm or leg. It helps reduce inflammation, stiffness and aching joints while you gently guide your body through various rehab motions, with further help from a foam roller and breathing techniques. Fun-filled weekend aside, I was excited to see what this could do for a onceavid yogi; I fear I’ve seized up over the past year since running has taken over my exercise regimen and stretching has featured less so…

We lay flat on our mats and began with deep breathing, focusing on inflating our bellies like balloons. This was to be the bedrock of getting through the more difficult moves later. At this point the lights had been lowered and the spa-like music was creating a very zen environment, just about drowning out the thud-thud-thud music of the HIIT class next door. A few more moments here and we were asked to come up to a seated position. It was then I felt the full impact of the patch. It was like a therapeutic heating sensation you might

get from gels or rubs, but the difference was less tingling and more of a limb-loosening sensation. I was fully on board!

We then moved on to foam-rolling our outer thighs, followed by pigeon pose, advanced hip openers and back stretching. Arron came round and made tweaks and adjustments when needed and encouraged the child’s pose after the particularly intense positions (of which there were few. It was overall a very relaxing class). The hip openers were the most difficult to maintain for me. We had to hold the pose for two minutes aside, longer than I was used to and no doubt a result of running with a lack of stretching in this area left me tighter than expected. The shoulder blade foam rolling was the most satisfying, hearing each pop and crack as I shimmied back and forth made my back feel gloriously looser afterwards.

We ended the class as we began, focusing on our breathing – I could have fallen asleep there and then! Overall I reckon it was a combination of the patch and the breathing techniques that left me feeling as relaxed and revived as I did. Regardless, it was a soothing way to end the day and it gave my joints some much needed TLC. Happy days.

tried and tested by lisa blake

Want to try it out for yourself? Cannabliss classes take part at several Gymbox locations throughout London.

Gymbox Group Fitness Manager, Hannah Curtis Nunn explains how Cannabliss works:

“The Cannabliss class involves exercises and stretches akin to a yin yoga class as well as mobility and meditation exercises. Members are provided with a CBD patch to apply to their arms which delivers the natural, potent oil osmotic-ally into the body, delivering antiinflammatory relief to the wearer. This combined with the stretches and mobility exercises helps to relieve aches and pains that most desk workers experience.”

w w w. c b d s t o c k h o u s e . c o m | c o n t a c t @ c b d s t o c k h o u s e . c o m |

The world’s

FIRST CBD HOTEL OPENS IN ESSEX

CBD products are steadily growing in popularity in the bathrooms and spas of hotels across the US. And it appears the trend has made its way to the UK, as the world’s first CBD-focused hotel opened its doors in Essex in May.

This is by no means a space decorated with hemp plants, or even leaves for that matter. Instead, management main tain hemp-based light fittings and subtle hints to the plant in the bedrooms. CBD-infused diffusers are also scattered throughout, adding slight notes of a botanical hemp.

It’s downstairs that this property is expected to thrive, as chief barista Kit told us.

With a private party space, bar meets café and convenient location on the London commuter belt, the team have a number of events coming up on the calendar which will focus on educating the public about CBD.

From CBD iced-coffee to a menu of Canna Cocktails, the bar and café exude promise for the local area.

We spoke to the owner, Tim Acton, who also runs Canna CBD, and asked if he has found it difficult sourcing the right ingredients to keep a CBD bar and café sustainably stocked.

“The suppliers for the different hemp drinks, it was hard to find the right products and people to work with to start with. But we are now working with some great UK-based and overseas companies who are making some fantastic products.”

About the space itself, Tim added:

“The initial idea was to create a space that was welcoming and comfortable for all. The Green Coffee Lab will hold more events every week, ranging from talks about CBD and its benefits from industry leaders to bands and DJs, along with different pop-up kitchens and themed food nights. We also have an amazing basement space down stairs, that we are developing in to a small ‘venue’ area for private hire, special events.”

Tim’s CBD-infused menu appears to be in demand as he is going mobile with a fleet of pop-up coffee and food trucks touring the country. “With Product Earth being one of the first larger events on our radar, serving hemp-infused burgers, sausages, falafel, alongside CBD-infused tea and coffees and all the hemp cocktails and beers, not to forget the whole range of Canna CBD products…”

Fact

Accommodation cost: £85-£125 per night

Location, location, location: This Essex-based property is one hour from London by train, and an hour’s drive from Cambridge, while the coast is just 40 minutes away by car.

Owner Tim Acton is a British diver who took part in a heroic cave rescue in Thailand last year when a youth football team became trapped underground for 18 days.

Entering Cannabis: Industry Overview

This online educational experience broadcast live from London is hosted by entrepreneur, educator and community builder, Davine Thornton.. The webinar will be held on August 17 and has a chatroom function, enabling students to ask questions and connect with other viewers. The industry overview will include the history of cannabis, present industry opportunities and how to identify the trends that could shape the future.

Product Earth Expo

Taking place in Coventry, August 23-25, this event highlights the ecosystem of the hemp plant, its many varieties, derivatives and uses. From agricultural, industrial and medicinal, to production, wholesale and retail, Product Earth Expo will showcase this rapidly evolving and exciting industry, in the heart of the West Midlands.

Cann Talks

After their first successful talk was held in July, the Cann Talks team are holding part two of the ‘Conversation on Cannabis’ on August 4. Taking place at the Old Divinity School in Cambridge, guests such as Carly Barton, Dr Derek Tracy and Victoria Hall will discuss medical cannabis and its industry challenges, ethics, culture and perspectives. The event is held by a nonprofit organisation who aim to diversify the conversations surrounding cannabis. .

CBD Masterclass

Utilising organic ingredients and no animal products, dairy, gluten, artificial colourings or flavourings, this masterclass is hosted by Sidney, owner and Head Chef at Organic Livity Patisserie. You might know the name from the CBD croissant which featured on ITV’s This Morning. This event will focus on teaching students the differences between flower, oil and concentrates, plus ways to infuse your dishes with CBD and how to measure the cannabinoid content and much more. CBD Masterclass takes place Saturday, October 12 in central London. Tickets are available online from Eventbrite from £200.

CBD Academy

This magazine presents the inaugural CBD Academy, taking place in central London on Monday, August 12. This expert-led event is in association with CUBID CBD and will feature real life stories about the dramatic and positive changes CBD and medicinal cannabis are making to countless lives and families. When you spend £100 on your ticket, you’ll receive £100 worth of CUBID CBD stock in return. For tickets, go to: cubidcbd. com/cbd-academy

Cannabis Investor Forum

The Cannabis Investor Forum will take place in the heart of London’s financial district on October 24, featuring keynote speeches and expert panel discussions. The event will bring together leading companies, innovative entrepreneurs and those involved in the UK’s cannabis investment community to cover topics such as the politics of cannabis, the investment environment, cannabis in the business world and UK and EU regulations.

The industry overview will include the history of cannabis, present industry opportunities and how to identify the trends that could shape the future.

Sunscreen, flip flops and that book you probably won’t read are all in the bag. Here’s what you need to know about travelling abroad with CBD.

Words by Lucy MacKinnon

Check that your must-have products conform with your destination’s laws and regulations. Although it may be your favourite face cream, in some strict countries like Thailand, bringing CBD products on board a flight could technically be classed as importing a controlled substance. And the same can be said for travelling home. If you have bought new cannabidiol products abroad, ensure that they conform to the 0.2 % cap on THC that is enforced in the UK and the EU to avoid confiscation.

2Some regulations can be hard to wrap your head around, so contacting the travel information bureau in the city you are visiting might be worthwhile. Let’s take China as an example. In most cases, medicinal and recreational use of marijuana and hemp are illegal, but CBD products can be prescribed. However, there are two provinces (Yunnan and Heilongjiang) where industrial hemp is permitted to be grown, processed and sold on a large scale and therefore, hemp CBD oils can be purchased commercially.

