A new online CBD marketplace is helping to end the confusion around buying hemp extracts online.

We founded our new company in January of this year. We hope Anavii Market will become the most trusted retailer for premium verified CBD oil products in the nation.

Anavii Market co-founder Annie Rouse with hemp advocate Rick Trojan at NoCo Hemp Expo.

Currently the CBD market is filled with questions and consumers don’t have all the proper information to make educated choices on which brands and which products to choose.

Most people seeking CBD for its many benefits have experienced the CBD dilemma: people want to try this “miracle” supplement, but get frustrated when trying to select the best quality CBD oil brand on the market. It is not surprising that this occurs, because this industry is unregulated, allowing bad actors to thrive.

Anavii Market was established to counteract the quality control issues in the growing hemp CBD oil market. Read on to learn more about our story and why a trusted CBD marketplace is so important for consumers.

INACCURATELY LABELED PRODUCTS SOLD AS CBD ENDANGER CONSUMERS

In a report published by the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers found that 70 percent of CBD products on the market were mislabeled or misbranded. These mislabeled products contained naturally occuring CBD and other cannabinoids, but did not contain the quantities marketed on the brands’ labels.

To make matters worse, in early 2018, reports sprang from North Carolina and elsewhere of consumers purchasing CBD oil products laced with synthetic cannabinoids. Better known as synthetic marijuana, K2 or spice, synthetics can cause major health concerns. These instances have sparked controversy in the growing CBD oil market, where quality hemp-derived CBD companies have been working hard to legitimize the industry.

These problems inspired us to start an online CBD marketplace where consumers could shop with confidence.

ANAVII MARKET: AN ONLINE CBD MARKETPLACE WITH ONLY TRUSTED PRODUCTS

We started Anavii Market to counteract the quality control issues in the growing hemp CBD oil market.

Anavii Market ensures the best CBD oil by requiring manufacturers to complete an application before representing their brand. This application requires proof of third-party laboratory testing within the five major areas of concern (phytocannabinoids, microbiologics, residual solvents, heavy metals, pesticides/herbicides) as well as information regarding batch record processes and recall procedures. Anavii Market also ensures the products they sell are only federally legal hemp-based products and are not derived from hemp’s cousin, marijuana.

Anavii Market is an online CBD marketplace which only offers carefully vetted CBD oil products.

Once we approve the brands, Anavii Market sells them through our transparent, informative website. We offer clear information regarding the cannabinoid spectrum, extraction method, source of hemp, and more. Some of the brands Anavii Market carries include: Ananda Hemp, Plus CBD Oil, Palmetto Harmony and Green Remedy. These brands and others combine to provide a unique mix of ingestion methods. Customers can find tinctures, salves, capsules, patches and even suppositories.

MEET THE INNOVATORS BEHIND THE CBD MARKETPLACE

Anavii Market co-founder Jason Amatucci poses with a U.S. flag hand-sewn from American-grown hemp.

Creating Anavii Market is the culmination of a decade’s work to legalize and improve access to hemp. Annie Rouse, a U.S. Fulbright Scholar who studied hemp in Canada, and Jason Amatucci, founder of the Virginia Industrial Hemp Coalition, co-founded Anavii Market. After we spent over a decade with research and legislative reform in our respective states, Kentucky and Virginia, we decided to partner on a mutual entrepreneurial dream — a one-stop shop for quality American-sourced hemp.

We are making large strides to improve this industry, and our hearts are in the right place. We’re ensuring the emerging hemp industry is not tainted by bad players just trying to make a fast buck with poor-quality mislabeled products. Instead we focus on the good actors verifying that the consumers have positive experiences with up-and-coming hemp products, while providing sustainable growth to the industry that we both care for deeply.

Many people who use CBD are seeking balance and wellness in their life and many struggle with stress. We don’t want to add to that stress when it comes to trusting the products they are purchasing.

Our company’s motto is “the products we sell are the products we know.” We always want the customer to know that they can trust Anavii Market when it comes to their hemp derived CBD oil and wellness needs.

DISCOVER THE TOP CBD BRANDS

The market is getting saturated with many different CBD brands. We’ve compared the top brands to help you with your decision. Check it out.

If you’re doing the ketogenic diet, and you haven’t tried hemp for keto, you’re missing out.

The ketogenic diet became a hit by flipping the popular notion of fat being detrimental to health on its head. So, how does hemp protein play into all of this?

Understanding the food that you eat and learning how it affects your body is important. Food directly affects your mood, energy levels, and most importantly, your health. Many modern health issues can be traced back to an incorrect food source and unhealthy eating habits. And with the emergence of processed foods, eating healthy has never been harder.

That’s why something like the keto diet has become so popular. Keto is an eating pattern that focuses on the omission of carbohydrates and the increased consumption of fats through oils and nuts. It’s a diet that questions our typical food source, and challenges us to try a different energy source for our bodies. Hemp is a perfect way to support this low-carb diet. Below are foods & recipes to incorporate more hemp into your diet, and get you those all-important fats while minimizing the caloric and carbohydrate cost.

Read more below on how hemp for keto is a match made in heaven.

Hemp for keto is a perfect choice due to hemp protein’s incredible nutritional profile.

HEMP FOR KETO: HEMP IS YOUR NEW FAVORITE SUPERFOOD

Hemp seeds are a great option to take advantage of hemp’s unique nutritional profile for your keto diet. The seeds have the same advantages as hemp oil, as the oil is derived from the pressing of the seeds.

Hemp seeds/oil are rich in Gamma-Linolenic acid (GLA) that help create prostaglandins, which are chemicals that help smooth muscles, control inflammation and body temperature. Foods that contain GLA help people with blood pressure, obesity, heart disease and more.

The Ketogenic diet requires a low-carbs, so all foods derived from grain are out of the question. Which means no bread or pasta. This is a problem because most meals use grains as filler. Hemp seeds are an easy fix to this problem. Aside from adding cauliflower and broccoli to your diet, you can use hemp for keto because hemp seeds are especially satiating due to their high fiber content.

Hemp is great in achieving heart health. A healthy heart requires less sugar, plant-based proteins, and good natural fats. Hemp seeds contain all these things. The regular consumption of hemp seeds, along with whole foods that are nutrient-dense and have good fats will make your heart very happy!

The best part about hemp is its nutritional profile. One ounce of hemp seeds contains nine grams of protein, twelve grams of fat, and two grams of fiber. It also contains all twenty amino acids and all nine of the essential amino acids that our bodies can’t produce.

Hemp is a superfood. Not only is it high in protein and natural fats, but it’s low in calories and carbohydrates. It can help you feel fuller and taste delicious, all while coming from a completely natural source.

