September 16, 2019

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“They demand relief, and they are willing to try anything.”

Cannabidiol is not the same as cannabis, but it could provide some of the same benefits, but without the high.

Say “CBD” to a New Orleanian and you’ll probably conjure up visions of the 200-year-old central business district ⁠— home of the Superdome and the Saenger.

But CBD has another meaning — one that NOLA’s boomers are becoming more familiar with: cannabidiol, a cannabinoid.

According to the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health, “Cannabinoids are chemicals in cannabis that cause drug-like effects throughout the body, including the central nervous system and the immune system.”

However, cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive compound, not to be confused with another cannabinoid, THC, the chemical responsible for most of marijuana’s psychological effects. CBD is thought to aid in pain relief and inflammation reduction without the high that other marijuana-related chemicals cause. There are claims that it can help smokers stop their filthy habit and that it may reduce anxiety-related behaviors in patients with PTSD, OCD, and social anxiety disorders.

CBD products are primarily marketed and sold as supplements, not medication, and it has been labeled a “snake oil” product. There are claims that CBD may reduce acne, benefit heart health, and have neuroprotective properties to aid victims of Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s. Nola Boomers’ cover story Dave Malone uses CBD to fall asleep.

However, one medical journal stated that “clinical data do not support the popular uses of CBD for Parkinson disease, schizophrenia, cancer palliation and treatment, chronic pain and spasticity, depression, anxiety disorder, insomnia, and inflammation.”

But that doesn’t stop sellers from praising it as a magic elixir. One online CBD shop advertises that CBD has “been known to support healthy blood sugar levels, promote healthy energy levels, relieve anxiety, aid in digestion, support optimal immune function and regeneration of healthy cells, promote a sense of serenity, and overall well-being.”

Your Friendly NOLA Neighborhood Shop

“I tried it out of curiosity.”

It is those properties that are drawing users of all ages, particularly seniors, to the CBD market. Crystal Nugent owns three locations of Your CBD Store in the New Orleans area, and some of her customers are referred by their physicians.

“The customers we are seeing are that of older generation with issues with pain, arthritis, and anxiety,” Nugent says.

According to Dr. Victor Chou, a nationally-recognized authority on medical marijuana and owner of the Medical Marijuana Clinic of Louisiana, “CBD most certainly could benefit the elderly. One of the issues we have with patients is polypharmacy, where people take more and more medications for medical conditions as they age. These medications have the potential to interact with each other. With CBD, you could potentially see relief with multiple symptoms, such as pain, anxiety, and insomnia, which would eliminate the need to take three separate medications for each condition.”

Heather Carter of Mountain Pure CBD in Baton Rouge, whose biggest customer segment is the over-50 crowd, says her clientele is drawn to CBD because they’re being prescribed so many medications and feel they’re not working or have unpleasant side effects.

“They demand relief, and they are willing to try anything. Once they get relief, they are so amazingly grateful and loyal,” Carter says.

While some ads for CBD-based products include CBD-infused honey, topical cream, oils, salves, and tonics, oils top Carter’s customers’ lists, mainly because of price point and the ability to find a precise dose. For those who don’t want to take CBD internally, the topical oils “work quick and on the spot for pain.”

Judy, a local Baby Boomers, started taking CBD oil about a year ago due to osteoarthritis pain and sciatica. She uses about half a teaspoon of a CBD oil called Medical Miracles and rubs it into the affected area for two or three hours of pain relief, but she says she’s open to other forms.

“I’d like to try oral drops when available at pharmacies here in New Orleans,” Judy says. “Can’t wait to see all the good I believe it will do.”

Nugent’s customers like a combination, using it internally and then adding “a relief topical for the spot pain they might be dealing with.”

Not everyone feels the same level of relief.

“Last December, I had total knee replacement surgery and was not allowed to use ibuprofen to reduce swelling for three or four weeks,” says Bob, another New Orleans Baby Boomer. “I found that CBD oil was helpful, but not nearly as effective as ibuprofen.”

“I tried it out of curiosity,” says Laura, another local Boomer. “Helped me sleep; didn’t notice any pain relief, but I took it orally. I did feel very relaxed very quickly. I also used about a quarter of what they recommended.”

“With orals like capsules or gummies, the ability to dial up or down is severely restricted, and topicals like creams won’t generally have a systemic effect so the use is limited to topical conditions,” Dr. Chou recommends CBD in oil form.

Right to Relief in Louisiana

“All 50 states have laws legalizing CBD with varying degrees of restriction…”

Some people may be squeamish about taking something made from the same plant as marijuana, either for legal or medical reasons.

According to an article from Harvard Health, “All 50 states have laws legalizing CBD with varying degrees of restriction, and while the federal government still considers CBD in the same class as marijuana, it doesn’t habitually enforce against it.”

In Louisiana, the 2019 legislative session saw the approval of laws that provide for the legal sale of CBD products. The Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control and the Louisiana Department of Health now oversee the permits for sales of CBD products. Those sellers can’t sell edibles or beverages not approved by the FDA, or any smokable or vapable products. Products must include scannable QR codes with links to online information concerning the product’s THC content and other information.

“Hemp-derived products have been transferred from the jurisdiction of the DEA to the USDA and is not considered in the same class as marijuana any more,” notes Erin Glover Mahan of Louisiana CBD. “It is not considered a Schedule 1 ‘drug’ any longer.”

There is no mandatory testing of CBD products, and WebMD.com cautions that “nearly 7 of 10 CBD products didn’t contain the amount of extract promised on the label.”

While there is no requirement for third-party testing, Mahan recommends consumers look for the U.S. Hemp Authority certification and third-party testing information. WebMD suggests CBD users consult a healthcare provider who understands its use.

Valerie Andrews is a writer and communication strategist. She has been published in the Journal for Minority Medical Students, the Nursing and Allied Health Journal, and Ascension Parish magazine.

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