VMCBD 02

THE NATURAL CHOICE

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Letter from the Editor

Welcome to issue two of Vapouround CBD Magazine.

pring is finally here and we couldn’t be more excited for summer – if anyone knows of a CBD sunscreen, I want to know about it please!

This time of year is great, and even more so if you’re in the plant-loving business like we are. The air is fresh, the sun is out and everyone is, generally speaking, in a good mood.

There’s a lot going on in the CBD world at the moment. We’re still reeling from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) announcement which came the day our last issue dropped, timing eh? Who knows what will come out when this issue lands with you. To me, this industry feels so uncertain at times, it can be a little unnerving. But at the same time, that’s what makes it so wonderful. Over the next couple of months, we will be hitting the CBD circuit hard, popping up at events here, there and everywhere. Are you going to the National Convenience Show? We’ll be there. Maybe you’re attending the Vaper Expo – we’ll be there too. What we are immensely looking forward to this summer is the Europe CBD Expo in London. In fact, our next issue will double as a showguide for that event. It’s all set to happen with the London CBD Group in July at London’s ExCeL. This is truly going to be a landmark event, and I’m happy to announce we have an extended preview of this show in this edition. There’s lots to look forward to in the pages ahead so please enjoy. Take some time out, make yourself a cup of CBD-infused tea and just relax for a minute. We are all about self-care at the moment, so do it for us if not for yourself. Talk soon and take care, R x

DISCLAIMER

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

Director David Turner Managing Director Paul Caplin

General Manager Abida Razaque Distribution Director Sam Bennett

Journalist Gordon Stribling Journalist Phoebe Fuller Journalist Lucy MacKinnon

Finance Director Joanne Stubley Accountant Kris Worton Finance Executive Anna Difusco Finance Executive Lauren Pilliner

Marketing Manager Katie Loomes Digital Marketing Manager Josh Tysoe Web Developer Aadil Popat Marketing Executive Claire Michalski Sales Manager Tim Pritchett Sales Executive Steve Culf

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

All the benefits without the buzz

contents

news features

The Edit

CBD - A Novel Food?

The UK’s first medical cannabis clinic opens Medicinal cannabis: NHS blasted as ‘inhumane’

US: Help! There’s a shortage of hemp!

US: FDA on CBD supplements

CBD Facts: Hemp is cannabis

CBD Entrepreneur

Cover Story - Red Box

Ask the scientist - CBd dosages Country Spotlight: Portugal

CBD’s big night out at The Oscars CUBID CBD launches

Levi’s launches hemp denim range Lady Business

Love them or hate them, its terpenes Save the Bees!

Over the counter approach in the Isle of Man

WWE as you’ve never seen it before US veteran research into opiods

US: TV stations test CBD products

Australia: Fingerprint activated CBD pen Lamar Odom launches new products

CBD First open day a hit

Thinking about vaping CBD?

Preview: Europe CBD Expo, London

TPE, Las Vegas

Upcoming CBD events

Pistachio & Lemon CBDrizzle

Sicillian Orange Brownies

High Tea Hot Cross Buns

Pretty in Pink Tart

Baume du Tigre

MGC Derma cosmetics

CBD Elite Balm

CBD Living & Natra

V Zone Vlit Vowl 40 vape kit

Koi CBD E-liquids

Red CBD E-liquids

Abis CBD & Natra E-liquids

CBD Ultra E-liquids

the CBD edit

Love Yourself

Justin Bieber recently spoke out about his struggles with depression, and now the hitmaker’s wife has opened up about how CBD has been helping the newlyweds’ lifestyle. The model, who counts Kendell Jenner as a best friend, has 18 million Instagram followers. She recently told W Magazine: “CBD oil, that’s for sleep. I think that helps a lot. I’m a young woman, I’m learning who I am and, it’s really freaking hard. It’s hard finding who you are, but what’s even harder is being picked apart and compared to other women while trying to do that. There are days that I’m simply broken because of it.” On a recent Instagram post, she revealed, “I have fears, I have doubts, I have anxiety.”

CBDZzz

Keeping up…

Kim Kardashian is raving about her new favourite beauty product – and it happens to contain CBD. The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star, who often speaks to her 132 million Instagram followers about her psoriasis, recently shared an image of her new go-to CBD salve. Photo credit: @KimKardashianWest

Higher Education Anyone?

How would you like to major in marijuana? Now you can. University courses featuring cannabis are now a thing, (no really!) and more and more colleges across the US are getting on board with studying cannabinoids and their impact on various aspects of life. It all stems from a growing interest in cannabis-focused careers, according to Arcview Market Research, which specialises in examining cannabis industry trends. The research group projects the cannabis industry will support 467,000 US jobs by 2022. Colorado State University, Ohio State University, the University of Denver, Vanderbilt and the elite Harvard now offer classes on the science, social, legal, political and health impacts of cannabis.

Too busy to dose up? Thanks to a Belgian textile company, you can now get your take of CBD while you sleep. Devan Chemicals, which develops finishing chemicals for the worldwide textiles industries, have added CBD to their R-Vital sleep-promoting range, allowing you to sleep while you dose up on CBD. The range of treated fabrics feature ‘microencapsulated active ingredients,’ in this case, CBD, “that enhance textiles with anti-oxidative effects.” This innovation hopes to alleviate sleep difficulties by providing ingredients that promote wellbeing to be absorbed by the skin. So, you could soon be CBD-ing while you slumber, how’s that for a time saver?

NY state of mind

Health officials in New York City may force restaurants and bars to stop selling CBD-infused food and drinks until the substance has been deemed safe to consume. That’s according to the Big Apple’s restaurant bible The Eater, which says one Manhattan eatery in particular had $1,000 worth of food products removed from its 14th street premises, including CBD-laced pastries.

Photo credit: @Fatcatkitchen

If it’s good enough for Martha…

Lifestyle goddess Martha Stewart is teaming up with Canopy Growth to develop a new line of CBD products for both humans and animals. Rapper and cannabis advocate Snoop Dogg is also affiliated with the company. In a statement, the businesswoman and television personality said: “I am delighted to establish this partnership with Canopy Growth and share with them the knowledge I have gained after years of experience in the subject of living. I’m especially looking forward to our first collaboration together, which will offer sensible products for people’s beloved pets.” With an estimated net worth of $638 million and her reach to America’s older generation, Martha Stewart could be the perfect poster girl for CBD in the US.

Photo credit: Digitas Photos via Flickr

Chelsea Lately

Comedian and E! television host Chelsea Handler recently announced that she will bring out her own line of cannabinoid products. A longtime cannabis advocate, Handler has never kept her appreciation of cannabis a secret, so this move may not come as a surprise. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Handler said: “It really means a lot to me, what [cannabis] has done for my friends and the people who have been re-introduced, so it’s a female-centric kind of motivation and I want to do a line that represents that, to reintroduce women to the marketplace, so that’s my goal.”

Beat the itch

The National Eczema Association has acknowledged CBD has antiinflammatory and antimicrobial properties, along with a “powerful anti-itch effect.” In a recent human trial, there was a 60 percent improvement in severity of itchiness after application of an endocannabinoid cream. The NEA explained, “There are receptors in the skin that interact with cannabinoids that could reduce the symptoms and appearance of atopic dermatitis” and due to their capability to reduce staphylococcus bacteria on the skin, CBD, “holds promise” in relieving common side effects eczema sufferers experience.

Going mainstream

US pharmacy chain CVS has started selling CBD cosmetics in eight states. The range includes creams, roll-ons and lotions. The chain will not be selling CBD in foods or supplements, which remain in legal limbo pending FDA regulation. CVS health spokesman, Mike DeAngelis, told USA Today: “Anecdotally, we’ve heard from our customers that have used those products that, gee, it’s helped with pain relief for arthritis and other ailments. We're going to walk slowly, but we think this is something customers are going to be looking for as part of the health offering."

Hemp style

Levi’s have unveiled a spring/summer range made entirely out of ‘cottonised hemp’. Hemp is said to be more sustainable and eco-friendly than cotton. See the range on page 68 & 69.

CBD AS A NOVEL FOOD. IS IT OR ISN’T IT?

As the CBD industry prepares to take off, one potentially damaging blow was thrown from an EU level. In the weeks that followed, Vapouround CBD gauged the reaction to the news that Cannabidiol may be banned in food items.

The UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) has reaffirmed its stance on CBD as a novel food.

The FSA has confirmed its plans to class CBD as a novel food as “food businesses have not shown evidence” to suggest CBD was used in food for consumption prior to May 1997.

The European Food Standards Agency (EFSA) shocked businesses to the core when they announced CBD as a novel food on January 29.

The announcement came unexpectedly to many, and it came on the morning London was to hold its first Future Cannabis Strategies Europe Conference.

A large contingent of those in attendance at this conference, to which this magazine was media partner, work in the food and beverage industry.

Interest in that morning’s Daily Mail article spiked, meaning CBD edibles dominated in much of the content at the gathering.

In the days running up to this publication going to press, a spokesperson for the FSA updated Vapouround CBD, saying: “New foods have to be authorised before they can be sold

unless there is evidence they have a history of consumption before May 1997.

“Food businesses have not shown evidence of this for CBD products and they are therefore now considered a novel food in the European Union.

“The FSA is committed to finding a proportionate way forward by working with local authorities, businesses and consumers and to clarify how this applies to individual products.”

This magazine also approached the FSA on the day the initial announcement was made to seek clarification on what products would be affected.

Back then, a FSA spokesperson said anything intended for ingestion may be affected, however e-liquids would not be considered.

Gummies, tinctures and CBD-infused food and drinks already on sale across the UK and EU may need to be taken off shelves by Trading Standards as a result. How that is managed or whether or not the UK government will accept this recommendation from the EU as law remains to be seen.

Action and Reaction

In the aftermath of the EFSA’s announcement, there was significant reaction from multiple industries and the UK government. The public petitioned the government to “Keep CBD on the market as a food supplement” and this gained almost 13,000 signatures, warranting an official government response.

On March 19, a statement from the government read:

“There are specific rules on what evidence is acceptable. For foods and supplements containing CBD, none of the food businesses and trade bodies operating in the UK have been able to show any evidence that meets the requirements. Evidence has not been provided in other Member States either, and therefore these foods have been clarified as novel. As a result of this decision, the European Commission’s Catalogue of Novel Foods has been updated and food products and supplements will need to meet the requirements of the Novel Food Regulations in the UK.”

The statement continued:

“Some companies, wrongly, assumed that since hemp oil was not considered to be novel that the same assessment would apply to CBD extract. However, CBD is a highly purified extract of the cannabis plant. Hemp oils from cold compression have previously been shown to have a significant history of consumption before 1997 and so are not legally considered novel foods. However, the extraction processes for CBD results in products which are very different from hemp or hemp oils.”

The petition requires a total of 100,000 signatures in order for it to be debated in parliament.

The European Industrial Hemp Association issued a statement following the EFSA’s news in January, saying it met with the Cannabis Trades Association at the invitation of the European Commission in October 2018 to discuss the novel food debate. In a press release, the association said: “Our objective was to outline the traditional food use of the aerial parts of the industrial hemp plant and such hemp extracts in which the Cannabinoid level does not exceed the naturally occurring level.

“Whilst we accept that the Novel Food Catalogue is not legally binding and only serves as a guidance document for Food Business Operators (FBOs) and regulatory agencies, this should be seen as the default position for all member states.

“FBOs may assume placing products on the market with a natural concentration of Cannabidiol are hence compliant with the European guidance.”

The association also pointed out that last year, the World Health Organization, in its final critical review acknowledged: “CBD should not be scheduled within the international drug control conventions … There are no case reports of abuse or dependence relating to the use of pure CBD. No public health problems have been associated with CBD use. CBD has been found to be generally well tolerated with a good safety profile. CBD alone produced no significant psychoactive, cardiovascular or other effects.”

In its CBD and Cannabis Novel Foods White Paper 2019, British Cannabis spokesperson Tom Whettem wrote: “It’s a case of history repeating itself, when the MHRA tried to impose a blanket ban on CBD back in 2016 … It’s my

opinion that the legitimacy of cannabis extracts as food supplements is secure with the correct legal challenge and it’s an opinion shared by counsel.”

In a press release, London-based Aztec CBD said: “The reclassification applies specifically to CBD in food that is ingested orally. This affects all CBD products that are ingested orally like oils, cookies, lollies, cakes etcetera. CBD e-liquids are not a novel food and have nothing to do with this reclassification, therefore the sales and distribution of e-liquids will not be affected in any way.”

Meanwhile, the Cannabis Trades Association said:

“Our position remains unchanged. Our members’ products remain legal, will not be removed from sale and, as the largest association of our kind in the world, any member receiving unlawful requests from any Trading Standards or Food Standards officer suggesting their products are not fully legal will be met with a direct legal response to the local authority as soon as our member makes us aware.”

And Lancaster-based CBD Hemporium said: “Whilst we understand there must be legitimate concerns for regulators with the explosion of the CBD industry, we remain deeply alarmed at the prospect of EFSA’s categorisation of cannabinoid extracts as novel foods being fully enacted by FSA without it seems any proper consultation with industry. It seems to us this represents the perfect timing for regulators to pro-actively work with the industry to achieve these measures and support a flourishing industry, not use novel food legislation to halt the industry putting many businesses, jobs and people’s wellbeing at risk.”

Social media also erupted to the news. In one Tweet, BNatural CBD UK wrote: “This is an utter joke. I’m not sure how much evidence you need? WHO have deemed CBD as safe and you’ve had a report from the EIHA saying it’s safe. You know as well as the rest of the industry knows how safe this is.”

BY RÓISÍN DELANEY Vapouround CBD editor

“Some companies, wrongly, assumed that since hemp oil was not considered to be novel that the same assessment would apply to CBD extract.”

– The Government

THE UK’S FIRST MEDICAL CANNABIS CLINIC OPENS

PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS MAY COST AS MUCH AS £700 PER MONTH

The UK’s first medical cannabis clinic has opened in Greater Manchester.

The Medical Cannabis Clinic operates from The Beeches private health centre beside Alexandra Hospital in Cheadle, Stockport. Patients pay £250 for a consultation, with prescriptions costing between £600 and £700 a month.

Renowned medical cannabis expert Professor Mike Barnes serves as clinical director. In July 2018, Professor Barnes supported the successful application for Alfie Dingley to obtain cannabis oil. On the opening of this facility, Professor Barnes said:

“Patients suffering from chronic pain and other serious neurological or psychiatric conditions have been crying out for this kind of lifechanging treatment. This clinic will represent a lifeline to those who have found other treatments ineffective.”

The practice is led by pain management specialist, Dr David McDowell, who wrote the first UK cannabis prescription in December last year.

The clinic was set up by European Cannabis Holdings. The group plans to open a Birmingham clinic and a flagship Harley Street clinic in the summer.

Chief operating officer, Hannah Simon, said:

“We are delighted to be supporting the establishment of the Medical Cannabis Clinics in the UK.”

– Professor Mike Barnes

“The legalisation of prescription cannabis has given people with chronic illnesses hope; the next step is to ensure the availability of medical cannabis to offer those without other alternatives the treatment they need.”

Only a handful of people have been prescribed medical cannabis in the UK since the law was changed, creating what some reform activists have referred to as a ‘two-tier’ system.

Fibromyalgia sufferer Carly Barton received a private prescription from Dr McDowell in December, one month after the Home Secretary Sajid David gave the green light to legalisation.

Ms Barton said:

“In terms of money this is going to cost me everything I have, so two-and-a-half grand for three months’ supply. The reason I’m putting this on the line is I feel this is a route to getting an NHS prescription.”

BY GORDON STRIBLING

"Patients suffering from chronic pain and other serious neurological or psychiatric conditions have been crying out for this kind of life-changing treatment”

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Ch se a Be er Day

‘Inhumane’ NHS denies medical cannabis, again

Last year, 29-year-old George Gannon was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, following several agonising headaches which were later confirmed to be the result of multiple brain tumours.

Having awoken one night, “covered in sweat and unable to process his own thoughts,” George’s girlfriend, Natalie rushed him to hospital where CT scans revealed the tumours – one of which required immediate surgery. That was while the couple were based in Thailand. Upon returning to his home in the UK, George’s symptoms began to worsen and he was given the devastating prognosis that his cancer was terminal; he was placed on end-of-life care.

George, who now lives in Staffordshire, has been taking conventional cancer drugs to manage his symptoms, including steroids which he says give him severe side effects.

To alleviate these effects, he’s been taking cannabis oil which he bought online.

