Cannabis and Hemp Trends

Medically reviewed by Katherine Golden, RN
Written by Denise Rustning

At Leaf411, we love sharing our supporting members’ stories. We really do believe that our members are the best in the cannabis industry, and hope that you’ll consider supporting them when choosing where to shop and the brand you would like to try!

Wana Brands recently joined Leaf411 as a supporting member. Their mission is to help people enhance their lives physically, creatively and emotionally through the responsible use of cannabis. We recently checked in with Nancy Whiteman, CEO of Wana Brands, to learn how their mission translates to their products and the work they do in the community.

Q: Let’s start with some general questions about the work you’re doing every day in your organization and your community. You started out in the corporate world, before moving into cannabis 10 years ago. How did your past experience help shape Wana Brands?

Before co-founding Wana Brands, I was a principal with The Whiteman Group, a sales and marketing consultancy, and previously held a range of senior level marketing and business development positions including Vice President, Marketing and New Corporate Ventures for the Paul Revere Insurance Group in Massachusetts. My background in marketing and branding has definitely been very helpful in building Wana Brands. 

I always wanted to start a business, and I dreamed about launching a product-based business where my success wasn’t tied directly to how many hours I could work for a client. In 2010, when an opportunity to get into the cannabis industry presented itself, it was a no-brainer. It was exactly what I was looking for. And while I was initially driven by the business opportunity that the new cannabis industry presented, when I saw the impact that Wana Brands had on patients, that’s when I really felt the power of this industry.

Wana is a health and wellness brand–but with a bit of a twist. 

Our tagline is “Enhance Your Life.” When we say “Enhance Your Life,” what we’re really saying is that cannabis doesn’t have to be the center of your universe but it can be one way to enhance your life. We choose “Enhance Your Life” because it speaks to what we try to provide to both medical/wellness and recreational users. 

If you are using cannabis for health and wellness reasons, Wana’s products improve the quality of life through pain relief and other symptom management. If you are an adult-use or recreational consumer, Wana helps enhance the activities you already love doing whether it’s being with friends and family, listening to music, being in nature or having a great meal. Health and wellness is holistic and addresses more than just the physical being. Wana’s brand story is wellness in its broadest definition.

Q: What differentiates Wana from other marijuana infused product manufacturers?

What differentiates Wana is the ability to leverage a decade of tried-and-true cannabinoid expertise along with our premium best-selling edibles recipes. Our greatest investment has been in refining and perfecting the Wana Gummie Recipe. It can be challenging to mask the bitterness of cannabis and hemp oil, but Wana Brands has dedicated extensive resources to perfecting our recipe, which is vegan, gluten free, all natural and kosher certified. 

We are committed to continually learning and evolving the science of product development. We have chosen to align ourselves with best-in-class partners for leading edge products including the industry’s only extended release formula, proprietary terpene blends for flavor and effect, and the most effective quick onset technology that we could find. We also spend a lot of time and energy thinking about where the industry is going and trying to make sure that Wana products are reflecting that. I think that over time, that will become the big differentiator in the industry–brands that are keeping track of the science and incorporating it into what they’re doing versus brands that are just making a product and hoping for the best.

We want consumers to be 100% comfortable that they are consuming a product that is safe, professionally made and consistent. Safety is incredibly important to Wana Brands. Even though cannabis is not yet federally regulated, we have implemented the highest standards in food safety and compliance programs and are one of the first edibles companies to produce in line with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) and HACCP food safety practices. From our very first batch of products in 2010, every Wana product has been tested for potency even before it was required by regulation. 

Finally, I hope that as we continue to communicate our focus on education, thought leadership and social responsibility, that consumers see will turn to Wana as a trusted brand that is committed to improving their health and the wellness of the world through cannabis.

Q: What are some Wana products you’re especially excited about?

Wana Brands has a long history of advancing technical and scientific innovation in order to perfect its products’ medicinal efficacy and ease of use. It’s also a company that remains true to its original belief that edibles should be a treat as much as a health supplement. And that’s why it has put so much consistent effort into ensuring that the flavors of its edibles come through, instead of the taste of the cannabis. At Wana, we’ve developed new products that have quicker onset times and more bioavailability. This includes: 

• On the Wana Brands side (THC), Wana Quick Fast-Acting Gummies featuring new Happy Hour flavors launched in March 2020 and provide a novel edible experience, with an onset of 5-15 mins and Delta-9-THC effects (similar to an inhalation effect rather than an edible effect) lasting up to three hours. Traditional edibles have an onset time of up to two hours, with effects lasting up to six hours.
  
  The new Wana product line features an all-natural recipe, with no high fructose corn syrup. Each gummie offers 5mg of THC, with 20 gummies per package. Fast, effective and innovative, Wana Quick Fast-Acting Gummies harness TiME (Thermodynamic Individual Molecular Encapsulation), a new quick onset technology from Azuca. While traditional edibles convert Delta-9-THC in the digestive tract to 11-Hydroxy-THC, Wana Quick gummies feature individually encapsulated Delta-9-THC cannabinoids with greater bioavailability that work at the molecular level to bypass the liver and enter the bloodstream immediately. This means onset in less than 15 minutes for most, and a Delta-9-THC experience that lasts two to four hours.

• On the Wana Wellness https://wanawellness.com/ side, we just launched our Wana Wellness Quick Fast-Acting Hemp Tincture, Infused with Colorado-grown broad spectrum hemp oil, Wana Wellness Quick Fast-Acting Tincture acts within 5-15 minutes. Powered by Quicksilver Scientific’s advanced nanoemulsion technology, this product is 5 times more bioavailable than traditional tinctures, making it quick and easy to keep up with your dietary needs. Leveraging functional ingredients, Wana Wellness offers three options:

We have more innovations planned. I can’t go into a lot of detail because we are in R&D but the common denominator is that our new product initiatives are all focused on helping people have more nuanced, effective and enjoyable experiences with our products. There are many variables that we are combining and tweaking including dosage, onset and the addition of terpenes, functional ingredients and rare cannabinoids. Sometimes minor changes or additions can yield very significant improvements in people’s experiences.

Q: In addition to developing new products, you’re also working on several community-based initiatives. Can you tell us more about them?

Wana Brands has made giving back to the community a priority, and last year we implemented a formal CSR program. Knowing that we have the chance to enhance people’s lives in very specific and concrete ways keeps me motivated as well. This year, we are working with the Last Prisoner Project, so stay tuned for more news from that partnership.

Q: You recently made a very generous donation of Wana Wellness CBD hemp gummies to Leaf411. You also are offering CBD hemp gummies to your community, to help with the stress and anxiety that many of us are feeling these days. Thank you! What inspired you to take this action?

