Update JANUARY 22, 2019: All four members of the driving team have been released on bail and are now awaiting trial. 

Four people face felony charges after Oklahoma police seized hemp bound from Kentucky to Colorado.

The four are charged with drug trafficking after cops found 18,000 pounds of hemp in the back of their tractor-trailer. Police from Pawhuska, Oklahoma pulled the shippers over at 3:00am on January 9, claiming they ran a red light. When police stuck their noses in the vehicle, they smelled a strong odor which greatly resembled psychoactive cannabis (“marijuana”), leading to the charges.

The truck was transporting hemp from Kentucky to Colorado on behalf of Panacea Life Sciences, a CBD brand. As readers of our site know, the 2018 Farm Bill made hemp legal nationwide when it became law in December. The new law specifically protects interstate commerce. Therefore, the drivers were following the law.

However, two of the four still remain in jail as police insist that they don’t know whether the truck contained legal hemp or illegal marijuana. The four accused all pled not guilty at their initial hearing.

LAW ENFORCEMENT’S BIG FLAW

The Farm Bill makes it clear that there shouldn’t be any legal battle at all. Hemp is legal and these men were in total compliance with the law. Yet, as we’re witnessing, law enforcement continues to insist these men deserve to face charges.

We talked with James “Jamie” Baumgartner, the president of Panacea Life Sciences about the incident.

“To be honest, I personally tend to trust law enforcement,” Baumgartner proclaimed. “But I don’t know if they really know what they’re doing here.”

One source of Baumgartner’s uncertainty: the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) sent the hemp to a laboratory to do a binary test. The purpose was to discover whether or not there would be THC in the product.

“Of course, it’s going to test positive cause there is 0.3 percent THC in the product,” Baumgartner explained.

Under the law, hemp is fully legal as long as it contains less than 0.3 percent THC. He continued:

“Then they did another binary test that they [DEA] claim is definitive to show it’s marijuana, by taking a look at the product under a microscope. Which is the first time I’ve ever heard of that.”

Obviously, the latter test can’t confirm anything considering the fact that hemp and marijuana look nearly identical — they’re two forms of the same plant! As Baumgartner puts it, the only way to really tell the difference between the two is through, “a cannabinoid profile.”

Until the cannabis is properly tested, the four men will remain in custody. There’s only one major issue, as Baumgartner states:

“[Oklahoma law enforcement] wants to send it through Washington D.C. to be tested. But with the government shutdown, that laboratory is not operational right now.”

FIGHTING BACK AFTER OKLAHOMA POLICE SEIZE HEMP SHIPMENT

Baumgartner is pushing for the material to be tested properly even with the complication of a government shutdown. He and his team at Panacea have argued with police that they should, “find a neutral laboratory.”

“We’ve suggested they use the Colorado Department of Agriculture … to determine the THC content of the material.”

Unfortunately, there’s been little “open dialogue in terms of resolving the situation.”

Rather, law enforcement is taking matters into their own hands and, as mentioned above, it doesn’t seem like they quite know what’s going on.

Baumgartner told us he has never run into problems with the law before. Caught off guard by this unexpected seizure, he’s frustrated that police haven’t responded to his concerns. This is especially overwhelming considering some of these men have families who don’t know what’s going to happen.

Furthermore, Baumgartner predicted the bust could cost Panacea $1 million. Of course, he hopes that once Oklahoma law enforcement realizes the plants are hemp and therefore legal, there’s a good chance they’ll get the shipment back. However, then Panacea must worry about any damages which may have come about through this whole process.

“If we can verify that it has not been damaged then we rock’n’roll with it,” Baumgartner said. “If it has been damaged so that we cannot use it, then we’ll seek recourse through civil litigation.”

THE ANTI-HEMP STIGMA CONTINUES

Obviously, the stigma against hemp is far from gone. The fact that this whole mess is even happening might seem absurd to many within the hemp industry and community. However, when it comes to the general public, they still don’t see the difference between hemp and “marijuana.” 

“When I take a look at this whole situation, our number one priority is to make sure these individuals are not charged and are able to go back to their families and their lives, “Baumgartner said.

“Number two is to get our hemp back. And I’m really hoping we have a positive end to this story.”

He added:

“I hope we have a better understanding of rules and regulations. About how to handle hemp shipments in the future. I mean the last thing I really wanted to do was offer an interview for your publication about this problem. I’d rather be talking about the beneficial health properties of hemp.”

Panacea Life Sciences’ staff asked us to share this GoFundMe fundraiser for the arrested hemp drivers, and encouraged our readers to contribute. 

Do you know what the Sunday Scaries are?

According to the makers of Sunday Scaries Vegan AF CBD Gummies, it’s that feeling a person gets Sunday evening after a weekend of perhaps too much fun as they face the economic and physical realities of a sober, frugal Monday morning.

Sunday Scaries has a tongue-in-cheek name and story, but their anxiety-busting gummies are no joke.

Anxiety is Sunday Scaries’ specific focus, and they do it deliciously. As the name suggests, these gummies are 100 percent vegan, but even non-vegans will enjoy these gummies. They have a soft texture that gives gently and does not stick to the teeth. The sweetness of citrus or cherry flavor is cut nicely with a tart zip. Just the tiniest hint of earthiness and mineral taste from the full spectrum CBD oil and vitamins remains, adding to the taste.

Sunday Scaries paid us a fee and offered us free products in return for our honest opinion. If you purchase a product from one of these links, we’ll receive a percentage of sales. Read more about sponsored content on Ministry of Hemp.