“The oil definitely helps with my symptoms, which

is a tall order because I experience many side effects from my prescriptions even on the best of days,” George told the Daily Mail. Both George and Natalie are frustrated that the NHS won’t grant a prescription for medical cannabis, despite it being the only thing that helps him to manage the unpleasant effects of conventional cancer treatment.

George and his family believe these drugs – which include growth-blocking Debrafinib and Tremetinib – are making his condition worse and say that he needs cannabis oil to provide him with the strength he’d need to undertake immunotherapy.

Natalie said: “I think the NHS is being inhumane in denying him access to the oil. We’re professional people, not a pair of stoned hippies, and this oil has made a huge difference to George.”

Medical cannabis is currently an unlicensed medicine in the UK and NHS guidelines state that only clinicians listed on the Specialist Register of the General Medical Council are eligible to prescribe it.

The girlfriend of a man with terminal brain cancer has branded the NHS ‘inhumane,’ after doctors fail to act on repeated pleas for a medical cannabis prescription.

In a guidance to clinicians document, the NHS says that prescriptions for medicinal cannabis may only be made, “where there is clear published evidence of benefit or UK Guidelines and in patients where there is a clinical need which cannot be met by a licensed medicine and where established treatment options have been exhausted.”

These guidelines make it extremely difficult for patients – many of whom believe they fulfil the above criteria – to get a hold of the medicine, given that it’s been left down to clinician discretion. “It’s unfortunate how difficult it has been to get this prescription from the NHS. It’s hard for me to communicate my wishes to my doctors,” adds George.

In a recent update, posted on an online fundraiser for George, Natalie says that he is “almost completely off of his steroids,” and will soon be able to try immunotherapy.

BY PHOEBE FULLER

It’s unfortunate how difficult it has been to get this prescription from the NHS … It’s hard for me to communicate my wishes to the doctors.

US: HELP, WE’RE RUNNING OUT OF HEMP!

American farmers are struggling to meet CBD demand while consumers grow impatient

Farmers in the US are struggling to meet the soaring demand for CBD. The hemp-CBD market is estimated to hit $22 billion by 2022, according to the Brightfield Group. But with so much to learn, farmers new to the newly-legalised US industry are struggling to keep up.

George Weiblen, a professor at the University of Minnesota, said:

“There are huge challenges to producing the industrial hemp required for meeting the demand.

“It’s not as simple as growing tomatoes. The possibility of failure to produce quality cannabis extracts is huge.”

With CBD extracted exclusively from the flower itself and not the whole plant like its biological cousin marijuana, current farming techniques are an incredibly costly means of production.

There is also the legal consideration of staying within the 0.3 percent (or 0.2 percent) THC limit. If the crop exceeds this, it is classed as marijuana which remains federally illegal.

Yet farmers do not know how much THC is in the plant until it is processed and the CBD is extracted. Even then, many have reported discrepancies between lab reports of the same samples.

David Williams, an agronomist at the University of Kentucky, said: “If the molecule is of interest and becomes broadly distributed, it will need to be far more efficient than what we have today.”

Erica Stark, executive director of the National Hemp Association, fears that it will take some time before the US competes with major players in the international industrial hemp market.

Ms Stark said:

“The danger we’re facing now is over-enthusiasm. “We just don’t have the infrastructure to go into full commercial production. Yet.”

Meanwhile, the US Hemp Authority has awarded 13 CBD companies with a high-quality seal.

The US Hemp Authority Certified Seal program was established last year with guidance from collaborators including the Hemp Industries Association.

Companies to be awarded the seal include Bluebird, GenCanna and Charlotte’s Web.

Marielle Weintraub, PhD, president of the US Hemp Authority, said: “Consumers need to be able to tell who the good guys are — who’s doing their best to make sure the product is safe.”

BY GORDON STRIBLING Vapouround CBD journalist

“It’s not as simple as growing tomatoes. The possibility of failure to produce quality cannabis extracts is huge.”

Not So Novel After All

The US is facing its own novel foods debate as the Food and Drug Administration puts together a committee to decide whether or not CBD should be part of the food chain.

The US Food and Drug Administration is setting up a committee which could lay the groundwork for the legalisation of CBD in food in The States.

The US Food and Drug Administration is setting up a committee which could lay the groundwork for the legalisation of CBD in food in The States. The top man at the FDA is commissioner and doctor Scott Gottlieb.

He recently answered questions in an interview with Bloomberg reporter Anna Edney days after giving testimony before the House Appropriations Committee in Washington DC.

He said:

“The issue for us is, the Farm Bill has passed, hemp’s now legalised. Legitimate food companies want to look at putting CBD into the food supply. But because CBD didn’t previously exist in the food supply, and it exists as a drug, under the statute it’s either a drug or subject to substantial clinical experimentation. It can’t just be put into the food supply.”

“We’ve never done this before. It would be a highly novel rulemaking process.”

The committee, chaired by FDA commissioner for food and drugs Amy Abernethy and associate commissioner for policy, Lowell Shiller, will look at potential legislative pathways that could create a framework to allow CBD into the food chain.

Dr Gottlieb suggested that CBD could, “potentially exist in a high concentration, pure formulation as a pharmaceutical product,” but also in lower concentrations in foods and dietary supplements. The FDA can only contemplate putting CBD into the American food supply if it goes through the rulemaking process, which involves another US agency, the one which makes the rules on legal and illegal drugs.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will have to formally de-schedule hemp-derived CBD and distinguish it from CBD derived from marijuana once and for all.

Gottlieb said:

“We’re getting started right now. We’ve briefed staff on our thinking here. Almost every meeting I go into on Capitol Hill, I get asked about this. I think that we’d work through an efficient process and probably have some recommendations certainly this summer.”

Commissioner Scott Gottlieb announced in March that he is to step down from his role as head of the FDA at an unspecified date. He will be replaced by the current Director of the National Cancer Institute Ned Sharpless.

BY GORDON STRIBLING Vapouround CBD journalist

“Almost every meeting I go into on Capitol Hill, I get asked about this. We’ve never done this before. It would be a highly novel rulemaking process.”

There is no grey area, hemp is cannabis

We know it’s a plant extract, but how is Cannabidiol born? And what is the journey like from seed to shelf?

Richard Cunningham, PhD, sets the record straight.

Firstly, let’s clear one issue up before going any further because there seems to be a lot of misinformation out there. Hemp is cannabis, there is no denying it. But there are distinct strains of the cannabis plant family, each possessing different properties, uses and benefits.

Picture an apple or a grape. There any many different varieties: red, green, sweet and so on, but the bottom line is they are all still apples and grapes.

Through generations of selective cultivation, different strains of cannabis were developed, where specific properties were selected such as those grown to be more suitable in different environments, those which are more fibrous, and so on.

Industrial hemp, which is a variety of Cannabis sativa, is one of the fastest growing plants in the world. It has many industrial usages, such as in textiles, papers and animal feeds.

Differing from the stains of Cannabis sativa grown for drug purposes, hemp contains very low quantities of the psychoactive component Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in which strains that can be cultivated in the UK under Home Office licence have to contain under 0.2 percent THC, whereas in many US states, it is slightly higher at 0.3 percent.

A recent publication from a research team from the University of Berkeley in California managed to bioengineer yeast to produce cannabinoids CBD and THC using only sugar as fuel. These yeast ‘factories’ in the near future may result in much more cost effective and environmentally favourable ways of producing desirable cannabinoids. However, at the moment, we are not quite there yet. Today, CBD needs to be extracted from industrial hemp before it can be utilised.

Extracting CBD

You’d be forgiven for thinking that because CBD comes from hemp, all hemp products contain CBD. Wrong. CBD must be extracted from hemp and there are many ways to do this.

CBD is a lipophilic molecule and that means it is fat soluble. Like olive oil, CBD will not mix with water. Because it’s lipophilic, one needs to use a solvent that CBD is soluble in to extract it properly.

Ethanol or supercritical CO2 extraction are the preferred and most common methods employed, although other solvents like butane may be used. The trouble with butane is you risk leaving residue from the solvent in the finished product.

Not all CBD products are made the same. If you are ever concerned about the quality of the product you have purchased, any reputable manufacturer or store should be more than happy to supply you with a Certificate of Analysis (COA) upon request. This will show you an exact breakdown of the cannabinoids in the product.

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 Liquid Sciences LLC in the UK.

V I S I T O U R W E B S I T E VOVAN.EU

Andrew: “Very, to be honest. I had heard murmurings of medical cannabis and CBD in America early 2010s, maybe 2011 or 2012, but in truth I had no idea of the potential. If I am honest, I naively thought it was just a ploy to push the legalisation issue – pretty ashamed to admit that but that’s the truth. It wasn’t until a family member became ill and we were looking at natural alternative therapies that I really starting researching what CBD cannabis oil was, which to say was an eye opening process is an understatement.”

Martin: “That’s how we got into the industry. At this point we didn’t know too much about CBD specifically, but it was at that point that we started learning more and more about it. We just started learning more from there. Andy’s always been interested in natural medicine and therapies and leading a really healthy lifestyle, so it was kind of that angle like ‘Wow, this is something pretty amazing, let’s start looking into it as something that we can do together.’”

Q: Were you sceptical of CBD when you first encountered it?

Q:

Andrew: “Yes. I suffer with insomnia and my first experience of using a CBD product myself was to see if it could help with this. Having read about its anxiolytic properties, I thought I would try. Actually, I still successfully use CBD for this purpose to this day, and a shameless plug but I now specifically use our CBD infused apple, turmeric and ginger herbal tea (non-caffeine) an hour or so before bed.”

Q: What was the reaction from your friends and family when you mentioned starting a CBD company to them?

Andrew: “Thankfully it wasn’t too much of a shock. As a family we have always been interested in alternative natural therapy and medicine which most close to us know about. It does still surprise me though, out with our circle, the misconceptions that still exist in terms of lack of understanding on what CBD is and the stigma attached to it. I think that the cogs are slowly turning in terms of being more widely accepted as a good option for many people.”

Q:

Martin: “Absolutely brilliant. We saw that there was opportunity for different kinds of CBD products, the oil was not for everybody, so we wanted to sort of cater for that and specialise in that and we’ve been really well-received. It took us a long time to get right in terms of getting the lab results to be

consistent, but yeah we think we’ve got a really great product.”

Q: With products like herbal tea, coffee beans and chocolates, where do you fit in?

Martin: “Coffee shops. It’s definitely our biggest market is the coffee shops. We’re the only supplier that do bagged tea and coffee as well, so we do our teas and coffees for the coffee market specifically. And that’s going really well, it’s definitely our biggest growing market.”

Q: There are so many CBD brands popping up these days, it can be hard to keep up... Martin: “We definitely want to be one of the top five brands in the UK by the end of 2019 that’s what we’re pushing for, whether that’s achievable or not, but that’s what we’re in for and to get a really good presence in the wholesale market as well.”

Andrew: “Living in the CBD bubble it is easy to forget that most people don’t actually know exactly what CBD is, never mind how to distinguish a quality CBD product. All CBD products are not created equal. We are also just about to launch our new raw extract and broad spectrum THC-free range of oils, so we will be one of the few companies with a high CBD:CBDA oil, full spectrum purified and a purified broad spectrum THC-free, for people who do not want even trace amounts of THC including those worried about failing work drugs tests.”

Did you experiment with any products for yourself?

What has the response to your products been like?

A NEW LEASE OF LIFE

Vape and CBD companies are doing their bit in rejuvenating the Great British high street.

By Gordon Stribling

Our high streets are in a state of crisis. Footfall for the ninth week of 2019 was 17.6 percent below the same week the previous year. But for every chain store that disappears, a vape shop takes its place thanks to the UK government embracing the harm reduction potential of e-cigarettes.

Many of these businesses are now expanding their CBD ranges beyond e-liquids.

Red Liquids is a relatively new name in the vaping industry. The company was founded by father and son duo Stuart and James Anderson in 2017.

As well as selling user-friendly devices to vapers and their own range of british made, award winning e-liquids, they have also recently signed a joint venture agreement with health and wellbeing company Applied Nutrition.

We caught up with Stuart and asked him about the new partnership.

“We signed a distribution contract with them and we’re now helping them to distribute that along the same channels that we use for vape. We put it in our shops and it sold out in about 10 days so we had to put an order in for some more.”

When we spoke to Stuart, he had just returned from consumer and business expo Pure Vape Munich. Expos are a huge part of the vaping subculture. And while many in the industry were initially sceptical of CBD, it has now become such a draw that cannabis businesses have formed their own breakaway events that are drawing in huge numbers.

Red Liquids brought their El Patron to Munich. It’s a terpene-infused range of five flavours aimed at vapers looking for a non-psychoactive cannabis substitute. It went down so well that they were completely sold out half way through the Sunday.

“CBD is huge in Germany. I was incredibly surprised. If you come to a show like the Vaper Expo in Birmingham, people just expect freebies. There’s not a real volume of customers coming

in with their hands in their pockets. But within 15 minutes of the show opening, people were saying, ‘I’ve tasted that, OK, what’s your show offer?’”

Stuart counts many an ardent vaper among the Red Liquids clientele, but smokers form the core of the customer base. The light and airy shop aesthetic is a welcoming environment for passers-by, intrigued by the prospect of CBD. Stuart describes it as ‘Apple meets Pandora’, which is a far cry from the archetypal intimidating vape shop.

“Our core business in shops is still very much to serve the vape community. That doesn’t mean we can’t serve other communities that are walking past but I wouldn’t want to necessarily turn it into a health food shop only because we might drive the vapers away.” Stuart and his team are willing to test the waters with other types of product, such as tobacco-free CBD-rich roll-ups made using the processed hemp commonly found in hemp tea.

But e-liquids remain the main focus, particularly given the uncertainty around Novel Foods regulations. The only regulatory challenge currently facing e-liquid sellers is to steer clear of medicinal claims. But by the time most customers walk into a Red Box vape shop, they will have explored the masses of research and first-person accounts available online.

“If a 65-year-old person comes into the shop because they’ve got a swollen ankle and it’s arthritic and say, ‘I’d like to buy CBD because I know that it helps me’, I don’t have to say ‘no, it doesn’t’. I can say ‘I’m really glad it helps you. Let’s talk about strength and how much you’d like’”.

The industry continues to evolve and forward-thinking companies like Red Liquids set the pace. Two new products are set for launch in May, one of which Stuart is particularly excited about. But for now, he’s staying tight-lipped. “I’m probably going to get told off for telling you, but I keep telling everyone so it’s not a really big secret. It will open CBD up to a broader vaping market.”

“Our core business in shops is still very much to serve the vape community. That doesn’t mean we can’t serve other communities that are walking past”

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Ask the Scientist

CBD dosages: how to get it right and avoiding poor advice.

By Richard Cunningham, PhD.

Take a look online and you will see countless infographics doing the rounds, all claiming to explain dosing CBD. Here’s the thing, there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach. Richard Cunningham, PhD, explains the individuality of taking CBD, why we need to measure our intake of cannabinoids, and how to do just that.

The market for CBD products is growing at an ever-expanding pace, who can keep up? Whether you are a first-time user, or an experienced CBD fan, it can be confusing as to how these products work and how much of them to take. Has anyone actually sought advice on this?

A frequent question that comes up all the time, from customers in store at CBD First, online, or on forums is: ‘What’s the best CBD dosage?’ In other words, how much CBD should I take?

Perform one quick web search and you will quickly see that there are many posts and blogs on the potential health benefits of taking CBD and other cannabinoids.

Generally, the information reported in these posts and blogs are based off research and reliable scientific data. However, some are also purely anecdotal from user reports, or even just grandiose claims from sellers trying to bump up their sales.

Much akin to the health claims of CBD found online, there is an abundance of information out there on the dosing of CBD, cherry picked from a sparse number of research publications

“Unlike with other supplements, neither the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) or the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have created a Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) for CBD, which means CBD does not have an official serving size.”

and limited clinical trials.

Unlike with other supplements, neither the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) or the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have created a Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) for CBD, which means CBD does not have an official serving size.

As such, consumers are estimating their CBD dosages based upon the recommendations of manufacturers, the companies that they buy their CBD from. Or even worse… Facebook groups or online forum users who are uncertified and claim to be ‘experts’ simply because they use CBD.

How to Choose Your CBD Dosage

1. Understanding the

label

First, make sure you understand what is in the product. When purchasing a CBD product, these will often come labelled as five percent, ten percent, or 5000mg and so on, but what do these values mean?

Check whether the percentage or quantity of CBD stated on the bottle refers to the quantity of actual CBD in the product and not the quantity of CBD hemp concentrate or oil used to make the product.

It can be confusing as some customers will be misled into believing their ten percent CBD oil contains ten percent actual CBD but in some cases, this can refer to the content of hemp oil concentrate added during formulation.

