Boing Boing shares these words from our sponsor Real Tested CBD.

Biden Sort of Decides On Marijuana Legalization: He Is Sort of Still Against It

Richard Cowan 

The great thing about voting machines is that you can vote with one hand and hold your nose with the other one. Believe me, I have had a lot of practice with that, and I will do it again this year.

After Biden cinched the Democratic nomination, his campaign focused on getting the support for Bernie Sanders young supporters. Biden was greatly relieved that Sanders was willing to help, so they launched what they called a "Unity Task Force, and one of the major topics was Federal marijuana prohibition.

Politico reported the result as "The left gets rolled on legalizing pot."

Frankly, I absolutely reject that formulation. Marijuana legalization has been supported by the Libertarian right far longer than by the Left. The late Milton Friedman and William F. Buckley Jr. and many other conservatives have long opposed prohibition. Obama, Holder, Biden, Shalala, Clinton, Feinstein and Schumer all supported arresting millions of Americans. Until they opposed it…
However, in a meeting with Biden, Sanders is definitely on the Left.  Given Biden's long support for the Drug War, even coining the term "Drug Czar", the real world results were not too terrible.

The key points: 

1. "Democrats will decriminalize marijuana use and reschedule it through executive action on the federal level." That will automatically clear the way for banks to do business with cannabis companies. Now they are forced to do business with cash only.
2. "We will support legalization of medical marijuana (federally), and believe states should be able to make their own decisions about recreational use." It should be noted that even if the Federal government legalized marijuana, state laws will still apply.

 

3. "The Justice Department should not launch federal prosecutions of conduct that is legal at the state level." This provision is seen as a slap at Attorney General Barr, who has been accused of an abuse of his power by ordering an investigation of legal marijuana companies without probable cause.

 

4. "Lift budget rider blocking DC from taxing and regulating legal marijuana." The Nation's capital is effectively controlled by the Congress. So the Feds would be legalizing marijuana in the Federal Capital, but not Federally.

 

5. "Remove marijuana use from the list of deportable offenses." Appallingly, from 2003 to August 2018, more than 45,000 people were deported nationwide for possession of marijuana. Under federal law, any marijuana-related criminal conviction, except for a single conviction for possessing 30 grams or less of marijuana, can make even a legal resident deportable. https://www.postcrescent.com/story/news/2019/08/12/marijuana-offenses-can-result-deportation-immigrants/1869065001/ 
6. "All past criminal convictions for cannabis use should be automatically expunged.

In short, as long as we don't call it "Legalization", Biden is in favor of it. 

So, what is Trump's position? When he was running for President, he has said that he is in favor of medical marijuana, but since being elected he has allowed prohibitionists, notably his Attorneys Generals, (Sessions, and Barr) to attack state medical marijuana laws.

Mark Meadows, his  fourth Chief of Staff, who represented North Carolina's 11th District until he resigned on March 30, to become President Trump's has consistently opposed any easing of Federal marijuana laws. 

Meadows even voted against amendments to let military veterans get medical cannabis recommendations from their doctors at the Department of Veterans Affairs. In other words, he puts the Drug Warriors ahead of the Americans who fought to keep Meadows free. Ironically, Meadows, who has not been in the military, was born in a US Army hospital in France.

Meadows even opposed a 2015 amendment to protect children and families relying on very limited CBD-only state laws from the DEA. He says he is protecting American children, but who is protecting the children from Meadows?

Over 90% of Americans support medical marijuana and roughly two thirds are in favor of legalization. Biden's position may allow him to have it both ways, but it is immeasurably better than Trump's, 

Richard Cowan is a former NORML National Director and author of Marijuana Weekly News syndicated column.

Boing Boing presents these words from our sponsor, Real Tested CBD!

Given there is a global pandemic, ways to boost the immune system are even more sought after than usual. Having a strong immune system is the base for staying healthy, and though there are a lot of products people use to aid in immune wellness, CBD is on the rise as a top choice in boosting immune health. So how can this ever-growing in popularity compound help you with health and wellness, specifically boosting your immune system? Here is a breakdown of what you need to know.

What Is The Immune System?

Our bodies have a built-in system that keeps invaders at bay. On a daily basis we are exposed to streams of diseases, infections, viruses and bacteria. Our immune systems, a network of cells, organs and tissues that work together to destroy these foreign cells or particles, keeping us healthy and alive. The heroes of our immune system are the white blood cells, which fall into two categories. There are the lymphocytes and phagocytes. Lymphocytes are also known as B or T-cells, and are responsible for destroying toxins and identifying foreign substances within the body. Phagocytes help to absorb these invaders, neutralizing and preventing further spread of toxins. Out immune system also works to eliminate dead or non-functioning cells, preventing multiplication and tumor growth.

