Cannavist USA 1

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Behind the

Scenes

The Editor Róisín Delaney

Assistant Editor Gordon Stribling Senior Journalist Caroline Barry

Head of Design Hayley Parker

Creative Director James Parnell

Lead Graphic Designer Connor Dimberline

Junior Graphic Designer Ayaz Arshad

Junior Graphic Designer Lewis Eyre

Junior Graphic Designer Aaron Rana Design Support Lucy Booth

Marketing Manager Katie Loomes

Marketing Executive Carrie Strouther

Senior Web Developer Aadil Popat

Junior Web Developer Kain Alden Staff Photographer Josh Tysoe

Finance Director Joanne Stubley Accountant Kris Worton

Finance Executive Anna Difusco Finance Executive Mollie Smith

Sales Director Meridith Riley Sales Manager Steve Culf Sales Supervisor Tom Slack Sales Executive Jason Bacon Sales Executive Carl Mayes Sales Executive Robin Rodriguez Sales Executive Baz Bassra Sales Executive Peter Masters Intl. Business Development Manager

Abida Razaque

Director Pom Kaila Director David Turner Managing Director Paul Caplin

Managing Director USA Greg Brauser

E Letter

Ihaving launched a mere two months after the legalization of medical cannabis there.

Fast forward to January this year and The CANNAVIST became the first cannabis-based publication to be sold on news stands across the UK and Ireland. For us, our job is history in the making, in every sense of the phrase. For those of you who aren’t yet familiar with our team, we’re not new at this.

Niche magazines are what we do! Five years ago, we established Vapouround, which has grown into a beast of a brand. Vapouround is produced in the UK for the world and is the global leader dominating in vape trade publishing.

resource for your business. We’re here to present you with information, education and direction so you know the latest happenings in the law, in cultivation, in retail and consumer trends and welfare. We’re also a space where you can put your best foot forward to the world. We are uniquely positioned as the only medical cannabis and CBD magazine available in print and online with reach on both sides of the Atlantic. Our team is here to listen to and share your stories, so if you have a white paper to publish, if you have a medical cannabis study to advertise or you have a product to launch, we’ll work with you every step of the way.

We invite you to browse the pages of our debut issue and get in touch with our Florida office on 561.922.9464.

This publication and the products shown herein are intended for an adult 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, The CANNAVIST 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: editorial@cannavistmag.com

Róisín Delaney | The Editor

The CANNAVIST is published by Yellow Monday Media Ltd in Derby, United Kingdom. The CANNAVIST is printed by Southwest Offset, located in California. The CANNAVIST abides by an Editors’ Code of Practice as outlined by the Independent Press Standards Organization in the UK. The CANNAVIST is committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism. Statements about health and wellbeing in this magazine pertaining to identifiable products have not been approved by the FDA unless otherwise stated.

If you would like to make a complaint, email the editor at editorial@cannavistmag.com. For all advertising inquiries please email: advertising@cannavistmag.com. For event inquiries, email: events@cannavistmag.com. Got an editorial opportunity or work in PR? Email the editorial team: editorial@cannavistmag.com. For more information about this magazine, go to Cannavistmag.com or call our Florida office on: 561.922.9464

CONTENTS Issue One

ON THE COVER

The creator of Kushly and Pure Kana CODY ALT talks success and strategy.

IN THE KNOW

CBG defeats MRSA superbug

Pennsylvania study shows the main reasons thousands of patients are using medical cannabis

Guest Contributors

Our experts discuss the latest innovation in CBD, must-try products and empowering entrepreneurs.

Dr Richard Cunningham

Dr Richard Cunningham has a PhD in medicinal chemistry from Queen’s University Belfast, where he also worked as a post-doctoral researcher. Dr Cunningham has also worked as a research instructor at the University of South Alabama’s Mitchell Cancer Institute. Among his areas of expertise are organic synthesis, nucleosides, nucleotides, cellular biology, vitamins, aminoglycosides, drug delivery, phosphorous chemistry and chemical analysis.

Kerri Moncrieff

Educate. Engage. Empower. These are the three Es which Colorado-based guest writer Kerri Moncrieff, also known as the Hemp Lass, swears by. The CEO works with industry partners to enhance how they present their cannabis story, empowering entrepreneurs to grow their businesses with better communication.

Lisa Blake

Journalist turned communications consultant, Lisa Blake, hails from Ireland, where she studied at the University of Limerick. Living in London, Lisa maintains a healthy work-life balance with a passion for CBD.

Benedict Jones

Benedict ‘Ned’ Jones is an experienced independent product reviewer. Ned has a lot of knowledge to offer, particularly where niche products are concerned. Here, Ned gives us his honest take on the newest products to hit the market, so that you can make an informed purchase.

B r oa d- s p ect rum C BD d o n e ri g h t .

p r e mium p r ocess , f r o m fa rm to bottl e .

EXTRACT

Empire State of Mind

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has suggested a comprehensive regulatory approach to legalization of cannabis for adult use. His proposed ‘Office for Cannabis Management’ would oversee cannabis management, hemp programs and adult usage. The introduction of the industry is expected to bring in $20m in revenue within the first year. The proposal seeks to set rules in relation to taxation, marketing to children and banning alcohol in dispensaries. Governor Cuomo said: “Legalize adult use cannabis. I believe it is best done in the budget. I said that last year. I believe the budget is the opportunity, frankly, to make some tough decisions and work through tough issues.” Time will tell if the 2020 bill will be successful.

Oregon: No more CBD Cocktails

The Oregon Liquor Control Commission, which regulates both alcohol and recreational cannabis use, has ruled that businesses can no longer serve alcohol-based drinks infused with CBD or THC in the state, citing concerns about liver damage. Spokesperson for the agency, Mark Pettinger, said: “We’ve wanted to address the issue of CBD getting into alcohol and because there are a lot of unknowns about the effect of taking CBD, there’s very little scientific evidence. People are using them for wellness, but how they interact with other substances, not a lot is known.”

The ban does not affect CBD infused soft drinks or edibles.

Saving face

The European Commission database of cosmetics ingredients (CosIng) has recently been updated to include Cannabis sativa leaf extract. This represents an important milestone for CBD in Europe. However, CBD extracted from flower or any other cannabinoidcontaining extracts are still listed as “problematic” by the EU.

The Italian Job

Italy’s supreme court has ruled that small-scale domestic cultivation of cannabis plants is now legal. However, the plants must be cultivated for the exclusive use of the grower and are prohibited from being sold. Advocates for legalization are calling for further legislation to be put in place, but the landmark decision has angered conservatives. The ruling 5-Star movement favors a more liberal approach to cannabis with senator Matteo Mantero stating that: “The court has opened the way, now it’s up to us.”

Whole Foods?

Whole Foods has announced it is halting the sale of CBD in stores as the giant chain awaits clarification from the FDA concerning cannabinoids in foods. Until recently, Whole Foods, owned by Amazon, has only sold cosmetic products containing CBD oil which would not be affected by any potential changes. Does this mean that Whole Foods were until recently considering expansion into CBD infused foods? The chain, headquartered in Austin TX, owns 500 US branches and 14 stores in Canada.

Higher Education?

Recent studies conducted by the National College Health Assessment (NCHA) have shown a decrease in binge drinking among undergraduates in states where recreational use is legal. The two studies of 850,000 college students from 135 colleges aged 18-26 were conducted from 2008 to 2018. It revealed that students living in areas with legalization were 46% more likely to have tried cannabis than those who didn’t and 18% were more likely to have used in the past 30 days. A further 17% were likely to be frequent users.

LANDMARK STUDY SHOWS CBG CAN DESTROY SUPERBUG

New research shows that Cannabigerol combats the development of antibiotic resistant superbugs such as MRSA

Words by Caroline Barry

Scientists have proven that Cannabigeriol (CBG), which until now has been classed as a minor cannabinoid, could be vital in the fight against the development of antibiotic resistant super strains of common infections.

In the study, which had not been released in full at the time of publication, scientists screened five cannabis compounds for their antibiotic properties in the fight to combat the rise of antibiotic resistance and the development of ‘superbugs.’

CBG has proven as successful in treating Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus – Aureus (MRSA) as Vancomycin, which is widely regarded as one of the last drugs left in the treatment of antibiotic resistance. The cannabinoid appeared to successfully kill common MRSA microbes and cells which drive repeat infections. It also removed hard to clear biofilms of MRSA that form on skin and implants.

Eric Brown, a microbiologist who led the work at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, said that

cannabinoids were “clearly great drug-like compounds” but noted the compounds would need to be assessed for use in clinics.

“There is much work to do to explore the potential of cannabinoids as antibiotics from the safety standpoint,” he said.

The rise in superbugs and antibiotic

resistant strains of infection is a global issue expected to rise to 10 million deaths per year by 2050 with a cost of $10 trillion if nothing is done. A report from Public Health England in the UK shows that there were 61,000 new antibiotic resistant infections in 2018, an increase of 9% on the previous year.

Organisms that cause infections such as HIV/AIDs, malaria, sexually transmitted diseases, urinary tract disease, chest infections, bloodstream infections and food poisoning are already resistant to a large range of anti-microbials. Some cases of tuberculosis and gonorrhoea are already resistant to last resort antibiotics.

The bacteria are divided into two classes such as gram positive, which have a thick single cell membrane and gram negative, which have inner and outer cells making them harder to treat. Brown found that CBG had little effect on the gram-negative strains until mixed with small quantities of Polymyxin B, an existing antibiotic that disrupts the outer membrane.

The cannabis compound successful destroyed the drug resistant pathogens. The most ‘critical’ bacteria highlighted by the World Health Organization are all listed as gram negative.

Statistics for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show

more than 2.8 million antibioticresistant infections occur in the US each year and more then 35,000 people die as a result. However, this study highlights the need for development and research of new antibiotics as the most recent discovery came over 30 years ago. Cannabis is just one plant that offers an alternative. Other plants that have shown antibiotic properties include garlic and tea tree oil along with the spices, curcumin and turmeric.

“There is much work to do to explore the potential of cannabinoids as antibiotics from the safety standpoint”

– McMaster University Microbiologist

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These Jelly Beans are the first hemp derived CBD Jelly bean and brought to you by the inventor of the JELLY BELLY® jelly bean. Each jelly bean has 10mg CBD per bean.

*Jelly Belly® jelly beans is a trademark of JellyBelly, inc and not associated with DB Wholesale CBD Industries, inc.

UNDER THE MICROSCOPE

Pennsylvania’s largest ever medical cannabis study finds 99% of patients in the state achieve a better quality of life with improved access.

Almost all Pennsylvanian medical cannabis patients who took part in a recent explorative survey were able to reduce pain, experience better sleep, suffer less anxiety and less frequent seizures according to the results.

A white paper published on the first of its kind study in the state, almost four years after medical cannabis was legalized there, also found the majority of patients gained an increase in appetite and experienced

fewer withdrawal symptoms (in cases of opioid use disorder). More than half of the 2,000 respondents said they did not experience any negative side effects of using medical cannabis.

Affinity Biopartners, AI Health Outcomes and Compassionate Certifications collaborated on this study, which will provide insight into the purpose of and explore just how effective the Keystone State’s medical cannabis program is.

This data may present inspiration to law makers in other states where medical cannabis has not yet been made as welcome.

ON HOME SOIL

The American CBD industry had a head start in attracting curious cannabis consumers from the UK. But it’s now having to compete with a diverse and innovative domestic marketplace.

The UK’s cannabis conversation has changed considerably since the medical variety was legalized in November 2018. The British public has become far more open to embracing cannabis in day-today life, which has allowed the CBD industry to diversify and enter all-new spaces.

Dan Currey is founder of ICE Headshop. The company opened in 2012 as an archetypal headshop selling seeds and paraphernalia. The CBD boom in the US presented an opportunity to reach a more mainstream audience.

“Initially it was only CBD e-liquids that were available, but then more and more types of CBD were coming out,” Dan said.

“I’m actually uploading products now, a whole range of things like balms, rubs and roll-ons and gummy bears. The list is endless.” Much like in the US, UK business marketing practices are limited by what they can actually say about their products and CBD generally. But this is not the barrier to business that it was in the early days.

“Customers e-mail and call me all the time saying that they’ve got a certain ailment. We can be vague and advise them but obviously we can’t be explicit in our descriptions.

“The general public are now more educated about it than they were before anyway.”

While there are more CBD consumers in the UK than ever before, uncertainty remains about the legality of raw, unprocessed hemp flower, which can be found in headshops and vape shops all over the UK and is widely available in the US. Dan believes that its legal status is all a matter of how the flower

is processed. “If you sell a European hemp strain ground up in a teabag and market it as a tea, hemp tea has been around for thousands of years, so they can’t really get you for that.

“But if you just have a plant, call it ‘White Widow’ and just say it’s a tea, it’s not going to fly. It has to be actual tea.”

Whatever happens with flower, 2020 is already looking like a year of competitive innovation for companies like ICE Headshop. And while CBD has stolen the show up until now, it seems that the socalled minor cannabinoids will muscle in on the action. “I see the rise of more cannabinoids and I think CBG will be big.

“We’re about to bring out a disposable pen which contains a freeform distillate that’s going to have about 50% CBD, 8% CBG, 5% CBDC and 10% other cannabinoids.

“It’s an amazing array of cannabinoids in one little disposable pen and we’re hoping it’s going to be very big, but we’ll see what happens.”

“I see the rise of more cannabinoids over CBD and I think CBG will be big”

FDA TO REGULATE CBD AS A DIETARY SUPPLEMENT?

When the FDA raised concerns about its safety, big names like PepsiCo and Ben & Jerry’s put their CBD plans on ice. Could a bill to classify CBD as a dietary supplement turn things around?

Words by Gordon Stribling

Abill that could pave the way for CBD edibles and drinks to be legally marketed has been introduced by a bipartisan group of lawmakers.

Bill H.R. 5587 would see CBD classified as a dietary supplement in an amendment to the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. This would mean that CBD supplements would be treated like vitamins and allowed to be sold without being submitted to the testing required of medicines.

The bill was filed by Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN), chairman of the House Agriculture Committee and cosponsored by Reps. Thomas Massie (RKY), James Comer (R-KY) and Chellie Pingree (D-ME).

If passed, the USDA would be required to study the regulatory barriers for farmers engaged in hemp production. Peterson said:

“The last two Farm Bills were landmark successes for hemp, but we are still very early in this process, and growers need regulatory certainty.