4In the US, the Transportation Security Admission (TSA) say that both marijuana and cannabis-infused products are considered illegal to possess whilst traveling. However, this would only be applicable to you if your products are made from marijuana-derived CBD and not from hemp-derived CBD, which follows UK, EU and US regulations as long as the THC limit is not exceeded. So, travelling in the US with hemp-derived CBD does not violate the rules set out by the TSA as it is not a controlled substance.

5Travelling within the EU with hemp CBD products shouldn’t cause you any issues as long as the THC content of the plant which the extract comes from does not exceed 0.2 %. Although EU legislation isn’t enforced across all member states, almost every EU country does allow cannabidiol products although some do have varying rules.

Three tips for travelling with CBD

1. Read the fine print. 2. The lower the THC, the more risk-free. 3. Three isn’t always a crowd. Third party tested brands are always a safe route.

CBD IS CLASSED AS ILLEGAL IN THE FOLLOWING NATIONS FIJI THAILAND EGYPT

BELOW THE

Surface

WORDS By Lucy MacKinnon

Emily McClarron believes she conquered her acne with CBD. Now she’s on a quest to help others by spreading awareness of CBD and how acne doesn’t just impact someone on the surface.

ow we look on the outside may affect how we feel on the inside. But for some people, the link between appearance and confidence runs even deeper.

After battling acne since she was 17, Emily McClarron (26) from Essex didn’t want to leave the house. “I was embarrassed of what people would think or say about me. My anxiety was bad and I was feeling very down and depressed.”

After trying creams, facemasks, chemical peels and microdermabrasion, Emily became desperate. But once she’d tried a homemade honey facewash and noticed its calming effects, she sought more organic treatments.

“I had been back and forth to the doctors, put on all sorts of topical creams and medications but I had allergic reactions to all of them. I didn’t want to put more drugs into my body that weren’t agreeing with me, so I became desperate for something natural.”

After suffering with acne for eight years, Emily found relief for both her skin and her stress levels by taking one 300mg CBD capsule daily and maintaining a healthy skincare routine.

One year into her new routine, Emily says she is amazed by the results. “Before, I wouldn’t have left the house without some form of makeup on, but now I don’t care! My anxiety is also so much better, and I feel a lot less stressed.”

Determined to bring more awareness to how CBD can positively impact skin conditions like acne, psoriasis and eczema, Emily set up social media accounts to document her own progress.

“I decided to set up ‘Emily’s Acne Journey’ to help other people. There are thousands of people that suffer with acne in the UK but only a small portion of these are confident with it.”

“We have the hashtag #acnecommunity where we share our acne stories to make people aware that they’re not alone. I now get messages every day asking how I’m so confident, what I use on my skin and asking me for advice.”

Active on both Instagram and via facebook group ‘CBD with EM’ Emily has become a brand ambassador for CBD Relieve and is helping people start their own CBD journey.

Acne is the most common skin condition and effects 80% of people aged between 11 and 30 in the UK. However, acne only Affects 1% of men compared to around 5% of women over the age of 25.

In 2014, The Journal of Clinical Investigation found that CBD prevents sebocytes from being overactive. Sebocytes naturally produce sebum, and when mixed with dirt and dead skin they can become trapped in pores, causing breakouts.

WORDS BY GORDON STRIBLING

You might think that alcohol would be the most resilient of our industries given our dismal climate and the myriad other excuses we use to justify our drinking habits. However health-consciousness and the boom in wellness and self-care have raised modern-day challenges for the age-old British alcohol industry, forcing drinks companies to innovate.

While big names like Constellation Brands – the makers of Corona – are fully on-board with cannabis in North America, small hemp and CBD companies are driving the trend in the UK.

Carl Boon is MD for Green Times Brewing. Their High Flyer IPA is credited as the UK’s first cannabis beer.

We caught up with Carl to find out why CBD works well in brewing. He told us,

“Hops have a very similar sort of profile to cannabis as they come from the same family. Fusing the two together was a no-brainer.”

What Carl thought would be a relatively easy process took five attempts to get right and eight months overall from the original concept to distribution.

Carl opted for a low-ABV IPA as it allowed the cannabinoid profiles to come through.

“We use West Coast hops to give it a tropical feel, fruity and sort of taste and smell. It’s great on a summer’s day with food.”

The international success of High Flyer was proof positive that Green Times Brewing were on the right track.

The first batch of six new beers made in collaboration with Northern Monk is now in circulation. Carl also teases that there are ‘a million bottles of rum on the way.’

If CBD is the darling of the wellness world, gin is surely its alcohol equivalent.

The spirit’s renewed appeal spans genders and generations, with many Instagram-friendly pub signs bearing slogans like ‘let the weekend be-gin!’

The popularity of the spirit made it a logical entry point for hemp-infused spirits brand, HIN.

When medical cannabis was legalised in November 2018 in the UK, long-time friends Chris Puttick and Mat Graham began looking into potential routes of entry into the industry.

They managed to source some hemp leaf and infused it with hot water and were pleasantly surprised with the taste.

Using Mat’s distilling experience, they then added it to a gin compound before meeting with a local distiller and beginning the tasting and testing process.

Chris said this was their way of shaking things up within a saturated industry. “We found that the gin market had become flushed with lots of similar brands and products so we chose to try and shake it up a little. Capitalising on the gin market has been a good start for us as we have needed to be nimble, new and fresh to compete in a very competitive market.”

Like High Flyer, HIN spirits utilise the unique earthiness of hemp-derived cannabis that Chris likens to the smell of freshly-cut grass. The gin is blended with other natural botanicals, with a synergistic blend of hemp and liquorice that comes through on the aftertaste.

“It’s about bringing consumers into the cannabis-infused spirits market with taste rather than gimmicks. Our consumers are getting a trusted, consistent and delicious taste from a product the majority of them will have never given to their taste buds.”

The HIN range now includes hemp and hibiscus pink gin and a hemp-infused vodka. The team are now meeting with whiskey brands keen to enter the cannabis space. And, pending clarification from the FSA, a range of HIN CBD spirits are ready to go.

Wee Hemp Spirits is an offshoot of the Wee Hemp Company, founded in May 2018 by husband and wife, Calum and Rebecca Napier.

Rebecca initially began experimenting with CBD after hearing of its potential in combatting the symptoms of fibromyalgia before recommending it to her mother, an NHS nurse.

“She’s got a lot of hip pain because she’s on her feet all day working 12-hour shifts,” Calum said.

“She came to us. She’s anti-cannabis. The stigma’s pretty strong in her and she said, ‘you know, maybe it’s time I gave CBD a go.’ If she could change her mind, maybe this was something we could build a business out of and help a lot of people.”

Rebecca loved a dark beer but could no longer drink it due to her intolerances. This inspired the couple to make an allergen-free drink that could be enjoyed in moderation.

“It was a case of just one or two drinks and it satisfied. It’s more of a product that you can sit and sip rather than have four or five a night.”

And so, ‘Canna’B’ was born.

Their range of rum and gin now includes limitededition CBD-infused bottles. Their CBD gin is in-line for the ‘Innovation of the Year’ gong at this year’s Scottish Gin Awards.

The couple are also looking to expand the range into a few other spirits and, potentially, canned Canna’B gin and tonic.

“CBD makes the spirits a bit cloudy but as we say, for every cloudy tipple, there’s a silver lining of cannabinoids, flavonoids and terpenes suspended within our spirits.”

Wee Hemp has managed to attract a broader range of customers than a lifestyle brand might. They’ve received a lot of interest from the older generation who are only now willing to see past the stigma to embrace the potential of cannabis.

“When an elderly person starts supplementing with CBD and it ups the cannabinoids in their body, they start noticing massive differences. It really is quite life-changing to a lot of elderly people.”

“For every cloudy tipple, there’s a silver lining of cannabinoids, flavonoids and terpenes suspended within our spirits.”

