Your Guide to Buying Medicinal Cannabis in Gatlinburg

Introduction

Until the early 21^st century, the popularity of allopathic medicine over all other treatments was quite significant.

However, it has been established that there is much to be said about the effectiveness of prescription medicines in the long term, not to mention the extensive side effects accompanying their usage.

Therefore, slowly and gradually, over the past two decades, we have seen people revert to the old homeopathic methods, home remedies, and new natural treatment methods such as medicinal cannabis.

Medicinal Cannabis in the United States

In the past, anything with the word cannabis was associated with harmful drugs and addiction. However, scientific research has now proven that there is a way to consume cannabis safely and take advantage of all its benefits without any risk of addiction or adverse side effects. So much so that many states in the United States, including Tennessee, have declared medicinal cannabis products (having less than 0.3% THC) legal!

Today, over 25% of American adults regularly consume CBD in some form or the other. However, as a conservative Southern state, usage in Tennesse is still relatively low, with only sales worth 28 million USD being reported in 2019 in comparison to California’s 730 million USD.

Buying Medicinal Products in Gatlinburg: Five Tips

Gatlinburg has become one of the few cities in Tennessee to have embraced medicinal cannabis and its products. In fact, there are several places you can visit to purchase high-quality medicinal products, such as CBD oil, capsules, edibles, and even topical solutions. The best part is that you can find these products at reasonable prices and even get access to discounts and special offers.

Since the legalization, you can now walk into any Gatlinburg dispensary that offers medicinal products in broad daylight and purchase medicinal cannabis without hesitation. For instance, the Smoky Mountain Organics dispensary sells a wide range of safe and tested medicinal products such as CBD oils, edibles, tinctures, salves, topicals, and more.

However, suppose you’re a first-timer trying medicinal products. In that case, it is easy to be scammed by clever salesmen who often try to pass off fake items as authentic CBD products. Even worse, you could end up buying a product that does not meet the legal requirements of legal cannabis.

Fortunately, with some prior research, you can avoid getting caught up in issues and find authentic products. To help you, we’ve put together this guide which covers all the basics you need to know before buying medicinal products.

Read on to find out more!

1. Understand Medicinal Cannabis

If you’re planning to use medicinal products, you first need to understand the different types of products available. There are three primary components that medicinal products derived from marijuana or hemp are based around, Cannabidiol (CBD), Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and Delta 8 – THC (∆⁸-THC).

To put it simply, CBD is the component that has medicinal benefits, while THC and ∆⁸-THC are responsible for the high that comes with smoking marijuana. So, if your sole purpose is to use therapeutic CBD for health-related reasons, choose a product that is CBD based, while if you need something for recreational use, opt for a ∆⁸-THC product. Unlike THC, the ∆⁸-THC concentration is not as strictly regulated. Therefore, you can enjoy a much better high without any negative side effects of THC, such as paranoia.

2. Learn the Law

Medicinal cannabis is legal in Gatlinburg, provided that it falls within the conditions specified in the state Farm Act of 2018. The critical conditions for a product to qualify as an industrial hemp product instead of a controlled substance are:

1. 1. The product must be derived from hemp (a cousin of marijuana which produces less than 0.3% THC.)
   2. The product must have a 0.3% concentration of THC or less (the percentage may go up to 0.9% for people with severe medical conditions.)
   3. The CBD, THC, and ∆⁸-THC must be extracted and produced as per the conditions laid out in the state cannabis farming laws.

As long as a product complies with the above conditions, it is legal to purchase, possess and consume in Gatlinburg!

3. Ask for the Hemp Producer License

Although medicinal hemp products are legal, and there is no specific license requirement for selling them, the law requires all such products to be produced by licensed and registered entities per state laws. In Tennessee, anyone who grows hemp must have a Hemp Producer License issued by the State Government.

Therefore, before you purchase any cannabis product, make sure you ask for the Hemp Producer License. The license should be available on the website if you make an online purchase. However, if you can’t find it, send a quick message/e-mail to the store requesting a copy of the license, and they will get back to you!

4. Identify Authentic CBD Products

All cannabis extracts, including CBD, are pretty expensive to produce and source. Plus, with the multiple laws and regulations that must be abided by, many companies source their components from outside locations which are not made by licensed entities and do not meet the legal requirements. To ensure you don’t end up purchasing such a product, look at the ingredients list very carefully and check for the following:

1. 1. THC less than or equal to 0.3%
   2. ∆⁸-THC
   3. Hemp Extract
   4. Cannabidiol (CBD)
   5. Cannabidiolic Acid (CBDA)
   6. Cannabichromene (CBC)
   7. Cannabigerol (CBG)
   8. Cannabinol (CBN)

These are the primary ingredients of any authentic cannabis product. If you find any of these in the ingredients list, it means you have an original product. However, suppose you see ingredients such as hemp seeds or hemp seed oil. In that case, the product does not contain CBD or any other helpful component of cannabis. An easier way is to ask for a product’s Certificate of Analysis (COA) before purchasing it. The COA lists all the ingredients used in the product and certifies that the product has undergone third-party testing.

5. Support Local Production

CBD and its accompanying components used for making medicinal cannabis products are produced in various parts of the world under different regulations and circumstances. The reason for this is the strict regulations in place concerning the production, processing, purchase, and consumption of cannabis products in the USA are hard to comply with outside the country. Although it is possible to source cannabis extracts and components from other jurisdictions, if you’re buying a medicinal product, try to find one made entirely within the USA.

By purchasing locally grown products, you can ensure that all the legal requirements are met and that the product is non-GMO and safe for consumption. Further, if you want to reap the maximum benefits from your medicinal product, ensure that all the ingredients are 100% organic and no chemical or synthetic element has been added!

The Bottom Line

Take advantage of 21st-century scientific developments and experience a safe and legalized high with your friends! Medicinal cannabis products have many health benefits that you can now easily enjoy. By following the above guidelines, you can find authentic and effective medicinal products for your health and recreational uses.