Keep reading for our complete review of Sunday Scaries Vegan AF CBD Gummies.

SUNDAY SCARIES VEGAN AF CBD GUMMIES FORMULATED FOR ANXIETY RELIEF

Sunday Scaries obviously doesn’t take its branding too seriously. We loved the amusing product names, the hilarious list of causes of the Sunday Scaries (including “Did you rage too hard?”) and their tagline: “Make Life a Little More Chill,”

But Sunday Scaries takes their product very seriously.

Their CBD oil is full spectrum and organic. Free shipping and discounts for people who buy via “subscription” make Sunday Scaries Vegan AF Gummies more affordable. They make a very targeted product line: just CBD tinctures and gummies formulated for anxiety. Sunday Scaries prominently posts their up-to-date third-party lab results verifying the cannabinoid content and quality. This is a must-have to ensure that the CBD oil you use is indeed CBD.

This company’s hemp extract products are specifically designed to tackle anxiety. Sunday Scaries Vegan AF Gummies combine full-spectrum CBD oil with vitamins B12 and D3. Some research links a deficiency of these vitamins to depression and anxiety. While the jury is still out, the the National Institutes of Health called for more studies on the possible links between Vitamin B12, Vitamin D and anxiety.

Of course, you can take Sunday Scaries on any day, whenever needed. Anxiety does not restrict itself to any day or hour. The recommended dosage for Sunday Scaries Vegan AF 10mg gummies is 2-3 as needed, but those new to CBD gummies should start small. Every person’s response to CBD oil varies, both based on their personal chemistry and due to differing delivery methods. Sunday Scaries uses nano CBD oil, meaning the extremely small droplets of oil are said to increase the body’s ability to absorb CBD.

We found that Sunday Scaries Vegan AF Gummies offered a noticeable anti-anxiety effect that aided in sleep when our reviewer used the suggested dosage.

SUNDAY SCARIES VEGAN AF GUMMIES OFFICIAL REVIEW

• Highlights: Sunday Scaries Vegan AF Gummies are sugar coated, soft, and tasty — and include Vitamins B12 and D.
• Strength: 10mg of full-spectrum CBD oil with 400 IU Vitamin of D3, 44 mcg of Vitamin B12 per gummy, 20 gummies per bottle.
• Price: $44.95
• Special: Use coupon code ministry for 10% off your order.
• Customer Service & Shipping: Fast (and funny!) customer service. Free shipping.
• Independent Test Results: Online.
• Flavor & Texture: These vegan CBD gummies are pleasantly soft, with deliciously tangy citrus fruit flavors that aren’t too sweet or too tangy.
• Ingredients: CBD oil / Full Spectrum Hemp extract plus Vitamins D & B12 with Organic Sugar, Corn syrup, Modified Food starch, Marice acid, Citric acid, Natural and Artificial flavors, Natural and Artificial colors.
• Other: Sunday Scaries offers a generous refund policy for unsatisfied customers.

Sunday Scaries makes their products from organic hemp grown in the U.S. They also make also make non-vegan CBD gummy bears and 100 percent vegan CBD tinctures.

Facebook shut down numerous CBD brand pages in December, claiming they were selling prescription drugs, rather than natural supplements made from legal hemp.

Right before the holidays, Fort Collins, Colorado resident Joy Smith had attempted to log into her CBD products Facebook page for Joy Organics. However, she was surprised to find herself denied access. She contacted her daughter, Hannah Smith — the company’s social media brains — as a means of solving the problem.

However, Hannah found that the Facebook page was officially unpublished and flagged for “promoting the sale of prescription pharmaceuticals.”

Even though CBD supplements are legal, Facebook commonly mistreats representatives of the newly emerging hemp market. In fact, Kit O’Connell, editor in chief at the Ministry, is banned from using Facebook’s ad platform due to his hemp advocacy efforts.

We reached out to Hannah in hopes of finding out more about her experience and what social media platforms such as Facebook will do in order to prevent these false flaggings from happening in the future.

TAKING ACTION AFTER FACEBOOK SHUTS DOWN CBD PAGES

When it all began, Hannah Smith didn’t think too much of it. Her initial inclinations suggested it was all a mistake that Facebook would easily fix through an appeal. Even when Facebook denied their appeal, they remained optimistic.

“Both me and my brother figured we’d just wait it out,” Smith explains.

“We just sent some emails and assumed they’d get on it. We figured they were dealing with a lot since it was the holidays, so, we didn’t think too much of it.”

However, Smith was soon met with a harsh reality: Facebook deliberately took down the page, claiming that it was encouraging prescription medication sales. Hemp-derived CBD oil is widely available over-the-counter as a nutritional supplement, both online and in many brick-and-mortar stores. After learning of Facebook’s real motivations, Smith took action.

“I created a petition as soon as I found out other CBD companies were going through the same thing,” she proclaims. “I thought it would be advantageous for us and the industry as a whole if I made the petition about more than just our Facebook.”

After sharing the petition with other hemp-derived CBD pages which Facebook had shut down, Smith was able to obtain 4,500 signatures. “Everyone was really excited to be doing something. To be taking action.”

FACEBOOK SHUTS DOWN CBD PAGES DURING HOLIDAY SEASON

This shut down had affected about three dozen hemp-derived CBD Facebook pages, both within the United States and across seas in the United Kingdom.

