With almost half of adults 65 years and older experiencing some form of this painful disorder, it’s a condition many of us will experience if we live long enough. In all, the Arthritis Foundation, which compiled these facts on arthritis sufferers in the U.S., estimates that 50 million adults, and even 1 in 250 children, suffer from arthritis.

At Ministry of Hemp, we’re always curious if hemp, and especially CBD oil, can improve people’s quality of life. Previously, we’ve looked at how hemp can help the elderly live less stressful lives. We’ve also looked at whether cannabidiol (CBD) can help other medical conditions like CBD Oil for Arthritis, chronic pain and epilepsy. Since arthritis is so common, we thought it deserved a closer look.

While CBD seems to help many people, it’s not a miracle cure, and it appears most people find CBD helpful in conjunction with a broad arthritis treatment plan, which can include exercise, changes to diet and prescription or over-the-counter pharmaceutical drugs. Of course, this treatment plan should be guided by a medical professional.

As always in these articles, we’ll look at what science and medical professionals are saying about using CBD for arthritis, along with some reports from everyday CBD consumers.

‘Potent Anti-arthritic Effect’: Science Shows Cbd Could Slow Progression Of Arthritis

Unfortunately, while the safety of CBD is overall well established, when it comes to its effectiveness in treating various conditions there have been far too few studies on humans, and we frequently have to rely on animal studies. CBD and arthritis are no exception.

In one especially promising study, published in the June 2000 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, scientists artificially induced arthritic symptoms in mice, then treated them with CBD. Both oral and injected methods of administering CBD orally were equally effective, and CBD seemed to slow the progression of damage to the joints.

One preliminary study, published January 2006 by the journal Rheumatology, treated humans with arthritis using Sativex, an oral pharmaceutical created from cannabis extracts that includes both THC and CBD. In a fascinating aside, the authors note that cannabis was first proposed as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis in 2800 B.C., but has often been dismissed by modern medicine despite anecdotal evidence of its usefulness. The scientists cautiously optimistic about the effectiveness of Sativex with arthritis, although they emphasized that “larger, more prolonged studies… indicate.”

Of course, Sativex is not widely available in the United States, and psychoactive cannabis remains illegal at the federal level, and inaccessible to many people in many parts of the country.

Study Shows Hundreds Using Cbd To Ease Arthritis Symptoms

Fortunately, hundreds of people with arthritis report a healing effect from using CBD alone, and CBD is available to almost anyone.

Over a quarter of those surveyed reported using CBD in some form to treat their arthritis, making it one of the top conditions found in the study.”

In August this year, cannabis-research firm Brightfield Group surveyed 2,400 users of HelloMD, a medical cannabis information site. This dramatic study, which we’ve looked at before, found widespread satisfaction with CBD among regular consumers, and even revealed that 42 percent of those surveyed had given up pharmaceutical drugs in favor of CBD.

Over a quarter of those surveyed reported using CBD in some form to treat their arthritis, making it one of the top conditions found in the study. However, only 11 percent of those people reported that CBD was “extremely effective” in treating their arthritis, suggesting that most find it best to combine CBD with more conventional arthritis treatments.

These results were generally echoed by the anecdotal evidence we found among arthritis sufferers who discussed CBD on reddit, both on the “thritis” subreddit devoted to the disorder and the general CBD subreddit: some users found CBD was helpful, while others had mixed results. Some redditors reported preferring high-CBD strains of psychoactive cannabis that can be purchased in states with legal recreational or medicinal cannabis, while many reported positive effects from CBD alone. Some redditors said they prefer vaping CBD during flare ups, as well.

One redditor named Heph333 said CBD combined with dietary changes had transformed their life. “Before, I was walking with a cane and two knee braces. Now I’m able to be physically active again.”

Heph333 concluded: “With the way I feel now compared to how I used to feel, I don’t dare go back. That includes making sure I never run out of CBD.”

Topical Versus Oral Use Of Cbd For Arthritis: Does It Matter?

Many people take CBD orally as a tincture, in capsules, or even as a CBD gummies. On the other hand, topical CBD is especially popular for treating inflammation, and joint pains caused by conditions like arthritis, as we’ve noted before here at Ministry of Hemp.

Researchers used a topical form in one 2016 study of artificially-induced arthritis in rats, published in the European Journal of Pain. CBD not only eased rats’ symptoms, but it also maintained more consistent levels of CBD in the blood when applied to the skin compared to oral administration, as the liver did not metabolize any of it.

Medical Marijuana, Inc. reported in April 2016 that, because topical CBD can bind directly to endocannabinoid receptors in the skin, it skips the bloodstream and therefore causes even fewer side effects than normal.

As always, we recommend that arthritis sufferers experiment with all the forms of CBD to find out what helps most.

Beyond CBD & Arthritis: More Research Needed To Unlock CBD’s Full Potential

The stigma surrounding cannabis is fading over time, with laws changing nationwide and conservative lawmakers increasingly supportive of industrial hemp and even medical marijuana.

We hope a similar change is happening as more medical professionals embrace hemp’s vast potential. With so many of doctors’ patients already making use of CBD, it seems like it’s only matter of time until researchers give it the attention it deserves.

* This article is part 4 of our series of exploring the potential benefits of CBD oil. Read our other posts:

• Science Explains How CBD Oil Could Help Ease Your Anxiety
• Science Explains Why CBD Oil Could Help Ease Your Chronic Pain
• The Science Behind Why Schizophrenia Sufferers Use CBD Oil For Healing

DISCOVER THE TOP CBD BRANDS

The market is getting saturated with many different CBD brands. We’ve compared the top brands to help you with your decision. Check it out.

