We all know by now that cannabis has a slew of medicinal and therapeutic benefits. It’s anti-anxiety, anti-pain, immune-modulating, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory.

That’s a pretty impressive laundry list given the times.

Still, the first line of defense against the scourge that is COVID-19 is avoiding lung irritation. So smart cannabis consumption during COVID-19 could mean no more passing the kouchie by the left-hand (or any other) side.

At least for now.

The Problem with Smoking and E-Cigarettes

It should come as no surprise that any inhaled substance can affect the respiratory system.

Smoke of any kind can cause lung irritation and microscopic injury to the pulmonary epithelium. These tiny cells line most of the respiratory tract and you want them operating effectively. Well, only if you want to breathe.

You may be thinking, “Well, smoking weed is not as bad as smoking cigarettes. And people are still doing that.” But here’s the thing. Cannabis inhalations tend to be about 66% larger in puff volume than tobacco. Plus, the inhaled volume is around 33% more. And let’s not forget that cannabis smokers hold their breath three to four times longer than tobacco smokers. So there’s that.

E-cigarettes aren’t much better though. Exposing lung tissue to such vape aerosols can increase the release of inflammatory compounds. This creates strain on the lung tissue by forcing it to go into overdrive and mount an immune response.

Then, of course, there’s the coughing that comes with inhaling any product. And dispersing COVID-19 pathogens into the air through coughing is something we ALL want to avoid.

Vaping with a Flower Vaporizer

If you’re finding the notion of giving up inhaling too terrifying right now, but want to challenge your lungs as little as possible, then your best bet is to use a flower vaporizer.

You’ll want to keep the following common-sense harm reduction methods in mind:

• Vaporize outside and away from other people
• Wash your hands before and after each use
• Take small “sips” of vapor for more control and less coughing
• Between inhalations, sterilize the mouthpiece with an alcohol swab
• Keep the temperature as low as possible

This last point is critical.

The key to a healthier draw is temperature control. The lower the temperature, the less likely you are to damage fragile lung tissue. Vaporization occurs in the 350-400 degree range. (By contrast, a joint burns at around 950 degrees.)

The ideal temperature to get the most benefit of the flower with the least risk to your lungs is 390 degrees. So if you don’t have a vaporizer with temperature control technology, it’s definitely worth the investment to get one now.

Consider Oral Forms of Cannabis

This is a time of uncertainty. Many of us fear for our own health or the health of a loved one. Particularly if you or a loved one has underlying health conditions and/or is working on the front line.

We want something to ease our anxiety and give us peace. Cannabis does just that. It interacts with GABA receptors in our brain by reducing that fight-or-flight response many of us currently experience as a constant.

In other words, it tells our body to power down and relax.

But if you’re now feeling apprehensive about inhaling cannabis (not sorry), then consider exploring oral forms of cannabis instead. There are a wide variety of options including capsules, tinctures, edibles, and drinkables.

If you’re new to this world, you’ll need some time for experimentation. But seriously, do you have somewhere else you need to be right now?

Begin with a dosage of 5 mg and work your way up from there. Just keep in mind that ingesting can take an hour or two before you start to feel the full effects. So start low and go slowly. And time your dosing accordingly.

Try CBD As Well

Finally, don’t forget about CBD – THC’s straight laced sibling.

Though it’s not psychoactive and won’t get you high, it can be a powerful anti-inflammatory. And since chronic inflammation plays a key role in all diseases, keeping it at a low is crucial for reducing symptoms.

In addition, CBD has antiviral and antibacterial properties. It has also been shown to reduce stress and anxiety and help users relax. At this stage of the game, anything that reduces inflammation or stress in your body and mind benefits your immune system.

And a strong immune system is everything right now.

Smart Cannabis Consumption During COVID-19 Is Essential

Whether you’re using cannabis to relieve pain, keep calm, sleep, or even to get motivated, it can be a therapeutic component of your self-care regimen.

Just remember that smart cannabis consumption during COVID-19 includes that which takes your health and the health of others into consideration.

So keep calm and carry on consuming.

And for the latest on COVID-19 and how it pertains to the cannabis industry, keep checking back with us.

The post Smart Cannabis Consumption During COVID-19 appeared first on GROW Cannabis Marketing.

After all, there are all sorts of online and offline tactics marketers can employ to promote CBD-based or hemp-based businesses, right?

Well, yes and no.

There Are Certain Challenges for Branding CBD Oil

Even though hemp is now legal in most of the United States, it will still be heavily regulated. That’s because it continues to get a bad rap.

You can thank the “war on drugs” that started in the Nixon-era. And here’s the irony:

There is mounting evidence that CBD oil has major and discernible benefits for a wide variety of diseases. This makes it a highly viable product with a huge potential market.