As mentioned, this happened just before the holiday season. Though most of Joy Organics sales are made on-site rather than online, there are CBD companies out there who sell most of their products over the internet. Social media plays a key role in online marketing. Facebook shutting down CBD pages during such a vital period of time could have severely affected sales.

Still, that isn’t to say the shut down didn’t have an impact on Joy Organics. Though their sales remained fine, they weren’t able to connect with their community. As Smith puts it, “it more hurt us in our ability to build credibility.”

Despite restoring their pages, Facebook hasn’t given a satisfactory explanation as to why these shutdowns occurred.

DID FACEBOOK SHUT DOWN CBD PAGES OVER FDA MEMO?

“Now, this is all speculation,” Smith begins.

“But there’s something about this that just doesn’t feel right for me. CBD is — in Facebook’s guidelines — you can’t buy ads on Facebook if you’re selling it. So, they’re aware of what CBD is. There are restrictions for CBD and restrictions for marijuana. So, I’m pretty sure they know the difference between the two.”

With that in mind, Smith finds one aspect of this whole scenario to be truly strange. This all happened right after the Farm Bill went through. During the initial days after hemp was fully legalized, searches for CBD skyrocketed.

“After the farm bill went through, there were so many new people looking for CBD resources,” Smith stresses. “The fact that this happened after the Farm Bill was signed is suspicious to me because it coincides with a huge spark of interest in the CBD industry and CBD products.”

Interestingly, Smith notes that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a statement shortly after the Farm Bill went through claiming CBD is illegal in food products. Some hemp advocates speculate Facebook saw that statement and decided to shutdown CBD pages. Still, Smith doesn’t believe this is the true root of the problem which occurred, especially after Facebook’s history of cracking down on hemp and CBD brands.

We’ll have more coverage of the FDA memo and what it means for CBD in an upcoming article.

WE CAN EXPECT MORE MISUNDERSTANDINGS ABOUT HEMP

It should be expected that problems will continue to come about when it comes to the hemp and CBD industry. The unfortunate truth is the public still has trouble separating hemp from psychoactive cannabis (“marijuana”). Many people are still learning about the benefits of CBD.

According to Chavie Lieber, a senior reporter at Vox, “Facebook said it did not believe hemp or CBD companies violated any of these terms, but it did not further explain why its team had removed these pages in the first place.”

Though that may be true, it’s noteworthy to mention Smith had a very difficult time trying to resolve the issue. She could barely find a customer service email to contact.

“Facebook has a lot of places for people to go to prevent them from contacting customer service; forums and FAQs and stuff like that,” Smith explains.

Luckily, Joy Organics hasn’t seen any similar problems on other social media platforms.

At the end of the day, the hemp industry should expect more barriers. It’s going to take time for the public to understand what CBD and hemp truly are and the benefits they offer society.

Until then, Smith remains optimistic. “We hope when the laws change, the stigma will change.”

CBD is currently one of the fastest-growing industries in the United States because of products like CBD infused oils and edibles which can deliver remarkable benefits to users of all ages and backgrounds. Senior citizens, in particular, have become a loyal base for CBD products as they have begun to trade their conventional medications for naturally-derived CBD.

But, what exactly is CBD? And why are senior citizens turning to this hemp-derived product?

THE STATUS OF CBD IN 2019

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a natural compound found in hemp. Despite its close relation to psychoactive cannabis (better known as “marijuana”), hemp and hemp-derived products don’t make you “feel high.” As a result, hemp-derived CBD is legal in the United States. With the recent passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, CBD products can now be purchased in stores or online nationwide.

CBD OIL BENEFITS

Research suggests CBD can have an extensive array of health benefits as a result of its natural analgesic properties. Over time, CBD can help promote wellness by interacting with endocannabinoid receptors located throughout our immune and nervous systems. Among many things, endocannabinoid receptors are responsible for regulating vital biological functions such as pain sensitivity, sleep cycles, and anxiety levels.

Here are some reasons CBD has become such a popular supplement for senior citizens:

Anxiety and Stress

Anxiety disorders are often more common and severe in older adults. There are many triggers that manifest as they get older. In many cases, anxiety disorders in the elderly can turn into more serious conditions like chronic panic attacks and depression.

When it comes to our mental health, studies suggest CBD can be particularly beneficial because of its ability to boost levels of the neurotransmitter anandamide. Anandamide promotes feelings related to happiness and relaxation; however, in many individuals, anandamide is rapidly degraded by the enzyme FAAH (fatty acid amide hydrolase). CBD inhibits FAAH enzymes slowing down the degradation process of anandamide and allowing it to stay longer in our systems.

There is also conclusive evidence that CBD helps activate the 5-HT1A serotonin receptor. Serotonin receptors play an important role in mental health as they modulate anxiety and mood which is why serotonin receptors are usually the primary target of antidepressant medications.

Fitness and Mobility

Muscle and joint pain can drastically change the everyday routine and overall lifestyle of people as they get older. Simple tasks like playing with grandchildren, walking the dogs, or going for a swim may be difficult to enjoy due to excruciating chronic pain in the back, hips, and other parts of the body. Over time, limited mobility can influence our sense of independence and lead to severe consequences for our physical endurance and immune functions.

Because of its natural anti-inflammatory properties, CBD oil for pain can be an effective treatment for pain and physical discomfort. When it interacts with our nervous system, CBD helps generate pain-resisting responses from cells, thus increasing our pain threshold. That is why professional athletes, like UFC champion TJ Dillashaw, are using CBD to aid them in their daily workout routines for recovery purposes. Whether you are looking to stay committed to an exercise regimen or just trying to spend more time playing with your grandchildren, a daily dose of CBD oil for pain can help you stay active and independent well into your golden years.

