There are a lot of preconceptions about CBD, not to mention what the rules, regulations, and state and federal laws are for military members, veterans, and their families. Products that were not allowed in base housing or for active duty members might be perfectly legal for veterans and spouses, depending on where they live. They might be federally legal, but not legal in the state or municipality where one resides.
It’s confusing, but we’re here to help set the record straight on all things CBD. Think of this as your fundamental guide on what CBD is, how you can use it, and whether it’s the right option to help with your current ailments.
Let’s start with the basics.
What is CBD?
CBD stands for cannabidiol. It is one of an estimated 200 chemical compounds known as cannabinoids found in the plant species cannabis sativa. (Say that 10 times fast!) You’ve heard of cannabis; you’ve probably also heard of one of its main ingredients: tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. This is the psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis, which causes the sensation of feeling high.
Unlike THC, CBD and the plants’ other cannabinoids are not psychoactive, meaning they will not get you high. However, CBD has demonstrated in numerous peer-reviewed studies that it can reduce pain and anxiety and is effective in fighting epileptic seizures. This is why the Food and Drug Administration recently approved its first CBD drug, epidiolex.
This is where things get confusing: When President Trump signed the 2018 Farm Act into federal law, a single plant, cannabis sativa, suddenly had two names. If the plant has less than 0.3 percent THC, it is now known as “industrial hemp,” and its derivatives are federally legal. If the plant contains more than 0.3 percent THC, then the feds classify it as marijuana. In that case, it remains a Schedule 1 drug per the Controlled Substances Act, right alongside heroin. This should be an easy, hard and fast rule, but plant biology and processing techniques also come into play. At the time of this writing, THC levels commonly found in marijuana dispensaries, which are legal in 33 states (recreational in 11 states for adults over 21 and legal for medical use in 33 states), can vary up to a whopping 30 percent.
If you’re confused, imagine the myriad governmental agencies trying to sort this all out. This is why you may fail a drug test while using CBD products, because you may be using a CBD product derived from high-THC marijuana and not low-THC industrial hemp. Additionally, depending on the test that you take, even extremely low THC content or other cannabinoids found in industrial hemp might trigger a false positive.
Bottom line? Our advice, if you hold a position in which you are drug-tested, is to stay away from CBD. You may be fully compliant with the law, but do you really want to spend thousands of dollars in legal fees to prove your case?
Thankfully, these rules do not apply to veterans and dependents. After military service, many veterans have found that CBD lets them dump their cocktail of prescription painkillers and zombie dope so they can enjoy living a normal life. CBD is available in many forms. It’s a great product that safely offers many benefits, without the dangers of addiction or mind-altering intoxication.
How can I get it?
A number of products out there get industrial hemp to the consumer, but like everything else, COVID-19 has made this more challenging. While CBD oil is one of its most common forms, CBD is also available in various topicals, lotions, hemp seed oils, capsules, hand sanitizers, bath bombs, teas, and honey, just to name a few. The fibers found in industrial hemp can also be used in auto parts, clothing, building material, and more. It’s a plant with a long history around the world and in the United States: In the colonial era, George Washington was one of the largest hemp farmers in America. Here is a great video that shows how important hemp was in helping win the Revolutionary War:
Okay, so you’re interested. Wouldn’t it be great if your interest in industrial hemp could also help veterans and our military community?
Warfighter Hemp is on a mission to provide our nation’s veterans with an organic, non addictive, non intoxicating means to improving the overall quality of their lives — and 50 percent of its profits go to veteran organizations. You can see a full list of charities it’s supporting right now, including law enforcement and fire departments across the country that are also receiving Warfighter Hemp–donated hand sanitizer during the COVID-19 crisis. Check out the full list of products to help yourself and to support veterans at the same time.
This article is sponsored by Warfighter Hemp.