Since 2018, when hemp became a legal agricultural product in Tennessee, cannabidiol products, commonly known as CBD, have exploded on the market - everything from tinctures to pet treats.
CBD is extracted from a naturally occurring compound from the cannabis plant. It can be made from both marijuana and industrial hemp plants, although CBD oil made only from industrial hemp is legal in Tennessee. Unlike THC, the plant's mind-altering chemical component, CBD cannot get you "high."
But it can offer a myriad of purported health benefits, everything from relief from anxiety and depression to fibromyalgia, ADHD and heart health - though research is ongoing.
However, not all CBD is created equal. Because over-the-counter CBD products are not yet regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, there can be a lack of quality control.
Lucky for Chattanooga, several local businesses offer CBD products that have been lab tested and certified.
Here are a few feel-good products to try and where to find them.
Tinctures
FarmtoMed's CBD tinctures come in three strengths: regular (600 milligrams), CannaMAX (1,000 milligrams) and premium (1,200 milligrams), and they are made using organic plants grown in Tennessee. Tinctures can be held under the tongue for 30 seconds and then swallowed, or applied topically, and are commonly used to manage moods or help with sleep. According to Healthline.com, clinical studies have shown doses up to 1,500 milligrams per day to be well-tolerated in most users.
Find it online at farmtomed.com or in store at 502 Market St.
Edibles
LoLo Bars, which is an acronym for "locally owned, locally operated," is a woman-owned Chattanooga business, offering a range of CBD-infused products. Among its best-sellers are its CBD cereal bars made with a variety of ingredients, such as oats, crispy rice, Golden Grahams, Lucky Charms and more. Bars come with either 20 or 50 milligrams of CBD - a good, light dosage for first-timers.
Find it online at lolobars.com or in store at Proof Bar and Incubator, 422 E M L King Blvd.
Pet care
Manufactured in Dunlap, Tennessee, Kat's Naturals offers a CBD pet-care tincture that can be applied a few ways. For topical use, just massage a few drops of the oil onto your dog or cat's ears, or apply to the skin at the back of the neck. Drops can also be applied to your fur baby's lower gum line between the lip and teeth, or it can be applied directly to food. For pets, CBD is commonly used to treat anxiety or manage arthritis pain. Dosage amounts depend on the animal's size.
Find it online at katsnaturals.com or in store at The Hemp House, 512 Tremont St.
Muscle rub
Little Tree's muscle rub, available in regular and "cool," is infused with CBD and hemp extract, grown and manufactured locally. The highly concentrated salve contains 500 milligrams of CBD per container. According to Medical News Today, some studies have shown CBD to have pain-relieving properties.
Find it online at littletreelabs.com.
Capsules
Snapdragon's CBD capsules are a convenient, familiar way to take CBD if you're not used to edibles or tinctures. They come in two strengths, 50 or 100 milligrams, and are made with ingredients grown and extracted in Tennessee.
Find it online at snapdragonhemp.com or in store at 5104 Hwy 153 in Hixson or 6210 Ringgold Road in East Ridge.