TALK

Women, CBD and Medicinal Cannabis Conference, London, May 18-19

This two-day event held in Paddington in May saw what the organisers called,‘sheroic’ women from across North America and closer to home deliver compelling stories and researched-based facts on the future of the legal cannabis industry.

Regulation, child safety, public healthcare systems and female empowerment were the hot topics, as an eclectic mix of women of all age groups and various walks of life gathered to learn more about this budding industry in the UK.

What can we learn from the cannabis pioneers from California, Canada and Colorado? That women can define this industry by being compassionate to the reallife struggles medicinal cannabis patients face, while developing business and growth in an up-and-coming sector.

Key speakers included Hannah Deacon, the mother of Alfie Dingley who tirelessly campaigned for her son to access medicinal cannabis oil. Hannah spoke passionately and from experience, telling a very personal tale while managing to get essential facts across from her dealings with lead researchers and specialists on the Endocannabinoid System. Hannah, now an active medicinal cannabis campaigner with patient advocate groups, detailed of how she initiated her campaign in March 2018, which went on to help convince British lawmakers to legalise medicinal cannabis in November that year

Plants not Pills were the main attraction, as many attendees used a CBD vending machine for the first time. The smart machine dispensed PNP’s water soluable capsules.

Hannah continues to be a force to be reckoned with helping many families and other patients with unmet medical needs navigate the ever-changing landscape of legalisation in the UK.

Speaking at the event, she said: “The government needs to do better. The NHS needs to do better and I absolutely agree … that we must work together to make this happen. You cannot force people to do things. You have to work together to get them to see your point of view.”

“To empower people, to know that cannabis is safe, and that cannabis should be available and that it should not be a last resort. My child has been given benzos and things that have never been tested on children, and yet there is fear about cannabis.”

“I feel great hope for the UK but we have to push, and we must all work together. I’m so grateful that I found this industry and this family because it’s given me a purpose. My son is not perfectly well all of the time. I still grieve for him, I still wish he was ‘normal,’ but he’s not. What do you do? You try to make a change.”

Also among the female-led line-up was Hannah Simon, the Chief Operating Officer at European Cannabis Holdings (ECH), which has played an integral role in the launching of the UK’s first network of specialist medical cannabis clinics. Hannah recently oversaw the opening of the first of these clinics, The Beeches, in Greater Manchester.

Meanwhile, co-founder of The Holistic Cannabis Academy, Donna Shields, MS RDN, spoke about the importance of education around CBD and medicinal cannabis. She emphasised that while CBD and medicinal cannabis have their place in holistic healing, they are not a cure-all.

“Cannabis is not the silver bullet. CBD is not the silver bullet. You cannot send someone away and tell them to take this one thing without looking at their diet. Are they exercising? What’s their stress management like? Could they benefit from meditation?”

Through leading US online training platform for health practitioners and cannabis industry professionals, Donna said her aim was to shift the healthcare paradigm by placing cannabis into the integrative medicine model with other holistic approaches. She said no longer should professionals be looking at this from a pharmaceutical perspective of ‘one drug for one bug.’ “Personalised medicine as the future of medicine, that’s where we are moving towards in medical care in the US and we would love to see CBD take its place as part and parcel of this holistic healing paradigm.” This unique event took the form of a one-day conference and a separate networking event on day two and was organised by Conscious Cannabis Capital Markets Conference. For more information on the next Women, CBD and Medicinal Cannabis event taking place in London, go to 3cmconference.com

Several panel discussions took place throughout the one-day event, including this one on medicinal cannabis in the UK. Contributing were, Basia Zieniewicz, Charlotte Caldwell, Carly Barton and Cam Battley.

Shock as UK hacks don’t slam CBD

British national newspapers have run nearly 300 articles relate d to CBD over the last year – and the lion’s share have be en overwhelmingly positive, CBD Intel research has establishe d.

The UK press has covered cannabidiol 288 times, across both daily and Sunday papers, in their main London editions over the last 12 months. Perhaps surprisingly, only 12 of those stories were specifi cally about the case of Billy Caldwell, the Northern Irish boy whose epilepsy treatment became a cause célèbre.

In the year to June 2019, The Times ran 38 stories about CBD, while the Daily Mail and the Daily Telegraph were close behind, with 32 and 30 pieces respectively

Interestingly, the Mail also ran 16 promotional fea tures for the product. Rather than being advertising feature s for a specific brand, those pieces were general articles about the use of CBD oil. Some involved an offer from Tower CBD while others were for FutureYou.

The Mail’s middle market rival, the Daily Express,

About CBD-Intel

also ran advertorials for CBD three times. Two pieces advertised PharmaCare’s Naturopathica lozenges, while the third promoted FutureYou’s oil. It also ran 16 regular pieces about CBD.

Meanwhile, the Sun ran 26 CBD articles, the Guardian ran 23 articles, the Daily Mirror ran 15, the i ran 14, and the Daily Star 11, plus an advertising feature for Biethica CBD oil.

In the Sunday papers, a similar pattern emerges, with the Mail on Sunday coming out top with 21 pieces, followed by the Sunday Times with 18, the Sunday Telegraph with 11, and the Observer and People both running nine.

Overall the coverage was broadly positive, with many stories linked to the recent legalisation of medical cannabis

And while there have been some articles in the Daily Mail expressing concern about the nature of the medical cannabis industry, interestingly none of the papers seemed to be running any outright nega tive stories about CBD

Perhaps the closest thing was a diary of a GP, which ran in the Daily Mail in May 2019, in whi ch the doctor said: “Many people have read about this and are led to believe it is a magical cure for every disease. It’s not.”

CBD Intel provides impartial, independent and premium market and regulatory analysis, legal tracking, and quantitative data for the cannabidiol (CBD) sector, with a focus on non US markets

We offer a one stop source of market and regulatory strategic data for the CBD industry Providing all the data in one online platform reduces the amount of time and money spent monitoring the sector for multiple international markets Our global perspective on the international CBD sector offers you key data such as market trends, key players, regulatory obligations and industry dynamics.

CBD Intel’s team is made up of lawyers, economists and journalists The team is based in London, Barcelona and New York, and enhanced by correspondents and contributors from around the world.

In addition, we offer customised research and consultancy support We also publish ECigIntelligence for the global e-cigarette and tobacco-alternatives sector

WORDS BY LUCY MACKINNON

The Europe CBD Expo, hosted by London Canna Group, made its debut July 12-13 at London’s ExCeL, where thousands of CBD enthusiasts flocked to see what this international event had in store.

With multi-national exhibitors representing all sectors of the legal cannabis industry, this much anticipated two-day event offered a packed speaker schedule, ample business opportunities and a sprinkle of celebrity.

It was a playground for the who’s who in CBD and the emerging market, featuring experts from around the world who are making strides in medicinal cannabis research.

As the battle for centre court grew more competitive over in SW19, at Royal Victoria Dock it was a very different story, where CEOs and start-up entrepreneurs vibed off each other’s’ successes and struggles.

The Europe CBD Expo was a celebration of the legal cannabis community which this country, and London specifically, had been crying out for.

The Cannavist’s Lucy MacKinnon finds out what exhibitors and members of the public had to say following the inaugural Europe CBD Expo in July.

How did you find the business-to-business day?

“It was pleasantly surprising. I think that we were unsure of what to expect in London and we were surprised by the turnout. I do think there was some very serious businesses here to vet the companies involved in the space.”

- Garrett Bain, GenCanna

“It was kind of a blur, but we got great feedback and I think this expo has really clashed worlds together that really need to be together at this point in time. It was great to see the innovation and see the industry growing and booming in such a way.”

- Louis Christodoulou, HERBL

“Really good. I think we sold between 35 and 40 machines, so we had a tremendous show and it was really good for us. We didn’t realise how busy it was actually going to be and we only had three members of staff and two machines and at any one time we’ve had 15, 20 people at the stand.”

