AGORACOM Small-cap Investor Relations Blog

SPONSOR: Spyder Cannabis (SPDR:TSXV) went public just a couple of months ago and hit the ground running with 5 operating Canadian retail locations – and a 6th one on the way via an 8,000 sq ft super store in Alberta.  Most companies would be ecstatic to have this number of locations – but Spyder just announced a major move into the United States, with a 5 location deal for boutique stores up and down the US Eastern seaboard.  The news gets better.  If all goes well with these 5 locations, the US outlet partner has a total of 39 locations across 20 states for Spyder to grow into to. Click here for more info.

Cannabis industry overview: all you need to know

• Consumers around the world spent around $12.2 billion on legal cannabis in 2018, according to marijuana research firm BDS Analytics, rising from around $9.5 billion in 2017 and $6.9 billion in 2016.
• The firm predicts spending this year will jump 38% to $16.9 billion and believes the industry will deliver a compound annual sales growth of 27% from 2018 to 2022, at which time it expects the market to be worth over $31 billion.

Joshua Warner | Writer, London |

How much is the cannabis market worth?

Consumers around the world spent around $12.2 billion on legal cannabis in 2018, according to marijuana research firm BDS Analytics, rising from around $9.5 billion in 2017 and $6.9 billion in 2016. The firm predicts spending this year will jump 38% to $16.9 billion and believes the industry will deliver a compound annual sales growth of 27% from 2018 to 2022, at which time it expects the market to be worth over $31 billion.

Analysts at Jefferies, which reported similar spending figures for 2018 as BDS, believe the legal cannabis market could be worth as much as $130 billion by 2029. However, that forecast assumes both medicinal and recreational marijuana is broadly legalised in further major markets like the US, Europe and Latin America, and that established industries like pharmaceuticals, beauty and drinks producers start using it in new products. If the legal picture remained largely the same as it is now, then the market’s estimated value in a decade is just $50 billion – which is a huge jump from where sales sit now but ultimately way below the full potential that could be delivered if the drug was embraced further.

It is clear the market is set for exponential growth over the coming years. The global market for illegal marijuana is estimated to be worth somewhere in the region of $150 billion to $200 billion, so the legalised market has all that value to chase in addition to new opportunities, such as formulating new alternative cannabis-based products.

What is driving the cannabis market forward?

Below are some of the key reasons why the legalised cannabis market is driving forward.

Deregulation and acceptance

From a recreational standpoint, marijuana is the most widely used drug in the world. Although it still won’t be for everyone, legalisation is attracting new types of users – and most of them have already tried marijuana before. According to Deloitte, legalisation is expected to ‘attract more of a conservative experimenter’, those with bigger incomes and higher education than the typical user using the black market today. Still, Deloitte reckons that nearly three quarters of all consumers likely to use legalised marijuana have had prior experience with recreational cannabis, and over 40% have used it in the past five years.

There are only two countries that have formally legalised recreational use of marijuana. Uruguay became the first country to fully legalise marijuana back in 2013 and was followed by Canada last year. However, recreational cannabis laws are relaxed in many other countries, such as in the Netherlands and Portugal where the drug has been decriminalised, and over 40 countries have legalised medicinal cannabis in some form, some of which are outlined below:

Argentina	Australia	Canada
Chile	Colombia	Croatia
Cyprus	Czech Republic	Denmark
Finland	Germany	Greece
Irael	Italy	Jamaica
Luxembourg	Macedonia	Malta
Mexico	Netherlands	Norway
Peru	Poland	South Africa
South Korea	Sri Lanka	Switzerland
UK	Uruguay	Zimbabwe

The world is hoping Canada will be able to demonstrate how a fully legalised marijuana industry can form part of a modern, industrialised nation in the western world. But the next trigger moment that many are waiting for is federal approval in the US. Medicinal marijuana has been legalised by over 30 US states and a further 11 have approved recreational use with more expected to follow in the coming years. However, it is yet to be legalised at the federal level, which would apply one law across the entire country rather than forcing companies to operate on a state-by-state level.

