2022 Mint 400: Q&A!

We recently got back from participating as an exhibitor with our friends & familia at the 2022 Mint 400 in Primm, Nevada! After an incredibly windy and somewhat dismal first day for the Festival on Fremont Street, the remainder of the weekend at the track blessed us with an over-abundance of sunshine and new friendships! Below are the most common questions we were asked while working at the Mint 400 this year. 

Have more questions? Send them our way and we'll incorporate them into our next blog post. Otherwise, check out the info below and use the discount code "MINT400" to receive 15% off your order (excluding gift cards)! 

The good ol "but I don't smoke marijuana! Why would I want to try CBD?" 

Both hemp and marijuana are within the umbrella of "Cannabis," but they're actually entirely different. Marijuana has a high THC percentage (and minimal CBD content), whereas hemp has a nearly opposite ratio of high CBD percentage (and minimal THC content). The common concern of getting "stoned" when one eats or smokes CBD is not a concern, especially if you're newer to the Cannabis market. 

 

In reality, hemp is one of the oldest plants to be cultivated by humans since it was discovered over ~10,000 years ago. Used commonly in history for its medicinal purposes, hemp has also provided us with an incredible source of food (hemp seeds) and fiber for paper and clothing. While species of Cannabis also differ in their physical attributes, those grown as hemp have been the preferable variety for fiber production. In the beginnings of the early 20th century and with concern regarding opium and morphine addiction, a fearful stigma began to develop toward Cannabis and its recreational use through marijuana production. This marijuana variety became recreationally popular during the prohibition era with its intoxicating side effects, with political campaigns targeting Cannabis as a narcotic. 

 

The Marihuana Tax Act was enacted in 1937 and while primarily targeting the use of Cannabis recreationally, the law ended up severely hindering industrial hemp production in the United States. The War on Drugs instituted during the Nixon era further stigmatized the Cannabis plant and industry, leading to the designation of Cannabis as a Schedule 1 drug in 1970. This meant Cannabis was a then considered substance equivalent to LSD, effectively prohibiting major research and legal production of Cannabis. 

 

Thankfully, there were many Cannabis connoisseurs who benefitted so strongly from the plant that underground research and promotion persisted. By the 1990s, several states had begun to legalize medical marijuana for use with a prescription. The United States Congress passed the 2018 Farm Bill in December of that year, legalizing the cultivation of industrial hemp. The timing was perfect for the bloom of the hemp CBD industry, as more and more people gained access to products made with this incredible plant. 

 

The question above will undoubtedly continue to be asked, especially by those who are fearful or unsure of the benefits of hemp. The real question is: Why wouldn't you want to try a natural product that has survived for centuries amidst political drama and stigmatization to provide us with an incredible amount of benefits with minimal negative side effects? 

And the less common, but still frequent, "I smoke weed, bro. I don't need CBD, it doesn't actually do anything for me! ...or does it?"

The main ways that research is confirming the beneficial properties of THC vs. CBD often involves the neurological system. Whereas THC is known to be intoxicating, CBD is non-intoxicating. While THC is more well known as an appetite stimulant, CBD has shown to be beneficial in people and pets with epilepsy. On a molecular level, both phytocannabinoids ("cannabinoids from the plant") interact with our internal endocannabinoid system to regulate and maintain homeostasis and balance in the body, including with nutrimental benefits for our mood, pain responses, appetite, and more. 

 

Going into too much detail: Every one of us vertebrates has an endocannabinoid system (ECS) in our bodies, consisting of cannabinoid receptors and associated molecules. Cannabinoid receptors exist primarily in the brain (CB1 receptors) and immune systems (CB2 receptors). These receptors act to regulate the activity of other neurotransmitters that help us to normally function, whether that be to increase or decrease another body system's activity. Our bodies produce endocannabinoids ("cannabinoids from within ourselves") to stimulate our CB1 & CB2 receptors. Some hypothesize that a lack of proper endocannabinoid production may lead to common health concerns, including anxiety, depression, and gut issues, and that symptoms can be mitigated by starting supplementation with a phytocannabinoid, such as THC or CBD. 