“This bill will allow FDA to regulate CBD that comes from hemp as a dietary

supplement, providing a pathway forward for hemp-derived products.”

The legislation would be something of a coup for farmers who embraced hemp after the Farm Bill legalized the plant in December 2018.

It would likely receive the backing of Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky), who has encouraged the state’s struggling tobacco farmers to move into hemp production.

Wall Street initially anticipated that CBD foods and drinks would contribute to more than $15 billion in annual sales.

However, many of the big names were scared off when the FDA raised concerns about the safety of CBD products last year.

Ben & Jerry’s recently said that it would move forward with plans to create CBD ice cream ‘only if the FDA approved the compound.’

The FDA has been cracking down heavily on CBD supplements over the past year, using its discretion to target companies making outlandish medical claims.

In November, it sent warning letters to 15 companies it said had used their websites and social media platforms to market CBD products in ways that violated food, drug and cosmetics safety laws.

This included medical claims such as CBD: “could help manage . . . Alzheimer’s disease and autism. ... contains powerful fatty acids that fight yeast and bacterial growth.”

The FDA also indicated that it ‘cannot conclude that CBD is generally recognised as safe (GRAS) among qualified experts for its use in human or animal food.’

FDA principal deputy commissioner, Amy Abernethy, MD, PhD, said:

“We remain concerned that some people wrongly think that the myriad of CBD products on the market, many of which are illegal, have been evaluated by the FDA and determined to be safe, or that trying CBD ‘can’t hurt.’

“Aside from one prescription drug approved to treat two paediatric epilepsy disorders, these products have not been approved by the FDA and we want to be clear that a number of questions remain regarding CBD’s safety.”

The regulator issued a Consumer Update the same day that the warning letters were sent, stating that CBD has the potential to harm and cause side effects that users may not notice. It also

said that there’s still a lot that we don’t know about CBD.

The FDA is continuing to draw up regulatory pathways for the many types of CBD products now available on the market.

In June 2018, Epidiolex became the first FDA-approved drug derived from cannabis.

The drug is used to treat seizures associated with two rare and severe forms of epilepsy, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome.

“This bill will provide a pathway forward for hemp-derived products”

ALT-ERNATIVE

Self-made ‘serial entrepreneur’ Cody Alt discusses off the charts success and making a difference with CBD.

Words by Caroline Barry

He started his first company with business partner Jeff Yauck in 2017 following an $18,000 investment and within a few months, the company had a 20,000 strong customer base with monthly sales of over $750,000.

Cody followed this success with a second company, Kushly, in February 2018. He describes himself as a very focused and results-driven entrepreneur despite being ‘self-made from a small town in Montana with about 20 people.’

He developed an interest in CBD as he searched for help with sleeping issues.

“I have struggled with insomnia since I graduated high school, but CBD helped me turn a page,” he said.

Cody has been described as ‘a serial entrepreneur’ or ‘a business titan’ in reference to tackling the opioid crisis headon with the development of his CBD products for pain relief.

“It’s pretty surreal to be honest. When I started these brands, I just wanted to help people and hoped that I made enough money to pay my bills and live comfortably.

“It feels really awesome when you can make an impact on someone’s life with the products you created.”

Opioid abuse in the US has reached critical levels, with the death toll for 2018 estimated at 13,000. Cody says he is proud of the effect that his products have in this area.

“We’re changing lives for the better every single day and putting a dent in the opioid crisis.”

Cody doesn’t see himself finishing with business despite the success of the companies he has launched.

He considers himself to be ‘in the bottom of the third inning.’ Even after he sells both brands, he won’t

Building a vertically integrated, successful CBD company from the ground up in just six months is no easy task. But Cody Alt has done just that – twice.

be done.

“I love business and I love everything there is to do with it. The negotiations, the wins and the lessons that it teaches you. It has shaped and defined me as a human.”

Cody has also experienced rejection first-hand as an entrepreneur.

“I feel like any time you start a business, and I’ve started a lot, you always deal with rejection.

“If it’s not trying to get business, it can come from a friend or family member. Everything about business is a challenge.

“But when you have a few wins you just wait for the gutpunch of something to go wrong.”

Cody’s drive to succeed comes from experiencing being broke while growing up in a town with a bar and 8-10 houses. And although his life has changed a lot, he is proud and happy with how he grew up.

“I love what I do now compared to turning wrenches which is what I grew up doing. I was essentially a glorified mechanic until I was 26.”

Despite working on several brands at once and having a keen interest in extreme sports, (he suffered a snow mobile accident prior to this interview) Cody finds time to relax by sampling his own products. He works out and CBD is his go-to stress-reliever. He says he uses the oils to help him sleep and to ease anxiety.

“I use the bath bombs for relaxation, the skin care daily for non-oily smooth skin, the toothpicks for golfing or being outdoors and the topicals for sore muscles and joints.”

So, what is he working on next considering that he aims to ‘build the Kellogg Cereals of CBD brands?’

“I am launching a few things. One that I am currently working on is still in the CBD space but will be tailored for people who need extreme focus for long periods of time, for example, gamers.

“But that’s all I can say at the moment.”

“It feels really awesome when you can make an impact on someone’s life with your products you created”

Lady Business

In each issue, The CANNAVIST meets inspirational women who are killing it in the industry. This time Editor Róisín Delaney meets Christina DiArcangelo Puller from Pennsylvania. With 21 stellar years in traditional biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, Christina gave it all up for medical cannabis and CBD research. Three years after making a career change, Christina is now the CEO, founder and board president of three companies and a non-profit. Oh, and she’s also a mom.

Christina DiArcangelo Puller comes from an executive background having worked in drug development with some of the biggest names in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. Her résumé lists organizations like Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca, MedImmune and Biogen. Across those multinational corporations, she has earned 21 years of experience and a world-class reputation.

Then her ‘traditional’ co-workers as she calls them, made light of her ambitions in medical cannabis and CBD. That was three years ago, and we bet they’re not laughing now.

“It’s a weird path. I transitioned into the CBD space three years ago. It was kind of by accident. I had been paying attention to research and I had seen stuff coming out of Israel and Australia – not as much from the US three years ago. Now we’ve started to take a lead on research which is

fantastic, but three years ago, it really wasn’t something you talked about. My colleagues on the traditional side made fun of me because they thought I was crazy!

“I am a traditional biotech person who wants to help patients and can see there’s a value here and it needs to be studied so we have to do research just like in anything else.”

Christina’s extensive biopharma background explored several drug development projects, one of which was Remicade, an antibody used to treat a host of conditions.

“Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, paediatric Crohn’s, Crohn’s, psoriatic arthritis, pancreatic cancer… there were a multitude of things we were developing Remicade for, and so that was a really excellent experience for me. Since then I’ve worked on a lot of drugs and I’ve seen a lot of the side effects.”

Four years ago, on October 13, 2015, Christina’s father lost his battle with cancer. In the year that followed, Christina’s path changed as she not

only came to terms with his passing but was inspired by it.

“I originally started Affinity Patient Advocacy as a cancer non-profit to help patients because my dad had passed away from stage four liver and stomach cancers. I became his advocate. That was the silver lining in a very negative situation. I knew he was going to die. Leading up to it I knew it was going to happen, I knew I was going to have to try to figure out a way to live without my dad. My son was only 3-and-a-half at the time.”

It was at this point when Christina, a confident public speaker, was presented with a challenge – to make a keynote speech from a personal perspective for a local resource, rather than her usual professional podium.

“It was very difficult for me. Most of the time when I’m speaking at something, it’s professional – I suit up – in this instance for the first time ever in my career I was able to talk from my heart about the struggles I had coping with his passing.”

Fast forward to 2019 and Christina is CEO and founder of Affinity Bio Partners; CEO and Board President of Affinity Patient Advocacy; CEO and co-founder of AI Health Outcomes of which the CannaBot is an artificial intelligence brainchild. In her spare time, Christina co-hosts YouTube show ‘Coming Out With Cannabis’ and is a Board Member of the American Society of Cannabis Medicine (ASCM). Her role is still research-focused, but she can voice her educated opinion on matters now as a woman in business, and also as an advocate, something a career in Big Pharma could never afford her.

“In the traditional biopharma space, I could never get involved with politics. That’s a no no. You know how it works, they pay for lobbyists and you have to stay out of it – especially in clinical research. With medical cannabis and CBD, I can get involved with politics. I advocated on behalf of patients before city council, for decriminalization proceedings, working on a federal level with the American Society of Cannabis Medicine, so I’m down The Hill quite often.

“Now I’m lobbying, I’m meeting with politicians, I’m speaking out on behalf of patients in front of the public and testifying on their behalf.”

She makes money moves

What do words like research, biopharma and advocacy all have in common? Money. As CEO, Christina knows all too well that there are people out there who tug on the strings of compassion. She says, “People call and ask if we will donate our services. But we can’t. We have to work, we have to make a living. We don’t charge the same price points in medical cannabis and CBD research that they do on the traditional side out of respect.”

The CBD and medical cannabis

industries are on the cusp of a boom, but funding to back research, or a lack thereof, is still a problem. Christina says, “There isn’t enough funding. People need to understand it’s going to take ‘X’ amount of money to get you to that finish line. You have to make sure you raise enough or continue to sustain a raise after your first couple of studies.”

While securing funding is an uphill climb for any campaign, this total girl boss doesn’t believe in the green rush everyone else is talking about.

“Everybody is in a rush around here. They’re putting it [CBD] in everything… coffee, tea, cookies, ice cream, water, juice. It’s too much! We’re overloading now, you’re flooding your endocannabinoid system with all of these different terpene profiles, you have to stick with what works for you. Bath bombs are great but this not a get rich quick scheme!”

Something which has cost an eyewatering amount of money is Christina’s precious CannaBot.

“We designed the little bot. I’m really proud of this. It’s an artificial intelligence platform that patients can use to be educated at the public domain and the subscriber can issue them authorization for access through the private domain.”

The two-tiered system offers answers to frequently asked questions which those curious about CBD and medical cannabis might have, while CannaBot can also provide more bespoke information and services via a private gateway and the cherry on the cake?

“It’s all voice activated through Alexa and Google.”

At this point Christina’s office Alexa interrupted our interview. That’s AI for you!

As the multi-talented and skilled entrepreneur approaches the fifth anniversary of her father’s passing,

year.

“This is all stuff I couldn’t have done in the traditional side. It’s all stuff that my dad wanted me to be involved in since I was a kid, since I was in High School. It’s nice to have that opportunity to bring it back full circle.”

“In the traditional biopharma space, I could never get involved with politics. That’s a no no. Now I’m lobbying, I’m meeting with politicians, I’m speaking out on behalf of patients in front of the public and testifying on their behalf.”

“

A South Florida Police O cer Pushes Against An Outdated Stereotype In Cannabis

The date was june 7, 2009.

As we watch a 19 year old boy raise his right hand into manhood and swears to protect a constitution that he barely understands, but for a country he loves. Josh Pavao devoted 6 years of his life to the United States Army. And less than a year after his contract ended in 2015, he got into his truck with his trusty dog sidekick and moved his life from Massachusetts to Miami in order to fulfill a dream of working in Law Enforcement. “It’s a pretty normal step to go from military life to police work, what I didn’t understand at the time was the negative (and false) stigma about cannabis that was constantly being thrown at me,” explained Josh. “For my whole life, society has told us how bad people are for finding enjoyment and healing in a plant..”

The last 10 years of his adult life he’s watched fellow soldiers be punished and scrutinized for failing drug tests. His entire reputation in uniform is dependent on staying away from drugs and being an ethical person in his decisions.

A change in perspective.

“I started to notice a lot of people in my gym working out right after they had just smoked weed. They either still smelled of it or you could see it in their bloodshot eyes. At first, I just brushed this off as typical ‘potheads’ who enjoyed getting high, eating food, and hanging out all day. But then I started to make friends with some of these athletes..”

There seemed to be a common theme with people who smoked; they always had great workouts; they complained far less about injuries than anyone else; and they had the best attitudes and were always smiling.

“Once I finally connected the dots between cannabis and the benefits for physical training, I realized I had been told a lie my whole life. We’ve been held back from a product that can help us train better, feel better, and recover better! And not only that, the countless veterans and officers who deal with PTSD and anxiety on a daily basis have been misled!”

“I always wanted to start a sports nutrition line, but never would because I didn ‘t want to just be another tub of powder on store shelves. I needed to have something different, something we could stand for, and cannabis gave us that.”

So, cops and cannabis?

Josh received a lot of kickback from his own peers when starting Cannaboss. He experienced his own co-workers going behind his back spreading rumors that he is messing with illegal drugs. Obviously not an ideal position to be in as an Officer. “It really just came down to a big misunderstanding and lack of knowledge on what hemp is and what it meant for us. I would even bring in hemp flower to show them what it looks like and explain how it’s federally legal, regardless of it’s close resemblance to it’s illegal cousin, Mary Jane. Some still don’t even believe me!” But since he finally launched Cannaboss, he’s been consistently turning his own coworkers and friends into believers of his CBD products. He’s even received blessing from his Chief for his nutrition line and drive to help others.

“Our journey is far from over. Cannabis users nationwide are generally looked at as lazy couch potatoes who are always evading the law. In my experience, that’s far from the truth.”

“We’re a group of people who prefer plants over pills, who finally found a way to ease their anxiety, and want nothing more than to spread this truth to anyone we encounter. It’s a message that Cannaboss finds worth fighting for, and we won’t win this battle alone”

What is the role of the endocannabinoid system?

Search for the ECS online and you’re instantly blinded by graphics and definitions only a scientist could understand. So, we asked our go-to scientist Dr Richard Cunningham to break it all down.

First of all, let’s go back to basics to the good old cannabinoid.

A cannabinoid is a class of chemical compounds that bind to the cannabinoid receptors found within the human body. They are all hydrophobic/lipid soluble molecules. This means they don’t mix well with water.

A receptor is a protein molecule that receives chemical messages from outside of a cell and there are two main cannabinoid receptors found within the body. These are CB1 and CB2. CB1 receptors are found mainly in the central nervous system and also in organs like the liver, lungs and kidneys, while CB2 receptors are more associated with tissues of the immune system. When a cannabinoid binds to a cannabinoid receptor, it acts as an agonist, which means it activates the receptor to produce a biological tissue response. Whereas cannabinoid antagonists block a cannabinoid receptor from being activated by an endocannabinoid.