The picture in Europe is similar. Individual countries are pushing ahead with their own policies on marijuana use while the law at the EU level lags behind. The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction says ‘cannabis should be allowed only for “medical and scientific purposes”‘ and that most countries still regard possession as a crime that can result in imprisonment. Yet, it adds that several member states have reduced their penalties for cannabis users, and some have permitted supply of the drug, which it admits is opening up discussion. It says European policy is complicated by ‘conflicting claims’, including decriminalisation or legalisation, medical or recreational use, and policy success or failure. The initial sign is that Europe is warming more to reducing the harm of drugs and decriminalising them, but is further away from embracing the drug in the same way North America has.

Acceptance of marijuana use is growing. Mexico and Argentina are leading the charge in Latin America. South Africa and Zimbabwe have taken the first steps in Africa, while South Korea recently became one of the first major Asian nations to take steps to make medicinal marijuana legal.

Billions of investment

There are serious sums being ploughed into this new market as companies try to get ahead of the game. Data from Dealogic shows there was over $10 billion worth of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity in the marijuana industry last year – seven times higher than 2017 and not far off the value of the entire legalised cannabis market worldwide.

Much of the money is coming from well-regarded, established businesses operating in the pharmaceutical, tobacco, alcohol and consumer goods businesses that are coming under increasing pressure to formulate a marijuana strategy as acceptance grows. For example, Constellation Brands, the maker of Corona beer, completed the biggest deal to date in the industry after investing $4 billion into Canopy as it pursues new opportunities in areas like cannabis-infused beverages.

Some have taken a more collaborative approach, with the likes of Molson Coors working with Canadian grower HEXO to develop cannabis-infused drinks, and Canadian cannabis giant Tilray teaming up with both alcohol giant ABInBev and pharmaceutical powerhouse Novartis. Consolidation among cannabis pure-plays is expected to accelerate over the coming years, as is the amount of cross-sector investment coming from other industries.

Read more about the best marijuana stocks to watch

Product development

New cannabis-based products will also widen the appeal of the market and the growth opportunity for both medicinal and recreational marijuana. The key for the medicinal market will be providing proven cannabidiol (CBD) products that can be safely dosed and delivered without the need to smoke. For the recreational market, where smoking marijuana will remain (at least in the short term) the preferred method of choice, the possibilities are endless – baked goods, drinks, olive oil and honey are just some of the products being infused with cannabis at present. These ‘edibles’, as they are known, will start to take off in Canada this year after the government forbid the sale of them during the first year of recreational use being legalised.

Developing new cannabis products will be key to adoption and uptake. The main reasons that marijuana users are likely to move to the legal market is because they expect to get things the black market can’t offer: such as guaranteed and verifiable quality, new products, or because they have more control over the potency and type of cannabis product they purchase.

What could hold the cannabis market back?

Below are some of the key reasons why the legalised cannabis market could be held back.

Regulatory outlook

Although it is highly likely that more countries will embrace marijuana in the coming years there are several major hurdles to clear. Having marijuana legalised at the federal level in the US is the key breakthrough many are waiting for. Letting states manage their own legislation over the matter causes a string of problems for the market. Many US cannabis companies can’t get access to banking or financial services from large lenders in the country who are unwilling to lend to what is regarded as a ‘grey area’. Marijuana grown in one state can not be transferred and sold in another, which is one of the key reasons for the acceleration in consolidation as firms race to buy their way in to new markets. Marketing, distribution and security laws can also differ state to state. The complex mismatch of legislation ultimately creates an uncertain outlook for the US market and raises the costs of operation.

It is important to stress that there is no guarantee marijuana will be legislated at the federal level. Although many are expecting it to be a hot topic in the 2020 election it is unlikely to be a make-or-break policy area for candidates, especially if they can please both sides of the argument (by raking in the profits of marijuana through state legislation without publicly approving it at the federal level). Until then, it is unlikely the current Republican government, regarded as far less upbeat on the drug compared to their Democrat rivals, will look to legalise marijuana at the federal level.

