Vertical, a California based company with offices across the United States, has recently announced they’re entering the Hemp and CBD space by creating a new brand; Vertical Wellness. 

Vertical Wellness, pegged with the tagline “unleashing nature’s potential”, will have the backing of the larger Vertical conglomerate, and will therefore have access to all of the research and development that Vertical and its 250 employees have been doing in the space. The announcement is the latest in a string of press releases following the signing of the 2018 Farm Bill by President Trump which legalized that production and sale of industrial hemp in the United States. 

Vertical Wellness, according to their press release, is a company mainly focused around the production and sale of industrial hemp. Vertical began heavily focusing on hemp last year; they recently harvested 100 acres ($20 million worth of the good stuff) and are processing it at their Kentucky facility. The move is an obvious attempt by the company to gain full vertical control of the market. The move to break off Vertical Wellness as a subsidiary will lend itself fortuitously to give both companies access to more investment capital. 

Smoke Wallin (what a name, right??), the newly appointed Vertical Wellness CEO said, “Vertical Wellness aims to build the most dynamic and extensive portfolio of brands and products in hemp and CBD. It’s all about wellness and branding delivered with science at scale.”

At Hemp Crate, we for one are happy to have some veteran players in the space and hope that the increased attention and focus on cultivating better crops at lower costs will ultimately trickle down to cost savings and better quality products for the consumer. 

Canadian company Canopy Growth is expected to dump $100-$150 million into a US hemp cultivation and manufacturing site based in New York, CNBC reports.

Pending board member approval, that is likely to come within 100 days, the Canadian company, whose shares shot up 11% with the announcement, is likely to announce specific sites.

This is an especially poignant case and a big win for the hemp and CBD industry because the company previously had no interest in entering the US market prior to the 2018 Farm Bill. The CEO of the company, Bruce Linton, has been quoted saying that he has no interest in doing business in a company where marijuana is not legal at the federal level. The 2018 Farm Bill proves the United States federal government is making moves in the correct direction.

The company promises to source all of its hemp from American farmers. The company also says it will focus on every part of the hemp plant; from seed to cannabinoids. Below is an excerpt from the press release.

Canopy Growth will establish within the Hemp Industrial Park large-scale production capabilities focused on hemp extraction and product manufacturing within the United States. “Canopy Growth was founded to drive innovation within the cannabis and hemp industries. In New York we see an opportunity to create products that improve people’s lives,” said Bruce Linton, Chairman and Co-CEO, Canopy Growth. “In the process, we will create jobs in an exciting, highly profitable new industry. I applaud the political leadership at the federal and state level that has allowed today’s announcement to become reality.”

The release goes on to describe the specific types of extraction and production that they have planned for the location.

Canopy Growth will source hemp exclusively from American farmers for its American operations once up and running. The Company believes that the Farm Bill has the power to create a thriving new industry with American farmers as the backbone. Canopy Growth can add value by focusing on its areas of expertise, including extracting, processing and formulating cannabinoid-based consumer products and medicines. With the recent passage of the Farm Bill and support of the State of New York, management is confident in a path to market hemp-based cannabinoid products in America.

You can read the full press release from Canopy Growth here.

Hemp seeds are obtained from the industrial hemp plant, a particular species of Cannabis Sativa L., which is celebrated for its long-lasting fibers in industrial goods. Hemp seeds, often referred to as hemp nuts, have so many fantastic uses that they are often considered a plant-based superfood. Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of this nature’s marvel.

1) Hemp Seeds are packed with protein

Hemp seeds contain all of the essential amino acids, which makes it a complete source of protein just like beef, chicken or fish. The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends including more non-meat sources of protein, and hemp seeds make for an incredibly attractive plant-based option.

One serving of hemp seeds (3 tablespoons), provides:

Calories: 180, Calories from Fat 126

Total Fat 14.0g 22%

Saturated Fat 1.5g 8%

Polyunsaturated Fat 10.0g

Monounsaturated Fat 1.5g

Potassium 300mg 9%

Total Carbohydrates 2.0g 1%

Dietary Fiber 2.0g 8%

Protein 10.0g

Calcium: 2%

Iron: 20%

That same one serving of hemp seeds provide 7.5 grams of Omega-6 fatty acids and 3 grams of Omega-3 as well as 0.6 grams of Super Omega-6 Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA) and 0.3 g Super Omega-3 Stearidonic Acid (SDA). The one deficiency that hemp seeds contains is the lack of Leucine, the amino acid that is responsible for triggering muscle growth. Check out this mind-blowing side-by-side comparison by

Hemp 101:

Bottom Line: Hemp seeds are packed with all types of nutrients. They are a plant-based superfood which can help provide needed daily essentials. They are an excellent source of protein and iron and are low in saturated fats!

2) Hemp Seeds & Oil show improvements in skin conditions

Hemp oil derived from the seed has show some positive improvements in the conditions of those affected with skin conditions. One such study¹, out of the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kuopio, in Finland,  focused on atopic dermatitis (eczema) and showed promising results. Here is the technical summary of the study quoted exactly as presented:

Hempseed oil is a rich and balanced source of omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Anecdotal evidence indicated that dietary hempseed oil might be useful in treating symptoms of atopic dermatitis.

