Hemp Goes Presidential: What This Means For Your Ability To Heal Yourself

(Article written by Brandon Scott)

For decades, anything to do with cannabis, or hemp, had been outlawed, looked down on, and thought to be criminal by many. Even the very mention of the plant was shunned. Thankfully, since the advent of the internet, saner heads have prevailed, clearing up truth and laying waste to propaganda and smear campaigns that have misinformed millions across the globe. And perhaps no country has been affected more so than the minds of the USA. Where it was once thought that cannabis was a harmful drug, reported to cause brain damage, bad decisions and other obscure defects, it’s now becoming common knowledge that the plant is indeed useful for a myriad of medicinal applications.*

As an herbalist, we know of hemp being used for tens of thousands of years, and only in modern time has it been demonized. Hemp has a huge list of uses, like foods made from the seeds and oils, which are high in fiber, protein and magnesium, or it can be used to make paper, rope, fabric, soap, and fuel. The list goes on, but the undeniable truth is that hemp is the missing piece in our society, because it can transform so many industries across the globe that it can literally revamp dying nations, while halting our environmental impact with stopping deforestation being a major plus, as well as change how we heal ourselves.

Last week, our “President” finally did something of worth… He legalized industrial hemp, which means hemp oils, extracts and other industrial and farming uses are finally legal; which if you didn’t know, has been legal in Canada since 1998. There are various factions of the government that have come out within hours of this news that now claim certain compounds derived from the plant can not be sold legally. So, that means… Actually, I’m going pause so as to explain a little better…

With the legalization of cannabis, we’ve seen a huge upswing in growing approaches and extraction techniques, which has caused an evolution of what we know about the plant and what we can do with it and in turn, what it can do for us. If you’re of age and in the right location of the world, you can of course smoke and use marijuana, where legal, but there are new and fascinating alternatives going mainstream all of the time. The latest and perhaps biggest discovery as of late has been the healing power of the CBD (or Cannabidol) compound found in all strains of Cannabis Sativa. For absolute distinction, it’s imperative to understand the difference between CBD and it’s infamous cousin known as THC, or Tetrahydrocannabinol, which is the misunderstood and villainized chemical found in the plant’s female flowers. THC is the psychoactive molecule that can give you a mental high and strong physical sensation, and although the point of this article isn’t to remove the stigma on THC specifically, but rather hemp in general, THC does have its own set of important and powerful medicinal benefits, too. But I won't get into that here.

Cannabidol is the non-psychotropic cannabinoid found in hemp, the male non-flowering part of the plant as well as its leaves and stems, which has been reported to have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, as well as sedating, hypnotic, and anti-dystonic effects, among other healing attributes. CBD does not ‘get you high,’ as they say, but it will relax you, and has been shown to soothe pain and inflammation. From research readily found online, in medical journals, in libraries, and bookstores, this hemp extract can help regulate sleep patterns, control certain cancers, stimulates bone growth, and stops the growth of bacteria, as well as suppresses muscle spasms and convulsions, reduces blood sugar levels, reduces the risk of artery obstructions, decreases pressure in the blood vessel walls, helps control epileptic seizures, reduces risk of nerve damage, and can even ease nausea and insomnia.

With a quick search online, you will find all sorts of information. I’d suggest taking a deeper look into Project CBD for starters. The consistent detail is there are few plants that have as powerful of therapeutic and healing effects as cannabis. So when one sits for a second in the silence of their own thoughts, one may be able to connect the dots and understand why this is so. The point is that this plant seems to have been made to aid humans in a variety of ways, and has lived in a sort of symbiosis for perhaps as long as humans have been around, likely aiding in our very evolution. Without the racing thought sensation that comes with THC, and the new pathways these healing compounds create, I’d argue without cannabis and psychedelics the human intellect would not be what it is today.

The grey area is alive and well as we sluggishly move toward total legalization, and so as of right now, we can indeed sell products that are infused with Hempseed oil and certain hemp extracts as long as there’s less than 0.3% THC, but we can not claim the use of CBD in any of our products. We are evaluating our recipes and will plug in legal herbs to achieve similar therapeutic effects, but this is a blow to your access to health care and to our goal of making the best herbal medicine we can. While it seems the grey area of cannabis turned even more grey as of last week, we will continue to do what we can to serve you the best quality medicinals possible. Note: If you wish to know which products have the full spectrum hemp oil in it, then look for Hemp Extract in our ingredients list. Or better yet, contact us and we’ll work with you directly to find the best herbal remedy that might be best for you.

A quick highlight on the benefits of Hempseed oil: It is one of our favorite topical ingredients, due to its silky feel, and its wide range of health benefits, like reducing inflammation since it is high in fatty acids GLA and omega-3, while regulating the skin’s oil production, hydrating and soothing dry skin and acne, all without clogging the pores. Additionally, hempseed oil has anti-aging properties and may be effective for atopic dermatitis and other skin conditions.

In closing, I implore you to do more research on your own, so you’re better educated and when the right time comes you can take a stance one way or the other. Cannabis is as close to a miracle plant as we’ve ever seen, and there’s a reason why it’s been outlawed and governed as it has, not because it’s dangerous, but because there are alternative motives at play. It’s time to take back our ability to heal ourselves, and away from the Big Pharma’s of the world… Is that not a basic human right?!

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*This article is for entertainment use, and should not replace the diagnoses of any disease or the subscribing of any medication. Always consult with your doctor or a medical professional for any and all health-related advice.
*​DISCLAIMER: Woodland Herbal Apothecary products are not reviewed by the FDA. We do not make any claims, promises, or about the health benefits of any products. All statements are not intended to diagnose, cure or prevent disease. We only offer our opinions and resources based on research, product testing, and customer reviews. These products are intended to support well-being and overall awesomeness. All sales are final. Use at your own risk. We are not responsible for accidents, misuse, or adverse reactions. For more information on our Disclaimer, click here.
(Photo by eggrole via Flickr)