The post CBD oil for Arthritis: Benefits, Risks And More appeared first on Ministry of Hemp.

Part of a series of specialized sprays from All Natural Way, this sleep spray adds beneficial ingredients like valerian and melatonin to hemp. This CBD product has a mild peppermint flavor with a faint undertone of chocolate, and only a slight medicinal aftertaste. When sprayed in the mouth, it leaves a slight oily feeling behind which a sip of water easily removed. We tried this spray for several nights before bed. It seemed to help us fall asleep faster and sleep deeper through the night.

All Natural Way paid us a fee and offered us free products in return for our honest opinion. If you purchase a product from one of these links, we’ll receive a percentage of sales. Read our full disclosure statement.

All Natural Way is taking what they’ve learned as an experienced vendor of quality CBD products to create their own line of great supplements. Read on for our full review of All Natural Way CBD Sleep Spray.

CBD OIL MEETS MELATONIN AND OTHER SLEEP INDUCING INGREDIENTS FOR DEEPER Z’S

CBD oil is already known for the ability to promote better sleep, but this sleep spray creates an even more powerful combination.

Melatonin is one of the most well-known sleep aids, helping supplement the body’s own stores of this naturally occurring hormone created by the pineal gland. It’s most used to prevent insomnia, or delayed sleep. Valerian is also well-known to act like as a safe, mild herbal sedative. The spray’s other powerful ingredients, GABA and magnesium, are also believed to reduce anxiety and relax tense muscles.

We appreciate All Natural Way’s dedication to transparency when it comes to their CBD products. The bottle is clearly labelled with each ingredient, including the strength of each supplement. An independent lab tests each batch of All Natural Way CBD products, with results available to customers on request.

ALL NATURAL WAY CBD SLEEP SPRAY OFFICIAL REVIEW

• Highlights: All Natural Way CBD Sleep Spray combines full spectrum hemp extract with herbs that encourage restful sleep, with a refreshing minty taste.
• Strength: 500mg per 30ml bottle (plus additional herbs)
• Price: $74.99
• Specials: Use coupon code MOH10 for 10% off your order!
• Customer Service & Shipping: Fast customer service. Free shipping on all orders.
• Independent Test Results: Available on request.
• Flavor: This spray has a mild peppermint flavor with a mild medicinal aftertaste from the spray’s additional ingredients.
• Ingredients: Full Spectrum Hemp / CBD Oil plus Melatonin, GABA, Valerian Root Extract, and Magnesium Gluconate, in a base of Purified Water, Coconut Oil, Cocoa Derivative, Glycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sucralose, Xantham Gum and Natural Flavors.
• Other: All Natural Way offers a generous 30-day refund policy.

According to the label, each bottle of All Natural Way CBD Sleep Spray contains about 30 doses. Each dose contains 16.7mg of CBD, 5mg of melatonin, and 5.33mg of Magnesium Gluconate, and 2.66mg of a proprietary blend of GABA and Valerian Root Extract. Some research indicates these ingredients may promote more restful sleep.

All Natural Way Sprays assist with weight loss, pain relief, energy, and stress reduction. They also make CBD oil tinctures and pain cream. All Natural Way makes their products from U.S.-grown hemp. As a marketplace, All Natural Way offers a variety of other high-quality CBD products.

DISCOVER THE TOP CBD BRANDS

The market is getting saturated with many different CBD brands. We’ve compared the top brands to help you with your decision. Check it out.

The post All Natural Way CBD Sleep Spray Could Help You Get More Rest appeared first on Ministry of Hemp.

To put it mildly, we were disappointed when Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill issued an opinion on November 21 suggesting CBD oil is illegal for most state residents to use. Although his words don’t carry the force of law, the statement could lead to more crackdowns on CBD vendors and leaves consumers under a haze of legal uncertainty.

In September, we wrote about how an Indiana state law meant to improve access to CBD for epilepsy sufferers actually led to raids on shops selling CBD oil. But things were looking up after police realized they couldn’t determine the supplement’s actual legal status, and products were back on the shelves in many shops.

CBD, or cannabidiol, is an extract made from industrial hemp, a variety of the cannabis plant. But unlike psychoactive cannabis, or marijuana, it doesn’t cause people to feel high. In fact, thousands of people have found it offers benefits to their health — for example, by reducing the inflammation of arthritis — while leaving them clear-headed enough to perform their usual, everyday tasks.

A growing body of scientific evidence suggests CBD oil is safe, causes few side effects, and offers numerous benefits. Many experts insist CBD is legal to use under current U.S. law, but Hill’s opinion can only serve to renew the uncertainty over a supplement that we believe should be available to all.

IS CBD LEGAL IN INDIANA? DEPENDS ON WHO YOU ASK

“There is no doubt, as a matter of legal interpretation, that products or substances marketed generally for human consumption or ingestion, and containing cannabidiol, remain unlawful in Indiana as well as under federal law,” Hill wrote in his advisory opinion earlier this month.

In actuality, however, there is considerable doubt, with many insisting that CBD should be and may already be completely legal.

One of the most remarkable discoveries is that CBD seems to help some people with epilepsy, even if their epilepsy has proven difficult to treat in other ways. Like a growing number of states, the Indiana General Assembly passed a law in April intended to make it easier for epilepsy sufferers to access CBD.

