CBD, cannabidiol, is a chemical component found in the cannabis plant. It continues to show up in almost every facet of our lives on a daily basis.
Whether you are at a bar or coffee shop or eatery, there are opportunities to “add it to your order”.
Beers, beauty products, and more mainstream well-known brands and retailers are embracing this wellness revolution with the infusion of CBD into everything.
What People Expect from CBD
People are in search of the holy grail – the product that can solve all of their health and wellness challenges. That one product that will get it done. Is there truly a “silver bullet” that solves everything? Is there an alternative remedy that can manage their expectations?
Our answer is not easy – it’s not “yes” or “no”. It’s more like “yes” and “no.” As someone who expects a concrete answer, that just isn’t good enough. However, there are several reasons for that, and we are here to dispel the myths and explain the facts.
First and foremost, there is not one thing that cures all… besides love. There is no “one size fits all” solution to anything in life. When it comes to CBD, there are several roadblocks and hurdles that have to be addressed and it’s important that you understand and can make choices based on the facts.
What CBD Is
CBD is short for cannabidiol, a chemical compound from the cannabis Sativa plant which is also known as marijuana or hemp. CBD is a cannabinoid with its own set of wellness benefits and a naturally occurring substance in the plant but unlike its cousin THC, it is not psychoactive. So, it will not get you high, but it can possibly provide many wellness benefits.
What the FDA Says
CBD has already been approved as a prescription medicine to treat the symptoms of rare forms of childhood epilepsy by the FDA. Technically speaking, the FDA is responsible for all products containing CBD. However, there is ambiguity within the rules and regulations because various acts of Congress also imply that farmers are able to sell CBD products as part of the Farm Bill legislation passed and signed into law in 2014 and 2018.
Nonetheless, the FDA remains on the watch for various aspects of CBD marketing, product labeling, and claims that CBD also cures various diseases without having undergone the rigors of testing prior to receiving FDA approval for sale to treat those diseases.
While CBD traces back thousands of years across the globe and was used as a remedy by different cultures, it still faces a lot of scrutinies which are not going to be resolved anytime soon.
CBD Problems
The first hurdle for CBD is that, while not psychoactive, it’s still subject to many regulations. Before you consider purchasing it online or at a retailer, it’s essential that you do your homework. After that, it’s vital to understand there are good actors and bad actors offering CBD products.
The FDA works diligently to oversee this industry and is still coming to grips to determine which guidelines it enforces. There are two major types of enforcement actions the FDA is pursuing while it seeks to determine specific rules for CBD products:
- To ensure that all products have the active CBD ingredients advertised on the label
- To require that any CBD product manufacturer to NOT make medical or disease claims
Bad actors make unsubstantiated claims about what CBD products can treat, and making those claims is against the law. Any brand or product that claims the following is actually breaking the law and is subject to warnings, fines, and potential closure.
If you see a brand make the following claims, they are breaking the law:
- Treats cancer
- Cure for COVID-19
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Opioid withdrawal
- Treats pain
- Treats depression
- Treats serious diseases and conditions
- And many more…
The FDA examines and regulates the pathways for lawful marketing of products that contain CBD, Their goal, like High Falls Hemp NY, is to protect and promote public health and wellness. Both the FDA and High Falls Hemp share this as our top priority.
Making claims that CBD can treat serious conditions and disease creates risk for patients and consumers by misleading them about medical care.
Unanswered Questions Regarding CBD
There remain many unanswered questions regarding the science, safety, and effectiveness that exist. There are countless clinical studies out there by reputable organizations that are taking the time to address each and every potential way that CBD can be used. This list of reputable organizations includes the NIH, the Mayo Clinic, and Harvard University.
We stand with the FDA in making sure that we, unlike some, do not deceive consumers about the products that we offer.
Use Caution When Using CBD Products
Yes, High Falls Hemp NY offers products that contain hemp-derived CBD. We market these products as a natural alternative that may help you but do not treat illnesses. We always recommend that you contact and consult with your physician before trying our products.
As the old adage says, “caveat emptor” – let the buyer beware. If a brand/product promises to treat actual diseases, it’s likely not a product you should consider purchasing.
When purchasing CBD products from a brand, the following things are critical to consider:
- Is the company reputable?
- Do they disclose the ingredients of their products?
- Do they have a QR code on the label so you can easily reference the lab report associated with that product?
- Do they have complete and verifiable third-party lab reports available?
- Do they have verified reviews from consumers about the products?
- Do they offer a risk-free trial?
- Do they make claims about treating pain or illness?
- Do they control every portion of the supply chain, from seed to soul?
If you can’t check all of these boxes, then you might want to consider a different brand and product. At High Falls Hemp New York we value your trust in us and we pride ourselves on remaining compliant with all rules and regulations.