But thanks to Nixon’s legacy that was reignited with jackhammer enthusiasm during the Reagan-era, there’s a cultural bias against hemp or anything that smacks of drugs.

So what’s a CBD oil business to do to market itself? Well, we’ve got a few tips for navigating the challenges.

1. Know the Rules of Social Media

Then be sure that your CBD brand has a social media presence.

Although marijuana and to some extent CBD (by proxy) are taboo on Facebook, Google, and YouTube, there’s no rule that says that CBD brands can’t have a social media presence.

Just as in so many other areas of life, you need only know how to play the game.

It’s totally kosher to run generic ads, as long as the copy and images don’t actually reference CBD or, and this a big one, its ability treat anything. That’s a big old no-no.

So if you’re attempting to brand your CBD products, you have to instead develop the brand story around a targeted audience and share relevant information with them.

Which brings us to our next tip.

2. Embrace Content Marketing

As we mentioned above, there is cultural bias against hemp. And that’s because there’s just not enough meaty information out there on it or CBD products.

This is what makes content marketing essential for your CBD company.

You need to build authority and legitimacy with your target audience. So start with a blog that’s chock full of educational and interesting information.

Also, invest in educating consumers on your product. Create infographics for your website. Write a complete guide on CBD. Show potential customers that they can rely on you.

People who are interested in trying CBD have a lot of questions. They’re more likely to buy product from those whom they perceive as experts in the field.

Speaking of having questions…

3. Have a Physical Location

We’re not talking about dropping a bunch of capital into J.T.’s CBD Emporium.

But if you’re running your CBD business solely via the internet, you’ll be able to accelerate and fill the funnel a lot more quickly if you have a physical location where customers can buy your product.

And, even more importantly, where the customers in tip #2 above can have their questions answered.

If possible, find a reputable and professional business that is willing to sell your CBD oil. For example, a doctor’s office, addiction clinic or pharmacy are good places to start.

Don’t forget about pet stores too. CBD for pets is a burgeoning market and pet owners will, once again, have a lot of questions.

4. Behold, the Power of Email Marketing

A killer content marketing strategy and informative blog are crucial.

But once you have readers, you ultimately want to get them on your email list. This is where you may want to offer lead magnets to site visitors in exchange for their email address.

What’s a lead magnet?

It’s just a fancy way of saying “an incentive.”

For example, offer a PDF that explains the secrets to beating post workout pain if they’re willing to give you some contact information. (Again, just be sure to not directly mention CBD or hint around that it treats anything.)

In addition, consider developing a regular CBD education-focused e-newsletter you can send to their inbox each month. It’ll drive curious consumers to your website.

5. Get Some Influencers

Back in the social media realm, some CBD oil businesses are utilizing influencers to market their product.

Rather than just looking at the number of followers an influencer has, it’s really important to consider who your influencers are and what they do.

For instance, a 21-year-old fashionista with 100,000 followers may not really speak to the audience you’re attempting to find.

So stick with influencers who are relevant to the CBD oil industry. Athletes, wellness experts, and even yoga and fitness instructors fit the bill.

Marketing CBD Oil Just Requires a Little Creativity

Because of pre-conceived notions and legal grey areas, branding CBD oil can be a little tricky.

But with cannabis marketing experts at the helm, you can be sure your brand will make a name for itself.

So contact us today. We know how to work around all the legalities to keep your brand in the limelight… and out of trouble.

The post Effective Ways for Branding CBD Oil appeared first on GROW Cannabis Marketing.

When it comes to conditions like these, veterinarians don’t have a wide variety of drugs available to treat them. And among those they do prescribe, there can be awful side effects like lethargy and weight gain.

In the last few years though, people have turned to CBD for pets. And there are a variety of products that could potentially treat your pet’s pain, anxiety or seizure disorder.

Anecdotally speaking, it appears to be working. And the folks at Urban Roots Hemp Company can verify this.

With their effective CBD products, they’ve seen animals’ behavior change, leading to a dramatic increase in quality of life. Especially for dogs.

What Is the Urban Roots Hemp Company?

Urban Roots is a local Michigan hemp company that’s been operating since 2017.

Their production and manufacturing team have an extensive background working with cannabis with their expertise covering growing, extraction, and product creation.

There is a lot of scammers in the CBD for pets arena. Companies are putting minimum amounts of CBD in products and the dosing is not nearly high enough to be effective in most animals.

But your pet can’t very well tell you that he or she is feeling better. And these companies know that.

In many cases, the CBD “treats” are so lacking in CBD that it would require larger breed dogs to scarf down 5-8 cookies every day just to start to get an effective dose. That’s hardly a healthy diet plan.

