We wrote last week about how CVS is now stocking its shelves with CBD products like pain-relief ointments and creams from Medterra and Curaleaf (the CVS announcement, by the way, sent Curaleaf's stock soaring).
Even though CVS can't legally sell CBD edibles, such as supplements or food products, it sees a big enough demand already for salves and lotions. "Anecdotally, we've heard from our customers who have used those products that, 'Gee, it's helped with pain relief for arthritis and other ailments,'" said CVS CEO Larry Merlo.
Not to be outdone, Walgreens just announced it will add CBD products to its lineup, too. It's an obvious move — the drugstore giant likely doesn't want to miss out on this CBD trend, especially as momentum builds. Still, both companies are only rolling out these offerings in select states to test out the goods in places already familiar with CBD and hemp products, like Colorado and Kentucky.
Based on consumer demand, both companies will likely see this as a first step, with many more products to follow. Consider Walgreens spokesperson Brian Faith, who said the CBD offerings are "in line with our efforts to provide a wider range of accessible health and well-being products."
In other hemp news, black chefs are working to create a space within the predominantly white cannabis culinary and medicinal scene. It makes sense, as people of color are much more often the targets of law enforcement and have had to push back against racism and stigmatization when trying to break into the industry, even in states where cannabis is legal.
"The system is currently set up for inequity to continue," said Seattle-based chef Unika Noiel. "It forced me to accept the fact that as a black woman and entrepreneur here in Washington state, I would not be allowed to 'receive any sort of gain from cannabis' — a direct quote from a city official.
"Even as the CBD and cannabis industry is on an upswing in the U.S., not everyone has the same advantages. We'll see if these chefs and other thought leaders can change that.
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