Category: General CBD

Think You’re Buying CBD Oil on Amazon? Think Again

Posted on by Sunrise CBD

Are you buying CBD oil on Amazon? If the answer is “yes,” then you’re in for a surprise: You’re not. 

Why do we say that?

First, according to Amazon’s rules, CBD products can’t be sold on Amazon. You read that right:  Amazon doesn’t allow listings for products containing cannabidiol (CBD), including:

  • Full-spectrum hemp oil
  • Rich hemp oil
  • Products that LegitScript has identified as containing CBD.

That’s not unusual: CBD companies can’t advertise or sell CBD products (with the exception, in some cases, of topical products) in many places, including Google, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest. Amazon’s not doing anything different. So why then, when you type in “CBD oil,” do you get hundreds of results? You’ll find products labeled hemp oil, cannabis oil, hemp extract, and even CBD oil. But the products sold on Amazon can’t be CBD oil at all, because Amazon forbids the sale of CBD products on its site. See the problem?

Sellers are touting these products as aids for sleep, pain relief, stress, anxiety, and more, which is stretching the truth at best, and downright dishonest at worst. Here’s the truth: Any CBD oil you buy on Amazon is hemp seed oil. 

Well, what’s wrong with that? The critical ingredient in CBD oil is made from hemp, so it makes sense that CBD oil and hemp oil are the same things, right?

Wrong.

You Can’t Buy Real CBD Oil on Amazon

CBD is made with all parts of the hemp plant, including the flowers. The flowers contain the highest amounts of CBD – and that’s what has the wellness properties most CBD users seek. Hemp seed oil is made just from hemp seeds. Hemp seeds are nutritious, and a great dietary supplement that’s full of omega-3s and essential nutrients, but the seeds contain almost no CBD. So, while hemp seed products might make you feel good, as many superfoods do, if you’re expecting any relief from pain, anxiety, depression, or insomnia, you’re not going to get it except by the placebo effect.

While we’re at it, it’s essential to know the difference between hemp and marijuana. Both marijuana and hemp belong to the same species, Cannabis sativa, but they are two different varieties of the plant.

Cannabis sativa has a lot of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, which is psychoactive. In other words, it’s what makes you “high.” But Cannabis Sativa has more than 500 compounds, among them more than 100 different cannabinoids, including cannabidiol (CBD). To be sold legally, CBD can contain no more than 0.3% THC, an insignificant amount that won’t get you high.

Graphic that illusrtates the difference between hemp CBD and marijuana

Marijuana vs. CBD vs. Hemp Seed Oil

Let’s look at the fundamental differences between marijuana, CBD, and hemp seed oil:

  • Parts of the plant used in manufacturing:
    • Marijuana oil – flowers and leaves of the marijuana plant;
    • CBD oil – flowers and leaves of the hemp plant;
    • Hemp seeds oil – seeds from the hemp plant
  • The Amount of THC:
    • Marijuana oil has more than .3%, up to 35% THC; 
    • CBD has 0.3% or less;
    • Hemp seeds have none at all.
  • The Amount of CBD:
    • Marijuana oil has an average of 10%-15% CBD;
    • CBD oil has 12% or higher;
    • Hemp seed oil has none.
  • The ingredients:
    • Marijuana oil has mostly THC with some CBD and other phytocannabinoids and terpenoids.
    • CBD oil has mostly CBD and BCP (beta-caryophyllene, a terpene), with other smaller-quantity phytocannabinoids and terpenoids.
    • Hemp seed oil has omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, γ-linolenic acid, and nutritious antioxidants.

Where to Buy CBD

When you buy CBD oil, it’s best to buy from a reputable firm that produces high-quality CBD made in the US from organic hemp plants. Get recommendations from family or friends. Do an internet search and pay attention to customer reviews. 

Check the product label. The brand should make it easy to see the label online or should break out the relevant facts: the size of the bottle, the amount of CBD in the bottle, and the amount of CBD per dose. 