As our country grapples with COVID-19, stress levels are at an all-time high due to entire sectors being shut down, quarantines put into effect, consumers being told to shelter in place, concerns over health & wellbeing. Recently, I posted on my local NextDoor (a geographically-based neighborhood app) to see if anyone wanted free CBD gummies. I was overwhelmed with the response. Not only do lots of people want to try the gummies, many shared how anxious they are feeling for medical, financial and other reasons. It really made me realize what an enormous emotional toll this is taking on people at a new level.

Q: Wherever we go, we hear a lot about the need for trustworthy information and education. What are some ways you provide information to your community?

Wana Brands leads the industry in the development of training and education, including self-guided interactive courses, reviewed by health professionals, that cover topics such as how edibles work in the body; and explaining the endocannabinoid system. This knowledge can ensure consumers have the best possible experience when they get home from the dispensary. Wana is the gold standard for cannabis training and education, propelling sales and moving the industry forward. 

Wana also partners with best-in-class leaders such as Leaf411 and Three Wells.

We will also be developing more newsletters, educational webinars and other exciting content about Wana Brands in the near future.

Q: What are some emerging education needs you’re seeing?

With the growth of the infused product industry, education is essential to ensure that consumers have a good experience with edibles, such as Wana products. Consumers need to understand they should Start Low and Go Slow, since traditional edibles can take up to two hours to take effect and consuming too much can lead to an uncomfortable experience. As stigma around cannabis dissipates and consumers are more comfortable discussing use, understanding around cannabis consumption will increase. But first, it can be as basic as educating consumers on the difference between THC vs. CBD. The need for education can’t be stressed enough.

Q: How does your partnership with Leaf411 align with those efforts and/or your organization’s mission?

Given Wana Brands’ national footprint and the fact that Leaf411 is a national cannabis nurse hotline, we felt our missions aligned perfectly. Leaf411’s medical expertise makes it a trusted partner for Wana’s commitment to education.

Q: COVID-19 restrictions and precautions have very much become a part of all of our daily routines. What are some steps you’re taking to keep customers and employees safe?

On behalf of Wana Brands, I want to express our deepest concerns for everyone’s safety and wellbeing during this unprecedented time. 

We have been tracking this issue for the past few months. In the beginning of March, we began instituting safety measures that would ensure we can operate safely and still get our safe and reliable products to market for those who rely on Wana products to provide support in daily life. Following guidance and regulations from our state and national government, we have our sales, marketing and administrative staff primarily working from home. Our operations staff is working in staggered shifts and in new configurations that allow for extreme social distancing. They monitor their temperatures daily and if any employee is feeling ill, he or she is directed to stay home under our paid sick leave policy. More of our COVID-19 response is outlined in our COVID-19 alert at this link.

The April 20 Cannabis Holiday Is Over, But the Need for Cannabis Remains

A lot of people stocked up on their favorite cannabis and CBD hemp products over the past month, either in response to COVID-19 restrictions or in anticipation of 420 (April 20). April 20 is a day of celebrating all things cannabis, including the cannabis community which came together virtually this year!

But for many of us, cannabis is not so much a special event as a need to restore balance and relief to our lives. If you’re interested in checking out Wana Brands, you can find their products at our supporting members Lightshade and Smokin Gun Apothecary. Wana also includes a tool on their website to find other legal dispensaries offering their products.

We also encourage you to check out our other member interviews running on our blog throughout the month of April to learn about more great cannabis products.

Whether You’re a New Cannabis Consumer or An Experienced User, Leaf411 Can Help with Your Questions!

Our fully-licensed, cannabis-trained Leaf nurses provide nonjudgmental, medically-sound guidance and balanced information at no cost to you via our anonymous hotline: 844-LEAF411 (844-532-3411) 

We also offer an online chat option, which you’ll find on the bottom of our website homepage during hotline hours. 

Not ready to call or chat? That’s okay! Sign up for our newsletter below to stay caught up on the latest Leaf411 news and events.

The Leaf411 cannabis nurse hotline provides free, anonymous education and directional support to the general public about the safe use of legal cannabis. We partner with select business members who meet our rigorous standards to extend our education and outreach efforts.

Medically reviewed by Katherine Golden, RN
Written by Denise Rustning

At Leaf411, we love sharing our supporting members’ stories. We really do believe that our members are the best in the cannabis industry, and hope that you’ll consider supporting them when shopping.

Altus’s mission is to empower consumers to make the most educated and personal choice when selecting cannabis products. Their mission aligns well with Leaf411’s commitment to providing education and directional support tailored to individual needs.

The COVID-19 pandemic was very much on Mike Tudor’s mind when we recently caught up with him. Mike is the CEO of Lucky Edibles  and Altus, which manufacturers precisely-dosed gummies, tablets and topical products in the Colorado and Nevada adult-use cannabis markets. Altus also produces flower sold in legal dispensaries in Nevada.

Maintaining Safe Cannabis Operations During the COVID-19 Pandemic

People are paying attention to how companies respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the same is true in the cannabis community. Is the company taking extra steps to protect employees? How are products being handled to reduce risk of infection spread?

When we talked to Mike, it was clear that he and others at Altus were deeply committed to doing all they could to ensure the safety of their employees and customers.

“We’re all struggling with the great unknown,” Mike said. “You can only hope that people take social distancing as a mantra. You flatten the curve.”

At Altus, that means limiting access to the manufacturing facility. “We’ve taken the approach that this situation is not something that we’re playing with. We’re taking (coronavirus) very, very seriously. We’re minimizing contact between people inside the plant and outside the plant. We’ve actually closed our doors to outside visitors, which is difficult,” Mike said. “Think about it—this is an industry where people are used to coming around (and visiting), and all of a sudden they can’t.”

Providing Product Information to Cannabis Consumers in the Age of Social Distancing

Most legal marijuana dispensaries have also adopted extreme social distancing practices to comply with state mandates and guidance. This means that manufacturers like Altus face new challenges in providing information about their products to budtenders.

Mike talked about this challenge as Altus prepares to roll out a new two-pack of Kiwi gummies with a 5:1 ratio of CBD to THC, as part of Altus’s Therapeutic product line.

In the past, the Altus product representatives would have visited dispensaries in person to share product benefits with budtenders. Now the reps are working from home, sharing product information when they call or email existing customers.

“We’re servicing our customers,” Mike says. “I’m making sure that we don’t stop providing service. That piece is very critical to me.”

Altus is also providing pizza, snacks and drinks to dispensaries in recognition of the work that budtenders and other frontline staff are doing to maintain consumers’ access to cannabis.

How an Exceptional Experience is Part of the Altus Mission

Mike’s commitment to an exceptional experience spans across not only customer service, but also the product itself. He brings an impressive food and beverage industry background to his role at Altus.