Naturally occurring cannabinoids within the body are known as endocannabinoids, from plants phytocannabinoids such as that from the cannabis plant, and lastly synthetic cannabinoids which are manufactured artificially.

The grouping of the cannabinoid receptors, receptor proteins and endocannabinoids make up what is called the endocannabinoid system (ECS).

The ECS is involved in the regulation of a large range of physiological functions in the body including mood, memory, fertility, pain-sensation and appetite.

As such administration of phytocannabinoids and synthetic cannabinoids which are not naturally found in the body can influence physiological functions mentioned earlier, such as mood, pain-sensation and appetite. And this happens through interactions with the cannabinoid receptors of the body.

Different cannabinoids will have different physiological responses through how and which receptors they bind to, such as the appetite stimulating effect of THC, and the pain-relieving effects of CBD.

Endocannabinoid System

CB1 = The brain and nervous system, as well as the lungs, liver and kidney s

CB2 = Gastrointestinal system, tonsils and spleen

About the scientist:

Dr Richard Cunningham has a PhD in medicinal chemistry from Queen’s University Belfast where he also worked as post-doctoral researcher for a number of years before working in the US at the Mitchell Cancer Institute in Alabama. Among his areas of expertise are organic synthesis, nucleosides, nucleotides, cellular biology, vitamins, aminoglycosides, drug delivery, phosphorous chemistry and chemical analysis. He is now the director of quality at Capvar Media in the UK.

LET’S TALK ABOUT SEX

Call it taboo or call it the most natural thing in the world. Yes, we’re talking about what happens between the sheets. The number of people not having sex has reached an all-time high, according to research. But with a surge in so-called libido enhancing CBD-infused products, we ask, can CBD really help in the bedroom?

Words by Róisín Delaney

With CBD being famed as an ointment for many an everyday life occurrence, some proven by research, some just clickbait, it looks like the libido is about to fall for this wonder cannabinoid. The CANNAVIST asks, can CBD really give you a boost in the bedroom?

What The Figures Say

Three in four women will experience pain at the point of penetration, according to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynacology.

There are many reasons why sex may be painful including physical conditions such as vulvadynia, endometriosis, skin disorders, hormonal changes, vaginitis, pelvic inflammatory disease among others. Some conditions, such as endometriosis affects one in every ten women in the US according to the Endometriosis Foundation of America.

There are also mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and post traumatic stress syndrome that cause our bodies difficulty when it comes to sex.

Pelvic exams can help to reveal clues about what could be going on ‘down there.’

Are we having less sex?

The number of people not having sex has reached an all time high according to research collected by the University of Chicago.

The data revealed that one in four people report spending the year in an almost celibate state and a much larger than expected portion were twenty-something year old men. While some of the reasons for this shift have been put down to people coupling up later in life and age, could painful sex play a part in a lack of libido?

Will CBD Lubricants Work?

Dr Kirstin Mitchell says a holistic approach may help. “Sexual pain disorders are often overlooked because underlying conditions are often difficult to diagnose and treat, and causes can be complex and poorly understood. “This data demonstrates the importance of taking a holistic approach to medical care which takes into account the sexual, relationship and health context of symptoms.”

The CANNAVIST recently encountered Priscilla Phipps from Austin TX on a business trip to Las Vegas, where the magazine was on show at CBD exhibition, CBD.io. Priscilla, who comes from the beauty industry, caught attention with her company Ivy Rose Personal Care Products.

She says problems around intimate sensitivity can be mental or physical, and says endometriosis is up there with other factors like menopause.

“For women, intimate pleasure is a complicated subject in itself. There are so many factors in a woman’s mental and physiological state that influence how a woman reacts to intimate relations. The influencers can be mental from a past trauma or [physical] problems like menopause and endometriosis.

“CBD has been shown in our studies with women volunteers to increase blood flow, increase sensitivity, and allows the body to function using its own physiology.”

So, How Does CBD Work Between The Sheets?

According to Priscilla, the cannabinoid stimulates nerve endings in the vagina, preventing dryness and ultimately relieving discomfort.

“CBD, when used as a topical for women, helps stimulate the nerve endings in the vagina as it binds to nerve receptor sites. This helps with an increase in sensitivity, relieves possible inflammation, and the increased blood flow helps stimulate the body’s own moisture preventing dryness. All of these contribute to prevent dryness and pain or discomfort during sex. CBD, in countering these factors, allows women to not only enjoy sexual intimacy but gain a positive mental attitude and a desire for sex.”

5 SENSUAL PRODUCTS TO TRY

1.

Foria Wellness created an Awaken oil, infused with CBD and botanicals, which is billed as a multi-aphrodisiac blend for women. Playboy called it “a CBD-laced personal lubricant that is helpful in getting your engine revving that much faster.”

Awaken Arousal Oil; $48; foriawellness.com

Infinite CBD Big Bang Lubricant contains essential oils like vanilla which not only provide a lovely scent but reportedly boost libido.

Infinite CBD Big Bang Lube; $25; infinitecbd.com

CBD Orgasm Enhancer Dani Peppers $45; balancecbd.com

Safety first!

Many CBD-infused lubricants are not recommended for use with condoms

Enjoy a sensual CBD massage with our top picks for massage oils.

Hemp massage Oil; manabotanics.com

Moon Mother Hemp Oil; moonmotherhemp.com

THE BASICS

A

quickfire round

on CBD

We answer frequently asked questions so you can tell those closest to you what this form of plant power is all about. Turn the page to find the answers to the 17 most commonly asked questions about CBD.

IS CBD NEW?

The Endocannabinoid System has been researched, particularly here in US and in Canada, for several decades. In fact, research into the pharmacology of individual cannabinoids goes back to the 1940s, many years after the presence of a cannabinoid was first detected in cannabis itself. So CBD is not something new.

WHAT IS CBD SHORT FOR?

CBD is the abbreviation for Cannabidiol.

WHAT IS THE ENTOURAGE EFFECT?

IS CBD A DRUG?

CBD is non-intoxicating or mind altering so it doesn’t give any ‘high’ sensation. It doesn’t alter the mind in a way that controlled substances do, such as THC.

WILL I GET HIGH FROM CBD?

No.

WHAT’S ALL THIS ABOUT BROAD AND FULL SPECTRUM?

Full spectrum refers to the presence of CBD and its friends, other cannabinoids, like CBC, CBG and so on.

There may be trace amounts of THC in this form of extract.

Broad spectrum refers to an extract containing CBD, some of its buddy cannabinoids, but this version contains no THC.

This term was coined in 1998, when two Israeli professors found that the endocannabinoid system demonstrated an ‘entourage effect’ leading to the general consensus that CBD is more effective and better absorbed by the body when combined with other cannabinoids (such as a full spectrum extract). Researchers refer to the entourage effect as the concept of botanical synergy.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MARIJUANA AND CBD?

CBD is one of the hundreds of compounds that you can get from cannabis. In its most basic form, it’s a fat-soluble extract and it has a fear of water. You can have CBD from hemp, or CBD from marijuana. But in general, you’ll find that only hemp-derived CBD is legal in most places.

Hemp and marijuana both fall under the cannabis family. The difference is, hemp contains far less THC, so that’s why CBD derived from hemp is widely accepted.

IS CBD THE SAME AS MEDICAL CANNABIS OR CANNABIS OIL?

This is an easy one to get stuck on. CBD,

in very high concentrations, is used in many pharma-grade cannabis oil treatments, such as Epidiolex. However, the CBD you see in your nearest health store is not medical cannabis. Its more akin to a supplement or holistic remedy.

WHAT’S THE FASTEST WAY TO TAKE CBD?

Vaping delivers CBD into the bloodstream almost immediately upon inhaling. The second fastest absorption method is using tinctures (oil drops). Both of these methods involve the mucosal membrane, which lines the walls of the mouth all the way into the lungs.

WHAT’S A TERPENE?

Terpenes are aromatic essential oils found in leafy green plants. Even your Christmas tree has terpenes – pinene! Terpenes found in hemp give

off a cannabis aroma, akin to what you may sometimes smell walking down a busy street. Contrary to what some believe, there is no link between terpenes and getting ‘high’.

WHAT’S A CANNABINOID?

This term refers to any of a group of closely related compounds which include cannabinol and the active constituents of cannabis. CBD and THC are both cannabinoids. Researchers estimate there are between 110 and 120 cannabinoids.

WHAT IS THE ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM?

This is a chain of receptors in the body which interacts with cannabinoids like CBD. Dogs, cats, humans, we all have an ECS. This system is comprised of two types of receptors which are responsible for helping the body regulate physiological functions like pain, mood, memory, appetite and fertility, according to researchers. The function of the ECS is to help the body achieve homeostasis.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TAKING OIL DROPS AND APPLYING CREAMS OR GELS?

CBD works in different ways for different people, depending on your endocannabinoid system. Oil drops are one of the best delivery methods of getting CBD into the bloodstream as they bypass the first pass metabolism.

Hold your desired number of drops under the tongue for about 30 seconds and your thin layer of mucosal membrane will allow the active contents of the oil to be absorbed rapidly.

Skincare on the other hand works differently. The penetrability of CBD is thought to be quite high, meaning it is effective on the skin. CBD has been

proven to be a great anti-inflammatory, which may be the reason so many people find it effective when applied to the skin, muscles and joints.

IS CBD SAFE (OR LEGAL) FOR ANIMALS TO CONSUME?

Pet care products are now widespread on the US market and many animal health practitioners there are selling and endorsing.

Clinical trials in Colorado State University have shown a reduction in seizures in epileptic dogs by up to 89%. Another study has shown an increase in comfort and activity levels in osteoarthritic dogs.

Holistic vets also believe that CBD can help with anxiety and depression in cats. CBD stimulates the adenosine and serotin receptors in the brain. This can help if you have a cat that hates car travel, separation anxiety or loud noises.

contains detectable levels of THC, like a full spectrum oil, it may show up on a drug test, but only if that test has been designed to identify THC.

I’M AN ATHLETE, CAN I TAKE CBD?

Yes! As long as it comes from a broad spectrum extract. Back in January 2018, the World AntiDoping Agency (WADA) lifted its ban on CBD for athletes. However, you must ensure the product you use is guaranteed to be free of THC, as this cannabinoid is still blacklisted.

Feeling canna curious? Do you have a question for the team?

I’M ON MEDICATION. IS CBD SUITABLE FOR ME TO TAKE?

We like to think we know a lot about our favourite cannabinoid. But we’re not doctors. We would always advise that whatever your health circumstances, it’s best to consult your physician on whether CBD may benefit you, or if it is likely to interact with your medication.

WILL CBD SHOW UP ON A DRUG TEST?

If you consume a CBD product that

Email: editorial@ cannavistmag.com and you could win a prize!

Explained ‘Strains’

Cannabis plant classifications can be puzzling. What’s the difference between sativa and indica? And where does the CBD come from? The CANNAVIST finds out that what most people know to be strains aren’t really strains at all.

Words by Lucy MacKinnon

Cannabis can be split into two classifications: hemp and marijuana. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the plant’s principle psychoactive and intoxicating compound, is the defining characteristic that distinguishes hemp from marijuana.

HEMP MARIJUANA

LOW THC LEVELS

Classified as cannabis varieties that contain a maximum of 0.3% THC in dry weight

HIGH THC LEVELS

Classified as cannabis varieties that contain more than 0.3% THC in dry weight

However, the cannabis genus is not that simple.

Gregor Zorn, co-founder of the European Cannabinoid Therapy Association and advisory board member of the Masterclass Medicinal Cannabis told us: “There is only one type of cannabis –Cannabis Sativa L.”

Despite this, cannabis is also often further categorized into sativa, indica or ruderalis – which are commonly, and incorrectly called ‘strains’. These are not different species or strains of cannabis; they are different varieties or subspecies.

Hemp and marijuana can be any of these three varieties, or a mixture, known as a hybrid.

Gregor explains:

“The term ‘strain’ is used for viruses and bacteria, but not for plants; we have strains of bacteria and strains of viruses but no strains of plants.

“Despite the fact that it is widely used in the cannabis lingo, it doesn’t mean that it is correct or that we should be using it.

“A better alternative is a chemovar (chemical variety), cultivar (cultivated variety) or simply a variety of cannabis.” These cultivars originally grew in different climates and varied in effects, growth pattern and appearance.

Cannabis Sativa

-Typically grows the tallest out of the three cannabis varieties. Sativa can grow up to three meters tall.

-The flowering cycle is usually between 9-12 weeks. The plants have thin, narrow leaves.

-Best suited to growing during long seasons in warm climates.

-Some believe sativa to give off a sweet aroma

Cannabis Indica

-Indica typically grows taller than ruderalis, but shorter than cannabis sativa.

-The flowering cycle is shorter than sativa plants, at 7-9 weeks, and this

subspecies has short, wide leaves.

-Indica plants are better suited to growing long in shorter seasons in cooler climates, and have a strong, intense smell.

-It is believed that indica plants have a relaxing effect when consumed, as they contain high levels of CBD.

Cannabis Ruderalis

-A very short plant that looks most like a bush, reaching a maximum height of one-and-a-half meters.

-Ruderalis leaves are very small and thick, and the plants flowering and growth period are relatively short.

-Ruderalis is indigenous to Eastern Europe and Russia.

Did You Know?

Using chloroplast DNA and molecular clock analysis, DNA suggests that cannabis, and its closest living relative, Humulus, diverged 27.8 million years ago. Assistant professor at the University of Vermont, John McPartland found that fossil pollen data points to a center of origin in the north-eastern Tibetan Plateau.

Sativa

Gregor says:

“Ruderalis is often portrayed as the third type of cannabis, characterised by quasi-equal ratio of CBD:THC, wildtype morphology, or so called ‘autoflowering’.

“These types of wild (ruderal) plants have the characteristics of hemp plants that have escaped and ‘gone wild’”.

About Gregor Zorn:

As well as being the co-founder of the European Cannabinoid Therapy Association and advisory board member of the Masterclass Medicinal Cannabis, Gregor Zorn is the chief scientific officer for Cannaray. He also teaches on the first European Medicinal Cannabis post-graduate programme at the University of Padova Medical School in Italy.

Indica Ruderalis

ARE SPORTING ORGANIZATIONS PLAYING BALL WITH CBD?