What Is CBD?

CBD is a non-psychoactive compound derived from cannabis or hemp plants. CBD, also known as cannabidiol, is the cousin to its well-known intoxicating counterpart, THC. CBD has been shown to work directly with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the body, eliminating free-radicals, regulate cell functions and create a balance in the body and mind. The ECS helps establish homeostasis, regulating cell function, including the cells in your immune system. CBD has anti-inflammatory properties which can directly correlate it's ability to aid in immune support.

CBD Effects On The Immune System

Although scientific studies surrounding CBD are still new and many more are needed to solidify results, the naturally derived compound has been shown to work as an immunosuppressant and immunomodulator. This means CBD's anti-inflammatory properties can reduce the immune system's inflammatory response, which can have both positive and negative impacts. When it comes to a virus, such as COVID-19, for a generally healthy person, inflammation is a vital response needed to isolate infected areas and block spread.

That being said, CBD has been shown to strengthen the immune system when it weakens, becomes hyperactive or is impacted by an autoimmune disease caused by inflammation. There are studies showing cannabis compounds and CBD can suppress the immune system in healthy people, and likewise studies that suggest the opposite, when the immune system is weakened, cannabinoids can strengthen it. Cancer and HIV/AIDS are one example in this area. CBD is widely known to treat pain, nausea and fatigue – all of which are common symptoms of HIV and AIDS. The compounds within cannabis and CBD have also been found to alter immune responses, stimulating CB1 and CB2 receptors to normalize bodily reactions. Because of this interaction, CBD can aid in immune response generally and especially when centered on autoimmune disorders and diseases.

Forms Of CBD For Immune Boost

• Oils and Tinctures: sublingual application enters the bloodstream immediately for fast effectiveness. Oils and tinctures are best for pain relief and mental clarity or stress reduction.
• Edibles: edibles, drinks and gummies are a great option for someone not looking to taste anything CBD. Typically edibles are perfectly dosed for the consumer, meaning you can determine how much you want for your needs and ailments.
• Capsules: CBD capsules are another great option for anyone not looking to have a 
"hempy" aftertaste, but receive the benefits of CBD through fast activation.
• Vaping: CBD can be found in the form of a vape pen that is inhaled. This method is an ideal alternative for smoking that provides quick relief.

When purchasing CBD products, always turn to a product and company that is fully transparent. Label claims are not always as reliable as we hope, so be sure to utilize the results of third-party labs, such as Real Tested CBD. Not only are you able to ensure the potency of your CBD product, you can be positive you are getting only what you want with cannabinoid compounds as well as solvent and pesticide test passes or fails. To compare Real Tested CBD's full list of tested products, click here.

Boing Boing presents these words from our sponsor: Real Tested CBD.

Forbes is reporting, "two Canadian researchers think that a special strain of cannabis might potentially be a valuable tool in the fight against COVID-19." (Source: April issue of the online medical journal Preprints)

First, it is important to note that it would be very difficult to do such research in the US because the Federal government continues to block research on cannabis.

See: After 4-year delay, DEA will review dozens of requests to grow marijuana for research.

Second, the published information is limited because the research is based on proprietary strains of cannabis, plus the researchers do not yet seem certain about which ingredients and which ratios are key.

They do say, "Cannabis sativa, especially one high in the anti-inflammatory cannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD), has been proposed to modulate gene expression and inflammation and harbour anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties… Working under the Health Canada research license, we have developed over 800 new Cannabis sativa lines and extracts and hypothesized that high-CBD C. sativa extracts may be used to modulate ACE2 expression in COVID-19 target tissues."

They add, "The extracts of our most successful and novel high CBD C. sativa lines, pending further investigation, may become a useful and safe addition to the treatment of COVID-19 as an adjunct therapy… They can be used to develop easy-to-use preventative treatments in the form of mouthwash and throat gargle products for both clinical and at-home use. Such products ought to be tested for their potential to decrease viral entry via the oral mucosa. Given the current dire and rapidly evolving epidemiological situation, every possible therapeutic opportunity and avenue must be considered."

It would appear that CBD plays an important part of their research.

Like President Trump, I am not a doctor, but I have been following the increasing medical use of "marijuana" for decades. I have seen how it was especially helpful to friends with autoimmune diseases like Crohn's Disease, etc. See: Cannabis relieves symptoms in Crohn's disease and CBD Could Treat Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Says New Study.

And I have seen how the Federal government has blocked research and even suppressed the reports that marijuana could help with AIDS, Glaucoma, neuropathic pain, cancer etc.

