Winds Of Change

It is now officially summer, and it looks like it’s going to be a big one. The last two summers have been less than spectacular. There were restrictions, cancellations, mandates, it was still summer but not with capital S if you know what I mean.

This summer is different, and you can already feel it. It’s definitely Summer. It’s like the promise of the return to normalcy. Oh sure, gas prices are ridiculously high, food prices are still rising, and while we strive to remain apolitical, we have to admit that there are some pretty bizarre goings on in the halls of power lately. But all that aside Summer is here, and we are going to rock it like we own it. We encourage you to do the same.

Back To The Future

In our last two blogs we have been talking about the cannabis/hemp industry. We are definitely going to continue on with that subject but for this week we want to talk about the future and change. There is change coming and that is for sure. Many things are changing right now, as we speak. Some of the change is for good, and some, well, not so much. This is the nature of change.

They say that in times of great change there is great upheaval. It would be nice to think that we as humans have matured to the point that we can handle big changes without totally freaking out. I think that is true, for the most part. However, some of the things that are happening right now in the world would indicate that we have not made as much progress as we would like to believe. But this too shall pass.

Selective Focus

We choose to focus on the positive changes. The interest in solving the problems of climate change is a great change. The mutual agreement that our addiction to fossil fuel has finally bottomed out is pretty great. But for us the changes taking place in the world of cannabis and hemp are really amazing.

We are not 100% sure how it happened but the general attitude towards cannabis and hemp have shifted considerably over the last 6 months.

The Great Awakening

The Europeans have finally come to the realization that hemp was a major part of the European economy in history and can be once again. They realize that hemp has a place in the future of a more sustainable world. So much so that they are looking to make hemp a major pillar in the execution of the European Green Deal.

Europe has also recognized that there is nothing new or “novel” about CBD or hemp extracts. It has been with us for thousands of years and there is absolutely no need to over-regulate it in the present. Finally, the long-term health benefits of CBD are being recognized and acknowledged.

The US is taking steps to make cannabis and hemp commerce easier and cleaner to deal with. CBD is enjoying popularity in the general marketplace and with the public at large. More importantly the therapeutic value of CBD is being recognized at the national level. As a result, it is being integrated into the regime of medical cannabis patients who have no tolerance for THC. The overall result will be an increased focus on quality CBD products. And since we are all about the quality, we could not be happier.

What The Future Holds

What does the future hold? A whole lot of awesome, that’s what. Germany is legalizing recreational cannabis. Thailand has made moves in the direction of legalization which is pretty shocking given their history of almost zero tolerance. Spain, Italy and Portugal have all made moves in the direction of legalization. South Africa is well on its way. The US is lagging behind on the federal level but gaining steam at the state level.

This is all really great news but the absolutely most phenomenal news in this whole picture is the plant itself. Now that we don’t have to worry about spending so much time and effort convincing the various authorities that cannabis and hemp have intrinsic value and healing properties, we can actually refocus on the plant itself.

This is where the real change begins. One of the greatest cannabis research scientists on the planet is Lumir Hanus. Professor Hanus described the cannabis plant in a recent lecture as being similar to and iceberg. What we currently know about the plant and how it interacts with the body represents the tip of the iceberg. The secrets that we still have to unlock about the plant, its various elements and how they interact with the human body are represented by the 75-80% of the iceberg that remains underwater.

The lecture was staggering. It was as if someone had turned on a light switch and the whole thing came into focus all in one flash of realization. So yes, change is in the air, some good, some bad. But we are here at this very moment in time for a reason and it is up to us to do the best we can to ensure a better future for the species as a whole.

If you are interested in finding out more about Professor Hanus’ work, you can start here. Next week we will be back for our continued review of the Cannabis/Hemp Industry. Enjoy the first official weekend of Summer and don’t forget to stop by the shop for our awesome CBD products. Because quality counts.