Better Sleeping Patterns

Another common reason seniors are adding CBD products to their daily routine is to balance their sleep and wake cycles. As we age, medical conditions and common sleep disorders can prevent us from getting quality sleep at night. In the long run, lack of sleep in older adults can lead to serious medical conditions such as heart disease and significant weight gain.

Because CBD can reduce anxiety and pain, thousands of users across the country choose to use CBD as a nighttime sleep aid. Some CBD products for sleep even contain melatonin which is the hormone responsible for regulating sleep in humans. A nightly dose of CBD and melatonin can be particularly successful for patients with recurring sleep problems as their combined effects produce a relaxing and calming effect that can improve overall quality and quantity of sleep.

A NATURAL ALTERNATIVE

Probably the most important reason CBD has become a popular alternative for seniors is that it produces no significant side effects and is non-addictive as opposed to many pharmaceutical drugs. CBD also gives users a wider range of options as it can be found in a wide variety of forms such as CBD oils, CBD  edibles, and even CBD coffee.

If you are over the age of 50, CBD can prove to be an excellent ally for your health and wellness needs. If you are considering CBD for your daily routine, make sure extracts are obtained from industrial hemp grown in the United States. Most importantly, look for CBD products formulated by licensed pharmacists and tested by independent labs to ensure they meet all industry standards and regulations.

In a world of increasing pollution, two startups are trailblazing new techniques to reduce waste by recycling hemp.

The community based around hemp is famous for its holistic approach to life. Hemp advocates care about living cleanly, reducing their environmental impact, and trying to reduce waste as much as possible.

Industrial hemp is now fully legal in the United States thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill. As a result, we can expect the hemp industry to grow and produce more waste. Companies like 9Fiber and Kindness 3D see this as an opportunity.

Previously, we reported on Sana Packaging, who use hemp to create sustainable packaging for the recreational cannabis industry. 9Fiber and Kindness 3D differ in that they’re recycling hemp and cannabis waste after it’s produced. They’re helping reduce pollution and helping their fellow human beings at the same time.

9FIBER: RECYCLING HEMP STALKS & FIBER INTO USEFUL PRODUCTS

9Fiber, based out of Silver Spring, Maryland are an agricultural technology company focused on recycling hemp stalk and stem waste. This startup takes hemp bio-waste that’s been put aside by other companies and processes it into raw materials that can be used to make a variety of products.

First, 9Fiber decontaminates any biowaste from federally illegal substances, removing the THC. Next, they process the waste further by removing fiber from the hurd, which is the woody core of the hemp plant. Then, the fiber undergoes final processing before it becomes usable for production. With the recycled fiber and gum-free hurd, 9Fiber is able to make paper, rope, textiles, fuel, bioplastics, fiberglass, hempcrete, and even livestock bedding.

In November, the Colorado Advanced Industries Accelerator Grant Program gave 9Fiber a $250,000 grant. The process to get the grant was a lengthy one, as many startups. With this new funding, 9Fiber plans to expand their operations into Pueblo, Colorado in late 2019. Hopefully, this grant can also help 9Fiber scale with the inevitable boom in hemp production. With the recent passing of the 2018 Farm Bill, 9Fiber’s future is looking bright.

Adin Alai, 9Fiber’s CEO, told us, “our main goal is to create an entire circular economy.”

While the hemp industry inevitably produces waste, companies like 9Fiber can use that waste to produce other products. Not only is Mr. Alai passionate about his startup, but he believes that the cannabis industry has the potential to be a leading zero-waste industry.

KINDNESS 3D PRINTS PROSTHETIC LIMBS FROM CANNABIS WASTE

Meanwhile, up north in Nova Scotia, Canada, a prosthetic limb production company recycles plastic waste from local psychoactive cannabis (“marijuana”) shops. After Canada legalized recreational use of marijuana, there has been a dramatic increase in plastic container waste. Based out of Halifax, Kindness 3D turns plastic packaging from psychoactive cannabis products into prosthetic limbs.

Starting as a 3D printing enthusiast, Jake Boudreau started Kindness 3D after coming across templates for prosthetic limbs in an online 3D printing community. Since the creation of the non-profit, he’s been able to send hands to a girl in Costa Rica and a woman in Brazil. He aims to not only recycle reusable plastic waste, but to help people who can’t afford the expenses that come along with prosthetic limbs.

Donate to Boudreau’s GoFundMe and check out the Kindness3D Facebook page!

A GREENER FUTURE THROUGH RECYCLING HEMP

As industrial hemp and cannabis legalization spreads around the world, companies like 9Fiber and Kindness 3D fill an important niche. Efforts like these are vital for reducing hemp waste, and to increase the utility of the hemp plant. Hopefully, recycling hemp will become commonplace, and recycled hemp biomass products can become part of our everyday lives.

Hemp’s future is green, in more ways than one.

Palm Organix CBD Tincture is an all-natural supplement that aids relaxation, stress relief, pain relief, and eases symptoms of insomnia.

We tried the 500mg CBD tincture from Palm Organix. This product tastes quite refreshing thanks to its mint flavor and it’s fast acting too. The mint flavor is subtle and not overpowering. Instructions on the bottle suggested filling the dropper with Palm Organix CBD tincture, holding the drops under the tongue for up to 2 minutes (the longer it’s held, the better the absorption), swishing, and then swallowing.

