A new study says that ingesting foods containing high amounts of fat might boost the therapeutic effects of CBD.

Most things in life can be improved with a slice of pizza and a greasy burger. Thanks to some science, we can now add CBD to this list.

Researchers from the University of Minnesota discovered that consuming foods with high amounts of fat before ingesting CBD improved the cannabinoid’s absorption rate by a large margin, allowing for more therapeutic effects.

The study, published in the journal Epilepsia, provided CBD capsules to a group of eight patients suffering from refractory epilepsy, and documented their responses to the drug—both while fasting and while consuming a high-fat meal. While the scope of the study was very limited, the results were promising.

Patients who consumed a fatty meal and later ingested CBD experienced 14 times more CBD effects than patients who consumed the cannabinoid while fasting.

“The type of food can make a large difference in the amount of CBD that gets absorbed into the body. Although fatty foods can increase the absorption of CBD, it can also increase the variability, as not all meals contain the same amount of fat,” explains one of the authors of the study.

CBD has long shown promise for treating and preventing seizures, presumably why researchers decided to conduct this study in the first place.

Although CBD reacts differently depending on the body and the ailment that it’s targeting, learning this fact about fat foods is curious, because it goes against traditional beliefs of drugs and their relationships with foods. The latter traditionally diminishes the effects of whatever is being ingested.

Researchers from the study claim that this discovery may reduce costs for patients with epilepsy, decreasing the amount of CBD they must consume in the long term. It also supports the view that high fat foods are the best method of alternative medicine.

Chemesis will manufacture, distribute and retail Hemp Cigarettes across the United States & International Markets

Chemesis International Inc. (CSE: CSI) (OTC: CADMF) (FRA: CWAA) (the “Company” or “Chemesis”), will manufacture, distribute and retail hemp cigarettes. The cigarettes will be distributed throughout the United States and European markets as the Company scales production.

In addition to the vape market, the global cigarette market was worth $888 billion USD in 2018, and is expected to grow at 4% CAGR during 2019-2024¹. With recent regulation changes and a shift away from vaping, the Company believes Hemp Cigarettes will become increasingly popular as an alternative.

The Company will offer white-labelling contracts along with its own branded products which will be distributed throughout Chemesis’ dispensaries and distribution network. The Company will also look to offer via e-commerce platforms as its retail strategy further expands.  

“Chemesis has been increasing its manufacturing and distribution capabilities steadily,” said Chief Executive Officer, Edgar Montero. “The Company will continue to expand its catalogue offerings through unique products that give consumers flexibility and choice. Hemp cigarettes provide the Company with another product that brings shareholder value through high margins and mass distribution. The product line compliments the previously announced tobacco-free smokeless cannabis chew.”

On Behalf of The Board of Directors
Edgar Montero
CEO and Director

About Chemesis International Inc.

Chemesis International Inc. is a vertically integrated U.S. Multi-State operator with International operations in Puerto Rico and Colombia.

The Company focuses on prudent capital allocation to ensure it maintains a first mover advantage as it enters new markets and is committed to differentiate itself by deploying resources in markets with major opportunities. The Company operates a portfolio of brands that cater to a wide community of cannabis consumers, with focus on quality and consistency. 

Chemesis has facilities in both Puerto Rico and California and is in the process of constructing a GMP certified facility in Colombia. Chemesis’ Puerto Rico operations are licensed to operate 100,000 ft² of cultivation, and 35,000 ft² of manufacturing floor space. The Company is positioned to win additional licenses in highly competitive merit-based US states and will expand its footprint to ensure it maintains a first mover advantage.

¹ Cigarette Market: Global Industry Trends

Forward-Looking Information: This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to statements regarding the Company's business, products and future of the Company’s business, its product offerings and plans for sales and marketing. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance and developments to differ materially from those contemplated by these statements depending on, among other things, the risks that the Company's products and plan will vary from those stated in this news release and the Company may not be able to carry out its business plans as expected. Except as required by law, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation and does not intend to update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information in this news release. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct and makes no reference to profitability based on sales reported. The statements in this news release are made as of the date of this release.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is pushing the DEA to develop testing that can quickly distinguish between marijuana and hemp.