While there is growing evidence to show CBD can help to relax and relieve tired muscles, reduce exercise-related aches, calm inflammation and boost motivation, there is a reason why some sporting sensations do not use this gym buddy. They’re not allowed to! Here, The CANNAVIST looks at the country’s top sporting organizations and their rules of play.

Words by Lucy MacKinnon

Riley Cote, Lamar Odom, Rob Gronkowski, Megan Rapinoe and David Wells, to name a few, are all known for not only their athletic achievements, but their achievements in CBD and cannabis activism too.

But what about the sporting associations they’ve built their careers from?

1. International athletes

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), set up by the International Olympic Committee, removed CBD from their list of banned substances in January 2018.

WADA also increased the permitted tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) limit, the intoxicating compound in cannabis that causes users to feel ‘high’, to 150 nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml), ten times higher than it used to be at 15ng/ml.

WADA’s list of banned substances is enforced by the Olympic Games, and many other sports organizations and agencies align their stances similarly.

The organization advises extreme caution to athletes who use CBD, as some products may be advertised or

contain more THC than they say.

2. National athletes

The US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) follows the substance guidelines set out by WADA, and therefore also approves the use of CBD.

Although WADA was formed to enable consistency in sporting activities, every athletic organization is entitled to have its own rules concerning sporting stars and substances.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) regulates athletes across over 1,200 institutions, organizations and conferences around the country.

At first glance it seems that THC is a banned substance, while CBD is not. However, there is some ambiguity surrounding this.

The NCAA website reads: “Any substance that is chemically

even if it is not listed as an example, is also banned!”

And, as CBD is chemically related to THC, it may be wise for professional players to err on the side of caution, especially mid-season.

3. Sports League and Associations

Both competitive cyclists and triathletes are permitted to use CBD, however track runners are not.

CBD is not on the National Hockey League’s banned list of substances either, so using CBD won’t leave players skating on thin ice.

But the NHL does advise ‘caution when using’. Both the NFL and the National Basketball Association (NBA) currently prohibit CBD, as they are fearful of THC contamination. The NFL caps their THC limit at 35ng/ml.

But this year the collective bargaining

agreement expires. This agreement is between the players union and management council and focuses on health and safety.

This means there is an opportunity for reclassification of cannabis compounds, as opposed to the current one rule for all on marijuana and hemp-based products. The agreement concerning drug limits in pro-baseball will also expire in the near future, in 2021. Whether or not Major League Baseball will implement an enhanced policy remains to be seen. Currently, the THC limit is 50ng/ml but players do not have to complete routine drug tests, unlike other professional sports stars. Baseball players are only subject to these tests if there is a probable cause of violation. However, in December last year, it was announced MLB and the Major League Baseball Players Association are to remove marijuana from their list of banned substances, in attempt to curb opioid use amongst players. However, it is unclear just when this new regulation will be imposed.

According to ESPN there are 123 teams that play for the MLB, NFL, NHL or NBA,

and 45 of these teams play in states or provinces where marijuana is legal to use recreationally.

What is certain is that the NBA carries strict consequences for those who fail drug tests.

The first violation can land players in the “marijuana program” and a second could see a player being fined $25,000. This is also enforced in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), however failing a drugs test for the second time is punished by a smaller fine of $3,000 as well as re-entry to the program.

However, there is some hope courtside that these rules could change.

David Stern, who was the NBA commissioner for 30 years until 2014, was quoted in an UNINTERUPTED documentary saying: “[Medical marijuana] probably should be removed from the banned substances list.”

This comment was made to Al Harrington, a player with 16 years’ worth of NBA experience, now an entrepreneur and advocate in the medical cannabis industry.

While some organizations remain wary of THC contamination, the presence of CBD in the US sports industry is rapidly growing.

Last year the USA Triathlon announced their formal partnership with Pure Spectrum CBD, becoming the first ever US national governing body to partner with a CBD company.

In 2018 Pure Spectrum CBD were one of the Reebok CrossFit Games sponsors, an extreme physical challenge documented by Netflix which aims to crown the world’s “Fittest Man and Woman on Earth” each year.

The World Surf League also announced cbdMD as its official title partner of the Jaws Big Wave Championships.

cbdMD is also a partner of the BIG3 Basketball League founded by Ice Cube and Jeff Kwatinetz, as well as Bellator MMA, one of the largest global mixed martial arts promoters. Meanwhile Aurora Cannabis has teamed up with UFC in a research partnership to investigate the benefits of CBD in MMA.

CBD SPONSORSHIPS

GETTING IN THE GAME

Dawn Birch-Glick from Urbal Activ explains why more and more athletes are turning to CBD

Words by Caroline Barry

Sports leagues have started to relax their regulations on athletes taking CBD as the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) removed CBD from their list of banned substances in 2018.

While THC remains a listed substance, CBD is becoming big business within the sports industry by providing an opioid-free, pain relief alternative.

Research suggests that CBD can help with inflammation, joint pain and stiffness which makes it perfectly suited to athletes who suffer from soreness.

We spoke to Dawn Birch-Glick about her company, Urbal Activ, which offers sports-inspired water-soluble drops, high performance body balms and mints alongside pet products.

Although Urbal Activ started in 2015, it is only within the past two years that the ‘sports-driven’ company has seen a big increase in professional players opening their minds towards CBD.

“We have seen a great shift in the last two years as trainers are now on-board but cannot recommend until upper management understands the positive results and educate themselves on quality verses non-quality CBD solutions.”

Urbal Activ started with the goal of providing hempderived CBD-infused products that were guaranteed to be potent and THC-free for those with a more active lifestyle. The company has seen positive results from the athletes who take their products, including retired NHL player Jeremy Roenick, pro body builder Corey Upton and Lorenzo Alexander of the Buffalo Bills.

“We make sure brand ambassadors experience Urbal Activ and find the results positive as authenticity and transparency are the only thing that translates.

“The players are using our products and finding great results as they are tired of the opioids and lack of positive results.”

Dawn understands that customers may be concerned about the potential for psychoactive effects but states this is where education is key.

“It goes back to education and that will take time, but we are hoping people will understand that not all CBD is created equal and you must demand the best - not what the rest are doing.

“We provide the most effective, high-quality products guaranteeing potency, purity, consistency, and zero detectable THC.”

This is important for those who undergo drug testing as part of their sports careers. The Urbal Activ team developed their products to provide this.

“It is legal for a CBD product to contain the 0.3% THC so companies are not sharing with their customers that with that amount they won’t have the psychoactive effects, but they will pop on a drug test.

“Our customers are either not interested in having THC in their system or are not able to because of their job/ profession and therefore they are looking for as much information as possible on CBD as well as legitimate thirdparty test results.”

Photo Credit Megan Elice Meadows

GIVING A DAM

A run-in with police over cannabis possession forced professional wrestler Rob Van Dam to give up two world titles. Now, after years of advocacy, he offers a sobering perspective by using his passion for the plant to help athletes with brain injuries.

Words by Gordon Stribling

As a former WWE and ECW wrestling champion, it goes without saying that Rob Van Dam is a hard man to pin down. While still active in the sport, it’s now just one of many activities fighting for space in his packed schedule.

“I’ve been very busy lately. Just this past weekend, I was filming an action movie in Buffalo called One Day at a Time, in between wrestling in Puerto Rico. I’m a bad guy and my whole gang got killed off, but we’ve got to do one more day over the next several weeks to kill off my character.”

Of course, we’re here to talk about CBD, or more broadly cannabis, which ‘RVD’ will forever be associated with – for better and for worse.

In 2006, Rob hit a career high, becoming WWE and ECW champion. But it would all come crashing down months later when he was pulled over for speeding and busted for possession of cannabis, forcing him to drop both titles.

“Originally I tried it because of peer pressure. I happened to be wrestling in Jamaica on my 21st birthday and I noticed that a lot of my role models that were bodybuilders liked marijuana.”

Rob started smoking it socially while working as a bouncer as he waited for his wrestling career to take off.

While America’s wave of state legalization introduced many consumers to recreational cannabis via the medical route, Rob’s journey took the opposite trajectory, as the bumps and bruises began to take their toll. He was well accustomed to getting hurt and taking care of himself. As a pro-wrestler, Rob says, you just have to wrap yourself up and keep going.

“In the early years, the guys who smoked seemed to be the same people who did shrooms or acid or whatever.

“But maybe they were using it under the radar for pain as an alternative to opiates, I didn’t know at the time.”

After advocating for medical cannabis for many years, Rob began to see the medical community becoming more receptive to it. His ex-wife had stage three colon cancer and, during a nutritional meeting, another patient asked the presenter if

she had any tips for stimulating her appetite.

“I said what about medical marijuana? And she said, ‘you know, I’m not allowed to bring it up. But since you brought it up, I can talk about it.’

“I just thought, what a ridiculous policy to not be allowed to save these people from suffering even though it was legal in the state?”

Rob recently starred in the documentary Headstrong, which saw him attempt to shake off a lingering concussion as he travelled the country on a stand-up comedy tour.

Unlike the countless other concussions over his career, days passed but his blurred vision persisted. Rob faced the very real prospect that the years in the ring had caused Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) – a degenerative brain disease experienced by people who have suffered repeat brain trauma. Thankfully, despite experiencing more than 500 concussions over his career, a brain scan revealed no sign of CTE. He is one of the lucky ones, adding that many of his friends have ended their own lives tragically.

“It’s pretty common in wrestling.

“Statistically, wrestlers don’t live that long. It usually seems to be derived from depression that they get as a result from having a lot of concussions.”

These experiences inspired Rob’s new RVD CBD range. So far, a tincture and cream are available. However, the end-goal is a direct formula for athletes. Rob and his team of scientists are ‘still at Ground Zero with lots of optimism,’ he says. And he’s been inspired by research showing the potential for Cannabigerol (CBG) to regenerate brain tissue. He’s also read that the NFL may soon develop a pre-game pill to be used as a brain protector.

“I just thought, ‘why not pick the best components from all the things I’m reading about, have some scientists put a product together and try it for myself?’ I think it could help a lot of people.

“I don’t have any signs of CTE but I don’t know that it won’t come later in life.”

THE ROAD TO REFORM: DUI AND MEDICAL CANNABIS CONVICTIONS

With almost 300 million registered vehicles across the United States and 33 legal states, it is perhaps no surprise that there is a correlation between medical cannabis consumption and convictions. Patrick Nightingale, a defense attorney who specializes in cannabis offences, talks rights, reform and real-life cases.

Words by Lucy MacKinnon

When you hear ‘driving under the influence’ you tend to automatically assume the driver was impaired by alcohol

However, due to recent law changes, there are increasing with his work as executive director for Pittsburgh’s National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML). We spoke to him about the medical cannabis legislation of his hometown, and what rights patients have when on the “Pennsylvania introduced a medical marijuana bill in 2009

back then you didn’t have too many people like myself who are professionals, coming out and speaking in support of

“The main issue is Pennsylvania being a zero-tolerance state for THC metabolites. That means if there is any detectable amount of THC or THC metabolites in your blood you can be “There is absolutely no requirement for law enforcement to Essentially, this means once an officer suspects a driver may access to medical marijuana, they can arrest them on DUI

The driver is then subjected to a blood test, and if there are in the blood sample, he or she can be convicted of driving

“It doesn’t matter, impairment is irrelevant,” says the legal “Pennsylvanian medical marijuana patients are in desperate “We’ve got a ten nanogram per milliliter THC limit for working

“If there is any detectable amount of THC or THC metabolites in your blood you can be prosecuted and convicted of driving under the influence.”

at heights, or with certain types of chemicals – but nothing for driving, something millions of people do on a daily basis.

“Law makers are aware that it would be appropriate to place some regulations, but it has never been tackled.”

Patrick explains that the zero-tolerance approach is due to cannabis being a Schedule I controlled substance. However, if a driver was taking a different form of medication, such as Xanax, OxyContin or Percocet, then impairment would need to be proven to enforce in a DUI conviction.

The reason? These medications are Schedule II controlled substances.

To be arrested for a cannabis-related DUI offence, law enforcement must have a ‘suspicion’ that cannabis has been consumed.

Patrick explains the suspicions he hears of most frequently have nothing to do with an individual’s driving ability.

Unlike suspected drunk drivers who may weave in and out of lanes, or disobey the speed limit, cannabis-related DUI suspects are often pulled over for an entirely different reason. A broken taillight, random spot checks or low tire treads can lead to police attention.

Once the driver has been stopped for an unrelated incident, officers may suspect cannabis consumption and therefore driving under the influence of drugs.

“I am very concerned about this pseudo-science and drug recognition technique that officers use to determine cannabis consumption.

“Seeing a green or chalky tongue, or allegedly seeing eyelid tremors or spasticity are not scientific reasonings. They do not prove impairment.”

But they are enough to request a blood test. A blood test that cannot be refused, unless the driver wants to lose their license for one year.

If THC metabolites are discovered in the blood test, regardless of their quantity, a DUI conviction can be processed.

And when the case gets to court, it becomes even more complicated.

“There is a Pennsylvania case law that says a trooper is not qualified to testify that the presence of a chalky tongue is a signal of recent marijuana use, even though they can use it as probable cause to request a blood draw.”

Because impairment is irrelevant.

As long as THC traces are found in the driver’s blood, a DUI conviction stands strong, and that is where defense attorneys like Patrick come in.

“A case that I am dealing with right now where my client who is a very law and order type person, he was raised to trust the police and in the trooper’s dash cam you can even see he is wearing a nice, shiny new Trump hat.

“When he was stopped for a driving offence and the officer wrote him a ticket, he asked if there was anything in the vehicle he should be made aware of, as is standard procedure.

“My nice, yet naive, client –trusting the police officer – replied ‘yes Sir, I just want to let you know that I am a medical cannabis patient’. That one sentence scaled it up to a full-on DUI investigation.

“The trooper then testified under oath that my client admitted to smoking marijuana just prior to getting in his car and driving himself home from work. The delta 9 [THC] level was 0.65, meaning that he could not have consumed cannabis any sooner than four to six hours prior to driving.

“Their own lab results proved that he could not have smoked marijuana just before getting in the car, but ultimately we are a zero-tolerance state.

“We are now planning to go through the accelerated rehabilitative disposition (ARD) program.”

The ARD program can be made available to nonviolent first-time offenders, it does not class as a police conviction and there are no jail sentences attached.

“But, thank God he has this diversionary disposition available to him.