An independent third-party lab should test the products for purity and CBD content – and those test results should be easily accessible on the brand’s website. 

A money-back guarantee is a bonus. A brand that will let you return a product if you’re not satisfied will make you comfortable with trying CBD for the first time.

Excellent customer service is also a plus. Be very wary of brands that don’t return messages or respond to complaints. Lousy customer service can be a red flag.

Many Amazon sellers are counting on misinformation and uninformed customers who look for “CBD oil” online. Often, they sell at prices that seem to be too good to be true. That’s because they are. You may pay less, but you get less than what you want or need. In the end, that’s no bargain.

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With Sunrise CBD, you get 100% pure CBD from organic hemp grown legally in Colorado. Our final products are compounded in our lab in California and then sent to a third-party lab for verification. We promise you’ll get consistent quality and 100% pure CBD — and nothing else. See all our products at sunrisecbd.com/shop.

Help! Why is CBD So Expensive?

Posted on by Sunrise CBD

If you are interested in CBD, you may have looked at some products and wondered, “Why is CBD so expensive?” and “Is cheap CBD available?”

It’s certainly not because of a lack of demand. In 2019, 64 million Americans said they had tried CBD in the past 24 months. And it’s not a lack of supply: The range of CBD products is extensive, with everything from CBD oil to gummies to bath bombs pillows vying for consumers’ attention. There’s tea, coffee, skin care products, clothing, sprays, suppositories, edibles, and beverages, with new products coming out every day.

So why are CBD products so expensive, and are there sources of inexpensive CBD out there? We’ll address both those questions.

How Much Does CBD Cost?

If you’ve shopped for CBD products recently, you’ve probably seen a wide range of prices. The cost of CBD oil, for instance, averages between $0.05 to $0.20 per mg of CBD. To put that in perspective, a $140 bottle of CBD oil that contains 1500mg of CBD costs about $.09 per mg. Here’s a CBD oil price comparison for some popular brands.

The costs can add up to a lot of money over 12 months. CBD oil for just you and your pet can be $2,400 a year or more. And don’t forget all the other CBD products that are available aren’t cheap, either: CBD bath bombs can be $10-$30 each, while a CBD-infused pillow sells for $129. A CBD pillow? Seriously? But that’s a topic for another blog.

While the cost may be prohibitive for some, it certainly hasn’t hurt sales: In 2019, CBD sales amounted to about $5 billion; Estimates are that number will rise to $20 billion in the US alone by 2023.

What to Look for When Buying CBD

CBD bottles. How to buy CBD.With CBD, as with many products, you get what you pay for. If you’re buying mystery CBD from an unreputable brand, it may cost less. But it also may be non-organic hemp grown overseas in contaminated soil, and it may lack third-party lab analysis that ensures it’s pure and free from THC, pesticides, heavy metals, residual solvents, and bacteria.

Or – especially if you are shopping on Amazon – you may be buying hemp oil, rather than CBD oil. Hemp oil and CBD oil are not the same things. CBD uses the entire hemp plant, and the result is pure CBD. Hemp oil is usually pressed just from hemp seeds and contains no CBD. 

Here’s what to look for when buying CBD:

Has a third-party lab tested the product?

If the products aren’t lab-tested, there’s no way to ensure there are no harmful chemicals or contaminants in the bottle. You may not be getting the amount of CBD (or THC) listed on the label.

Does the company post the results of the lab tests on its site?

If not, are the reports easy to access somewhere else? If you can’t get the lab results, beware.

How recent is the lab report?

If it’s from five years ago, again, beware.

Has the product been tested in a third-party lab?

A good, reputable lab has accreditation from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

Does the product have .3% THC or less?

If not, it may not be legal in your state. And if there’s too much THC, you may get psychoactive effects that you don’t get with pure CBD.

Where is the hemp sourced?

Hemp can grow in many places, but the growing conditions in the US make it the best place to produce quality hemp.

Are the ingredients all-natural?