“I got into the (cannabis) industry five years ago. One of the things I found when I got into it was that many things being sold tasted terrible,” he said. “My approach has been that if you’re going to sell food, make sure it’s the best tasting there is. Because that’s what people evaluate when they buy products that they actually have to put in their mouths and taste. That’s my guiding principle.”

Regarding how his work in the cannabis industry compares to his past experiences, Mike said, “It’s been a fun, fun ride. I’ve worked with some really great people. I’ve learned different things from all of them. I’ve also taught others about what the world needs when it comes to good-tasting well-designed products.”

Creating Great-Tasting, Precisely-Dosed Cannabis Infused Products

“I have a really top notch production manager now, and I’ve been fortunate in my career to work with really sharp, smart production managers who’ve made my job a whole lot easier,” Mike said.

“We go to great lengths to make sure products are designed right. That’s been a bedrock for us, that our products are dosed properly and are tasty. If it doesn’t taste good, you’ve wasted your money.”

High fiber fruit puree is the first ingredient in Altus gummy products which are identified by one of three pillars based on their effects: Ritual; Therapeutic; and Enhance.

Altus tablets designed for swallowing and topicals are also available across the three pillars.

You can learn more about the product pillars on Altus’s website at this link.

Altus products are also designed for ease of use, keeping new users in mind.

“We’re coming out with a two pack of our Kiwi ratio gummy for people who want to try something different,” Mike said. This product should be available in dispensaries before the end of April.

Mike also talked about Lucky Edibles’ development of Micros tarts and mints containing two milligrams THC that allow people to easily build their own dose. 

“Some people can do two or three of these and they’re fine. For other people, one is enough. We’ve actually done quite well with the two milligram products. They taste great, and the hashy notes are masked quite well,” Mike said.

A Personal Perspective on Education

Mike also talked with us about the need for education, especially among older folks.

“I’m a user of CBD/THC because I have bursitis. My doctor said, ‘Yeah, if it helps you go for it,’ but he had no guidance other than offering me a steroid shot, which I refused.”

“Since I’m in the industry, my friends ask me for guidance as well. I tell them they have to understand that in the old days when we smoked, (cannabis) was 6% to 8% THC. It’s now approaching 30%. If you take a hit on somebody’s joint, you’ll be on the couch for a long time.”

Mike pointed out the value of starting low and going slow when finding your best dose, which in part drove the development of the Lucky Edibles Micros products. “You can try them and take one at a time until you feel the comfort you’re looking for.”

(As a reminder, edibles require more time to take effect than inhalation. Our Leaf nurses recommend that you wait at least two hours after ingesting an edible before deciding to use more.)

Mike pointed out the value in having doctors like Leaf411 advisory board member Dr. Dave Gordon providing education on cannabis. “I’ve attended his seminars, and it’s been fascinating listening to him,” said Mike. “He brings the educational piece. Cannabis is not just to get stoned, but is absolutely helpful medication for calming anxiety, helping appetite, and getting good sleep.”

Partnering with Leaf411 to Provide Medically-Sound Education

Finding trustworthy sources of information can be challenging. This is especially true in the cannabis industry, where federal restrictions have limited research on the plant’s potential.

“There’s a lot of bad information that keeps going around. People keep passing it on as gospel but it’s really not,” Mike said.

He noted that, “I’ve listened to Dr. Gordon tell people what they should look for in terms of efficacy and the ratios that can help them. I learned a lot from him. That’s what we need more of. I’ve told people to call Leaf411 or go to the Leaf411 website because they have questions, and I’m not a doctor. I’m not going to answer those questions—that’s not my role.”  

Mike went on to explain how Leaf411 is needed in times like these. “People can have a real fear, wondering, ‘How do I dose? What’s most important?’ It’s important to keep giving people information about what helps and what doesn’t.”

Committed to Providing the Best in Cannabis Products and Education

What makes an incredible consumer experience? In part, it’s top-of-the-line ingredients and a commitment to producing high-quality products. When it comes to cannabis, it’s also about differently-dosed products to meet the needs of different people, along with the education on how to find the best product and CBD:THC ratio for one’s needs. 

At Leaf411 we’re thrilled to have supporting members like Altus who recognize that high-quality products and medically-sound information are both important to the consumer experience.

Wherever You’re At, We’re Here for You

When it comes to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we recognize that everyone is reacting differently. A lot of us are facing unique challenges and need different things to help get us through.

Some of us are finding ourselves with extra time, or are intentionally slowing down and rethinking our priorities across all areas of our lives, including our health.

And some of us are at the opposite end of the spectrum, overwhelmed as we juggle work with increased family demands, including school at home for our kids.

Wherever you’re at, the free Leaf411 nurse hotline is here for you. We can answer your questions about how to use CBD hemp and legal cannabis for stress relief, improved sleep, or to manage pain or other conditions. We’re also available to answer your questions about COVID-19.

Call 844-LEAF411 (844-532-3411) at no cost to have your questions answered by one of our fully-licensed RNs. We’re also available via online chat. Look for the chat feature on the bottom of our website home page.

The Leaf411 cannabis nurse hotline provides free, anonymous education and directional support to the general public about the safe use of legal cannabis. We partner with select business members who meet our rigorous standards to extend our education and outreach efforts.

Medically reviewed by Katherine Golden, RN
Written by Denise Rustning

At Leaf411, we love sharing our supporting members’ stories. We really do believe that our members are the best in the industry, and hope that you’ll consider supporting them when shopping. 

As a founding member, Seed & Smith has supported the Leaf411 mission from Day One. Their commitment to education and transparency elevates the industry and provides a counternarrative against outdated stereotypes about cannabis.

We recently checked in with Mike Lempert, Director of Logistics at Seed & Smith, to learn more about the Colorado dispensary’s current work. We also got his thoughts on the emerging consensus in legal states that cannabis is an essential need, following up on his recent interview with Denver 7 News.

Recognizing Cannabis as An Essential Need During the COVID-19 Crisis

The legal marijuana market sits in an interesting spot right now. While marijuana remains illegal at the federal level, states with legal medical and/or adult-use (recreational) marijuana have generally classified dispensaries as essential businesses allowed to remain open during the COVID-19 response. Dispensaries are being acknowledged as similar to pharmacies, providing essential medicine to patients.

Many patients, consumers and industry members are thinking about what this will mean for cannabis once the COVID-19 emergency passes. We asked Mike for his thoughts on this topic.

“My stance has always been that there are very serious medical issues that people use cannabis to treat. People come into our dispensary who need cannabis to live a ‘normal life.’ They may be suffering from MS or Parkinson’s disease or cancer or insomnia. Whatever the case may be, there’s a lot of relief (through cannabis),” he said.