As these CBD pastes and concentrates contain variable concentrations of CBD depending on the level of refinement, your ten percent tincture could contain as little as 100-150mg of actual CBD, which in reality is 1.0-1.5 percent CBD. I have noticed some manufacturers doing this, it can be misleading, purposefully or not.

One example of a well-put label is the full spectrum CBD tincture from Pura Vida. On the front label, they state both the quantity of hemp paste concentrate added and the actual CBD content of the product.

Percentage vs milligrams

As there is no actual standardised method of labelling CBD products, you will often see products labelled as a percentage or with a quantity stated in milligrams.

The mass stated refers to the quantity of CBD in the entire product, and not per millilitre. For example, a 1000mg CBD e-liquid that is 10ml in volume would contain 100mg CBD per millilitre, and 33.33mg per millilitre if in a 30ml bottle.

If the CBD content is stated as a percentage however, a five percent 10ml bottle will contain 500mg of CBD or CBD concentrate, or 50mg per millilitre. A five percent 50ml bottle will contain 2500mg CBD, and still, 50mg CBD per millilitre, the overall CBD content is different depending on container volume.

CBD CBD

We cannot tell you how much CBD to take as this would be irresponsible of us to do. As previously mentioned, there are no real or official values to follow. There have been some studies that have reported figures used in early stage findings, which are being reported as ‘guidelines’ on different websites and blogs for certain ailments. To get reliable, accurate information, much more in-depth clinical studies need performed. This will require time and patience.

Don’t just start taking 60mg of CBD twice a day because one of your friends of similar build says it works for them. You need to consider each person is different and many factors are in play, like how the body functions. This may include, but is not limited to, body weight, metabolism, genetics, and the endocannabinoid system.

What we do suggest is to start off small and to increase your dosages gradually and see how your body reacts. It may be useful to keep a log book of how you feel after each dosage until you find the optimum amount for you. Again, everyone is different. What worked for your friend may not work for you, or you could even need a smaller dosage for a similar condition.

3. Consult your doctor

When in doubt, consult your GP, especially if you have an existing medical condition. Do not stop taking medication in substitution for CBD without speaking to your general practitioner.

There are several methods to taking CBD, each with their own benefits. Some of these are easier than others to measure, with differing uptake mechanisms .

Tinctures

Using a tincture is one of the easiest ways to take CBD. Simply fill the pipette, lt a couple of the oil drops drip under your tongue and hold there for at least 30 seconds, or for as long as you can, before swallowing.

Dropping under the tongue, also known as sublingually, is an efficient way for rapidly absorbing CBD. Due to the high density of blood capillaries present under the tongue – and in the cheeks and gums too – this facilitates direct uptake into the blood stream and bypasses first stage metabolism by the liver.

How many drops of CBD oil should I take?

With some simple mathematics, we can easily figure that out. We just need to know how much CBD is in a pipette, thae dropper which comes with the tincture.

As an example, CBD Ultra Oil drops come with a 1ml dropper, so this makes it easy for us to calculate how much CBD there is using the following simple formula.

Start low and increase your strengths accordingly

How to accurately measure your CBD dosage and the ways of taking it.

[Total CBD per bottle] ÷ [Number of ml per bottle] = mgs of CBD

If you have a 10ml tincture that has 500mg of CBD in the overall product, it’s:

500 ÷ 10 = 50mg of CBD per pipette.

If you have decided upon starting with a CBD dosage of 25mg, and a single pipette of that 500mg tincture contains 50mg, you’d simply need to fill to halfway.

Of course, this method isn’t 100 percent accurate, but it is more accurate than not measuring at all. Remember, start with a small dosage and gradually increase until you find your perfect dosage.

Vape

Vaping CBD can be done using a CBD e-liquid or CBD pod system. You inhale the CBD vapour and it is rapidly absorbed through the dense capillary network of the lungs, this is rapid and efficient. When using an e-liquid to vape CBD, start by calculating how much CBD is in each millilitre of the liquid. Once you know this, you can work out how much CBD you are putting into a single tank of your device.

If your desired dosage of CBD is 100mg, and you are using a 500mg bottle of CBD e-liquid, a single 2ml tank would contain roughly 100mg of CBD. To properly administer your dosage, you would vape a complete tank over the course of a day.

Topicals

CBD topicals have many potential usages. The benefits of these are that CBD can be absorbed through the skin to the targeted area.

These creams and balms can be applied generously on the skin much like any other regular lotion.

Although more difficult to measure, you can calculate how much CBD there is per millilitre by dividing the CBD concentration by the volume. From this you will have a rough idea of how much you have used and therefore a rough estimate how much CBD you have used. While we await a more accurate system of estimating this, it is better than no measurement at all.

Edibles

When CBD edibles are ingested, they pass into the digestive system where they are then absorbed into the blood stream. Edibles provide the slowest rate of CBD absorption and can be influenced by other factors, such as whether they are taken with food, wherein fats aid absorption.

Dosing of CBD edibles is by far the easiest of all methods.

As CBD capsules are filled with an exact amount of CBD, they provide a truly accurate way to know how much you are taking. If your targeted CBD dosage is 25mg, then simply buy a pack of 25mg capsules and you’re good to go. Plus, it doesn’t get easier than taking a capsule.

Other consumption methods that are just as accurate include, gummies and beverages, although they may not be as convenient as capsules.

Disclaimer: Please be aware the advice contained in this article is not legally binding and may not be accurate for everyone reading this magazine. Remember to always consult your doctor.

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 Liquid Sciences in the UK.

Parna Recruitment Industry Matchmaker

Reena Nathwani and Resha Chan of Parna Recruitment started their agency in 2013, and now work diligently to match candidates with clients in the CBD and Vape industry. They strive to find a perfect pairing between each employer’s ethos and each employee’s ethics.

Why get involved in the CBD industry?

We started off in the vaping industry about five years ago, and we saw a lot of similarities between the two industries. They’re both evolving super rapidly, and really fast moving — at Parna we figured there was a lot of transferable skills we could use in the CBD industry. By getting in at the ground floor we’ve been able to really add our values to our clients.

How do you think it could really take off?

Right now the CBD world is a completely blank canvas. That means we can make sure that the core message is correct, and that we’re conveying the right image across the industry. As with any industry it’s important for the businesses who want to excel to get their branding right from the off. If a business wants to do well in the CBD world, they need a clear message and culture, and to be building businesses, staff and teams with this company culture in mind.

What recruitment advice would you give to start-ups?

These things are never black or white; it’s not a matter of, this person is good in this industry or this person is bad. Each company is very different… You could have ten companies all in CBD, but since their cultures are all completely unalike you’ve got to look inside. Break down your business to see what your values are. Are you a business that focuses on small scale micromanagement? Are you a business which is totally organised with goals of echoing bigger corporations? Or are you a startup where processes and procedures haven’t been put in place yet? A lot of people fall into the last category, and miss how important it is to be really clear in what you’re looking for.

How important is the right candidate?

Each business won’t have just one avenue they’re looking at going down. Generally speaking they’ll have a broad range of goals, whether those are supermarkets, gyms, pharmacies — wherever they’re looking to take their CBD products. This means there needs to be a large amount of synergy between their market focus and the experience of the rep selling the product. A lot of the reps looking to come on board with these businesses don’t understand that there’s a lot of scientific work behind CBD. Understanding what CBD is, how it works, and particularly the varying dosages for each person means the candidate needs to be someone who can really grasp the knowledge behind it.

What are the advantages of using a recruiter in the CBD industry?

If you don’t have the manpower to source new talent, or you don’t feel clear on what positions you need support in, then you should use an agency. Your staff are the key to your business’ success, especially in the CBD world where your key point of differentiation from a consumer perspective is packaging. Your staff are the ones that get your products out there and deliver your message to customers — they’re the voice and the face of your business, so it’s important to build the right team. At Parna we never just place any old candidate in your business: we work with you to figure out what has worked in the past, and what will work in the future, ensuring you grow the right team.

At Parna we specialise in breaking down your business and finding a candidate that really fits your company culture. Anyone can read a CV and confirm that it matches your criteria. Our essential difference is that we dig deeper, finding the parallels that will make for the perfect partnership.

Your Culture. Your Values. Our Candidate.

We specialise in discerning the mechanics of your business and finding the corresponding candidate. Anyone can read a CV and confirm that it matches your criteria. Our essential difference is that we dig deeper, finding the parallels that will make for the perfect partnership through vigorous screening.

Country Spotlight

Portugal is considered by many drug reform advocates to be a trailblazer for progressive drug policy

In 2001 after decades of problematic drug use across the social spectrum, Portuguese prime minister Antonio Guterres decriminalised the possession and consumption of personal quantities of all illegal drugs.

Instead of facing criminal charges, individuals in Portugal caught in possession of no more than 25 grams of cannabis flower or five grams of marijuana can be issued a summons to appear before a committee made up of a social worker, a psychiatrist and attorney. The committee has powers to impose a range of sanctions, from a €25 fine to a ban on travelling abroad.

Interestingly, the World Health Organization (WHO) recently wrote to UN Secretary General Guterres recommending that whole-plant marijuana and cannabis resin be removed from Schedule IV of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (1961).

But while Portuguese authorities are relatively tolerant of drug use, the government has taken firm steps to prevent the illicit manufacture and sale of drugs, including cannabis.

In 2003, Portugal became one of a small number of European countries to criminalise the possession of cannabis seeds, with the exemption of certified industrial hemp seed. It is also illegal to import seeds from other EU states. Equipment used for unsanctioned cultivation is also prohibited.

Canadian company Tilray has invested €25 million into the cultivation and distribution of medical cannabis exported from a facility 136

miles from Lisbon. Meanwhile, ICC International Cannabis recently acquired all the shares of hemp cultivator, Enigma Unipessoal Lda. Enigma cultivates hemp on 400 acres of land in the Portuguese region of Castelo Branco.

President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa approved Portugal’s medical cannabis law last year. Much like in the UK, cannabis medicines can be prescribed by doctors but only where other medicines have been ineffective or poorlytolerated. Sativex can be prescribed on receipt of Exceptional Use Authorization (EUA).

The legalisation of medical cannabis has served to further complicate the already murky territory of CBD regulation.

A debate raged in the Diário de Notícias newspaper in March 2018, with the National Authority of Medicines and Health Products (INFARMED) claiming it was a food supplement and the General Directorate of Food and Veterinary (DGAF) stating that it should be regulated by INFARMED as a product with therapeutic use.

The European Commission’s recent reclassification of CBD as a Novel Food could lead to supplements being pulled from shelves until they have been risk-assessed and deemed safe to consume. Portugal, like the rest of Europe, will be waiting on the outcome of a ruling expected to be announced shortly.

big night out CBD’s

From chocolates to bath bombs to face cream, CBD dominated among some of the world’s most luxurious ‘it’ brands in this year’s Oscar-worthy swag bags.

The top 25 nominees at this year’s Academy Awards, aka The Oscars, were gifted what has been described as a ‘six figure swag bag,’ jam-packed with fancy goodies including opulent cannabis edibles and a VIP membership to a cannabis social club in LA.

A far cry from the party bags that us mere mortals will fondly recall from our younger days, these gift bags boasted a total a value of over $100,000. Inside were extravagant cosmetics, lavish edibles, and exclusive spa-breaks and holidays.

The ‘Everybody Wins’ bags are curated and distributed by Los Angeles-based marketing agency, Distinctive Assets, a company famed for servicing the red-carpet industry with luxe gifts and events.

With a regular presence at The Grammys, Tony Awards, People’s Choice Awards and The Oscars, Distinctive Assets has become a name synonymous with gifting the celebrity elite.

Following this year’s Academy Awards, Lash Fary, the company’s founder, told Vapouround CBD: “We work on these nominee gift bags year-round and we are always looking for a blend of fun, fabulous and functional items.

“I noticed that so many of my friends and colleagues were getting great results from CBD and THC products. It seemed like the perfect time to share some best-in-class products in this category with these best-in-class actors, actresses and directors.”

So, what CBD goodies did the A-listers leave Hollywood’s biggest awards night with?

Gourmet cannabis brand Coda Signature shared their awardwinning THC truffles, along with bath bombs and vape gear, ahead of their launch in California scheduled for later this year. CEO of the Colorado-based company, Mark Grindeland, said in a press release:

“With our California debut just a few months away, Coda Signature is thrilled to partner with Distinctive Assets and take part in this classic Hollywood tradition.

“We celebrate creative artistry in everything we do at Coda Signature, and we hope that the nominees enjoy our products as

much as we enjoy their exceptional contributions to the world of film.”

A CBD supplement by Renee Lynn, a medical aesthetician and former make-up artist, also featured. Her CBD Rx SUPREME supplement has been marketed as an ‘age intervention,’ with the added benefits of general wellness. Just what the stars ordered.

Skincare products from High Beauty, including their High Five Cannabis Facial Moisturiser and High Expectations Facial Oil were included to assist celebs with their expensive-looking glowing complexion. Enriched with cannabis sativa oil, these products promise to balance and repair the skin, which may well have come in handy for future post-awards night hangovers.

And, for those that fancied a bit of down time, an annual VIP membership to LA’s first ever cannabis-friendly social club, MOTA, was also in the bag. The aptly named Medicine of The Angels strives to ‘promote wellness,’ with their homegrown ‘medicine,’ we’ll let you decipher that one…

The plentiful bounty of presents in this year’s bag also included a weeklong holiday in Greece, a weeklong stay for two at the Golden Door luxury wellness retreat, original artwork by Reian Williams Fine Art, and a whole deluge of hair, beauty, and other wellness products.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Lash Fary said: “We only give 25 [bags] as opposed to 140 for The Grammys. The value of those tend to be a bit more, because we have expensive trips and things that people can’t give out in higher quantities.”

However, with so many celebs coming out and endorsing CBD and cannabis products, it’s no surprise that Lash wanted to include some cannabis-based treats in the bags this year.

“Truthfully, we had been including CBD products for a couple years now, but this was the first time including actual cannabis-infused products. I really do hope that the attention we received will help normalise the use of CBD and THC products and I think it is really helpful for people to learn the difference between CBD and THC.”

BY PHOEBE FULLER Vapouround CBD journalist

With so many new brands and products entering the market, it is important to choose a brand with the knowhow and experience required to formulate safe and effective CBD products. CBDfx has championed the industry with high quality and fully compliant products for more than five years. You have the right to know what you put in your body, that is why lab reports for all CBDfx products are available on our homepage and through QR codes printed on each product.

CBD fx . com

FU LL SPECTRUM

gluten free

Honesty is the best policy

From seed to sanctuary, CUBID CBD aims to revolutionise the CBD industry by being upfront, trustworthy and transparent, empowering us all to choose a better day every day.

Has anyone else come across products which say they contain CBD, then you happen upon the ingredients only to notice there’s no mention of CBD. One UK company is on a mission to change this culture before it grows out of control.

The global cosmetic products market was valued at $532.43 billion in 2017, and by 2023 it’s expected to reach a market value of $805.61 billion.

It’s no surprise, then, that the beauty and cosmetics industry has seen an influx of CBD-infused products in recent months. A recent NBC news investigation into CBD products on the market in the US found alarming results which showed some products bought off the shelf did not contain any CBD – not even trace amounts – despite claiming on the label it did. Then there are the products – some of which are made and owned by UK companies – which misinform consumers and retailers. They list the concentration of hemp oil on their packaging as if it were the product’s CBD strength. In reality, the strength of their product may be a third of what they’re claiming.

One new UK company which manufactures its skincare range, e-liquids and tinctures in The Midlands is about to wipe out competitors who until now have been getting away with leading consumers in the wrong direction.

On the launch of phase one of CUBID this spring, Brand Creator Danielle Nodwell said: “We aim to be the top CBD brand in the UK and EU by the end of this year. We are going to change the way things are done and set a new standard. We want to revolutionise the industry, put the customer first, and create a movement.”

From Seed to Sanctuary

CUBID CBD uses organically grown hemp from Colorado in the US.There sits a luscious hemp farm spanning 240 acres. In keeping with the sustainability of hemp, farmers use local water sources to grow and maintain the high-grade hemp year-round. The CUBID team chose this farm in particular because it’s all in the science when it comes to CBD. Danielle told us the quality of the CBD extract used in these products is ‘unrivalled.’

“Chemists and engineers work tirelessly with the hemp farmers to develop unrivalled CBD extract that is natural, organically grown and botanical.

“We wanted to create a brand that represents quality and transparency. We are in a league of our own.”

Choose a Better Day

I was intrigued when I read this on the packaging. Danielle explained that so many products are funded, planned and dumped onto the market destined to fail because they have no provenance – no story – adding that this is the total opposite to what this exciting, innovative range has created.