Within the first 30 minutes our reviewer reported feeling muscle tension dissipate. Symptoms of stress and anxiety also began to decrease. Although this CBD didn’t make us feel drowsy, we noticed that Palm Organix CBD tincture aided in sleeping well throughout the night.

The product is aesthetically pleasing in design. The bottle has a clean and professional looking appearance. Palm Organix CBD Tincture delivered what we needed most from CBD: relief from stress, minor pain, and restlessness.

Palm Organix paid us a fee and offered us free products in return for our honest opinion. If you purchase a product from one of these links, we’ll receive a percentage of sales. Read more about sponsored content on Ministry of Hemp.

Keep reading to learn more about Palm Organix and see our complete review of their CBD tincture.

PALM ORGANIX: PHARMACEUTICAL GRADE CBD IN MULTIPLE FLAVORS & STRENGTHS

Palm Organix CBD Tincture comes in a variety of strengths, including 250 mg and 1000 mg, although we reviewed their 500mg strength. Ministry of Hemp always recommends new users of CBD start with a smaller dose, while experienced CBD consumers will enjoy the 1000mg tincture.

We appreciate that Palm Organix makes their CBD products from organically grown hemp oil. They use just a few simple ingredients in all their offerings. Based in Fort Collins, Colorado, Palm Organix prides themselves on being a premium brand that meets high standards of quality.

We like that their tincture is clearly labeled and that they work with a pharmaceutical scientist to craft their CBD oil products specifically to their client’s needs. Their website is also super user friendly, easy to navigate, and attractive which makes shopping online a breeze. We also like that third-party lab results are easy to find.

Additionally, all Palm Organix products meet 12 criteria for quality. These include ensuring that every product is made without pesticides, is full spectrum, gluten free, and made from only organic, non-GMO, pharmaceutical grade ingredients sourced in the United States. They also have a 100% satisfaction guarantee, meaning that if you’re unhappy with the product they will offer a full refund on return.

PALM ORGANIX CBD TINCTURE OFFICIAL REVIEW

• Highlights: Palm Organix CBD Tincture is a refreshing, easy-to-use and fast-acting supplement that aids in relaxation and pain/stress relief.
• Strength: 500mg per 30ml, also  in 250mg and 1000mg strengths
• Price: $59.95 satisfaction guarantee
• Customer Service & Shipping: Great, customer-oriented service. Palm Organix offers quick, free standard shipping on all orders.
• Lab Results: Online.
• Ingredients: CBD oil / Full Spectrum Hemp extract plus Hemp oil, Hemp Seed oil, Grape Seed oil, Peppermint oil for flavor and Stevia
• Other: Palm Organix CBD Tincture is also available in orange flavor. They offer a generous 30-day guarantee for unsatisfied customers.

Palm Organix makes all their products with organically-grown Colorado hemp. They also make CBD softgels and a great-smelling CBD salve!

Recent court rulings make it clear that it’s fully legal to send hemp by mail.

History has been made in recent weeks. With industrial hemp becoming federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill, new rules and regulations surrounding the industry will begin to appear. Another important change? New rulings from the Judicial Officer and the Federal Court for the U.S. Postal Service now allow shipments of industrial hemp — specifically, hemp-derived CBD derived products — through USPS.

Courtney N. Moran, founding principal of EARTH Law, LLC, has vigorously fought multiple battles for these rights. Still, as can be expected, there remain problems and misunderstandings about legal hemp. And Moran will have to continue her battle until these issues are fully solved.

We recently had the opportunity to have a conversation with Moran in which we sought to learn more about these battles, their resolutions, and what people can expect when attempting to ship hemp in the future.

THE LEGAL BATTLE OVER SENDING HEMP BY MAIL

After Moran received complaints from clients entailing how their hemp products weren’t being shipped to their respected destinations, she filed multiple cases. The goal of these cases was to establish a federal judicial precedent which:

• Defines laws surrounding transportation of industrial hemp.
• Clarifies the intent of Congress.
• Halts misinformation and misinterpretations by the Department of Justice and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Cases like the recent “KaB, LLC v. USPS” established these necessary precedents. In this case, USPS seized a package of CBD derived from a hemp agriculture pilot program with the excuse, “the parcel [was] emitting an odor of a controlled substance.”

When this case was brought to court, the question arose whether or not “CBD grown or cultivated from industrial hemp pursuant to a pilot program established by Congress under the Agriculture Act of 2014 is nonmailable as a Schedule I controlled substance.”

Moran’s argument was that the hemp was grown in compliance with an agricultural pilot program established under the 2014 Farm Bill. This hemp is exempt from control under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Therefore, the hemp is not a controlled substance and is allowed to be mailed.

There was a lot of legal back and forth. For though it’s confirmed legal to ship hemp in accordance with agriculture programs, there remains much confusion in postal service policy. At the end of the day, the entire country hasn’t woken up from decades of hemp prohibition. Solving this confusion ultimately lies in separating hemp from psychoactive cannabis (“marijuana”).

A WIN FOR THE INDUSTRY

Ultimately, the court agreed with Moran’s argument about sending hemp by mail. She won a great leap forward for this industry with this important ruling. Here’s how she described her success:

“I’ve covered 16 cases with the Postal Service,” Moran explained. “All of them had been decided in our favor. And all of those folks either received their packages back already or they’ve gone on their way to be received from the recipient.”