“Absolutely, cannabis should be deemed essential,” Mike said. “If people are relying upon something to live a normal life—we’re not talking about a vice but about actual ailments and problems—then 100% cannabis should be deemed essential. It shouldn’t even be questioned whether we need to stay open during times like this.”

Keep reading to learn more about how Seed & Smith is ensuring employee and customer safety while providing access to high-quality legal cannabis amid the COVID-19 business restrictions.

When we asked Mike what makes Seed & Smith different from the competition, transparency was at the top of his list.

“We consider ourselves to be pioneers in the industry,” he said. “Seed & Smith was formed at the tail end of prohibition for recreational use. We wanted to hit the scene hard with transparency and prove that cannabis isn’t this big, scary drug like a lot of people make it out to be. We wanted people to understand exactly how our cannabis is grown, how it’s packaged, how we extract it to make the concentrates, where it’s sold and who sells it—basically every detail about our product.”

Mike explained how their approach is different, saying, “The cannabis industry is notorious for closing doors and keeping things very close to the vest. We wanted to dismantle that. I think we’ve been extremely successful.”

Seed & Smith’s owners looked to craft breweries as a model for doing things differently.

“Breweries were opening up their doors for the public to come see how their beer was made. You could go and talk to the head brewmaster. You could take a tour. You could see the cleanliness of the facility. You could see the beer getting canned.”

Seed & Smith adapted that model for their own operations, “being fully transparent and allowing people to get the freshest product,” said Mike.

The Seed & Smith Dart: Making a Better Vape

We asked Mike what Seed & Smith products he’s most excited about these days.

 “We’re extremely proud of our Dart vaporizer, which is a pod-based system,” he said.

“We worked with CCell, the hardware manufacturer, for over a year to dial this product in. Now  we’re doing a big push for people to try the Dart vape as part of a move to a cleaner product. If you’re concerned about health risks, you should understand what goes into products that you end up ingesting or inhaling into your body.”

“A lot of companies that make cartridges or vaporizers don’t show you how their oils are made,” said Mike, “At Seed & Smith, you can visit and see our entire process. You can see the product that’s used to make it (the pods). You watch how it’s made through videos. You can see into our extraction rooms. Everything is transparent.”

Mike also talked about the recent vaping crisis that was connected to some manufacturers using Vitamin E acetate or other cutting agents which caused serious health issues.

Seed & Smith was ahead of the curve, however, since they do not use any cutting agents in their vape products. “From day one, it’s been 100% cannabis extracts in our cartridges and that’s it,” Mike said.

Partnering with Leaf411 to Provide Factual Cannabis Information

Mike talked about the challenges of providing factual information to customers, given the federal restrictions on cannabis research. “There’s not enough research done on cannabis, and we fully understand why that is,” he said.

He discussed how the lack of research means that people often fall back on anecdotal reports about how a product worked for a specific person, which may not end up being true for everyone. To navigate this tricky terrain, Seed & Smith sticks with providing education on what they know—their product.

“We give the facts in a clear and concise manner, about what we’re doing and how we grow,” he said.

Seed & Smith also relies on their partnership with Leaf411 to provide education on potential medical benefits of cannabis.

“We partner with Leaf411 to help us deliver reliable, factual information,” Mike said. “Focusing on providing factual information is the biggest key for us because there’s so much misinformation out there right now. We don’t want to add any more.”

At Leaf411, we know misconceptions about both the cannabis plant and the cannabis industry are everywhere. Mike shared a very similar perspective when discussing the education needs that he sees in the cannabis space.

“I’ve only been involved in the industry for three years, and in that three years I’ve learned a lot. I came with a lot of preconceived notions, most of which were wrong. So I’m the perfect poster child for the need for reliable information and education,” he said.

“There’s going to be a huge amount of people in this country and probably around the world shifting to cannabis use at some point. Providing reliable information about what they can expect and what’s in these products is extremely important.”

Maintaining Safe Dispensary Operations During COVID-19

You’ve likely noticed the impact of COVID-19 on businesses you frequent in person or even online as the government rolls out new rules and restrictions.

Cannabis dispensaries are no different. In Colorado, the Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED) released several rounds of emergency rules for dispensaries that emphasize extreme social distancing and revise retail rules to protect both employees and customers. 

We asked Mike how Seed & Smith’s operations have been impacted by COVID-19.

He answered, “In just about every aspect, our company and the industry itself has been affected.”

“We have 12 cultivation rooms with over 20,000 square feet. We’ve redone the workflow so that growers can work in different rooms at different times. We’re also able to avoid having two employees working together on a specific task,” Mike said.

He went on to describe how the packaging area was expanded and reconfigured to spread out employees and limit interactions. Employees with jobs that can be done from home are required to work remotely.

“It’s extremely tough for me to work remotely. I’m very much in the trenches on a daily basis. But I and my co-directors understand the need to not only reduce our risk of getting sick but to reduce risk to our employees as well. We’re making sacrifices all around but it’s for the greater good—for the company, our employees and our customers,” he said.

How Seed & Smith Is Working to Keep Customers Safe

Mike described precautions that retail employees are taking to regularly disinfect all work areas and practice extreme social distancing while assisting customers. Cash registers have been spaced farther apart and customers have the option to pay by debit card at curbside for online orders. Cash payments must be made inside the store.

As of this writing, customers who order online from Seed & Smith online via Weedmaps will receive a “Thank You” discount code for a future purchase.

As state-issued rules continue to change, you can stay up to date on Seed & Smith’s operations on their blog, Facebook and Instagram.

Answering Your Questions About Cannabis and COVID-19

We know that many of you are worried about the impact of COVID-19 on both your access to cannabis medicine and on other areas of your life, as well. You can trust Leaf411 as a reliable source of information in this challenging time.

We’re here for you, with the clinical knowledge and resources to answer your questions about safely purchasing and using legal marijuana and CBD hemp products. We’re also ready to take your COVID-19 questions at the Leaf411 hotline. 

Call 844-LEAF411 (844-532-3411) at no cost to have your questions answered by one of our fully-licensed RNs.

Don’t like talking on the phone? We can also answer your questions via chat during hotline hours. Look for the chat icon in the lower right corner of the Leaf411 home page. https://leaf411.org/

Also, keep an eye on our Facebook page, where we share updated information, webinars and education resources on COVID-19 and cannabis. 

The Leaf411 cannabis nurse hotline provides free, anonymous education and directional support to the general public about the safe use of legal cannabis. We partner with select business members who meet our rigorous standards to extend our education and outreach efforts.

Medically reviewed by Katherine Golden, RN
Written by Denise Rustning

For many of us, our response to COVID-19 is an extension of work we were already doing before this virus hit—helping our communities, improving access to high-quality legal cannabis and CBD hemp products, and playing our part in building a sustainable, equitable industry.