“CUBID is a lifestyle. It’s not meant to suit or fit a certain person. The best thing about CBD is its individuality and the power it has to make a difference to people’s day-today lives. It’s for young aspirational women who want to invest in premium skincare with a difference; it’s for working professionals who need a daily dose of serenity away from the 9 to 5 of work demands; it’s for anyone who needs to take a moment for themselves and reset; it’s for those who want to adopt a more natural, clean living lifestyle.”

This got me thinking, ‘what makes my day better?’ It could be as simple as a good night’s sleep, a glass of wine, a bath bomb, a walk with the dog or some ‘me’ time. As editor of the UK’s leading CBD publication, I’ve been guinea pig to many one hit wonder products. I’ve been trying and testing products for the past six years for publication, so I know a great quality brand when I see one. I’ve never seen anything like CUBID.

Another element to CUBID is education. As CBD is an area which requires a lot of research and guidance, Vapouround CBD and CUBID CBD have teamed up to bring you the UK’s finest CBD Academy, which will take place August 12 in London.

By ROISIN DELANEY, Vapouround CBD editor

“We wanted to create a brand that represents quality and transparency. We are in a league of our own”

supplier of CBD products we have all seen a recent increased growth of the CBD industry in the UK which has led to a rise in the demand for high-quality testing and batch certification. With PhytoVista being a leading service provider, it is setting the Gold standard for testing in the CBD and cannabis industry.

PhytoVista has state-of-the-art equipment to enable testing for pesticides, microbial contamination, heavy metals, residual solvents, cannabinoids, terpenes and mycotoxins. The laboratory is able to certify that products and samples conform to regulatory standards.

So why test with PhytoVista? We are based in the UK which means you don’t need to send your samples abroad to European laboratories. Turnaround time is usually five days or less. We operate to GLP standards and we are working to be ISO 17025 accredited this year which ensures the highest quality results.

in the food and beverage, cosmetics and vaping industries so we can best advise our customers looking to test their products and enter into the UK CBD market. Nick Clarkson, Chief Scientific Officer, says; “While we are in an unregulated environment it is essential to batch test not only your raw materials but also your finished products. The demand for CBD products is increasing and with it is in an increase in the number of suppliers, and whilst quality is important to many of them, as with any booming industry, there are unscrupulous players operating with little concern for what they contain. Be sure that what you are buying and putting to market is tested by a trustworthy and auditable laboratory. We would like to see the industry continue to grow and for the sake of consumers, regulated like any other.”

If you have any questions about testing please get in touch with us via email or phone.

You can also find us at the Europe CBD Expo in July where we will be showcasing our services – if you are attending come and chat to us about your testing requirements.

Video sharing for the Vaping Community! Reviews, Tutorials, Vlogs and much more!

Their Wellthread™ X Outerknown Western Stitched Yoke is an attractive indigo western shirt with custom indigo embroidery detail for lightweight reinforcement at the yoke and is available for $168 (approximately £130).

Wellthread™ X Outerknown 511™ Slim Fit jeans come in a white wash using the cottonised hemp blend, and an indigo wash which uses the Refibra™ Tencel® denim blend. They also utilise Levi’s’ Water<Less® finishing practices and a new Indigo-dye system to help reduce water use. Retailing at $128 (approximately £95).

Green Jeans

As if being the purveyor of the world’s most iconic jeans and denim goods wasn’t enough, Levi’s are now dipping their toe in the waters of sustainability with their new spring/summer collection featuring the thread of the moment: hemp.

Levi’s Wellthread™ X Outerknown collaboration launched this spring and showcases the company’s first foray into ‘cottonised hemp’ denim, an innovative technique which transforms hemp to make it feel just like cotton.

Requiring less water and land in the growing phase, hemp is the undisputed champion of sustainable fibres; but its introduction to mainstream fashion has been hampered by its coarse texture, making it unattractive to companies in the apparel industry.

Paul Dillinger, vice president of product innovation at Levi’s said in a press release: “We know hemp is good for the environment, but it has always felt coarse. This is the first time we’ve been able to offer consumers a cottonised hemp product that feels just as good, if not better, than cotton.”

Working with fibre technology specialists to soften the hemp, Levi’s said that the look and feel of their finished product is, “almost indistinguishable from cotton,” giving this wonder

The Wellthread™ X Outerknown Board Short, all components – from threads to buttons to pocketing –are 100 percent nylon so the whole garment can be recycled. These retail at $98 (approximately £75) and are available in indigo.

Wellthread™ X Outerknown Pocket Tee comes from a blend of fully recycled cotton and these are available in denim or white wash for $40 (approximately £30). Levi’s says “the graphic used reminds us that no matter where we live, we all share the sea and the way we treat the water affects us all.”

The Wellthread™ X Outerknown Embroidered Trucker, in a modern white wash, comes with easily removable metal hardware which makes for easy recyclability. It will retail at $198 (approximately £150).

thread a chance at mainstream fashion success. Outerknown, a sustainable clothing company founded by world-champion surfer, Kelly Slater, were the, “perfect partner for this effort,” according to Levi’s, “given it’s dogged commitment to sustainable design and materials.”

Naturally, the collection will feature slim fit jeans, along with a denim trucker jacket made from a 70/30 cotton/cottonised hemp blend.

A cotton and hemp blend western shirt will also feature, as will single-fibre, fully recyclable board shorts made entirely from nylon.

Levi’s will be partnering with Outerknown again for their upcoming autumn collection and plan to make cottonised hemp a mainstay of future garments.

So, what can we expect from this eco-friendly collection, besides the trademark Levi’s quality?

Every garment in the collection comes with the added conscience of being made in a facility investing in the welfare of its workers, through the brands Working Wellbeing Initiative which offers health and planning advice, as well as financial education programmes.

BY PHOEBE FULLER Vapouround CBD journalist

LADY BUSINESS

Vapouround CBD’s Claire Michalski caught up with Sin City’s favourite CBD queen Krista Whitley to talk breaking the grass ceiling, being inspired by her ‘tiny’ grandmother and leading a 100 percent female board of directors.

Photo credit: Shannon Dorn

A: I was desperately seeking a natural remedy for my daughter, Bella, who has suffered with severe eczema. She was constantly itching, bullied for having ‘dragon skin,’ and didn't feel confident. It was heart-breaking and I had to do something to help her. I began combining natural ingredients to find something that would heal her. I am proud to say that she hasn't had to use steroids in over three years.

A: I saw the plant medicine big picture years ago when I got involved. I knew that once I had my own personal awakening, it was only a matter of time before plant medicine became mainstream. The next big thing is concrete research that proves what we have all known anecdotally for years: that CBD delivers legitimate, measurable improvements for consumers.

A: The greatest story I’ve got is my own. I was using handfuls of opioids to manage back pain from my car accident. I was foggy, miserable, depressed, and a shadow of myself.

A: The relative I was the closest to was my late grandmother, who immigrated from Japan and learned English watching television. She was a 4’9” dynamo of a woman who refused to let anything stop her. I saw how she overcame any adversity with a positive attitude and ability to bounce back that inspired me to believe I too, could achieve anything. Not every person or group has a tiny immigrant grandmother in their corner, encouraging them. I use that same sentiment often with my team.

A: It feels like it happened overnight, but it took a ton of sacrifice to grow from one person to a team of 27. I have seen too many people become paralyzed because they’re waiting on the perfect time. The time will never be perfect. The only perfect thing is the individual.

A: It has been my experience that it is easier to do business with women. My meetings with men are two-to-three times longer because they have to lead with why they’re so wonderful. Women bring a prepared idea ready for execution and then listen to how I think we can make it happen.

Q: What was the exact moment you first came up with the business?

Q: Your business mission is to save lives. Have you got any inspirational stories?

Q: How did your business go from the starting in your home to a flowering empire?

Q: What do you think is going to be the next big thing?

Q: You are an advocate for many minority groups, have you always defended others?

Q: Do you find men treat you the same as their male business peers?

We featured Krista Whitley in a recent blog post to mark International Women’s Day. Following this and living up to her handle, @SocialKrista saw the blog and answered some further questions we had about her growing US empire, Altitude Products.

A: It was absolutely conscious to have a 100 percent female board of directors. The best part is that we have leaders who are wonderful men and they could not be more supportive. Our team includes ages 21-65, veterans, LGBTQ+ community leaders, all ethnicities, all religious affiliations, and that diversity is what makes us stand out.

A: Back when I started the company, I incorporated it as Social Media Unicorn because I never imagined that it would be more than one unicorn on her couch. As we grew, we did a name change to Altitude Products. I’ll let you in on a little secret: we all have a unicorn riding a rocket ship tattooed on us.

A: I’m thrilled to share that we are actively looking for retailers and distributors for our product lines in the UK and throughout the EU. I’m thrilled to have more reasons to spend time across the pond.

We can’t wait to see what Krista does next.

Q: You have a 100 percent female board of directors, was this intentional?

Q: You refer to your team as unicorns. Is there a funny inside joke you could let us in on?

Q: Do you have any exclusive news you could tell us?

I have seen too many people become paralyzed because they’re waiting on the perfect time. The time will never be perfect. The only perfect thing is the individual.

“ “

LOVE/ HATE

Some people just don’t like terpenes. While others campaign for their importance. We asked CBD Ultra CEO Carl Boon why he feels terpenes need a little love.

CBD is a highly individual sport. No two people have the same opinions on products, no two people feel the exact same about dosages, and some love to hate terpenes. Many say their scent does nothing to help CBD’s image, giving rise to people associating CBD products with recreational marijuana.

Carl Boon has previously discussed the wants and needs of CBD consumers in the UK for this magazine and having had several of his products showcased on ITV’s This Morning programme recently, it turns out he is pro-terpene.

Carl describes plant terpenes as the periodic table of plants, and the next big movement in CBD research and development. He believes the future of CBD is in biomedical research and taking advantage of new knowledge.

“With terpenes, you can produce any flavour, taste and smell profile but also any effect. For example, limonene produces the sensations associated with lemon and lime. The entourage effect comes from full-spectrum oil, different terpenes and cannabinoids coming together to produce a more powerful effect. THC is another compound that would be included in the effect.”

Did you know?

Terpenes aren’t just a cannabis occurrence. They’re even in your natural Christmas tree. These are hydrocarbons, compounds which are generally found in the essential oils of plants, especially conifers and citrus trees. The next time you go for a walk in the woods and get that ‘tree’ smell, that’s the terpenes doing their job. While the smell of terpenes may lead you to think of recreational marihuana, just to be clear, terpenes will not get you high. Maybe it’s time we spread the love not stigma for another one of nature’s superpowers.

“Everyone needs to recognise the importance of plant terpenes”

Save the Bees

Nature and nurture bring bees and hemp together

We humans love bees, and with good reason.

Nonetheless, any steps we can take to protect and grow the bee population would surely be as welcomed by humans as by the bees themselves.

A recent study from Colorado State University showed that expanse of industrial hemp production in the US could provide significant benefits to the bee population.

The high quantities of pollen hemp plants produce can be incredibly attractive to bees, particularly during the late summer to early autumn period when there aren’t many other types of flower available.

It was over this period that the team recorded 23 types of bees foraging among hemp plants in the northern Colorado region. European honeybees and two other types accounted for 80 percent of the overall abundance.

The challenge now is to develop pest management methods that do not harm the precious pollinators.

The researchers concluded: “Industrial hemp can play an important role in providing sustained nutritional options for bees during the cropping season.”

“If companies will prove that specific cannabis strains can cure or treat specific illnesses, then we can make honey from those specific strains, specifically to treat the correlating illness.”

In 2015, a curious video posted by a ‘Nicolas Trainerbees’ began to generate a lot of social media buzz.

In the short clip, a swarm of bees appeared to be feasting on cannabis flowers.

It turned out that the video was not a hoax, much to the embarrassment of the army of pitchfork-wielding bedroom beekeepers who had expressed their disbelief in the comments section.

The man behind the video was long-time amateur entomologist and medical cannabis advocate, Nicolas Trainer.

Nicolas said: “For some time, I had known about the health benefits of bee products such as honey, propolis, pollen, wax and royal jelly and also about the benefits of cannabis”.

Nicolas spent two years training bees to collect resin to use in their beehives. The resin is filtered through the bees and produces cannahoney. The process does not affect the insects as they have no endocannabinoid system.

While Nicolas doesn’t make money from his honey, one company is set to cash in on his concept.

Israeli company PhytoPharma has created a range of products that have the sweet flavour of honey and all the benefits of cannabis. The bees feast on an IP-protected diet that includes cannabinoids. The nutrients pass through the bees and into the CBD and THC honeys.

In an interview with Forbes Magazine, PhytoPharma CEO Avner Ben Aharon, said: “We combined the healing powers of cannabis with the amazing delivery capability of honey. We aim to continue to apply our unique brand of ‘nature-tech’ to cannabis medicine, food, and beverages, veterinary and cosmetic products.”

As well as being a tasty alternative to more traditional consumption methods, the effects kick in within just five to ten minutes. This may be ideal for people wanting quick absorption, especially so for anyone with a sweet tooth.

The honey is also highly bioavailable and active in cannabinoid concentrations 100 times lower than other formulations.

Ben Aharon said: “There may be two optional mechanisms that can explain the honey’s high-efficacy. The honey serves as a high-efficient vector to cross the Blood-Brain Barrier. While producing the honey, cannabinoids are transformed in the bees’ stomachs into superiorly efficient molecules.”

The company plans to work with the pharmaceutical industry to create products for specific medical conditions.

“In the future, if companies will prove that specific cannabis strains can cure or treat specific illnesses, then we can make honey from those specific strains, specifically to treat the correlating illness.”

It appears to be good for the bees too. The company claims that the bees’ superior diet has contributed to a thriving population.

What next for this unlikely pairing?

Hopefully, an increase in cannabis production, advances in technology and increasing environmental awareness will have lasting and positive repercussions for bees, hemp and humans alike.

BY GORDON STRIBLING

The Isle of Man Government has held a public review period surrounding many areas of cannabis after the ‘over the counter’ approach for pharmacies was floated during a public consultation earlier this year.

An alternative option would be to allow GPs to prescribe medicinal cannabis for a range of conditions.

Officials have also said decriminalising cannabis on the island is not off the cards, but added it is a separate conversation.

Minister for Home Affairs on the island, Bill Malarkey MHK said that medicinal and recreational cannabis are ‘deliberately’ being treated as their own issues on the island so as not to “distort the figures within the medical side.”

Residents were asked to give their views on five key areas.

· Remaining in line with UK laws on medicinal cannabis (which were relaxed last November)

· Extending the conditions the drug is prescribed for to include chronic pain and palliative care

· Giving GPs the power to prescribe the drug for any medical condition where they see fit

· Giving pharmacies the power to sell the drug over the counter without prescription

· Allowing the cultivation and manufacturing of medicinal cannabis on the island

Currently in the UK, medicinal cannabis can only be prescribed by a specialist and only in isolated cases where children and adults are suffering from rare and severe forms of epilepsy.

If you live in the Isle of Man, you may soon be able to purchase medicinal cannabis over the counter.

I’ve met increasing numbers of people from all ages, and from all classes, who are using medicinal cannabis because they find it helps far better than conventional medicines, but are living in fear of being arrested and criminalised.

—Isle of Man GP speaking to local radio

Adult cancer patients suffering from vomiting or nausea caused by chemotherapy treatment may also be eligible for cannabis oil on prescription. This would only be considered when other treatments weren’t found to be suitable or hadn’t helped, according to the NHS.

However, very few people in the UK have had success at obtaining their prescription since medicinal cannabis was legalised on November 1 last year. This change to the law applies to

the Isle of Man, however authorities there can make changes at a domestic level.

One GP on the island is publicly backing the proposed action. Dr Alex Allinson told Manx Radio he hopes the medicinal cannabis and hemp consultations will help people rather than criminalise them, as is currently the case.

He said listeners:

“As a doctor I’ve met increasing numbers of people from all ages, and from all classes, who are using medicinal cannabis because they find it helps far better than conventional medicines, but are living in fear of being arrested and criminalised.”

The Department of Health and Social Care on the island has also launched a separate consultation on the growing of industrial hemp, which can be used as a fibre or as a foodstuff. It is thought hemp may be a more environmentally friendly alternative to more conventional and universally used fibres, such as cotton.

The online consultation period is now closed and the Isle of Man government is expected to publish the results in the coming months.

WWE AS YOU’VE NEVER SEEN IT BEFORE

Wrestler Daniel Bryan’s hemp championship belt has divided opinion

DANIEL BRYAN

DANIEL BRYAN

WORLD HEAVY WEIGHT CHAMPION

Hemp and wrestling are not the most natural of bedfellows.