Are there additives and hard-to-pronounce ingredients? If so, be sure you know what you’re getting.

What type of CBD is used?

There are three types to consider:

CBD Isolate, which is pure CBD extracted from the hemp plant and isolated from other cannabinoids. The result is pure CBD.

Full-Spectrum CBD is the “kitchen sink CBD.” In other words, it has everything the plant contains, including THC. Because it contains THC, it may not be legal where you live.

Broad Spectrum CBD is a full-spectrum CBD with NO THC.

So, Why is CBD So Expensive?

Hemp farmer examining seeds

When you buy CBD from a reputable supplier, here’s what you’re paying for:

1. The cost to grow hemp

As with any crop, farmers need to pay the costs for land, seed, water, specialized equipment, and labor. They often have to pay high licensing fees to the state. After all that, they need to generate a reasonable margin with their crops to make a profit.

2. The cost to extract CBD

The cannabis plant is the source of CBD. Each plant provides a relatively small amount, so you need a lot of plants to get enough raw material to produce a small amount of CBD oil. The cost to extract the CBD involves time, specialized equipment, and labor. Again, to make a profit, a reasonable margin needs to be realized.

3. The cost to test CBD

Buy a product that is labeled correctly and is free from contaminants. The way to do that is to buy CBD tested by an independent third-party lab. Lab testing incurs another cost.

4. The cost to sell CBD

There are a variety of costs associated with selling any item, and CBD is no different. There are packaging, advertising, and shipping costs to consider. Brick-and-mortar retailers have a lot of overhead, so products are marked up so retailers can make a profit.

As you can calculate from above, the cost to grow, extract, test, and sell CBD can quickly add up. And then there’s:

5. Unscrupulous and greedy sellers

Because CBD sales have exploded, there are sellers out there who are just looking to make a quick buck. Their goal is simply to manufacture the compound and sell it for as much as they can get for it. You don’t know what you’re getting if the hemp is grown and manufactured overseas or lacks third-party testing. The product and have more (or less) THC and CBD than shown on the label, or it may contain contaminants. Be sure to look for a reputable brand that grows its hemp in the US, has third-party testing, and has excellent reviews.

Wait a minute, Is there such a thing as cheap, quality CBD?

Sunrise CBD productsThere is good news: The answer is “Yes,” you can get cheap CBD that’s high quality. Sunrise CBD has the cheapest (we prefer “inexpensive”) CBD oil, as well as other CBD products, anywhere. Our CBD is organic, pure, all-natural, and vegan-friendly. It has no contaminants. We have our products tested by a third-party lab to ensure that you get what it says on the label. That’s important: One study found that of 84 products from 31 companies tested, only about 31% of tested products contained the amount of CBD shown on the label. Almost 43 percent had more CBD than stated, and 26 percent had less. That means some 70% of products did not contain the strength of CBD shown on the label.

Our goal is to have a successful business that also helps people lead better lives. That’s why our focus is on quality and price. How do we do it? First, there’s no fancy packaging, so you’re not paying for that. Second, you can’t buy Sunrise CBD in stores. Our products are available only online. That means there’s no intermediary to drive up prices. Because we ship directly to you, we can sell at prices that are as much as 80% lower than other brands. 

So, if you’re looking for high quality, low-cost CBD, head over to https://sunrisecbd.com/shop/ and check out our prices. Trying our products is risk-free. Your complete satisfaction is our primary mission, so we offer a 100% money-back guarantee. If you’re not happy for any reason, we’ll refund your money. And we’ll even send you a return label via email.

Making the World a Better Place a Drop at a Time

Posted on by Sunrise CBD

Can companies help make the world a better place? Can businesses truly do well and do good at the same time? We think the answer is yes and we’re lucky enough to be able to do just that.

Today, sustainability efforts and corporate responsibility are becoming the norm. In fact, more and more companies are trying to give back because studies show that consumers want that. But for companies like ours, it’s more than just a PR ploy. It’s a belief deeply embedded in our company’s DNA that we all have a responsibility to make the world a better place.