But, after the law passed, state excise police began raiding dozens of grocery stores and shops in the state, confiscating some 3,000 products according to an investigation published in September by the Indianapolis Star. Public outcry halted police raids as legislators, store owners, and CBD users opposed unintended consequences of new law. CBD products returned to Indiana stores. But, the attorney general also promised to weigh in, which brings us to his new, controversial statement.

For decades, industrial hemp was completely illegal in the United States, just like all forms of the cannabis plant. Then, in 2014, Obama signed a Farm Bill which legalized industrial hemp for research purposes, allowing each state to set the rules for hemp research within their borders. Follow up legislation banned the federal government from wasting resources prosecuting anyone participating in this program.

“This may be the most ridiculous thing Indiana has ever done” – Jon Webb

DEA threats don’t negate 2014 Farm Bill’s legalization of hemp-derived CBD. Legal experts support hemp products and imports. The CBD industry has repeatedly promised to fight any future crackdowns on its products in court. It’s very important to note that, despite the disagreement over CBD’s legality, no individual CBD users have been put in legal jeopardy. Attorney general: CBD possession in plain view may lead to property seizure, but not personal arrest.

Despite this, fear and uncertainty are inevitable. Enforcement interpretation and reactions to the law will depend on individual law enforcement agencies and officers.

INDIANA RESIDENTS DEMAND FULLY LEGAL CBD: HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP

Understandably, Indiana residents quickly objected to the opinion, both online and in the media. Jon Webb, a columnist for the Indiana Courier & Press called the attorney general’s decision “nonsensical.”

“This may be the most ridiculous thing Indiana has ever done,” Webb wrote.Webb argues CBD’s likely legality in Indiana; police stop raids. Epilepsy patients lack legal access without distribution mechanism. Increased police threat looms. Webb wrote:

“To recap: The Indiana State Police says CBD is legal. The attorney general says it’s illegal – unless you’re included on a registry that would you allow to buy it, even though you can’t buy it because the attorney general says it’s illegal.

Everybody got that?”

We’re not legal experts, but we support the legalization of CBD in Indiana and beyond. No CBD crackdown proposed, but clarity needed from legislators to protect users from police overreach.

7,000 petition signatures urge Indiana to fully legalize CBD. While petitions can sometimes help, we encourage Indiana residents to reach out directly to their legislators for the most impact. Outside of Indiana, we also recommend contacting your Senators and Representatives and asking them to pass the Industrial Hemp Farming Act, a bill that would completely legalize industrial hemp nationwide.

Unfortunately, until bills like this pass, these kinds of legal disputes over CBD will continue to appear. Positive shift in hemp perception indicates eventual nationwide legalization for the beneficial plant.

DISCOVER THE TOP CBD BRANDS

The market is getting saturated with many different CBD brands. We’ve compared the top brands to help you with your decision. Check it out.

The post Indiana Attorney General Declares CBD Illegal: What Happens Now? appeared first on Ministry of Hemp.

Update DECEMBER 12, 2018: The 2018 Farm Bill just passed the U.S. House of Representatives after passing the Senate, including the landmark amendment that will fully legalize industrial hemp at the federal level! The amendment fully removes hemp and derivatives of it from the control of the Drug Enforcement Administration, and opens up massive possibilities for the hemp industry, American agriculture, and health and science to name a few. There was even a partial compromise on the most troubling part of the law, which restricted people with felony convictions from being part of the industry.

Pres. Trump is expected to sign the omnibus bill into law before the year ends, though the timeline is unclear at this time. We’ll have more updates soon!

Update JULY 11, 2018: The current language of the hemp amendment also bans people with felony drug convictions from participating in the hemp industry.

An amendment to the Senate version of the 2018 Farm Bill would fully legalize industrial hemp in the United States.

“This is a big day for hemp,” said Brian Furnish, a hemp grower from Kentucky and president of the U.S. Hemp Roundtable.

The amendment legalizing hemp began as a bill proposed by Mitch McConnell, the Republican majority leader in the Senate. The “Hemp Farming Act of 2018” fully legalizes industrial hemp and all products made from it including CBD oil. Under the new law, the Drug Enforcement Administration and other government agencies would no longer be able to interfere with hemp.

Due to political uncertainty over other parts of the massive Farm Bill, and the lack of hemp related language in the House version of the bill, there are still hurdles ahead before legalization.

2014 vs. 2018: NEW FARM BILL BUILDS ON PARTIAL LEGALIZATION

The United States made industrial hemp illegal for decades until an amendment to the 2014 version of the Farm Bill allowed growing by state-run hemp research programs.

These state-based programs vary, with some allowing only university research and others allowing a limited number of everyday farmers. The U.S. grew about 25,000 acres of hemp under these state programs, mostly in more permissive states like Colorado and Kentucky. However, CBD vendors have faced some legal threats at both the state and federal level. Other government agencies, like the Bureau of Reclamation, have also interfered with growers at times.

HOW THE 2018 FARM BILL WOULD LEGALIZE HEMP

McConnell’s amendment to the 2018 Farm Bill would officially remove hemp from the DEA’s list of controlled substances, ending debate over the legal status of the plant.

All products made from hemp, including CBD oil, would be explicitly legalized as well, so long as they contain less than .3 percent THC (the substance which makes people “feel high” in psychoactive cannabis). State agriculture departments, along with Native American tribes, would be free to regulate hemp just as they do any other crop like corn or carrots.

BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR HEMP BUT CONFLICT OVER 2018 FARM BILL

In a historic moment for hemp legalization, the Senate passed the 2018 Farm Bill with the hemp amendment included. Members of both parties support hemp in an unusual display of bipartisan agreement. However, since the House version of the Farm Bill does not include the same amendment, hemp’s future is still up in the air.