“Ultimately for every single Pennsylvania patient that uses medical cannabis, we are a DUI 24/7, 365 state. And that is untenable.”

It gets more complicated.

With a population of 130 million, Mexico is set to become the largest market worldwide to legalize cannabis for recreational use in 2020. Draft legislation suggests this ease of the law could be worth $1.2bn to the nation’s pocket by 2028. We take a look at the country’s long history with cannabis.

Pedro Cuadrado, a conquistador (Spanishappointed representative in Mexico) is credited with introducing the hemp plant to Mexico. He and a friend reportedly ran a successful hemp cultivation business until the Spanish governor ordered them to limit production after the natives began using the plants recreationally.

Spain’s economy begins to decline, so the government decides to turn to its colonies. Specialists are sent to The Americas to instruct and encourage locals to farm hemp, specifically in areas such as California.

Hemp harvests from Mexico and California go according to plan until the Mexican War of Independence breaks out in 1810, leading to Spain’s loss of its American colonies. Government subsidies for hemp are no longer available and hemp cultivation is on the decline.

Mexico EARLY NINETEENTH CENTURY

Recreational marijuana use is widespread in Mexico. In 1882, Mexico City enforces bans on cannabis, alcohol and cards from the military hospital in an effort to curtail fighting. Newspapers in Mexico and the US spread sensationalist stories about people using marijuana causing people to commit violent crimes.

LATE NINETEENTH CENTURY

1920 1927 1930s

Mexico’s Department of Public Sanitation declares new legislation, titled: “Dispositions on the Cultivation and Commerce of Products that Degenerate the Race.” This bans the sale, production and recreational use of cannabis.

As US states begin to criminalize the plant, Mexico bans stock from being exported over the border.

1970s 2009

The US government sponsors a scheme to spray herbicides paraquat and 2,4-D over cannabis fields in Mexico using helicopters. Herbicide poisoning cases begin to crop up in the US after the tainted plants are smuggled over the border.

Drug cartels begin to organise in Mexico to smuggle alcohol into the US during prohibition, eventually expanding to cannabis and other illegal drugs using increasingly violent means.

The Mexican Supreme Court makes it legal for four members of SMART (Society for Responsible and Tolerant Personal Use) to grow and consume their own cannabis.

President Enrique Peña Nieto legalizes cannabis with under 1% THC for medical use.

The Supreme Court ends the cannabis prohibition and moves to formally legalize cannabis in the near future. It hopes legalization will improve the country’s economy and put a dent in the narco trafficking.

President Felipe Calderón decriminalizes small amounts of cannabis and cocaine for possession, in an attempt for law enforcement to focus on traffickers and cartel bosses instead of recreational users.

The deadline to legalize cannabis is set for October 23. The final draft of the bill is unveiled on October 18.

The vote has since been delayed after missing the deadline. Whether or not Mexican authorities decide to fulfil the draft legislation as law remains to be seen. An announcement is expected early the following year.

The Inside Track on Mexico

With Mexican political leaders gradually beginning to accept the idea of a legal cannabis market, we interviewed former Mexican public health official Jorge Rubio, now a cannabis advisor and entrepreneur, to find out what the pathway to legalization looks like, and what to expect from the future.

Words by Lucy MacKinnon

What steps have been made to create a legal cannabis market in Mexico so far?

A: In 2018 a new administration proposed a bill which included the legalization of recreational, medical and industrial cannabis, which were developed into several separate bills by the Senate Chamber last year.

Then in October there were conference meetings with experts and public conferences where thoughts and ideas on the industry were exchanged. After these meetings the cannabis regulation law was proposed by three commissions working together.

The Commission of Justice, the Commission of Health and the Commission of Procedure’s draft law for the legalization of cannabis includes recreational, medical, scientific and industrial aspects.

What does the cannabis legalization bill propose?

A: There are many initiatives included, from what licenses hemp growers will receive to the possibility of residents growing four cannabis plants at home. Introducing cannabis associations with a maximum of 20 members to enforce a regulation against consuming in the street is also proposed.

There are initiatives focused on the scientific and medicinal side of cannabis, where all research and academic institutions will have a license to investigate the plant and create medical

products. There are also plans outlined concerning marketing, packaging, import and export. Another aspect is the industrial side, with licenses to grow different types and amounts of cannabis in different Mexican states.

What problems, if any, will the nation face if this law is implemented?

A: Right now, we don’t have any experts in Mexico except from in growing cannabis which we’ve had for many years, but they are not on the legal side. We really need policy makers, industry and technical specialists, as well as the physicians or nurses with expertise in this medical field.

It will be a huge boost in terms of jobs, but I think we need expertise from around the world, seed to sale, to help us make this successful.

If cannabis is fully legalized in Mexico, how do you think people will react?

A: Mexico is a conservative, and predominantly Catholic country and I know that many people do not like the recreational aspect, they are more interested in the medical and industrial side. The people here don’t fully understand the plant, there are always stories about cartels, drug dealers and negative stigma. This is why it is so important that the people of Mexico are educated about cannabis, families need to have open conversations to reduce this stigma.

What effect could it have on local economies?

A: If they do the right things it will boost the economy for local communities and growers. The situation here is that Mexico needs to create a cannabis and hemp agricultural policy.

They need to also develop a study, a national study to see which states have the potential to grow, which states have expertise in growing similar crops to see if hemp and cannabis will greatly benefit local communities and economies.

I see a huge potential, so long as Mexico enforces the right regulations and promotions. We can be a hub of producing hemp and cannabis plants because of the weather, with the cost of energy and the environmental characteristics of Mexico, I think we will be better than Canada and some of the US states. We can be competitors, but we can also be partners.

How would a legal cannabis market impact crime in Mexico?

A: If initially just medical cannabis is legalized, there is still going to be a very large market wanting to purchase cannabis for recreational reasons, and the street market will continue without quality testing or standards. But there are people who buy from the black market for medicinal reasons, so medical legalization will not eradicate the street market, but it has the potential to diminish it.

Some say if it is also recreational legalization, the cartels will be more interested in drug smuggling amphetamines and cocaine

Finally, how can all of this turn into law?

A: The Supreme Court has given the Senate until April 30 to set up these regulations, so it is said the Senate will review the bill in March or April. If the Senate Chambers pass the bill, it is then passed to the Chamber of Deputies, who go through the same process with public hearings and expert readings.

If the bill has approval from both the Senate and Deputies, then it goes to the President to sign and then the bill becomes a law.

Kerri Moncrieff is founder and CEO of Hemp Lass, LLC. Here, our Colorado-based guest columnist talks choosing a CBD product in the competitive and complex US marketplace.

The CBD industry has taken off, and it can feel like every few minutes a new product is out. It is exciting to see the market demand, but it can be overwhelming for the consumer.

I know there have been times where I have felt like the bachelorette of CBD. How do you pick the best one when you’ve got 25 shiny brands on a shelf, all vying for your attention?

I mean, you could choose the most attractive brand, the one that seems the most reliable, or fall for the elusive one, and end up ditching it because it lied about what is inside, aka, the formulation.

As a consumer, you wish you had a trusted advisor who knew what to look for so you could make the right choice. You wish you had a Chris Harrison, to check-in and guide you through the process.

Well, allow me to be your host, so when you pick your final CBD product, you feel you are making the best decision possible.

Sometimes labels can be deceiving

There is a difference between “hemp seed oil” and “whole-plant CBD extract.” Hemp seed oil comes from the seed and can be cold-pressed, similar to olive oil. If you are looking for a CBD-rich product, you want to look for extraction from the whole plant; stems, leaves, and stalks.

If a product contains CBD, it is usually listed as CBD-rich hemp oil, CBD-rich hemp extract, or phytocannabinoid extract.

Look for the term ‘extract’ as it has gone through an extraction process to get the cannabinoids present in that plant. It is possible to have both hemp seed oil and CBD-rich extract listed on a label, but you want to avoid ones that only contain hemp seed oil if you’re looking for a cannabinoid effect.

Has it been tested?

The details about regulations are up for debate, but some brands are getting ahead of the impending FDA regulations. There should be a clear way for you to see if there is a Certificate of Analysis (COA). This, at the minimum, should show the potency, the level of THC, which should be below 0.3% to be considered a hemp CBD product here in the United States.

However, when I spoke to Scott Hansen, VP of Quality and Regulatory Affairs at Botanacor Laboratories, he stressed batch testing, stating:

“Does the company test every batch they produce? If they do, it shows they are committed to proving the integrity of their claims, and they are not afraid to test each batch.”

Think about making a batch of cookies. Sometimes one turns out better than the next. There can be a difference. If a product has been batch tested, you should be able to look up the batch number and see

the results for that specific batch. Many brands will have a QR code on the bottle and a batch stamp.

Where did it grow up?

The hemp plant is a bio-accumulator, which means it is good at sucking up toxins, like heavy metals and pesticides. Being a natural vacuum is one of the reasons it is such a fascinating plant; it helps clean up. However, you wouldn’t want to serve toxin soup at a dinner party. While regulation is still coming down the pipes, some companies and products are getting ahead with certifications and not waiting.

Kimberly Stuck, the CEO of Allay Cannabis Consulting, said: “As a consumer, you have no idea what is going on in a facility. If it’s on a shelf, you can’t tell a good product from a bad product, and that’s why regulation and testing will be helpful for the consumer.

“We have clients that want to make sure they follow the rules and standards beyond what is currently required because they care about what is in their consumer products.”

Operating Procedures (SOP), like cGMP and contaminant testing. While there will continue to be new products and more standard regulations to help consumers feel confident when purchasing. Just know we are at the beginning of a new season. Those who take the extra steps now to be compliant will make it to the final round.

Kerri Moncrieff offers training and consulting on taking communications skills to the next level in cannabis business. Check out her website: hemplass.com

“If you are looking for a CBD-rich product, you want to look for extraction from the whole plant”

WHERETHE

WOR L D M EETSCANNABIS

CBD Circuit

GLOBAL CANNABIS INSTITUTE LONDON | MEDCANN MALTA | CBD.IO LAS VEGAS THE HASH CREATIVE | EUROPE CANNA EXPO THE WHITE LABEL EXPO. PREVIEW: THE HEMP WORLD EXPO CONNECTICUT & US EVENTS GUIDE

Global Cannabis Institute London

Across the steet from London’s impressive Smithfield Market lies Haberdasher’s Hall, a truly unique venue, worlds away from the bustling streets and tube stations beyond its medieval walls. This was the refined setting for the inaugural Global Cannabis Institute Europe.

Hatmakers and haberdashers once roamed these rooms, and fine attention to detail was on full display once again as London played host to the debut event in the Global Cannabis Institute series at Haberdasher’s Hall.

There was a certain juxtaposition to this CBD and medical cannabis forum. The building dates back to 1458, and here we all were talking about CBD, a derivative of a plant that has been shamed for almost as long as this building has been standing. The highlights? Croatian company CannaX presented their new app and this was a take on CBD events I hadn’t seen before. CannaX is a growing community of cannabis professionals, users, enthusiasts and event organizers who share love and passion for what they do. I used the app throughout this event and a handful of times since and it’s perfect

for this line of work.

With CannaX, you download the app, register for the event et voilà, you can see who is attending and set up meetings in advance.

For professionals, I think this is the best way to discover trade shows, conferences, workshops, exhibitions, seminars, and other events this industry has to offer.

Another strong point of this forum, which in my opinion some UK-based events are lacking – only a few do it right – was the level of knowledge and experience provided by experts from cross-over fields.

Despite this industry being so young, science seminars were delivered by research-backed scientists from Aberdeen, Malta, Denmark and Israel.

In the business room, everything from how to market your brand to what the hemp leaf symbolises to the black and white differences between the US and UK approach to cannabis

was hashed out in a global circle encompassing executives from the US, Canada, Australia and Europe. This is certainly a new take on events in the line of CBD, medical cannabis and the future of both in this country and the organizers have succeeded in making this a global network, rather than a UK bubble.

The Global Cannabis Institute Europe took place in London in November.

Further events are scheduled for 2020.

Visit gc-institute.org/events for more.

Medcann World Forum: A mission for Malta

The CANNAVIST was media partner to MedCann Malta, as the Mediterranean island played host to world renowned experts in cultivation, supply and legislation surrounding medical cannabis in Europe.

Words by Gordon Stribling

Malta may not be where you would expect to find a medical cannabis conference. However, the tiny Mediterranean island is perfectly placed to welcome visitors from all four corners of the globe.

Malta has a population of just under half a million people, according to a 2019 census.

The country legalized medical cannabis in March 2018 and one month later introduced comprehensive legislation permitting production, cultivation, processing and importation for medical and research purposes.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has said that Malta plans to export €1 billion of medical cannabis within three years. Not bad for a nation measuring 316 km². Muscat believes that Malta will become a trusted player in the global market. It was on this backdrop that the Medical Cannabis World Forum brought together experts and industry professionals for three days of presentations, discussions and Q&A

sessions, with The CANNAVIST as media partner.

At the latest installation, in November last year, delegates discussed the many facets of medical cannabis, touching on business, innovation, legislation, research, advocacy and more. Speakers included Gregor Zorn of the European Cannabinoid Therapy Association, Professor Charmaine Gauci, superintendent of public health at Malta’s Ministry of Health and Robin Emerson. Robin’s daughter Jorja was among the first people to be prescribed medical cannabis in the UK.

He told delegates:

For information on Medcann Malta 2020, see the website medcannworldforum.com

“Cannabis gave me my daughter back.”

Viva Las Vegas

Editor Róisín Delaney attended CBD.io Las Vegas which welcomed big names and even bigger personalities.

With over 12,000 visitors and 310 exhibitors from more than 40 nations, the Las Vegas Convention Center played host to one of the biggest CBD exhibitions the team has been to –CBD.io.

This was a major show for this magazine, as The CANNAVIST was front and center beside names like Tyson Ranch (of Mike Tyson), GRN, Loot, Pacific CBD Company and Women Gro.

From dog treats to massage, to libido enhancing supplements, face masks and sports brands, there were parts to this layout I didn’t even get a chance to explore.

The two speaker stages were a key highlight for me. Going from the

trade show hall to the stage is akin to going from the front of house into the back room. That’s where the real knowledge and passion is found and the people you meet in between sessions are really there to learn.

Total girl boss and Vegas native Krista Whitley of Altitude Products drew interest for her go-getter attitude and tips on marketing a CBD product in a restrictive environment.