Certainly, their associated stereotypes could not be more different from one another. Perhaps this is why WWE wrestler Daniel Bryan’s latest antagonistic persona has proven to be such a hit.

Bryan returned to the ring in 2018 following a threeyear hiatus after a serious injury threatened to end his career. In his former incarnation he was known as, to quote his WWE profile, a ‘scrappy underdog’ – the kind of athlete the neutral can get behind.

But the ‘new’ Daniel Bryan has proven to be somewhat more divisive.

The environmentalist, vegetarian and animal rights

advocate routinely chastises the crowd, his competitors and the sport for their supposedly unethical ways. His speech following the 2019 Royal Rumble was no different and instantly garnered international headlines.

“This is a symbol,” the long-haired, bearded cardiganwearing Bryan said, holding the gold-adorned leather championship belt.

“It is a symbol of excellence. But it is also a symbol of excess. It’s gaudy, it’s made from cheap labour and worst of all it is bound to the skin of a cow whose life was taken from her. I like to give that cow a name. In my mind, the cow whose life was taken, her name was Daisy.” A chant of ‘Daisy! Daisy!’ swept through the crowd, in what we can only assume was a WWE first.

BY GORDON STRIBLING

Daisy’s life was one of insufferable pain, Bryan explained. A life sacrificed in the name of decadence. “This symbol is trash,” he said, dropping the belt in a conveniently-located bin. Boos echoed around the stadium.

“I said, when I became WWE champion, that I was going to change the world. But to change the world, we need new symbols.

“This is the new symbol of excellence,” Bryan declared. “This is your new WWE championship!”

The sight of the sustainable organic hemp and wood belt instantly divided the crowd and ignited a night of furious debate on social media. Was it ‘beautiful’ or ‘garbage’?

Who better to say than the man himself?

“This title is not only a symbol of excellence. This title is a symbol for change!”

“THIS IS THE NEW SYMBOL OF EXCELLENCE. THIS IS YOUR NEW WWE CHAMPIONSHIP!”

US: VETERANS PROHIBITED from accessing medical marijuana programmes amid

opioid epidemic

More than 115 Americans die from an opioid overdose every day, according to the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA). A 2014 report by the US Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) revealed that veterans are twice as likely as non-veterans to die of an accidental opioid overdose.

As the stateside opioid epidemic rages on, state governments are looking for alternative treatments for conditions commonly affecting veterans.

A 2018 study published by the JAMA Network found that states with active medical marijuana dispensaries had 3.7 million fewer daily opioid doses filled under Medicare Part D.

But while the general population in medical marijuana states benefits from liberalised drug laws, veterans are prohibited from accessing the opioid alternative.

The conflict stems from marijuana’s Schedule I classification under the Controlled Substances Act. Schedule I is the most restrictive category, reserved for substances like heroin and MDMA that have high abuse potential and ‘no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States’.

By comparison, the list of Schedule II drugs includes cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl.

Low-THC hemp was removed from Schedule I of the Controlled Substance Act with the implementation of the Hemp Farming Act (Farm Bill) in December. But marijuana, medical or otherwise, is still federally illegal.

VA guidelines state that providers and

pharmacists can discuss how medical marijuana works, how it interacts with other medicines and how it can be used to treat pain management, PTSD or substance use disorder, but they can neither prescribe it, nor provide funding for programmes.

Now, initiatives to allow veterans to access medical marijuana programmes are crossing state and party lines.

The VA Medical Research Act 2019 is bipartisan legislation that would compel the VA to research the safety and efficacy of medical cannabis to treat symptoms of PTSD and chronic pain among veterans.

Californian Congressman Lou Correa said:

“Throughout my district, I meet veterans who depend on cannabis to manage their pain. Numerous veterans attest to the treatment benefits of medical cannabis.

“It’s time the VA did a formal study. Rather than risk becoming dependent on opioids, these veterans find relief in medical cannabis.”

A congressional bill introduced in the House on March 3 would allow the VA to recommend veterans residing in medical marijuana states.

US Representative for Oregon and Democrat Earl Blumenauer said in a press release:

“For too long, our veterans have been denied access to highly effective medical marijuana treatment for conditions like chronic pain and PTSD.

“Medical marijuana has shown proven benefits for treating these conditions and denying our veterans access to them is shameful.”

“This simple bill would align veterans VA treatment with their very popular state laws, usually approved by the voters.”

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended that whole-plant marijuana and cannabis resin be formally rescheduled under the 1961 international Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. They’ve also called for THC to be removed from a 1971 treaty and into the purview of the 1961 convention.

The recommendations take into account the growing body of evidence demonstrating the therapeutic potential

of medical cannabis. The same report called for CBD to be removed entirely from the scheduling.

International pressure and state medical marijuana programmes have helped the reform campaign gain momentum, but veterans are only likely to see the benefits if regulatory changes are made at federal level. The 2020 US election may be the catalyst that advocates have been waiting for.

The Marijuana Justice Act is co-sponsored by Democratic rival candidates Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris and Bernie Sanders. It would remove cannabis from

the Controlled Substances Act entirely and withhold federal funds from states without a statute to legalise it.

Erik Altieri, executive director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (Norml), said:

“The support for marijuana legalisation has quickly become a litmus test in the 2020 Democratic primary.

“With the upcoming primary, it is also clear that support for prohibition is ultimately disqualifying with the Democratic electorate – and with the American electorate generally.”

“Medical marijuana has shown proven benefits for treating these conditions and denying our veterans access to them is shameful.”

– Democratic Representative Earl Blumenauer

Driving Vitality into the UK’s CBD sector

.

Vitality CBD is a very well funded company, with a proven track record of building a new category (e-cigarettes) from scratch and taking it to the very top. With an extensive background in the pharmaceutical and vaping industries, our entire team has the experience and expertise to supply not only the highest-quality but most popular CBD products on the market with what seems to be, unrivalled marketing support compared to the competition.

Ella

Gligor, Marketing Manager for Vitality CBD explains:

“A premium quality CBD product is only the beginning. Vitality CBD put an entire support system behind our retail partners. Staff education is key to creating informed and interested customers, and the competent staff that can serve them. Our in-store training and supporting literature have resulted in a 3-fold increase in sales of CBD products compared to existing brands on shelf.”

When questioned about the types of in-store marketing they provide to retailers, she responded:

“Retail support is crucial in making the products stand out on the shelf, raising the customers’ interest and trust. Our pre-made sales packages offer a comprehensive combo of Wall-units, CDUs, sample stations and other branding options that will improve a store’s presence. Once the retail packs are installed, retailers report that their customers increasingly enquire about CBD & why they should buy it, and then confidently transact with significantly higher basket spend than before.”

Packaging and dosage is often confusing for consumers in this relatively early industry and different products on-shelf seem to have different ways of advertising the CBD content on their labels for example, some showing a percentage of CBD content in the bottles and some showing the milligrams. Gligor clarified the situation from Vitality CBD’s perspective:

“Clear labelling is something many customers have been asking for. All Vitality CBD products come with an easy to identify strength label for High / Medium / Low concentrations, clear CBD content (300MG / 600MG / 1200MG) and colour coded flavour labels, as well as comprehensive instructions booklets included in every box. The exact dosage per drop and per recommended serving is clearly stated on the packaging. In addition, each product leaflet provides a basic understanding of CBD’s biochemical functions, with a more comprehensive Knowledge Centre available on our website for further reading.”

It seems that Vitality CBD have covered all elements a retailer needs to maximise their CBD Category, including quality product assurances so Grigor concludes:-

“Vitality CBD’s reputation alongside our distributor, Vape Supplier, guarantee the quality and consistency of our products, certified by third-party lab reports from home and abroad, available on our website from the independent testing of every single batch. Consumers can match the batch number on their purchased product to the exact certificate they find on our website.”

“I have not witnessed such quality staff training and instore marketing support for a CBD range, from any supplier in the industry” - Kyri Potamitis Head of Operations Vape HQ.

Best Packaging & Marketing Support in the industry

The clearest and most professional package labelling on the market, com bined with the best in-store marketing solutions available – driving the fastest rate of sale in the industry.

Whole Plant

Whole Plant CBD is the flagship of our range, a premium e-liquid that includes not only multiple cannabinoids, but also the very best of what the full hemp plant has to offer: waxes, fats, terpenes and flavonoids, all playing a major role in enhancing the Entourage effect. Recommended to be used in a Sub-Ohm device, either exclusively or as an additive with another e-liquid, this product will become a favourite of CBD enthusiasts.

Full Spectrum. Not Isolate. The Entourage Effect – the synergy of different cannabinoids enhancing each other’s properties. This is why all our drops, sprays and e-liquids are all Full Spectrum, bringing users a high number of cannabinoids alongside CBD.

Fuller Flavours – Natural, Lemon and Berry

Different customers have different needs. Some people enjoy a strong taste of hemp. All our e-liquids are available in a Natural flavour, as are our drops and sprays (in fact, the hemp seed carrier oil in our Oral Drops will enhance the plant’s flavour).

If hemp taste is not on a customer’s preferred list, our products also come in the appreciated Berry and Lemon flavours (and, for non-vapers, the MCT carrier oil in our Oral Sprays masks the hemp taste altogether).

Diverse product range

All solutions from one supplier. All day vaping with our 3 strengths of full spectrum e-liquids. For quick and long-lasting cannabinoid effects, our sublingual sprays and drops offer a quick boost throughout the day. And, for a localized effect, our topical skin cream and muscle balm are easy to apply to the desired skin-area.

US: TV INVESTIGATIONS FIND LEAD AND PESTICIDES IN CBD PRODUCTS

NBC investigators tested CBD oils and gummies from a number of big-name brands but found discrepancies on the cannabinoid content. One of the ‘high-strength’ gummies contained no CBD at all.

By Gordon Stribling, Vapouround CBD journalist

It was perhaps inevitable that US media coverage of CBD would take a turn for the negative. Last year saw an influx of broadly positive stories about the touted ‘cure all’, many focused on the wellness industry and almost every enthusiastic report qualified with the words, ‘but it won’t get you high!’

The US Farm Bill generated a massive amount of media coverage for the hemp and CBD industries at the tail-end of last year. But as demand for an acceptance of CBD has skyrocketed, the US media had started to turn a more critical eye.

A recent investigation by NBC in Miami, New York and Washington tested CBD oils and gummies from a number of big-name brands, as well as some smaller companies, purchased online and in stores.

NBC Miami took 35 products from seven different companies to Evio Labs. The accredited company tests CBD products for over 400 companies from around the world.

Twenty of the products were found to contain less than half of the CBD advertised on the label. One of the ‘high-strength’ gummies contained no CBD at all.

NBC4 New York tested three brands of CBD oil and four brands of gummies. None of the products contained the advertised quantity of CBD.

A product marked as Lazarus Naturals oil contained dangerous levels of lead while a product understood to be a CBDistillery sample contained a pesticide at levels in excess of acceptable California standards.

Evio Labs said: “It had four times the amount of lead than is approved. If a child gets their hands on these products, it could be life threatening.”

In a statement, Lazarus Naturals argued that the levels of lead found in the products fell within Food and Drug Administration guidelines for quantities and that products tested were bought via Groupon, which the company did not use nor did they authorise their wholesalers to use.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Lazarus Naturals said: “We cannot reasonably confirm that the product in question is an actual Lazarus Naturals product. It is also worth noting

that NBC also purchased several Lazarus Naturals products directly from our website, all of which tested passed a full panel of testing.”

CBDistillery meanwhile refuted NBC’s findings, stating that the product in question had ‘passed testing conducted by an accredited third-party lab in compliance with these standards which found no traces of pesticides.’

A Virginia Commonwealth University study published last November found dangerous synthetic cannabinoid 5F-ADB and cough mixture ingredient DXM in supposed ‘CBD’ e-liquids.

The same company hit the headlines earlier in the year when a Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics seizure revealed the presence of fentanyl in at least one vial of CBD vape additive. Michelle Peace, PhD and associate professor in the Department of Forensic Science who led the study said: “CBD is not supposed to make you high, but it has purported medical benefits. So when this person said they vaped this product and had a really awful high, we thought, ‘Wow, there is definitely something in there that shouldn’t be’. [This study] is a real call to action. Anybody involved in public health or public safety needs to be aware of what’s potentially in these products.”

Thankfully, there are resources in place to help customers who are concerned about CBD or THC content and the presence of adulterants in products. Some companies include QR codes that can be scanned with a smart phone that link to lab reports. Alternatively, customers can refer to the batch number on the label.

While the NBC investigations will have alarmed many consumers and people working within the CBD space, the CBDistillery spokesperson called on the media to change how it engages with companies and reports on the fledgling industry.

“NBC chose to not report all of the facts in this matter and we hope we can work with media in the future to destigmatise CBD and bring to light the positive implications it has.”

“We hope we can work with media in the future to destigmatise CBD and bring to light the positive implications it has”

— CBDistillery spokesperson

CBD & medical cannabis vaping device controlled by GPs launches Down Under

Anti-vaping Australia rolls out a modern-tech approach to vaping medical cannabis and CBD.

With mounting demand for access to medicinal cannabis worldwide, it was only a matter of time before medical technology needed to catch up and supply safe consumption devices.

And yet it’s Australia which is leading the charge on this future-thinking vape tech application, despite being dubbed the last anti-vaping stronghold in the world. (E-cigarettes with nicotine are illegal in the country, as liquid nicotine is classed as a poison there.)

One Australian medical diagnostic and monitoring technology company has developed a high-tech approach to medical cannabis with their Medihale Vaporiser.

The device, developed by German medical cannabis technology brand, Seng Vital, and associated software developed by BodyTel, is a medical regulatory approved medical cannabis delivery system that provides ease of access to treatment for chronic pain conditions and other long-term health concerns.

With Bluetooth connectivity and biometric fingerprint scanning technology, the Medihale by Lifespot Health makes it easy for patients and their doctors to monitor

Lifespot Health’s non-executive chairman, Rodney Hannington.

use, ensuring the device is being used only as needed and keeping it safe from falling into the wrong hands, according to the manufacturers.

Users can connect their device to an app, which allows them to input medical data and automatically sends the user’s information to healthcare professionals, so that individual conditions can be effectively treated and managed.

Lifespot Health’s non-executive chairman, Rodney Hannington, told Vapouround: “The Bluetooth connectivity has benefits to the medical user, connecting them with their healthcare professional and providing both with data that enhances the treatment.”

The device screen allows patients to input their ‘pain score’ which measures the amount of cannabis that the device will provide and, if any signs of misuse are detected, the device can be remotely locked to stop further use.

Speaking to Yahoo Finance Canada, Rodney said: “I don’t think anyone’s got the fully integrated system like we do. As the user vapes, they can enter their pain score and we can track how much they are vaping, and if

their pain is being relieved or not.”

He told Vapouround CBD: “Seng Vital was created by Gregor Schommer who has had over 20 years’ experience producing stylish and high-quality electronic devices for European and US markets. Gregor realised that there was an opportunity to design and produce vaporisers that connected emotionally and functionally with the user for both medical and consumer health users.”

To maintain maximum product safety, patients will require a medical cannabis prescription and will need to scan valid documents to authorise the device before they can begin using it.

According to Lifespot Health’s website, the Medihale is now internationally available to medical cannabis brands.

“We are working on new patentable features that provides even greater security and also developing devices that have functions that enhance the user experience,” Rodney added.

The Bluetooth connectivity has benefits to the medical user, connecting them with their healthcare professional and providing both with data that enhances the treatment.

“ “

INNOVATE TO THRIVE

If you’re a CBD manufacturer, you’ve already put blood, sweat, tears and countless sleepless nights into the development of your liquids. Now what?

With an endless variety of CBD products available nowadays, it’s never been more important to pay attention to detail.

PRESENTATION IS EVERYTHING. SO IS CONVENIENCE.

ENTER EASYSNAP.

The cost effective, convenient and innovative solution to your packaging.

You’ve been seeking the next big thing in sample-size packaging, well here it is!

Easysnap is the only one-hand opening and dispensing portion pack for liquid and is oneof-a-kind in this industry. Using patented technology, simply snap, fold and squeeze these simple, pocket-friendly sachets.

Various size options available.

Easysnap enables your liquid products to stand out, helping you to target your brand to the independent retail sector – a brand that is cost-effective, ergonomic and innovative.

NO RISK OF CONTAMINATION

Thanks to an airtight seal.

Quality

Accessible and easy to use with a one-hand opening technology. Just fold, snap and squeeze.

Slam Dunkin’

Lamar Odom has already conquered the sporting and celebrity worlds, and it seems the former LA Laker’s all-star has set his sights on a new horizon: the vaping industry.