In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re proud of the steps that our Leaf411 supporting members are taking to ensure the safety of both employees and consumers as they continue to provide access to plant-based medicine. We really do believe that our members https://leaf411.org/member-directory/ are the best in the industry, and hope that you’ll consider supporting them when shopping. As a reminder, we vet all our members to ensure their products are fully compliant and lab-tested.

Today we’re talking with Alan Greenberg, founder of CBD Garage, an online retailer of high-quality, lab-tested Colorado-based CBD hemp products. Alan shares how he came to the CBD hemp space, products he’s most excited about, and some of the ways he’s working to ensure safe, affordable CBD hemp in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. This access is critical to people living in areas with stay-at-home orders, where most retail outlets selling high quality CBD hemp are closed.

From Nutrition to CBD Hemp

People come to CBD hemp from many different backgrounds. We asked Alan about his background as a nutritionist and how that connects to his work in the CBD hemp industry.

Alan explains, “I started out as a nutritionist. In 2017, I attended an event in Boulder, Colorado, called Functional Forum, which is a mini-medical conference put on by the Evolution of Medicine. During an afterhours gathering at the conference, I met a rep from Elixinol. I’d heard about CBD hemp oil, but I don’t come from the marijuana world, so I was kind of oblivious about what was going on with medical and recreational marijuana.”

“The Elixinol rep asked me, ‘Hey, have you heard of CBD hemp?’ She then started talking about the endocannabinoid system and the research done by Ethan Russo, a neuroscientist who’s one of the founders of the movement. I went home and read an article about endocannabinoid deficiency syndrome, which connected fibromyalgia, migraines and IBS.”

This knowledge led him to suggest CBD to a close family member who found that it provided relief. From there, Alan continued researching the endocannabinoid system, as well as reaching out to experts in the field who were successfully using CBD to treat patients and veterans.

“Nutritionists and functional medicine doctors have thousands of supplements available to them,” he says. “CBD is another tool in the tool bag, but this tool is completely different. CBD is really unique in the fact that it plugs into the endocannabinoid system. That’s where it really gets interesting.”

Like Dr. Dave Gordon and our own Leaf nurses, Alan recognizes that CBD provides another avenue of healing for people and works best in conjunction with other positive lifestyle changes.

“If you’re taking CBD and want to fully relieve your symptoms, as you feel better you should start thinking about moving more, finding stress relief or eating better. All these things are complementary to the use of CBD,” he says.

The Promise of Other Adaptogens and Medicinal Plants

We asked Alan about the types of products he’s most excited about, and learned about how products are combining CBD with other adaptogens—herbs which have been used medicinally for thousands of years.

“For the immune system, I love Boulder Hemp products that combine CBD hemp oil with medicinal mushrooms,” he says.

“We also have products that combine CBD hemp with adaptogens. Adaptogens are a class of botanicals that help the body adapt to stress. Every time you reduce stress in the body, you help to charge your immune system. When you combine adaptogens with CBD, it’s a great compliment. Cannadapt from Sun Horse Energy has several great CBD hemp adaptogenic formulas, including one with Kava Kava. They also just released a new product called Lung Support. It is a combination of adaptogens with immune and lung support botanicals.” 

“Also, Quicksilver Scientific has their CBD Synergies line which combines a lot of their existing nutraceuticals and botanicals.”

The Need for CBD Education Continues to Grow

Despite growing acceptance of CBD hemp products, there’s still a lot of misinformation out there. Every day, we get questions on the Leaf411 hotline that reinforce the need for balanced, scientifically-based education on both CBD hemp and marijuana products sold in legal dispensaries. 

On the CBD hemp front, CBD Garage provides robust education on CBD and the endocannabinoid system to the public. This includes an education section on the website and phone and chat support available to both customers and to people who have CBD questions but haven’t bought products from the website. They also partner with Leaf411 to provide guidance and answers to customers’ specific medical questions.

“Every product is a little bit different,” Alan says. “Depending on who manufactures the product, if they’re getting their cannabis from the same source or growing it themselves, everybody grows their plants differently. Everyone has a different genetic mix of the different hemp plants. Companies have different extraction techniques, whether it’s liquid infusion or alcohol extraction or CO2 extraction. These factors create different profiles for products.”

As a result, a product may not work for everyone the same way. You may need to try different products before finding what works best for you.

Education around different types of CBD hemp products and finding the best dose are also areas where Alan sees a need.

“There’s no magical dose. There are general protocols that we use, but everybody’s a little bit different. ‘Do I take CBD three times a day? Do I take CBD at night? Do I like a broad spectrum without THC? Am I better off with the THC in a full spectrum product?’”

“I suggest to people to keep track of what you’re using. Start with some guidelines and then work from there. When you’re starting out, you have to be patient.”

Alan explains that while some people experience positive effects on their first day of using CBD hemp, it may take longer for others.

“I had an uncle who tried CBD on a daily basis. He told me that he didn’t feel anything for two weeks and all of a sudden—bam—it kicked in. He was on the treadmill walking and didn’t even notice he passed the point where he couldn’t previously walk because his legs hurt.”

“Your benefit after a month is going to be different than your benefit after three months or after a year, because your body changes.”

Partnering with Leaf411 to Provide Medically-Sound Education

Alan recognizes that the voice of trained medical professionals is also invaluable, which led him to partner with Leaf411 as a supporting member.

“I’m not a licensed medical professional, nor are a lot of people selling CBD hemp oil. We can help people through general use of CBD as an adult, but specific medical questions are outside our scope of practice. Leaf411 provides licensed medical professionals who can answer those really detailed questions,” he says.

“For anyone under 21 or 18 who is considering using CBD, they should talk to a medical professional first, because children are much different than adults. If somebody is calling for their child, I always encourage them to talk to Leaf411. You need a licensed healthcare practitioner to talk to who has the experience and education to understand what’s going on (with your child).”

CBD Garage offers a list of resources including the free Leaf411 hotline as well as private practitioners who provide cannabis consultations for a fee.

How CBD Garage is Keeping Customers Safe During the COVID-19

Many of us are under stay-at-home orders. As a result, online ordering has surged in certain categories, including groceries, medicine and supplements. 

But how do you know if the companies you’re ordering from are using safe handling practices? 

The World Health Organization (WHO) states that, “The likelihood of an infected person contaminating commercial goods is low and the risk of catching the virus that causes COVID-19 from a package that has been moved, travelled, and exposed to different conditions and temperature is also low.” 

Even with that reassurance, many online businesses are taking extra disinfection steps. We asked Alan what extra precautions CBD Garage is taking to reduce risk of infection. 

“At CBD Garage, we’ve always kept a clean environment. We’re doing more disinfecting of all the surfaces, the mouse, the keyboard and the tables now. Also, we’ve begun wearing gloves while packing orders—that’s new.”

