Hemp 101 | Green Roots Hemp Co.

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CBD is short for the term cannabidiol, one of over 100 different natural occurring chemical compounds, known as cannabinoids or to be more specific, phytocannabinoids (phyto = plant), found in cannabis sativa plants. It is a non-psychoactive compound, meaning you won’t get high when consumed.

CBD is typically extracted from the hemp plant, a variety of cannabis that is low in THC and high in CBD.

CBD, along with its cousin THC, are the two most common and popular cannabinoids found in cannabis. THC, short for tetrahydrocannabinol, is the psychoactive compound that gets you high.

First, let’s explain the endocannabinoid system(ECS), which is a biological system found in mammals, reptiles, birds and even some invertebrates. It plays a crucial role in regulating our physiology, mood, and everyday experience.

Here’s how it works. The ECS is composed of three main components; endocannabinoids, receptors, and enzymes. Endocannabinoids are endogenous cannabinoids that are native to the body. Receptors, which occur primarily throughout the nervous system as well as every other system in the body, are a substance to which endocannabinoids bind to. Enzymes are what breaks it all down to elicit a bodily response.

So what does all of this mean? Well, when you feed your body cannabinoids(CBD, CBN, CBG etc.), they attach to these receptors which help regulate your body and keep it at homeostasis(or in balance). The ECS is perhaps the most critical physiologic system involved in establishing and maintaining health and wellness, playing a crucial role in a range of processes that affect our everyday experience – our energy levels, mood, immune activity, blood pressure, glucose metabolism, how we experience pain, stress and so much more.

Click here to check out a 7 minute video explaining the ECS from one of my favorite documentaries “CBD Nation” which I would highly recommend.

The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is a complex system of receptors, enzymes, and endocannabinoids that are present in the human body and other mammals. The ECS plays a critical role in regulating various physiological processes, including mood, appetite, pain sensation, immune response, and more.

The ECS consists of three main components: endocannabinoids, receptors, and enzymes. Endocannabinoids are naturally occurring cannabinoids that are produced by the body. They are similar in structure to cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, such as THC and CBD.

Receptors are located throughout the body and are responsible for receiving signals from endocannabinoids and other neurotransmitters. There are two main types of receptors in the ECS: CB1 receptors, which are primarily found in the brain and nervous system, and CB2 receptors, which are primarily found in the immune system and peripheral tissues.

Enzymes are responsible for breaking down endocannabinoids once they have served their purpose. There are two main enzymes involved in the ECS: fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL).

The ECS plays a critical role in maintaining homeostasis, or balance, within the body. When there is an imbalance, such as inflammation or pain, the ECS can be activated to help restore balance. This is why cannabinoids, such as CBD, can have therapeutic effects on a wide range of health conditions.

While any doctor in the U.S. will tell you there needs to be more studies done(I 100% agree), I think with the knowledge and studies we do have, CBD is the most natural and safest option on the market that humans and pets should try for gaining relief from a myriad of health related issues. Especially before taking something made in a lab with a list of side effects you didn’t even know were possible.

We do not claim to be doctors, and these statements have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration, but there have been many studies and testimonials that have proven CBD reacts with the endocannabinoid receptors in a way that puts our body at homeostasis, resulting in the benefits below:

Pain Relief
Inflammation Reduction
Treating Epilepsy and Eliminating Seizures
Treating Anxiety and Depression
Can Benefit Heart Health and Low Blood Pressure
Anti-Acne Benefits
Substance Abuse Treatment
Cancer Treatment and Prevention
Treating Multiple Sclerosis and Arthritis
Helping with Sleep Disorders
Reduction or Nausea and Vomiting
Antipsychotic Effects
Anti-tumor Effects
Diabetes Treatment

You may look at 10 different articles and come up with 20 different dosages that are “right” for you. The truth of the matter is that nobody knows what the correct dosage is because there are so many factors that come into play such as age, weight, the potency of oil you’re using, the condition you’re treating, you’re genetic makeup, etc.