Those countries that have already embraced medicinal marijuana are the most likely to legalise it at the recreational level. But many countries that have embraced medicinal marijuana have done so reluctantly. For example, the UK’s laws on medicinal cannabis are still very strict and were only introduced following huge media and public pressure over the case of a very ill 12-year-old boy who had found an effective treatment using CBD oil. And yet, the UK is the largest producer of medicinal cannabis in Europe – all of which it is more than happy to export to the rest of the world.

The attitude in Europe is also vastly different to that of North America. This is demonstrated by vaping, which in the UK is treated as a smoking cessation aide aimed at getting people to quit smoking cigarettes while in the US it is widely marketed much the same way cigarettes were all those decades ago. While recreational use is common in some member states there is no appetite to regulate it at the EU-level. Medicinal marijuana will play a bigger role in Europe over the coming years but there is unlikely to be any major shift in recreational laws. While discussion in the US is around how far to take legalisation and commercialisation, talk in Europe is more on decriminalisation and reducing harm.

There is little doubt that legislation will warm to marijuana as time goes on, but there is little certainty over how it will be embraced and what regulatory model will be deployed.

Financing

As mentioned, the state-by-state management of the marijuana industry in the US has made it difficult for some to get hold of proper financing. While a handful of companies such as Tilray, Aurora and Canopy have emerged as early leaders, none of them are profitable and yet all of them require the huge sums needed to build an entirely new market and supply chain. Acquiring and developing the vast land needed to grow the product, the processing equipment, distribution capabilities and sales channels is not cheap.

This is one of the reasons why many of the larger players have gone public so early on, so they can access money from the markets. This has not been the case in the past: many big tech names refrained from going public during the tech boom because they had access to plenty of cash from the banks and private equity. But even the lack of federal law to govern marijuana in the US complicates things for publicly-listed firms. For example, a publicly-listed company in Canada cannot operate a cannabis operation in the US because it is not approved at the federal level, but a publicly-listed firm in the US can operate anywhere so long as it is legal there.

With that in mind, many cannabis stocks have funded mergers and acquisitions using stock, diluting existing investors. Plus, many have issued convertible notes that provide an immediate injection of cash into the business but ultimately allow lenders to invest at a huge discount later on, again diluting other shareholders and placing pressure on share prices.

With the largest cannabis stocks valued on their future growth potential rather than past performance, getting access to the crucial finance needed to deliver that growth is vital.

Taxation and the black market

It can be forgotten that legalising cannabis is about undermining illicit trade and bringing existing users out of the black market rather than creating new users, although this will undoubtedly be one consequence. For this to be successful, governments need to delicately balance efforts between regulating the industry without placing it under a huge cost burden.

Drug dealers don’t concern themselves with matters like tax, minimum wages, cultivation licenses or sales permits. They will always be able to produce marijuana at a far cheaper cost than a legal operation but that does not mean legal cannabis can’t be profitable, just that they won’t enjoy the vast margins enjoyed by illicit traders.

How legalised cannabis – particularly for the recreational market – is priced will be key to attracting consumers. Data from Deloitte suggests those currently buying cannabis through illegal channels are willing to pay more for legal cannabis, so long as it is of a certifiable quality. However, if legal cannabis is significantly pricier than what can be bought from a drug dealer then there is a real risk that many will return to the black market. This could end up being a volatile cycle: if legal prices rise and waves of customers return to the black market then there will be an oversupply of legal cannabis, which in turn would eventually bring the price down again and attract people back from the black market. In fact, prices in the black market could be much more stable than that of the legal market. However, this will not be the case in the medicinal market as it will offer products designed for specific ailments that won’t be freely available on the black market. This will also protect the ability of medicinal marijuana products to charge a much higher price point than a recreational joint or cannabis cookie.

It is clear, however, that creating a legal cannabis market will not fully replace existing black markets overnight. Mexico is advancing toward legalisation and that would represent a significant moment as it would be the first country that has a prolific drug manufacturing problem to do so. Still, Vicente Fox, the former president of Mexico (2000-2006) and now board member of Canadian cannabis company Khiron Life Sciences, has said legalisation in Mexico as well as the US (where most Mexican drugs are smuggled into) will only cut around 40% of income flowing to cartels – a sizeable chunk but far from the levels needed to cripple the black market.

