RI Entrepreneurs Integrate CBD into Everything from Gourmet Dinners to Drinks, and More
Thursday, December 27, 2018
A former URI basketball player, a smoothie-maker, and a chef at a leading seafood restaurant are just some of the Rhode Island entrepreneurs delving into the use of hemp-derived cannabidiol, or CBD oil, for their creations.
But, you need a bit of a scorecard to keep track of the legal status of all the cannabis and hemp related products.
While the hemp industry scored a win last week when President Donald Trump signed the farm bill, which allowed the legal use of some hemp products, the Food and Drug Administration is drawing a murky line when it comes to the legal status for CBD oil.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"It is no longer considered illegal by the federal government, but marketing and health claims about CBD have to go through the FDA (in the same way that the FDA oversees the marketing of all FDA-regulated products)," said Joseph Wendelken of the RI Department of Health.
Commercial CBD Use on Rise
Some Rhode entrepreneurs are using CBD as an ingredient in food, cocktails and smoothie drinks, and more.
In downtown Providence, one juice bar is adding CBD into a collection of new products.
Chris Gregoris of Kwench Juice Franchising tells GoLocal that they recently added CBD as an "add-on" option to its smoothies.
"It's been about three weeks [since we've featured CBD oil]," said Gregoris. "We're doing a lot of research...we went with SunMed, the company that we saw had the highest rating."
"Just myself, speaking to customers, there's still a taboo -- is this legal? Will it make me high? For the most part, I think people right now might just not know. The education part here in Providence has been longer than other parts of the country."
And, Chef Thomas Hunold of TwoTen Oyster Bar is creating new tastes and new experiences by adding CBD to different samplings.
“TwoTen picked me up about four months ago. I came out for a few months to make sure it worked. I think the owner and the new GM, they've been following what I do, and I think they want to be the first. Before I signed the contract -- I said this is what I want to do. I said let's work the kinks out,” said Hunold.
"Ibn Bakari came on board and facilitated the program to train the servers, and help explain how CBD cocktails and food work,” added Hunold.
Bakari is, in fact, the former URI basketball player and now a diversified CBD business leader.
“First of all, my girlfriend saw the story about Chef Thomas on GoLocal and she knew about my involvement in the industry. She said this could be a good contact. It's been rolling since two years ago,” said Bakari.
“Thomas and I knew we could take it to another level. They're toppling over each other from a cultivation standpoint, and now edibles -- but when you ask people what the milligrams are, what do you use, you need to make sure there are no pesticides -- you need to ask questions,” added Bakari.
Knowledge of the Usage is Critical
And, as fast as the products and usages are developing, Hunold warns that there is a science to CBD’s usage.
“We're especially careful with alcohol. We know how much exactly should be in there, which is 50 mg of CBD. We also ask have you used CBD before? If they haven't, I'll drop the dose down quickly, and I say to let me know how you feel. It's like turmeric oil. You can try a little bit -- but you don't need to go all in,” said Hunold.
“Now it's under the FDA, and there's still research. However, the federal government recognizes CBD to cross state lines at 99.3% [purity]. I carry a line of chocolates, tinctures, and more - my supplier is Cannabinoid Creations -- they reached out to me on the east coast; I function under federal law. [My company] Harmless Health was started about a year ago,” said Bakari.
Bakari warns that it is critical that consumers work with companies and products that are developed by knowledgeable entrepreneurs.
“Knowledge and training are key. When I have a conversation with someone, they have to initiate it. I'm not the one pushing [CBD] on you. There's still that negativity associated with it. Prior to Rhode Island 12 years ago for medical use [the only laws on the books] were the marijuana tax laws in 1937,” said Bakari.
Alcohol Alternative?
Neil King, who is the non-alcoholic beverage director at the East Side of Providence liquor store Bottles says, "My opinion was if it's possible to carry [CBD products], we may as well - you don't need an extra license. I'd say we've started carrying CBD products at Bottles within the past month. There's a soda with CBD -- as well as nips.”
“I know we're curious to hear about what customers have to say. Again, the cranberry [CBD] soda is non-alcoholic. Since [non-alcoholic spirit] Seedlip has joined, their portfolio went up tenfold in two years. We're at the forefront of mocktails and alternative drinking products,” adds King.
The applications of CBD are not just for eating and drink. Others are seeing the benefits to the effect of their products and for marketing.
Michelle Cournoyer Girasole is a Rhode Island-based representative for Purium. The company says, “Our pure + premium hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) is super potent, containing 1500mg per bottle. CBD+ combines full spectrum and pure CBD extracts in organic hemp seed oil. You may enjoy reduced stress, elevated mood, deeper sleep and a feeling of positive, grounded energy.”
"I have been involved in the CBD market since April, when the plant-based nutrition company I represent launched a pure, organic hemp sublingual spray. Over half of the demand I have seen has been to reduce anxiety and stress. People want to get off anti-anxiety meds, or avoid getting on them in the first place. The other reasons my customers enjoy CBD are deeper sleep, easing discomfort and reducing inflammation,” says Cournoyer Girasole.
First to Market
The marketing is developing by the minute and Bakari says speed to market matters.
“To be honest, if there are other restaurants [featuring CBD] they aren't promoting it. We're either going to be at the forefront at TwoTen, or we're not. We all grew up hearing the early bird gets the worm. You have to understand there's a sacrificial lamb -- I said if we're the first to do it, we're sitting out here,” said Bakari.
Fear Factor
“While it has become more mainstream in the last few months, there is still a lot of confusion around CBD and marijuana. People are afraid that taking CBD oil will have a negative effect, and hesitate to try it for fear of failing drug tests or feeling high, which THC and marijuana provides. They place both products in the same category,” said Cournoyer Girasole.
“None of my customers have found that to be the case, as our CBD is well below the legal limits for THC,” she adds.