Most recently, on December 11th, Moran won another case which added a new twist to this story. Up until that point, most of the cases she fought for were in regards to hemp-products or hemp-derived CBD. However, this particular case was focused around hemp seeds.

Moran added:

“That’s what’s really thrilling about these cases. For the very first time, [we] have a judge upholding the intent of Congress versus the guidance that was put out by federal agencies and clearly reiterating agricultural hemp is exempted and not scheduled.”

PROBLEMS TO CONTINUE

Still, even though these cases establish a precedent for sending hemp by mail,  people shouldn’t expect all problems with the postal service to simply vanish. As mentioned, there’s still plenty of confusion in the public’s perspective. Until more people understand hemp’s legal status and its difference from psychoactive cannabis, cases such as these will continue to appear.

“The US Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) has law enforcement authority and capability,” Moran tells us. And the truth of the matter is, there are still plenty of people trying to ship illegal marijuana and hemp through the postal service.

With that in mind, Moran informs, “Only this agricultural pilot program hemp is lawful. So, let’s say somebody grew industrial hemp domestically but was not part of a pilot program and did not have their proper registration or license through their state’s authorizing agency — that would not be legal and not be compliant.”

And even for those who are legally growing and shipping it, the problems stem from those who continue to abuse the U.S. Postal Service in an illegal manner. Moran says that people attempting to send illegal products through the mail are causing harm to the people trying to do it right.

YOUR RIGHT TO SHIP HEMP IS DEFENDABLE IN COURT

Luckily, the postal service is developing a standard operating procedure which gives people the authority to legally ship hemp in advance. The goal is to prevent continuous court cases over hemp.

Furthermore, with the legalization of hemp just hitting the entire country, new rules and regulations are bound to arise. Just as with psychoactive cannabis legalization in various states, lawmakers are still figuring out how to make this all work. Back in July, California saw a complete shelving of CBD products due to new cannabis labeling regulations. This same uncertainty is almost certain to hit the hemp industry.

However, with people such as Moran defending hemp farmers and distributor alike, we can trust the fight for these rules and regulations will go in the right direction. In terms of this recent win, she proclaimed:

“We’re not intimidated and really look to the letter of the law. And made a very clear determination based on what the letter of the law says and the intent of Congress.”

Savage CBD Pink Grapefruit CBD Tincture has a crisp, fresh fruit taste that delighted our taste buds.

Savage CBD makes a strong, full-spectrum extract that doesn’t taste at all of hemp. Instead, all you get is the flavor of grapefruit, like you just squeezed it out in a juicer. While the flavor is mild, it’s distinctive in a way that stands out from other CBD supplements.

This CBD supplement makes a refreshing addition to tea or juice and it’s great for CBD cocktails. Of course, it also tastes wonderful applied directly under the tongue too, making Savage CBD Pink Grapefruit CBD Tincture a good choice for anyone who doesn’t like the taste of hemp, or anyone looking for something different in their CBD.

Available in several strengths, Savage CBD Pink Grapefruit CBD Tincture starts at 1000mg per 30mg bottle. This is a higher strength CBD extract, and we always recommend newcomers to CBD start off with a small dose. As a result, this bottle could last you quite a while.

Savage CBD paid us a fee and offered us free products in return for our honest opinion. If you purchase a product from one of these links, we’ll receive a percentage of sales. Read more about sponsored content on Ministry of Hemp.

Read on to learn more about Savage CBD and their delicious CBD products.

SAVAGE CBD WANTS EVERYONE TO TRY CANNABIDIOL

Savage CBD wants to help a million people experience the benefits of CBD. In order to make this great supplement more accessible to more people, they focus on top-quality, pure and natural ingredients and rigorous quality testing. We appreciate their commitment to transparency, with third-party lab results for all their products available right from the website.

Our reviewer also appreciated the packaging of Savage CBD Pink Grapefruit CBD Tincture, which has a fun “retro” feel. The dropper seems to be high-quality too, with clear markings up to 1ml, so it’s easy to measure how much CBD you are taking. We also enjoyed sampling Savage CBD’s vape cartridges, which tasted just as good as their CBD oil.

SAVAGE CBD PINK GRAPEFRUIT CBD TINCTURE OFFICIAL REVIEW

• Highlights: Savage CBD Pink Graprefruit CBD Tincture brings strong full-spectrum hemp extract together with fresh-tasting essential oils for a winning combination.
• Strength: 1000 mg per 30ml bottle, also available in 1500mg and 2000mg strengths
• Price: $109.99 – 149.99
• Special: Use coupon code MH15 for 15% off your first order from Savage CBD.
• Customer Service & Shipping: Fast customer service. Free shipping on all U.S. orders.
• Independent Test Results: Online.
• Flavor & Texture: This CBD tincture has a mild but distinct flavor of fresh grapefruit that completely covers any taste of hemp. This supplement has a light, non-oily mouthfeel.
• Ingredients: CBD oil / Full Spectrum Hemp extract plus added Terpenes in MCT (Coconut-based) oil, Hemp Seed oil, and Essential oils.
• Other: Also available in lemon-lime flavor. Savage CBD offers a discount to military service members.

Savage CBD uses hemp grown in California in their products. They also make delicious CBD vape cartridges, CBD e-juice, a topical CBD lotion and a CBD pet spray.

Terpenes are natural compounds found in all forms of hemp and cannabis that give the plant its bouquet of smells.

In addition, terpenes work in concert with the better known compounds found in the plant such as the cannabinoids THC and CBD to provide their own unique health benefits.