The keto diet focuses on low carbohydrate and high fat consumption, making hemp for keto a great option to ensure you get plenty of vital amino acids. (Photo credit: Ellijah Pickering)

HEMP RECIPES FOR THE KETO DIET

Hemp is not just a nutrient dense super-food, it can also be a tasty addition to your favorite recipes. A chewy and nutty tasting seed, it provides a great texture and taste to your dishes. Aside from the seed and oil additives, hemp is also made into milk and cheese substitutes. Listed below are some examples of delicious hemp for keto recipes!

• Morning Parfait

There’s nothing better than starting your day off with a delicious breakfast. This recipe is not only tasty, but extremely easy to make! Perfect for when you’re still half-asleep and just need a little something to get you kickstarted for the day. An awesome mix of chia, flax, and hemp seed (a trio you need to be using), paired with creamy yogurt, crunchy granola and fresh blueberries then topped off with all-natural agave syrup.

If you’re on the keto diet be sure to substitute the granola with avocado or more hemp seeds and use plain yogurt (not that fat-free stuff).

With just a few simple changes, many hemp recipes (like this smoothie) become keto diet friendly. (Photo credit: Ellijah Pickering)

• Raw Tabouli Hemp Seed Salad

Almost everyone loves Mediterranean food, so this hemp seed tabouli recipe will hit the spot. Parsley is chock-full of folic acid, vitamins A & C, and antioxidants. The recipe calls for a heaping dose of hemp-seeds, and the dressing is a mixture of lemon juice, garlic, olive oil and salt.

Packed with 5 tablespoons of hemp seeds, or about 60 grams of fat, this is already a perfect hemp for keto recipe with no changes.

• CBD-Infused Blueberry and Oatmeal Smoothie

If you’re lazy like me, nutrient-dense smoothies are your go-to when you don’t feel like cooking. This recipe contains classic smoothie ingredients such as blueberry, bananas, and oatmeal. Then packs a nutrient-heavy punch with it’s hemp oil additive. Add another banana to thicken the smoothie which makes it more filling.

For Keto, I suggest replacing the water in the recipe with coconut milk or hemp milk and omitting granola.

For even more recipes, check out this list of recipes that highlight hemp use!

CBD coffee could be the perfect morning treat to get your day started without the worst parts of the caffeine buzz.

Did you know that 83 percent of Americans drink coffee regularly? In a fast paced world, with the pressures of life pulling us down, it is no wonder we need coffee, but also carry anxiety. Not only does coffee help wake you up in the morning, but it actually has more lot of health benefits than you might realize. However, adding a little CBD oil can increase those benefits even more.

If you haven’t tried the blend of coffee and CBD oil, get ready to set your anxiety on snooze and energize your moods with a CBD latte that you’ll want to try tomorrow morning. Read on for a favorite recipe and more about the benefits of CBD coffee.

WHY DOES CBD COFFEE FEEL SO ENERGIZING?

Simply adding a dose of CBD oil to your coffee can give you increased health benefits for your body, mind, and spirit. Both coffee and CBD oil can help you feel better, and when combined, they offer you more than just the average coffee!

Creating CBD coffee is simple: Simply stir CBD oil into your favorite coffee drink. Read on for one of our favorites.

Benefits of coffee

Most people drink coffee to wake them up in the morning, give them a little burst of energy during the day, or a pick me up after a stressful day at work. Coffee gets a bad rap, but it is actually a healthy choice. If you are an avid coffee drinker, you are already getting many coffee benefits. If you aren’t, check out what coffee has to offer you:

• Coffee is a natural antioxidant. Coffee is a natural antioxidant for your body. Although our body can get antioxidants from fruits and veggies, we absorb more in our daily cup of coffee.
• Coffee is good for your liver. People who drink at least 1 cup of coffee a day are 20 percent less likely to get liver cirrhosis
• Coffee improves brain function. Whether you didn’t get enough sleep or you just need your morning coffee before you talk to anyone, coffee really does improve brain function. You have increased reaction time, attention, logical reasoning, and vigilance.
• Smelling coffee relieves anxiety. You know that beautiful smell of brewing coffee that just calms you?! It really does relieve a lot of your anxiety just by smelling it.

Benefits of CBD oil

CBD oil is one of several naturally-occurring compounds in the cannabis plant known as cannabinoids. Most CBD oil supplements come from industrial hemp. Although hemp and psychoactive cannabis (“marijuana”) come from different forms of the same plant, the two are very different. CBD oil has many medical benefits which include:

• Natural pain relief. CBD oil has natural pain relief and anti-inflammatory properties. Using CBD oil daily, can help relieve stiffness, joint pain, and aches throughout the day.
• Relieve symptoms of epilepsy. Doctors everywhere are now using CBD oil to treat epilepsy and seizures not only in adults, but in children.
• Reduces anxiety. CBD oil is a natural way to reduce anxiety behaviors caused from panic disorder, PTSD, general anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and OCD with no adverse side effects
• Relieves migraines and headaches. Stress and tension can wreak havoc on our bodies in many ways. CBD oil helps relieve both migraines and headaches and keep them away.
• Promotes healthy sleep. Taking CBD oil daily helps get your body in a regular sleep habit which reduces stress and increases brain function. Take a serving before bed to help with insomnia and get your body into the REM sleep you need.

Benefits of combining CBD Oil and coffee

When you mix the benefits of coffee and the benefits of CBD oil, you get an incredible morning regime that is good for your whole body! It really is a match made in heaven. Although coffee has many benefits, the caffeine can increase stress hormones called cortisol. However, CBD oil can cause drowsiness in some people. Therefore, when you combine the two to create CBD coffee, you get the best of both worlds.

• Increases energy while decreasing anxiety. While coffee increases your mood and energy, CBD oil relieves anxiety and stress.
• CBD coffee could boost your mood. Both CBD oil and coffee boost your overall mood by increasing your serotonin levels (happy hormone).
• Both have antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are needed to get rid of toxins in your body. They protect our DNA and cells from damage, aid with cell regeneration and aging; The more antioxidants, the better.
• CBD coffee is good for your brain. As coffee increases your brain function, CBD oil protects your neurons from degeneration in your brain. Therefore, coffee and CBD oil together could be even better for your mind.

Ready to get fancy with CBD coffee? Try this delicious, decadent peppermint
CBD latte recipe.