Before it can appear before the president for his signature, the House and Senate must form a “Conference Committee” to iron out differences between the two versions of the 2018 Farm Bill. Conferees, appointed from both parties, will meet to debate the final version. Hemp advocates hope that, with McConnell’s enthusiastic support, conferees are likely to back hemp.

Still, “there’s always political conflict in Washington,” Furnish warned.

A disagreement over Food Stamps is one possible source of conflict. The House version of the bill includes controversial changes that would reduce the number of people eligible for the program. Disagreement over provisions like these could also put hemp legalization at risk.

Though the hemp industry overall enthusiastically supports the hemp amendment, there are a few dissenting voices. Veronica Carpio, of Grow Hemp Colorado, objects to hemp-only legalization bills which allows some growers to profit off the cannabis plant while growers and users of psychoactive cannabis remain in prison.

“No one goes to prison for hemp charges, but lives are ruined over marijuana,” she emphasized.

HEMP LEGALIZATION IS CLOSER THAN EVER TO REALITY

The 2018 farm bill is an omnibus piece of legislation which ensures continued funding for numerous agricultural and social programs. Pres. Donald Trump is almost certain to sign it when it finally reaches his desk.

Hemp’s legalization may come through alternative methods, but Furnish urges supporters to voice their favor.

“Contact your representatives and tell them to support McConnell’s hemp language,” he said.

One easy way to do so is to complete this form on the U.S. Hemp Roundtable website.

The post 2018 Farm Bill Could Fully Legalize Industrial Hemp In USA appeared first on Ministry of Hemp.

Table of Contents

• Why We Need Alternatives To Fossil Fuel-Based Plastic
• Hemp Cellulose Fibers A Good Source For Plastic
• The Pros & Limitations of Bioplastic
• The Biggest Barrier To Hemp Plastic
• Where to Buy Hemp Plastic

You may have heard that agricultural hemp, the non-mind-altering cousin of cannabis (commonly known as marijuana), has dozens of potential uses from clothing to paper.

Since virtually all climate scientists agree that we must replace our dependence on fossil fuels, and given that hemp can even make the soil cleaner, it’s surprising that this miracle crop isn’t in wider use.

When we looked into the topic, we found that hemp is already appearing in some commonplace objects, including cars, and could soon find its way into more. But there are also remaining barriers that keep hemp plastics more expensive and less versatile, for now.

Keep reading to learn more about the future of hemp plastic, or scroll to the bottom to find companies making hemp plastic today.

Alternatives Needed As Plastic Pollutes Water & Land

Researchers found 38 million pieces of plastic waste on one uninhabited island in the South Pacific. That’s just one island.

Not only are the harmful effects of global warming increasingly clear, conventional plastics linger in the environment and can even enter the food chain to detrimental effect on human and animal health.

In one especially shocking recent example, researchers from the University of Tasmania and the UK’s Royal Society for the Protection of Birds found 38 million pieces of plastic waste on Henderson Island, an uninhabited coral island in the South Pacific.

Jennifer Lavers, a marine scientist from the University of Tasmania, told The Guardian that evidence of human activity litters the beaches of some of the most far-flung islands in the world, regardless of the year, location, or area of the ocean.Topic

As much as 1.9 million of these tiny particles per square mile, according to a 2014 report from National Geographic, compose the infamous “Great Pacific Garbage Patch.””

Hemp Cellulose Fibers A Good Source For Many Plastics

Some of the earliest plastics were made from cellulose fibers obtained from organic, non-petroleum-based sources.

Seshata, a writer at Sensi Seeds in 2014, reported that hemp cellulose, which contains around 65-70% cellulose, can extract and use to make cellophane, rayon, celluloid, and a range of related plastics. Hemp is a good source of cellulose with particular promise due to its relative sustainability and low environmental impact when compared to wood (which contains around 40%), flax (which contains 65-75%), and cotton (which contains up to 90%).

While 100% hemp-based plastic is still a rarity, some “composite bioplastics” — plastics made from a combination of hemp and other plant sources — are already in use. Thanks to their high strength and rigidity, these plastics are currently used in the construction of cars, boats, and even musical instruments.

Bioplastic Is Promising, But Can’t Solve All Our Pollution Problems

Many plastic products are made from polymer resins, including polyethylene terephthalate, or PET, found in everyday products like plastic bottles. While advocates hope to someday see 100% hemp-based plastic bottles on supermarket shelves, the technology just isn’t ready for prime time.

Coca-Cola and other companies have experimented with 100% plant-based bottles, but they currently produce commercially available products using no more than 30% plant-based materials, while using traditional fossil fuel sources for the remaining portion.

The good news is that many corporations are investing heavily in researching replacements to traditional PET. It’s likely the first company to produce a viable commercial product could stand to earn millions.

Unfortunately, even plastic that’s deliberately designed to be biodegradable can still be a source of pollution. Almost nothing biodegrades in a landfill, and hemp microplastics could still cause problems when introduced to the oceans. Biodegradable plastics need to be sent to commercial composting facilities for efficient disposal, and these facilities aren’t available to everyone. In addition to creating better alternatives to plastic, we’ll still need to create more responsible attitudes toward disposable products.

Cost And The War On Drugs Are Biggest Barrier To Hemp Plastic

While fossil fuel costs are kept low with subsidies, hemp products for the most part remain costly luxury items. The U.S. legalized hemp in 2018, after a few years of research into hemp growing. However, decades of drug prohibition mean we’re still lacking much of the infrastructure needed to grow and process hemp into plastic.