I’ve seen Krista, who has nine of her own CBD brands (yes, nine!), speak publicly on several occasions now and her presence has such a powerful impact on budding CBD entrepreneurs every time.

Go check her socials out: @socialkrista if you are looking for some girl-power motivation.

HASHing it out

Thinking about investing in CBD? The CANNAVIST’S Gordon Stribling took in an investment driven, women-led event, which saw money experts and cannabis activists do the math on the potential of CBD.

This invite-only event was a far cry from the likes of conferences I usually attend as a CBD journalist. I’ve certainly never been handed a complimentary glass of wine or canapé while walking the floor of a giant expo.

This event, led by HASHCreative, a female-founded creative agency, discussed core elements like business, investment and legalities. But there were also some very inspiring stories told about how the carefully selected panellists entered the world of CBD. fourfivecbd is one such success story, having appeared in major media outlets around the world. The proven THC-free sports range is the brainchild of panellist, and recently retired Saracens rugby player, Dominic Day, and England

international George Kruis. Dominic explained that he began using CBD as an alternative way to help recover from injury. Dom and George created fourfivecbd with drug-tested professional athletes in mind.

Joseph Oliver explained how he was primarily driven by a want to help ill people when he entered the cannabis space. His company LDN CBD has a compassion fund which allows lower-income customers to access their products.

But the most engaging speaker for me was founder of Ohana CBD, Jasmin Thomas. Jasmin has cannabis advocacy in her blood. Her Rastafarian grandfather was arrested multiple times for religious use of the plant while her grandmother was arrested for

helping ill friends and family access it. Jasmin began using cannabis to treat her MS symptoms a few years ago and now the illness is inactive, and she’s able to work seven days a week. We also heard from some exciting innovators from the drinks industry, including Rebekah Hall of Botanic Lab and Sally Wynter of MUHU Spirits, who launched a CBD-infused hibiscus gin in October last year.

Sally explained that, despite a huge resurgence in gin in recent years, there had been very little modern innovation until CBD came along. The emerging cannabis industry presents a huge opportunity for investment. It’s only a matter of time until more investment-focused events such as this arrive on the scene.

Good things come in 3s

With a CBD event around every corner this year, you’d be forgiven for not knowing where to invest your time and ticket money. Europe Canna Expo offers educational and practical advice for canna-curious minds with events in Ireland, The UK and Croatia in the coming months.

Words by Lucy MacKinnon

With a tour series taking place in Dublin, London and Zagreb, Paul Raggett, Europe Canna Expo (ECE) events director tells The CANNAVIST why events are key to quashing stigma and negative connotations for cannabis business.

The aim?

“To provide detailed education to our attendees, help drive meaningful conversations forward and remove the stigma.”

After the success of their first event, the Europe CBD Expo in London last year, the team regrouped to make the next leg of events bigger with an extended reach.

This started with a name change: The Europe Canna Expo encompasses all aspects of medical cannabis, rather than focusing solely on CBD.

By going global, the ECE will deliver a detailed educational programme, industry information and innovations to its attendees, strengthening bonds beyond international borders.

March 3 and 4 Dublin, Ireland

The debut Dublin event, and first European series instalment, will see the ECE play host to leading international experts as they present on subjects ranging from cannabis science and business, to patient care and access,

and cannabis cultivation.

Held at one of Ireland’s most historically significant venues, Paul hopes The Shelbourne’s reputation of facilitating life-changing decisions, such as the Irish constitution, will also be present at the event.

“ECE Dublin will bring Irish stakeholders and the leading international cannabis industry experts together to discuss global medical cannabis research and how it will affect the recent changes in Irish law.”

June 26 and 27 London, UK

Following in the footsteps of last year’s debut event, 125 of the world’s leading brands and service providers will exhibit at the ExCeL convention center this June.

Paul says: “ECE London will be Europe’s largest medical cannabis event in 2020.

No other event in the UK or Europe will bring you this high-level conference programme with over 100 international speakers across three conference areas.”

“When you consider the lack of honest and reliable information available to this audience and the misconceptions due to years of propaganda against the plant, we feel we have to give international experts the platform to reach a wider European audience.”

October 15 and 16

Zagreb, Croatia

As Croatia continues to move towards an open CBD and medical cannabis market with large scale research and cultivation, this event will provide the tools needed to succeed.

“Working in connection with the Croatian Chamber of Economy, ECE Zagreb will look to establish medical cannabis as a new and vibrant industry, helping to bring investment and new opportunities to everyone from farmers looking into hemp production, to patients who are looking for more open access.”

Expecting a global audience made up of senior representatives from the industry, clinicians, governments, press and consumers, the ECE’s 2020 finale will go out in style, forming a cannabis community of Eurozone leaders.

The CANNAVIST is exclusive media partner to ECE event in 2020. For more information, go to europecbdexpo. co.uk.

WANT TO START A CBD BUSINESS BUT DIY ISN’T FOR YOU?

What do you do if you want to launch your own CBD product overnight? You go to the White Label World Expo.

Words by Thomas Slack

I didn’t quite know what to expect from this exhibition. It was held at the ExCeL in London just before Christmas. I have been to many dedicated, niche, CBD and vape expos before, but never one surrounding the white label industry, which as it happens is a wonderful environment.

It turns out that the world of white labelling is as diverse as it can get. It’s a community of other industries, and the phrase ‘it takes a village’ really rings true.

Off I went to this trade show to see how prevalent CBD would be among all of these other exhibitor stalls. I was met by a plethora of businesses and products from phone cases and caps, to baby wipes and artisan gin. But the clear winner was CBD by a country mile. It was the talk of the expo, with the majority of visitors in attendance eager to learn more about this rising tide.

This was a real eye opener for me and many others into the world of white labelling. Anyone who’s interest is piqued by the thought of starting a brand with a ready-to-go product or someone who is ready to take their business to that next level in new

product development should really consider attending next year’s event.

What is white labelling?

Let’s say I have a product, and you want to buy it so that you can put your own spin on the branding, packaging and marketing, with the ultimate goal of selling it as your own product for a profit. I could sell it to you for you to do just that, and this would be white labelling.

This is a little heard of but age-old

process which stems from other industries like breakfast cereal and the own-brand supermarket culture.

As an ambitious entrepreneur, you might think you have a million-dollar idea on your hands. But the DIY approach sounds like a lot of work.

(It’s not for everyone). What if you could find someone who has already done the research and development, who has perfected their blend of ingredients, and has made life so easy, that you only have to put your stamp on it? That’s the premise.

TheEasiestWayto

THEMohegan Sun

From the team behind the world-famous National Vape Expo (NVE), the Hemp World Expo takes place at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut on March 21-22.

The Mohegan Sun resort is a premier entertainment and gaming destination that features two luxury hotels with 1,563 rooms, over 45 dining areas, two spas, a 130,000 square-foot retail area, a three-story crystal mountain and a 55ft indoor waterfall.

The resort offers an array of evening entertainment, from comedy nights, sushi restaurants and cigar bars, to a 10,000 seat arena.

The hotel is fully wheelchair-accessible and has a limited number of wheelchairs and electric scooters available to rent. To reserve, call 860.862.8125 or 1.888.320.4577.

The Mohegan Sun resort was founded by the Mohegan Tribe in 1996 and is owned and managed by Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment.

The Mohegan Tribe has a long history with Connecticut. The Wolf Clan aka Mohegans were among the earliest clans of the Delaware Tribe to settle in upstate New York before

They currently own a collection of resorts, hotels and casinos across the US, along with a professional basketball and lacrosse team.

The Mohegan Tribe are dedicated to preserving their heritage with their reservation at Fort Shantok, Uncasville. They also offer ceremonial festivals and rituals throughout the year, such as the Wigwam festival.

Chief Mutáwi Mutáhash (Many Hearts) Marilynn “Lynn” Malerba became the first female chief of the tribe in 2010, which is a lifetime role that oversees the involvement in projects that reclaim ancestral artefacts and restore important historical locations.

The Mohegan Language Restoration Project aims to preserve the Mohegan language by working with neighbouring tribes with similar dialects. The last tribe member to speak Mohegan died in 1908 around the time that parents stopped teaching the language to their children.

HOW TO GET TO THE SHOW

Address: 1 Mohegan Sun Boulevard, Uncasville, CT 06382. The nearest airport to the resort is Hartford CT which is 45 minutes away by car.

From Hartford Connecticut:

Take I-84 East to Route 2 East to I-395 South. Exit 9 (old 79a) in Uncasville, CT.

From New York City:

Follow 1-95 through New York and into Connecticut. Stay left on I-395 North toward Plainfield/Norwich. Take Exit 9 (old 79a) on CT-2A East towards Ledyard/Preston. Then take Exit 6/Mohegan Sun Boulevard in Uncasville, CT.

From Mystic Connecticut:

Take I-95 South to Exit 84N/Route 32. Follow Route 32 North to I-395. Exit 9 (old 79a) off I-395 in Uncasville, CT.

From Boston:

Take Mass Pike to I-395 South. Exit 9 (old 79a) off I-395 in Uncasville, CT.

Q&A

WITH THE ORGANIZERS

More and more hemp and CBD expos are added to the circuit every year. We asked husband and wife duo, The Wittenbergs, what we can expect from The Hemp World Expo to see what sets it apart from the competition.

Mike and Angela Wittenberg have over twenty years of experience in organising events, with five of those years in the vaping industry. This is set to be quite the event, with thousands of attendees and many highly informative speakers in attendance. We asked Mike what we can expect from this highly anticipated event.

What can people look forward to at The Hemp

It’s a hemp, CBD and cannabis lifestyle convention. We’re expecting some of the best brands in the world and a ton of people at this. It’s educational but a really fun time. The event is open to public as well as businesses.

What sets your expo apart from other CBD events?

A lot of the events focus on either business or consumers. We try to spread it out and have a little bit of both. We like the event to be educational as well as fun and commercially productive. We’ve been going to Connecticut for a very long time with the vaping crowd and I think that the industries are so closely related that it’s going to be just as big as our vape conventions.

What drew you to this particular industry?

I’ve always had an interest in the cannabis industry in terms of harm reduction and natural healing. I’ve been putting on vaping conventions for the past five years. I think there

has been around 20 National Vape Expos but this is our second Hemp World Expo.

We expect a lot of influencer cameos, influential people showing up and we have about a dozen speakers. It’s going to be a great show.

I’m looking forward to hearing Jessica Arent speak as we have known her for a long time. I am also looking forward to Rich Wilens.

All the speakers are super educated and have their own area of expertise, from how to manage a cannabis or CBD business to the potential benefits of it for something like fibromyalgia or cancer.

Who can people expect to see in terms of influencers and speakers?

We’re expecting some of the best brands in the world and a ton of people at this

“ “

A LOT TO LEARN

Experts from around the country will share their years of industry experience to help businesses in the ever evolving and increasingly competitive cannabis industry.

Jessica Arent

As an influential figure in the spirits industry, Jessica Arent seemed to have her career all sewn up. But then a car accident changed the course of her life forever.

After 10 months of recovery, Jessica began exploring the local job market and stumbled upon a job in Colorado’s cannabis industry, igniting a passion for hemp and CBD. Jessica now works as a consultant and promotes safe practices to grow businesses in the thriving cannabis industry. She currently works as a compliance officer for Cannabidiol Life and Affinity Patient Advocacy and is co-founder of the National Cannabis Diversity Counsel and Alliances, among other roles.

Jason Tropf

Jason is founder and CEO of Cannabis 10x – America’s first cannabis brokerage. Cannabis 10x is a source for creative expansion solutions, franchise development, management

consulting, private equity and capital investments.

Jason and his team help prospective business owners develop the best turnkey systems distilled from the fastestgrowing brands in the industry.

Jason’s credentials include:

• Thought leader and cannabis influencer

• Owner of a Franchise 500 brand

• Forbes Communication Council member

• Executive franchise broker

Holly A Ford

Holly is a partner at Cannabis 10x, founder and CEO of international business brokerage Zarian Firm and an awardwinning franchise developer. She is also a contributor to multiple publications and co-anchor at West420 News.

Holly has authored two books: ‘Create Your Own Wealth – A Collection of Two-Minute Topics on Franchising’ and ‘Exploit the Magic of Cannabis.’

As a trainer and speaker, Holly employs the teachings of Tony Robbins and Bert and John Jacobs to transform individuals and businesses owners to be the best they can be and maximize their success.

Dr John O’Connor

As a doctor in Psychology, Dr John O’Connor found that few of his clients experienced a true sustained sense of peace from prescribed medication without experiencing some side-effects. But now, more and more patients are finding relief from natural CBD oil. Dr John is the author of ‘Farming Industrial Hemp: Not Your Daddy’s Tobacco,’ written from years of experience working in hemp fields across the country. The book lays bare everything you need to know about hemp farming in the USA.

Rich Wilens

Within six months of his first CBD sale on a local farmers market, internet marketing mentor and coach Rich Wilens opened a bricks-and-mortar CBD store that made a profit on its very first day. DFYCBD (Done For You CBD) is a step-by-step video, audio and textbook providing a comprehensive template for businesses to profit from retail and

online CBD sales.

Rich developed his knowledge and mentoring skills while working for affiliate internet marketing platform JVZoo.com, where he helped create the back-end of a billion-dollar marketing platform and produce the world-famous Marketing Mayhem Live conference, which attracted thousands of attendees from all around the world.

Tangy Daniel

Tangy is a medical cannabis specialist and expert on international cannabis tourism.

She is CEO of Jayn Green, a fullservice connoisseur business that specializes in international cannabis education.

Tangy is a contributing author of ‘Blind Spot: What the Eyes Didn’t See,’ an international speaker and bestselling author.

Tangy is a marine corps veteran and founder of non-profit Marine Qweenz, whose mission is to ‘educate, empower and inspire military veterans suffering from the residuals of service.’

Shawn Valor

Shawn co-authored ‘Not Your Daddy’s Tobacco,’ alongside fellow speaker, Dr John O’Connor, and is an advocate pushing for fair and proportionate CBD regulations. His latest in-production project is an ultimate guide to CBD oil for manufacturers, travellers and consumers.

Shawn has written extensively for numerous hemp and CBD event publications and has made speaker appearances at events all over the US.

George Hou

George has over two decades of experience in complementary medicine and is founder of Myco Sativa – a premium brand that combines CBD and medicinal mushrooms. George has experience at all levels of the production process, from conception to branding and packaging.

