The truth about CBD

By Dr. Barry Morrison

CBD, it’s NOT going to get you high so, what’s all the buzz about in the health field as well as the news media? Over the past several years, CBD has had a huge up-swing in interest as a result of the tremendous amount of studies. The truth about CBD has been published by many reputable sources regarding its therapeutic properties. It has been rumored that CBD has become the next big discovery to assist our bodies in leading a healthier life. But, it’s important to be able to sift through the misconceptions that are floating around out there.  and truly understand where it’s been and why has it received such a bad rap over the past 80 years or more?

What I am speaking is a plant that has the ability to compete with plastic, oil and building materials. This industrial plant has been cultivated for 1,000’s of years. In 1970, with the formation of the Controlled Substance Act under President Richard M. Nixon, it was labeled as a Class 1 Drug by the US gov. Nope, it’s not marijuana, but HEMP…which contains the naturally occurring high concentration of the medicinal compound known as CBD. In 2014 laws began loosening up. Kentucky’s Agricultural Commissioner, Ryan Quarles, opened the doors for his state and others to follow. They are reviving the growing of hemp for research purposes. Which, I would have to say they are doing an amazing job!

What is Hemp?

But, let’s back up here for just a minute and understand what Hemp actually is. Hemp is a subspecies of the cannabis plant. Throughout time hemp has been used as a source of fuel, clothing, shelter and even food for people all over the world. Here in the US it was widely cultivated since the first settlers arrived in the 1600’s. Our founding Father’s acknowledged hemp’s tremendous benefits. As George Washington, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson all grew hemp on their private farms. Not to mention the draft of our Country’s Declaration of Independence was done on Hemp paper.

So, what happened? Here we have one of the most versatile plants known to the civilized and uncivilized world. Which has become the most politically discriminated agricultural crop this country has ever seen. Hemp was labeled as a plant that was so dangerous that it was to be whipped off the face of the earth! It wasn’t dangerous to anyone or anything except to those industries that it could create strict competition for. What did our government do to protect us as well as their allegiance to these high-powered industries? The truth about CBD simply wasn’t told!!! Smearing hemp through a propaganda campaign that associated it with marijuana.

Marihuana Tax Act

In 1937 the marijuana tax act labeled hemp as a narcotic requiring farmers to obtain a special tax stamp to grow it. By 1970, the Controlled Substances Act made the act of growing hemp without a DEA issued permit a federal crime. Most people have been deceived into thinking hemp is exactly the same as marijuana. Or that its close association with it must classify it as a drug. This statement couldn’t be farther from the truth.

Check out this Congressional Research Service report on hemp that states “Although marijuana is also a variety of cannabis, it is genetically distinct from industrial hemp and is further distinguished by its use and chemical makeup.” So, hemp is genetically distinct from marijuana. In fact, if a person could smoke a huge hemp joint, they wouldn’t get “high!” Yet the plant had remained illegal under federal law for over 50 years. It’s not because it’s a danger to people, but for its danger to corporations.

Early in the 20th century, hemp competed heavily with several major up-and-coming industries. Environmentally friendly hemp threatened the lively hood of the lumber & paper industries which is where the Newspaper industry stepped in and flexed its muscle of public influence. One of the largest newspaper publishers in America launched a campaign against hemp. They used their publications and political clout to smear the public’s perception of the crop.

Hemp’s History

In the 1920s, a major chemical company developed a patented process to manufacture pulp paper, nylon, cellophane and plastics. At the same time, other companies were developing synthetic products from renewable biomass resources, primarily hemp. A major contributor to the urgency to eliminate hemp was that a major US Motor Company was successfully operating a pilot plant in Michigan. Here they produced alcohol, charcoal, tar and other stock chemicals from hemp. If that wasn’t enough, in 1941 this same Motor Company produced an automobile made almost entirely from hemp. Its frame was 12 times lighter than steel and 10 times stronger, not to mention it was powered by hemp seed oil.

Large pharmaceutical companies also stood to gain by the criminalization of hemp, since their patented prescription tranquilizers were replacing the medicinal therapeutic values of hemp and motivated for it to remain that way.

Truth about CBD

So, that was back in the 20’s, how is it still in force today? Because that threat isn’t limited only to a few products. Once the hemp industry is revived it will possess the ability to devastate the profits of HUGE corporations. Companies that manufacture medicine, lumber, paper, fossil fuel, steel, alcohol and even food. More than 30 nations grow industrial hemp as an agricultural commodity. The United States, up until Dec. 2018, was the only industrialized nation that didn’t allow its production. But that has since changed as a result of the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill!

The practical applications of hemp are limitless and the real reason it was illegal for many years is simple, it was just one way to preserve the profits of large corporations at our expense. It needs to be mentioned that CBD oil when extracted from industrial hemp, that contains the majority of cannabis’ therapeutic value, is now federally legal. We are proud to say CBD Pro’s CBD is grown in the state of Kentucky which is quickly becoming a national leader in Hemp production.

Therefore, CBD Oil from hemp is Federally legal to be sold in the US under the strict guidance of the USDA. I hope this helps to clear up the truth about CBD.