Though hemp requires fewer pesticides and has a smaller environmental footprint than many other crops, growing and harvesting it remains labor intensive. Another drawback is that hemp requires “significant fertiliser in some soils, and also has relatively high water requirements,” as noted by Seshata.

However, hemp prices will undoubtedly come down, and technology improve as hemp growing spreads from coast to coast.

Currently, farmers in the United States are growing hemp mostly for CBD, but they are starting to experiment with other varieties that are easier to harvest for their fiber content.

Will we someday use hemp LEGOs? (It’s probably just hype)

One of the most provocative examples of hemp’s potential plastic future could come from LEGOs, the ubiquitous building block toy. which is promising to phase out fossil-fuel based resin by 2030.

“Hemp might just be the cost effective, environmentally sustainable alternative material that LEGO is looking for,” speculated Emily Gray Brosious in a February 2016 investigation from the Sun Times. However, there’s no proof that LEGO is currently seriously considering hemp.

Whether or not we’re ever able to build a spaceship from hemp bricks, the full promise of hemp plastic remains tantalizingly close, but just out of reach.

Where to buy hemp plastic?

We recommend the following brands:

• Green Spring Technologies

Green Spring Technologies creates hemp plastics used in several projects, including hemp plastic pens that several politicians have used to sign hemp legalization bills.

• SANA Packaging

SANA Packaging focuses on creating sustainable packaging for the legal cannabis and hemp industries. They’ve created “doob tubes” and other containers made from both hemp and reclaimed ocean plastic.

• PF DesignLab

PF DesignLab are cutting edge researchers creating plastic and other composite materials from hemp and other plants. Their 3D-printed hemp bicycle frame, an experimental creation showcased at the NoCo Hemp Expo in 2019, amazed us.

• ExHemplary Life (Hemp pastic drinking straws)

Plastic straws made from hemp and two other plant-based materials. These hemp drinking straws feel identical to regular straws, but they start to biodegrade in 120 days. A great example of a hemp solution to an everyday need. These straws are safer than many other replacements to common straws.

The post Hemp Makes Great Plastic, So Why Isn’t Hemp Plastic Everywhere? appeared first on Ministry of Hemp.

CBD activates similar receptors in the nervous systems of all mammals, and cats are no exception. Just as with humans, this can help supplement and balance the levels of natural cannabinoid compounds found in our bodies, potentially promoting increased well being in our furry friends.

Holistapet are pet lovers too, with decades of experience creating organic food and supplements. They’ve carefully crafted their treats to be free of gluten, grain, or artificial flavors.

Our Editor tried these CBD cat treats on two rescue cats living in his household. Their favorite flavor is salmon, and they adore dehydrated salmon treats. So we expected to go wild for these little crunchy salmon-flavored CBD edibles.

Read on to learn more about Holistapet CBD Cat Treats and whether our cats loved them.

Holistapet paid us a fee and offered us free products in return for our honest opinion. If you purchase a product from one of these links, we’ll receive a percentage of sales. Read more about sponsored content on the Ministry of Hemp.

Giving CBD to picky cats

The younger of the two cats in our reviewer’s household, Ygritte, is extremely high energy, sometimes literally climbing the walls unless we constantly change up her environment to provide stimulation. While we play with her often, she seems happier and calmer with a little CBD in her diet.

Taystee is slightly older, and used to be a feral cat. Though she’s adapted nicely to indoor cat life, she tends towards anxiety and nervousness. Sometimes, she even pulls the fur from her beautiful, fluffy tail, which our vet suspects is a stress reaction. CBD seems to diminish this behavior, and encourage her to be more relaxed and playful.

Both of them love getting treats but can be a bit picky about their flavor. One of the easiest ways to give CBD to cats is to drop it onto their treats, but in the past, Ygritte’s refused some treats with CBD where she could taste the flavor.

Holistapet CBD Cat Treats come in a resealable brown bag that most housecats will instantly recognize as containing something tasty. Each crunchy infused kibble comes includes 2mg of CBD and traces of other beneficial cannabinoids. Remember, a little goes a long way with small animals like cats, so start small and increase your dose gradually.

The cats come running whenever we open these Holistapet treats. Taystee loves to gobble them up quickly. Ygritte ate them more than half time, but occasionally turned up her nose.

Fortunately, for those occasions, we also had some Holistapet CBD Oil, which they both eagerly consumed every time when we dropped it onto their favorite freeze-dried salmon pieces.

Holistapet cares for pets with carefully balanced formula

The Holistapet team represents over 25 years experience in creating organic foods, and they’ve spent years perfecting the recipes for their treats. In addition to Holistapet CBD Cat Treats and CBD oil, they also offer treats for dogs and even horses.

The result of all this careful work is you can feel good about giving their products to your beloved furry friends. These treats don’t feel like kitty junk food, as they are high in protein and grain free, with salmon as the very first ingredient. There’s no animal by-product meal, corn, wheat, or other ingredients that don’t belong in feline diets.

Holistapet works closely with a veterinary advisory board of experienced pet-care professionals. And each product is third-party lab tested to ensure you’re getting the right potency of your product.

All together, these are quality products you can feel safe giving to your pets, yet they remain affordable too.