Governments need to ensure they do not overtax an industry that already needs large sums to grow and look at the wider picture when legislating the industry, such as how it could affect healthcare, social and justice budgets.

Regulatory redtape

When a new industry is emerging there is a battle between industry and government over who shapes the regulation and who responds to it. More often than not, industry plays a major role in deciding how it is regulated through lobbying and governments simply draw the lines of where the regulation stops. For example, governments around the world are still trying to figure out how to rein in the likes of Google and Facebook, who have enjoyed huge regulatory freedom up until recently, and cryptocurrencies are far from a clean-cut issue but are still being used by people everyday.

The same will apply to the cannabis industry, which needs to convince governments not to overburden it. But the health and social implications of legalising any drug means governments will not allow the industry to steam ahead like it has with big tech or cryptocurrencies. However, governments and policy-makers move at a snail’s pace compared to entrepreneurship and business, and this will slow the progress of legalised cannabis firms. This has already proven true in places that have embraced marijuana: initial tax revenues in Canada and California were much lower than expected during the first year of legalisation because regulatory red tape stopped the industry from realising its potential. Big backlogs of sales permits and cultivation licenses were to blame, demonstrating the infrastructure is not yet in place.

Finding the perfect formula that allows cannabis to be effectively regulated without hampering the business opportunity will not be easy.

Bricks vs clicks

At a time when bricks-and-mortar stores are falling out of favour and retailers are shifting their operations online, physical retail outlets – recreational stores or medical dispensaries – are proving crucial for legal marijuana sellers in North America. Around 95% of all legal cannabis sales in some Canadian provinces including Quebec and Nova Scotia are completed in a physical store with just 5% being bought online. The need to see and feel the product and the desire to discuss what is on offer with someone in-the-know is proving an important selling point for consumers. This is a similar trend to what has happened with vaping stores, which offer advice and the ability to try different flavours or strains.

This model means another huge expense for the industry. Running stores, hiring staff and investing in the logistical and distribution capabilities needed to supply a network of stores is not cheap, and that is exacerbated by the fact consumers expect them to be open for long hours.

The need for a physical place to pick medicinal marijuana is greater than the need for a store to buy recreational cannabis, in the same way people prefer to go to a pharmacy to pick up a prescription. However, more recreational consumers are likely to purchase online once they have become familiar with the market and some companies are already banking on this, such as Namaste Technologies which is being dubbed the ‘Amazon of cannabis’. Although an online model will reduce the costs compared to opening and running a network of stores, it adds greater pressure on the need to have the ability to deliver products far and wide – and quickly. Deloitte has found two-thirds of those willing to purchase cannabis online expect it to be delivered for free and within two days.

Cannabis is the next big thing but is far from a risk-free ride

There is very good reason to be bullish on the future of cannabis but finding where the true value in the market at this early stage is difficult for investors. The biggest cannabis stocks like Tilray, Aurora and Canopy have already been assigned huge valuations running into the tens of billions of dollars when they only make hundreds of millions in revenue each year and report large losses. As was the case with companies like Twitter to Tesla, it will all be about maintaining momentum and delivering growth over the coming years and turning to a profit before the money runs out.

Others may be more attracted to the stocks from the pharmaceutical, alcohol, tobacco or consumer goods industries that have dipped their toe into the market because they have established businesses to fall back on and the financial firepower needed to propel legal cannabis into the mainstream.

It will be a slow ride for investors looking to get in early and far from a risk-free journey. Many companies are spending big to carve out a lead in the market but there is no guarantee that any of them will make it.

Source: https://www.ig.com/uk/news-and-trade-ideas/cannabis-industry-overview–all-you-need-to-know-190815

SPONSOR: Spyder Cannabis Inc. (TSX-V: SPDR) An established chain of high-end vape stores in Ontario, Canada. The company has an aggressive expansion plan already in place that will focus on Canadian retail and US Hemp-Derived kiosks in high traffic areas. Click here for more info.