Healing wordsFounder Jim Hefner started our company because he and others in his circle experienced firsthand what cannabidiol (CBD) can do to improve people’s lives. He wanted to share that knowledge and help others in the process. While those of us at Sunrise CBD are all from different walks of life, we are united by that belief – that we can promote the power of healthy living and the healing potential of nature and our own bodies.

Jim recognized what CBD could do for people beset with the aging issues and/or suffering from chronic pain. He believed CBD could do what many other western medicines and big pharma couldn’t: ease many common health issues without being addictive, ineffective or downright harmful.

Jim also realized that many CBD products were out of reach for some people because of the high price. He reasoned that by lowering the price many more people would be able to afford CBD.  They’d be able to afford to get enough of it to truly reap the benefits from this miraculous compound. And for those with chronic pain, the savings could be substantial.

Making the World a Better Place

As it turned out, businesses CAN do good and do well at the same time. Sunrise CBD is helping to make the world a better place, one drop at a time. The more bottles sold, the more good we are doing!

Once Sunrise CBD started taking off, Jim decided the company could do even more. So, he started “Project Sunrise” a give-back initiative for 2020. Each month this year, we have partnered with a different non-profit or coalition that empowers through education, advocacy and charity.  We share a portion of sales each month and help these organizations raise awareness for local and national issues.

You Matter, Not Alone logoThe recipient of the first donation, in January, was You Matter-Not Alone (YMNA), a suicide prevention and awareness non-profit based in California. YMNA’s mission is “to keep children and the community safe, understand mental health and why individuals commit suicide in our society, address various types of bullying and provide interventions to students on how to end behavior, and report it immediately.”

“Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death across America, as young as 10 years old, and the rate continues to be rising” said Donna Quach, founder of YMNA.

The organization’s staff and volunteers travel to schools, churches and military installations. There they educate students, teachers, parents and the community on suicide awareness, bullying prevention and sexual trauma counseling. And they do it all for free.

“We decided to start with YMNA because they are of great service to the community, especially those at the greatest risk of suicide, veterans, teens and the elderly” Jim explained.

American Cancer Society logoFor February, Sunrise CBD has teamed up with the American Cancer Society, whose mission is to free the world from cancer. A portion of every order in February went to the organization, which focuses on preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy, and service.

World Vision logoThis month we’re helping a friend who is running the L.A. Marathon and raising money for World Vision. World Vision is an organization that works around the world to help raise people out of poverty. The group has also provided access to clean water for 3.3 million people! We believe all people should have access to clean water, and we’re proud to support this worthy cause.

At Sunrise CBD we’re proud of what we do and are gratified that we can help others. We know that not everyone is fortunate enough to be able to do that, so, thanks to our customers for helping us do what we can to make the world a better place one drop of CBD oil at a time.

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Sunrise CBD products are made from 100% pure CBD from organic hemp grown legally in Colorado.  We offer our product at 50%-80% less than our competitors because we ship directly to your home. Learn more at sunrisecbd.com.

 

What’s the big deal about third-party testing of CBD?

Posted on by Sunrise CBD

You may have seen some CBD products that show on the label that they have been tested by an “independent, third-party lab.” Did you wonder “What’s the big deal about third-party testing of CBD? Aren’t all CBD products tested for quality?”

The short answer is no. The longer answer is that as CBD sales boom and as many people discover the benefits of this natural plant extract, more people want to cash in. But CBD is not yet regulated by the FDA, and unscrupulous merchants sell inferior products simply because they can. They can put a pretty label on their products and make any claims they want because there’s no professional, legal or regulatory oversight. So, several things can happen:

  1. The hemp plants might be grown in a place where the ground contains heavy metals and foreign substances.
  2. There may be less or more CBD than listed on the label. That means you may not get the results you’re looking for because you’re not getting the amount of CBD you think you are.
  3. There may be more than the allowable amount of THC than indicated on the label. That will affect the way you feel and may cause you to fail a drug test.
  4. Finally, there may be harmful chemicals or contaminants present in the product.