At the end of the day, the best answer is to start small and gradually work your way up until you feel it is effective. It’s just like going to a doctor, they start you at a low dosage of a medicine that may or may not help, and increase over time based on how your experience is. The only difference is that CBD has little to no side effects, you don’t have to pay a doctor to get a prescription, and this medicine is made from all natural, mostly organic, Non-GMO materials.

Whenever you hear the word hemp, cannabis, CBD, what’s the first thing that comes to your head? About 95% of the US population would probably think you’re referring to the ole Mary Jane, weed, pot, devil’s lettuce or any other name that has been used for Marijuana. The fact is that hemp and marijuana are sister species derived from the plant cannabis sativa. Both contain CBD, but there is a much higher percentage in hemp compared to marijuana.

Like Marijuana, hemp grown for CBD is also used from only feminized plants. When a male plant is near a female plant, it can pollinate and cause the female plant flowers to produce seed, which in turn significantly reduces the cannabinoids and medicinal properties in the plant.

There are thousands of different strains out there for both hemp and marijuana, all containing various different compounds and cannabinoids, and having slightly different effects on the body when consumed. Both Hemp and marijuana have many medicinal benefits and with a lot more studies and experimentation, it could one day be the leading medicine for both preventative and diagnosis/treatment care.

Industrial hemp became legal in the United States when Donald J. Trump signed the 2018 farm bill on December 20, 2018, removing the plant from the Controlled Substances Act. All industrial hemp must be below the 0.3% THC threshold. Farmers are required to have a license to grow and remain compliant with other state regulations. If the plant tests above this threshold, it is considered unlawful and the farmer must destroy his crop. If you’re like me, you may ask where the 0.3% THC limit comes from? Well, the answer is, it was a random number from a study done in 1976 where two scientists arbitrarily adopted the number to describe the difference between hemp and marijuana. Many farmers will plant their crops, tend to them all year long and just pray that they don’t test “hot” and have to destroy it all.

With this being said, CBD is legal to sell and consume in all 50 States. While it is completely legal to consume, there are still many issues that come from the stigma of hemp being correlated with marijuana, such as banks and businesses refusing to do business with farmers, entrepreneurs, and others along the supply chain of hemp.

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Delta 8 THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is a minor cannabinoid that occurs naturally in the cannabis plant, but in much lower concentrations than Delta 9 THC, which is the primary psychoactive compound found in cannabis. Delta 8 THC is chemically similar to Delta 9 THC, but it has some differences in its molecular structure that lead to different effects on the body.

Like Delta 9 THC, Delta 8 THC can produce a psychoactive high, although it is generally considered to be less potent than Delta 9 THC. Some users describe the effects of Delta 8 THC as being more mellow and less anxiety-provoking than Delta 9 THC with feelings of euphoria, relaxation, pain relief, and better sleep. Delta 8 THC is also thought to have some potential therapeutic benefits, such as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and neuroprotective properties.

Delta 8 THC can be extracted from hemp, a variety of cannabis that contains low levels of THC, and can be converted from CBD (cannabidiol) through a chemical process called isomerization.

THC is the most abundant cannabinoid within most Marijuana cultivars. This compound is the main psychoactive component present in cannabis. THC is known to be effective in treating pain, relieving depression, fighting nausea, suppressing muscle spasms, slowing nervous system degeneration, reducing eye pressure, and stimulating appetite (hence, “the munchies.”). There are various forms of THC as well such as Delta 8, Delta 9, and Delta 10 as well as THCA, THC, and THCV.

Cbd (Cannabidiol) - One of the two most common cannabinoids is CBD. Unlike THC, CBD does not cause a "high" feeling. According to a recent research by the World Health Organization, CBD can aid in the treatment of major disorders like epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, cancer, psychosis, Parkinson's disease, and others. The organization also came to the conclusion that CBD is extremely safe to use, with no known adverse effects or addiction risk. Although there is extensive research being done on this cannabinoid for the treatment of numerous ailments, sufficient evidence only exists for a few diseases, such as pediatric seizure disorders.

