CBD rises in popularity in Arkansas
Since the passage of the Farm Bill in December, the use of CBD, cannabidiol, has risen rapidly across the nation, even here in Arkansas. The compound is derived from the cannabis plant, but it's completely legal, non-psychoactive, and used to treat a variety of conditions.
Nearly 6 months ago, Healing Hemp of Arkansas opened to the public. The Little Rock storefront strictly sells CBD. "It works in the white matter of your brain. It reconnects the neurotransmitters that have been damaged just through life. And so, your body and your brain talk better together. At that point, we believe that it's an immune booster," said manager Mark Roberts.
The compound became legal to sell in the state through the Arkansas Industrial Hemp Act of 2017, but because of its connection to marijuana, Roberts was initially hesitant to get into the business. He said, "There was a chance that it would not be accepted as just hemp, which is THC free again, that it would be so tightly related to marijuana that people would not accept it, but we found that to be the exact opposite."
Insomnia, pain and anxiety are the most common ailments Roberts sees walking through the doors and says the only side-effect is that they keep coming back. "From all the research we see, no, it's not harmful. It may be habit-forming but so are M&Ms and Coca-cola. But it's not addictive," said Roberts.
He also says CBD is not a replacement for your doctor prescribed medications, adding, "CBD in this form is simply another tool in your tool box or in your doctor's tool box to help you feel better."
Even though these studies say CBD does not adversely react with medication, you should still consult with your doctor before using.