The FDA Doesn’t Regulate CBD

The FDA has taken some steps to prevent companies from producing and selling low-quality or deceptive products and making false claims. However, so far, there’s no nationwide FDA standards for CBD, so it’s up to the industry to regulate itself. Unfortunately, not everyone will do that. In fact, one study found that of 84 products from 31 companies tested, only about 31% of tested products contained the amount of CBD shown on the label. Almost 43 percent had more CBD than stated and 26 percent had less. That means some 70% of products do not contain the strength of CBD shown on the label.

In another case, an NBC affiliate in Miami bought 35 CBD products from seven different companies and had them tested. The results? Twenty of the samples had less than half of the amount of CBD advertised on the label. Some samples had no CBD at all.

And Fox LA teamed up with Doctor Oz to test more than a dozen CBD products purchased locally. They found one product was contaminated with a deadly strain of E. Coli bacteria. In addition,  two samples contained potentially dangerous levels of ethanol and five samples had no detectable traces of CBD. Only one of the products actually contained what was claimed in its label. Some gel capsules had almost 3 milligrams of THC per capsule – enough to get an adult high.

Third-Party Testing of CBD is Important

So, what’s a consumer to do? Buy only products tested by an independent, third-party lab; it’s the only way to really know what’s you’re getting in that bottle of CBD oil or those CBD capsules. An independent, third-party lab is used so that the product can be tested and certified by a neutral, unbiased source. The labs can test cannabinoid levels (CBD and THC), and look for traces of heavy metals, pesticides, and solvents that could be dangerous to your health.

A Lab test for Sunrise CBD
Example of a lab test report for Sunrise CBD.

Trustworthy, quality CBD manufacturers want you to know what you’re buying, and they’ll not only have their products tested by a third party, which adds to their costs, they’ll also provide the lab results on their website where they can be easily seen.

So, To sum it all up, here’s what you should look for when you buy CBD products:

Tested

Look for the results from an independent, third-party lab.

Organically grown

Look for a product that contains organically grown hemp, when buying CBD. It should come from the United States, especially Colorado, which is where many believe the best hemp is produced. When you buy in the US, you know you are buying a product that’s been manufactured using good manufacturing practices.

No THC

The industry and legal standard for CBD products labeled “THC-free” is that the product contains less than 0.3% THC by weight, or up to 3 parts of THC for every thousand parts of oil by weight. Make sure the product you buy is less that 0.3% THC by weight.

The amount of CBD

Consider the concentration of CBD in the bottle. If you get a 300mg bottle of CBD oil that holds 4 oz., you’re getting about 75mg per ounce, which is less than the amount you need to realize any benefits. Or, look at the servings. A 300mg, 1 oz., bottle, with 60 servings has only about 5mg of CBD. We recommend a minimum of 25mg per day to start, so you can see 5mg isn’t enough to get the most benefit from the product. A higher concentration may cost more, but you’ll be using less.

Sunrise CBD uses hemp organically grown in Colorado and is lab-tested by an outside third-party that verifies the content of each batch, so we can guarantee the products you receive are free of contaminants such as pesticides, heavy metals, residual solvents, and bacteria, and contain no THC. Test results can be found under our main menu, as well as on every product page. You can shop for our products at sunrisecbd.com/shop.

What to look for when buying CBD

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How Much CBD to Take For Pain Relief

Posted on by Sunrise CBD

CBD has many uses and is beneficial for many conditions, including pain. If you have chronic pain and are considering CBD, the first thing you’ll probably wonder is how much CBD to take for pain relief.

The answer isn’t simple. The FDA doesn’t regulate CBD products, so there are no government guidelines for dosing. Everyone’s body handles cannabidiol differently. And there are several factors to consider when determining a CBD dosage.

The most effective dose varies from person to person and depends on factors such as body type, body weight, CBD tolerance, and the consumer’s level of pain or discomfort.