Concerned about these scammers in CBD marketplace, Urban Roots Hemp Company set out to create a source for products that are guaranteed to be effectively dosed, while remaining reasonably priced.

And they’ve done just that.

Where CBD Comes into Play

Along with THC, CBD is a cannabinoid believed to have many therapeutic properties. But unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), it has no psychoactive components, so users don’t get “high.”

This is an important distinction when it comes to treating your pets. Because even though they possess the same endocannabinoid system (ECS) as humans, THC is counter indicated for pets and can be dangerous.

Not the case with CBD though.

A 2018 study found that CBD can help increase comfort and activity in dogs with osteoarthritis. Another study conducted the following year showed that CBD could help reduce the number of seizures experienced by epileptic dogs.

So pet owners began turning to CBD for their pets.

Much like CBD products for humans, CBD pet care products also come in a many different forms from edibles and oils that are consumed to creams and balms that are used topically.

But each of these CBD pet care product types seems to have a different effect on the body.

And of all of them, CBD oil has the best pharmacokinetic profile. It reaches the highest concentration in the bloodstream, and stays there the longest. It also performed the most consistently across all different dogs.

Urban Roots’ 2-in-1 Salmon Oil Supplement

Recognizing the power of CBD oil for pets, Urban Roots developed a special salmon oil supplement that brings together the healing power of CBD with the many benefits of salmon. These benefits include:

• Preventing skin allergies
• Easing arthritic pain
• Providing kidney support
• Boosting immunity
• Lowering blood pressure
• Breaking down nutrients in food

Plus, salmon oil is a great source of antioxidants and fatty acids. Sounds good enough on its own, right?

Maybe. But what about pairing it with the many benefits of CBD?

• Lessening arthritis pain
• Calming anxiety
• Fighting tumor / cancer growth
• Reducing inflammation
• Improving skin and coat
• Easing digestive problems
• Managing seizures/epilepsy

This supplement is a fantastic product because you’re able to use the dosing chart to give your pet of any size the daily vet recommended amount of salmon oil.

But it includes Urban Roots’ recommended amount of CBD as well – a dosage based upon years of treatment with animals.

A lot of pets love the fishy flavor this supplement adds too. But what about for those who don’t?

Urban Roots will soon unveil a CBD peanut butter flavored tincture. It will deliver all of the benefits of CBD, but without the fishy taste. It will also be more concentrated than the salmon oil supplement. This makes it a great alternative for animals who turn their nose up at the taste of fish, or for pets that need more frequent dosing.

Could CBD Be a Solution for Your Pet?

There still isn’t a lot of research on CBD for pets. But at this point, it certainly seems to be a promising treatment option.

If you decide to try CBD oil for your pet, be sure to source it from a highly reputable company like Urban Roots. You’re much more likely to see good results.

And for the latest on what’s happening in the cannabis industry, keep checking back with our blog.

The post CBD for Pets from Urban Roots Hemp Company appeared first on GROW Cannabis Marketing.

The REEF in Detroit, for example, has a CBD bar with more than 40 products ranging from oils and tinctures, to tablets, topicals and edibles.

But making sense of CBD is still confusing for a lot of people.

At dispensaries like The REEF, their bud tenders are always ready and willing to educate customers on using CBD.

But maybe you’d rather go in armed with information already. If that’s the case, we’ve created a CBD primer to help clarify.

The Case for CBD

Every disease known to humankind interacts with the human endocannabinoid system (ECS). Every disease.

CBD is one of the primary cannabinoids in cannabis. And the human ECS is equipped with receptors for it.

For a long time though, there simply wasn’t enough evidence of the benefits of CBD. Research on CBD from marijuana was hindered because of the plant’s status as an illicit drug.

Legalization has allowed more research though. And recent studies have found that using CBD as a regular dietary supplement for conditions like pain, anxiety and nausea can be quite effective.

CBD’s non-addictive qualities have also been effective in assisting with the opioid epidemic. With expanded access to cannabinoids, there will likely be continued progress on this front.

But with so many CBD extracts on the market today, where do you even begin to start doing your own research?

Making Sense of CBD Labels

Don’t get discouraged. We’ll clarify what some of the more common labels mean so you can make sense of the CBD game.

1. Full-Spectrum

Full-spectrum means anything that was derived from whole-plant flowering cannabis and is part of a “full” spectrum of many cannabinoids. These include CBD, CBG, CBN, CBG, CBC, THC, THCa, and others.

In general, if a full spectrum product contains more than 0.3% THC, you can only legally purchase at a state-approved dispensary.

If it contains less than 0.3% THC, it is sold as a hemp product under the 2018 United States Farm Bill and is federally legal.