George utilizes his extensibe experience to educate clients on how to communicate with their customers

and build a brand from the ground up, advising on certifications, CBD trends, growth trends from other herbal supplements and how to create a distinctive brand.

INFLUENCE Under the

The Hemp World Expo is the place to be seen on March 21-22, so get your phone ready for a selfie with some of the industry’s most talked-about influencers.

SO MUCH TO SEE AND DO

The Hemp World Expo promises to be a highlight of the year for consumers and businesses alike. So what can you expect to find when you get there and how can you get the most out of the weekend?

If you’ve seen The CANNAVIST ‘in the wild’, so to speak,, there’s a good chance it will have been at an expo. We travel to exhibitionss all over the world to do business and provide event coverage for our wonderful readers. So it’s fair to say we’ve covered a lot of ground (literally) pounding expo floors.

The Hemp World Expo team has years of experience running vape events, which has given them a grounding for the world of cannabis events. As the Atlanta show in January proved, they know how to cater to the cannabis crowd.

So what will The Hemp World Expo actually look like and how can you get the most out of the weekend?

LOADS of vendors

Okay, so this one goes without saying. But if you didn’t attend the Atlanta show, you might not understand just how tiring a day on the expo floor can be. Whether you’re there for a few hours or the whole weekend, make sure you’re wearing comfortable clothing and pack all the essentials before you leave.

But it’s also about education, which is essential for industry, consumers and advocates alike. All the speakers at The Hemp World Expo are experts in their respective fields, so be sure to check out the stage over the course of the weekend.

Influencers galore

There are influencers in pretty much

recognizable figures from the cannabis space on The Hemp World Expo floor.

Kick back

As we’ve already said, expos can really take it out of you. Thankfully, The Hemp World Expo has you covered.

There’s ample space for you to kick

back and chill on a coach or at a high-top bar table. The lounge areas are also great for doing business away from the frantic expo floor

High-end vehicles

Believe it or not, The Hemp World Expo isn’t all about hemp and CBD. Okay, it is. But you’ll also find some surprises over the course of the weekend.

Cars. Flashy ones, and lots of them. At the time of writing, the team have confirmed that there’ll be a Ferrari, an Alpha Romeo and an Aston Martin, along with a couple of supercars, though they are remaining tight-lipped on the specifics for now.

A social experience

Whether you’re there on business or as a consumer, The Hemp World Expo is a great place to network, meet new people and catch up with old friends.

The event team are very friendly and welcoming too so be sure to introduce yourself over the course of the weekend.

As media partner, The CANNAVIST will be there too. And we can’t wait to see you there.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit thehempworldexpo.com.

Mohegan Sun Earth Expo Convention Center FLOORPLAN

March 2122

CONFIRMED VENDORS

Hemp World Expo Atlanta

Review: January 18-19

The inaugural Hemp World Expo gave us a taste of what’s to expect at the Mohegan Sun

Words by Abida Razaque

Atlanta is a city rich in history, known as the birthplace of the civil rights movement in America, and home to Nobel Peace Prize winner Martin Luther King Jr. and famous rapper Kanye West as a child. It is also the headquarters of CNN and Coca-Cola and boasts the largest aquarium in the US. There are so many reasons to visit Atlanta, and now we can add hemp and CBD to the list.

Held at the Atlanta Expo Center North, a space measuring 161,000 square feet, the show was filled with exhibitor stands. As I made my way to the registration desk to collect my press pass, I was warmly greeted by the organizer’s mother Ann and wife Angela – both of whom instantly made me feel welcome. Within minutes, I noticed crowds of trade visitors and consumers (some with their furry pets)

Atlanta

keenly waiting in a line to enter the hall. Since Georgia lawmakers legalized hemp farming last year, the hall was unsurprisingly dominated by hemp farmers. The potent fragrance of the plant reflected this as it was prevalent across all four corners of the hall with CBD-rich hemp flowers available in bulk. To the untrained eye, the flower looked nearly identical to its close relative –marijuana. Manufacturers were keen on presenting their cultivated dried buds which were impressive I have to say. The versatile crop was also available in other products across the show such as textiles, pet care, health foods and holistic body care – which further diversified and appealed to a widerange of buyers.

Although it’s always a pleasure to see familiar faces at trade shows, I noticed a string of new brands, such as Good CBD Shop, Happy Hemp Farmacy and Connect Hemp Co. to name just a few. This was exciting to see as it demonstrated the rapid growth of the cannabis industry.

Interestingly, the show also drew in exhibitors with non-hemp products, among them were vape companies such as The Fountain E-liquid and My Vape Bar – the latter were pleased to have exhibited at the show saying it had been a successful event which gave them the opportunity to market and connect with a new wave of consumers. The general atmosphere in the hall was very chilled and relaxed throughout the two-day show. The volume of music was on point and not too loud - this is something I appreciate as it gives businesses the chance to communicate and network without any distractions.

The convention, which is situated three miles east of the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport offered many useful services for exhibitors, trade visitors and consumers such as parking which was easily accessible across the 160-acre complex, free WIFI which brought instant happiness to my life, and nearby you had many award-winning restaurants and top hotels. Considering this was their first-ever tradeshow targeting a new industry, it was structured very well and ran smoothly.

I’d like to thank the organizer Michael and the whole team for their hospitality throughout the show and for making it an enjoyable experience. I noticed some exhibitors reaching out to Michael and wanting to rebook their stand for the upcoming Hemp World Expo at the Mohegan Sun. That’s always a sign of a successful show. Undoubtedly, you will find us there too.

‘CANNECTICUT’ CALLING

The Connecticut hemp pilot program was a long time coming. Full cannabis legalization could be next

A report by market research company the Brightfield Group estimates that domestic CBD sales will reach a staggering $23.7 billion a year by 2023. Tinctures, gummies, cosmetics, pet products – the once-humble cannabinoid has come out of the shadow of THC to become of the biggest talking points of the past decade. And it’s all thanks to hemp.

The hemp plant can be traced back to Asia in 8000 BCE and was a legal crop in the US in the 18th and 19th centuries, with George Washington himself known to have cultivated the plant.

But in the 1970s, the War of Drugs effectively banned all hemp production, with the DEA treating all forms of cannabis as Schedule I, be it marijuana that gets you high or hemp used to make rope.

Connecticut set on the path to more liberal cannabis laws in 2011, when Governor Dannel Malloy signed legislation decriminalizing possession of the plant. A medical cannabis program was signed into law the following year.

Things looked finally set to change for hemp farming in Connecticut in 2015 with the passage of House Bill 5780 in 2015, which legalized the production and consumption of industrial hemp and excluded hemp-derived CBD from controlled substances under state law. But a bill to set up a pilot program in 2017 failed to make it to the voting stage.

In was only in May 2019 following the passage of the Farm Bill that Governor Ned Lamont signed a pilot program into law to allow the cultivation, processing, harvesting and manufacturing of hemp and its products, such as CBD.

The legislation was unanimously approved by both chambers of the General Assembly in time for the hempgrowing season.

The 2019 growing season operated as a Research Program. This required each grower to provide marketing and research plans with their applications. The Department of Agriculture (DoAG) was required to study the growth, cultivation and marketing of hemp by licensed entities.

Once the State Plan is approved by the USDA, the DoAG will regulate commercial hemp production in accordance with the Farm Bill. DoAG is also responsible for ensuring that hemp production is restricted to registered and certified farms.

By September 2019, the state had licensed 82 hemp growers, two processors and 21 manufacturers, creating a huge opportunity for the state’s agricultural industry. Governor Lamont said in a press release: “Since we launched this hemp program, we've developed great partnerships with these farmers – some of whom have been in the industry for many years and are diversifying their agricultural opportunities with hemp, and other who are first-timers and have become attracted to this new and growing market.

“I'm excited about the opportunities this program is creating."

With the ban on hemp production finally lifted, cannabis advocates are hoping recreational cannabis will soon follow.

The General Assembly is to build on provisions put in place last year to draft a legalization bill, according to Senate President Pro-Tem Martin Looney (D), who told CT Insider:

“We are revisiting legalizing recreational cannabis because we see that most of our neighboring states have already done it or want to do it this year.

“We had three very detailed bills on this last year, so I think we’re well prepared to do that when the time comes.”

ALL CHANGE ON THE

East Coast

Connecticut is not the only state on the East Coast eyeing up cannabis reform. 2020 could see states across the region embracing a commercial legal market.

New York

Governor Cuomo introduced his cannabis legalization proposal in January. The bill includes provisions to restrict access to adults aged 21 and over, strict quality and safety measures and ‘social equity licensing opportunities’ to encourage an egalitarian market.

Florida

Florida looked all set to vote on full legalization in the 2020 election. But Make It Legal Florida announced in January that was unable to collect the 766,200 signatures to amend the ballot. The campaign collected 700,000 signatures but was unable to verify them in time for the deadline.

New Jersey

A legalization measure was pulled in March 2019 due to lack of support, leading Democratic governor Phil Murphy to put the issue to the 2020 ballot. More than 60% of New Jersey adults support legalization, according to a 2019 poll, so hopes at the 2020 election referendum are positive.

Low-level possession and home cultivation were legalized in July 2018. But Republican Governor Phil Scott previously said that he be ‘at the table’ as lawmakers push for a bill to tax and regulate the market.

Pennsylvania

Governor Tom Wolf supports legalization. However, Senate Bill 350 is unlikely to receive GOP support from a Republican-controlled Senate. Wolf believes it would be more realistic in the short term to focus on decriminalization and developing an expungement process for cannabis convictions.

Events Guide

Feb 13 -15

USA CBD Expo, Las Vegas Convention Center

The nation’s largest CBD event is back and this time it’s at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The event is packed with over 300 vendors and 500 brands offering everything from CBD candy to pet products. There will also be 40 speakers talking about farming, building brands, management, skincare and medical access. Tickets range from $20$400 depending on the package.

Mar 20 - 22

World CBD Expo, Town and Country Convention Center, San Diego

The World CBD Expo is an event that is solely dedicated to CBD, with a collection of vendors and seminars from industry experts as well as personal testimonies from people that have benefitted from the master cannabinoid. The event is for professionals as well as those interested all things CBD. Tickets range from $25 - $75.

Mar 21 - 22

The Hemp World Expo, Uncasville Connecticut

Following the success of its Atlanta event in January, The Hemp World Expo is coming to Connecticut in March. Taking place at the luxurious Mohegan Sun resort in Uncasville, the event promises to bring some of the best brands, influencers and speakers to the East Coast. We’re the exclusive media partner, so check out our exclusive preview starting on page 105.

Mar 20 - 22

New England Cannabis Convention, Hynes Convention Center, Boston

The New England Cannabis Convention is a major networking event bringing together industry professionals from around the country. It’s the perfect educational platform for all those interested in learning more about vital medical marijuana programs in New England. It showcases hundreds of companies, brands, product lines and more. Tickets range from $30-$85

Mar 27 - 28

NOCO Hemp Expo Denver, Western Complex, Denver, Colorado

From botanic from bioplastics, the Hemp Expo in Denver is the perfect place to discover how hemp is changing the world. This is the sixth Hemp Expo and organizers predict to welcome over 20,000 attendees in just two days. Friday is a special trade day, but on Saturday the show opens to the general public. Tickets prices vary depending on package.

Apr 17 – 18

CBD Expo Tour South 2020, Hilton Houston North, Texas

This CBD expo is hitting the road with shows taking place all over the country throughout the year. The event offers a series of courses and seminars including informative workshops on dosing, CBD for pets, advertizing and cannabidiol extraction courses among many more. Tickets range from $49 - $249.

Apr 18

420 Canna Expo, Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort. Mt. Pleasant. Michigan

The 420 Canna Expo will take place at the Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort offering a stimulating and comprehensive selection of businesses and presentations. Areas of discussion will be health, science, horticulture, business growth and the complex laws that government cannabis distribution. Tickets range from free to $99.

May 30

Annual Vermont Cannabis and Hemp Convention. Champlain Valley, Vermont

The annual Vermont Cannabis and Hemp convention is back for its third year. The event combines 100 exhibitors, educational seminars with informative speakers, demos, tons of soil and growing samples, and a full array of the latest smoking, vaping, storage, and accessories for sale at the event. Tickets go on sale April 1.

Jun 26 – 27

Europe Canna Expo London

European Canna Expo is back with dates in London, Dublin and Croatia. The London show is a two-day hybrid customer and brand event with a dedicated trade only day on the Friday before opening the doors to cannabis consumers on the Saturday and Sunday. The expo offers over 90 speakers and 125 exhibitors in one of the largest European dates this year. Tickets range from £15 - £199 depending on package.

Jul 30 & Aug 3

Global Cannabis Drinks Expo, San Francisco and Chicago

This trade only event is the first of its kind dedicated to the wonderful world of cannabis drinks hosted by the Beverage Trade Network. The event brings the best cannabis drink professionals to San Francisco in July and Chicago in August for what promises to be a truly unique cannabis expo. Tickets range from $99 -$199.

Stuck for something to do? From San Diego to Uncasville, Connecticut. There’s a CBD or medical cannabis event around every corner for all levels of interest. We’ve chosen our favorites to give you a head start on planning your road trip!

All aboard the PINEAPPLE EXPRESS

This we can definitely get on board with! A Pineapple Express-inspired cocktail with family-harvested hemp seeds at its heart.

You will need:

- 1.5oz Gindica Gin

- 0.5oz Simple Syrup

- 2 dashes of Bittermens Hopped Grapefruit

Bitters

- A couple of chunks of pineapple to muddle

- Soda water to top up

Method:

Add all of the ingredients to a shaker and muddle with a couple of pineapple chunks.

Close and shake vigorously with ice for at least 20 seconds.

Double strain into a large whiskey glass or any tall glass.

Serve over crushed ice.

Garnish with a dried pineapple disk and pineapple leaf.

Gindica Gin uses hemp seeds from a family farm in Wiltshire, in the UK!

IRISH SODA BREAD

Ingredients:

- 3/4 cups self-raising wholemeal flour

- 3/4 cups plain flour

- ½ tsp salt

- ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda

- 8½ fl.oz buttermilk

- 1 tbsp CBD paste

- 1 tbsp dried thyme

- 1 tbsp dried rosemary

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.