Another factor is the CBD quality. One study found that only about 1/3 of tested products contained the amount of CBD shown on the label. Almost 43 percent had more CBD than promised and 26 percent had less. That means there’s a one in four chance you’re not getting the strength of CBD that you think you are.

Purity and concentration are also factors. The product should be made from 100% pure CBD, and the label should also show how much CBD there is per mg. Reputable brands, such as Sunrise CBD, have their CBD tested by a third-party independent lab, and the results are posted on the website. That way you can be sure you’re getting the amount of CBD on the label and that the product is free from THC, contaminants, and other harmful substances.

How You Take the CBD Makes a Difference

Different ways to take CBD

When determining a dosage, consider how you’ll take the CBD. Consider what kind of pain you’re targeting. If it’s localized, try a cream or lotion. Our customers have reported relief from back and muscle pain using our 1,500 mg CBD cream. Simply rub it on the affected area as needed. Keep a container in your gym bag for after-workout pain relief and recovery.  

If your pain can’t be reached by a topical, try taking CBD orally. Vaping or dabbing CBD isolate powder is the quickest way to get relief, but that requires extra equipment. Also, some people prefer not to take any smoke into their lungs.

The best bet is oral CBD oil. Place the drops under your tongue and hold it for 15-20 seconds. You should feel some relief within 90 minutes. If you don’t feel the pain subsiding, try a slightly higher dose. 

If you are looking for a daily maintenance dose of CBD or you don’t like the taste of the oil, try capsules. They’re pre-measured, so you know exactly the amount of CBD you are getting every time. They don’t reach your system as quickly as a CBD oil, but are a convenient way to maintain a consistent dose of CBD. The CBD is released more slowly so the effects last a little longer. 

No matter what method you choose, the key is to start with a low dose and slowly increase it until you get the relief you’re looking for. Monitor your intake and keep track of your pain level to determine the best dose for you.

How Much CBD To Take For Pain Relief 

Again, there’s no standard dose for CBD products. Everyone’s experience is different.

Clinical trials have prescribed CBD doses up to 1,200 mg daily for months without observing any serious side effects. And a US Government patent concludes that “No signs of toxicity or serious side effects have been observed following chronic administration of cannabidiol to healthy volunteers … even in large acute doses of 700 mg/day.”

So, even at high doses, you shouldn’t experience any negative side effects from CBD. Says Dustin Sulak D.O., director of Integr8 Health with offices in Maine and Massachusetts: “Start low, go slow, and don’t be afraid to go all the way!”

For pain, we recommend starting with 50mg of CBD once a day

Dosage guidelines

 

The amount of CBD in Sunrise products:

CBD Oil

  • High Potency, 1,500mg – 25mg CBD per dose.
  • Max potency, 3,000 mg – 50mg CBD per dose.

Buy CBD Oil

CBD Capsules

  • Regular strength, 1,000mg – 16.7mg CBD per capsule.
  • High potency, 3,000mg – 50mg CBD per capsule.
  • Max potency, 6,000 mg – 100 mg per capsule.

Buy CBD Capsules

CBD Cream

2 oz. container contains 1,500mg CBD

Buy CBD Cream

CBD Isolate Powder

1g container contains 1,000mg CBD

Buy CBD Isolate Powder

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Sunrise CBD is conscious CBD crafted for wellness. We ship direct to your home, so we cut out the middleman and can offer our products at up to 80% off other brands’ prices. Check out our shop and see for yourself! https://sunrisecbd.com/shop/

 

Can I Carry CBD On a Plane?

Posted on by Sunrise CBD

Until Memorial Day Weekend, the legality of carrying CBD on a flight was a gray area.  When the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (The Farm Bill) was passed, it took hemp-derived CBD products off the Schedule 1 Controlled Substances list. But the Transportation Security Administration continued to follow its own rules – as people found out when they tried to take what they thought was a legal substance on a flight.