NBA star Odom’s cannabis company, Rich Soul Organics, has been working in collaboration with Five Star Juice to create the Odom Vape Pen which launched in February at the Tobacco Plus Expo in Las Vegas, where we bumped into the star.

Having already launched Odom 7, his CBD line that offers full spectrum oils, gel caps, muscle creams, gummies and water solubles, the former pro-basketballer has teamed up with this big industry name to concoct his own disposable CBD vape pen.

With the tag line ‘Worth Living’ it is clear to see he is invested. Odom explains on his website that, “CBD oil changed my life when I began using it every day … I have worked hard to produce this oil because I want to help the world.”

Just like other US sports stars like UFC’s Gina Mazany and the NFL’s Eugene Monroe, Lamar Odom believes CBD is an effective, natural product that he personally used during recovery from the six heart attacks and twelve strokes he suffered from in 2015. All of which was welldocumented in the media and on Keeping Up With The Kardashians, as Lamar is the ex-husband of Khloe Kardashian.

Speaking to The Blast, the 39-year-old explained his history with cannabis and CBD:

“While going through rehab, I discovered certain strains that support wellness. Friends, associates and ex-teammates asked me what solutions I was using back to recovery, and that’s when Rich Soil Organics was born … It’s a perfect time to offer these cannabis solutions to the public who may be going through similar body issues as I am.”

When interviewed at the Tobacco Plus Expo, the CBD advocate was asked if he thought the NBA should allow their players to use products containing CBD. He replied “I think so, hopefully they will.”

This could be a possibility considering the International Olympic committee’s World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) removed cannabidiol from their prohibited substances list in early 2018. Since then, an increasing number of professional athletes in the UK and the US have embraced zeroTHC products.

Odom recently told his 440,000+ social media followers: “Hemp CBD has been a HUGE game changer for me this past year and has helped me in many ways. If you have been on the fence about CBD, now is the time to hop off and give it a try.”

If you have been on the fence about CBD, now is the time to hop off

It doesn’t get more dope than this. A recovery focused class with the added benefit of CBD patches - a joint approach to aid your recovery from your static 9-5.

BUT FIRST, CBD

Information is key to anyone using CBD. Shortly after the launch of this magazine, CBD First by Vapouround CBD opened its doors in Derbyshire. Set in the Derby suburb of Littleover, the store and its staff soon realised the knowledge gap on CBD was even more prevalent than previously thought.

The first in a series of workshops took place on Saturday March 23 in leafy Littleover and saw a mix of people attending with various lifestyles and from various backgrounds, proving once again just how individual and personable CBD is.

Some of those who came along to the event had already been using CBD prior to the open day and brought their current products to be examined.

Some learned that the product which they thought contained CBD, didn’t actually contain a single milligram of the plant extract.

While others took on board the advice of staff and learned what to watch out for on labels and packaging.

The event was female dominated, as everyone sipped CBD tea, snacked on gummies and played with various flavours of

tinctures. However one man who attended had just touched down in the UK from Australia the night before.

The workshop was hosted by Vapouround CBD Editor Róisín Delaney, who answered questions about the industry, manufacturing and how products are being promoted.

Those in attendance seemed particularly concerned at the revelation that there is still no Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) from the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Usually, all supplements carry this information on their labels and packaging.

The difference between using a full spectrum product versus CBD isolate was also a popular topic, as was the question of ‘which is the best way to take CBD.’ The answer? There is no one size fits all approach.

Many were also surprised to learn that terpenes play no part in getting someone high – proving once more that for some there is a connotation between the typical smell associated with cannabis products and the presumption that this smell somehow makes a product psychoactive.

Vapouround’s first CBD specialist store offers support and education, breaking down stigma and reassuring sceptics.

For information on the next event, follow @cbd_first on Instagram, and @cbdfirstbyvapouroundcbd on Facebook. Stay tuned for more CBD First by Vapouround CBD stores coming soon across the UK!

Lucy Booth was the winner of the event’s £50 prize.

BY STAFF REPORTER

Thinking about vaping CBD?

Check

out some of the top CBD vape kits on the market right now

CBD products have seen a meteoric rise in use over the last 12 months, and now that more people are open to the idea of vaping CBD, the community has extended beyond experienced users. Vaping is one of the quickest ways to consume CBD, whilst being incredibly convenient at the same time, so what kind of vape gear will help you get the most out of your chosen product?

First of all, it helps to understand what goes into a CBD e-liquid. This will give us an idea of what equipment will be optimal to use with it. The main ingredients are Propylene Glycol (PG), Vegetable Glycerine (VG), CBD isolate and/or terpenes and in some cases, food grade flavourings.

PG and VG form the base of any e-liquid. PG has a watery viscosity, and produces minimal vapour, whilst carrying flavour compounds very well, along with a throat hit. VG has a much thicker viscosity and produces large amounts of vapour with minimal throat hit.

As a result, we can consider CBD e-liquids with a VG:PG ratio of 70:30 or higher more suited to high power tanks, with large coils and wicking ports, whilst CBD e-liquids with a VG:PG ratio of 60:40 or lower are more suited to use in low powered tanks, with smaller coils and wicking ports.

Invariably, the CBD content of CBD vapes will cause coils to degrade more quickly than standard e-liquids. Products with particularly high in CBD strength, or full spectrum products are likely to emphasise this effect. It’s good to use a device that efficiently consumes CBD, since we all know that quality products of this nature are not cheap.

LOW POWER CBD VAPE KITS

Renova Zero Pod

Price: £25.00

Recommended VG:PG ratio: 50:50 – 70:30

The Renova Zero pod system, manufactured by Vaporesso, is ideal for those new to vaping CBD. It has just one button, allowing the user to choose from three power levels, and is draw activated. Aside from its small size, good battery life and ease of use, the reason this kit works so well for CBD is the coils. Vaporesso use their proprietary ceramic CCELL coils in the Zero. The ceramic wicking action in these pods is more resistant to CBD build up, resulting in good coil longevity. The adjustable low power output is also ideal for new users, who should be starting out with lower doses of CBD. A great, affordable option for beginners, with wide availability.

Innokin EQ

Price: £19.99

Recommended VG:PG ratio: 50:50 – 70:30

Innokin will be no stranger to veterans of the e-cigarette world, but they haven’t gone out of their way to pursue the CBD vaping market. Nonetheless, the EQ is a fantastic choice for new CBD vapers. Innokin’s Plexus mesh coils are also quite resistant to CBD build up, and the EQ features a power level selection very similar to the Renova Zero. The EQ provides a slightly looser draw though, with increased vapour production, so if this is something that appeals to you, it may be the more suitable choice.

HIGH POWER CBD COILS

Higher power vaping is not recommended for new CBD users, as it may result in higher dosages being consumed. If you already have a tolerance to CBD, this may be suited to you.

Vaporesso GT CCELL coil Price: £20-30 (compatible tank) £3-4 (coil) Recommended VG:PG ratio: 50:50 – 70:30

The Vaporesso GT CCELL is a sub-ohm coil compatible with all Baby Beast style sub-ohm tanks. This utilises the same ceramic wicking action found in the Renova Zero pod, but is optimised for higher power output. Low-medium dose CBD e-liquids work very well in these coils, anywhere between 25-35W. Similarly to the Zero pod, the GT CCELL coils resist CBD build up and result in a satisfying and efficient vape.

Geekvape X2 Supermesh coil Price: £20-30 (compatible tank) £3-4 (coil) Recommended VG/PG ratio: 70/30 and higher

The X2 is Geekvape’s newest mesh coil, and has a very low power requirement for it’s size. As with other mesh coils, the X2 does a good job of resisting CBD build up and also produces fantastic flavour, which is a big plus for those who enjoy full spectrum or flavoured CBD products. The sweet spot for these coils is anywhere between 35W-40W, which results in a fuller, warmer vape than the GT CCELL. As the X2 coils are cross compatible with any tank that accepts the Vaporesso GT CCELL coils, you can try both without purchasing multiple tanks, and see which is more suited to your needs.

CBDCIRCUIT

Stigma, sceptics, research and regulation

That’s what was on the menu at the first ever Future Cannabis Strategies Europe Conference which took place in London. Vapouround CBD editor Róisín Delaney was there.

This was a packed programme, with the two-day event bringing industry leaders from all around the world under one roof at a Chelsea hotel. Vapouround CBD launched at the event, literally hot off the presses as our printing company hand delivered the first bundle of issues to the hotel in time for those in attendance to have a read.

Day one was Tuesday, January 29. I was intrigued to find out who was going to attend, as well as the speakers of course. The industry is still young – especially here in the UK – when compared with the US and even some European nations. The clientele was a mix of industries, with cosmetic brands, online shopping sites, brewers and market researchers sending representatives.

The running order was stellar for the first time out of the blocks. Market research prvided by both Global Data and CBD Intel proved essential, with eager pens and pencils scribbling notes throughout both Neil Hendry and Tim Phillips’ slots. What was truly incredible was to see just how much research and data already exists on CBD, given how young the industry is still.

From beverages to cosmetics to vaping and fashion, this twoday intensive event showed there is no end to the potential of CBD, and despite some obstacles in law and regulation, CBD is weaving its way into every major industry worldwide.

Research and regulation

“A large amount of consumers are going to have negative opinions. It’s something the industry has to get over”

Neil Hendry, Head of Consulting at GlobalData Consumer opened the two-day conference and chaired the various panel discussions which took place. The amendment to the Novel Food Regulations in Europe had everyone talking. This announcement coincidentally came the same morning Europe’s CBD enthusiasts were flocking to Chelsea for this event. Neil addressed this, more specifically, on the topic of stigma and understanding CBD, which is something both the CBD and vape industries know too well.

“One of the key things to appreciate is a large amount of consumers are going to have negative opinions. It’s something the industry has to get over.”

What can help the industry combat stigma? Research. “If it can be shown that CBD can fortify products and help reduce health expenditure, it will move towards a regulatory environment.”

One trend Neil identified is the medicinal cannabis route. He said: “Government attitudes are evolving, with widespread approval for medicinal use.” The chair also pointed out that already, there are, “60 clinical trials ongoing” which are looking for signs that CBD may help in treating pain, alcohol addiction, multiple sclerosis (MS) and weening people off of opiates.

CBD Intel

“This is going to be a highly uncertain next few years for the industry”

Tim Phillips, Managing Director at CBD Intel and Ecigintelligence on the changes to the Novel Food Regulations at a European level. Vapouround enquired to the UK’s Food Standard’s Authority and was told this will not affect CBD e-liquids, however it may affect other CBD products currently being sold in vape shops.

“What has happened is the European Food Standards Agency has changed the definition of CBD. It wasn’t done with a lot of notice, I don’t think many saw it coming. What’s not clear is whether the government will take that and put it into our legislation. I think it is quite likely that they will, on past performance, a lot of governments follow on the European Food Standards Agency guidance. This is an agency based in Italy with scientists who look at food and obviously, it is very important governments take their advice on board. What does it mean? I think it may well mean we see different types of factors come through. France was very heavily into vape CBD, we might see some of the other markets change slightly. I suspect it will change the market. Unfortunately, for the industry I think it will mean a whole load of uncertainty. For products which are already on the market, the truth is we don’t know if they will be left on the market or not. We know there are plenty of shops coming under pressure from Trading Standards, lots of products taken off the shelves in France and Spain and various other countries around Europe. This is going to be a highly uncertain next few years for the industry.”

Creating a more conscious future

“I found myself living at a shelter when I was 21 years old. I had a laptop and $15”

Brandi Leifso, the founder and CEO of Evio Beauty is a poster girl for the potential in the CBD industry. Brandi started her brand whilst staying at a women’s shelter. At the time, she had $15 and a laptop to her name.

Speaking on day one of the conference to a packed room, Brandi said the scope for hemp and CBD in the beauty industry in particular is massive, as she relayed her personal story, and its parallels with the industry.

“When I was 14, I dropped out of school. I had a very colourful upbringing, so I did not have a traditional education at all. When I was 14, I made it onto the junior Olympic team, I was a competitive ice dancer. That was why I dropped out of school, because I thought I was going to be Belle from Beauty and the Beast on Disney on Ice. My career has taken a big change. That led me to experiencing the stigma of growing up in a colourful home. Seventy percent of children who grow up in homes like that often end up continuing that type of relationship onto their adulthood. My life changed so drastically, I was sure that was not what my life was going to look like. But, I found myself living at a shelter when I was 21 years old. While I was there, I had a laptop and $15 and so I went on Google to look at makeup. I found a tonne of white labelled products that had very traditional packaging. I put them in photoshop and put my own logo on them.

I was able to make enough pre-sales to not only get my own apartment, to get back on my own two feet, but to actually bootstrap a company. I was able to bring it from a place of literally nothing with products that didn’t exists to create products and pre-sell 277,000 pieces in 2017. That led us to a space in which the world’s largest skincare manufacturer invested in Evio, and from there we continually grew the company. We were partially acquired by Aurora and became their beauty arm. There is a lot of strategy to that. Although I don’t have your traditional education, something we are all familiar with is breaking stigmas. That’s something I am super passionate about. If we can break more stigmas, we can create a more conscious future.”

How to build rocketships

“Too many of us sit idly by, afraid of doing what we do best.”

Krista Whitley of Altitude Products undoubtedly received the best reaction from attendees. Her catchphrase, ‘Rhinos are unicorns with curves’ had every woman in the event suite clapping with attitude.

Krista told her story, how she began experimenting with CBD in her Las Vegas home to help her children, before moving on to selling THC weekend boxes and developing a beauty range. ‘Social Krista,’ as per her Twitter handle, was the highlight act if you like. She showed each and every woman in the room what can be achieved when ambition is matched with determination and a solid support network. She opened her presentation – which she gave in a red velvet dress by the way – with a strong home truth, saying: “Too many of us sit idly by, afraid of doing what we do best.”

Having begun her CBD journey for her children, she continues to launch products which have a place in her life, or which could help someone close to her.

She released a female-aimed cosmetics range under her daughter’s name, Bella, before launching a CBD range for the millennial man. Always leaving her charismatic mark, one of the products in the men’s range is a CBD-infused lubricant called Knob Polish. The social media guru discussed her clients and revealed one of her first ever clients was Snoop Dogg’s Merry Jane. She has also worked with Whoopi Goldberg.

In 2019, Krista Whitley’s ‘rocketship’ Altitude Products board of directors is 100 percent female, something which was incredibly well-received by the audience.

The entrepreneur said she believes there are three keys to building successful companies, or ‘rocketships.’ “Your best tool is unity. Your best building material is tenacity. Your best fuel is passion.” For more unicorn moments from Krista, read our interview with the CEO on page 73.

BY ROISIN DELANEY Vapouround CBD editor

EU states may ban CBD cosmetics

CBD-Intel

submitte d a Fre e dom of Information (FoI) re quest to European Union authorities se eking their current interpretation of the rules governing the use of hemp oils and CBD in cosmetic products such as creams and balms.

The EU responded to our request by providing 19 emails from the European Commission’s Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW) department, which is responsible for EU policy on the single market, industry, entrepre neurship and small businesses. These emails mostly reflect internal communications between EU insti tutions and cosmetic industry operators, and to a lesser extent communications with member states.

The documents CBD Intel received mostly date from the second quarter of 2018

The exchange of emails was triggered by the fact that “[European] Commission services modified the information in the CosIng database as regards the ingredients cannabis extract and oil” as they inter pret that there is “no indication that the status of cannabis as a narcotic/drug would depend on the

About CBD-Intel

tetrahydrocannabinol level. Therefore we removed the sentence as reported before in CosIng database ‘with the exception in case of Cannabis sativa L. varieties with a tetrahydrocannabinol content not exceeding 0.2%’.”

In other words, since international conventions do not take into account THC content of the cannabis plant, it makes no sense to introduce an exception for very low THC varieties for cosmetic regulation purposes. If there is no longer any such exception in place, it is possible any extract of cannabis regardless of THC content may fall under the new understanding European authorities have for scheduled cannabis products.

Thus, since “[…] a restriction is reported for the ingredients related to cannabis”, because those extracts potentially fall under international conven tions as cannabis, and EU cosmetic regulations in principle ban the option of using scheduled sub stances in cosmetics, extracts are potentially illegal in cosmetics (as per official interpretation)

Specifically referring to cannabidiol (CBD), it is stated: “Provided cannabidiol qualifies as an extract of cannabis within the meaning of the Convention, it should then be prohibited from use in cosmetics”.

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

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

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

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

LONDON CALLING

The UK’s vibrant capital will host Europe’s largest CBD expo in July, which promises to focus on professionalism and building standards in the industry. Vapouround will be the media partner to this hotly anticipated event debut.

