CANNABIS HAS GONE MAINSTREAM

BY THOMAS MARSHALL

CANNABIS HAS GONE MAINSTREAM. IT IS BECOMING MORE PREVALENT AS A TREATMENT FOR MANY HEALTH ISSUES. The anti-anxiety effects of CBD help people have calm and relaxed feelings. CBD has also been used to treat seizures, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, alcoholism, multiple sclerosis, depression, pain inflammation, and other conditions.

Although CBD is a hot commodity today, it took decades to capture the attention of clinical scientists for the treatment of various health issues. In fact, some might say it took millennia to make CBD a mainstream medication, because there are anecdotal reports dating back to 2000 B.C. regarding the use of Cannabis sativa to treat seizures.

The public continues to seek natural alternatives to supplement and maintain their health, but of course, they want to do so responsibly. They want to get the full benefits of CBD products without over or under medicating. They have lots of questions.

ueens Green Dispensary, the CBD store at 2694 Virginia Beach Boulevard, has a great reputation for taking the time to answer those questions and educate its customers. They have become the experts on the safest and best quality products, so the customer doesn’t have to worry about what they are consuming.

Nick Rocha, the owner of ueens Green, said he first looked into CBD products after traditional treatments failed to improve his older daughter’s severe anxiety and depression. Her doctor gave her a myriad of pharmaceuticals over two years. But her condition worsened with each new pill, and it impacted her grades.

“As parents, we were wondering why the medical system was not working in our favor,” said Nick. “I was a Navy SEAL getting the best medical care that our nation could provide, yet I couldn’t even solve a problem like anxiety and depression in my child.”

Eventually, his daughter developed Tourette’s Syndrome with annoying verbal and motor ticks which the doctors said was a possible side effect of all the pharmaceutical drugs. At his wits end, Nick and his wife Angela, a registered nurse, listened to a psychiatrist friend who said that there was a lot of good research being done with medical cannabis that had worked wonders with other patients with similar conditions. As a military Senior Enlisted leader, Nick’s first response was no, but as a parent his wife and him were desperate to try anything.

When Nick’s daughter finally tried CBD, within three minutes she was pain and anxiety free for up to six hours and her motor ticks went away almost immediately. She was able to think and function clearly and focus on her schoolwork, and not hit herself uncontrollably like before.

“It was a miracle medicine for us,” said Nick. “We had become hopeless because we had run out of options.”

Nick was a Navy Seal for 26 years, including 9 combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. The demands and stress of his service took a toll on his body and family. When Nick retired from the Navy, he had two hip surgeries and a shoulder surgery. For pain management, he wanted an alternative to opioids because they had severe side effects. He took CBD and within two to three days after each surgery he was walking again.

“CBD is designed to heal,” says Nick. “It is all a mindset. The American Nursing Association just recognized that CBD is so powerful and amazing that they need to dedicate an entire subspecialty of nursing to it. Clearly the mainstream medical world sees the benefits.” ueen’s Green Dispensary was opened to help serve the local community, especially fellow veterans. They sell products like CBD oils and tinctures, gummies, salves, lotions, cream and more.

Nick said he is often approached by other Navy SEALS and veterans. According to the Department of Veteran Affairs, 8 of veterans have PTSD. For those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, that number jumps up to 11 or higher. According to the National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Legislation NORML over 6 of Veterans are in favor of changing the law in favor of allowing medical cannabis as a treatment for their PTSD.

“CBD works in the hardware of your body while a small portion of THC less than .03 works in the brains pain receptors or ‘software’ to help relieve PTSD and a number of other ailments,” he says. “Full Spectrum CBD is just medicine and has no psychoactive properties.”

A recently retired Navy Captain friend of his had just had back surgery and had tried other pharmaceutical options without any relief. He was reluctant to try anything with the name “cannabis” associated with it, but with only 2 hours of sleep a night, he was desperate for relief and reached out to Nick. Luckily Nick was able to offer a stronger CBD option through a newly created, state approved, gummy and received a text message the next day stating, “Nick, Home Run! I was able to get 8.5 hours sleep last night and I feel absolutely amazing.

“While no one is in business to grow smaller, I’m not motivated solely by profits,” says Nick. “I’m doing this because CBD helped my daughter and my PTSD issues and I just want to help education others on the alternatives available.”

CBD companies like ueens Green currently offer a wide variety of products. Nevertheless, this diversity will surely increase as other compounds are developed for specific issues. As CBD has gone mainstream, so has public education about the uses and positive effects. Stop by ueens Green on the Boulevard where you will be able to feel more confident and safer when purchasing CBD products.

December 9, 2023December 16, 2023

FA LA LA LAND AT CHESAPEAKE CITY HALL

Chesapeake City Hall

Walk around this interactive outdoor wonderland while enjoying baby goats in holiday sweaters, carolers, face painting, holiday-themed food trucks, and more! View our life size snow globe featuring a live performer and get pictures with our roaming holiday characters, glass man, stilt walker, and Santa. Free parking around City Hall municipal center. Free family outdoor event.

December 14, 7PM

VIRGINIA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRAHOLIDAY BRASS CONCERT

Chesapeake Conference Center, Doors Open at 06:00 PM

The bold sounds of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra brass section will help you ring in the holidays in a bright new way! With a variety of styles from classical to contemporary, you’ll delight in the sounds of the season.

January. 6 - January 7 Saturday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM; Sunday 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM THE HOME OWNERS EXPO

Chesapeake Conference Center

Your Local Festival for Home Owners. Find it all under one roof. One stop shopping for your home owner’s needs. Get ideas and get inspired. Special Guest MATT BLASHAW, HGTV HOST will be here Saturday, 12:00 PM (noon) and 3:00 PM. $6.00 Adults; $5.00 Active and Retired Military; Kids 17 and under Free; Advance Discounts available December 1

January 13

BRICKUNIVERSE CHESAPEAKE, VA

LEGO® FAN EXPO 2024

Chesapeake conference center

VIP Admission: 9 AM - 12 PM

General Admission: 10 AM - 12 PM, 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM, 3 PM - 5 PM or 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Visit us at www.brickuniverseusa.com

BrickUniverse 2024 Build it! The tour will present a major exhibition of works by celebrated artists from around the country.

Check out www.visitchesapeake.com events for more added throughout the month!