- Mike Phelan, Coffee Boss

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-

“It was very well attended, and I think it was very professionally put together. I think some of the speakers were very interesting. I thought Blair Gibbs was very good and a number of the other speakers, so it’s been a very useful experience for us”.

- Barry Turley, Mile High Labs

What did you think about consumer day?

“We liked the event because we are different. We were most looking forward to consumers coming to try our products and getting our name out there and establishing our brand as a leading CBD vape product”.

Darryl

Sacke, Caly FX

“We were positioning ourselves as that voice where people can come to us and get advice on CBD in a way they can use in their everyday life. We were most excited about getting some feedback on the products, we can all talk to retailers, but it is the end user that we really want to know how it affects them.”

Alexandra Lee, Naturalis London

“There were all sorts of weird and wonderful people interested in cannabis, I got chatting to some and they were amazing characters. I think what was most interesting to me, certainly from a commercial perspective, is that London as a city has noticed CBD.”

- Alan Horton, Ambience CBD

What was your favourite thing about the Europe CBD Expo?

“Meeting the companies and the people involved in the industry. There has been a lot of excitement and buzz around the industry and people are very passionate about their products so it’s been really good.”

- Paul Holmes, Hall Analytical

“The best part of the event was seeing how ready the world is to embrace the CBD revolution and the incredible innovation that it is unleashing. The expo was a truly momentous event. B2B day went by in a flurry and the excitement over the booth’s theme was absolutely wonderful.”

- Alex Snider, Plants Not Pills

“I think my favourite aspect was the quality of the people that were there. It was nice to talk to likeminded individuals and not have to explain yourself too much when talking about CBD.”

- Ian Richmond, Ace CBD

We also spoke to some attendees. Here’s what they had to say:

“I found the show very informative and really interesting; I am trying to start up a distribution company so I thought we should come and check it out. My favourite thing about the CBD industry is that it is literally on the cusp of exploding.” – Bijan

“There are loads of products out there that I didn’t even know about, for oral and external use as well. There are so many talks focusing on medical aspects as well which is great.” – Ronnie

“It was my friends that told me to come down and take a look around and it’s been great. I will 100% be coming to the next event.” - Carlos

“I am part of the End Our Pain campaign, working to try and get medical cannabis available on the NHS. At the expo I heard some great talks from Professor Mike Barnes and Hannah Deacon, but I do think it could have been more patient focused. It seems a lot more corporate than holistic.” – Dee

Primed for Success

IT’S NOT EVERY DAY YOU RUN INTO A FORMER PRIME MINISTER AT A CBD EXPO. BUT THAT’S JUST WHAT HAPPENED TO THECANNAVIST EDITOR RÓISÍN DELANEY AT JULY’S EUROPE CBD EXPO.

In an interview alongside former special forces agent turned medicinal cannabis pioneer Golan Bitton, former PM Ehud Olmert gave his two cents on the future of the Israeli cannabis industry.

When medical cannabis was legalised by the Israeli government in 2016, Golan Britton switched his career from protecting his countrymen to providing for them.

Golan was looking for new opportunities after retiring from the special forces and saw the potential in the emerging medical cannabis industry.

Israel was one of the first countries to treat patients with medical cannabis and now has a well-developed network of government supported hospitals experienced in cannabis research.

Contrasting the UK market with his home’s, Golan said:

“If you want to go through clinical trials right now in the UK, you get a lot of barriers, a lot of blockages from the government. This is why Israel is so unique, because they encourage clinical trials to research and develop.

“There’s already a lot of research with children, epilepsy, chronic pain, psoriasis… This is why we need to expand now.”

Golan’s company Univo Pharmaceuticals Ltd is involved in every aspect of the supply chain. They develop, grow, manufacture and distribute medical cannabis worldwide. But juggling big operations is something their CEO is used to.

“It’s a huge project, [but] under the Israeli government I had be doing three or four big projects.

“I knew I needed to hire the best people for this project. It was the same in the army. You have to take the best people to do the mission”.

With a team experienced in pharmaceuticals, cannabis crops and manufacturing, Golan sought out someone who could advise with worldwide distribution. That’s where former-PM Ehud Olmert came in.

“We brought the former prime minister on board as he knows the relationships between countries, to export and import cannabis in the next four to five years.”

With two sharply dressed protection officers closely lingering, Mr Olmert said:

“I’m very familiar with the potential of CBD and medical cannabis.

“I was minister of health and I am still very much involved with lots of people in this industry and the scientists who are researching. I was approached for obvious reasons.

“Cannabis still has an air of illegitimacy in some countries. So obviously, companies that understand the potential want to have names and figures who can promote the legitimacy status of this.”

Having influential team members on board worked in Golan’s favour. They managed to secure a grant from the Ministry of Health to build the Univo factory and raised more than five million euros by trading with the Tel Aviv stock exchange.

It seems the Israeli team also have powerful influence in the UK. Golan revealed he had managed to get his hands on two great seats to the Wimbledon Men’s Final that same weekend.

Golan was tasked with coming to events like the Europe CBD Expo to make contacts with European and international businesses in preparation for free export regulations and to secure potential infrastructure and exports for Univo Pharmaceutical Ltd.

“[Israel is] still a small market. We only have nine million people, but it’s leading the world. In 2018, in Israel, we sold 16 tons. You know how many were sold across all of Europe? Four.”

The former PM expanded on this.

“That’s the equivalent of 1% of Europe’s population using legal market cannabis.

“I find it very rewarding to work with these guys because they really do it in the right way. Serious, careful and focused on something which, if established scientifically, will make a huge difference to the lives of many.”

I knew I needed to hire the best people for this project. It was the same in the army, you have to take the best people to do the mission.

Welcome to MIAMI

After seeing an influx of CBD products at their Vape Conventions events, exhibition organiser Jason Monti and his team decided to cater to that exact market. The Cannavist previews the biggest CBD event on the east coast of America – USA CBD Expo, Miami.

Miami is Florida’s chic and curious city. Its young, experimental population incorporates the latest wellness trends into a sun-kissed lifestyle and the latest addition to this way of life is CBD. With a $250 million medicinal marijuana market, the state of Florida is at the forefront of the US cannabis industry.

Embracing everything from seeds to salves, beauty therapists, health and wellbeing stores and dispensaries stocking a range of cannabis-based products can be found in Miami Beach. With the industrial hemp pilot project underway at the University of Florida, and an abundance of CBD spas, yoga classes, cocktails and cookies, on the face of it, Miami appears to be the obvious choice for hosting an international CBD expo.

After the number of Floridian dispensaries rose by 30 percent in just one year, Jason Monti’s company USA CBD Expo decided to target this market and host their

debut CBD event this summer. Jason says: “We really liked the location of Miami because Florida is a hotbed of a lot of CBD companies.”

Running from August 2 to 4, this weekend-long expo invites both professionals and the public to join a celebration of CBD at Miami Beach. Jason adds, “With the popularity of CBD and our experience with hosting trade shows, we thought it would be a really good idea to do a really large booth style CBD and Hemp trade show.”

Regarding regulatory landscapes, the expo pro says: “There was a lot of grey area leading up to the Farm Bill, and once that passed, I think it offered some clarity. There were still some murky waters for people to navigate through, but I believe that things are very positive for CBD and I think the future is very bright.”

Expecting the majority of companies attending to be from the US, the team are also anticipating the arrival of hardware manufacturers from Asia, as well as a number of British and European brands. Jason explains, “It’s a large show so it gives us a nice big footprint.”

His main goal is to grow the CBD category and engage with both consumers and businesses, but the USA CBD Expo won’t be any old trade show. With 40 industry specialist speakers confirmed, a variety of talks will be held on topics such as regulation, science, business, seeds, soil and so on.

