One of the perks of living on South Beach is that conference planners love the atmosphere, and Stewart Stewart and I (Dena Stewart) have the opportunity to learn about different industries. The new, multi-billion dollar CBD Industry was one of them.
We were already aware of the amazing healing powers and pain relief derived from
In Episode 75 of Alive on South Beach®™ Stewart and I went to the Miami Beach Convention Center for the very first USA-CBD Expo. More than 700 CBD-related companies were represented.
During this two-day, very crowded, lively, carnival-like event, Stewart and I tried CBD-infused cocktails, coffee, candy, soap, lotions, balms, creams, facial treatments and supplements.
We spoke with CBD growers, manufacturers, distributors, investors, buyers, vendors, future sellers, consumers, and others like us who were curious about the benefits of CBD. We asked a lot of questions and learned a lot of facts.
FACTS: It starts with the CANNABIS SATIVA plant.
Different strains of the Cannabis Sativa plant produce Marijuana, CBD (cannabidiol), and Hemp.
CBD and Marijuana are both cannabinoids. However, Marijuana contains high concentrations of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). It is the THC that creates a euphoric reaction associated with using Marijuana recreationally.
CBD has very low concentrations of THC and is unlikely to get an individual high.
Hemp contains high concentrations of CBD and very low concentrations of THC. Hemp is used for industrial products, i.e., fiber, paper, textiles, biofuel, insulation, etc.
Use and sale of products containing high concentrations of THC (Marijuana) were/are illegal in certain States in the U.S. Recreational Marijuana is legal or decriminalized in some States.
In 2014, a Law was passed legalizing the use of Medical Marijuana Oil with low concentrations of THC for patients with cancer and seizures.
In March 2016, House Bill 307 was passed allowing Medical Marijuana with higher levels of THC to be used for terminally ill patients.
In 2018 the Hemp Farming Act wasproposed to remove Hemp (defined as cannabis with less than 0.3% THC) from Schedule I controlled substances, making it an ordinary agricultural commodity. Its provisions were incorporated in the United States Farm Bill that became law on December 20, 2018.
So, as long as CBD is within the 0.3% THC limit, it complies with the Hemp Farming Act regulations.
Those who recognized the vast opportunities in this budding Industry, jumped in. That’s how CBD became a multi-Billion Dollar Industry in a very short amount of time.
Stewart and I look forward to next year’s USA-CBD Expo that will be returning to Miami Beach.
