24Life asked Stanley to explain CBD, hemp, supplements and medical marijuana.
24Life: What is CBD?
Jesse Stanley: Cannabidiol (CBD) is a beneficial plant chemical, also known as a cannabinoid, found in cannabis plants. Hemp is just one type of cannabis, and marijuana is also a type of cannabis. The difference between marijuana and hemp is the levels of THC, tetrahydrocannabinol, which is a different type of cannabinoid that can be intoxicating. Breaking it down, on average marijuana contains 17 percent THC, while hemp contains less than one-third of 1 percent of THC and is rich in CBD.
A lot of people confuse hemp as just being used for fiber and textiles and things like that. Our country, and many countries, have been built off the industrial use of hemp. This is not something new. In 2012, hemp was legalized for agricultural use and marketing research.
24Life: What is the difference between CBD and medical marijuana?
JS: Medical marijuana products can have elevated levels of CBD as well as THC. THC is still a federally illegal substance that has been legalized in certain states. Our products are high in CBD and considered a dietary supplement, so it’s a perfectly legal product that anybody can get shipped to any state.
24Life: What does CBD do for the body, and why does it work?
JS: CBD is reaching a fever pitch in the broader supplement market because of its ability to deliver a sense of calm in our crazy world. People are using it to help deal with everyday stresses. It also helps to support sleep and focus. And people with active lifestyles are using it to shorten their exercise-induced inflammation recovery time. A quick internet search will bring up a large amount of testimonials for various reasons.
CBD works with our endocannabinoid system, which was discovered in 1994. This is a vast and vital receptor system in our bodies, which regulates what we call homeostasis, or balance, for good health. Our bodies create certain endocannabinoids, which work with these receptors in the immune system and central nervous system. Hemp produces phytocannabinoids, which stimulate this system to help with homeostasis for balance in our bodies.
For an athlete, balance is everything. It’s like starting a race at your optimal position, and cannabinoids can contribute very heavily to that—making sure that your body is in its optimal position. I played college basketball, and I understand what it’s like to look for an option that helps you to recover faster, naturally. We’ve found a lot of athletes are using our products to do just that.