WORDS By Lucy MacKinnon

“

“I think that anyone doing a show in this industry is a good thing and I think that competition is a madeup word when it comes to things like this. It is very important that there are as many as these shows as possible that have an educational element.”

“We know that each individual speaker speaks to a certain audience, so to have this many will ensure it reaches the majority of those attending. Then they’ll hopefully be followed from this show to our next show. It’s an element we will now incorporate into most of our events.”

Day one, Friday August 2, is a dedicated B2B event that will run from noon until 5pm. Almost immediately afterwards the awards ceremony and business mixer will take place. Jason describes this as an opportunity for vendors, “To come out from behind the booth, mix it up and have some friendly conversations.”

Day two will commence at noon and will be B2B until 3pm, when the doors are opened to the public. The rest of the weekend will encourage companies and consumers to mix with the expo operating on both B2B and B2C levels.

Jason points out: “We’re following the guidelines within the Farm Bill, there will be no federally-illegal inventory displayed or sold.” The USA CBD Expo team are exerting great caution here as they hope to continue to host shows in this industry and are currently planning their next event to take place along the West Coast.

1 DAY 2 DAY

This day is a dedicated B2B event, scheduled from 12-5pm.

Three hours of B2B time until the show opens to the public from 3pm.

I think that competition is a made-up word when it comes to things like this. It is very important that there are as many as these shows as possible.

BARCELONA WELCOMES THE DEBUT WORLD CBD AWARDS

MEDIA PARTNERS THE CANNAVIST MET WITH BRAIN COACH DR YASHAR KHOSROSHAHI, OR ‘DR K’ AS HE LIKES TO BE CALLED, AT THE INAUGURAL WORLD CBD AWARDS IN SPAIN

WORDS BY LUCY MACKINNON

Dr K told The Cannavist about his experience with CBD and how he converted from a mainstream medicine mindset to naturopathy and integrated medicine.

Firstly, how does it feel to take home two World CBD Awards?

They have been super kind to me. The team have been working their tails off trying to build relationships and a means to test the product. I was super critical on that, but they were able to answer all my questions and show me the results.

Is that what made you want to be involved in Relyf? 1000%. It’s because of their education focus and their true human-centred approach to business.

What did you do before entering the CBD industry?

I still am a naturopathic doctor and a brain-based executive coach. So I have two separate companies, essentially. In clinic, I primarily work in mental health and performance. And as an executive coach, I have a leadership development company.

How did you develop an interest in the industry?

The school I went to for naturopathic medicine had a career fair and I was going to apply for medical school, but I saw their booth and spoke to them. It’s down to philosophy, the way you see the world and the way you see disease. It spoke to me.

And when did you first see the potential in medical cannabis?

I started looking into it after getting into medicine and hearing patients’ accounts of how they deal with challenges, from auto immune problems, pain and cancer to mental health and sleep. As they say, the rest is history.

You have a little boy. How do you think the industry will have changed by the time your son is of legal age?

Hopefully there will be more information as by that time there will be 17 years of legalisation in Canada. Hopefully my work will contribute to that and there will be a much richer conversation to be had.

And how do you think that can happen?

The more there is a way for the public to access this information, the more we’re moving in the right direction. But we have to build on it. We have to build on the basement before we live in the penthouse suite.

“We have to build on the basement before we live in the penthouse suite”

Dr K met with Cannavist editor Róisín at the awards.

Winners WORLD CBD AWARDS 2019

The team attended the first World CBD Awards in Barcelona in July, where research, charity and innovation won big. More than 250 attendees celebrated the global rise of CBD in black tie, with a large US contingent illustrating the potential for the European market.

CBD Innovation - Growth Cell Global

Most Charitable Company - War Fighter Hemp

Best Social Media Campaign - Mile High Labs

Most Loved Brand - Quantum Biomed Farms

Product Safety - Mile High Labs

Industry Recognition - Canateq Holdings

Best Clinically Proven Brand - Hemp Touch

Best Pet Range - Mojo Pet Supplements

Best CBD Flower - CBD 420

Best Edible Product - Relyf

Best CBD Vape - Happease

Best Cream or Balm - Nature’s Root

Best Tincture - Relyf

Best Industry Media - Cannabis Now

Lifetime Achievement - Raffi Michulan

THE 2020 AWARDS WILL TAKE PLACE IN LAS VEGAS!

cheesecake LEMON & WHITE CHOCOLATE

INGREDIENTS

For the base:

• 250g digestive biscuits

• 100g melted butter

For the filling:

• 560g cream cheese

• 300ml double cream

• 200g melted white chocolate

• 100g caster sugar

• 1 tbsp 500mg natural flavoured CBD oil

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 packet powdered gelatine

• Juice of 1 lemon

Lemon curd:

• 200g caster sugar

• 100g butter

• 3 medium eggs and 1 egg yolk

• The rind and juice of 4 lemons

• 1 tsp 500mg natural flavoured CBD oil

METHOD

For the base:

Blitz the biscuits in a food processor and melt the butter

Pour the butter into the biscuit crumb and mix well

Pat down into a circular base tin and leave in the fridge to set for at least an hour

For the filling:

Combine the double cream and cream cheese in a mixing bowl.

Add the vanilla extract and CBD oil to the mixture.

Add the sugar and whisk until combined, so the sugar has dissolved.

Melt the white chocolate and wait until starting to cool before pouring it into the mixture.

Finally, heat the juice of one lemon and add the gelatine. Once bloomed, pour into the cheesecake mixture.

Once fully combined, pour onto the cheesecake mixture and leave in the fridge for at least an hour.

For the lemon curd:

Heat a pan of water over a medium heat.

Place all of the ingredients for the curd (except the eggs) into a glass bowl and place on top of the pan of water.

Stir until all of the ingredients have melted down and combined.

Whisk the eggs in a separate bowl and then slowly pour, whilst whisking, into the glass bowl over the heat.

Stir the mixture until it is thick enough to leave a trail on the back of the spoon and then take off the heat and leave to cool.

Once at room temperature pour onto the cheesecake and then leave this to set for at least an hour, but ideally overnight.

ICED COFFEE

Serves one

July through September is when summer really kicks in across the British Isles. Abandon your winter-warming hot beverages for the frothy frozen kind with an iced coffee extraordinaire.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 tbsp ground coffee (we used a CBD roast)

100ml boiled water

50ml hemp milk (dairy/oat/coconut also work)

• Vanilla coffee syrup to taste (maple syrup as an alternative)

½ a pipette of your chosen CBD oil drops

• A handful of ice

• Coffee beans for garnish

YOU WILL ALSO NEED:

• 1 Cafetiere

1 tall glass

• 1 tall spoon for stirring

TIP:

METHOD:

1. Brew your coffee in a cafetiere and allow to cool. If you like a dark roast, use more than suggested. Depending on how much time you have, prepare this step the night before so the coffee has cooled entirely overnight.

2. Prepare a glass of ice and pour in the milk.

3. Next, pour in the black coffee slowly so as to allow the liquid to cool further as it hits the ice.

4. Add your chosen CBD oil drops and syrup to taste and stir.

Barista tip: If CBD food and drinks are your new thing, it’s worth investing in a pack of large, recyclable and reusable pipettes. These are widely available on Amazon for as little as £5.

If using coffee beans, we suggest using a CBD roast, such as a bag from Green Coffee Lab. Each cup of coffee contains 10mg CBD, according to the Essex baristas.

HEMP HOT CHOCOLATE

Serves one

•

•

INGREDIENTS: METHOD:

•

1. Steam the milk or alternatively, you may heat it in a glass jug in the microwave for one minute or until slightly frothy on top. If you have a coffee machine frother, use a little more milk to create a foam for the top.

2. Place one bag of hemp hot chocolate in your glass or cup and add the milk slowly, stirring to allow the bag to steep. The hemp hot chocolate bags used for this recipe contain 10mg of CBD. For an additional dose, add half a pipette of your favourite tincture to the milk and stir.