In fact, the federal government has known about CBD since the 1970s. See: Differential Effect of Cannabinol and Cannabidiol on THC-induced Responses During Abstinence in Morphine-Dependent Rats.

And is still blocking research on CBD, even though it is so widely used. Top FDA Official Slams Federal Drug Scheduling System For Blocking CBD Research.

Unfortunately, President Trump has loaded his Administration with anti-marijuana fanatics like his Attorney General Bill Barr and his new Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, so we are going to have to do our own research and devise our own health maintenance with cannabis.

Most of all, we have to look after our own freedom.

Richard Cowan is a former NORML National Director and co-founder of CBD Comparison site Real Tested CBD.com.

This article was originally published on Real Tested CBD. To view the original article, click here.

Cannabidiol is the second most prevalent compound in these plants. Pot plants and hemp both contain cannabidiol. In other words, hemp contains cannabidiol and no tetrahydrocannabinol. Pot plants contain both.

Some strains of pot have been developed to be high in cannabidiol. For example, the AC/DC strain has a hemp-like profile because it contains less than 1% tetrahydrocannabinol and 14% cannabidiol. Using a strain such as that won't get you high.

Other strains, such as the harlequin strain, do contain more tetrahydrocannabinol than hemp. Harlequin has 5% tetrahydrocannabinol and 8% cannabinol. That might make you feel a little different than a product that contains only cannabidiol as the primary active ingredient.

Although cannabidiol can make you feel relaxed and relieve anxiety, it doesn't intoxicate you. It acts on different cannabinoid receptors than tetrahydrocannabinol and produces distinct effects.

Cannabidiol also has many health benefits. Many people have heard about it because it was found to help control seizures in rare cases of epilepsy. The Charlottes Web strain was bred with high levels of cannabidiol and low levels of tetrahydrocannabinol and is known for reducing epileptic seizures in a young epileptic girl named Charlotte Figi. The FDA approved Epidiolex, a cannabidiol-based drug, for these conditions in 2018.

Now, experts are finding out that cannabidiol can help with a lot of other health issues, including:

• Psychological conditions, such as panic disorders, generalized anxiety disorder and PTSD
• Pain, including headaches, nerve pain and arthritis
• Sleep problems
• Inflammation
• Depression
• Inflammatory bowel disease

Cannabidiol is an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. Whereas many pharmaceuticals mask symptoms of medical conditions but don't get to the source, cannabidiol is healing. With inflammation being cited as a primary source of modern diseases, learning that cannabidiol can reduce it is promising.

Because cannabidiol relaxes the nervous system, it has calming effects. Some small studies have been conducted on animals and people. They've found that cannabidiol produces changes in hormones and neurotransmitters that are responsible for memory, learning and expressing emotions. Therefore, it holds enormous promise for helping people with mood disorders.

There is even more anecdotal evidence to suggest that cannabidiol eases anxiety. Just ask anyone who has used it. Many people who use cannabidiol products note that it brings them some kind of ease. Some people even use it to reduce anxiety in their pets.

Boing Boing's own Ruben Bolling has a book coming out this summer, Tom the Dancing Bug: Into the Trumpverse, published by Clover Press.

It compiles every Tom the Dancing Bug comic from 2016-2019, covering, among other things, the rise (and fall? or continued rise?) of the Trump phenomenon.

During that time, in the course of his cartoonist satirist duties, Ruben has depicted alternate-reality versions of Trump, such as a James Bond super-spy, Homer Simpson, Calvin and Hobbes, Frankenstein (actually, Frankenstein's monster), and countless others.

Ruben says, "I wanted these collected in book form so that there is a blueprint for the next time America comes under the existential threat of a deranged, racist, authoritarian con man. Such as November, 2020."

Also coming from Clover Press is The Super-Fun-Pak Comix Reader, collecting every one of Ruben's Super-Fun-Pak Comix installments through 2019.

Super-Fun-Pak Comix are those tiny daily-style comics Ruben anachronistically uses to simulate a surreal version of that relic of a bygone era, the newspaper comics page.

Ruben says that because of the economic fallout of the Covid crisis, these books are not going to be sold in bookstores. Instead, you can only order them directly, and for now only through June 30.

Real Tested CBD shares the following essay by their co-founder, Richard Cowan.

It's Time for Silicon Valley To Finish Its Job of Disrupting the Racist Drug War

It Has Been Racist From The Beginning and Racism Cannot End Until It Does

By — Richard Cowan

Mark Zuckerberg, the Icarus of the Internet, is debating his own employees about whether Facebook should be responsible for correcting the lies of certain high ranking politicians. The answer seems obvious, but are they really prepared to choose which lies require their personal attention?