Top 7 benefits and uses of CBD oil

• Cannabidiol is a chemical compound in the cannabis plant and is most often derived from hemp.
• It’s a naturally occurring substance that is not psychoactive — meaning it won’t impair or impact your mental state of being.

Experts from Charlotte’s Web highlight how cannabidiol can be beneficial in many ways in this guide to the top 7 uses of CBD oil

While an easy-going, uncomplicated and fulfilling life is what we are all after — we can’t all be rosy, all the time. Every aspect of our day-to-day — from professional to personal — is filled with responsibilities and expectations. Though many of these to-do list items are part of the path to success and happiness, sometimes we need a little pick-me-up to make the road easier. This is why certain cure-all ingredients become trendy seemingly overnight. From those that promise to help us lose the belly fat to ones that guarantee a mood-boost–if you can Google it, you can find it.

Though generations across the globe have been utilising the wondrous properties of hemp for hundreds of years, cannabidiol (or CBD) has recently been used as an oil and capsule for general wellness 

As a smart shopper, if you are on the fence about implementing a new product into your routine, you likely want to know how it will boost your vitality. We have been studying and fostering quality, reliable and safe products for years, giving us a first-hand perspective on how this gem from Mother Nature can benefit your health. Though there are countless claims about what CBD can provide, not all are backed by science. That’s why we stand by these specific benefits of CBD oil:

First up, what is CBD?

Cannabidiol is a chemical compound in the cannabis plant and is most often derived from hemp. It’s a naturally occurring substance that is not psychoactive — meaning it won’t impair or impact your mental state of being. Not to be confused with its cousin, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), this derivative is more widely legalised across the country. You should definitely do your homework to understand the rules and regulations of your state, though many allow the use of CBD in various products. 

If you look backwards thousands of years, indigenous people used hemp for many daily uses — including spinning it into fibre to make clothing, controlling weeds and purifying water, to name a few. In modern times, CBD oil can be turned into oils for you skin or to drop on your tongue to support recovery from post-workout inflammation, maintain focus and other perks. 

While most of the time it is humans who use the products, whether topically or orally, there are also a few benefits for man’s (and woman’s!) best friend. And while your best friend may go the oil route, you could be more on Team Supplement since you already take daily vitamins anyway. That’s the beauty of CBD as a health Kickstarter — you can use it however you feel most comfortable.

The benefits below are ones we celebrate — but it is still important to exercise patience. Because of the vast variety and reach of this natural ingredient, using it across various mediums could be beneficial. As with anything, give your body time to adjust to CBD, and don’t expect overnight results. Your system needs time to process, and we generally recommend 30-60 days to witness an impact.

If you are willing to go the long mile and give it a try, here are a few CBD benefits you may experience:

CBD Benefit #1: Help you remain calm during stressful situations.

Think back when you were in college and you were trying to decide on a major. There are some lucky people who have always known what they were destined to do for their career — but for many, it took trial and error to arrive where they are now. Even more, are still figuring out the right trajectory. Regardless of where you happen to be on the career ladder, work-related stress is to be expected. People who are captivated and challenged by their gigs, as well as those who frequently experience the Sunday Scaries, are sometimes bogged down by a seemingly never-ending stream of deadlines and emails. Not to mention client and colleague meetings, business trips and interpersonal, in-office relationships.

However, to be productive and channel your creativity, managing stress is essential. Everyone has their moments when they feel overworked and over-booked, but your ability to prioritise and work through the chaos and collect your thoughts will set you apart. One of the most talked-about benefits of CBD oil is how it can ease your anxiety and worries in your everyday life. And this isn’t limited to career-related angst. Many professionals find this essential to guide them through difficult quarters, overbearing clients and all of the annoyances in between. Our CBD gummies for calm can support in calming your nerves, allowing you to focus on the task at hand. When you need to finish a project, shoot off an email or have a tricky conversation with your manager, the extra zen will go a long way.