RECIPE: PEPPERMINT CBD LATTE

If you are ready to get the best of both worlds, you are going to love this Peppermint CBD Latte recipe:

Ingredients:

• ¾ cup of hot coffee
• ¼ cup hot milk
• York Peppermint Patties
• ½ dropper Full Spectrum CBD Tincture

Directions:

1. Unwrap Peppermint Patties and break into little pieces.
2. Prepare coffee in a coffee maker as you would normally.
3. Heat ½ cup of milk in the microwave for 2-minutes
4. Use an electric mixer or milk steamer to froth the milk. Mix until it reaches desired frothiness.
5. Pour ¾ cup of hot coffee into a mug.
6. Add ½ dropper (0.75 ml) Full Spectrum CBD Oil Tincture to coffee. Mix well.
7. Using spoon to hold back froth, pour hot milk into coffee.
8. Top coffee with the remaining froth to make it a latte.
9. Top your latte with the crumbled York Peppermint Patties.
10. Optional: Melt York Peppermint Patties in the microwave and add to hot coffee for more flavor.
11. Enjoy your CBD coffee!

CBD COFFEE IS AN EASY, RELAXING WAY TO START YOUR DAY

While we hope you’ll give our CBD latte a try, making CBD coffee doesn’t have to be complicated. Adding a little flavorful drop of CBD oil to your morning coffee is a simple step to start your day out healthier and happier! Of course, there’s no reason you can’t add it to your afternoon pick-me-up cup, too. Either way, it’s a great step in the right direction.

Have you tried a Peppermint CBD Latte or made your own CBD coffee drink? How did you like it? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

DISCOVER THE TOP CBD BRANDS

The market is getting saturated with many different CBD brands. We’ve compared the top brands to help you with your decision. Check it out.

Prime CBD Oil Spray is a convenient and effective method of consuming CBD for UK users.

It’s made using Prime CBD’s unique CBD blend, which they describe as a cocktail of legal hemp strains, containing cannabinoids from plants grown in a variety of climates across the European Union.

For this review, we tested the peppermint flavor of Prime CBD Oil Spray, in the 800mg strength. Instructions suggested using 1-2 sprays before meals every day. At this rate, the 20ml bottle lasts for around 4-6 weeks. The taste is quite pleasant, with a subtle minty flavour that helps to mask the more pungent herbal aromas of the CBD.

Using Prime CBD Oil Spray leaves a faintly oily texture on the tongue, but this absorbs nearly instantly, leaving little to no residue or aftertaste. As the CBD enters the system via the membranes in the mouth, the effects are much quicker than when consuming CBD capsules or edibles. Obviously, CBD affects people in a variety of ways but we found this spray oil particularly useful as a stress-relieving agent. Two sprays saw stress levels reduce noticeably after a few minutes, and even helped ease tension headaches.

Our UK review team found Prime CBD Oil spray to be a fast, effective way to take CBD oil.

We were paid a fee by Prime CBD and offered free products in return for our honest opinion. If you use the special coupon below, we’ll also receive a percentage of the cost of your purchase. We only select the highest-quality CBD products for review on our site.

Read on to learn more about Prime CBD, and to see our complete review.

EXPERIENCED, FAMILY-OWNED PRIME CBD OFFERS RELIABLE HEMP OIL PRODUCTS

PrimeCBD is a family-owned business that’s operated since 2015, based in Staffordshire in central England. Everything about their operation is professional and efficient, with products arriving remarkably quickly and in discreet packaging that contains no mention of cannabis or hemp. Their products are currently only available in the UK but we can expect to see this change soon, with plans to deliver their items to Europe and beyond.

We appreciated that Prime CBD’s website prominently features a section called Lab Results, which hosts the third-party Certificate Of Analysis for each of their products. The lab results show that Prime CBD Oil Spray contains 42mg/g CBD, along with 9.3mg/g of CBDa (the precursor to CBD), plus trace amounts of THC. Interestingly, they also show a small amount of CBN, which is the third best-known cannabinoid after CBD and THC, and is said to have mild sedative effects.

These third party lab reports are a must when it comes to knowing exactly what is in your CBD products, and this establishes Prime CBD as a trustworthy vendor. CBD dominates, as you’d expect, and the tiny amount of THC is well within the legal limits for the UK.

PRIME CBD OIL SPRAY OFFICIAL REVIEW (UK CBD OIL REVIEW)

• Highlights: Prime CBD Oil Spray has a pleasant taste and quick-acting formula, backed by an experienced team of hemp experts.
• Strength: 800mg for a 20ml bottle, also available in 300mg, 500mg and 1400mg strengths
• Price: £19.00 – £79.00
• Special: Use coupon code MOH10 for 10% off your order.
• Customer Service & Shipping: Fast customer service. Extremely quick shipping, with reassuringly discreet packaging. Free shipping is available with expedited shipping available for an additional fee.
• Independent Test Results: Online.
• Flavour: A subtle peppermint which helped to mask the medicinal aroma of the CBD (other flavours are available). Slight, oily texture that disappears quickly from the mouth.
• Ingredients: Full-spectrum Hemp Extract plus MCT (coconut-based) Oil and Natural Flavouring.
• Other: You can also buy orange, coconut and unflavoured varieties.

Prime CBD uses hemp sourced from across the European Union. Prime CBD also sells CBD e-liquid, capsules and balm.

DISCOVER THE TOP CBD BRANDS

The market is getting saturated with many different CBD brands. We’ve compared the top brands to help you with your decision. Check it out.

iLoveBad boxer briefs quickly became a favorite pair of undies, especially after “breaking in.”

Hemp fabrics are known for both their durability and becoming more comfortable over time. These boxer briefs, blended from hemp and organic cotton, were no exception. The fabric grew softer, and seemed to fit better with every wash. Thanks to hemp’s superior breathability, they stayed fresh feeling even in the Texas heat.

Beyond making a great pair of undies, iLoveBad is dedicated to making sustainable, healthy products in an ethical manner. Customers can feel good about how iLoveBad makes their boxer briefs, in addition to how good they feel to wear.

iLoveBad boxer briefs are a comfortable, breathable choice for even the hottest weather.

We were paid a fee by iLoveBad and offered 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. We only select the highest-quality hemp products for review on our site.

Read on for our full review of iLoveBad Boxer Briefs and more about the care iLoveBad puts into every product they make.

SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE, ETHICAL HEMP WITH ILOVEBAD

iLoveBad began with their signature hemp blankets. Founders Brittanny and Daniel discovered that natural fabrics like hemp cured a night sweating problem that was keeping Daniel awake. After designing a great blanket, iLoveBad expanded into other essentials like underwear.

While hemp fabrics are better than cotton for the environment and for wearers, iLoveBad takes their products even further when it comes to sustainability. iLoveBad make all their products in the U.S. using ethically sourced hemp and organic cotton. They partner with small, employee owned manufacturers in the United States that promote fair labor practices and clean working environments. You can read about their passionate, diverse team on their website.

iLoveBad also donates a portion of their profits to important causes like LA Habilitation House and Corazon de Vida Orphanages.