3. Stir in one teaspoon of cacao powder and allow the contents to stand for one minute. If you find the cacao powder to be bitter, use half a teaspoon or add one teaspoon of maple syrup (or a high-grade honey) to sweeten.

4. Add some chocolate chips or marshmallows to garnish. For a healthier option, add one square of dark chocolate to the foam and allow it to melt before serving.

TASTE OF SUMMER SMOOTHIES

Whether it’s DIY or from a trendy London juice bar, CBD smoothies are this summer’s avocado on toast. Add a couple of drops of calm to your breakfast smoothie to find your summer bliss.

PINA CANNA

Serves one

INGREDIENTS

1 pipette of CUBID CBD 500mg natural oil drops

• ½ cup of pineapple chunks

½ a frozen banana

1 cup of hemp milk (or coconut milk)

• ¼ avocado

1 scoop vanilla whey protein

• 1 tbsp honey (aim for high quality or Manuka)

1 handful of ice cubes

METHOD

1. Combine all of your ingredients, except the oil drops, in a blender and pulsate for 15 - 20 seconds or until smooth.

2. For the ultimate tropical mocktail, blend for a further 5 - 10 seconds to achieve the classic foam on top.

3. Serve in a tall glass. When serving, add one pipette of 500mg oil drops (or a quarter if using 1000mg) to the glass and stir.

*For a vegan friendly option, use hemp protein powder rather than vanilla whey and leave out the honey.

TIP:

CBD is fat soluble so always ensure to include a healthy fat source in your ingredients

GREEN GODDESS Serves

one

INGREDIENTS

1 handful of spinach

• ½ green apple with the skin removed ¼ avocado 100ml coconut water

• 1 pipette of CUBID CBD 500mg natural oil drops Handful of ice

METHOD

1. Combine all of your ingredients, except for the CBD oil, in a blender with ice.

2. Blitz for 10 seconds and add more coconut water if needed.

3. Serve and add the CBD oil last. Stir the oil into your smoothie so as to avoid a layer of oil sitting on top.

SUMMER ESSENTIAL

Entertaining? Grab a drinks dispenser for supplying the office or garden with fresh CBD-infused goodness everyday.

Home Essentials, Glass Beverage Dispenser 3.78L, £7.99, Tkmaxx.

spotted at the europe cbd expo

HOW TO: MAKE CBD GUMMIES AT HOME

They are ideal for micro-dosing, discrete for taking on-the-go and they’re utterly delicious. And now you can make them in your own kitchen.

Gummies are a great way to introduce CBD into your routine and it helps to play around with flavours to see what kind of products you may want to progress onto next. They usually come in anything from 10mg to 20mg per sweet and offer slow release rather than the rapid uptick you get from vaping CBD or using oil drops. Estimated dose: 10mg per gummy.

YOU WILL NEED: METHOD:

1. Pour the gummy bears onto your lined baking tray and separate. Ensure the bears are not stuck together in clumps.

2. Taking your natural tincture, replace the pipette top with your spray cap. We picked one up from the travel aisle in a pharmacy. Of course, you could also use a spray variety of a tincture if you already have one at hand.

3. Start in the top left corner of your gummy tray and begin to spray with oil in a zigzag pattern from left to right, finishing in the bottom right corner. Once you’re satisfied that the tray has been evenly covered with oil, shake the tray gently to toss the gummies. Repeat the spraying process once more and give the tray a final shake.

4. Taking half of the sugar, use the sieve to dust the gummies, repeating the zig-zag motion used in spraying. Once you are satisfied that the gummies have been evenly coated, shake the tray to flip the sweets onto their reverse sides. Repeat the sugar-coating process once more and give a final shake.

5. Cover with clingfilm and cool in the fridge for at least one hour before serving. For best results, store in an airtight jar away from heat or sunlight.

500g of your favourite gummy bears 1 natural tincture

• 100g of sugar or a sugar alternative 1 spray cap

1 lined baking tray or large flat dish

• 1 sieve

If you want a more tropical flavour, use plain gummy bears with a tropical tincture, like tropical popsicle from koi cbd.

Kaneh

Hair and Body Soap 15% CBD oil

By Lucy MacKinnon

The natural style of packaging of this product is immediately noticeable and oh-so-trendy right now. The box is made from fully recyclable carboard, and the label shows this product was not tested on animals, is vegan friendly and GMP certified.

At the time of writing, the hair and body soap was not on the official Kaneh website so I was not able to find the recommended retail price or weight of the product to work out how much CBD I’d be putting in my hair or on my skin.

The marbled appearance and natural yellow and brown colour tones feel consistent with the brand’s natural, earthy image. The scent is very powerful and is quite fresh, almost like a meadow. Some people love the al fresco scent in skincare. I found it to be really moisturising, especially for a 2-in-1 bar of soap. A little goes a very long way with this product so it will last you and it lathers very well, which of course is always important in anyone’s bath time routine.

Cleansing Bar and Skin Purifier 50mg full spectrum CBD

By Lucy MacKinnon

I have very problematic, sensitive skin and I’m always looking for a solution. This Kaneh product uses a variety of natural ingredients to clear the skin and calm red inflammation, which for me is a major skin issue, so I was hopeful that this fancy bar of soap might be my skin saviour. With handy instructions on the bottom of the tin, after wetting the cleansing bar it tells consumers to apply the black side which contains activated charcoal. You apply to the skin and massage gently, then rinse. This is to be repeated with the other side, which is made from pink clay. Rinse and pat dry.

The activated charcoal acts as a magnet for toxins and impurities while the pink clay gently exfoliates for a deep cleanse while calming any redness. This purifier is ombined with anti-inflammatory CBD and bamboo powder, which is said to be great for pores. Although this Kaneh product did seem to calm inflammation and it did immediately look and feel intensely clean, the more sensitive areas of my skin were really dry after use and slightly cracked. This could just be my skin and the next time I go to use this bar, I will be a little more delicate in my approach. To top it all off, this product comes with a vegan authentication logo and is available to purchase on the Kaneh website for £11.99.

it’s slightly more luxurious than the regular white plastic container we so often see. This one is available from Boots and at just £7, it’s cheaper than many of its rivals too.

Skincare

IGNITE CBD Oil Drops

By Róisín Delaney

1200mg rich distillate per 30ml

When it comes to oil drops, we tend to be picky. Some manufacturers really mix anything in a bottle, give it a shake and sell it at a high price. IGNITE are pros at doing things right. Having a loyal customer base in the US has allowed the brand to master their products ahead of a massively successful launch in the UK in July. The Ignited Kingdom range encapsulates five flavoured tinctures, each with their own unique selling points. The office favourite? Calm Lavender CBD Drops, we must be pretty stressed out... Coming in just under £70 this is a great quality product at an affordable price.

CIBDOL

By Benedict Jones

CBD Oil

368mg/10ml (36.8mg/ml)

Swiss-based Cibdol’s CBD oil is a high strength formulation, intended for use as a sublingual tincture. Their proprietary filtration process removes all waxes, fats, chlorophyll and other impurities. As per Cibdol’s guidance, I used four drops of the 4 percent solution, three times a day. I found the flavour to be not dissimilar to green tea, but much softer than most of its competitors. While I do enjoy the character of this flavour, the fact that it’s so subtle means those who dislike bolder botanicals can still enjoy it. When dropped into tea or water, the taste is undetectable. I found the 4 percent solution to be very effective for my CBD intake needs, especially in the evenings when I always take a dose as part of my winding-down routine. This is a top-quality tincture with subtle but clean flavour and it’s very effective.

CBD CARTEL

By Benedict Jones

Cannabis CBD Oil Drops

1000mg/10ml (100mg/ml)

CBD Cartel market their CBD Oil Drops as being made from 100% Cannabis Sativa, rich in CBD and terpenes, but without any THC. This is a broad spectrum product, designed to be used as a tincture or infusion, so how does it stack up?

