Frequently Asked Questions
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Are the products legal?
Federal legislation has removed hemp from the state’s controlled substances list and exempted industrial hemp from the statutory definition of marijuana if it is grown within specific regulations. The 2014 US Farm Bill (“the Farm Bill”) contains Section 7606, called the “Legitimacy of Industrial Hemp Research.” In this section, Congress legalized Hemp by carving out an exception to the Control Substances Act of 1970‘s definition of “cannabis” for what it terms “Industrial Hemp.” Industrial Hemp is defined as “the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of such plant, whether growing or not, with a [THC] concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.
The Revised 2018 Farm Bill went several steps further and legalized the production of hemp as an agricultural commodity while removing it from the list of controlled substances. The 2018 bill also listed hemp as a covered commodity under crop insurance and directed the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation board to streamline the process for developing hemp policies.The Industrial Hemp contained in the products which will be sold in Pure Therapy stores will come from states that allow Hemp to be grown in compliance with the 2014 Farm Bill Act.
What is the difference between Hemp plant and cannabis plant?
CBD (Cannabidiol) is a natural compound found in Industrial Hemp. CBD is legal and non-psychoactive. It has the ability to offer therapeutic effects and benefits without the psychoactive component that gives the disconcerting feelings of lethargy or dysphoria. Cannabis plants are separated into two different types of crops, known as hemp and marijuana. These two plants differ in their cannabinoid ratios, but come from the same plant species Cannabis Sativa. Although they are both cannabis plants, hemp and marijuana differ notably in their genetic makeup and are cultivated and harvested in different ways. CBD is found in varying levels in both plant varieties. The plant commonly referred to as marijuana contains higher amounts of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive compound responsible for getting you “high”. Hemp, on the other hand, contains only trace quantities of THC and much higher quantities of CBD. The compound holds a vast array of potential therapeutic and medicinal benefits without toxicity.
What is the Endocannabinoid System?
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a collection of cell receptors and the corresponding molecules (agonists) in the human body. This system helps to regulate sleep, appetite, immune function, pleasure, pain, memory and temperature regulation. When the ECS is in balance, one experiences homeostasis. As researchers learned more about the ECS, they discovered that it was a vital component in maintaining the body’s homeostasis, which is the ideal balance between interdependent elements in the body.
The ECS uses chemical compounds called cannabinoids as its “messengers” to help different bodily systems communicate and function correctly. There are two types of cannabinoids: Endocannabinoids, which are produced naturally by your body and include 2-AG and anandamide; and Cannabinoids that originate outside the body and are found in the hemp plant.
Endocannabinoids like CBD help bring balance to the systems of the body, and when they are replenished, homeostasis and well-being are restored. The wondrous hemp plant, rich with phytocannabinoids, is helping millions of people.
What are phytocannabinoids?
Phytocannabinoids (CBD)are natural chemical compounds found in the stalk, seed, and flowers of hemp plants. Scientists have so far identified over 100 different cannabinoids. When a person consumes these compounds interact with your body’s endocannabinoid system, eliciting a variety of effects.
Dating back to the ancient civilizations, it was some of the first people on earth who discovered and identified the differences between hemp and began using cannabidiol for various purposes. Archaeologists believe the plant species “Cannabis Sativa,” dates back 10,000 years ago and was likely one of the first crops planted by early man. These people also identified that hemp seeds have high levels of protein, vitamins, and essential fatty amino acids. During this period, hemp seeds were used so frequently that they became essential to human civilization. Hemp has long been grown for a variety of purposes: its seeds can be used to produce food and cosmetics, and its stalks are found in products ranging from construction materials to clothing to biofuels.
As one of the many useful compounds in the hemp plant, CBD has been used to treat ailments for millennia. However, the individual compounds in cannabis remained unidentified until Dr. Raphael Mechoulam revealed the structure of THC and CBD in the early 1960s. In the 1980’s, President Ronald Reagan poured tens of millions of dollars into a study to prove that cannabis damages the human brain. But rather than showing how cannabis harms the brain, the Reagan administration ended up subsidizing a series of studies that culminated in the discovery of the endocannabinoid system, expanding our understanding of how cannabinoids interact with the human body.