 

Holistapet CBD Cat Treats Official Review

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• Highlights: Holistapet CBD Cat Treats are a convenient, simple and safe way to give CBD to your cats. At just 2mg per treat, it’s easy to ensure you start your cat on a small enough dose.
• Strength: 2mg per treat, 75 treats per bag (150mg CBD total)
• Price: $24.95
• Customer Service & Shipping: Fast, friendly customer service. Free shipping available.
• Independent Test Results: Online.
• Scent & Texture: These are a crunchy kibble treat that smells strongly of salmon with a slight earthy undertone of hemp. Our cats come running whenever we open the bag!
• Ingredients: CBD oil / Full-spectrum Hemp extract in Salmon, Chicken, Potato starch, Peas, Brewers Dried yeast, Natural flavor, Citric acid, Potassium chloride, preserved with Mixed Tocopherols & Oil of Rosemary.
• Other: A generous 30-day money back guarantee is available for unsatisfied customers.

On April 28, 2020, Ministry of Hemp conducted our own lab test of Holistapet CBD Cat Treats using Analytical 360, our trusted lab. Download test results here.

Holistapet products are made from Colorado-grown hemp. They offer a wide array of CBD treats and other products for cats, dogs and horses.

The post Holistapet CBD Cat Treats Eased Anxiety In High-Strung Cats appeared first on Ministry of Hemp.

These gummies are on the softer side, a little less chewy than some, but with an enjoyable fruit flavor and very little aftertaste from the hemp extract. CBD gummies are an increasingly popular choice for people interested in the healing benefits of hemp. They offer easy dosing and some people prefer the flavor over traditional tinctures.

Life’s Balance is a newer company from Austin, Texas offering a variety of high-quality CBD products. Like all the products we review, Life’s Balance is careful about where the source of their hemp, and offers third-party lab testing results to ensure purity.

Read on for our full review and a special discount for Ministry of Hemp readers.

LIFE’S BALANCE IS PART OF GROWING TEXAS HEMP INDUSTRY

Life’s Balance is part of the burgeoning Texas hemp industry. While it’s still illegal to grow industrial hemp in the Lone Star state, the massive interest in hemp and CBD suggests it’s probably only a matter of time until that changes. In the meantime, an increasing number of companies are getting involved with delicious products like these CBD gummies, made from hemp that’s legally produced in other parts of the United States.

Life’s Balance is a woman-owned business whose mission is to “educate the country on the benefits of CBD 1 milligram at a time.” They use full spectrum / whole plant hemp extract, another important factor when buying CBD oil. Life’s Balance gummies are infused with CBD-oil during creation, rather than simply being coated or dipped in CBD oil.

LIFE’S BALANCE CBD GUMMIES OFFICIAL REVIEW

• Highlights: Fruit Flavor Gummy’s from Life’s Balance are sweet with a soft, chewy gummy texture.
• Specials: Use coupon code MofH18 for 20 percent off your order and free shipping on orders over $75!
• Price: $30.00 for 10 gummies
• Strength: 10 mg of full spectrum hemp/CBD extract per bear-shaped gummy
• Customer Service & Shipping: Fast customer service. $7.00 standard shipping fee (unless you use coupon code).
• Independent Test Results: Online.
• Flavor: These gummies are soft but retain a chewy texture, with a pleasing fruit flavor. There is very little medicinal aftertaste to these treats.
• Ingredients: Sugar, Gelatin, Citric Acid, Natural Flavoring, Coconut Oil, Phytocannabinoid Rich Hemp Oil.
• Other: Also available in packs of 5 or 20 gummies. Free of yeast, wheat, gluten, dairy, eggs, peanuts, and artificial flavors or preservatives.

Life’s Balance uses hemp extract made from U.S.-grown, non-GMO hemp. They also offer tinctures, vape pens, and CBD pet treats.

The post Review: Life’s Balance Gummies Are Sweet CBD-Infused Treats From Austin, TX appeared first on Ministry of Hemp.

Worldwide, parents of kids with epilepsy, along with adult sufferers as well, are already using hemp-based CBD extract to great benefit. The medical establishment and the law, however, have been slower to catch up.

While this study offers more ammunition for parents to use to defend their choices, it’s far from the first time scientists have found a link between CBD and treating epilepsy. Below, we’ll look at both the new study and a couple of older ones, and ask why CBD oil has so much trouble gaining acceptance.

Seizures In Dravet Syndrome Kids ‘significantly Reduced’ With CBD Oil

The 9 authors of the study, who call themselves the Cannabidiol in Dravet Syndrome Study Group, examined 120 children or young adults with Dravet, who added CBD to their existing treatment regimens.

First, the researchers counted how many epileptic seizures the children had over the course of a 4 week period to establish a baseline value for each patient. Then, for 14 weeks, the patients each received either 20 mg of CBD oil per day, or a placebo.

The average number of seizures per month decreased from 12.4 to 5.9 in subjects receiving CBD, versus a reduction of just .8 in the control group who took the placebo. Additionally, about 43 percent of the subjects receiving CBD saw their seizures decrease by at least half.

5 percent actually became completely seizure free with CBD, compared with 0 of the controls.

43% of the subjects receiving CBD saw their seizures decrease by at least half.

The scientists also polled the parents using a standardized survey called the Caregiver Global Impression of Change, and found that 62 percent of caregivers felt their children’s conditions had overall improved using CBD oil, versus 34 percent of the control group.

While the placebo effect is certainly powerful, the study shows a clear improvement in kids who took CBD. “Among patients with the Dravet syndrome, cannabidiol resulted in a greater reduction in convulsive-seizure frequency than placebo,” the members of the study group wrote.

However, they also noted that side effects were higher among CBD users, and more patients receiving CBD dropped out of the study than those who received a placebo.

“Adverse events that occurred more frequently in the cannabidiol group than in the placebo group included diarrhea, vomiting, fatigue, pyrexia, somnolence, and abnormal results on liver-function tests.”