According to one report, confiscation of the oil by TSA agent “skyrocketed” this year at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport. There, among other cases, a 71-year-old woman was jailed for possession CBD oil she said she used for pain. 

Attorney Jonathan Miller said the federal farm bill signed into law last year makes it legal for people to transport CBD products made from hemp.

“Federal law is very clear. And when a Customs official pulls someone over for this, he or she is acting in the wrong,” Miller said.

New TSA Language about CBD

But then, quietly, over Memorial Day Weekend, the wording regarding CBD on the TSA website (TSA.gov) changed.

TSA.gov CBD rules

So, is it legal to carry hemp-derived CBD on a plane? Technically yes. Will you be able to? Maybe, maybe not.

Here’s the thing: Many people don’t understand the difference between hemp-derived CBD other CBD products. Hemp-based CBD has no THC, the psychoactive substance that gets user high. Non-hemp-derived CBD can contain THC. Hemp-derived CBD is legal at the federal level; CBD with THC isn’t. In fact, some of the field tests used to detect drugs can’t even tell the difference between weed and CBD. And if the tests can’t, how can your friendly TSA officer? The final decision, as the new wording says, “rests with the TSA officer on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint.” Face it: When in doubt, sometimes it’s easier on the part of TSA agent to just say “no” and worry about the rest later.

Hemp labelTo be safe, it might be a good idea to call the airport before you go and ask about their CBD policies. And make sure your CBD is clearly labeled that it’s made from hemp with no THC to prevent any issues with the authorities. The bottom line is until everyone’s on the same page on the subject, there are no guarantees your CBD will make it on the plane with you.

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Sunrise CBD is conscious CBD crafted for wellness. We ship direct to your home, so we cut out the middleman and can offer our products at up to 80% off other brands’ prices. Check out our shop and see for yourself! 

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Hemp’s not just great for CBD, it’s great for the planet.

Posted on by Sunrise CBD

When the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (AKA “The Farm Bill”) was passed last December, hemp was removed from the Controlled Substances Act. While the 2014 Farm Bill allowed industrial farmers to start growing hemp if made legal at the state level, the 2018 Farm Bill meant it was no longer an illegal substance at the federal level. This paved the way for CBD products and the hoopla surrounding that kept hemp itself somewhere in the shadows. Sure, this versatile plant is important in CBD production, but it’s so much more. And it’s great for the planet!

Hemp: Something Old is New Again

Hemp is nothing new. Evidence of hemp rope was found via an imprint in broken Chinese pottery from about 10,000 B.C. A remnant of hemp cloth dating back to 8,000 B.C. was found by archaeologists in ancient Mesopotamia (now Iran and Iraq). Up until the cotton gin was invented, hemp was the most popular fiber for textiles. In fact, the first American Flag, sewn by Betsy Ross, was made of hemp, as were the covers of the Conestoga wagons that brought American West.

Hemp had many other uses as well. The Chinese used hemp to make durable bow strings and paper. In the Middle Ages, hemp was used to make sails for ships. In fact, the word “canvas” comes from “cannabis” and means “made from hemp.”

So hemp has a strong place in history, but the modern era stigmatized hemp because of its relation to marijuana (hemp and marijuana are both members of the cannabis family), ignoring its historical uses and its promise as a sustainable crop that can be made into fiber, building materials, plastic, rope, paper, jewelry and biofuels – there are some 25,000 products made with hemp. And in addition, hemp aids in water and soil purification.

The Sustainability of Hemp

Hemp shows great promise for a sustainable crop, a crop that is grown in an ecologically mindful way, with a focus on soil health and biodiversity rather than using chemicals.

According to Sana Packaging, which produces hemp-based plastic packaging for the cannabis industry, hemp has great promise. On the company’s website it says, “The domestic hemp industry is growing over 30% per year and has the potential to reinvigorate economically stifled agricultural communities all across the United States. With its rapid growth cycle, hardiness, and versatility, hemp provides maximum benefit with minimal impact on the environment.”