Icarus was undone by trying to fly too high and to be above it all, but there is another Greek myth that is more ¨down to Earth¨ literally.

As I watch the seemingly inexhaustible torrent of prohibitionist propaganda, I am reminded of the Greek myth about Hercules and the stables of King Augeas.

The term "Augean stables" means a huge mess, because King Augeas had a vast number of cattle, which were herded into the stables every night, but no one cleaned up after them. (Governments always expect other people to do their dirty work.)

As a consequence, the stables overflowed with what the Greeks called "drug education."

As in Hercules' time, the government provides the fodder at one end, and the other end –the Greeks called it the "media" –  produced the inevitable product. It stank to high heaven, but it seemed impossible to do anything about it.

Most people said it was beneath their dignity even to think about it, although not thinking did not stop them from writing about it. They said that the only reason that it stank was because some people complained about the smell. You couldn't smell it from the better neighborhoods, and besides, if everyone who lived near the stables would just stop breathing, it wouldn't be a problem. Perhaps the king could send in troops to put their knees on the people's throats, but that was rejected as bad PR.

However, as the story goes, Hercules was given the task of cleaning the stables, but he had to do it all in only one day. Clearly not even he could shovel that fast, and I know just how he must have felt.

Being a superhero, Hercules managed the feat, and the way he did it gives me hope. He diverted a couple of rivers to flow through the stables and flushed them out.

Meanwhile back in the real world, what does this have to do with the war on us? What are the "rivers" that we can divert?

One clue actually comes from the myth. When King Augeas refused to pay Hercules, as he had promised he would, the king's son told the truth, and was exiled for doing so. 
(He was sent to a place the Greeks called "rehab", which he said reminded him of his father's stables.)

Of course, not all BS is mythical, nor is it localized. Fortunately, we have something more universal than the Greek rivers: the Internet. So, meanwhile back in the real world, the American people are getting fed up with the stench of the lies that are being told to them –  supposedly to protect them.

For obvious reasons, the current crisis in the "criminal justice system¨ is focused on race, but it should also be obvious that these problems are inextricably linked to what we call the Drug War. Second, the Drug War is a "legacy" of the world that Silicon Valley, aka the Internet, has partially disrupted and now it must finish the job.

The Drug War, and Marijuana Prohibition, (it's a¨feature, not a bug¨) are still supported by a massive propaganda campaign mislabeled as Drug Education. Just the Drug Czar´s office (Office of National Drug Control Policy) has a budget of $379.1 million.

Also, the 2019 Budget for the National Institute for Drug Abuse was $1,419,844,000. None of this money was for actual ¨law enforcement". And how would we account for the $3.4 billion to pay for housing federal drug war prisoners?

But the greatest economic cost of the Drug War would have to be counted in the damage done to the lives of its targets.

In the 2002 study "The Impact of Incarceration on Wage Mobility and Inequality," researcher Bruce Western "found that incarceration can permanently alter an individual's life course, disrupt key life transitions, and destroy access to steady employment. Incarceration can also hugely impact future economic stability and wage earning. The study looked at young men who were incarcerated in prison or jail between 1979 and 1998.

According to Western's study, the loss of earnings occurs partially because wages increase at a slower rate following incarceration. Not only are wages essentially frozen when someone is put in jail, incarceration causes a reduction in the rate of wage growth over the course of a lifetime by about 30%. Western also found that a criminal record — regardless of the crime related to the record — reduces callbacks from prospective employers by around 50%."

And guess what… Blacks are almost four times as likely to be arrested for marijuana as whites, even though marijuana use rates are very similar. And the history of marijuana prohibition is absurdly racist.

Anyone who wants to talk about racism in America, and especially racism and the police, must confront the Drug War and marijuana prohibition or they are just poseurs. 

Anyone who talks about defunding the police and defending minority communities without addressing the Drug War, starting with marijuana prohibition, is simply avoiding the difficult decisions that have to be made. Silicon Valley is all about data so please just look at the numbers. Equal Justice for All must be equal for all, or it will not compute. 

There is no group in the world that has greater actual power over the public discourse than the tech community. It disrupted the old journalism and the old political order. Now it cannot pretend to be against racism and yet ignore the way the world actually works. If Zuckerberg and Dorsey are in the headlines, then everyone else must be on the frontlines, or they are AWOL. 

Speak, shout, scream, text, Tweet and email but make yourself heard. It is literally at your fingertips. 

What have you done for freedom today?

-Richard Cowan is a former NORML National Director and co-founder of Real Tested CBD. Find more stories from Richard Cowan.

