“CBD-infused foods and
drinks are going to lead
the way in the next year.”
Carl insists that businesses need to take advantage of the
versatility of CBD.
“CBD-infused foods and drinks are going to lead the way in the
next year. It will be seen as an essential nutrient, almost one of
your five-a-day, this also makes it compatible with cosmetics.”
Apart from a wider range of products with a more palatable taste,
what else do consumers want?
Consumers want natural, ethical ingredients.
CBD companies tend not use any ingredients that are genetically
modified (GMO) or treated with pesticides, owing their decision
to a growing public consciousness around such issues.
On this, Carl says: “People in the UK are paying closer attention
to what goes into their food and drink, and if the ingredients
and production methods are ethical. There’s a natural revolution
happening, as veganism is also increasing. We’re aware of this
and test all our products for residual solvents. Hemp naturally
produces its own insecticides and pesticides, we won’t use anything
that’s been covered with unnecessary chemicals.”
Consumers want CBD with an identity distinctive from THC.
As a versatile product with a cross-generational and demographic
appeal, CBD needs an identity free of THC’s connotations. Today’s
consumers are savvier to signs of moral panic.
Carl says: “A lot of people are coming around to how unscientific
and prejudiced the history of anti-marijuana lobbying really is and
don’t want a repeat of it. Many people look back on the ‘Reefer
Madness’ phenomenon with shame. Even the term marijuana
came from lobbying from paper merchants who didn’t want to
compete with hemp. Because of that, people don’t want to see a
cynical panic developed over CBD due to the hemp association.”
CBD companies need to protect themselves in a shaky, legal
and political environment.
“There is no certainty around CBD even though it’s legal to
produce, sell and consume. Both the World Health Organisation
and the Sports Athletics Commission have given CBD the green
light, describing it as safe and non-habit-forming. We should
follow suit as a country. There are a lot of places the UK needs
to catch up on.”
Social media pages are a notable pain, taking down CBD pages
that businesses have put great effort into cultivating.
“It’s the same with online payment providers. PayPal don’t support
CBD businesses at all: they will shut you down and keep your
money for 180 days.”
CBD Ultra have been proud members of the Cannabis Trades
Association (CTA) for two years and have benefitted from having
CTA-approved payment providers and insurance partners to ease
the aforementioned problems.
This young industry needs to remain cooperative with regulation.
“I agree that we shouldn’t be making medical claims and I’m
not anti-regulation. There are so many cowboys out there. We
need oversight, but it must be done with clarity and guidance
instead of existing in a grey area. The vaping industry wasn’t
necessarily anti-TPD, it just wanted fair and realistic rules.”
On the much talked about Cannabis Products Directive (CPD),
the CEO says:
“We’re putting in regulations before we’re made to, showing
we’re responsible and self-governing. We want every product
to be registered, licensed and put on the directory every year,
showing third party lab reports for each batch. Companies need
to deal with a reputable supplier. They can do this by being
members of a body like the CTA. There’s no room for cutting
corners: you’ve got to remain compliant from seed to seal.”
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