 

The chemical structures of phytocannabinoids, as naturally produced by Cannabis plants, closely mimic our internally produced endocannabinoids. Together, phytocannabinoids like THC and CBD work synergistically, meaning they are able to mutually improve each other's nutriment benefits while preventing some of the more commonly unwanted side effects noted during sole marijuana use. In fact, even a small percent of THC is immensely beneficial in amplifying the wellness benefits of CBD. While it may not cause you dysphoria or that "stoned" feeling you may have been expecting, full spectrum CBD with that tiny amount of THC is enough to spark the fire that is the improvement you may see in your life once you start incorporating full spectrum CBD. 

"Will I test positive for THC on a drug test if I use hemp products?"

It's very unlikely that you'll test positive for THC while using full spectrum hemp CBD products, but it's still possible--especially with ingestible goods that are either eaten or drank (vs. the minimal chance while using topical products, like lotions). This is where your choice of hemp product is so important! High quality, third party tested hemp CBD goods made from hemp with minimal THC content is not prevalent in the market; in fact, many hemp CBD products will say they have "0% THC," although they often have amounts of THC that could potentially lead to a positive test! 

 

We mainly provide full spectrum hemp products, all of which have less than 0.3% THC to meet the federal requirements of the 2018 Farm Bill. Keep in mind, common strains of marijuana now have upwards of 10-28% THC and 1-2% CBD, if any. In the initial days of legal hemp production, products were commonly made with CBD isolate, meaning the CBD extracted individually from the plant, such that there is 0% THC (all other phytocannabinoids and important natural molecules, including essential vitamins and fatty acids, are not included). While this may seem like the best route to go if you could be tested for THC, experience and ongoing research is confirming the "entourage effect" and the importance of full spectrum CBD and whole-plant processing as the more efficacious method for hemp. 

 

Whole-plant processing means that CBD from hemp is obtained while processing the CBD from the leaves of the plant, with all of the natural other phytocannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids included in the final extract. Ongoing research is confirming what many have been suggesting for years: Full spectrum, whole-plant processed hemp products work better at smaller concentrations than as an isolate alone. Many from the marijuana industry may be aware of this so-called "entourage effect," particularly when discussing THC:CBD 1:1s, or the like. Current research is also tracking this consideration of how little THC is actually needed to create the entourage effect to synergistically influence CBD and other prominent phytocannabinoids! 

 

Broad spectrum is the other common variety of hemp extract now on the market. While some companies target broad spectrum as "removing the THC and maintaining the additional natural components to provide a similar effect," many are actually creating these products by adding in the phytocannabinoid/terpene/flavonoid components deemed helpful to elevate the isolated CBD. While they claim to be natural products, much of broad spectrum involves adding selected parts back into a product (not quite as natural as mother nature intended). 

 

For those who may be drug tested, we don't make any claims that you won't test negative for THC because we care about your livelihood and do not want to create any negative experiences with CBD. For you, we recommend products from our "First Responders" line, which incorporates our broad spectrum and few isolate hemp products to ensure you don't have to worry about testing regulations (check it out HERE). While these products may not work as well as full spectrum, they provide options for individuals in such situations to still add hemp nutriments to their daily routine. 

"Can you ship it to [list your state here]?"  

Yes. As long as hemp-based products have less than 0.3% THC, they are permissible for transport to any state in the United States. That being said, some states have begun to create individual state-based laws to regulate hemp production and distribution in their own state while the United States regulations drag on for continued positive change. 

 

Part of our commitment as a distributor of hemp products is not only to provide the best quality variety of hemp products available, but also to help educate and inform those in local communities who know less about this incredible industry. We stay up-to-date with state and local regulations regarding hemp CBD so we can be sure you are having the best experience with the nutrimental benefits hemp provides, whether on an individual or wholesale basis. Let us know if you have any questions about regulations where you live and if there are any other questions you have about what to try--we would love to help you out!  

Remember! Use discount code "Mint400" at checkout to receive 15% off all products (excluding gift cards)!