Boing Boing proudly welcomes Blue Ribbon Hemp as a sponsor.

The new buzz word in all things health related is certainly CBD, less known as cannabidiol, one of the compounds found in a cannabis plant. Consuming CBD has become more and more mainstream, and the methods of consumption are changing with the times. Many people are interested in the much talked about health benefits CBD are thought to have, but they haven't found the best way to take it without getting a hemp aftertaste. Well, remember those handy Listerine strips that always saved your breath but didn't do much more? Now you can get the same minty freshness, and with the added benefits of CBD from Blue Ribbon Hemp.

 
Blue Ribbon Hemp is a new CBD company specializing in products for seniors. Founded by Richard Cowan, a long-time CBD and cannabis advocate, and Dr. Igor Bussel, M.D., M.S., M.H.A is a clinician-scientist and ophthalmic surgeon. The two have crafted a range of high quality CBD products from oral strips to capsules and lotions.

One of the fastest and easiest ways to consume hemp-based products with an immediate effect is through oral consumption. An oral strip, made of an incredibly thin layer of "paper," is water soluble. Because of this, the amazing plant benefits packed into the small strip instantly get absorbed sublingually to your bloodstream. Instead of eating something and waiting for it to pass the digestive system, oral strips instantly dissolve upon contact with water or saliva. With the active ingredients being absorbed so quickly the beneficial effects can be felt almost right away. Not to mention, now your breath smells great too!

 
Not only do oral strips offer fast acting relief, they deliver the perfect dose of CBD in each strip. Each containing 15mg of cannabidiol isolate, and zero THC, they can sometimes aid in maintaining healthy sleep patterns, recovering from inflammation and restoring a sense of calm or focus.

 
If you have struggled to find the best way to consume CBD for your lifestyle, Blue Ribbon Hemp Menthol Oral Strips could be the golden ticket for you. Conveniently packed, easily storable, tasty and most importantly effective. With 15mg of CBD per strip, residual solvent and pesticide free, they deliver a fast acting relief you can count on.

Check out Blue Ribbon Hemp for CBD products you can count on. Backed by third-party lab results, each CBD oral strip, tincture and lotion is crafted with your care in mind.

If you're looking into an online purchase, nine out of ten times you go to Amazon, right? For many of us, Amazon has almost become part of daily life. It's undeniably convenient; you can get anything from the latest in technology to toilet paper delivered, to a pre-manufactured house in a shipping container. Just about whatever you want to buy, Amazon has you covered. But have you ever tried searching for CBD on Amazon? The results might not be what you expected.

There are hundreds of items that come up when you search for CBD on Amazon, but the labels and descriptions can be fairly confusing. You might see a lot of "hemp oil" or "hemp oil extract" instead of flat out "CBD oil." So where do we go from here? Do these products really contain CBD and offer any relief to people looking to manage pain or anxiety? Can you be sure of the CBD product you are purchasing on Amazon?

The short answer is no. The long answer is: yes, but let us help you read between the lines and ensure you are getting the real deal with your online purchase. Basing your purchases on lab-based test results is the best way to shop smart for CBD online. Customer reviews and product descriptions can be misleading, so stick to the facts from experts who test independently for your safety and security. The moral of the story is that you can't trust everything you read online, even if others have already made the mistake of trusting it!

Related: Are you a senior looking to learn more about the benefits of CBD and shop reliable products? Click here.

Since CBD is not regulated, just about anyone can slap a label on a snake-oil or sub-par product and pass it off as CBD oil. Knowing what you are shopping for and what surmounts a quality CBD product will make your buying, and consumption experience much more enjoyable. There are a few things to keep in mind when buying CBD oil, especially if you are considering Amazon to make your purchase:

First off, Amazon has a strict policy on what can and cannot be sold on their online retail platform. If you are a verified seller's account, this information is available to you, but for the general public it's more of a guessing game as to what Amazon is able to offer online. According to Amazon's list of items not allowed, "Products offered for sale on Amazon must comply with all laws and regulations." They expand further with, "Supplements must not contain controlled substances."

So what does this mean? Generally, it means that you have to pay very close attention to the label, fine print, ingredients and all things "listing" for the product you are interested in. Many of the CBD products sold on Amazon actually don't contain any CBD. More than likely, sellers on Amazon are using just hemp seed oil instead of anything CBD, the naturally occurring cannabinoids you are trying to find. The difference is these compounds aren't found abundantly in the seeds of the plant, but in the flowers and leaves. Hemp seeds and hemp seed oil are also believed to have health benefits and are allowed to be sold on Amazon, but they don't contain CBD and they certainly should reflect that in the price.