ILOVEBAD BOXER BRIEFS OFFICIAL REVIEW

• Highlights: Organic Cotton & Hemp Boxer Briefs from iLoveBad are ultra-comfortable and breathable, making them great for everyday wear in almost any weather.
• Sizes:  Available in Small Through Extra-Large.
• Price: $24.00 in black or white, or mixed 3-pack for $63.00
• Customer Service & Shipping: Fast customer service. Standard shipping on a pair of hemp undies started at $2.79, with faster options available for an additional fee.
• Features: Soft, comfortable boxer briefs that are great for work and leisure. The waistband is looser than most undies, but they were comfortably snug in the thighs and didn’t slip.
• Materials: 64% Organic Cotton, 28% Hemp and 8% Lycra
• Other: Women’s panties also available. iLoveBad accepts returns during a 100-day “Happy Shopping Window” to ensure customer satisfaction.

iLoveBad sources their hemp from a cooperative in China, which their supplier visits regularly to ensure high standards in both growing and working conditions. In addition to iLoveBad Boxer Briefs, they also make hemp socks, t-shirts, and of course, hemp blankets.

U.S. hemp sales reached record breaking levels last year, thanks to the continued spread of legalization and the growing popularity of CBD oil.

Hemp Business Journal recently released their 2017 hemp industry analysis, reporting sales of hemp products hit $820 million. Despite ongoing legal and regulatory complications, the industry grew a total of 16 percent last year.

And that number is expected to continue rising. With more and more states seeing the value in hemp, legalization is spreading like wildfire.

CBD PRODUCTS LEADING THE WAY IN US HEMP SALES IN 2017

US hemp sales reached $820 million in 2017, with CBD oil and personal care products generating the most sales. (Source: Hemp Business Journal)

Hemp Business Journal laid out a market breakdown of where hemp products did their best. Turns out, CBD and personal care products dominated the business.

Responsible for 23 percent of U.S. hemp sales, CBD products banked in at $190 million last year. Personal care items come in at 22 percent, generating around $181 million.

Here are other major uses for hemp and the total value of those sales:

• Industrial applications – $144 million
• Food – $137 million
• Consumer textiles – $105 million
• Supplements – $45 million
• Other consumer products – $16 million

As mentioned, U.S. hemp sales are expected to rise as laws and regulations around hemp continue to ease.

With Congress increasingly supportive of total federal legalization of industrial hemp, hemp experts are predicting sales can more nearly triple within the next 5 years.

US HEMP SALES COULD APPROACH $2 BILLION BY 2022

Though it’s only an estimate, Hemp Business Journal expects U.S. hemp sales to reach $1 billion in 2019, and climb as high as $1.9 billion by 2022.

This is due to two important factors: Hemp is easier to grow than other resources, such as cotton or corn. With it’s over 25,000 known uses, businesses see large potential in hemp as a resource.

Still, we have a long way to go until these estimations become a reality. In 2017, over half of the hemp industry was based in Colorado alone. The biggest barrier: not every state is on board with hemp legalization.

Since hemp is still only partially legal, the amount of production allowed varies from state to state. Therefore, we aren’t seeing as big of a hemp boom as we could because farmers and vendors still face regulatory hurdles from growing their crops to bringing products to market.

An overhead shot of a growing hemp field. US hemp sales reached record heights in 2017.

As of this time, experts expect the hemp industry to grow in much of the southern states (namely, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Tennessee) as well as a great area of the Midwest (particularly, Minnesota and North Dakota).

However, with more laws being put into place, such as the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp holds the potential to grow even beyond the estimates mentioned here.

LEGAL COMPLICATIONS LIMIT POTENTIAL US HEMP SALES

Congress could be key to this industry’s success, thanks to a bill proposed on April 12th, 2018. The Hemp Farming Act of 2018 was introduced by Senate Leader Mitch McConnell and supported by Senator Ron Wyden as well as Senator Jeff Merkley.

Senators later added the act as an amendment to the 2018 Farm Bill. If Congress passes the Farm Bill as expected, the Department of Agriculture will regulate hemp on the federal level. This would not only make hemp more widely available to farmers but to consumers as well. Almost inevitably, full legalization would increase sales.

Still, complications will continue to persist under current plans for nationwide legalization. The current language of the amendment bans anyone with a prior drug felony from growing hemp. The U.S. does not regulate any other crops in this manner.

This law could put existing farmers such as Veronica Carpio at risk. Carpio is an early contributor to the hemp industry and the president of Grow Hemp Colorado, but she also holds a past felony cannabis conviction. With this new bill, there’s potential she’ll be kicked out of the industry, in spite of all she’s already done. Future hemp entrepreneurs could also be locked out by their criminal record. However, some hemp industry experts hope the law could be reformed after passage.

We can only guess at how high hemp sales could get. Though hemp farming is growing, companies simply don’t have enough of the resource to offer a full range of commercial products. Imagine if hemp was as widely available as cotton. Who knows how many hemp products we’d see on the market?

The Highland Hemp House is a unique hempcrete home in Bellingham, Washington.

Originally built in 1969, owner Pamela Bosch wanted to replace older, toxic building materials with something healthy, sustainable, and eco-friendly. The answer was hempcrete, made from combining the hurd (woody core) of industrial hemp plants with lime and water. Bosch hired Hempitecture to oversee a total hempcrete retrofit.

Previously, Hempitecture created a hempcrete retreat center at 7,468’ in Idaho’s Lost River mountains. Idaho Basecamp uses the center for yoga classes and other events to help people feel in touch with nature.

HIGHLAND HEMP HOUSE: HEMPCRETE IS HEALTHIER & MORE SUSTAINABLE

Why choose hempcrete? Hempcrete is more breathable, making it healthier for occupants. Hempcrete is mold-resistant, pest-resistant, and fire-resistant. It’s carbon-negative, since it’s absorbs CO2 from occupants over time. Hempcrete is an energy efficient insulator, completely non-toxic and even has great acoustics.

The Highland Hemp House in Bellingham, Washington is a unique hempcrete retrofit. This 1960s home is being completely remodeled with hemp, becoming healthier, more sustainable, and carbon-negative along the way. (Courtesy: Highland Hemp House)

Best of all, Hempcrete is so easy to work with anyone can learn. To create hempcrete walls, builders first mix, then spread the hempcrete into forms. After it dries, the forms are removed, and the walls will naturally grow even more durable over time. Highland Hemp House is frequently open for workshops, tours, and hands-on building. So far, they’ve put in over 1150 hours of labor and poured over 587 batches of hempcrete.

As work continues, Pamela Bosch hopes Highland Hemp House will be “a physical testament to the beauty and potential in hemp building.”

Thanks to TAAP Media for video production assistance.

Cannabinoid antibiotics could prove to be part of the solution to the threat of antibiotic resistance.

In recent decades, society has started to lose its battle against harmful bacteria. Not only are some types of bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics, but researchers’ efforts to develop new classes of antibiotics have all but ground to a halt.