While side effects from CBD oil are rare, some of these symptoms are also occasionally reported by adult users.

Past & Current Studies Ignored As Government Cracks Down On CBD

Even before this newest study, evidence has been mounting for years that shows CBD helps people with epilepsy.

Raphael Mechoulam, who was among the research team to first isolate the active ingredients in cannabis, also took part in an important 1980 study into the benefits of CBD oil. Published in the journal Pharmacology, “Chronic administration of cannabidiol to healthy volunteers and epileptic patients” looked at 15 epilepsy patients, with almost all that received CBD showing improvement.

Despite this promising early work, it took decades — and activism and advocacy by patients already using CBD without doctors’ orders — for further progress around CBD in the medical field.

In a November 2016 article published here at Ministry of Hemp, we looked at about a dozen studies which show the benefits of CBD. Despite this, very few doctors will openly prescribe CBD oil for their patients. Of course, many of them are understandably afraid of prescribing or recommending a substance that remains in a legal gray area.

Despite progress, such as medical cannabis laws and limited CBD-only programs in some states, the Drug Enforcement Agency has made threats against CBD oil in recent months and a few local law enforcement agencies are following suit. While individual consumers of CBD seem safe so far and companies continue to offer hemp oil under the guidelines of the 2014 Farm Bill, it is disconcerting to see random raids on CBD oil such as those in Kansas and Texas.

What Is The Future Of CBD Oil In America?

Currently, the Hemp Industry Association and other allies of hemp are suing the DEA over its ruling on CBD. Many experts are confident that despite the opposition of the federal government, too much progress has been made toward legalization to completely turn back the clock.

Even so, hemp advocates are concerned that the government may continue its needless crackdown on CBD and other forms of cannabis, despite its proven safety and numerous benefits, while simultaneously looking for ways that pharmaceutical companies can profit off it. After all, while the DEA maintains that cannabis has no medical benefit, the U.S. Department of Health actually holds a patent on the application of cannabis and cannabinoids for its antioxidant and neuroprotectant properties.

The evidence is clear to us: countless CBD oil consumers and a raft of scientific studies tell us that CBD can be a safe, and effective treatment for numerous health conditions. We hope that someday soon, the government and mainstream medicine come to their senses and listen to what so many patients are already saying: hemp has healing properties and should be available to everyone.

DISCOVER THE TOP CBD BRANDS

The market is getting saturated with many different CBD brands. We’ve compared the top brands to help you with your decision. Check it out.

The post New Large Scale CBD Study Proves Its Effectiveness In Treating Kids With Epilepsy appeared first on Ministry of Hemp.

New Belgium Brewing recently invited our Editor in Chief to a special Austin, Texas tasting of their new hemp beer, The Hemperor HPA.

The Hemperor is a unique new offering. This is the first hemp beer from a brewery as ubiquitous as New Belgium. While this “HPA” or Hemp Pale Ale has the strong flavor of hops, the hemp flavor balances out the bitterness. The smell of The Hemperor has to be experienced to be believed. The private downtown bar where the tasting took place smelled like a hemp field at harvest, just from the open bottles and glasses of beer.

https://youtu.be/ZKqUX7QQlTo

New Belgium are also believers in hemp legalization. One dollar from every bottle sold goes to groups like Hemp 4 Victory.

“It’s a crop that has a lot of stigma in this country and I think this beer could be a catalyst for change,” declared Steve Navas, brand activation manager at New Belgium.

New Belgium is also encouraging beer fans to contact their elected representatives and demand total hemp legalization.

HEMP AND HOPS COME TOGETHER IN THE HEMPEROR

Hemp and hops have a long history of human cultivation but they’ve rarely been combined in a modern beer. Since New Belgium is from Colorado, the heart of modern hemp growing in the U.S. it might be inevitable that they’d decide to mix the two.

“Our brewers met some farmers, got to brewing, and figured out it tastes great in a beer,” Navas said.

Regulations are one issue that may have kept hemp beers from reaching a national market before. As the creators of hemp wine discovered, the government bodies which oversee alcohol licensing and distribution in the U.S. are resistant to ingredients like hemp. Now for sale in 49 states, The Hemperor is still unavailable in Kansas, which has extremely strict laws on hemp products.

New Belgium is lobbying to change those regulations. “Hopefully in the next few months we’ll be able to sell this in that state as well,” Navas said.

Other than that small amount of resistance, he said people greet The Hemperor with excitement.

“People are overall ecstatic about it,” Navas said.

“The beer speaks for itself and it smells for itself,” he added, taking a whiff of the beer’s distinctive aroma in his glass.

OFFICIAL HEMPEROR BEER REVIEW

• Highlights: New Belgium’s The Hemperor HPA has an incredibly rich, herbal hempy aroma but contains absolutely no THC. It has a light golden amber color. The taste of hemp balances out the bitterness of the hops. A portion of the profits from every bottle sold go to hemp legalization causes.
• Price: $18.83 for a six-pack (Amazon)
• Strength: 7% alcohol by volume
• Taste & Aroma: Wow! Powerful green hemp aroma from this pale ale. The hemp adds a nutty, smooth flavor that balances out the hops, especially in comparison to most IPAs. This beer is sweet with a very mild bitter aftertaste.
• Ingredients: Water, ale yeast, wheat (Pale, White Wheat and Midnight Wheat), Hops (Nugget, Cascade, HBC 522 and Simcoe), Hemp hearts and natural flavor

The Hemperor is sourced from Colorado-grown hemp plants. Despite the smell, The Hemperor contains does not contain any THC, the ingredient in marijuana that makes people feel high. It’s also not a source of CBD or any of the other cannabinoids or terpenes found in the cannabis plant, just delicious hemp flavor. Sign up at Hemp 4 Victory to join the efforts of New Belgium and their allies to spread the word about hemp legalization.