Here are four products tested independently through Earth Labs and Real Tested CBD, with failing numbers all around, that are still sold to mislead customers on Amazon:

Not only are CBD products sold on Amazon likely counterfeit, they also might be making unreasonable claims when it comes to potency. Along with that, it's hard to verify and trust the purity and quality of these products, especially backed by real test lab results as should be the standard. The importance of testing for quality control is critical for CBD products. Third-party and independent lab testing results are the most unbiased and reliable source of information when it comes to the quality, purity and potency of a CBD product. Not only can you find better products from better sources than Amazon, there are a lot of other beneficial compounds found in lab-tested products.

Related: Interested in quality CBD products with a high potency that passed the test? Click here.

Knowing if the product you are purchasing is quality based on lab results and not ripped off customer reviews is the only way to shop for CBD. For many sellers on Amazon, the less you know about CBD products and what to look for when you buy, the better their products can fare. Always be sure to trust the lab results over the label claims.

When considering your purchase of CBD online, Amazon should not be your first choice for a reliable product. Even though you can count on just about anything being delivered to your door accompanied by satisfaction through Amazon, CBD products are a different ball game. Turn to a trusted and unbiased platform that gives you real lab results. Not only can you verify the products you are buying have the potency, quality and concentration you are looking for, you can also compare products and see real customer reviews. As CBD continues to expand worldwide and its popularity grows, RealTestedCBD.com is here to debunk the good from the bad, the real from the fake and the quality over the quantity.

We at Real Tested CBD are continually striving to bring you information about the best CBD brands and their respective products available in the market. The CBD industry is thriving due to new-found awareness amongst the consumers. Thanks to the Internet and the laws allowing legal use of CBD and hemp-based products. 

At Real Tested CBD, we run thorough lab tests on each brand and product on our platform, and it includes checking the authenticity of their claim to be a CBD product. Plus, we also test these products for any traces of industrial pesticides and solvents. Today, we bring you another review of one of the most popular brands in the CBD industry.

CBDfx is a manufacturer of CBD products and oils from Chatsworth, California. They carry a wide variety of CBD products extracted from full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate hemp plants. 
These products include CBD oils, CBD vape juice, CBD capsules, CBD products for pets, and more. Here are our reviews of six of their products. It's always better to review before you buy!

CBDfx's Hemp Gummies 40 Mg

Our top choice to review a CBDfx product is their Mixed Berry Hemp Gummies. It is an excellent CBD product that comes from broad-spectrum hemp extract. It is a non-GMO product that is 100 percent vegan and gluten-free.

These yummy gummies contain 40 mg of hemp-based cannabinoids, and our lab results found this claim to be spot on – kudos to CBDfx. Plus, these hemp gummies had no traces of any pesticides or solvents in the mix.

Are you interested in learning more about what CBD could do for your health as a senior? Click here to learn more and shop for reliable products.

CBDfx's Cbd Tincture Oil

Second, on our list is CBD Tincture oil by CBDfx. This CBD oil tested to be accurate to its claim of containing 500 mg CBD. But other additional beneficial cannabinoids such as CBC, CBD, and CBN were missing. However, it does have 30 ml of hemp and MCT oil.

CBDfx produces all its products within the USA at its cGMP certified facilities, so this is an authentic home-produced product and contains 519.71 mg of CBD per bottle. It has 65 mg of hemp oil and 16.5 mg of CBD goodness per drop, and there are no pesticides or solvents in this useful product.

CBDfx's Hemp Oil for Pets

This hemp oil for pets by CBDfx is for small breed animals. This hemp oil comes from an extraction of the full-spectrum hemp plant in a 150 ml bottle. It is a non-GMO product that is 100 percent vegan and gluten-free. It also contains MCT oil and CBD rich hemp oil.

Our lab test results found the CBD levels to be slightly more than the label claims. It contains 225.24 mg of CBD per pack and has no traces of pesticides or solvents.

CBDfx's Hemp Capsules 200 Mg

Next are CBDfx's hemp capsules; these are one of their full-spectrum CBD products. These capsules are non-GMO and gluten-free. The packet claims to contain 200 mg of CBD per pack and provides 25 mg CBD per capsule. However, we found the CBD levels in the product to be lower than what the label claims.

Our lab tests revealed the actual level to be at 140.31 per packet. However, because it is a full-spectrum CBD product, it does contain other beneficial cannabinoids, including CBC at 6.72 mg, CBN at 1.6 mg, CBG, and 1.3 mg and THC at 4.98 mg per packet.