Cbn (Cannabinol) - Another one of the most prevalent cannabinoids is CBN. Although CBN has some psychoactive properties, it is not nearly as strong as THC. Cannabis that has been matured or grown outdoors often contains higher concentrations of CBN. THC and CBD break down in the presence of oxygen and ultraviolet light, resulting in the formation of this substance. CBN is useful at controlling sleeplessness, reducing discomfort, and reducing muscular spasms.

Cbg (Cannabigerol) - CBG is not a psychoactive compound. It's effective in alleviating pain and inflammation as well as combatting cancer. As THCA and CBDA are descended from CBGA, it is possible to think of CBGA as the "grandparent" of THC and CBD in its acidic form (cannabigerolic acid).

Early study suggests that CBG may be useful for a variety of problems. As a painkiller and an anti-inflammatory, CBG works well. It has been demonstrated that it can induce neurogenesis, the regrowth of new brain cells, and that it can function as a neuroprotectant against degeneration in disorders like Huntington's disease. According to studies, CBG may aid in the fight against prostate, oral, and colorectal cancer. CBG can also be used to treat psoriasis and other skin disorders, fight resistant bacterial strains like MRSA, and may even help with emotion regulation.

CBGa (cannabigerolic acid) is a naturally occurring compound found in the cannabis plant that is the precursor to other cannabinoids, including THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD (cannabidiol), and CBG (cannabigerol). CBGa is typically present in raw or unprocessed cannabis, and it is converted into other cannabinoids through a process called biosynthesis.

Like other cannabinoids, CBGa interacts with the body's endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for regulating many physiological processes, including mood, sleep, appetite, pain, and inflammation. CBGa is thought to have potential therapeutic benefits, and early studies suggest that it may have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and neuroprotective effects.

While research on CBGa is still in its early stages, early studies suggest that it may have potential for use in treating a range of conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease, glaucoma, and neurodegenerative diseases. CBGa may also have potential for use as an antibacterial agent, as it has been shown to have activity against drug-resistant bacteria such as MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus).

CBGa is typically present in lower concentrations than other cannabinoids, and it may be more difficult to find products that are specifically formulated to contain CBGa. However, some raw or unprocessed cannabis products may contain higher levels of CBGa, and research into the potential therapeutic benefits of this cannabinoid is ongoing.

Perhaps the least common of the “standard” cannabinoids made in the plant, CBC (cannabichromene) is another cannabinoid made from CBG with some important effects. Like CBN, CBC is a powerful antibiotic, shown to help with infections that are resistant to other treatments.

Just like all of the other cannabinoids mentioned, scientists have identified CBC starts in the cannabis plant as CBCA (cannabichromenic acid) and is produced by enzymes from CBGA. But little is known about its pharmacology.

CBC might also help protect the brain from neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s. Studies show that CBC not only protects the brain, it could encourage your brain to grow new brain cells, at least if you’re a rat taking CBC.

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Terpenes are a diverse class of organic compounds that are found in many plants, including the cannabis plant. They are responsible for giving plants their distinctive aroma and flavor and may also have therapeutic properties.

Terpenes are produced by the same glands that produce cannabinoids, such as THC and CBD, and are present in the same trichomes that are responsible for producing cannabinoids. There are over 100 different terpenes that have been identified in the cannabis plant, each with its own unique aroma and potential therapeutic benefits.

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Hemp oil is strictly extracted from hemp seeds and contains little to no cannabinoids at all. These hemp plants are a mixture of male and female plants. While there are many benefits of using Hemp oil, I would consider it similar to the properties of avocado oil or olive oil as far as uses go.

CO2 extraction: This method uses carbon dioxide under high pressure and low temperature to extract the cannabinoids and other compounds from the hemp plant. CO2 extraction is considered to be one of the safest and most efficient methods of hemp extraction, producing a high-quality product in a more natural state, leaving no residual solvents/microbials and keeping the full terpene profile intact.