Europe’s largest CBD expo will draw more than 80 exhibitors to London’s ExCeL over two days and will cover and area of more than 4,000 square metres.

The event is billed as a hybrid business and consumer show, focused on all things CBD, cannabinoids and medical cannabis. It will serve as a platform for CBD brands at all levels of the supply chain and will connect companies with consumers eager to navigate the often-overwhelming CBD market.

The Europe CBD Expo is the latest to join a slew of legal cannabinoid events to have been added to the UK and Europe’s event calendar in the last couple of years.

But unlike some of its competitors, Europe CBD Expo is more than just a showcase for the, dare we say, ‘full-spectrum’ of CBD products and companies vying for consumer pounds. The thorough vetting process set by the organisers has been designed to ensure that only the highest calibre of products, companies and speakers are included over the weekend.

We last spoke to London CBD Group marketing director Kristina Spionjak for the inaugural issue of this magazine. The event has since begun to take shape, with more speakers confirmed and the seeds planted during the planning process beginning to sprout.

One recent addition to catch our attention is the app, which will give attendees access to the floorplan, agenda, exhibitors,

speakers and workshop details, as well as a highly-accessible networking platform.

Kristina said:

“B2B visitors and exhibitors will be able to set appointments with their fellow attendees, and for exhibitors the event app also offers a lead retrieval system enabling them to record the details of everyone that visits their booth.”

Industry professionals can connect with accredited press, influencers and brands in the Influencer Lounge. Press passes will only be issued to media and influencers on assignment for recognised organisations and publications relevant to the industry.

Interviews with leading brands and figures will be broadcast live on social media throughout the day.

Kristina said:

“The Influencer Lounge is exclusively for our sponsors and exhibitors with number of limited tickets going out on sale to the public. Press and influencers attending will receive a show bag, with the latest CBD products from the exhibitors worth over £250 - including the latest issue of Vapouround CBD.”

The workshops will feature interactive sessions for consumers and individuals working in the industry. The programme is highly varied, covering everything from investor sessions and product demonstrations to panel discussions with leading doctors. Issues such as regulation and the latest scientific research are likely to be of particular interest to consumers in light of the challenges faced by the many Britons to have been denied medical cannabis despite changes to the law last year.

The key for consumers, Kristina believes, is education, especially given the tide of inaccurate and often contradictory information spilling into the media. The expo will feature leading experts who can help consumers understand how cannabinoids and cannabis are being used around the world and how they could benefit them in their own lives.

Kristina said:

“Many speakers will be covering all aspects of medical cannabis, involving the full range of cannabinoids and terpenes and giving the audience an understanding of how all of these components interact within the plant and the human body.”

Meanwhile, politicians, policy-makers and the medical community can learn from the significant expertise of the speakers and panel. Among the high-profile experts are former senior government advisor Blair Gibbs, renowned researcher and medical physician, Dr Dani Gordon and CBD Intel MD, Tim Phillips.

The goal is to bring about a positive change in policy both for patients and consumers. Experts will discuss working models such as those in North America and Israel, and how these could be applied in the UK.

Kristina added:

“Speakers are hand-picked to attend the event and all are extremely well-regarded within their fields, with credible and relevant experience. The same applies to exhibitors who provide services and products with appropriate safeguards, verification and analysis of their entire production cycle.”

BY GORDON STRIBLING

MANY SPEAKERS WILL BE COVERING ALL ASPECTS OF MEDICAL CANNABIS, INVOLVING THE FULL RANGE OF CANNABINOIDS AND TERPENES AND GIVING THE AUDIENCE AN UNDERSTANDING OF HOW ALL OF THESE COMPONENTS INTERACT WITHIN THE PLANT AND THE HUMAN BODY.

TOBACCO PLUS EXPO INTERNATIONAL

FEBRUARY 11-13, LAS VEGAS

In that regards the Tobacco Plus Expo held in Las Vegas in February was similar to what we already expect from these events.

This time though, my travelling-self met an expo that also stimulated another one of the senses – the sense of smell.

Perhaps I should explain further.

The TPE isn’t just a vape expo. Yes, it has a large presence of vape companies exhibiting but then on top of that you have tobacco companies exhibiting alongside CBD companies who are also present.

Add into the mixture the relaxed status of cannabis in Nevada and you find yourself in a situation where you can be walking through the expo cheerfully munching on a CBD infused gummy bear and enjoying the smell of vape juice, before suddenly the pungent aroma of a cigar assaults your nasal passages.

Seconds later you turn a corner to have that smell replaced by the unmistakable lingering smell of marijuana.

This was most definitely the most eclectic expo I’ve ever been too.

As always it was a pleasure to catch up with a few friends from the industry such as Jason Monti from Vape Conventions and the crew from Savage E-Liquids and it was fascinating to continue to chart the continuing rise of CBD companies.

If I’m honest it was surreal to see various tobacco companies cheerfully selling their wares alongside it all but somehow it was also very Vegas.

I’ll certainly visit again. By all accounts the presence and quality of CBD brands exhibiting at the show increases every time and I’d like to see that continue.

For those of you reading this who have attended vape or CBD expos before, you will already be used to the various sights and sounds that avail your eyes and ears.

Pharm TABLE to

This issue, Vapouround’s queen of creative and bake off aficionado Victoria Smith puts CBD oils to the test in the kitchen. From gooey brownies to a pretty in pink tart, is there anything CBD doesn’t work with?

Turn the page for mouth-watering recipes

Pistachio & Lemon Drizzle Cake

CBD rizzle

YOU WILL NEED

For the cake For the

• 200g self-raising flour

• 175g butter

• 175g caster sugar

• 50g pistachio nuts

• 3 eggs

• 2 lemons

• 5 tbsp cocoa powder

• 2/3 tsp hemp oil paste

drizzle

• 2 tbsp sugar

• 50g pistachio nuts

• 1 lemon

• 1 tsp of chopped pistachios

• 1/2 tsp hemp oil paste

METHOD

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius and line a tin with baking parchment.

Cream the butter, sugar and lemon zest until pale and fluffy. Add the hemp oil paste.

Add in the eggs one at a time.

Mix in the flour and pistachios, leaving a few behind for decoration, as well as the lemon juice and zest.

Pour into the tin and bake for 40-45 minutes.

Whilst the cake is baking, make the drizzle. Heat the ingredients in a pan on medium heat until the sugar has dissolved allow to cool.

Cranberry and orange hot cross buns

high TEA

METHOD

1.

YOU WILL NEED

For the buns

• 500g strong white flour

• 100g dried cranberries

• 100g caster sugar

• 50g unsalted butter

• 250ml milk

• 2 tsp hemp oil paste

• 1 tbsp fast action dried yeast

• 2 tsp mixed spice

• 2 oranges

• 1 egg

• 1 tsp of salt

For the crosses

• 75g plain flour

• 5 tbsp apricot jam

• 1 orange

2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.

Place the zest of two oranges in a bowl and set aside. Pour the juice into another bowl, add 75ml of boiling water and dried cranberries and leave to soak.

Pour the milk, butter and hemp oil paste into a saucepan and heat until melted. Turn off the heat and add the egg.

Mix together the flour, yeast and a teaspoon of salt. Then add the mixed spice and sugar. Make a well and pour in the milk mixture.

Drain the cranberries and add them and the zest to the mixture.

Once well-mixed, tip onto a flour covered surface and knead for five minutes.

Grease a bowl with oil and place the dough to rest for one hour. Cover with cling film and leave in a warm place.

After one hour, turn out the dough and knead for a minute to knock-out any large air holes.

Divide the dough into 16 equal pieces. Roll pieces into balls and place onto baking tins lined with parchment paper.

Place a plastic bag over the baking sheets and leave for one hour to proof.

Next, heat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius and in a bowl, mix together the plain flour and five tablespoons of water. Spoon into a piping bag and pipe a cross on top of the buns.

Bake for 20-22 minutes.

To make the glaze: pour orange juice and jam into a pan and leave to simmer for 3-5 minutes.

PRETTY in pink

Rhubarb & grapefruit tart

YOU WILL NEED

For the pastry

• 350g plain flour

• 225g unsalted butter

• 50g icing sugar

• 1 large egg yolk

• 1 tbsp polenta

• ½ tsp hemp oil paste

For the curd

• 2 grapefruit

• Zest of a lemon

• 200g caster sugar

• 80g butter

• 4 egg yolks

• 1 egg

• 1 tbsp hemp oil paste

• 1 sheet of gelatin

For the rhubarb topping

• 50g butter

• 70g sugar

• 2 stalks of rhubarb

• 1 tsp vanilla

METHOD

TO MAKE THE PASTRY

1. Combine the flour with the butter and then add the sugar.

2. Whisk one egg yolk with two tablespoons of water and the hemp oil paste.

3. Blend the mixture together and knead until smooth. Be careful not to overwork.

4. Wrap in clingfilm and allow to chill for at least 30 minutes.

TO MAKE THE GRAPEFRUIT CURD

1. Add the grapefruit juice, zest, butter, sugar and hemp oil paste to a pan and heat.

2. Soak the gelatin sheet and add to the pan mixture, turning off the heat.

3. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs and gradually add the hot mixture.

4. Tip back into the saucepan and stir on a medium heat until the curd thickens. Leave to cool at room temperature.

5. Take the dough out of the fridge and roll out onto a flour covered surface. Place into your chosen lined tin or dish.

6. Scatter the polenta along the bottom of the pastry and blind bake for five minutes.

7. Pour the grapefruit curd into the pastry dish once it has finished its blind bake.

TO MAKE THE CARAMELISED RHUBARB

1. Wash and cut the rhubarb stalks

2. Melt the butter, sugar, vanilla and hemp oil paste in a saucepan on low heat until fully melted.

3. Add the rhubarb and cook until tender for about seven minutes (ensure the rhubarb still holds shape).

4. Place the rhubarb on top of the tart and bake for 15-20 minutes.

Baume du Tigre by My Growing Company

Who hasn’t used tiger balm at some point or other? I’ve had more of a reason to try this product lately as I’ve been suffering with really nasty leg cramps in one of my calf muscles. So I was more than happy to give this a go.

My first impression was ‘woah – this is powerful stuff.’

Just lifting the lid I got a whiff of menthol, camphor and a spicy kick too. This product contains chilli oil, which explains the hot notes. Consistency wise, this has a slightly runny Vaseline jelly texture, perfect for

applying to the skin. If you have a sore or tense area, you’re not going to want to have to put some effort into spreading a thick balm, are you? You just want something that goes on and gets to work. So this was ideal for my calf area. One tip though, if you’re applying it at night, like good old Vicks you will find it leaves a long-lasting smell on your bedding and pyjamas, but some people won’t be bothered by this. I could see this working really well for someone who is active a lot.

BY ROISIN DELANEY, Vapouround CBD editor

Anti Ageing Night Serum by MGC Derma

Harvey Nichols

This is my new wonder product. Ladies, you’ll get what I mean when I explain further. Every now and then a product comes along and it has multiple uses. To me, this means less clutter in my bathroom, and a better investment. I’d rather spend a few bob on a trusted product that’s going to work than spend a smaller amount on weaker products. This serum is a skin saviour. Suitable for all skin types, it soothes as it soaks in. Infused with CBD, hyaluronic acid and stem cells, this lightweight serum soaks into the skin instantly on application. I worked this into my weekly facial routine where I steam, cleanse, mask, tone and rehydrate my face and neck. The following morning, I noticed a healthy glow and its my opinion that this radiance boost came from this product. I also let two colleagues who were suffering from a bout of dry skin as the result of sunburn try this out. On application both men commented on how it felt soaking into their skin immediately. I’ll be keeping this one all to myself from now on, shhh!

Anti Ageing Day cream by MGC Derma

Harvey Nichols

My daily moisturiser is probably the one product I will usually splash out on. Over my six years working for magazines, I have tried countless cosmetics and I still remember my favourites. I won’t be forgetting about this day cream any time soon. It marked my first step into the anti-ageing phase of my life! Yes, I’m officially in wrinkle prevention mode now that I have a product in my bathroom with ‘anti-ageing’ on it.

One thing I love about the three products I tried from this range is that they are pretty much for any skin type. I loved them, my fiancé loved one in particular and two of my colleagues also got in on the action with the serum. This day cream in particular was incredibly lightweight on my skin, it absorbed really well, but equally made my skin feel rehydrated. I find the trouble with some moisturisers is this: they soak in well, but they leave too much of a matte effect and it feels like you haven’t applied a moisturiser at all. This cream felt more like a lotion to me, and I love it.

Anti Ageing Night cream by MGC Derma

Harvey Nichols

I must admit, I had never used a night cream before this. I was a total sceptic – I thought it was more for my mum’s age, and worse, I thought night cream was always just day cream but in a different jar for marketing purposes! (See, total sceptic.) But when I started to implement this night cream into my skincare regime, I 100 percent noticed a difference after about a week of applying to a clean face every night before going to bed. I now firmly believe that night creams are essential to repairing our skin while we sleep. The difference was all in the texture and feeling. While I loved both moisturising creams, I definitely found the night cream to have deeper restoring properties. Texture-wise it is denser in consistency but it spreads really well. This helped me keep on top of looking after my skin in the lead up to this magazine deadline which was a little more hectic than usual. More hours in front of my Mac, more dry shampoo, less exercise and even less sleep equals help! And this little tub went a long way.

BY ROISIN DELANEY, Vapouround CBD editor

CBD-infused Balm by CBD Elites

CBD balms and salves are everywhere right now. I used to be a little confused as to who they were designed for if I’m honest. But I’ve recently spoken to someone who runs a jujitsu class, and some of his students now use a CBD balm for recovery. I’ve also started using one featured in a previous issue as a regular lip balm.

I used this balm on a very specific targeted area – a calf muscle. I get bad excruciating cramps in my legs right down to my toes after wearing high heels — they’re a pain in every sense of the word. It’s always right after I take my shoes off at the end of the day so any relief would be a positive result.

I didn’t mind applying this directly to my skin as unlike other balms or salves, there was no sticky brown and green hemp residue.

To me it resembled honey, and then I looked at the jar and saw beeswax listed among the ingredients. Other components include organic coconut oil, jojoba oil, and full spectrum hemp oil. It smells good enough to eat too.

It definitely helped reduce that niggling cramping sensation in my leg, I’m going to continue using it to see how much of a relief it can give over the coming weeks. It also left a remarkable sheen, which got me thinking that it might be a great after-shave or afterwaxing balm too. As a side note, I wish more CBD products came in glass jars. There’s just something authentic about it!

BY ROISIN DELANEY, Vapouround CBD editor

CBD Living

CBD Living Water

I’m a self-confessed marketer’s dream for ‘healthy’ drinks. Kombucha, cold brews, iced teas, smoothies and coldpressed juices – if it’s in a Whole Foods you can be sure I’d buy it (and many of these beverages aren’t cheap.) I happened upon this CBD-infused water on Instagram one evening and thought I’d give it a go. I was really dubious about the taste but can honestly say it tastes like tap water. There was a slight hint of hemp in the aftertaste, but to me that was reassuring as I then knew I hadn’t just been sold a regular bottle of water. CBD Living uses nanotechnology to infuse their water with a dose of CBD, and whatever that means, it works.

CBD Living Bath Bomb

Baths are the ultimate in self-care, so for this issue I went and took it a step further and upped the self-care element with a fancy lavender bath bomb infused with 60mg of CBD. First things first, this conked me out. There was a mental tug-ofwar going on in my head in the bath between, ‘Should I stay mid-soak for five more minutes or should I get up and go to bed?’

There are two main things I test for in using bath bombs. First, does it fizz? And secondly, does it leave residue on my very white bath? The fizz was certainly there, it didn’t disappoint (I even made a Boomerang it was that good.) And there was essentially no residue left on my bath, just a lingering smell of lavender which I would love to always be the case. I absolutely adore bath bombs and this one was hands down one of my favourites.

Natra

CBD Gum Drops 500mg

I consider myself a gummy aficionado at this point. I’ve tried so many CBD-infused gummies in the last few months, not all of them great tasting. How do Natra’s gum drops compare? Firstly, I love the fact that there were different flavours to try. I’m a pick’n’mix fan, so the more variety in flavour the better. Natra did really well to get the flavours to a point where you still get that earthy hemp taste, without it being overbearing. They haven’t tried to mask the natural CBD taste, and that’s a plus as far as I’m concerned, because I can say they most definitely taste like they have CBD in the mix. These gum drops contain 25mg of phytocannabinoid rich hemp oil, or PCR for short. To me, they resembled pastilles and were nice and chunky in size, meaning you would have plenty in taking just one or two. The office favourite was red, but if you’re a liquorice fan like me, you’ll love the black one. These gum drops are definitely up there with the better gummies I’ve tried.