CBDfx's Deep Tissue Formula

The Deep Tissue formula by CBDfx is the next product on our list. It is a remedy for any deep tissue muscle aches and pains. A good rub can give you a CBD fix that will help you neutralize the pain in no time, and it has zero percent THC in it.

Although this formula claims to contain 150 mg of hemp-based cannabinoids, our tests found the CBD levels to be way lower than what the label says. Our lab results found the CBD level to be 3.43 per pack with no pesticides or solvents in the mix.

CBDfx's Calming Balm for Sensitive Skin

The last CBDfx product we reviewed is their Calming Balm Sensitive Skin that claims to come with 150 mg of hemp-based cannabinoids. This cream sounds like it is full of relaxing and calming goodness; however, we are not sure about it. We found the CBD levels in this balm to be at 256.38 mg per pack, which is higher than what label claims. 

Unfortunately, we at Real Tested CBD found this product to contain "coumaphos," a pesticide used for killing insects and mites. Therefore, we would recommend you to stay away from this product. 

Boing Boing welcomes Real Tested CBD as a sponsor!

Real Tested CBD is known for efforts in bringing information about the CBD products for not only established brands, but the budding brands in the niche. We fuel our passion through the zest of our clients, asking us for updates on what is happening in the CBD universe. Thanks to the laws in the US that allow legal production of CBD products for health and research, there are some premier products on the market, but it's important to know what you are shopping for to ensure the best purchase.

We at Real Tested CBD run all the products through lab tests and present everything in black and white for our readers. This way, our consumers get to find out what product they are getting and if it is worth getting at all. Today, we review Charlotte's Web and its CBD products that include balms, creams, tincture, edibles, and capsules.
Here is a review of all the nine products of Charlotte's Web that we tested.

Image Source: Real Tested CBD

This hemp-infused balm by Charlotte's web comes with 150 mg of botanical blend hemp extract. It has a soothing scent, and we found no traces of pesticides and solvents in the mix. Moreover, it contains all the goodness of CBD at 107.2 mg per pack. It also contains THC at 4.69 mg and CBC at 4.48 mg per package. However, our test results indicate that the total CBD levels were lower than those claimed on the label.

Image Source: Real Tested CBD

This Canine hemp-infused balm is for adult dogs with 450 mg of hemp extract. However, our test results show the CBD levels are half the quantity of what the label claims. It does contain a decent CBD quantity still along with other beneficial cannabinoids. The CBC and THC levels are at 8.67 mg and 5.53 mg per package; whereas, CBD levels are at 224.28 mg per package with no sign of pesticides or solvents.

Image Source: Real Tested CBD

This hemp-infused skin cream comes with 750 mg of hemp extract. It does contain some CBD goodness, but our test results indicate these levels to be lower than the label's claims. It has 19.1 mg of CBC and 14.63 mg of THC, which can be very useful to relax. Plus, there is 328.74 of CBD packed in this product.

Image Source: Real Tested CBD

Wow, this CBD isolate tincture by Charlotte's web is one of our favorites. It delivers 20 mg of CBD per drop, and our test results indicate that this tincture contains more CBD than the label claims, which is a good thing as it increases the effectiveness of this product. The CBD levels are a whopping 782.81 mg per package. However, there are no traces of any other cannabinoids in the tincture, and there are no solvents or pesticides.

Image Source: Real Tested CBD

This Web Hemp extract tincture is an excellent CBD product that is true to its label claims. We would say a great job! It offers 12 mg of pure CBD extract that offers other beneficial cannabinoids present in all-natural hemp extract used in this product. It contains THC, CBC, and CBG at 17.87 mg, 17.65 mg, and 3.11 mg per package, respectively. The total quantity of CBD per package is 533.8 mg, with no trace of pesticides or solvents.

These Raspberry flavored Hemp Extract-Infused Gummies are the first edible product on our list from Charlotte's Web. Our lab tests found an acceptable range of CBD per canister at below 25%. However, it appears to be full-spectrum CBD and contains CBC and THC in the mix, which makes it spot on with its whole hemp extract claim. The CBD, THC, and CBC quantities are at 449.14 mg, 15.51 mg, and 38.77 mg per package.

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Click to Jump to a Section:

• Unhealthy CBD products
• Unregulated CBD Industry
• Pure Unflavored CBD Oil
• Best Carrier Oils for Bioavailability
• Laura Brenner & Sugar & Kush CBD
• Conclusion

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is one of the many cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. Unlike the more well-known cannabinoid THC that gets you "high," CBD can be extracted from industrial hemp, which is legal nationwide under the Hemp Farming Act included in the 2018 Farm Bill.