CBD Benefit #2: Help you navigate everyday stresses.

Everyday stresses come at us from every angle. The vast majority of the workforce doesn’t work traditional 9 to 5 hours — we’re expected to be on call and available 24/7. Families with children may have two working parents with full-time gigs, making family life that much more demanding. And though friendships are meant to help us navigate life’s ups and the downs, they require accountability too. Juggling all of that maybe when the unthinkable happens: the dishwasher breaks down. Or the pipes need to be replaced. Or the handyman measured the blinds wrong and now they need to be fixed. Just when you feel as if you have everything under control, there always seems to be a wrench thrown into the mix.

For everyday stressors — from the expected to the unexpected — CBD oil can step in as your relaxation agent. Clearing your mind, settling your heart rate and giving you a tool to regain focus and control, it can help you get back on track. Much of life is unpredictable and we can’t always have someone to step in and manage the details for us. Luckily, a trusted CBD oil can make the journey smoother. 

CBD Benefit #3: Help reduce inflammation after a workout

You grew up being active or playing sports — and running around outside until your mother finally made you come in as the sun went down. Or maybe you fell in love with running — or spinning or yoga — as an adult. And now, in an effort to maintain your health, strength and longevity, you somehow make it to a class or to the gym a few times a week. For those who want to live a balanced, energy-filled life, frequent, consistent fitness is non-negotiable.

Even though you know how important it is to get your heart rate going, there are plenty of hurdles that create a barrier to working out. From late nights in the office to hitting snooze on your morning alarm (whoops) — scheduling is sometimes, well, impossible. However, one of the most common reasons folks skip out on their visit is soreness from the day (or days) before. While this is a normal part of the recovery process, aching muscles can be painful to push through, especially when finding the motivation to prioritise fitness.

CBD oil can work wonders here since it fights against workout-induced inflammation. What’s this mean? When we are active and challenge our bodies, we put strain on our muscles, creating tiny cuts in the tissue. This isn’t dangerous, and rather, helps to build our strength — but that doesn’t mean it’s comfortable. Following an intensive, strenuous routine, CBD oil or our CBD gummies for recovery can speed up the recovery process so you can continue to meet your fitness goals. 

CBD oil benefit #4: Help you to sleep better

Think of those Saturday mornings. You know the ones: nothing on your agenda until the afternoon, breezy, comfortable just-right temperature outside. No kiddos or pets — or the garbage pick-up or your neighbours — to disrupt your slumber. Your chest heavy, your breathing relaxed, you zonked out for a solid eight hours and waking up ready to conquer the world. Or at the very least — brunch! More than any other routine we keep up, including working out and smart food choices, our health and energy levels are directly tied to how much time we spend in dreamland. But it’s not just quantity, it’s the quality of sleep that matters as well. You may lay in bed for the recommended hours for our age group — but if you aren’t sleeping soundly, you won’t actually reap the benefits of a good night rest.

How do you know if you are sleeping effectively? Consider these questions — and answer honestly! — to determine how high you rank on slumber hygiene. How long does it take you to drift away? How many times do you wake up in the middle of the night? How do you feel when you wake up — rested or exhausted? Do you go to bed at the same time — and rise like clockwork? If you struggle with most of these, know that CBD oil helps support healthy sleep cycles. An alternative to our CBD oil or capsules is our CBD gummy and melatonin designed specifically with your sleep needs in mind. 

CBD oil benefit #5: Help you fight against dry skin

In the winter, as the temperature falls outside, the dry heat skyrockets inside to keep you warm. Then spring rolls around, and all of those beautiful blooms have your nose feeling itchy. Summer may cause your skin to break out thanks to sunscreen and sweat — but for some folks, dry patches are still an issue, year-round. No matter what season gives your body’s largest organ — skin! — the most trouble, maintaining moisture is essential. Dry skin is uncomfortable and makes it more difficult to apply various products that keep us healthy and glowing. T

hough many people turn to body butters, lotions or other hydrating gems, sometimes, it’s not enough to reach the moisture level our pores are thirsty for. To the rescue could be CBD oil or CBD cream— since one of the benefits of this powerful topical is how it helps our skin to maintain optimal skin moisturisation. As with any new skincare product, you will want to start slow and watch how your pores react. It may take time to start seeing results — so be patient. And when in doubt, talk to a dermatologist about an ideal regimen for your unique chemical makeup.

