In a new community outreach project, British brand HempWell is on a mission to educate older generations about the potential of CBD.
York-based CBD brand HempWell has partnered with the Oddfellows society for a series of educational talks in an effort to raise awareness of CBD among seniors.
The company, based at York Science Park, wanted to make sure older populations are properly informed about the ways CBD can help with joint pain and arthritis.
The Oddfellows society began over 200 years ago and is dedicated to promoting the physical, social and financial wellbeing of Britain’s older people. It now has more than 395,000 members nationwide.
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a non-psychoactive compound found in the hemp plant.
Despite the stigma surrounding cannabis-derived products, recent years have seen a huge increase in popularity among seniors thanks to CBD’s potential to manage conditions such as insomnia and chronic pain.
The HempWell team said they were eager to point out how CBD could be a healthier alternative to standard opioid pain relievers.
The talk covers all aspects of CBD, including the cultivation and manufacturing process, extraction, the endocannabinoid system, dosage, and the different types of products and their uses.
However, according to Philip James, director of HempWell, the company has had to be careful not to make claims about any medical benefits.
“We don’t talk directly about the benefits, but that’s what people really want to hear,” James told Cannabis Health.
The MHRA sent HempWell a document that included a five-page list of what it could not say, some of which Mr. James described as “excessive”.
The document stated that it is not permitted to refer people to published clinical trials, even though they are in the public domain.
“I don’t want to make any medical claims about our products. It’s a supplement and I understand that, but I think being able to tell people how the endocannabinoid system helps with pain, anxiety, stress, energy and state of mind would be helpful,” James told Cannabis Health.
“This is very interesting information for many people.
“Everybody comes in with the same question, which is, ‘Will it help with X?’ and you just can’t answer that.”
HempWell plans to expand its educational talk program with further seminars ongoing with the Manchester chapter of the Oddfellows and another talk in the town of Malton, Yorkshire.
James will also be heading to Leeds University to run a seminar for a group of students.