A study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology in 2011 noted that more than 20 classes of antibiotics were marketed between 1940 and 1962, however just two new classes have emerged since then. This wasn’t always a problem with the development of existing antibiotics proving enough to stave off the threat. Now, antibiotic-resistant bacteria are worryingly common, with gram-negative bacteria a particular concern.

Though research is only in its preliminary stages, doctors and pharmacists could someday prescribe cannabinoid antibiotics to their patients.

However, it’s not all bad news. Preliminary research shows that one set of compounds could help manage the threat of bacteria, and even destroy superbugs such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Developed from hemp and cannabis, cannabinoid antibiotics could be in your future.

ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE IS BECOMING A ‘MAJOR GLOBAL THREAT’

It’s possible that we could have prevented our antibiotic crisis if we’d used them appropriately. Doctors and patients misuse antibiotics up to 50 percent of the time, according to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Doctors aren’t always to blame for careless overprescribing. Patients sometimes pressure their GPs for antibiotics and some even self-medicate and buy antibiotics online.

However, there are no long-term benefits to taking antibiotics unnecessarily – even just as a precaution. Overprescribing and overuse just speeds up the rate that bacteria becomes resistant to antibiotics, which could lead to much more serious health issues, for the patient and the general public. The CDC estimates that every year there are more than 70,000 MRSA infections and 9,000 MRSA-related deaths in the US.

Ominously, former World Health Organization director general Dr Margaret Chan labelled antimicrobial resistance a “major global threat” in 2016, with the organization estimating that deaths from antibiotic-resistant infections could reach 10 million a year by 2050.

CANNABINOID ANTIBIOTICS TO THE RESCUE?

The antibiotic potential of cannabis, and therefore cannabinoids, was being studied as early as the 1950s, and the herb has a history of medical use dating back thousands of years to the times of ancient Egypt and ancient China. During the 1950s, cannabis sativa showed promising signs as an antiseptic, but with no individual components of the plant isolated at this stage, there was no way of telling which compounds were helping. It wasn’t until researchers began isolating cannabinoids in the 1960s that cannabis sativa really started to be understood.

Ground-breaking cannabinoid antibiotic research published in 2008 by Giovanni Appendino from the University of Eastern Piedmont and Simon Gibbons the University of London has developed our knowledge of cannabinoids as antibiotics significantly, although there’s still much we don’t know. Researchers aren’t quite sure why cannabinoid antibiotics work. Nor do they know how reliably those antibiotic effects would work in the body.

Most antibiotics target DNA gyrase or fatty acid synthesis, but cannabinoids appear to go after neither. Since the endocannabinoid system remained an unknown until the 1990s, it’s not unusual for us to be in the dark about how cannabinoids interact with the body, although given how effective these compounds are as antibiotics, they likely function in a specific mechanism, according to Gibbons.

Some research suggests CBD could be used as an antibiotic in clinical settings. Cannabinoid antibiotics represent the cutting-edge of research.

Several non-psychoactive cannabinoids have displayed antibiotic properties, including cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG). Psychoactive THC has been studied more extensively and appears to have some therapeutic effects that other cannabinoids haven’t yet shown.

CBD AS AN ANTIBIOTIC

Appendino and Gibbons found CBD to be effective against several types of MRSA. This included two strains that have been prevalent in British hospitals.

When CBD proved effective in treating these unusual strains, the researchers realized that cannabinoids might work differently from conventional antibiotics.

CBG, CBN and CBC AS ANTIBIOTICS

Appendino and Gibbons also noted CBG as a promising antibiotic in their 2008 paper. Cannabinol (CBN) and cannabichromene (CBC) also look to have potential. If scientists develop a cannabis-derived antibiotic, it’s likely to have greater success if it’s non-psychoactive.

With CBD, CBG, CBN and CBC all having antibiotic effects, development of an all-encompassing cannabinoid-based antibiotic may be possible. Scientists might derive these from whole-plant extracts of hemp.

THC AS AN ANTIBIOTIC

Despite being a psychoactive cannabinoid, you won’t get high if you apply THC to the skin. Therefore, it’s wide-ranging antibiotic prospects are likely to be of great interest to mainstream science.

Studies into the antibacterial effects of THC have been under way since at least the 1970s, with a paper in 1976 demonstrating that the cannabinoid was effective against both streptococcus and staphylococcus – the latter is responsible for the notorious staph infection. In this study, THC proved most effective in concentrations of 1 to 5 micrograms per millileter. However, scientists found THC (and also CBD) were not as helpful against these gram-negative bacteria in blood, leading many to dismiss the antibiotic uses of THC. Other tests also found THC to be ineffective against various types of gram-negative bacteria.

As antibiotic-resistant bacteria become danagerously commonplace, some researchers are turning to cannabinoid antibiotics made from cannabis and hemp.

More recent studies are challenging this narrative. Whole-plant cannabis sativa oil has demonstrated antibiotic efficaciousness against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and E.coli, two types of gram-negative bacteria.

ROOM TO GROW IN CANNABINOID ANTIBIOTIC RESEARCH

More than anything, this revolutionary science is showing us what could be done with cannabis in the future if its properties are harnessed correctly. The emergence of CBD oil in recent times is another example of how cutting-edge science is broadening the plant’s appeal.

The research into cannabinoids as antibiotics is new and far from complete or confirmed. We are certainly not recommending using cannabis to self-medicate against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

However, the early signs in this research are very intriguing. Cannabinoids seemingly bypass the mechanisms that other antibiotics use, and which bacteria have become wise to. If research continues in this vein, a doctor might someday prescribe cannabinoid antibiotics for you.

DISCOVER THE TOP CBD BRANDS

The market is getting saturated with many different CBD brands. We’ve compared the top brands to help you with your decision. Check it out.

How can you pick the best CBD oil tinctures, when there’s hundreds of products on the market?

Thousands of people have learned about the healing benefits of CBD, resulting in unprecedented interest in this supplement. People are using CBD oil to ease their chronic pain, and relieve symptoms of conditions ranging from arthritis to depression. Unlike its close cousin, psychoactive cannabis (‘marijuana’), CBD oil won’t make you feel high — but many users report significant relief of their symptoms. Even the World Health Organization declared CBD oil safe and worthy of deeper research.

At the same time, record-breaking popularity and an unregulated industry make it hard to separate quality CBD oil from snake oil. Especially if you’re new to using hemp extracts, choosing can be confusing. That’s where Ministry of Hemp can help. We’ve reviewed dozens of products and selected the best CBD oil tinctures available online today.

In this detailed roundup, we’ll explain more about how to select the right CBD for your needs, and then share the top 12 CBD oil brands for sale online. Read on to see our complete reviews!