CBD oil benefit #6: Help your pet feel relaxed

Though Fido has historically been referenced as man’s best friend — we would like to think our beloved pets are the whole family’s pal. From the moment you took him or her from the animal shelter as a pup (or as an older dog!) — they stole your heart, filled up your iPhone with countless photos and of course, most of your bed. That’s why so many pet owners go above and beyond for their pets by feeding them wholesome meals, taking them to training schools and scheduling regular visits to the vet.

This means you are hyper-aware of any shifts in your pet’s personality. If you notice your pet is skittish, anxious or overall, not like themselves, it is normal to worry. Much like humans, dogs will experience various ebbs and flows in their mood — all causes by a variety of factors. During the winter, they may not get as much time outside running around, causing them to have extra energy indoors. Or in the summer, when it’s scorching under the sun, they could overheat and have to retreat back to the couch.

Perhaps they are ageing and experiencing joint pain or tenderness, that while normal, is difficult to manage. Though you should definitely seek veterinary attention if you feel something extraordinary is happening under their fur, one of the benefits of CBD oil extends to your pets. In fact, it’s been shown to calm their nerves and anxiety when used regularly. Test a small drop first — and then see how your four-legged friend responds.

CBD oil benefit #7: Help your pet stay stronger for longer

Before you had a human baby — your pet your first child. They taught you what unconditional love really means — and how much joy a wagging tail can bring. Ask any pet owner and they will be quick to admit that their pets are not just the guardian of the herd — but part of the family. As they’ve watched you cascade through various milestones, you have witnessed the years wearing on them, too. Though they used to run for hours around your backyard, they’re slower these days.

And while they used to serve as your first alarm clock, now you have to wake them up for breakfast. Ageing is hard to see — but you can make your pet more comfortable with the use of CBD oil. Because it has been shown to support healthy hips and joints for animals, a drop of CBD oil will have them moving easier. Even if you — sadly — can’t make your dog live forever, you can keep them fresh and happy by adding a bit of CBD oil to their routine.

Source: https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/uses-of-cbd-oil/70200/

SPONSOR: Spyder Cannabis Inc. (TSX-V: SPDR) An established chain of high-end vape stores in Ontario, Canada. The company has an aggressive expansion plan already in place that will focus on Canadian retail and US Hemp-Derived kiosks in high traffic areas. Click here for more info.

Here’s Why Gen-Z Are Turning To CBD Skincare

CBD extract is popping up in everything, from CBD infused cosmetics to cocktails. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

• Health trends come and go but one wellness phenomenon that shows no sign of slowing is CBD.
• CBD, otherwise known as cannabidiol, is indisputably one of the hottest health topics right now, with CBD products now available on the high-street in food and beverages and no longer restricted to supplements from a pharmacy.

Health trends come and go but one wellness phenomenon that shows no sign of slowing is CBD. CBD, otherwise known as cannabidiol, is indisputably one of the hottest health topics right now, with CBD products now available on the high-street in food and beverages and no longer restricted to supplements from a pharmacy. According to the Cannabis Trades Association U.K., the number of CBD users has doubled over the past year from 125,000 to 250,000 and the acquisition of This Works, the British beauty and wellness brand, by Canopy Growth, the world’s largest cannabis company, is just one of many examples highlighting the growing presence of CBD in the U.K. market. 

Used for a variety of ailments from pain relief to anxiety and depression, CBD oil should not be confused with cannabis use, which has previously been linked with causing depression in teenagers by the NHS. Shiona Redmond, CBD expert and creator of Graces London, a luxury CBD oil beauty and lifestyle brand, explains that CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid from the cannabis plant, whereas tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the psychoactive cannabinoid that creates the “high” commonly associated with marijuana use. Because CBD contains less than 0.2% of the psychoactive THC it is, therefore, legal to buy and consume in the U.K. 