“One thing great about us is we don’t use a fulfillment center. We pack every order ourselves. You don’t have to worry about who’s packing your items. We have the same people processing orders every day, following the same protocols. It’s a very controlled environment.”

You can learn more about the precautions that CBD Garage is taking at this link.

Extending CBD Hemp Discounts to All CBD Garage Customers

When we talked to Alan, he recognized that many people are facing financial difficulties that could lead to tough decisions around medications and wellness products, including CBD hemp.

“We understand that people are going through some serious financial hardships these days,” he says.

In response, he opened up the paid membership-based Buyer’s Club so that it’s now available as a free benefit for all customers, with no joining fees, monthly fees or renewal charges. Buyer’s Club members get a 25% discount on everything in the CBD Garage store.

Buyer’s Club members also receive 25% off supplements sold on the Fullscript and Wellevate online stores, if you link to those sellers through the CBD Garage links (more info in the “Support” section here).

Leaf411 Can Help With Your Questions

At Leaf411, we’re thrilled to have members like CBD Garage who share our ethos of professionalism, kindness, and commitment to CBD hemp consumers. 

While CBD Garage offers education on CBD hemp products, we know not all businesses are able to do that right now. 

In some cases, businesses are closed. In other cases, they may be working under very restrictive conditions that limit interaction with customers, meaning that questions don’t get answered.

Leaf411 can help! Whether you have questions about CBD hemp products, legal marijuana sold at dispensaries, or even about COVID-19, our fully-licensed registered nurses (RNs) have the education and experience to provide balanced information and guidance. Call us for free at 844-LEAF411 (844-532-3411).

The Leaf411 cannabis nurse hotline provides free, anonymous education and directional support to the general public about the safe use of legal cannabis. We partner with select business members who meet our rigorous standards to extend our education and outreach efforts.

Medically reviewed by Katherine Golden, RN
Written by Denise Rustning

Do you “vote with your dollars?”

In other words, when it comes to cannabis, do you try to support companies that not only create great products but also give back to the community?

Many people come to cannabis seeking an alternative to medicine-as-usual, which depends heavily on pharmaceuticals. In the same way, many cannabis businesses are creating an alternative to business-as-usual by truly embracing socially responsible and sustainable business practices. We believe that Lightshade is one of those businesses.

As part of the education that we provide at Leaf411, we love sharing our supporting member stories, believing that our members represent the best in the industry.

When we share these stories, we help change the outdated misconceptions around cannabis.

As a consumer, you can also help change the story, by supporting cannabis businesses that are committed to sustainability and social responsibility. First, though, it helps to see what a socially responsible, sustainable cannabis business looks like in practice.

Q: Lightshade is known for its dedication to corporate social responsibility (or as we like to call it, “cannabis social responsibility”) and supporting the community. What does that look like?

There are struggles when you go into a new neighborhood. You have to create these relationships with your community where they can see the cannabis doing good. They don’t want to think of you as just an outlet for drugs. We take it really seriously that we demonstrate dedication to the neighborhoods that we’re in. We do this through the corporate social responsibility programs that we either fund directly and/or volunteer with. It’s part of Lightshade’s ethos, and is built into everything that we do.

We also take it very seriously that our vendors volunteer with us. I know there are vendor relationships we’ve had where the vendor didn’t have a corporate social responsibility (CSR) campaign or any community relationships. And as a result of volunteering alongside us, they’ve been inspired to take on their own volunteer activities. 

Q: It sounds like you really strive to be an industry leader when it comes to CSR. Why is that important to you?

We try very hard to mentor and demonstrate all the good stuff that cannabis does, and what a company like ours can accomplish when you get your staff involved and you get your vendors involved. At the same time, it’s a challenge for us because there’s no way for us to tell the full story. Our customers a lot of times don’t really know  everything we do. That’s challenging. We’d like them to know more about some of the work that we in the community.

Another goal for us is to be a thought leader demonstrating our dedication to community by bringing more people into it, whether that’s customers, vendors, or employees. It’s about showing what can happen when you come together as a group with very different people and the kinds of impacts that you can make to your community.

Q: Can you share an example of how you pull together all these different groups—employees, vendors and customers?

During our Denver Urban Gardens activity, it can be 100 degrees outside. We’re out there with shovels, picks, and dirt, sweating on a workday alongside our vendor volunteers, doing six hours of work and then going back to the office. That’s definitely one of the activations that we’ve had, with people calling afterward and saying they’re going to do their own event, or that they’ve adopted a park. They’ll even ask, “Do you want to help us?” This happened with Wana Brands. We’re looking to partner with them on more events. Their values align with ours in so many ways.

Q: You’ve created a unique corporate culture in this space, because you are paying attention to all those little things and they truly matter to you to do your part to make a difference.

I’ll share a story with you. A production company contacted Kelly and Courtney at kindColorado. The production company is profiling Denver and wanted to talk about two things, homelessness and cannabis. And they randomly found Kelly and Courtney on the interwebs and reached out to them and asked, “What can you tell us about cannabis and the homeless problem it’s creating?”

Kelly and Courtney said, “First of all, we need to tell you a little bit about how your assumption is wrong. Homelessness was not caused by adult recreational use legalization in Colorado. There’s a lot of other correlations with what’s happened here. But there’s some other stories you might want to tell.”

Out of the conversation came the fact that there are cannabis companies and dispensaries who are focused on homelessness. It’s one of our pillars at Lightshade. Kelly and Courtney suggested that the production company talk to us.

As a result of our conversations, their Denver episode will focus on Aurora Warms the Night, which is one of the big homeless programs we support, and Lightshade—how we are out there on the streets volunteering with the program.

The majority of  Aurora Warms the Night’s funding comes from that marijuana tax fund for homelessness in Aurora, CO (Aurora is located in the Denver metro area).

But the best thing about Aurora Warms the Night is that when you’re there helping, you’re serving the food and pouring the drinks for the people. Then you get yourself a plate and sit down with the people you’ve served. The program’s goal is to humanize the homeless, because it’s so easy for us to walk past homeless people and not see our common humanity with them. And we all do it, even if we hate ourselves for it. So it’s just a way of being like, “You are here. Connect with these people.” And I know I did. The first day that I was out there with Aurora Warms the Night, I sat in my car and cried afterward. The people I met were fantastic but also so vulnerable. They’ve been left behind or they started in a homeless and vulnerable family. And so that’s the kind of impact that we get to tell the story about.

Q: Your slogan is: “The Lightshade difference is night and day.” We can definitely see that in terms of the CSR work you do. But what does it mean for consumers?