HOW TO PICK THE BEST CBD OIL TINCTURE FOR YOU

We believe all the products in this article are high-quality, effective supplements. Even so, it can be confusing to know where to start. Fortunately, there’s some simple advice that you can use to pick the best CBD oil tincture for your needs.

It can be hard to pick the best CBD oil tinctures for your needs, but considering a few key factors can help you make a decision.

Some people don’t mind, or even enjoy the natural taste of hemp oil tinctures. For those who are bothered by the distinctive herbal taste of hemp extract, a flavored CBD oil tincture may be better. We’ve selected a variety of both flavored and unflavored CBD oil tinctures in this roundup, and many of the brands selected offer multiple options. If you still can’t stand the flavor of CBD tincture, consider another option like CBD gummies or capsules. Topical CBD is another popular choice, especially if you’re treating body aches or certain skin problems.

Strength is also an extremely important consideration. Beginners may find that it’s easier to control dosage using a lower strength tincture. On the other hand, experienced CBD consumers know that high strength tinctures are more cost effective. Although stronger tinctures cost more, you get more CBD oil and other beneficial cannabinoids in each drop. Most CBD brands offer more than one option for strength.

Finally, most of the products below simply contain hemp oil extract, mixed with a neutral carrier oil like hemp seed oil or coconut oil. While hemp seed oil is packed with nutrition, CBD brands are beginning to offer supplements with added ingredients that may offer additional benefits. We’ve included the complete ingredients of every product. Be sure to avoid any known allergies and investigate the pros and cons of any additional ingredients.

Overall, we recommend trying a variety of options until you find the best one for you. Begin to familiarize yourself with the different brands and what makes each one unique.

If you’re buying a CBD product that isn’t on this list, make sure to follow the same criteria we used in picking the products in this roundup. We outline how we selected these tinctures below.

OUR REVIEW CRITERIA: HOW WE SELECTED THE BEST CBD OIL TINCTURES

While many vendors offer high-quality CBD oil, there was simply no way to review every CBD oil. Inevitably, we had to pick and choose and some great hemp companies were left off this list.

We focused primarily on larger, well-established brands with reliable, well-designed websites and rock-solid customer service. Every brand featured here makes it easy to get information about their products and easy to find help if you have questions or a problem.

Similarly, transparency is one of our top concerns when it comes to selecting the best CBD oil tinctures. Every product below is clearly labeled, so you can easily understand how much CBD oil / full spectrum hemp extract is in each bottle. You can also easily find the complete ingredients on the bottle, packaging or the company’s website. These brands are also open about where they source their hemp.

Out of hundreds of products available online, we picked the 12 best CBD oil tinctures and reviewed each one.

Every CBD product should make third-party lab results available, either online, in their packaging, or by request. At minimum, each tincture here offers lab results showing the levels of cannabinoids like CBD and THC, while others offer additional tests. The more information available to consumers the better. At the same time, we admit it isn’t always easy for newcomers to interpret these lab tests.

Finally, in general, we almost always recommend full spectrum tinctures over supplements made from isolates (extracts of CBD alone). Full-spectrum or whole plant tinctures take advantage of the ‘entourage effect’ that comes from combining all the naturally occurring chemicals found in the hemp plant. Isolates are great for cooking with CBD or consumers that are especially sensitive to the taste of hemp extract, but some research suggests they may be less effective for certain uses than full spectrum extracts. All but two of the brands below are made from full spectrum hemp, and the exceptions are clearly noted.

After careful review, we believe these are the best CBD oil tinctures online. Since these are all top-quality CBD tinctures, they are not ranked in any particular order.

• Populum Premium Hemp Oil, Orange flavor
• Ananda Hemp Zero THC Tincture
• CW Hemp Extract Oil, Mint Chocolate flavor
• Elixinol Respira CBD Oil, Grape Mint flavor
• Bluebird Botanicals Hemp Signature Blend, Hemp Extract plus Black Seed Oil
• Palmetto Harmony Full Spectrum Hemp Oil
• Receptra Naturals Plus Hemp CBD Oil, Fresh Berry flavor
• NuLeaf Naturals Full Spectrum CBD Oil
• Ambary Gardens Full Spectrum Daily CBD Hemp Extract
• Restorative Botanicals Restore CALM Hemp Oil Supplement, Spice flavor
• Lazarus Naturals Tropical High Potency Tincture, Tropical flavor, Isolate-based
• Medterra MedOil CBD Tincture, Isolate-based

Click above or continue reading for our complete review of each brand.

Ministry of Hemp received free products from many of these companies in return for writing this review. We may receive a percentage of sales if you buy products from some of the brands below. We only selected the best cbd oil tinctures for inclusion in this top product roundup, and we always promise to give you our honest opinion.

OFFICIAL REVIEWS: BEST CBD OIL TINCTURES ONLINE

Populum Premium Hemp Oil

• Highlights: Populum’s Premium Hemp Oil is a long-time favorite at Ministry of Hemp for its sweet, fresh orange flavor and reliable effects.
• Strength: “Advanced” tincture with 1000mg per 30ml bottle, also available in 250 & 500mg
• Price: $70.00 – 200.00
• Specials: Save 5% with a monthly subscription.
• Customer Service & Shipping: Fast customer service. Free shipping available with expedited shipping for an additional fee.
• Independent Test Results: Included with every order.
• Flavor: Even in their strongest Advanced tincture, the mildly sweet orange flavor leaves almost no aftertaste of hemp.
• Ingredients: CBD Oil / Full Spectrum Hemp Extract plus Cold-pressed Orange Oil, Non-GMO Hemp Oil, Grapeseed Oil, and Hemp Seed Oil.
• Other: Populum offers a 30-day risk-free trial.

Populum grows their hemp in Colorado. They were the first CBD brand to offer a genuinely risk-free trial for new customers. Populum makes a pet blend and a cooling topical CBD salve.

Ananda Hemp Zero THC Tincture

• Highlights: Zero THC Tincture uses a special proprietary blend to offer CBD oil in a full spectrum extract that contains absolutely zero THC.
• Strength: 600mg per 30ml bottle
• Price: $89.95
• Customer Service & Shipping: Fast customer service. Free shipping available.
• Independent Test Results: Online.
• Flavor: Pleasantly strong herbal hemp flavor.
• Ingredients: CBD Oil / Full Spectrum Hemp Extract plus Raw, Organic Cold Pressed Hemp Seed Oil and Botanical Terpene Blend

Ananda Hemp grows their hemp in Kentucky. We appreciate their vigorous support of the hemp industry through the U.S. Hemp Roundtable. In addition to tinctures, Ananda Hemp also offers CBD soft gels and a topical salve.