The increasing popularity of CBD in the U.K. is perhaps a delayed reflection of the success in the U.S., where legal sales of marijuana products surpassed $10 billion in 2018. Bolstered by a growing cohort of Gen-Z consumers, who are twice as likely to use CBD than the national average, it’s no surprise that CBD uptake in the U.K. has grown so quickly, given that 1 in 5 young adults have a diagnosable mental health disorder.

But how does CBD help mental wellbeing? Redmond explains that humans have cannabinoid receptors in our bodies, part of a self-regulatory system called the endocannabinoid system which aims to create homeostasis, a sort of consistent internal balance, in the body. “The ECS has been noted as one of the most important physiologic systems involved in maintaining our health and balance,” says Redmond, “In 2007 the ECS was discovered to play an important regulatory role in the secretion of hormones related to reproductive functions and response to stress.”

The human body actually produces its own cannabinoids which have the same composition as the CBD cannabinoids from cannabis plants, therefore a CBD intake interacts with our bodies in a similar way. The sensation is akin to the “runners high” or feel-good buzz felt after physical activity because the naturally produced cannabinoids in the brain are heavily linked with euphoria and serotonin. 

CBD products are growing not only in availability but also range, with several popular alternatives instead of vaping. Often taken sublingually, as an oil, tincture or spray absorbed via the mouth under the tongue, CBD is also popping up in food and beverages, with Crussh becoming the first U.K. chain to offer cannabidiol products with the recent launch of a CBD booster to add to drinks. 

CBD products are increasingly available in the U.K to address a range of health and wellbeing concerns (Photo/Graces London) Graces London

For those who would prefer not to ingest CBD orally, topical CBD products like skincare oils, body balms, bath bombs and face masks are also increasing in popularity. Redmond says: “CBD extracts can be absorbed through the epidermis layers of the skin to interact with cannabinoid receptors located on skin surface cells. With the skin being the largest organ of the human body, what we put on our skin doesn’t only affect the skin, but it can have long-lasting effects on our health and general wellbeing.”

With wellbeing at the center of the CBD phenomenon, further growth in the U.K. is inevitable. Partly linked to the arrival of trendy CBD beauty brands like Milk Makeup—aimed at a younger audience and now sold in the U.K. since January—but also hard to not draw parallels with the downward trend in smoking and drinking amongst the younger generation. Gen-Z music artists like Lil Pump are now becoming cannabis ambassadors, rather than the traditional alcohol advertising contracts that millennials and baby boomers are accustomed to seeing.  Reflecting this cultural change in consumer behavior, Facebook has recently relaxed its rules on CBD advertising, now allowing the promotion of topical CBD, but still banning ingestible CBD.

It will be interesting to see how CBD advertising is regulated going forward, due to the wide-spread use of CBD but varying levels of concentration within products.”Not all CBD is created equal., says Redmond, “The CBD cannabinoid content in extracts can vary from just a few percents to more than 90% CBD. The extraction method used will determine the CBD cannabinoid content. CBD flowers can be cold-pressed, distillation processes can be used or varied forms of alcohol, solvent, and C02 extractions can be used to extract the oil. The clearer and more golden the oil, the more purified and concentrated the whole plant CBD extract is.” 

Although greenwashing often refers to brands attempting to appear more environmentally friendly, the term still applies here with the rise of CBD and mental wellbeing giving brands an opportunity to capitalize by using hemp seed oil, another derivative from the cannabis plant. Hemp seed oil, sometimes referred to as Cannabis Sativa seed oil, should not be confused with CBD. It’s been widely available within the health and beauty industry for years and does not contain the same beneficial cannabinoids as CBD. Having social media at their fingertips, Gen-Z shoppers are not afraid to call out big beauty brands for greenwashing. Time will tell how young consumers respond, as they become more clued up to what’s within their products.

Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/zoewong1/2019/07/09/heres-why-gen-z-are-turning-to-cbd-skincare/#42c9fbd85541