One of the challenges for U.S. law enforcement regarding hemp, which is now legal in the majority of states, is that it can look the same as marijuana when processed. Additionally, while hemp looks quite different to marijuana when growing, it may have THC levels above the 0.3 percent delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) threshold – which is then considered marijuana.

Police sniffer dogs can’t tell the difference and while field tests can identify cannabis sativa, they can’t determine THC levels.

It’s this difficulty to easily distinguish between the two that has created some headaches for law enforcement, cannabusinesses that have had hemp seized, and resistance in remaining hemp holdout states.

For example, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem recently stated until law enforcement can “quickly and affordably” differentiate between marijuana and hemp, states that have legalized hemp have essentially legalized marijuana as well.

That may not be true, and Governor Noem has plenty of other concerns about allowing the broad adoption of hemp cultivation in her state, but the situation does give the anti-hemp corner ammunition for opposition.

Last week, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved wording from Senator McConnell inserted into a spending bill providing a measure to support the Drug Enforcement Agency to develop technology to enable law enforcement to distinguish between hemp and marijuana with on-the-spot field testing.

“Ensuring law enforcement can differentiate between industrial hemp and its illicit cousin is critical, and I’ll continue working with the DEA and other federal agencies so hemp can be treated the same as any other legal commodity,” said Senator McConnell.

The full wording of the funding bill’s hemp provisions can be viewed on Marijuana Moment.

Senator McConnell has been a staunch supporter of hemp and hasn’t rested on his laurels since being the driving force behind the Hemp Farming Act of 2018. He sees hemp as being an important part of the economy for his home state of Kentucky – and nationally.

Very recently, Senator McConnell also continued his push to have the FDA issue formal “enforcement discretion” in relation to the sale of hemp CBD products.

The state of Michigan legalized recreational cannabis last November, shortly after its neighbour to the North adopted federal legalization of the drug, but a group of lawyers in Detroit is suggesting the city look beyond and raise the “bar”.

While residents of the state have capitalized on the legal recreational cannabis change by opening dispensaries–many unlicensed–the Detroit lawyers want to vie for the title of Michigan’s cannabis capital by allowing consumption sites, or “cannabis bars,” to open in the city.

One Detroit lawyer expects to see such bars open in the very near future.

“I think the city of Detroit is going to be progressive, as they always have been,” Barton Morris Jr. of Cannabis Legal Group told Click On Detroit.

Morris’ law firm strongly believes that cannabis users merit a space to safely consume the drug without disturbing those who prefer not to partake.

“Just like alcohol has bars where people can consume alcohol, it’s appropriate because it’s inappropriate to consume alcohol on a street or a park. It’s more appropriate to be confined within a space. The same thing can be said for marijuana,” Morris said.

But he noted that it’s not as easy as simply opening a space for smoking, and that the bars will have to meet a very particular set of regulations to operate on the right side of the law.

“The regulatory agency, Marijuana Regulatory Agency, they’re providing these licenses. You have to apply for them in November, the beginning of November. But it also necessitates permission from the city. So, you can’t just do it anywhere. You have to have the city’s permission, otherwise known as the municipal license,” Morris said.

Morris said that other cities are considering similar options. “The city of Ann Arbor, as well, traditionally has been very liberal when it comes to cannabis laws, has always been,” Morris said.

If approved, he explained, the consumption sites in Detroit will not be able to sell food or alcoholic beverages.

The state will start accepting applications on Nov. 1.

If Detroit does open a slew of consumption sites, it may want to take note of West Hollywood’s Lowell Café, which opens today, and is California’s first legal consumption lounge for smoking, vaping and edibles.