The first thing to note here is the intense flavour. I’m used to expecting some level of botanical or floral flavour from a terpene profile, but this is quite unlike anything else I’ve tried.

Placing a few drops under the tongue, CBD Cartel’s Oil has a punchy citrus taste, mild earthiness and pleasant botanicals that linger after swallowing. I think most people will thoroughly enjoy the profile. It’s distinctive but very pleasant and should have a broad appeal.

At 100mg/ml this is one of the strongest tinctures on the market and for many that means additional convenience. Just a few drops will be plenty for those who prefer low doses and the fruity flavour works nicely as an infusion for drinks. I’ve been using CBD Cartel’s Oil Drops in herbal tea and found it to be a very effective product as part of my evening routine, winding down before bed. CBD Cartel’s Oil Drops are well worth a try.

LITT

By Benedict Jones

Hemp CBD Tincture

1500mg/30ml (50mg/ml)

Tinctures are perhaps the most traditional method of consuming CBD, so I was intrigued to see IVG’s take on the format, considering they are best known as a vaping company.

This tincture is a high dose at 50mg/ml but their pipette is marked with volume indicators, so really easy to use. This may seem basic but I like the fact that the recommended dose and clear directions for use are on the packaging and bottle of this tincture. This should be a given but is missing on a large number of CBD products.

I used the recommended dose of 1ml per day, at around 8pm as part of my ‘winding down’ routine. I found the tincture to be very effective for this purpose, easing me in to a relaxed frame of mind and getting me ready to sleep.

These oil drops carry a very mild hemp flavour, which is fantastic for those who do not enjoy the sometimesbold taste that CBD can impart. This is a home run of a tincture that’s easy to dose and plenty strong for those that require large CBD intake.

LITT

By Benedict Jones

Hemp

CBD Additive

500mg/10ml (50mg/ml)

LITT Hemp CBD additive is designed to be used in vaping devices as a CBD infusion. As with the tincture, recommended dosage and instructions for use are clearly marked on the packaging, which is great for those who are new to CBD.

Following the guidelines, I mixed the additive with one of my favourite fruity e-liquids at a ratio of 3 parts e-liquids to 1-part additive. I found that this product did impart more of a botanical flavour than the tincture, but it was not overwhelming by any stretch of the imagination. This effect can be mitigated by using the additive with particularly strong fruit blends such as citrus or tropical.

At 50mg/ml strength, I found the relaxing effects to be noticeable, making it a good choice for those who have a high threshold for CBD dosage. This is a very versatile additive that will be useful for CBD fans who already use vapour products.

LITT Vape Pen – Blue Raspberry

50mg organic CBD per cartridge

By Benedict Jones

The LITT CBD Vape Pen is an interesting concept. Experienced users of CBD products will know that vaping is one of the most efficient ways for CBD to be consumed but this is unique in that it’s an all-in-one product that does not require any kind of maintenance.

The pen provides a very restricted mouth-to-lung draw, tighter than most pod systems on the market. Airflow is smooth and quiet, providing a cool but relatively flavoursome vape.

Blue raspberry has always been a mysterious flavour profile, that’s open to the interpretation of the manufacturer, but in this case it leans heavily towards a traditional hard candy. The flavour itself is very light, a mild tartness, moderate sweetener and no throat hit to speak of.

As 50mg is the entirety of the CBD content of the pen I tested, it is fair to say that the dose is mild, but I did notice the effects when using it as the primary source of CBD in my daily routine. The contents and battery of the pen lasted me two full days of moderate use, though of course this will vary depending on CBD intake, so those used to high doses may benefit from one of LITT’s stronger products.

IGNITE CBD Lucid Disposable Vape Pen

150mg CBD isolate in MCT oil

By Lucy MacKinnon

The Lucid vape is designed to help users stay clear and balanced and this product has definitely met its brief. A few puffs and you’re re-focused. In terms of durability, each pen lasts for 150 three-second puffs, which is pretty good compared to most other disposable devices.

As a regular vaper myself, I can’t emphasise enough how important flavour is when it comes to CBD vapes. In this case, the blood orange tang is not overpowering and the citrus elements are equally refreshing and subtle. The throat hit is generally smooth, however if a long drag is taken it can begin to taste slightly burnt.

The lack of massive vape clouds means the pen can be carried around and used unnoticed, even at work, with the blue light on the bottom being the only giveaway.

This disposable vape has a simple, sleek design, replicating the IGNITE brand. Rechargeable vapes are also available on the IGNITE UK website.

LITT CBD Vape Juice – Bubble Gum

1000mg/30ml (33mg/ml)

By Benedict Jones

LITT CBD Vape Juice is more along the lines of IVG’s traditional products. In fact, this Bubble Gum flavour put them on the map with their original e-liquid line and remains to be one of the most popular flavours on the UK vaping scene.

This is a bright, fruity bubble-gum flavour, with plenty of sweetness and a mildly sticky mouthfeel. There’s also a sweet but minty accent contrasting with the heavier fruit, keeping the profile from becoming sickly. At 33mg/ ml, this is a high dose product when it comes to vapable CBD and I did notice a strong botanical flavour. Though clearly present, I feel this actually complements IVG’s Bubble Gum profile quite nicely.

This is another success for IVG in terms of effectiveness and I found that after just a few vapes from a low power pod system, I was feeling the effects of the CBD content. As someone who enjoys the flavour of CBD this blend suits me perfectly, but those who prefer a less noticeable flavour may prefer the LITT tincture, which is more neutral on the palate.

Deja Voodoo Spiked:

Sample strength: 100mg (10mg/ml)

A Wick Liquor classic. The authentic coconut top note has a distinctive flavour free of the suntan lotion tang often found in coconut flavourings. This is supported by a mellow dairy base, which boosts mouthfeel and adds a sugary finish that cements this as a dessert profile. The 100mg variety has a noticeable botanical flavour that complements the coconut. A good option for those who wish to try an adventurous CBD blend.

Contra Spiked:

Sample strength: 100mg (10mg/ml)

Contra has a distinctive south-east Asian mango top note. It’s bright, sweet and mildly earthy, with a dense sticky texture. This is supported by a subtle berry medley, lending a softer sweet ness and amplifying the earthy mango. The contrasting lemon sorbet adds a tarte aftertaste. In the 100mg variety, the botanical flavour of the isolate is barely noticeable. This is a great option for those who do not enjoy the taste of CBD but would like a well-crafted fruit blend.

Carnival Spiked:

Sample strength: 100mg (10mg/ml)

This rich and dense bakery flavour captures the doughnut experience very nicely. There also seems to be a mild banana or strawberry going on, adding brightness to the mix, but it’s difficult to say for sure because of how subtle it is. The botanical CBD flavour is subdued but can still be picked out. This is certainly an unusual combination of flavours, but it works and I vaped through my bottle rather quickly.

ULTRA:

Sample strength: 1000mg (100mg/ml)

This versatile additive can be dropped into e-liquid short-fills at a dose of your choosing, into food and drink for slow release, or applied directly under the tongue for those who prefer oral delivery. I’ve been using it mainly as an additive in coffee and soft drinks and have found it to be nearly tasteless in these applications. Great for those who want to add CBD to their daily routine with minimum effort.

Boulevard Spiked:

Sample strength: 100mg (10mg/ml)

The Spiked range infuses Wick Liquor’s classic range with CBD isolate. The vivid raspberry and blackcurrant medley here provides a natural earthiness, some mild tart notes and a deca dent, sticky body. This is contrasted by a brighter orange and lemon citrus which boosts the tart finish. The 100mg variety has minimal botanical flavour, which naturally pairs with the saturated fruits. A fantastic profile for CBD infusion.

