Each and every day it seems like we wake up with something new to stress about. Whether it’s a story on the news, a personal tribulation, pain management, or just a bad night of sleep, these disruptions each eat away at our overall wellbeing. But, what if there was a way to whisk your woes away with a natural remedy? That’s exactly what hemp-derived CBD and THC have done for ages.
Even though you’ve probably heard of THC and CBD, these hemp extracts have been gaining popularity since the passing of the Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2013 which legally defines hemp as cannabis with no more than 0.3% THC content. This act makes it possible for makers to use CBD and even THC in their products, opening us up to a wide spectrum of CBD and THC salves, gummies, sprays, skin care, pet products, and so much more. Plus, the expansion only continues with the Hemp Farming Act of 2018 which completely legalizes industrial hemp.
Even though these products are completely legal, there are lingering misconceptions about what these products can do for you. If you’re a newly, it can be scary to think about ingesting THC or CBD but there are two resources in Pittsburgh that can teach you all about using hemp for the first time.
Trying Legal THC or CBD For the First Time in Pittsburgh
PENN’S CHOICE is a family-owned hemp farm and brand based in Western Pennsylvania. This farm is where the process of creating hemp products starts and finishes. They start with sustainably growing the hemp before harvesting. Then they slow-cure it and the infuse it directly into the products that they make by hand in small batches. For co-owner and chief operating officer, Rebecca Zaccard Gibson, keeping the process close to home is one of the ways that they can ensure the safety and success of consumers.
“PENN’S CHOICE does everything from start to finish to ensure quality, care, and affordability,” explains Zaccard Gibson. “We specialize in CBD salves, CBD oils, CBG oils, and more – with a focus on clean, planet and people-friendly ingredients that work together to help our customers sleep well and feel good in their daily lives. We truly believe everyone deserves to live a life free from anxiety and pain, and while we can’t take away life stressors, we can help people manage them.”
THC, CBD, Delta-8, Delta-9, What Does it All Mean?
THC, CBD, Delta-8, CBG…all these acronyms can be confusing and may seem like the same thing from afar. While they do come from the same plant, each is a different cannabinoid, varying slightly from other related molecules within the plant. It’s important to know the difference between these cannabinoids when you first start shopping for legal hemp products.
“Delta-9 THC is a psychoactive compound that is typically associated with getting high, although it has a whole lot of other benefits too,” says Zaccard Gibson. “Delta-8 THC is like Delta-9’s cousin. It has similar properties; however, some people find it to be a bit milder and more relaxing than Delta-9. THC-A is an interesting one because it’s the acidic precursor to THC, and therefore when burned it becomes THC. CBD, CBG, CBN, CBC are also all cannabinoids, but they are considered non-intoxicating, so you get the various effects without the high.”
Get Rid of the Misconceptions
It’s all a lot to take in but that’s why there are places like PENN’S CHOICE to help make all the information easier to comprehend. Though if you’re looking for another resource closer to home, CBD Wellness Store in Pittsburgh is another way to test products for the first time with ease. Here, Terri Miller works as a CBD Specialist, directing customers to what fit is best for them. She considers herself a bit of a CBD nerd and uses her research to help stop the misconceptions that have been floating around for years.
“A lot of people, when they hear CBD, tend to be fearful of it as if it’s marijuana, as if it’s going to get them high,” says Miller. “There are certainly products that can do that. But, there are also a lot of products that have so many benefits but that don’t get you high at all. It’s really a great thing to get the word out there about because the stigma behind it doesn’t necessarily always allow people to have a good understanding.”
Getting a Legal High
Speaking of products that get you high, some are actually legal, like the ones that are naturally grown by farms like PENN’S CHOICE and sold by the CBD Wellness Store. By providing a high while also transparently communicating what is in the product, they have made consumption safer. According to a 2020 research report by Greta Hsu, professor at University of California and Balázs Kovács, associate professor at Yale University, higher numbers of medical and recreational storefront dispensaries “…are associated with reduced opioid related death rates, particularly deaths associated with synthetic opioids such as fentanyl.” There are no barriers to purchase, such as dispensary cards, prescriptions, or other documentation.