One reason we enjoy writing about hemp is the opportunity to learn new cannabinoid science and then get to share it with our readers. We’ve said it before, but it bears repeating, there really is so much more to the cannabis plant than just CBD and THC.

Of course, both of these two cannabinoids, along with the other hundred or so cannabinoids, are instrumental in the healing and feel better properties of the cannabis plant. But increasingly researchers believe other parts of the hemp plant work synergistically with the cannabinoids to maximize the healing properties, Today’s article focuses on one of those parts: terpenes. While all forms of hemp contain terpenes, some are especially prevalent in psychoactive cannabis (“marijuana”), which we’ve noted below.

WHAT ARE TERPENES?

Cannabis isn’t the only plant that produces terpenes. According to Wikipedia, terpenes “are a large and diverse class of organic compounds, produced by a variety of plants, particularly conifers.” Terpenes give these plants their unique scents and assist plants in a variety of ways.

Terpenes attract pollenating insects for plant reproduction. They also ward off or even kill predators. They slow plant maturation and regulate metabolism. Terpenes are a major component of plants’ essential oils. Aromatherapy treatments frequently use terpenes due to their medicinal properties. Some terpenes develop because of stress to a plant, like excessive heat.

The exact number of terpenes found in the cannabis plant ranges between 100-200 depending on different variations in scientific classification.

For example, the popular terpene limonene gives citrus fruits their unique smells. It is found in both lemons and oranges, but in different concentrations thus creating a different scent, or variations.

Here we discuss nine primary terpenes found in hemp and share the healing properties of each.

DIFFERENT TERPENES EXPLAINED

Below, we look at 9 of the most prominent terpenes: mycerne, limonene, carophyllene, pinene (Alpha/Beta), terpineol, borneol, linalool, eucalyptol, and nerolidol.

Mycerne

Mycerne is the most common terpene found in hemp. In some strains, over 60% of the essential oil is made up of mycerne. It smells very similar to cloves. Scientists consider myrcene a potent analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antibiotic.

Mycerne blocks cytochrome, aflatoxin B, and other pro-mutagenic carcinogens. It has a relaxing, calming, anti-spasmodic, and sedative effect. Myrcene works synergistically with THC and may also increase the psychoactive potential.

The essential oil of  citrus fruits contains high levels of myrcene. Many claim that eating a mango 45 minutes before consuming psychoactive cannabis results in a faster onset and greater intensity.

Limonene

Limonene is often the second, third or fourth terpene found in cannabis resin and produces the smell we find in citrus fruits. Like mycerne, limonene contains anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-carcinogenic properties. It is also said to protect against Aspergillus and other carcinogens found in smoke.

Even more, a cancer study from 2013 revealed that terpene reduces tumors in women with early-stage breast cancer. Limonene quickly and easily penetrates the blood barrier, which increases systolic pressure. What’s more, some experts say limonene increases attention, mental focus, well-being, and sex drive.

Citrus fruit rinds, rosemary, juniper, peppermint, and several pine needle oils all contain limonene.

Caryophyllene

Many herbs and spices contain caryophyllene. Black pepper contains high amounts, giving it that spicy flavor.

As with the previous two terpenes, caryophyllene has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-fungal properties. It has affinity for our bodies’ CB2 receptors making it a common ingredient for anti-inflammatory topicals and creams. Topical application of caryophyllene also relieves toothaches.

One interesting note about this terpene is its promising role in alcohol rehabilitation. In a study on mice, scientists found that caryophyllene reduces the voluntary intake of alcohol.

In addition to black pepper, Thai basils, cloves, and cinnamon leaves have caryophyllene. Lavender also produces caryophyllene in small quantities.

Pinene

Pinene, as the name implies, creates the smell associated with pine and fir trees. Doctors use pinene in medicines as an expectorant, bronchodilator, anti-inflammatory and local antiseptic. Pinene also improves concentration, personal satisfaction, and energy. Patients suffering from arthritis, Crohn’s Disease, and cancer may benefit from pinene.

A unique fact about pinene: Smoking cannabis with high levels of Pinene may give the sensation of sucking more air, which can lead to coughing or hyperventilation.

Many conifers and non-coniferous plants, balsamic resin, pinewoods, and some citrus fruits produce pinene.

Terpineol

Terpineol smells of lilacs, crabapple, blossoms, and lime blossoms. Plants with high-levels of pinene often also produce terpineol. If you’ve ever enjoyed Lapsang souchong tea, part of the flavor came from the terpineol in the pine smoke used during processing.

Terpineol creates a sedative effect often connected to indica strains of psychoactive cannabis. During tests on mice, terpineol reduced mobility by 45 percent. Experts also believe terpineol has antibiotic and antioxidant properties.

Commercial producers of terpineol often derive this terpene from Monterey cypress trees.

Borneol

Borneol smells like mint and camphor. Chinese herbalists use borneol in medicines against fatigue, stress, lingering illness.

Some researchers believe this terpene’s natural insect repellent properties and could be used against diseases caused by ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes such as West Nile Virus. One study published even show that borneol kills breast cancer cells.

Linalool

Linalool has a floral smell similar to lavender and spring flowers. It is currently being used in the treatment of various cancers.

Linalool has a calming action, antianxiety, and produces sedative effects. Linalool is responsible for the sedative effects of certain psychoactive cannabis strains. In tests on mice their activity decreased by 75%. It also has analgesic and anti-epileptic properties.

Patients suffering from arthritis, depression, seizures, insomnia and cancer have all found relief with this terpene.