Our slogan is a play on words. First of all, Lightshade—the name of the company—comes from the need for a cannabis plant to have equal parts of sun and shade. Also, our loyalty program is called the Night and Day Club.

Our slogan is a way for us to differentiate ourselves. It is aligned a lot with CSR. It’s also about the consumer experience, about how the retail environment looks and feels.

Q: Can you describe your retail environment?

We’re really trying to help elevate the cannabis industry just by the look and feel of the retail environment.  We use a lot of reclaimed barn wood. We have natural finishes and stained concrete with rich colors. The furniture is meant to feel more like you’re in someone’s living room, a very comfortable and elegant living room.

Our Dayton store has a fireplace in the waiting area. It’s located right next to a retirement community. We get a lot of older people who shop at our Dayton dispensary, which is a very comfortable, warm and welcoming space. When people walk in, they’re comfortable and they don’t feel nervous.

We also take the training of our bartenders and our front desk staff very seriously. We do something outside the norm. Rather than use an off-the-shelf program for training, we developed our own training program and have our own training director. Our program covers product knowledge and compliance issues.

There are so many things that bartenders and front desk staff need to know. They have to have answers for everything, especially, “I’m not a doctor.” That’s where Leaf411 comes into the picture.

Q: How does your partnership with Leaf411 help your budtenders and customers?

The partnership has created opportunities for us that we didn’t have before, because one of the keys to being a successful cannabis retailer is education. Because of the limits in our industry, there’s a lot we just cannot do.

That face-to-face relationship between the budtender and the consumer or patient is the one shot we have at providing education that they need to have. We’re not able to tell them certain things because it doesn’t fall within the legal scope. However, being able to give them a business card or the pamphlet to Leaf411 provides the opportunity to open the floodgates of education. We weren’t able to provide that before. I’ve seen it at stores, and I’ve heard it from budtenders.  

For example, we had two customers at the Dayton store the other day who had chronic pain and sleep problems. I explained to them what the budtender could tell them. We can say something like, “This is my favorite thing.” But we can’t say why. Being able to refer customers to Leaf411 is a perfect solution. It’s really important for us to be able to share a verifiable, trusted resource.

Q: As Leaf411 continues to expand, we’re getting more inquiries from dispensaries in both Colorado and other states. From the dispensary perspective, what would you tell them about partnering with Leaf411?

When we heard what you were doing, we were down. We were all in just with the idea.

Dispensaries need to have access to nurses or doctors as credible resources to refer their patients and consumers to. If you allow your budtenders to give medical advice, you’re going to be shut down in a month, maybe less. And if you don’t operate in the complete black and white area of compliance and regulatory environment, you’re not going to last long.

The only tool we have is Leaf411, outside of doctors. And sending customers to doctors is cost-prohibitive in many cases.

From a business perspective, partnering with Leaf411 is all about customer care, service and being there for your  community. You will build customer loyalty with this kind of service. You will have stories like ours, with people who have never walked into a dispensary before and receiving the support they need. They were absolutely thrilled and amazed at what came of that experience and probably changed their lives. Our partnership with the Leaf411 cannabis nurse hotline is invaluable. You know, we just couldn’t be more thrilled.

Someone told me this a number of years ago and it really stuck with me. I don’t remember jokes or poetry, but I have never forgotten this. And it’s that with nurses, you can find someone who is as curious about what’s going on with you as you are.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

For More Information

Lightshade has eight recreational dispensaries in the Denver metro area, with five of those dispensaries also serving med patients. You can learn more about Lightshade’s community partnerships here.

Leaf411 is proud to have Lightshade as one of our founding members. Lightshade is committed to elevating cannabis’s reputation by providing high-quality product, experiences and information. Their ethos align with Leaf411’s commitment to kindness and professionalism.

Additional Resources

Check out our recent post, “Planning Your First Dispensary Visit,” if you’d like additional tips before heading out the door to Lightshade or any other legal dispensary.

Whether you’re a patient or a budtender, our cannabis-trained nurses are available to answer your questions on our FREE anonymous hotline at 844-LEAF411 (844-532-3411).The Leaf411 cannabis nurse hotline provides free, anonymous education and directional support to the general public about the safe use of legal cannabis. We partner with select business members who meet our rigorous standards to extend our education and outreach efforts.

Share Your Love of CBD with Family and Friends

Medically reviewed by Katherine Golden, RN
Written by Denise Rustning

Whether you shop online, at the big box stores, or in local craft markets, you’ll likely come across CBD-based gifts for everyone, including the family dog.

Perhaps you’ve had good experiences with CBD products. It makes sense that you would want to provide the gift of CBD (which is also sometimes called hemp) to friends and loved ones who could also benefit from this wonderful plant.

You may also be looking for the perfect gift for yourself, as someone who’s curious to try CBD hemp as part of your wellness regimen.

Leaf411 is happy to present our CBD hemp gift guide, highlighting gift-worthy products from our partner business members. We fully review all our members to ensure their products are compliant with all regulations and are manufactured to the highest standards.

We also share tips for steering away from products that are little more than a lump of coal. After all, no one wants to give a gift that’s a dud.

Is Hemp for Everyone? A Word of Caution Before You Give

So you’re thinking about buying that awesome CBD tincture for you Aunt Deborah who complains of stiffness in the wintertime. Before you pull out your credit card, ask yourself these questions about the person you’re buying a gift for:

• Are they pregnant, breastfeeding, or under the age of 18? There’s simply not enough evidence yet about on either side of the issue—risks versus benefits—when it comes to how CBD impacts developing fetuses, infants, children and teens. For that reason, Leaf411 suggests sticking with topical products like skin cream for this group.
• Are they undergoing chemotherapy, taking blood thinners or other long-term medications? Cannabidiol works through the endocannabinoid system, with endocannabinoids broken down by enzymes. CBD is metabolized through specific liver enzymes that also play an important role in metabolizing certain medications. In short, CBD may impact certain medications in a similar way that grapefruit does. We recommend sticking with topical products for these folks to try first, which carry the lowest risk of medication interaction. Also, either you or your gift recipient are encouraged to consult with a physician or call our free nurse hotline at 844-LEAF411 (844-532-3411) for help with your questions.
• Do they have a job that requires drug testing? This is a tricky issue. The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp products containing less than 0.3 percent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the compound that provides the cannabis “high.” THC levels in full-spectrum CBD products are so low that you will not feel any psychoactive effects—however, there’s debate about whether they could trigger a positive drug test result. For people who work in construction, transportation, public safety, healthcare, the military or other industries, full-spectrum CBD may not be worth the risk of a career-ending positive drug test.

If you’re determined to buy a hemp-based gift for someone who has concerns about drug testing or is worried about even miniscule THC content, stay away from full-spectrum CBD products. Instead, look for products that specifically say “No THC” on the label, or which are either broad-spectrum or CBD isolate.