2. Distillate

A distillate starts out as a full-spectrum oil made from a whole-plant process. But then it is further refined to remove or reduce CBD, CBG, CBD, CBN, and CBC.

This extract of CBD is the most common and is helpful for people struggling with anxiety, epilepsy, and other disorders. At this time, a THC-free distillate is the most costly extract.

3. CBD Isolate

This white and powdery substance is almost (99.9%) pure CBD. There are no additional cannabinoids in a CBD isolate.

4. Nano CBD

This is a smaller form of CBD where certain micro-emulsions are made to be water-soluble. The purpose of nano CBD is to make it easier to incorporate into beverages.

There’s also some belief that these smaller (nano) particles could increase absorption in the bloodstream. The jury is still out on that though.

5. “Gas Station” CBD

Okay. It’s not really called Gas Station CBD. You could just as easily call it Vape Shop CBD or Nail Salon CBD.

Because legalization has made CBD so accessible, there’s a lot of fake stuff out there. So avoid buying CBD from any place that’s not a dispensary.

In many cases, there may only be trace amounts of CBD. If any at all.

The CBD Market Is Exploding

With the legalization of CBD, there’s been a huge surge of innovative commercial applications for it – from gummy bears, dog treats and beverages, to a wide array of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

And with a projected market of $20 billion by 2024, it shows no sign of slowing down any time soon.

Ready to Try CBD?

Making sense of CBD doesn’t have to be difficult.

At dispensaries like The REEF, you’ll find the highest quality CBD with the most knowledgable staff. So stick to those establishments.

And by all means, skip the gas station.

For more helpful tips and advice about all things cannabis, keep checking back with our blog.

The post Making Sense of CBD appeared first on GROW Cannabis Marketing.

Medical News Today in 2017 writes how tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, was the most well-known compound in the cannabis plant, but they now realize marijuana contains THC and CBD. They say THC is known for the mind alerting “high” it produces when broken down by heat and introduced into the body, but on the other hand, CBD is a non-psychoactive compound which means it doesn’t affect the mind or mental processes of whoever is using it.

According to Leaf Science in 2017, there are two types of the cannabis plant, hemp which contains .03 percent THC, and marijuana which contains high levels of THC. They say hemp is usually harvested for its stalks and seeds rather than its flowers and these are the parts of the plant where CBD is legally allowed to be extracted.

Green says, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, imported hemp products are legal as long as they do not cause THC to enter the human body. He says that CBD products can be made from the legally grown domestic hemp, and sold in the state that they were made in. He expresses how it starts to get hairy when CBD products move across state lines. He says if you purchase CBD products, it doesn’t necessarily mean your purchase was legal, but it doesn’t mean the purchase was illegal either. Green explains how it all depends on the product, where/how is was created, and where/how it was sold. He says your best bet for legality purposes as well as quality purposes is to purchase CBD products from a licensed dispensary.

Medical News Today goes on to say that because of the way CBD acts in the body, it has many potential benefits. They say a study published in The Journal of Experimental Medicine found CBD significantly reduces chronic inflammation in some mice and rats. They say this proves how CBD can help treat pain or inflammation. They also say CBD is being studied for its possible role in treating epilepsy and other mental health disorders. Along with this, it’s being studied for its use as an anti-cancer agent, for patients with chronic anxiety, type 1 diabetes, acne, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Healthyhempoil.com in 2017 says when buying CBD products, you should pay attention to CBD volume, hemp oil volume, and concentration. They then discuss the different types of CBD products, starting with CBD capsules, which are standard dissolvable capsules that contain powdered hemp oil with concentrations of CBD. Then, they describe CBD tinctures, which they say are the most popular and arguably the most versatile form of CBD. They say tinctures are absorbed under your tongue, which means they act quickly, and can be added to any drink you choose. Finally, they discuss CBD topicals, which include lotions, creams, balms, and more, and are a handy way to target specific points of stiffness or inflammation on your body since CBD is absorbable through the skin.

On August 2017, co-founder, CEO, and Editor-in-Chief of GreenMarketReport, Debra Borchardt wrote how hemp cannabis product sales are projected to hit one billion dollars in the next three years. She says that according to a new report by Brightfield Group, hemp CBD sales have already hit 170 million dollars in 2016, and there is an expected 55 percent compound annual growth rate over the next five years. Brightfield says they determined that 64.5 percent of sales come through the online channel followed by 17.8 percent at smoke shops and thirdly 9 percent at dispensaries. They say the top 20 brands averaged sales of 2.1 million dollars per year per company for 2016, and the top five online brands were CW Hemp, PlusCBD Oil, HempMeds, Elixinol and CannazALL.

The post What is CBD? appeared first on GROW Cannabis Marketing.