The post The Hemperor Beer Review: New Belgium Adds Hemp Flavor & Aroma To Hops appeared first on Ministry of Hemp.

CBD oil is an extract made from industrial hemp which offers numerous benefits for active people. CBD can reduce inflammation and ease muscle soreness and joint stiffness. Thanks to its widespread effects on the endocannabinoid system, CBD can also promote relaxation. With more athletes experimenting with CBD after the World Anti-Doping Authority lifted their ban, CBD protein powder could be an important new product.

ReGen(PCR) from Willpower Products is one of the first CBD-infused protein powders to hit the market. This was one of several unique hemp and CBD products we discovered at the NoCo Hemp Expo this year. Read on to learn more about the benefits of CBD protein powder, and to see our complete review.

EXPLORING THE BENEFITS OF CBD PROTEIN POWDER

Will Carr discovered CBD after struggling to recover from a sports-related injury.

“I’ve been an athlete my whole life,” Carr told us at the NoCo Hemp Expo. “I played basketball in college and I played basketball professionally overseas for a while, so I’ve always used sports nutrition products.”

Last summer, Carr suffered from turf toe, a common but painful sports injury. Turf toe is a sprain to the ligaments around the big toe joint in the foot.

“I’d been taking ibuprofen for two weeks and it wasn’t helping,” Carr said. “I took CBD and within 30 minutes my toe didn’t hurt anymore.”

He recalled his surprise at the supplement’s effectiveness at treating pain. “What in the world is this? Why have I never heard of this before?”

Other athletes have used CBD to reduce their use of steroid injections and other painkillers after injuries. Even without an injury, workouts can leave people stiff and sore both immediately afterward and the next day. CBD has been shown to reduce pain and inflammation without being addictive.

Carr believes athletes and anyone living an active lifestyle should take CBD every day:

“CBD is great in sports nutrition and being active for muscle recovery, joint health, any kind of anti-inflammation. It’s great to help you feel better overall. When you’re taking CBD every day, you really do feel good. You recover faster, your body feels good. It’s a natural fit to put CBD into sports nutrition products.”

REGEN(PCR) CBD PROTEIN POWDER OFFERS LATEST IN SPORTS NUTRITION PLUS HEMP

Carr’s injury eventually led to the development of his CBD protein powder. The PCR in ReGen(PCR) stands for PhytoCannabinoid Rich, because this supplement includes full spectrum hemp. We typically recommend “whole plant” or “full spectrum” extract for the added benefits it offers over CBD alone.

He believes ReGen(PCR) is a winning combination of hemp and sports nutrition knowledge.

“It’s the perfect concoction if you live an active healthy lifestyle,” Carr said of his CBD protein powder. “You’re able to get that recovery and just feel good and be able to live your life, be able to be healthy, active and happy.”

Carr marked the launch of his new product by partnering with Apollo Flight Labs, who wowed the Expo crowds with an actual jetpack.

https://youtu.be/7CtpPxxvSZg

In addition to whey protein and hemp extract, Carr’s ReGen(PCR) also includes Branch Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs). The latest sports medicine research suggests BCAAs can help reduce reduce fatigue during exercise and soreness after a workout.

“BCAA is great for healing and repairing muscle fibers in your body.” Carr said. “They’re huge in the sports nutrition world for muscle health and recovery.”

Willpower: ReGen(PCR) Protein Powder Official Review

• Highlights: ReGen(PCR) Protein Powder – Vanilla has a smooth texture that blends easily into soy or nut milk. There is a noticeable medicinal flavor from hemp extract and other nutritional additives. With 20 mg of full spectrum hemp, including CBD, ReGen makes a relaxing start to your day. This CBD protein powder also helps reduce inflammation and soreness after workouts.
• Price: $79.99
• Strength: 20 mg of full spectrum hemp/CBD extract per scoop, about 15 servings per container
• Customer Service & Shipping: Fast customer service. Shipping starts at $8.98 for USPS Priority Mail, with faster shipping available for an additional fee.
• Independent Test Results: Online.
• Texture & Taste: This CBD protein powder blends easily into smoothies or other beverages without creating a powdery texture. Though the vanilla flavor is pleasant, it does not completely cover up the taste of the hemp extract and other supplements. Some consumers may also notice the taste of stevia, the natural sweetener used in ReGen(PCR).
• Ingredients: PCR (Phytocannabinoid rich) Hemp Oil Extract, Flax Seed, BCAAs (Branch Chain Amino Acids), Grass Fed Whey Blend (Whey Protein Concentrate, Whey Protein Isolate), Natural Flavor, Xanthan Gum, Sucralose, Stevia RebaudioxideA Leaf Extract

ReGen(PCR) is also available in Cinnamon Cocoa flavor. This product is gluten free. The CBD is made from hemp sourced in Colorado. The current formula uses whey protein (refined from dairy products). Willpower plans to release a vegan formula using hemp protein. If you’re sensitive to the taste of supplements, we recommend blending CBD protein powder in a smoothie with ingredients like bananas, berries or peanut butter to add nutrition and flavor.

Willpower provided a free sample of their CBD protein powder in return for our honest review.

The post CBD Protein Powder Reduces Inflammation & Fatigue After Workouts appeared first on Ministry of Hemp.