Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.
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NORTHSHOREMAG.COM 62 MARCH 2020 I N - D E P T H Unless you've recently woken up from a Rip Van Winkle–length slumber, you've no doubt heard of CBD. CBD stores are popping up all over the North Shore and beyond, from quaint downtown shops to mall kiosks. Many people swear by CBD's benefits, and users range from the elderly to children to dogs. Despite its sudden ubiquity, though, CBD retains an air of mystery and unanswer ed questions: What's the difference between CBD and marijuana? Is it legal and safe? Where should I buy it? "I think just like any other medicine or supplement or drug, there should be a conversation about how it works and what the risks and benefits are," says Jeffrey Gold, MD, founder and owner of Gold Direct Care PC in Marblehead. Reliable information has traditionally been challenging to find, even for physi- cians, since clinical research is still in its early phases. Experts agree that like any supplement, CBD should be taken under the guidance of a physician. This article doesn't constitute medical or legal advice, and is certainly not exhaustive, but we hope it will help you begin a conversa- tion about whether CBD is right for you. WHAT IS CBD? CBD stands for cannabidiol, a chemical compound derived from that plant that is said to have therapeutic properties. "Think of hemp as the orange and CBD as the vitamin C," says Angela Arena, founder of Kind Lab in Beverly. When isolated, CBD can be used as a supplement that's taken orally or added to topical products like creams and salves. What does it have to do with marijuana? Both marijuana and CBD come from cannabis, a genus of flowering plant that grows around the world. CBD is one of more than 110 chemical compounds, known as cannabinoids, found in the plant. Perhaps the most well-known can- nabinoid in cannabis is THC, which causes the psychotropic effects that marijuana is known for. But THC and CBD are different substances, and CBD will not get you "high." IS IT LEGAL? Yes, with caveats. CBD derived from hemp is legal, and Massachusetts licenses hemp growers. CBD derived from marijuana is not legal. "Marijuana and hemp are both cannabis; hemp is cannabis that is less than 0.3 percent THC, according to the federal government," says Carla Villa, general manager of Cape Ann Botanicals in Ipswich and Newburyport. Marijuana is still classified on the federal level as a Schedule 1 drug, along with drugs like heroin and LSD, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency. The government adds another layer of confusion with its rules about CBD and food, regardless of the source of the CBD. "FDA has issued a statement that CBD may not be added to foods because CBD is an active ingredient in an FDA-approved medication; medications may not be added to food," says Katie Gronendyke, communica- tions director for the Massachusetts Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. "Under current Massachusetts law, CBD may not be added to manufactured foods or to foods sold at retail." However, Villa points out that enforcement of this varies from town to town, and some local retailers do carry CBD food products, like gummies and chocolates. "Local boards of health enforce the retail PHOTOGRAPHS BY JOE FERRARO Angela Arena of Kind Lab in Beverly. Below, Dr. Gold