The science is developing, but people use CBD widely with claims that it acts as an anticonvulsant, analgesic, anxiolytic and a gentle sleep aid. With and without the presence of other cannabinoids, CBD is used to help with PMS, and as a support for focus, and against anxiety.

Pet owners are now dosing their pets with veterinary formulations of CBD to calm them down during thunderstorms or when traveling. (Editor's Note: DO NOT GIVE YOUR PETS THC, or CBD products that are formulated for humans. Talk to your veterinarian first.)

If you want to find the best quality CBD gummies, oil, vape or edibles though… good luck. The market is flooded with junk.

Unhealthy CBD Products

If you take a look at the vast variety of CBD products available on the market now, it's difficult to rationalize how you could think of most of them as health and wellness products. The market is full of CBD infused candies packed with sugar more suited for a trick-or-treat bag than an item you might find in a medicine cabinet. You'll find hard candies, jelly beans and chocolate bars full of CBD, a veritable candy store.

Unregulated CBD Industry

Then there is the fact that the CBD industry still isn't regulated. Increasingly, science tells us that bottles of CBD oil, edibles and vapes often don't even contain the quantity of CBD the labels claim, if they contain any CBD at all. Some products that claim not to contain THC do contain THC, which can cause people to get arrested or lose their jobs.

Responsible companies are paying third-party lab testing companies to prove their products are what they claim, but many companies don't bother to pay for third-party verification simply because there is no regulatory body forcing them to. How can anyone trust an industry that continuously cuts corners or does not grasp that a wellness product should also be a healthy product? The large volume of unhealthy CBD products eliminates an entire consumer base that struggles with severe medical conditions and need to follow strict diets. Those individuals are the ones that may benefit the most from the medicinal properties of CBD.

Pure Unflavored CBD Oil

For the most part, the only CBD products available that anyone with a severe medical condition is likely to consider is a pure unflavored CBD oil. Most doctors are not going to recommend you use your lungs as a delivery system for anything, especially if you already struggle with a medical condition, which eliminates CBD vape pens. That means patients can drip an oil that tastes like hemp, which frankly just does not taste all that good, under their tongue or swallow it. An unflavored hemp oil goes well in most any food though, so there certainly are ways to disguise the taste and make healthy food with CBD at home. If your diet is geared towards trying to get your body to transition into ketogenesis, a process where the body burns fat for energy instead of carbohydrates, making keto CBD edibles should not be a problem with a pure CBD oil. There are ways of flavoring products to help improve their taste without compromising on health. It would be logical for CBD companies to focus on those sorts of flavoring methods.

Best Carrier Oils for Bioavailability

Something else to consider when shopping for the best CBD products is the oil used. Some oils are better for carrying CBD through the body than others. Bioavailability is how much CBD can be absorbed into the body to truly give it a chance to soothe pains and stress. Traditional olive oil works well enough, but its thickness makes metabolizing it more difficult and reduces bioavailability relative to a thinner oil. The general consensus is that an MCT oil is the best sort of carrier for CBD. An MCT oil derived from coconuts seems to be the best one with a hint of coconut flavor that most people seem to like.

Laura Brenner and Sugar & Kush CBD

Laura Brenner had stage 3 ovarian cancer in her early 30s. She adopted a lifestyle focused on healthy foods and exercise, in which hemp oil played an important role. Laura read about how people helped their bodies battle cancer, and how cannabis is said to help people de-stress, and get a better night's sleep. She transformed her kitchen into a laboratory and made hemp oil. She believes hemp oil played a major role in giving her body the strength it needed to eradicate the disease, and she was inspired to create a CBD product for people who really need it. That is why she started Sugar and Kush CBD. Her products are designed to be safe for diabetics, people who have gluten allergies, and people just focused on their overall health and wellness.

Conclusion

In your search for the best quality CBD gummies or oils, bear in mind that you need to do your homework. A growing number of consumers are purchasing their CBD products online, since most convenience or grocery stores are not going to provide a certificate of analysis. A CBD product sold in a dispensary may have THC in it, as the CBD may be extracted from the drug-type cannabis plant instead of industrial hemp. If you are looking to avoid failing a drug test or getting high, then you want to avoid anything with THC. Look for a certificate of analysis from a third-party lab to verify that the product actually contains CBD and the amount of milligrams found on the label. If you are going to add CBD into your daily regimen along with your vitamins and supplements, make it healthy. You don't need CBD products giving you cavities or making your triglyceride count leap up on the results of your next blood work. Also, determine what sort of oil the CBD has been infused into so you can get the most out of your CBD dosages. In general, you don't want to trade in your overall health for the analgesic and anxiolytic properties of CBD.

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