Since 2018, when hemp became a legal agricultural product in Tennessee, cannabidiol products, commonly known as CBD, have exploded in the marketplace, from dyes to pet candies.
CBD is extracted from a natural compound in the cannabis plant. It can be made from both marijuana and industrial hemp plants, although CBD oil made from industrial hemp alone is legal in Tennessee. Unlike THC, the chemical component that alters the mind of the plant, CBD can’t make you “high”.
But it can offer a myriad of supposed health benefits, from relieving anxiety and depression to fibromyalgia, ADHD, and heart health, although research is ongoing.
However, not all CBDs are the same. Because over-the-counter CBD products are not yet regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, there may be a lack of quality control.
Fortunately for Chattanooga, several local companies offer CBD products that have been tested and certified in the lab.
Here are a few products to make you feel good to try and where to find them.
Dyes
FarmtoMed CBD tinctures have three concentrations: regular (600 milligrams), CannaMAX (1,000 milligrams) and premium (1,200 milligrams), and are made from organic plants grown in Tennessee. The tinctures can be held under the tongue for 30 seconds and then swallowed, or applied topically, and are commonly used to control mood or help with sleep. According to Healthline.com, clinical studies have shown that doses of up to 1,500 milligrams per day are well tolerated in most users.
Find it online at farmtomed.com or in the store at 502 Market St.
Groceries
LoLo Bars, an acronym for “Locally Owned, Locally Operated,” is a women’s-owned Chattanooga business, offering a range of CBD-infused products. Top sellers include their CBD cereal bars made with a variety of ingredients such as oats, crispy rice, Golden Grahams, Lucky Charms and more. The bars come with 20 or 50 milligrams of CBD, a good light dose for the former.
Find it online at lolobars.com. or in store at Proof Bar and Incubator, 422 EML King Blvd.
Pet care
Made in Dunlap, Tennessee, Kat’s Naturals offers a CBD tincture for pet care that can be applied in a variety of ways. For topical use, just massage a few drops of oil into your dog’s or cat’s ears, or apply them to the skin on the back of your neck. The drops can also be applied to the lower line of your baby’s skin from the skin between the lip and teeth, or it can be applied directly to food. For pets, CBD is commonly used to treat anxiety or control arthritis pain. Dosage amounts depend on the size of the animal.
Find it online at katsnaturals.com or at The Hemp House store, 512 Tremont St.
Muscle rubbing
Little Tree muscle rub, available in normal, “fresh” format, is impregnated with CBD and hemp extract, grown and made locally. The highly concentrated ointment contains 500 milligrams of CBD per container. According to Medical News Today, some studies have shown that CBD has pain-relieving properties.
Find it online at littletreelabs.com.
Capsules
Snapdragon CBD capsules are a convenient and familiar way to take CBD if you are not used to groceries or tinctures. They come in two concentrations, 50 or 100 milligrams, and are made with ingredients grown and extracted in Tennessee.
Find it online at snapdragon hemp.com or in store at 5104 Hwy 153 in Hixson or 6210 Ringgold Road in East Ridge.