Hemp is also a great crop for producing durable textiles. When compared with cotton, for instance, hemp is a far more sustainable crop:

(Click infographic to enlarge)

Hemp v. cotton sustainability infographic

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Hemp can also be used to make paper. One acre of hemp can produce 4 times more paper than one acre of trees, and hemp is ready for harvest after just four months, vs. 20-50 years for trees. Hemp breathes in 4x the carbon dioxide (CO2) of trees during its growing cycle, requires no chlorine bleach and hemp paper can be recycled up to 7 to 8 times, compared with 3 times for wood pulp paper.

(Click infographic to enlarge)

Hemp v. wood sustainability infographic

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Hemp’s Great for the Planet

Hemp aids in water and soil purification. It was used in Chernobyl in the 1990s because of its ability to extract heavy metals from contaminated land. In Italy, farmers planted industrial hemp to leach heavy metals from the soil contaminated by a nearby steel plant.

The process is known as phytoremediation. In phytoremediation contaminants are absorbed by living plants, in this case hemp, which removes heavy metals, particularly copper, cadmium and nickel from contaminated soils.

Some other ways hemps is great for the planet:

Health benefits of Hemp

Of course, hemp isn’t just great for the planet: It has health benefits, too. Another product that comes from hemp is hemp seeds. Hemp seeds are considered a superfood because they are rich in protein, fiber, and healthful fatty acids. More than 25% of their total calories are from high-quality protein, so hemp seeds are a great protein source. They contain vitamin E, magnesium, phosphorous, and potassium, as well as iron, zinc and B vitamins.

Hemp oil is a seed oil that contains no CBD, which is also derived from the hemp plant.

CBD oil on the other hand, is also derived from the hemp plant. It is extracted from the entire hemp plant for a compound that is 99+% pure CBD. While derived from a plant from the same family as marijuana, CBD has zero THC, so it doesn’t have the psychoactive properties of pot.

What is does have is the cannabinoid that assist in providing relief for a number of ailments from acne to rheumatoid arthritis. It has been approved as a treatment for a rare type of epilepsy, but otherwise is not regulated by the FDA. However, CBD is safe, effective and non-habit forming, so it’s an excellent alternative to prescription medication. Check out “CBD 101” for everything you need to know about CBD.

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What is CBD?

Posted on by Sunrise CBD

CBD has been a hot topic lately because so many people have reported the compound provides therapeutic relief from everything from chronic pain to acne. There have been dozens of news articles and television segments. By now, almost everyone has heard of it:  But just what is CBD?

Flowering hemp plant

Most CBD (cannabidiol) comes from the agricultural hemp plant, a fast-growing member of flowering plants in the family Cannabaceae. Marijuana belongs to the same family of plants. While marijuana and hemp are similar in many ways, they differ in their phytochemical composition. Hemp has lower concentrations of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, which is the psychoactive compound in marijuana that gets you “high.” It has higher concentrations of CBD, which doesn’t produce the “high” of marijuana. CBD was first discovered in 1940, and is the second-most prevalent of about 113 identified cannabinoids in cannabis plants.

It’s important to note that CBD is NOT the same as marijuana and CBD from hemp is legal in all 50 states, while CBD from marijuana is not.

Hemp Oil v. CBD Oil

You may see hemp oil sold online and in stores, but hemp oil and CBD oil are not the same. While hemp oil is high in omegas, vitamins, and other nutrients, hemp oil is usually pressed from hemp seeds and contains no CBD. Our CBD is extracted from the entire hemp plant. We eventually end up with a compound that is 99+% pure CBD.

Because CBD is not yet regulated by the FDA, be sure to buy your CBD products from a reputable seller. Unscrupulous merchants will market CBD products with far less CBD (and sometimes more than 0.3% THC) than listed on the label. If the products aren’t tested in a lab there can be harmful chemicals and/or contaminants present. Sunrise CBD products are 100% pure and third-party lab tested so you can be sure there are no pesticides, heavy metals, residual solvents, and bacteria present, and the product is always THC-free.