This month as you search for the perfect gifts, ensure you know how to select the safest hemp derived cannabinoids to relieve pain and stress, and to promote homeostasis.

The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp by removing it from the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) of 1970. However, the lawmakers did not intend for manufacturers to create or extract intoxicating compounds for use in consumer products. For consumers though, it has been an interesting experiment. Our guest author, Laura Barrett, MBA, BSN, RN, also known as Nurse Laura, elaborates on why she refers to it as an experiment below.

Cannabidiol (CBD) and other non-impairing cannabinoids, whether sourced from hemp or cannabis, have shown significant potential in alleviating numerous disease symptoms. The widespread availability of these compounds followed the removal of hemp from the CSA, however the lack of regulation in the hemp industry has resulted in a marketplace that is more experimental than safe, making it challenging for consumers to access reliable products and information. As more states legalize medical and adult-use cannabis, the availability of non-intoxicating cannabinoids in dispensaries is decreasing. Consumers seeking minimal Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) along with CBD and other cannabinoid combinations are turning to hemp processors for their botanical remedies. Their best chances lie in finding a trustworthy company that adheres to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), offers third-party lab testing, and provides accurate labeling. Unfortunately, such reliable sources are not always easy to find.

In response to these concerns, the 2024 Delaware National Clinical Director Consortium undertook a secret shopper campaign across two dozen hemp shops in Delaware. They tested thirty different products and discovered issues like inaccurate labeling, non-compliance with the Farm Bill, and the presence of harmful contaminants. Alarmingly, eighty percent of the vapes, flowers, and edibles tested were actually of cannabis potencies, not hemp, making them immediately non-compliant. Over half contained synthetic cannabinoids, and among those labeled, there were discrepancies in dosing and content claims. Particularly troubling was the assertion that these products contained 0.3% THC or less, as required by the Farm Bill, when in fact, higher THC levels were detected, making them unsafe for many consumers.

Armed with this information, how can a consumer find the best hemp-derived CBD products? Trustworthy CBD companies typically use independent third-party labs for testing. These labs provide a Certificate of Analysis (COA), detailing active ingredients and other contents of the product by batch. Some of the most reliable products include a QR code that can be scanned to view these results. It’s crucial to check for this feature and ensure that the report is up-to-date and corresponds with the product’s lot number. Ideally, packaging should list the processor’s name and address, active and inactive ingredients, weight, batch or lot number, production and expiration dates, storage instructions, serving size, and any warnings. Most importantly, purchasing from a trusted professional who offers educational consultations or follow-up opportunities ensures safety and confidence with dosing titration.

Bloom Hemp (www.bloomhemp.com) is an excellent choice for myself and the patients that I educate, coach and guide. Their products not only adhere to quality, GMP, and labeling standards but also come with a free nurse hotline for inquiries and educational support on product options. Many patients have experienced notable benefits using the Focus tincture in the morning and the Trilogy tincture in the evening. Additionally, for those crafting their own THC oils at home with legally purchased cannabis, Bloom offers CBG, CBD, and CBN isolates in a bundle to enhance the entourage effect. Personally, I incorporate the Bloom Hemp Essentials Digestive tincture into my daily gut maintenance regimen.

Laura Barrett, known as “Nurse Laura,” is the Founder and Executive Director of the National Clinical Director Consortium and runs Ask Nurse Laura. She is also a Nurse Executive for us at Holistic Caring & The Green Nurse. She is committed to educating on cannabis and psychedelic medicine and teaches at the University of Maryland and New York University. Nurse Laura collaborates with healthcare professionals to promote consistent educational resources, focusing on regulations, science, and patient data. She has extensive experience in the cannabis industry and recently became Chair of the Cannabis Nurse Task Force at the University of Miami. Her mission is to enhance cannabis therapeutics through tailored care plans and standardized practices.

Resources:
https://www.cannabissciencetech.com/view/delawares-cannabis-industry-a-secret-shopper-investigation-finds-mislabeling-contamination-and-public-health-risks-among-gaps-in-compliance
https://mjbizdaily.com/psilocybin-among-contaminants-found-in-delaware-intoxicating-hemp-products

Join Us In The Free Holistic Caring Network and Get Your Learn On!

We are delighted to have Nurse Carey Lee and Into The Bliss 1717 to our network, where she will offer “Intuitive Tarot Readings for Mind, Body, and Spirit Health. Be Well. Love Well. Live Well. Come check out the free space Into The Bliss 171 today.

Holistic Caring Network Events

• Monday, December 9th – 4:20 PM PST Cannabis Nurse Health Coach Mastermind in our Network for Nurses enrolled in our flagship CNHC Program to maximize learning in clinical and business development. Join our monthly discussions on care plans, case studies, and the latest research and news. We have changed the time to make it more convenient for all of our members.
• Monday, January 27th – 4:20 pm PST Plant Medicine Education, Support and integration Group This monthly offering caters to individuals new to plant medicine or those currently using psychedelics for bio-psycho-social-spiritual healing. It provides guidance on optimizing the use of CBD and lifestyle choices as medicine to support the endocannabinoid system and endocannabinoidome. Participants will find a safe space for integration and continuous learning while exploring psychedelics to inspire consciousness and promote healing.

NEWS Alert – The Green Nurse Podcast was syndicated on Red Coral Universe broadening our educational reach to millions around the world.

Green Nurse Podcast Events

The Green Nurse Podcast started its 7th Season of streaming and sharing compelling stories of healing and clinical conversations on the safe use of cannabis as medicine.

• Wednesday, December 4th – 12pm PST – The Green Nurse Podcast with Dr. Chris Labos who is not only a Cardiologist, but also a Columnist at the Montreal Gazette, Co-host of “The Body of Evidence” and Author of “Does Coffee Cause Cancer?“. Dr Chris Labos will come on to share his insights on Cannabis as Medicine and the article that he wrote a few years back for Medscape.
• Wednesday, December 11th – 5pm PST – The Green Nurse Podcast with Ask Nurse Laura Barrett an exceptional Cannabis Nurse, renowned for her outstanding work in the community, has joined our executive team and will share her journey on Cannabis Nursing with us and share insights with us on her secret shopping experience.
• Wednesday, December 18th – 5pm PST – The Green Nurse Podcast with Nurse Katie Nava who runs a Cannabis Hyperemesis Support Group for those who suffer with Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome. If you have been diagnosed with CHS or think you may have CHS — please fill out these surveys and tune in on 12/18.
  • https://uci.questionpro.com/CHS-P1
  • https://uci.questionpro.com/CHS-P2

Holistic Caring Programs & Bloom Hemp CBD Specials!
We are giving gratitude and thanks to you with a big sale! Save 50% on our online educational programs and stay tuned to your email for Bloom Hemp CBD sales as we go.

December Coupons
Nurse50 for 50% off all Programs at www.holisticcaring.com
GreenNurse for 10% off and Free Shipping at www.bloomhemp.com

“People are Making Great Medicines, People are Selling Great Medicines, but no one is interpreting how to truly use Cannabis as Medicine. That’s what we do!”