Vzone Vlit Vowl 40 kit

By Benedict ‘Ned’ Jones

Device Specifications:

Dimensions: 110 x 37.6 x 24.5mm (height includes tank)

Maximum power output: 40W

Battery capacity: 1600mAh internal cell

Charging: 1A micro USB input

E-liquid capacity: 2ml

Vzone were the first to bring a disposable mesh tank to the market, and this new offering is along those lines, but aimed at lower wattage vapers. Construction, fit and finish of the Vowl is functional but unremarkable. Everything here is made from polycarbonate, which results in a lightweight package that doesn’t necessarily feel like it will stand up to prolonged use and abuse. The tolerances are on point, so this is a rattle-free device that has no gaps or undesirable seams. Considering the very affordable price point of the kit you can only expect so much, and the Vowl is perhaps not a device designed with extended longevity in mind.

There’s just one button on the mod, which can be clicked five times to power the device on or off, or three times to adjust the power output. Vzone state that the chipset here changes the power output of the soft, normal and hard settings with the resistance of the atomizer on top. In my testing this worked out just fine for a variety of suitable atomizers, so even though you can’t select a specific wattage, in all likelihood one of those three settings will work for you.

Battery performance is impressive given the Vowl’s tiny frame and weight, but at the same time seems to fall short of the 1600mAh claim made by Vzone. Using high resistance MTL atomisers I found that I could almost get a full day’s vaping out of one charge, which is nice, but other 1500mAh+ devices in my collection easily last a full day’s use with the same atomizers, so something

doesn’t quite add up there. Luckily, the Vowl has 1A charging which minimizes downtime, charging the device from flat to full in just north of an hour.

On to the new Preco mouth-to-lung (MTL) tank.

Much like the original Preco, this is a disposable tank that cannot be dissembled and does not use replaceable coils. This idea was met with some trepidation when the Preco originally launched, but if you think of these products as replaceable pods that can fit onto any 510 mod, their place in the market becomes more apparent.

The airflow control is slightly confusing, considering Vzone are calling this the Preco MTL. At its largest setting, this is a restricted lung hit for sure. Closing all the way down to one hole on each side gives a loose MTL draw, so if you’re looking for an old-school MTL experience, you’ll need to close the airflow off almost completely. This does work, though, so it’s not a complaint, just something to note.

Between 10-15W at the smallest airflow setting, the Preco MTL provides a smooth, moderately warm and flavourful vape. It doesn’t quite match the output of larger stock coil MTL tanks, but it’s certainly on par with the best pod systems that I’ve tried. Considering that this is essentially a pod that happens to have a standardised connection, I think this performance is admirable.

Pros: - User friendly - Good battery life - Good MTL performance

Cons:

- Only comes with one disposable tank

Vanilla Caramel Custard 100mg

Dessert flavours are incredibly popular in the e-cigarette world, but are less prevalent when it comes to CBDinfused products, so does it work here? This is certainly a heavy hitter. The top note is a bright confectionary vanilla, which brings plenty of sweetness to the blend, without much of the darker spice notes that come with more natural renditions. This is paired with a moderately potent caramel note which further boosts the sweetness on offer, whilst adding a noticeable sticky mouth-feel. These top notes are supported by a heavy custard base, which has substantial body, as well as some authentic mild eggy accents. A great choice for dessert lovers.

2Blue Raspberry Dragonfruit 100mg

This is a simpler blend from the Koi CBD line, and traditionally more floral fruit profiles pair very well with the botanical flavours that come with CBD infusion. Here, s potent blue raspberry dominates. It brings plenty of sweetness to the mix, but doesn’t shy away from floral notes either, which may be a divisive choice. The dragonfruit functions mostly as an accent here, and gives a juicy, tropical connotation to the profile, ensuring that it doesn’t feel one dimensional. The botanical notes are actually more pronounced here, even at lower strength, so this blend will be a solid option for those who enjoy the flavour of CBD

3Strawberry Milkshake 100mg

CBD-infused Strawberry Milkshake e-liquid is a rather odd proposition on the face of it, so I was quite intrigued by this one. The strawberry top note here is quite sweet, but it leans more towards a natural fruit rather than a candy. This is welcome, as many dessert e-liquids opt for candied fruit pairings, which can result in an overly sweet profile. This is supported by a substantial dairy base, which has quite a lot to unpack. There’s certainly some vanilla going on here, but also a moderately strong malt note, which is very nice to see. There’s also a subtle egg note, indicative of an authentic ice cream. Another great dessert blend from Koi CBD.

4Watermelon

Green Apple Sour 100mg

Watermelon Green Apple Sour is more along the lines of what you would traditionally expect from a flavoured CBD line. A bright candied watermelon is the top note here and it brings a pleasant, soft sweetness to the profile, along with plenty of gummy candy connotations. There aren’t any natural rind notes to speak of, so if that’s what you’re looking for, this might not be the one for you. The watermelon is complemented by a potent green apple candy, which gives a slight boost to the overall sweetness of the blend, along with a nice helping of tartness. The apple element also serves to drive home a sticky mouthfeel, which feels appropriate in the mix. The botanicals are quite subtle, but pair very nicely with the profile and should work well even at the highest concentrations.

Tropical Popsicle 100mg

Koi CBD describe Tropical Popsicle as a blend of cherry, lime and raspberry. This should result in a vibrant profile, perfect for CBD infusion, so have they succeeded? The lime stands out to me the most here. It’s definitely on the candied end of the spectrum, but its very punchy and doesn’t carry any astringent off-notes that can sometimes be found with this fruit. The top note is supported by a moderately strong cherry, which gives a nice bump to the sweetness of the mix, and adds a bit of depth, too. The raspberry is more subdued, but still provides some pleasant florals and has a slightly more authentic fruit flavour. The botanicals here pair fantastically with the rest of the profile, and the result is a great summer CBD e-liquid.

By Benedict ‘Ned’ Jones

The Blue One

VG/PG ratio: 50/50

Throat hit: Moderate, with cooling Sample strength: 500mg in 10ml

Anything blue in the e-liquid world, especially in the UK, will carry Heisenberg connotations, so will this offering from Red CBD fill those shoes? The top note here is a sweet bubble-gum that’s got a touch more presence than in standard Heisenberg style mixes. A medicinal mixed berry plays second fiddle to this top note and gives a boost to the overall sweetness, as well as lending some florals to the blend. There is an aniseed component to the mix as you might expect, but it’s rather subdued here and acts more as an accent which only becomes present from time to time. This makes for a rather mellow Heisenberg profile that pairs nicely with the subtle botanical flavour imparted by the CBD content.

Menthol

VG/PG ratio: 50/50

Throat hit: Moderate, with cooling Sample strength: 500mg in 10ml

A very simple CBD blend from Red CBD. This is a potent menthol, which doesn’t feature any of the herbal flavour you might expect from mint, eucalyptus or wintergreen blends. There is a moderate sweetness here too, but other than this, it’s as stripped back as e-liquid gets. This makes for a great CBD additive, which can be combined with your favourite fruity blends to for a refreshing CBD infusion. The botanical flavour of the CBD content is almost entirely masked by the menthol too, which may be a selling point for many vapers.

Blackcurrant & Lemonade

VG/PG ratio: 50/50

Throat hit: Moderate, with cooling Sample strength: 500mg in 10ml

Another simple blend from the Red CBD line. Blackcurrant takes centre stage in this mix and it’s a sticky, candy like portrayal of the fruit. It brings plenty of deep sweetness to the mix, as well as some substantial body. The lemonade component plays a more supporting role, cutting through some of the deeper notes of the blackcurrant with its bright sweetness and sharp citrus tang. Flavour imparted by the CBD content is more noticeable in this mix for me, but it works nicely and complements the contrasting notes in the fruit blend with subtle botanicals and some added earthiness. A mild menthol rounds the profile off and keeps things light. A good option for those who enjoy the taste of CBD.

The Pink One

VG/PG ratio: 50/50

Throat hit: Moderate Sample strength: 500mg in 10ml

The Pink One is described as a blend of fruits, tropical notes and menthol. This is an enigmatic blend, with quite a lot going on, but the top note appears to be a candied raspberry. It’s sweet and somewhat tart, without the deeper sweetness you would expect from a more natural portrayal. This is contrasted by a mellow candied pineapple which isn’t as bright as it can sometimes be in mixes, but the more subdued implementation works well and means it doesn’t bully the raspberry top note. There also seems to be a citrus accent in the mix, which further enhances the raspberry and ties the profile together nicely. Red Box describe this as a mentholated blend, but I did not notice any cooling personally, so it must be very low in the mix. Flavour imparted by the CBD content is somewhat noticeable, but it pairs well with the pineapple notes and makes for an interesting fruity vape.

RED CBD

By Benedict ‘Ned’ Jones

The Red One

VG/PG ratio: 50/50

Throat hit: Moderate, with cooling Sample strength: 500mg in 10ml

The Red One is described by Red Box as a blend of fruit, aniseed and menthol. Veteran vapers will immediately recognise this as a Red Astaire blend, which has been popular in the UK since vaping first took off. The top note here is a potent candy grape, which brings plenty of dark sweetness and sticky mouth-feel to the mix. This is contrasted by some much brighter candied red berries, which give a boost to the overall sweetness of the profile and stop the grape from becoming too heavy. The aniseed element of this mix is slightly more potent than in other versions of Red Astaire profiles. This may be a divisive choice, but it certainly makes for a unique and memorable flavour. The mix is rounded off with a moderately strong menthol, which cuts through the blend and keeps it fresh.

Natural Mixer

VG/PG ratio: 50/50

Throat hit: Moderate Sample strength: 500mg in 10ml

A little different from the rest of the Red CBD range, this is a simple unflavoured CBD mixer which is designed to be added to other e-liquids. The lack of flavourings here makes this a very versatile product, which can be added to virtually any e-liquid for the purposes of CBD infusion. Even at the 500mg/10ml strength, this does not impart much hemp flavour, especially when added sparingly. This makes it a good option for vapers who wish to add CBD to their favourite e-liquids without a noticeable change in flavour.

Abis CBD

Frost

Throat hit: Moderate, with cooling Sample strength: 300mg in 10ml

Abis describe Frost as an intense mint hit, and they aren’t joking. In a market saturated with menthol products, Frost stands out because it includes some heavy herbal mint flavourings in the mix along with coolant. This is a potent natural spearmint profile which absolutely blasts the palette. Any flavour imparted by the CBD content is heavily masked in this case, which is great for those who don’t enjoy deeper botanical notes. If you’re looking for a simple CBD blend that also acts as a reliable way to reset your taste buds, Frost is an excellent option. a huge bonus for many. An outstanding fruity vape.

Heisen

Throat hit: Moderate, with cooling Sample strength: 300mg in 10ml

Abis describe Frost as an intense mint hit, and they aren’t joking. In a market saturated with menthol products, Frost stands out because it includes some heavy herbal mint flavourings in the mix along with coolant. This is a potent Heisen is described as a blend of fruit and mint flavours and it won’t be surprising to any veteran vaper that this is clearly a blend inspired by the Heisenberg profile, which is a firm staple in the e-liquid world. This is a much more berry forward mix compared with other Heisenberg offerings, which means a touch more candy sweetness. The signature bubble-gum flavour is present but more subdued than you would normally expect, which makes for an overall fruitier end product. Aniseed, which is usually rather noticeable in Heisenberg profiles, seems to have been dropped in this case, which likely gives this blend a wider appeal. The profile is finished with a moderately strong mint and menthol finish, which cuts through the sweetness and keeps things light.

Sport

Throat hit: Moderate

Sample strength: 300mg in 10ml

Sport is a new offering from Abis and as such there’s little information to go on here other than first-hand experience. As soon as I opened the bottle, I immediately recognised something I hadn’t tasted in far too long. Red lemonade is a mysterious beverage that’s an institution in Ireland, where the Abis brand is based. It’s been a while since I last enjoyed the real thing, but Sport undoubtedly nails the flavour of this unique lemonade drink and I couldn’t help but feel nostalgic whilst vaping it. The botanical flavour imparted by the CBD content is minimal here and shouldn’t be off putting for those that do not enjoy the taste of CBD isolate. This is a charming fruity vape that many will enjoy.

Natra CBD E-liquids

Citrus 250mg in 30ml

A simple blend from Natra’s CBD e-liquid line. Citrus is described as a blend of orange and lemon, which is an interesting choice, since orange is a particularly difficult flavour to get right when it comes to e-liquid. Orange is by far the dominant note here and it’s excellent. This is without doubt the most authentic orange I’ve tried in any e-liquid, let alone CBD infused e-liquids. This may be due to Natra’s use of essential oils, which are uncommon in the e-cigarette world. The lemon note is quite subdued but provides a somewhat sharper contrast to the bright sweetness of the orange top note. As with Peppermint, there is no noticeable botanical flavour (terpenes) here, which will be a huge bonus for many. An outstanding fruity vape.

Peppermint

250mg in 30ml

Natra’s CBD e-liquid range uses PCR hemp oil for its CBD content. This terminology may be new to some, but it simply means phytocannabinoid-rich, another way of saying that cannabinoids other than CBD are present. Normally, this results in a much stronger botanical flavour in the end product, but that’s not the case here. This is a single note profile that’s ideal for new users. A strong and mildly sweet peppermint is all you’ll taste when vaping this, so it’s perfect for people who would like to try broad spectrum CBD without the potent botanicals.

CBD Ultra

OG Kush MCT Oil

Strength: 1000mg

OG Kush is a fan favourite strain in the vape community, so how does it translate to a CBD oil with natural terpenes? In my time with it, this blend has been a jack of all trades. There’s a moderate number of bright florals on offer here, complemented by some deeper earthy notes which fall right in line with what you would expect from a naturally derived hemp product. There are also hints of some milder citrus notes here, resulting in a well-rounded vape that should be suited to those who would like to give MCT oil products a go, without opting for a more intensely botanical blend.

Lemon Haze MCT Oil

Strength: 1000mg

Another classic from CBD Ultra. As its name would suggest, Lemon Haze is traditionally known for its bold citrus top note, so has it been properly captured in this case? I’m happy to report that CBD Ultra have done a stellar job here. A bright, lemon-like top note permeates through this blend, coupled with a more mellow botanical note which should be familiar to experienced terpene fans. The earthy notes are slightly more subdued in this blend, which is to be expected from a Lemon Haze derivative and the result is a full-bodied profile that will please many.

Watermelon MCT Oil

Strength: 1000mg

Watermelon is a rather unusual choice for a terpene infused blend. Softer flavours like this run the risk of being overpowered by deeper notes, so does it work here? The melon is indeed quite subtle, but present nonetheless. It’s authentic too and has no hint of unwanted artificial off notes. Rich earthy notes are more prominent in this blend and they make a great pairing with the fruit. This is a slightly more pungent than some of CBD Ultra’s other offerings, so watermelon may be better suited to those looking for a full-bodied terpene experience.

Gelato MCT Oil

Strength: 1000mg

This is based on a complex hybrid strain that makes this all the Gelato flavour more intriguing. There’s not really an identifiable cream or dairy note that I’m picking up here, but it must be said that this is an incredibly smooth blend. There’s almost no throat hit to speak of. Both the brighter botanical notes and deeper earthy flavours are a little subdued too, and this makes for a very mellow CBD blend that should be perfect for newcomers. If you are a vaper who likes ice cream liquids, try this.

Blue Dream MCT Oil

Strength: 1000mg

Blue Dream from CBD Ultra is based on the legendary strain of the same name, which has been hugely popular in the US for a long time. Known for it’s characteristic fruity top note, this should be an ideal candidate for vaping, so have CBD Ultra done it justice? There is a distinct berry note on offer here. It’s not necessarily that of a blueberry specifically, but a pleasant floral sweetness dominates the blend. This is supported by some milder earthy notes, which give a nice boost to the overall body of the mix. This is a well-rounded profile that is bound to be a crowd pleaser.

Pineapple Express MCT Oil

Strength: 1000mg

Another iconic strain now translated to terpene-infused CBD form. This is the punchiest of the CBD Ultra line-up that I have sampled for review. A bold, tropical top note dominates the blend, and it’s quite unlike any other terpene infused product that I have tried. This is complemented by a subtle pine note, which only furthers the vibrancy on offer here. The mix is finished with a moderate earthy base, which gives a boost to the body of the vape and will be welcomed by experienced CBD users. This is a very full flavoured blend, so may not be for the faint of heart, but Pineapple Express has since become one of my go to CBD vape products.

By Benedict ‘Ned’ Jones

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