2. Tip the flours, salt, rosemary, thyme and bicarbonate of soda into a large mixing bowl and stir.

3. Make a well in the center and pour in the buttermilk and CBD, mixing quickly with a large fork to form a soft dough.

Depending on the absorption rate of the flour, you may need to add a little milk if the dough seems too stiff, but it should not be too wet or sticky.

4. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead briefly.

5. Form a round ball and flatten the dough slightly before placing on a lightly floured baking sheet.

6. Cut a cross on the top and bake for about 30 minutes or until the loaf sounds hollow when tapped. Cool on a wire rack.

CBD BISCOTTI

Ingredients:

- 2 ½ cups plain flour, plus extra for rolling

- 2 tsp baking powder

- 2 tsp mixed spice

- 1 tbsp CBD paste

- 2 cups golden caster sugar

- 3 eggs

- Zest of an orange

- 2/3 cups dried cherries

- 2/3 cups raisins

- 1/3 cups almonds

- 1/3 cups pistachios

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

2. Line two baking trays with baking paper.

3. Tip the flour, baking powder, spice and sugar into a large bowl, then mix well.

4. Stir in the eggs, CBD and zest until the mixture starts forming clumps, then mix the dough together with your hands.

5. Add the fruit and nuts, then mix them in until they are evenly distributed.

6. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide into four pieces. With lightly floured hands, roll each piece into a sausage shape, about 30cm long.

7. Place two onto each tray, spaced well apart.

8. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the

dough has risen and expanded. It should still look pale and be firm to the touch.

9. Remove from the oven, transfer to a wire rack for a few minutes until cool enough to handle, then turn the oven down to 275°F.

10. Using a bread knife, cut into slices about 1cm thick on the diagonal, then lay the slices flat on the baking sheets.

11. Bake for another 15 minutes, turn over, then bake again for a further 15 minutes until dry and golden.

12. Tip onto a wire rack to cool completely, then store in an airtight tin for up to a month.

With thanks to baker Victoria Smith.

Tried & Tested

CBD Embrace | GRN | Vianature | Ultra Premium CBD | Hemp Bros | Livive And More...

Nourish

Skincare, Balms, Bath Salts...

both sections of the mask on for 20 minutes after a deep exfoliation and steam cleanse, my skin was giving off major glow vibes. I took the rest of the gel from the pack and applied it to my neck and décolletage as a bonus.

The next morning:

Editor’s

I always advise using a mask at night, whether it be for the hair or face. It gives our skin a chance to heal and breathe overnight for the ultimate beauty sleep. The morning after using this man-sized mask my skin looked amazing, even if I do say so myself. There was a noticeable difference in my complexion. Maybe man size is the way forward?

CBD Embrace Relax bath salts

By Lucy MacKinnon

I recently moved into a new house so I needed a relaxing bath! My body felt of stiff joints and sore muscles. Someone told me that using a CBD bath bomb or bath salts like this packet can really help with that sort of thing. I used the full pack and soaking it all in, I could feel the pressure in my body slowly release and I could almost feel my skin re-hydrating, getting smoother and softer as I began to unwind.

Taking a bath is already a relaxing activity of course. But 30mg of full spectrum CBD combined with the floral yet sharp scent of coriander and mint took this ‘me time’ ritual one step further.

I woke up the following day with satin-like skin, no stiffness and an energised attitude so I think I have CBD Embrace to thank for that. Would definitely recommend!

100mg CLEARSKIN Moisturizer

By Lucy Booth

Having spot prone and very sensitive skin, me and moisturizing creams have never got along. They either cause my skin to become too oily or irritate my skin, which causes more angry flare ups and break outs. Also to add to that, in winter I always seem to get an area of dryness around my nose…

I have it all going on!

CLEARSKIN Soap

By Phoebe Fuller

30mg CBD per bar

This claims to be an Acne Cleansing CBD Soap with Activated Charcoal. I’m something of a skincare junkie, so I was really excited when our editor asked me to review this CBD soap with activated charcoal. This full spectrum offering boasts 30mg of CBD per bar, with hemp oil, shea butter and a skin-friendly concoction of essential oils. This soap is entirely un-fragranced, which is good news for those with sensitive skin (ahem, me!).

I’ve got my facial skincare routine down to a fine art these days, so I used the soap on my body instead. Once I’d dried off and moisturized, my skin felt very comfortable and I didn’t notice any adverse reactions. I really like that this bar contains activated charcoal even if I’m not entirely convinced by its acne-fighting properties, only because there didn’t seem to be enough charcoal coming off the soap to have much of an effect on my existing skin complaints. As a preventative measure against the odd bad skin day. This CBD soap may well be worth a shot.

I have used creams, lotions, balms, gels, oils and serums from various brands over the years to no avail. But saying that, I have been very pleasantly surprised with Clearskin 1000mg CBD skin moisturizer by CBD Embrace. It has a lovely consistency, not too thick with a fresh smelling scent that’s not overly fragranced. I used this cream for seven days straight and applied twice a day, both morning and night after cleansing and toning. The result? My skin hasn’t been having its usual lunch time oil spill, I haven’t had any break outs or irritated skin and no dry winter nose. What’s going on?

My complexion also has a much more even tone to it and I have begun to notice previous marks left by spots have started to fade. This cream is also vegan and cruelty free, which is at the top of my list when buying any beauty product. It looks like me and a moisturizer have finally become friends!

DEKit's non-skid, exclusively cross-linked PE/EVA foam products offer safer and more comfortable alternatives to standard non-skid surfaces. Combined with our 3M PSA and UV Protectants your finished product will provide years of enjoyment, beauty and comfort. With an industry leading 4 year warranty…we stand behind these claims and our product.

GRN 250mg Hemp Extract Coconut

The arrival of this lotion couldn’t have come at a better time – it was December, aka parched skin month. My hands in particular are like sandpaper in winter months, between temperamental office aircon, ice cold air, sweaty gym sessions, boozy Christmas parties and clammy tube journeys (it’s a glam life but someone’s

I really love the texture of this one as it’s thicker than an everyday face moisturizer but not too thick that you need time to dry off before pulling clothes on. I only used it on my face at nighttime and everywhere else on my body after a shower. It has a gorgeous smell! To help me verbalize it, I stuck my cheek under my boyfriend’s nose and asked him to describe it: “If it were a material, it would be thick, rich velvet. It’s luscious innit.” And there we have it. Who knew hemp and coconut were such a perfect pair? GRN certainly did. Probably the most luxurious feeling lotion of all the CBD skincare I’ve tried!

Doctor Green’s 200mg CBD tattoo butter

By Lucy MacKinnon

After getting another new tattoo the other weekend (sorry Mom!) I was curious to see just how the ‘healing’ properties of CBD matched up against other tattoo aftercare care products. Anti-inflammation is a must! So I applied Doctor Green’s tattoo butter three times a day for three days straight and I must say, I was pleasantly surprised.

At a first glance I thought there were little exfoliating beads in the butter, but when applying the creamy texture, I noticed these broke down quickly and hydrated my sore skin almost immediately.

With cocoa butter, aloe vera, coconut oil, almond oil and that all-important CBD in the mix, it is no shock this tattoo butter seemed to nourish and calm my new tattoo after just three days.

The Hemp Bros Skin Cream

By Kashif Hussain 400mg per 100ml

With only seven ingredients, Hemp Bros’ skin cream proves that less is more.

A pleasant orange aroma greets you after opening the tin. The cream itself is almost solid, probably due to the all-natural ingredients, so scraping it out can be a bit of a challenge. Once you manage to scoop some up it starts to soften as you spread it into your skin, and

Salves flooded the US CBD market in 2019, with everyone bringing out a take on this balm that isn’t a balm. Whatever you call them, salves can mean salvation, if they work. This convenient 50g jar comes in 500mg or 1000mg and will fit right in with your other skincare products thanks to its look and feel.

On the inside, this kiwi blend is packed with fat soluble essential oils, which CBD loves. The brand says absorption is immediate, and it certainly seems so. Cucumber, kiwi and green tea are an unlikely trio but it works. For me, it’s always refreshing when someone disrupts the norm on the ingredients list.

If you are someone who suffers from desk neck, phone neck or you need something to relieve tension but that doesn’t have that hemp stench, you can’t go too far wrong with CBD Pharm’s salve.

packaging, the ingredients (yay to pure hemp oil and Vitamin A but also, hello hydrolyzed collagen!) This ticks all of the boxes for me. I love the sleek pump design for a quick, on-the-go application. I’ve been using it every morning for about a month now and I’m really enjoying the results – my skin feels plump and soft and my makeup glides on easily afterwards. I’ve mainly used it as a day cream but the odd time I’ll swap out my thicker night cream for this and I go to bed with a fresher feeling face. There is a disclaimer to point out that the natural ingredients may lead to discoloration over time but much like a brown spot on a banana it’s all good! This product wouldn’t look in the least bit out of place next to high end and let’s face it, often way overpriced luxury skincare brands out there and I’d happily choose it over them every time. Great success!

Tinctures& Sprays

splashback. You definitely don’t want any of this to go to waste.

As it’s kosher, halal and vegan friendly this is a spray that I’d recommend to anyone, whether it’s your first dive into taking CBD or if you’re looking for a new, fresh product.

GRN 250mg Natural Boost Tincture

By Lisa Blake

Another tincture, another childlock. Once I got over questioning the development of my adult motor skills, I tried this much more appeasing and unremarkable (in a good way) tasting oil, which not only tasted better, but also didn’t have as strong a smell as other ‘natural’ oils.

I used this one the most regularly over the course of a month, especially before sleeping. It’s made me religious about going to bed with a glass of water as without fail I get a tickly, dry throat after using it.

I didn’t find it as effective for nodding off as quickly as with other tinctures I’ve used in the past, but I suspect that’s for a combination of reasons.

I’m a fan of the packaging as it definitely has a feel good factor: “gluten free, 100% vegan, pesticide free” – reassuring as I make a feeble attempt at Veganuary and contemplate the sorry state of our planet. Thumbs up for an environmentally conscious, natural, hardworking product.

1000mg Whole Plant Oil from

I’m a big believer in whole is better. Whole fat, whole foods, whole plant please. This 10ml bottle from England-based Natural Health Goods contains 1000mg of whole plant (full spectrum) hemp oil. The percentage of CBD in the oil comes in at 10%, and there are other cannabinoids at work in here too. These help the CBD to be absorbed, increasing the

The thing I like most about this is noticeable terpene profile. It’s not too strong that it’s unpalatable and works really well when combined with food.

A word of advice to any newcomers, whole plant natural hemp oil, with or without CBD, is an acquired taste. If you want to keep it as nature intended, you’ll need something to neutralize that after taste au

Food & Beverages

Ultra CBD Extra Strength Taffy

50mg Orange Lemon (Focus)

By Gordon Stribling

With 50mg of full spectrum CBD packed into a single taffy, I was expecting some of that divisive CBD earthiness. But instead, my taste buds were overwhelmed by the sharp citrus tang of orange and lemon. I could quite easily snack on this like any other candy, plus it’s vegan and gelatine-free, which will be a huge selling point for some. ‘Focus’ also contains a number of ingredients often found in energy drinks, such as taurine, caffeine and L-theanine, but without any of that associated medicinal taste.

Overall this was a nice alternative to the ubiquitous CBD gummy, which in comparison tends to contain just 10mg of CBD.

Full Spectrum Gummies

by GRN

By Gordon Stribling 8 x 25mg of hemp extract

Gummies are a great way to get CBD on-the-go. However, there are so many varieties out there, so I was intrigued to find out how GRN stacked up.

These certainly stand out on aroma and flavor. Perhaps it’s the blend of natural and artificial flavorings, but there’s a truly unique bouquet when you open the packet, with each distinct flavor combining with the spicy CBD aftertaste from the first bite.

GRN gummies are really a broad-spectrum product as they are THC-free, which will appeal to those who are unable or unwilling to consume even traces of THC.

English Breakfast Tea by CBD Embrace

probably get through around seven cups of tea. Yes, seven. So it was only fitting that I jumped at the chance to drink MORE of the stuff. Getting paid to drink tea? Yeah, my job’s a pretty good gig. This full spectrum tea from CBD embrace is vegan, gluten free and THC free with 16mg of CBD per bag. I added a splash of milk to mine, as CBD is fat-soluble and so I wanted to increase the absorption but, also, because I’ve always been a tea-with-milk kind of gal. Once brewed, it smells very strongly of hemp so maybe warn your boss if you get around to ever sipping on this in the office. The taste isn’t quite as strong as the smell would suggest though and, otherwise, it just tastes like normal tea, which is positive as many hemp-based food items aren’t the most tolerable. I found that it required a longer brew-time than normal tea when adding milk, because it otherwise became an anaemic, green coloured concoction that really didn’t look too appetising; so make sure you keep the bag in for around

Vape

Reviews by Benedict Jone

Vanilla Custard

CBD Content: 250mg (8.3mg/ml)

VG/PG Ratio: 60/40

Vanilla Custard is incredibly popular as CBD flavors go, and GRN have nailed their interpretation. The main note is a bright French vanilla that leans heavily into the confectionery connotations, rather than darker spiced notes. This is coupled with a decadent custard, which brings thick mouthfeel to the blend along with a mild dairy finish. With the 250mg strength version, I found the flavor of the extract to be quite subtle, making this a great option for those starting out.

GRN CBD Unflavored

CBD Content: 250mg (8.3mg/ml)

VG/PG Ratio: 60/40

Unflavored is always a good baseline to judge the quality of a CBD product and I’m happy to report that GRN’s CBD extract is very clean. Since there are no additional flavorings, this gives us a clear impression of their ingredients and the CBD here imparts a mild botanical flavor which is more subtle than others that I have tried. The vegetable gylcerin content of the e-liquid does add some natural sweetness, which I found complemented the flavor of the extract nicely. If you decide to opt for a higher CBD dosage, the flavor will be more pronounced of course, but this is amongst

CBD Content: 250mg (8.3mg/ml)

VG/PG Ratio: 60/40

Another sweet dessert profile from the GRN CBD line, sweet in every sense. The dominant note here is an authentic baked apple. It has a pleasant, moderate sweetness and some mild tartness. This is coupled with a very mild bakery cinnamon note, which complements the apple without taking over the mix. The muffin element is quite subtle but does add some texture to the profile without over sweetening. In a similar fashion to the Vanilla Custard, I found the flavor of the CBD extract to be almost entirely masked, which will be a big selling point for many.