Ethanol extraction combines alcohol with the plant biomass. Ethanol is a polar solvent, allowing it to extract both water and fat-soluble plant compounds. This extraction methods main pro is that it is much cheaper than CO2 extraction and more plant material can be extracted at a time. The biggest con is that it leaves behind partial terpene profiles from the high temperatures used, resulting in a end product that is not so pure and beneficial to the human body.

CBD isolate is strictly the pure CBD from a cannabis plant and contains no other compounds. While CBD isolate has medicinally beneficial properties, there are many other cannabinoids and properties of the plant included in broad-spectrum and full-spectrum.

Hempcrete is a building material made from hemp hurd, the soft inner core of the hemp plant, mixed with lime and water. Some benefits include:

Fireproof and earthquake resistant
Hempcrete fire demonstration
Mold resistant
Energy efficient
Maintains a steady temperature – Stores heat in a thermal mass of its wall, which is then released slowly as the building cools down. When open windows, heat won’t flow straight out
Gains in strength over time
Hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs moisture and humidity within the building
Making concrete is the 3rd largest producer of man made CO2 in the world
Hemp is CO2 negative

Hempcrete fire demonstration

Those water bottles you use once and then let sit in a landfill for upwards of 450 years before they decompose, yeah, those can be made from hemp AND they can be biodegradable. While there are barriers to create 100% hemp-based plastic bottles right now such as technology and regulations, we can hope that in the near future every single use plastic will be made from it. There is some bad news, like anything, about biodegradable plastics. While they can decompose in just a few short months, if you throw them in the trash, they will be sent to the landfill, and almost nothing biodegrades in a landfill. This is where having your own compost pile comes into play!

Hemp contains around 65-70% cellulose and can be extracted to make cellophane, celluloid, rayon and other related plastics.

Did you know that the Declaration of Independence was actually drafted on hemp paper?

1 acre of hemp will produce as much paper as 2 to 4 acres of trees(and we’re still destroying our forests across the world). When I say paper, I don’t just mean copy paper, but tissues, cigarette wraps, card board and any other types of paper products you can think of. The quality is superior to paper made from trees. It will last hundreds of years longer without degrading, can be recycled many more times, and requires far less more toxic chemicals in the manufacturing process. It takes years for trees to grow and ready to be harvested for paper or wood, but hemp takes roughly 120 days and can grow on almost any land that is suitable for farming. Hemp would eliminate the erosion due to logging, in return reducing topsoil runoff which also causes water pollution.

Hemp uses about 50 percent less water to grow when compared to cotton. AND, 4 times less water to process into a textile for clothing, when compared to cotton!
Hemp can also be processed into clothing/fabric without using any chemicals! But, beware of where you get them from, because many companies overseas are now using chemical processes to produce hemp fabrics. You can often tell if it is processed chemically when labelled as "hemp viscose."
Hemp fibers have antimicrobial properties, helping to fight off odor-causing bacteria.
Hemp clothes are naturally resistant to UV rays, being woven with a very high thread count.
Hemp clothing is also highly durable, ranking amongst the strongest fibers in the world.

There are many new foods coming from the hemp plant, and for good reason. Hemp seeds have many nutritional benefits. Roughly 25% of the calories in hemp come from protein, which by weight, they provide similar amounts of protein as beef or lamb. In fact, Hemp seeds are considered a complete protein source(which is pretty rare in the plant kingdom), providing all 20 known amino acids as well as the 9 essential amino acids, which your body can’t produce and must be obtained through your diet.
Hemp products have a nutty flavor and are GMO-Free, Gluten-free, Herbicide & Pesticide free, peanut free, Vegetarian approved, and Kosher certified.

Making a car has just as large of a carbon footprint as driving it. While electric cars are taking a step towards being more eco-friendly, they still have a rather large carbon footprint because of the mining involved to produce the batteries but out of sight out of mind, right? Well, you probably know where this is going, but nature has given us this miracle plant that can revolutionize the auto industry…..if we let it. Check out the two videos below to see for yourself what we can do with a car made from hemp…that has a NEGATIVE carbon footprint.

This car made from hemp cannabis is stronger than steel