“Products like ours at PENN’S CHOICE are derived from hemp, so you don’t need a medical card to purchase them,” explains Zaccard Gibson. “It’s a great option for people who are looking for local, reasonably priced products with the health benefits of cannabis without the high. That said, if you are looking for the health benefits and the high, there are some hemp products that contain intoxicating cannabinoids like Delta-8 or Delta-9 available as well.”
How to Find the Hemp Product For You
Your interest in THC and CBD is peaking. But where do you start? Do you pop an edible in your mouth? Try a new CBD lotion? Light up a pre-roll (a pre-rolled paper cone packed with hemp flower)? Grab a bag of treats for your dog? Well, that decision is truly up to you and the more you try, the better the opportunity of what works best. But, there are a few tips you can follow to figure out what to try first.
“A good place to start is by asking yourself what you are looking for help with which usually is one or more of our ‘big 3’ – pain, anxiety, and sleep,” explains Gibson. “Next, ask yourself if you are open to something that is intoxicating or not. If you don’t want anything intoxicating, you probably want to steer clear of high amounts of THC. Topicals, like our CBD salve, are a great option for pain and you can apply them directly to achy muscles or sore joints. If you’re looking for better sleep, something like a CBD oil that goes under your tongue is a great option. If it’s anxiety relief you’re after, CBG is a lesser-known cannabinoid known to calm anxiety, boost your mood, and decrease inflammation while not making you drowsy the way CBD can while also promoting a happy, healthy gut.
What About for Delta-8 and Delta-9?
If it is a high that you’re looking for, there are plenty of things to look out for when choosing between Delta-8 and Delta-9. Also consider how you’re using the product. When using anything that has Delta-8 or Delta-9, it’s important to go for a low dose and start things out slowly. It is THC after all. You don’t have to be completely baked like a cake in order to have a good high. In fact, a light body high can sometimes be just what you need to help you sleep or relax after work.
Start with understanding what you are actively consuming: check your cannabinoids and testing reports. Don’t take an edible that’s going to last all night when you know you have somewhere to be in the next few hours. Make sure you go to a reputable source.
“When you add Delta-8 or Delta-9, that’s when you’re actually consuming amounts of THC. There are pros and cons to that. But, we offer a product that’s legal and that we test. There is weed available on the street, but you have no idea what it’s laced with. So we have a high quality product that is safe and tested and at a legal level, that offers people an alternative while giving them the results that they’re looking for. It’s still a wellness product at the end of the day,” says Gibson.
What Should You Be Cautious Of?
While trying THC and CBD can be a fun experience, there are still elements to be cautious of. You should always alert your doctor to what you’re using, especially if you’re under 25. Since your brain does not fully develop until your mid to late 20’s and hemp is legal for ages 21 and older, you still need to go forward with caution. While scientists’ studies on this subject are still new, there is evidence to suggest that cannabis (we’re talking THC here, not CBD), can cause attention, memory, and learning problems that may last a long time, or even be permanent.
Even if you’re in your late 20s and your brain is fully developed, you still have to be careful where you are getting your hemp from. We know gas stations seem like an easy way to pick up a quick pack of gummies…but you likely have no clue what type of chemicals are lurking within.
“What you want to see is a full panel third party test,” explains Miller. “So when we look at a third party test, not only is potency going to be important, but also CBD purity, residual solvents, pesticides, heavy metals, and microbials. The story that I always point out to my customers is if people can get sick at McDonald’s with contaminated onions, it can happen with hemp and marijuana. They both are plants grown on farms. Anything that’s grown in the dirt really needs more extensive testing.”
Always Ask for Help
If you want a helping hand when trying THC or CBD for the first time, both PENN’S CHOICE and CBD Wellness Store are just a few of the stores in the area that have consultations available to answer any questions. Here you can meet with a specialist to find the right start for you or even get advice later on for what new products to try. Nevertheless, exploring THC and CBD should be an exciting and healing experience. It’s all about what works for your body and what makes you feel more like yourself at the end of the day.
“Listen to your body!” exclaims Zaccard Gibson. “ A little trial and error is likely going to be part of the process, but you know yourself best. Trust yourself, have fun, and we’re here to talk hemp whenever you need us!”
Check out our article on THC and CBD shops in Pittsburgh to start your journey!
Story by Kylie Thomas
Photo Courtesy of PENN’S CHOICE
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