“The stigma and prejudice associated with CBD and cannabis created multiple business challenges. Merchant account providers often will not do business with the cannabis industry and many marketing agencies have refused our business,” Fairfield said. “Although the hurdles often seemed insurmountable, we persevered with our efforts to bring alternative health education options to the general public in a fun and engaging atmosphere.”
Fairfield noted that many individuals fail to recognize the difference in marijuana and hemp, which creates a lofty sense of confusion when it comes to discussing the issue. While the two plants are closely related, there are key differences that set them apart.
“Marijuana is cultivated because of its production of the psychoactive plant chemical delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. Hemp is cultivated for fiber, seed and floral extracts, and federal and state law requires that the concentration of THC must be less than 0.3% in hemp,” the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s website reads.
The National Hispanic Cannabis Council notes that “tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) is the most abundant non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis,” and that it is useful in treating inflammation and pain. On the other hand, “cannabidiol, or CBD, is the non-psychoactive cannabinoid famed for significantly reducing symptoms in patients suffering from seizure and spasm disorders such as epilepsy and multiple sclerosis.”
These are just two of the numerous cannabinoids that have been shown to be effective in treating a plethora of medical issues, and while the concepts may confuse some patients, efforts to educate the masses, such as Pocono Canna Fest, have had some success.