CW Hemp Extract Oil

• Highlights: The high-quality and delicious chocolate mint flavor of CW Hemp Extract explains why this is one of the best known brands on the market.
• Strength: “Plus” tincture with 750mg per 30ml bottle, also available in 300mg and 2500+mg
• Price: $39.99 – $149.99
• Specials: Save 5% with a monthly subscription.
• Customer Service & Shipping: Fast customer service. Free shipping available on orders of $75 or over.
• Independent Test Results: Available on request.
• Flavor: This tincture reminded us of a movie theatre chocolate mint candy, with only mild CBD aftertaste.
• Ingredients: CBD Oil / Full Spectrum Hemp Extract plus Fractionated Coconut Oil, and Organic Chocolate Mint Flavor Oil (Organic Sunflower Seed Oil, Natural Flavors)
• Other: Also available in unflavored variety.

We noticed the total amount of CBD is not as clearly labeled on their bottles as with other CBD products, though it’s easy to calculate from the serving size. CW Hemp is grown in Colorado. They also offer capsules, topicals, and a pet blend.

Elixinol Respira CBD Oil

• Highlights: Respira CBD Oil from Elixinol is designed to be a delicious grape mint-flavored food additive, a conventional supplement, or even used in a vape pen.
• Strength: 600mg per 30ml bottle
• Price: $74.99
• Customer Service & Shipping: Fast customer service. Shipping starts at $6.80.
• Independent Test Results: Online.
• Flavor: Strong, fresh grape mint flavor almost completely covers the taste of hemp.
• Ingredients: CBD Oil / Full Spectrum Hemp Extract plus Kosher Vegetable Glycerin and Natural Flavor.
• Other: 30 day refund available for unsatisfied customers. Also available in unflavored variety.

Elixinol sources their hemp from high-quality farmers in the U.S., Europe and Australia. In addition to tinctures, Elixinol offers CBD capsules, topical balms, dog treats and other products like hemp protein and hemp seeds.

Bluebird Botanicals Hemp Signature Blend

• Highlights: Bluebird Botanicals’ Hemp Signature Blend combines full spectrum hemp extract with frankincense extract and black cumin seed oil.
• Strength: 250mg per 30ml bottle
• Price: $29.99
• Customer Service & Shipping: Fast customer service. Shipping starts at $5 with expedited shipping available for an additional fee.
• Independent Test Results: Online.
• Flavor: This CBD oil tincture has a very distinct, spicy, peppery flavor that some people will love.
• Ingredients: CBD Oil / Full Spectrum Hemp Extract plus Frankincense Extract, Black Cumin Seed Oil, and Hemp Seed Oil.
• Other: Hemp-only extracts are also available.

Frankincense and black cumin seed may offer additional healing benefits, though scientific research is not conclusive. Bluebird Botanicals’ hemp is grown in Colorado. They also offer pet products, concentrates, isolates, CBD vape juice and more.

Palmetto Harmony Full Spectrum Hemp Oil

• Highlights: Full Spectrum Hemp Oil from Palmetto Harmony has a unique herbal flavor and is made from just two ingredients: CBD & fractionated coconut oil.
• Strength: 600 mg per 30ml bottle
• Price: $90.00
• Customer Service & Shipping: Fast customer service. Shipping starts at $11.50 with expedited shipping available for an additional fee.
• Independent Test Results: Available on request.
• Flavor: Although unflavored, this CBD oil tincture has a strong herbal taste that reminded us of a cup of earthy green tea.
• Ingredients: CBD Oil / Full Spectrum Hemp Extract plus MCT (coconut-based) oil

The label of this CBD oil tincture was not as easy to read as other products. Palmetto Harmony’s hemp is grown in Kentucky. This family operated business began when CBD offered unique benefits to their ailing child, Harmony. In addition tinctures, they offer topicals, capsules, pet products and even transdermal CBD patches. This tincture was selected by our friends at Anavii Market.

Receptra Naturals Plus Hemp CBD Oil

• Highlights: Receptra Naturals Plus CBD Oil has a milder flavoring than some of the other flavor-added extracts, while still reducing the flavor of hemp extract.
• Strength: “Plus” tincture with 1500mg per 30ml bottle, also available in 750mg and other strengths
• Price: $74.95 – $134.95
• Customer Service & Shipping: Fast customer service. Shipping starts at $8.95 with expedited shipping available for an additional fee.
• Independent Test Results: Online.
• Flavor: The grape flavor is less strong than other extracts, making this a good choice for people who want added flavor with the taste of hemp.
• Ingredients: CBD Oil / Full Spectrum Hemp Extract plus MCT (coconut-based) oil and Natural Flavors.

Receptra Naturals sources their hemp from family farms in Colorado. They also offer CBD topicals and pet blends.

NuLeaf Naturals Full Spectrum CBD Oil

• Highlights: With just two ingredients, Full Spectrum CBD Oil from NuLeaf Naturals is perfect for consumers who want just hemp and hemp flavor in their supplement.
• Strength: 1450mg per 30ml bottle
• Price:  $179.00
• Customer Service & Shipping: Fast customer service. Free shipping is available.
• Independent Test Results: Available on request.
• Flavor: This unflavored tincture tastes like high-quality hemp seed oil, which is the main ingredient other than CBD oil.
• Ingredients: CBD Oil / Full Spectrum Hemp Extract plus Organic Cold-pressed Hemp Seed Oil
• Other: NuLeaf offers their 50mg per ml tincture in several sized bottles at varying prices.

NuLeaf Naturals grows their hemp in Colorado. They also offer a CBD tincture for pets. NuLeaf Naturals pride themselves on creating simple, pure CBD tinctures without added ingredients.

Ambary Gardens Full Spectrum Daily CBD Hemp Extract

• Highlights: Ambary Gardens’ Full Spectrum Daily Hemp Extract is sourced from hemp grown using specialized organic methods on their farm.
• Strength: 500mg per 30ml bottle, also available in 250mg, 1000mg, and 5000mg
• Price: $40.00 – $280.00
• Customer Service & Shipping: Fast customer service. Shipping is available for a flat $7.99 fee or free local pickup.
• Independent Test Results: Available on request.
• Flavor: Moderate herbal hemp flavor in this unflavored CBD oil tincture.
• Ingredients: CBD Oil / Full Spectrum Hemp Extract plus MCT (coconut-based) oil
• Other: Flavored tinctures and special “rapid delivery” formulations also available

Ambary Gardens sources all their products from their Evergreen, Colorado farm, where they also have a showroom that’s open to the public. In addition to tinctures, their offerings include CBD topicals, softgels, and even bath bombs.