What is the Entourage Effect?
The Entourage Effect: Compounds Working Together
Some researchers believe that cannabis is more therapeutically beneficial when all the compounds found in the plant — including its a wide range of cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids — are administered together. The theory known as the entourage effect suggests that all of the various chemical compounds in cannabis interact and work together synergistically to produce therapeutic benefits and regulatory effects.
How do I take the phytocannabinoids?
If you have read about CBD oil in depth, you must be aware of the fact that it is available in different forms. You can ingest it as oil, capsules, tincture or using CBD flower. Each individual’s body is different and hence, responds differently to these products. What is recommended is for each individual to try and figure out what suits them the best. However, experts have observed that most people start with drops since the serving size is easy to determine. Gradually, they move on to other products.
The amount that will be effective ranges from as less as a few drops of CBD oil to a dropper full or more. If you are a beginner, you should start with a small amount. Most people start with a lower amounts and take it multiple times throughout the day as compared to a bigger amount once a day. Use the same amount for a few days, and observe its effect on you. However, keep it in mind that you should not take too much. A large amount of CBD can cause things like stomach cramps, and not better. “Less is more” is more than often the case. With continuous practice and some patience, you will realize the amount that works optimally for you.
Are there any side effects?
CBD is generally well tolerated. Researcher are still examining the potential side effects. Patients that are taking other medications should consult with their physician about drug interactions. Anyone consuming a large amount of CBD should be monitored by their doctor. To date, there has been no casualty that has been reported due to CBD overdose. However, there have been studies that demonstrated some inhibition with the cytochrome P450 system which may affect the metabolism of some medications. It is important that you consult your physician prior to taking the oil.
How should I take the drops?
If you are using the drops, you should try taking them by dripping the required number of drops into the spoon. Then, you should put the liquid right under your tongue for approximately 90 seconds and then swallow. If you wish to take your drops with a drink, you could do that too.
Can I get addicted to the oil?
In cannabis, THC is the compound that gives one the feeling of being “high”. The component THC, in CBD Oil is so negligible that no one has ever reported feeling high after consuming CBD Oil. Since, there is no psychoactive compound that is present in CBD Oil, the possibility of getting addicted very low. One could get hooked to all the relief the medicinal properties endow you with, but that’s about it.
When comparing products and pricing, how do I decide?
At Pure Therapy, we feel that the oil is only as good as the hemp that it comes from. Our oils are sourced from select farms that follow organic practices. Quality CBD oil products are going to follow the national trend when it comes to pricing. There are a lot of companies that are selling hemp seed oil which can leave you to think that it is CBD oil which it is not. CBD oil products should clearly outline how much CBD it has in the bottle or a concentration (mg/ml) that it will have in one dropper. There will also be a 20% or less variation in the amount of CBD in each bottle which is quite common which I have seen with even the best manufacturers through the independent third party testing. When shopping for CBD, it is best to compare total amount of CBD in the bottle. For example, if your are comparing 1500 mg/30 ml bottle of CBD compare it to another brand's 1500 mg/30 ml bottle. You will find that a 500 mg/ 30 ml bottle are much less expensive, however, it will not last as long. For example, if you take 10 mg a day of CBD oil. The 500 mg/ 30 ml product will last about 50 days and the 1500 mg/30 ml bottle may last about 150 days. In the long run you end up paying less for the higher strength with one bottle versus paying for three bottles of the lower strength.
Another tip is you may find a product that has a lower price but it maybe hemp oil that has little or no CBD at all. Just because it is hemp oil does not necessarily means it contains CBD.
A lot of companies have COAs from the manufacturer and do not perform independent testing because it can be very expensive. At Pure Therapy, our products are tested by a lab we have chosen as an additional layer of verification. We prefer to do so, because we have found that products can also be different from the testing from the manufacturer.