Dietary hempseed oil and olive oil were compared in a 20-week randomized, single-blind crossover study with atopic patients. Fatty acid profiles were measured in plasma triglyceride, cholesteryl and phospholipid fractions. A patient questionnaire provided additional information on skin dryness, itchiness and usage of dermal medications. Skin transepidermal water loss (TEWL) was also measured.

Levels of both essential fatty acids (EFAs), linoleic acid (18:2n6) and alpha-linolenic acid (18:3n3), and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA; 18:3n6) increased in all lipid fractions after hempseed oil, with no significant increases of arachidonic acid (20:4n6) in any lipid fractions after either oil. Intra-group TEWL values decreased (p=0.074), qualities of both skin dryness and itchiness improved (p=0.027) and dermal medication usage decreased (p=0.024) after hempseed oil intervention.

Dietary hempseed oil caused significant changes in plasma fatty acid profiles and improved clinical symptoms of atopic dermatitis. It is suggested that these improvements resulted from the balanced and abundant supply of PUFAs in this hempseed oil.

Bottom Line: The early results from these tests are incredibly positive. Eczema affects nearly 32 million Americans so hopefully more and more studies will continue to look at the positive effects of this study out of Finland.

3) Hemp seeds are built to aid in digestion

There are two different types of fiber; soluble and insoluble. The first, soluble, is defined as substance that can be dissolved in water. This type of fiber is known to interfere with the body’s ability to absorb dietary cholesterol which lowers your levels of the bad LDL cholesterol in your blood.

The second, insoluble fiber, does not absorb water and therefore passes through the intestinal system mostly intact as a laxative effect and can help to prevent constipation. Insoluble fiber adds mass to your stool and may help food and waste pass through your gut easier.

Hemp seeds are a good source of both soluble and insoluble fiber. The former providing 20%, and the latter providing 80%, which is why the greatest benefit is on the digestive side. You can see from the below graphic hemp seeds are also more digestible than flax seeds, soy beans, and kale.

The average American significantly falls short of the recommended amount of fiber, consuming on average only 12 – 17 grams per day. It is suggested that an adult has 25-40 grams per day of fiber.

Sources of fiber:

Beans (of course, right?)

Whole Grains

Nuts

Fruit, especially berries

Oatmeal

Popcorn

Baked Potato Skin

Vegetables with dark skin

Bottom Line: Hemp seeds are a fantastic source of fiber, primarily insoluble fiber. They are easy to obtain and consume. They can greatly help make up for the deficiency that most Amercians have in daily fiber intake.

4) Hemp seeds have natural ingredients that can aid in lowered blood pressure

Hemp seeds have a very high content of  the amino acid, arginine (L-arginine). This amino acid produces nitric oxide. (Note: very different than nitrous oxide)

Hundreds of studies have found nitric oxide be beneficial in so many areas of the body. Improvements have been seen in  reducing inflammation, improving quality of sleep, increased endurance, and boosting of the immune system.

One of the biggest benefits of nitric oxide is it’s effect on blood pressure. The molecules assist in dilating and relaxing blood vessels which allows more oxygen and better blood flow. This, in turn, leads to lower blood pressure which can help to decrease future heart conditions and complications.

As we age, our cells produce less nitric oxide, so blood vessels become more narrow and rigid. This can cause high blood pressure (hypertension), inflammation in blood vessels, and plaque buildup (atherosclerosis).  This is all compounded by the fact that all three of things (hypertension, inflammation and atherosclerosis) if untreated actually hinder the production and acceleration of nitric oxide.

Bottom Line: Hemp seeds are chock-full of the amino acid, arginine. This produces nitric oxide which has many amazing benefits. As we get older we produce less nitric oxide. A supplement like hemp seeds can help make up for deficiency.

Final Conclusion

The hemp plant itself is amazing. However, hemp seeds are the true hero. The hemp seed is one of nature’s miracles. It has some mind-blowing health benefits that are backed by studies, scientists, and health professionals. The exciting thing is we are just on the cusp of the full understanding of the benefits of hemp seeds. A revolution is upon us. Please consider following along for more information.

Also, please check out what Hemp Crate is trying to do in creating a new experience.

By now you’ve likely heard the news that the Hemp Farming Act of 2018 was passed by Congress and was earlier this month, signed into law by President Trump as part of the 2018 Farm Bill. But what does that really mean for you, the customer?

If you want to read the full bill (be careful though, it’s a thick one) you can find it here. Essentially this bill did a few things:

Removed Hemp from the list of of Schedule 1 Controlled Substances

Declared industrial hemp an agricultural commodity and not a controlled substance

Set the stage for the DEA to reconsider their stance on how hemp and CBD are treated

In short, this bill did more for growers of hemp as opposed to consumers. However, these new opportunities given to farmers will be passed down to the consumers in the form of future cost savings. Hemp farmers are now afforded the same rights as traditional farmers such as riparian water rights and the ability to request federal agricultural grants. These rights can be huge for farmer’s margins in an industry that is traditionally bootstrapped to begin with.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was one of the main proponents of the law as he hopes that hemp can start to replace the demise of Kentucky’s oldest cash crop- tobacco. A healthy, non-addictive, alternative to cigarettes? We’re here for it!