Restorative Botanicals Restore CALM Hemp Oil Supplement

• Highlights: Restore CALM Hemp Oil Supplement from Restorative Botanicals comes in three tasty flavors that easily hide the taste of CBD.
• Strength: 300mg per 30ml bottle
• Price: $34.99
• Customer Service & Shipping: Fast customer service. Free shipping is available with expedited shipping available for an additional fee.
• Independent Test Results: Available on request.
• Flavor: The delicious but not overpowering cinnamon spice taste leaves no aftertaste of hemp.
• Ingredients: CBD Oil / Full Spectrum Hemp Extract plus MCT (coconut-based) oil, Organic Sunflower Oil and Natural Flavor.
• Other: Also available in unflavored Restore PURE and other formulations and flavors

Restorative Botanicals sources their hemp in Colorado. In addition to tinctures, softgels, topicals and a pet blend, we loved sampling their unique Bolder Caramels, a CBD edible, at the NoCo Hemp Expo.

Lazarus Naturals Tropical High Potency Tincture

• Highlights: Lazarus Naturals’ Tropical High Potency Tincture is great for people who can’t stand the taste of hemp.
• Strength: 750mg per 15ml bottle
• Price: $40.00
• Specials: Use coupon code MoH10 for 10 percent off most items
• Customer Service & Shipping: Fast customer service. Free shipping available on orders over $50.
• Independent Test Results: Online.
• Flavor: This CBD tincture has a delicious taste of tropical fruits with absolutely no hemp extract aftertaste.
• Ingredients: CBD isolate plus MCT (coconut-based) oil and Natural Flavor.
• Other: Also available in a flavorless extract.

Lazarus Naturals also offers pet products, CBD-infused coconut oil, CBD capsules, pure isolate powder and other products. Their products are made with U.S.-grown hemp. Some research suggests isolates may be less effective than full spectrum extracts.

Medterra MedOil CBD Tincture

• Highlights: MedOil CBD Tincture from MedTerra is made from pure CBD isolate, making it a great flavorless tincture for oral use or CBD cooking.
• Strength: 1000mg per 30ml bottle, also available in 500 and 3000mg strengths
• Price: $49.95 – 149.95
• Customer Service & Shipping: Fast customer service. Free shipping is available on orders over $125.
• Independent Test Results: Online.
• Flavor: This isolate-based CBD extract is almost totally flavorless except for the faintest hint of coconut oil.
• Ingredients: CBD isolate plus MCT (coconut-based) oil

Medterra uses hemp grown in Kentucky for all their products. They also offer CBD topicals, softgels and pure isolate powder. Some research suggests isolates may be less effective than full spectrum extracts.

After legalization, hemp biofuel could be a key part of reducing our dependence on fossil fuels.

Fuel is everything. America would not be the hyper-efficient economy it is today without something to power our cars, computers, and our Roomba vacuum cleaners. We would be nothing but Neolithic farmers without our electricity and gasoline. But, anything that is truly valuable always comes at a price. Traditional fuel sources hurt the environment, and they’re running out. Air pollution from processing fossil fuels harms the troposphere, and indirectly depletes ozone from our atmosphere. The price for hyper efficiency is evident, which is why alternative fuel sources are becoming so important. Today we focus on a fuel source that hits close to home. That alternative is hemp biofuel.

A biodisel fuel pump at a filling station. Biodiesel is one very appealing option for hemp biofuel.

The cannabis plant is the gift that keeps on givin’. This magic plant gives us CBD oil, THC, hemp fibers and even fuel! Researchers have made hemp into two types of biofuel: biodiesel and ethanol.

HEMP BIODISEL

Biodiesel is produced by the pressing of hemp seeds to extract their oils & fats. After the extraction, the product is then put through more steps to make it into a usable hemp biofuel for your car. If you’re curious to learn about the specifics of biodiesel production, the process is thoroughly explained by hemp.com.

The argument for hemp-derived biodiesel comes down to convenience. If processed correctly, biodiesel can be put into any diesel-powered automobiles. It can be stored and transported like diesel, so there isn’t a need to create a new system for transportation. It even replaces the smell of traditional diesel with the smell of hemp.

USING HEMP TO MAKE ETHANOL

Ethanol is traditionally made from wheat-based crops such as corn and barley. It’s traditionally used as an additive to gasoline, which gave way to our “flex-fuel” vehicles of today. Hemp can be made into ethanol by various forms of fermentation. Using hemp as the main source of ethanol, instead of food crops like wheat & corn has clear advantages. Not using food crops as a fuel source allows more efficiency in food production, and hemp can be grown in lower quality conditions unlike corn or wheat. Hemp-derived ethanol also shares the advantages of transportation and usability as biodiesel.

A row of yellow and green fuel pumps. Hemp biofuel could present more sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels in the near future.

HEMP BIOFUEL OFFERS A MORE SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVE

Fuel alternatives like this can seem like a no-brainer to replace our traditional fossil-fuel sources, but there are drawbacks to these alternative techniques.

To set up a large-scale industrial hemp farm, you will experience the same ethical dilemmas that the farming industry faces. Deforestation and pesticide use will increase, and we’ll inevitably replace some of our food-crop land with more hemp-crop land. Farmers can grow hemp biofuel on land that is not fit for other crops. This “marginal land” is essentially land that isn’t tilled and cleared out for farming. Despite the versatility, hemp produces a much bigger harvest in ideal farming settings. Additionally, marginal land is actually home to important plants, trees, and living creatures that are vital to the ecosystem. Read “Is Hemp The Best Biofuel?” from sensiseeds.comfor a more in-depth look into the argument for hemp biofuel.

Clearly, hemp biofuel alone won’t solve our environmental crisis, but we believe it could be part of a transition to a cleaner way of living.

HOW THE AUTO-INDUSTRY ALREADY USES HEMP

While hemp biofuel may not be a popular ralternative just yet, the automotive industry already uses hemp. Automakers weave hemp plastic into a bendable material similar to fiberglass. Almost all European car makers use hemp fibers as interior door panels and trim pieces. And companies like FlexForm technologies operate as a dedicated producer of hemp-fiberglass that they sell to automotive companies to be made into car doors and exterior panels. Cars that feature hemp-based materials include the BMW i8 supercar and the Lotus Evora. The advantages that come with hemp-made materials is that they are lighter, bio-degradable, and comes from a much easier renewable resource. Hemp grows in roughly 3 months while metals take thousands of years to form.

Thanks to continued bipartisan support for hemp legalization paired with a culture that is growing increasingly accepting of the cannabis plant, we’re witnessing the beginning of  hemp revolution. While hemp biofuel can’t solve the entire energy crisis (we believe the answer to that problem will require multiple solutions), it can provide us with a great renewable fuel source in addition to it’s already useful applications.

While we spent our time here discussing hemp biofuel, let’s not forget the other ways people have been using hemp. There’s hemp beer, hemp blankets, and, this reporter’s personal favorite, hemp food! The future is indeed green.