BY BENEDICT JONES

Ambience Muscle Balm

50mg per 30ml tub

By Lucy MacKinnon

I picked up this product at the Europe CBD Expo and after clocking up 45,000 steps in two days I thought it would be a fitting time to give it a go and see if it really works. I applied the balm to my calves and lower back after showering and then went to bed. When I woke the next day, my achy pain had mostly disappeared, which is impressive after just one application. I know my sleep had something to do with my recovery but I do believe the balm got to work as my body got some rest. I used the balm sparingly, which is helped by its thin consistency, so the 30ml tub will last for a while. This doesn’t necessarily smell perfumed, but it has that pharmacy, clinically clean smell from when it’s first opened. I would argue this makes the product unisex. The packaging is plain and simple and clearly states the CBD content of 50mg on both the cardboard box and the tub itself. Ambience Muscle Balm did relieve the tension that had built up in my muscles after another hectic expo and it is recommended to be applied three to four times a day to maximise the effects. I really love that this product range is very reasonably priced, it’s made in the UK and it’s available on the high street from Holland and Barrett for £12.99.

Kushed Get Lit Lemon Drop Candle

By Lucy MacKinnon

We picked this product up at a CUBID CBD event in Mayfair from Cannatural and initially loved the look and scent. Who knew canna candles were a thing? The simple appearance and subtle nod to the plant means this is a more understated cannabis interior product, and would work well in any aesthetic, for events or in the home.

I was slightly confused as to what the wax is made of, as the labelling features cannabis connotations with the name ‘Kushed - Get Lit’ and a subtle marijuana leaf has been delicately featured in the design. But flip it over and you’ll see this candle contains no CBD (or THC.) It does say the main ingredients are lemon, basil and cannabis so perhaps hemp seeds are included, but the actual cannabis content is unclear. This product is said to refresh, energise and stimulate

Future CBD Roll On

Contains 100mg CBD per 10ml

By Róisín Delaney

the mind and boasts a citrus-filled spa scent that lingers even after quenching. When I first lit the candle, the cotton wick gave off a noticeable amount of black smoke, but this could have been because the wick was too long, so perhaps a simple trim is in order. Overall, I love the idea of canna candles, and with the addition of a little more information on the label this would be a great product, nevertheless Get Lit is such a beautiful house gift.

The instructions on this peppermint and eucalyptus roll-on oil recommend applying to the temples, muscles or joints. I don’t doubt that it is effective in all three areas, but I found that this roll on ointment absolutely saved me while on holiday in Croatia in June for a different reason. Mosquitoes love me and I had read about peppermint being off-putting to the airborne pests. While I still got a few nibbles, I found this blend of essential oils and CBD to be really great at reducing irritation and inflammation. This handbag-sized roll on comes in a glass 10ml bottle with roller applicator on top, so it’s really convenient and discrete for using anywhere in the world.

Bumblezest Ginger, Turmeric and CBD

2.5mg of full spectrum CBD per bottle

This summer we’re loving CBD drinks and there’s a great variety of new brands available in your nearest health food store.

I recently tried this Ginger, Turmeric and CBD concoction from Bumblezest. This brand is known for its quirky take on health-boosting shots, combining herbal ingredients that have been shown time and time again to heal from within. This little shot of CBD-infused zest woke me right up. Packed with a powerful helping of both lemon juice (18%) ginger juice (16%) and organic turmeric, there’s a lot of taste in this little bottle of goodness. Don’t let the 60ml bottle-size fool you. At only 20 calories, this is one fiery micro-dose, and it’s vegan-friendly. There’s a sparkling version too!

Editor’s PICK

Canna du Chocolat

Made in Surrey, these bite-size milk chocolates are hot contenders for the tastiest, most authentic CBD treats to have crossed my desk. Naturalis is a proud British brand with everything from skincare to CBD patches. While they use a CBD extract from California, all of their products are, they say, ‘perfected in London,’ to a high standard. Melt in the mouth luxury. Gluten free, but sadly not

Future CBD Gummy Bears

Contains 20mg of CBD per sweet

Gummies usually come in a plastic tub or resealable bag where they get sticky and lose some of their appeal. On first impression, Future CBD have the right idea of serving their CBD-infused bears in an old school mint tin. They come in packs of seven, but in this instance I found less is more. Each sweet contains 20mg of pure CBD distillate, but there’s another component added: L-Theanine. This is the same amino acid you’ll find on the back of a box of green tea, and Future CBD describe the addition as ‘a natural complement to CBD.’ When it comes to flavours, gummies can go one of two ways but this sample pack didn’t have any unwanted lingering scent or taste unlike others I’ve tried.

Plum Haze and Apple Jam Herbl CBD

By Katie Loomes

As a jam lover, I was very excited to get my hands on this brand-new plum haze and apple jam from Herbl CBD. It definitely lived up to my expectations and could be a new firm favourite for my office breakfast. Each jar contains fresh, seasonal and organic ingredients – perfect for a health nut like myself. The plum gives it a lovely delicate flavour, complemented by the sweet and fruity apple. This delicious combination means you can’t taste the CBD oil at all. Honestly, that’s not something which I would want to taste first thing in the morning on my toast. If your breakfast habits are like mine, I would definitely recommend this sweet little jar to any jam lovers out there! I know I’m certainly looking forward to trying the rest of the Herbl CBD range.

Gummy Bears Sun State Hemp

500mg full spectrum CBD per container

By Róisín Delaney

Gummy bears have become a staple among CBD stores, health food shops and even pharmacies across the UK this year, but some are really unpleasant and oily to taste. Sun State Hemp produce their edible candy in Florida and also have a UK distribution network in Bradford. A leading source for edibles in particular, this brand uses 100% organic CBD extract and really great quality ingredients, and it shows in the taste. This combination of your favourite sour sweet flavours come in a variety of CBD concentrations, ranging from 180mg to 3000mg. I sampled the 500mg tub and while there is definitely a hemp hit, it’s not overbearing and the sour fruit flavours really take all of the attention. Yes they taste amazing, and yes you only need one or two at a time, but what this brand does that no one else seems to take seriously is the 'Adults Only’ age warning packaging. It’s no shock that edibles will be attractive to kids, but Sun State Hemp have taken measures in sacrificing some of their label space for these warnings so parents can make up their own minds about how accessible to make them in the home. It’s also recommended that you don’t take more than four pieces in six hours. What isn’t very clear is how they fair where THC is concerned. My favourite flavour? Blue, it’s incredibly bitter and I love it.

Premium Ground Coffee Canniant

CBD 2.5mg CBD + 2.4mg CBDA per 50ml serving

By Róisín Delaney

CBD coffee is everywhere right now. But being totally honest, I have yet to taste CBD from any of the coffees I’ve tried, so I’m always a little sceptical. Canniant, based in London, say theirs is a premium roasted coffee with hemp flowers that provides more proven daily benefits than your regular go-to blend. It's 90% robusta, 10% arabica whilst being free from sugar, THC and it’s suitable for vegans. Is it different to all of the others? For a start, it smells bloody amazing first thing in the morning. This is the first time I’ve been able to clearly see the presence of hemp flower in the coffee bag (mine was a 340g refillable pouch.) This particular blend gives off a slight hemp scent, but this wasn’t really obvious in the taste. How did it taste? Like a medium Brazilian roast with earthy tones. One thing that’s different about this blend is the lack of bitterness I’ve noticed in other variants. Canniant also make a special effort to ensure transparency with their products, which I love to see. Each of their products comes with a QR code on the label, so you can easily access their lab reports whenever you like. They also make Nespresso compatible pods which come in packs of 12 which I am definitely going to try next.

Mile High Labs is setting the standards for cannabidiol (CBD) ingredient manufacturing. Our proprietary process yields some of the most scientifically advanced CBD available while supplying a considerable portion of the world’s overall market. Mile High’s industrial-scale laboratories and private labeling services are trusted by global partners who understand that compliance, consistency and quality are critical to success.