Broad spectrum products “should” have all THC removed, though the beneficial terpenes and flavonoids remain. Terpenes, which are present in both cannabis and hemp plants, do not impact drug tests. However, terpenes and cannabidiol work together creating the beneficial entourage effect.

CBD isolate products “should” contain only CBD. All THC, terpenes and flavonoids are removed by the manufacturer.

Why do we emphasize the word “should” when describing different product types? The CBD hemp industry currently lacks clear product labeling standards, and some manufacturers confuse the terms “full spectrum” and “broad spectrum” in their advertising and on product labels.

This makes finding brands you trust especially important when looking for THC-free CBD. Does the manufacturer provide a certificate of analysis (COA) for their product? These are often listed on the manufacturer website in their own section (look along the main website header or footer for a link). COA lab results will verify whether the product contains trace amounts of THC. The COA will also confirm whether the product provides the CBD as advertised.

Leaf411 member businesses provide COAs for their products. Their customer support teams can help you find an item that fits your loved one’s needs, as well.

Our Leaf411 hotline nurses are also available to walk you through any manufacturers’ COA to determine if the product will deliver on its promises. Call us toll-free at 844-LEAF411 (844-532-3411) with your questions.

How to Choose CBD Hemp Gifts that Fit

When it comes to gifts for hemp newbies, stick with products that have familiar features and lower concentrations of CBD. Most everyone is familiar with how to use body lotion even if it contains cannabidiol. On the other hand, a CBD dab rig might be too extreme for Grandma!

Want something special for a friend who already uses CBD? Look for clues with the products they already use. Do they prefer topical creams? If so, look for new CBD hemp body care items they might like to try.

Hemp-Based Gifts for Skin Care and Beauty Enthusiasts

Hemp-based skincare products feel amazing during the cold, dry winter season. Cannabinol (CBD) has both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that helps restore stressed dry skin. There are minimal risks associated with hemp skin care products, though you’ll want to carefully check the product label for other ingredients that could be irritating or unwanted. Check the manufacturer’s COA to ensure you’re getting what you’re paying for when it comes to CBD content. Also, beware that hemp seed oil is not the same as cannabidiol/CBD—we explain the difference below.

This holiday season, Leaf411 business member Color Up Therapeutics is offering special hemp holiday sets geared toward relaxation, rejuvenation and travel. Gift sets like these provide a great opportunity to test out different hemp-based products!

CBD Products Designed for Guys

Men appreciate high-quality skin and hair products that are created just for them. CBD shaving cream and beard oil are growing in popularity, with many men finding they make for a better shave. Remember to always check the product ingredients and COA.

Clean Coconut, one of our founding members, offers Man Scrub to scour away dirt and grime while moisturizing skin. While this product is marketed toward men, we have a feeling there are women out there who might appreciate it as well!

Performance-Driven Hemp Gifts for Athletes

There’s been strong interest in CBD among professional and amateur athletes and it’s no wonder—high-quality hemp-based products can make a noticeable difference in post-game recovery. Since the World Anti-Doping Agency removed CBD from the list of banned substances in 2017, athletes across multiple sports are using hemp to improve performance and reduce recovery times. It’s important to note that THC is still banned, though, so make sure any gifts for competitive athletes are THC-free.

Companies like Arcanum, one of our founding members, have developed products tailored to athletes’ needs, including beginner-friendly salt soaks and topical cooling gels.

CBD Pet Treats for Fido

At Leaf411, we love sharing dog-approved CBD treats with our four-legged friends. CBD can keep your dog’s tail wagging through the stressful holiday season. Older dogs also benefit from hemp-based treats during the wintertime, when colder temperatures limit outdoor activity and aggravate arthritis.

Everyone knows that chocolate is bad for dogs. But did you know that your CBD gummies and flavored tinctures may contain Xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is toxic to dogs?

When shopping for canine gifts, stick with CBD oil and treats developed specifically for pets. These products come in dog-friendly doses, often with flavors that your best friend will appreciate, like Arcanum’s Hemp Bacon pet tincture.

Our partner Color Up Therapeutics also offers pet CBD drops that include fish oil as a beneficial addition to cannabidiol.

Not sure about where to start with CBD and your pet? Veterinary Cannabis provides guidance to pet parents, veterinarians, and product creators about the medicinal properties of cannabis, as well as how to use CBD products with pets. Their Veterinary Cannabis library is a good place to start!

Don’t Forget the Family Cat!

If you’re a cat owner, you likely know that supplements and medications can be trickier with felines. Doses are different, and individual cats may respond differently to the same medications. Despite the challenges in finding the right CBD product for your cat and convincing them to ingest it, many cat owners report success.

Online retailer CBD Garage sells Earth Buddy brand hemp treats for dogs and cats that contain a blend of CBD, mushrooms and herbs.

Tips for Buying High-Quality CBD Hemp Gifts

CBD products are legal across the United States and are widely available in stores and online. Your biggest challenge can be finding a retailer you trust:

• Can the seller answer your questions about specific product ingredients?
• Do they provide COAs for products they’re selling, or know where to find them online?
• Does the retailer offer customer support in case you or the gift recipient have questions or concerns?

Leaf411 business member CBD Garage is a good example of a responsible, trustworthy online retailer that ships products across the U.S. They offer a wide range of hemp-based products for people and pets, along with education and robust customer support.

Last Thoughts: Hemp Seed is Not the Same as CBD

Before we wrap up our gift guide, let’s talk about what isn’t CBD. Hemp seed or hemp seed oil, also called cannabis sativa seed oil, contains only trace amounts of CBD. While hemp seed oil may provide beneficial essential fatty acids for hair and skin, it likely won’t provide the benefits of cannabidiol that you’re looking for.

Product branding can make it tough, too. For example, a popular body care brand features a cannabis leaf and tag lines like “Get Baked,” though their ingredient lists make it clear that the products contain only hemp seed oil.

Some products contain both CBD and also hemp seed oil as the carrier agent that the CBD is infused into—these products will list both CBD and hemp seed oil separately.

Other brands confuse CBD oil with hemp seed oil, acting as if they are the same thing in order to charge the premium prices associated with CBD.

We’re not saying that hemp seed oil products don’t make great gifts—but if your goal is to provide the benefits of cannabidiol, these products won’t deliver.

With all the name variations, it can be easy to get confused! Just remember that hemp seed oil and cannabis sativa seed oil are the same thing, and do not contain significant amounts of CBD.

We Can Help

Still contemplating that CBD dab rig for Grandma? While our cannabis-trained nurses can’t do your holiday shopping for you, we’re happy to provide balanced information, including the pros and cons of different CBD hemp products. Contact us at the free hotline: 844-LEAF411 (844-532-3411)