As the CBD market appears to not only be weathering the storm caused by the coronavirus, but thriving thanks to more people discovering its health and wellness benefits, we caught up with three exciting brands that hope to capitalise on its unceasing popularity.
Green Times Brewing
Thierry Florit discovered the benefits of CBD beer early on, creating Green Times Brewing and its High Flyer CBD beer with a combination of citrus and tropical aromas – a UK-first, according to them – back in 2018. Fast forward to now and many more breweries are trying to catch up and launch their own CBD-infused beer as the next big thing. One step ahead again, Florit is about to bottle his first CBD juicy pale ale.
Why did you decide to create Green Times Brewing?
Florit says: “We wanted to create new innovative products that combine the great taste of craft beers with the wellbeing benefits of the cannabis plant for the body and mind. As hops and cannabis belong to the same cannabaceae family, they are great brewing partners.”
Why did you choose to incorporate CBD?
“I had been interested in alternative natural supplements for mood-enhancing and stress-relief for some time and had been using CBD for a few years. As one of my best friends had also been running his own CBD business for some time and we both loved craft beers – we thought it would be great to add CBD to beer for an extra relaxing effect on top of all the other potential benefits that comes from the cannabis plant.”
What does the range include? Do you have plans to expand it further?
“We have our two core beers – one session IPA and one low alcohol IPA – which both contain 10mg of CBD each and are available in our online store, meaning everyone in the UK can get them. We also recently launched a juicy pale ale on draught for bars, which has got double the CBD content (60mg per litre), and will shortly be available in 330ml bottles, too. We have a number of collaborations on the way with other breweries, and plan to launch some more beers by the end of the year.
“At a time like this, when people’s stress levels are high, a CBD beer – with or without alcohol – can be a great way to have a truly relaxing time and unwind.”
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Founder Gemma Colao created OTO to help more people discover the power of CBD through effective products that easily fit into their daily lives. That’s why 83% of OTO’s customers credit their daily use to helping reduce their stress and anxiety.
Why did you decide to create OTO?
Colao says: “My own journey with CBD began while living in California where I was working as a fashion designer. The fast-paced, stressful nature of the job led to anxiety and sleepless nights until a friend suggested I try CBD. Having never been a cannabis smoker, I was hesitant at first. After using CBD every day, I soon noticed I was feeling less anxious and sleeping much better. Very soon it became an essential part of my daily rituals. At the same time, my husband, James, set up one of California’s first legal cannabis dispensaries, so CBD was part of our professional lives as well as our personal.
“Upon returning to the UK, I was excited to see that CBD was now available and recognising a gap in the market for high strength, enjoyable CBD products, we created OTO. Together with a group of friends that includes world leading scientists, entrepreneurs and anthropologists, we set out to create the world’s finest CBD experiences.”
Why did you choose to incorporate CBD?
“Unlike many brands who are incorporating CBD into an existing and diverse portfolio of products, all of our products are driven by the power of CBD. What’s more, we always ensure that our products contain enough CBD to make a difference. All of our products come with the OTO Strength guarantee, delivering 40-60mg of CBD per day to enhance your natural wellbeing and reduce anxiety.
“As well as my own personal experiences of CBD helping my anxiety, we have seen incredible results from our extensive consumer trials.
“All of our products are designed in a way that enhances the effectiveness of the CBD. For example, we use terpene-rich botanicals to aid the transdermal absorption of the CBD in our skincare and roll-on oils.”
What does the range include?
“We launched in 2019 with our 20% CBD roll-on oils. These were created as an alternative to tinctures and deliver an effective measure of CBD when applied to the pulse points on the wrists and temple. Soon after we launched the world’s first CBD Pillow Mist.
“We also have a range of drinks that included the world’s first CBD cocktail bitters, which is a flavourful alternative to alcohol, and also the UK’s strongest CBD shots, each containing 50mg of CBD.
“In autumn last year, we launched our luxurious CBD skincare with Harrods, which helps to repair skin and prevent the signs of ageing while improving overall wellbeing.”
CBII
In July 2019, Health and Happiness Group partnered with Bod Australia to launch CBII. This partnership marks the first time that H&H Group will utilise CBD and hemp ingredients in their products.
Why did you choose to incorporate CBD?
Laetitia Garnier, Executive Director and CEO of H&H Group, said: “We are excited to take this step with Bod Australia and to be investing in this high-growth industry, where there is a clear commitment and ambition to be world-leading in industry development.
“Our new partner Bod is leading the way with clinical trials and innovation programmes, and together we are well-positioned to grow and to further commercialise Bod’s CBD products in different global markets.
“Additionally, this investment aligns with our sustainability journey and our desire to consider the environmental footprint of our business and operations. This unique industry is renewable, sustainable and clean which is important to us.’’
Why did you decide to create CBII?
Phoebe White, Marketing Manager at CBII, says: “With controlled agricultural and cultivation methods, meticulous manufacturing practices and extensive quality testing, CBII sets high standards to ensure high-quality CBD you can trust, all wrapped up in a 100% recyclable outer carton made from hemp.
“Working with exclusive manufacturing partner, Linnea SA, CBII’s standardised extract is created with a patented extraction process, which means they have an exclusive system that allows them to control the entire formulation from plant to bottle. Using independent testing, CBII™ can be certain of the exact amount of CBD, cannabinoids and terpenes that go into their product, creating a fuller, premium CBD oil that’s closer to the natural plant.”
What does the range include?
White says: “CBII™ CBD oils – available in three strengths – are made with legally sourced EU hemp, extracted in Switzerland and bottled right here in the UK. Using a gentle, clean and sustainable extraction method with 90% recycled ethanol, CBII™ guarantees consistent quality from batch to batch.
“Our four different CBD capsules – each with their own combination of added vitamins and minerals – are another popular way of taking CBD. And, because they are traditional and tasteless, they are one of the simplest and often preferred ways to take CBD.
“For those who are curious to try CBD or want to find the strength that works best for them, we also have a new Discovery Duo, containing 2ml of 2% and 5% CBD strengths.”
