HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — As the school year approaches, some parents could be having trouble finding ways to curb their child’s anxiety, help them focus on virtual classwork, or minimize effects of conditions like ADHD. These issues can be magnified during the pandemic. More parents across the country are turning to holistic methods to help their kids.
In August 2019, we met with Linda Jones, Co-owner of The Green Lady, a new CBD Dispensary in Huntsville. She helped us debunk some CBD myths and shared why parents across the country are turning to CBD to aid their children as they head back to school, and why some even use it themselves.
As parents seem to be learning more, studies show they’re more willing to give CBD products a try to help their children in school and at home. Some parents are reporting positive results in behavior and pain relief in their children who have been diagnosed with anxiety, ADHD, depression; and even report improvements with children who have autism.
So, what do we know about CBD?
Cannabidiol, or CBD, products are popping onto the shelves of even some of your most notable drugstores. People are turning to CBD to help with medical issues, from arthritis, to anxiety, to inflammation.
Linda Jones has this to say: “We’ve got children, that have been brought in by their parents, suffering from ADHD, suffering from night tremors, suffering from seizures… There have been a few cases of older high school kids that have come in with learning disabilities, they can’t focus.”
She says, parents are taking a new approach. “The results that we are getting from the CBD are just wonderful. We couldn’t ask for anything better. That’s why we opened this business, to help,” says Jones.
But, some parents are hesitant to head to their nearest holistic store and pick up some CBD products. Linda Jones says that’s mostly because of some popular misconceptions surrounding CBD.
First, she says, CBD isn’t necessarily derived from marijuana.
It’s true. While CBD is an essential component of medical marijuana, CBD that’s legally sold and distributed to customers, doesn’t even come from the marijuana plant. With the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill, possession, use and sale of CBD oil derived from hemp is federally legal. The CBD products that parents are giving their children is extracted directly from the hemp plant, a cousin of the marijuana plant. The levels of CBD in hemp are actually often higher than in marijuana and legally grown.
Secondly, minors or adults who choose to use CBD oil, aren’t getting “high”. Cannabidiol, or CBD is not the same as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the main psychoactive compound in marijuana that gives the sensation of feeling “high”. THC is found in most plants of the The average marijuana extract can contain anywhere from 60% to 80% THC, while cannabidiol, or CBD, extracted from the hemp plant, contains, on average, 0.3% THC.
According to a study done by the World Health Organization, although studies are limited, the evidence from research shows that CBD has almost no abuse potential and does not have addictive properties. CBD products can range from anything to oils and topical creams for external use or injection, even gummies and drinks to use for things like anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain, and migraines.
Before taking any new supplement yourself, or trying a new method to assist you or your children with any wellness issue; you should always consult a health professional. Never stop taking prescribed medication without consulting your doctor.