The Lamiaceae plant and herb family, which includes mints, laurels, cinnamon, rosewood, and Birch trees, all produce linalool. Linalool is a precursor in the formation of Vitamin E.

Eucalyptol

Eucalyptol is the main ingredient in eucalyptus essential oil. It has a minty smell and found in small amounts in psychoactive cannabis.

Eucalyptol relieves pain, improves concentration, and inner balance. Plants containing eucalyptol enhance meditation and concentration. It is showing promise as a treatment for Alzheimer’s, but it’s still in early stages of research.

The Eucalyptus plant, bay leaves, sage, sweet basil, and cardamom contain notable quantities of eucalyptol.

Nerolidol

Nerolidol has a unique woody and fresh bark aroma. Nerolidol contains anti-fungal, anti-cancer, and anti-malarial properties. It may prevent certain kinds of parasites.

Neroli, ginger, jasmine, lavender, and tea tree oil contain nerolidol.

UNDERSTANDING AND USING TERPENES

Again, these are just some of the most common terpenes found in hemp and cannabis. There are many more. These profiles were summarized from Alchimia and Greencamp, where you you can read more on terpenes.

After reading this article, we hope you understand how the benefits of terpenes and pair so perfectly with the benefits of CBD, and all the other cannabinoids. We hope you start incorporating them into your daily CBD regimen.

More and more CBD supplement companies recognize the importance of terpenes and now add different terpenes to their products to supplement those already found in hemp. Some brands even sell terpene concentrates for customers to incorporate on their own.

However, if you’re unable to find the terpenes you want through your local CBD store or online, try looking to a non-cannabis plant type or spice and simply combine with your CBD.  You might not achieve the same synergistic effect as when the terpenes are naturally present, but you should still receive the healing properties of the terpenes themselves and the healing properties of the CBD.

Outperforming standard supercapacitors up to 200 percent, hemp-based supercapacitors could be the future of green technology.

At the Ministry of Hemp, we’re a little biased about our favorite plant in the world: hemp. But it seems like everyday we find newer and better ways that it can be used.

One innovation we recently discovered? Scientists discovered how to use hemp in supercapacitor electrodes. A supercapacitor is the lesser-known alternative to traditional electrical energy storage. Right now, a supercapacitor is the second best option for storing power, after batteries. However, more research could change that.

Below we’ll introduce you to hemp supercapacitors and how hemp could play a part in our energy future.

WHAT’S A SUPERCAPACITY, ANYWAYS?

The most famous form of energy storage is the battery, an object that contains two opposing electrical terminals separated by electrolytes. When you turn on the power, a chemical reaction occurs between the electrolytes and electrodes, producing electric energy for your device. Since batteries rely on electrolyes, and electrolytes wear out, all batteries need to be replaced. In addition, batteries take a very long time to fully charge. Today, we use batteries everywhere; in our phones, laptops, and more recently, our cars.

Capacitors work very differently from the traditional battery. In short, a normal capacitor is comprised of two metal plates and an insulating material between the plates called a dielectric. In a capacitor, positive & negative build up on the plates. Rather than electrolytes, capacitors store electrical energy within the plates.

Supercapacitors on the other hand, are different for two ways. Their plates have a “bigger” surface area and the distance between the plates is much shorter. Supercapacitors are usually coated in a porous substance such as activated charcoal. These coatings are called the “supercapacitor electrodes.”  The electrodes serve as more storage on the plates, giving them more surface area to store electricity. Think of normal non-coated capacitors as mops; which can only absorb so much water, and supercapacitors as sponges, soaking up much more water than its surface area. The website Explain That Stuff published a great explanation of supercapacitors in August.

Unlike batteries, supercapacitors charge almost instantaneously and last much longer than batteries. Their biggest drawback, preventing them from being the popular choice, is the amount of energy that is able to be stored within them. Right now, supercapacitors only store a fraction of the power of a traditional battery, but scientists are working hard to find a way around this problem.

THE MIGHTY HEMP SUPERCAPACITOR

Today’s supercapacitors commonly use graphene, a carbon nanomaterial to create electrodes. But making graphene costs up to $2000 per gram.

In 2013, Researchers at the University of Alberta National Institute for Nanotechnology found a more economical material in hemp. These scientists discovered how to process raw hurds (the plant’s woody core) into activated carbons through hydrothermal processing and chemical activation. The final product is one that’s able to soak up more electricity, providing better energy capacity. The solution produces not only a cheaper material — $5000 per ton — but one that performs up to four times better than graphene. Better yet, the solution uses the hemp stems, the part that is often left unused during other forms of hemp processing. With this, the entire plant is used, and no part is left to waste!

If this solution can be easily reproduced, it would affect far more than just the electronics industries. Supercapacitors represent a fundamental shift in energy storage. Imagine if every battery powered object used hemp powered instead! It would mean that hemp would be undeniable in its utilitarian value. Remaining anti-hemp governments would be hard-pressed to keep the plant banned from commercial use.

LEGAL HEMP MEANS MORE HEMP RESEARCH

With the passing of the Farm Bill — making industrial hemp a lawful agricultural commodity in the United States — hemp research is ready to take a big leap. Someday, we could be driving hemp-powered cars and using phones that are powered by hemp!

Not only will consumer products change with legal hemp, but if hemp supercapacitors are adapted to a larger scale, we might see a shift in the infrastructure of the entire country. The possibilities for this greener, cleaner, and sustainable crop seem limitless! With legal hemp, countless industries stand to benefit.