This article was originally published on iHeart CBD Oil. To view the original article, click here.

Are you tired of the usual medications that make you feel nauseous, agitated and moody? If you are, then take it as your cue to opt-out of these medications and try out the newest medical magic in the market. I am talking about CBD. Wait, take a minute before jumping onto your vehicle and hitting the next medical store to buy a bottle of it and start gobbling. Take a few minutes to read about what you are going to ingest.

What Is CBD Oil?

Short for Cannabidiol, CBD is one of the 113 discovered components of the cannabis plant extract. Antithetical to its famed cousin THC or tetrahydrocannabinol, CBD is non-psychoactive. CBD oil is essentially an oil extract of the cannabis plant and it encompasses high concentrates of CBD. Realizing its numerous health benefits, these are prescribed to patients suffering from depression, chronic pain, tumors, anxiety, sleeplessness, seizures, etc.

What Is The Difference Between Cannabis, Marijuana, And Hemp?

Although used interchangeably, Cannabis, Marijuana, and Hemp are not the same; however, they are related. Cannabis is the name of a plant family that ideally has three classifications of plants – Sativa, Indica, and ruderails. On the contrary, marijuana and hemp are the derivatives of the cannabis Sativa plant.

Are THC And CBD The Exact Same Thing?

Two out of over 113 known components of the cannabis plant called cannabinoids are the THC and CBD. THC is psychoactive and hence considered illegal in many states because it is known to make its users ‘high’. On the contrary, CBD is proven to have numerous health benefits and is considered a medical miracle.

Is Hemp Oil The Same As CBD Oil?

No, hemp oil is different from CBD oil. The distinction is made from the viewpoint of the part of the cannabis Sativa plant from which the extraction is done. Hemp oil is obtained from the seeds of the plant and is very low in THC concentration. Hence it is used in lotions, soaps, and other everyday items. CBD oil, on the other hand, is extracted from the leaves and remaining parts of the plant. Thus is contains higher THC levels than hemp oil. Due to this reason, CBD is not as readily available as hemp-based products.

Full Spectrum CBD Oil And CBD Isolate – What Is The Difference?

Full spectrum CBD oil means other than THC it also contains other cannabinoids such as CBN (Cannabinol) and CBG (Cannabigerol). CBD isolate means oil which contains only CBD and is isolated from all the other cannabinoids present in the cannabis Sativa plant.

How Else Can I Consume CBD Other Than In The Form Of An Oil?

Other than consuming the CBD in the form of an oil, there are four additional ways to consume it. First is CBD Oil Tinctures. For quick pain relief, patients are advised to put a drop of this under their tongue using dropper that comes along with the product. Second is CBD Topicals. This is the best alternative if the oil isn’t your thing. The third is the CBD Vaporizer. This is ideal for patients who are too prone to smoking. And Fourth is CBD Spray. This alternative is similar to using tinctures minus the oil texture in your mouth. Consumers are advised to spray it under their tongue for instant pain relief.

Are There Any Side Effects Of CBD Which I Should Be Informed Of?

There are no side effects that have been recorded as of today. However, it is advised to start with the lowest dose and then gradually increase it according to your need and pain levels. Also, consider buying products that are genuine when buying CBD online. With the rise in the number of consumers, the number of companies that have started selling this product has increased. Always ensure the authenticity of the buyer before purchasing it online.

How Should I Feel After Consuming CBD?

You will not feel high or different right away especially if this is your first time. The main objective of CBD is to reduce the feeling of pain and discomfort and not bring about an all-new and unique feeling altogether. If you consume it regularly, it will surely enhance your sleep pattern and your mood.

Is The Online Purchase of CBD Legalized?

Since CBD contains more than 3% of THC, it can only be sold in states which have legalized its use. If you are residing in a state where CBD has been legalized, then you can simply walk into an authorized drug store and buy your bottle of CBD. In those states which have not yet legalized the use of CBD, the product is not that easily available.

Considering the health benefits CBD offers, it is best to consume it rather than opting for other medications. However, a doctor’s view is advisable!

This article was originally published on Real Tested CBD. To view the original article, click here. 

As with all pet wellness trends, there is a lot of information about CBD oil for dogs and other furry friends floating around online. We all want what is best for our four-legged friends, so where do we turn for information on CBD oil and the effects it has on animals? 

Don’t worry, we are here for you and your best friend! Here are the basics on what you need to know about CBD oil, adding it to your pets life and a few reliable options:

What Is CBD Oil? 

CBD is a buzzword in just about all aspects of health, and this is no different for animals. CBD, or cannabidiol, is a compound derived from cannabis or hemp plants. CBD is the non-psychoactive cousin to it’s often more popular counterpart, THC. Because most CBD products are created specifically from hemp plants, the concern over THC being present is minimized. CBD is extracted from hemp plants and turned into oil for consumption, taking the form of a distillate or an isolate. Isolates are generally the most pure form of CBD, usually containing no trace amounts of THC. It’s always good to pay attention to label descriptions to verify what cannabinol compounds are present in a product.

How Will CBD Impact my Dog? 

Formal studies on the effects of CBD and pets need to be conducted but we do know that cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid system and receptors in both humans and animals. Through this interaction, the body can maintain balance and eliminate free radicals. The interaction of CBD and animals is thought to be very similar to that of humans and CBD. Numerous studies on CBD’s interaction with the human body have proven that the endocannabinoid system’s receptors, located in the central and peripheral nervous system, help balance the body and keep a healthy state overall. 

Related: Are you looking for a tasty CBD oil for your dog? Click here to learn more. 

Based on anecdotal evidence from dog owners and CBD users, cannabinol can be used to treat pain, arthritis, anxiety and a variety of other conditions in dogs. CBD for pets is usually in oil form or made into an edible treat. CBD products are a natural alternative for treatment, much similar to use with humans, and can replace pharmaceutical drugs associated with side effects. That being said, there have been some side effects of animals being treated with CBD found in a study from Colorado State University, typically ranging from mild diarrhea or liver toxicity.

Researchers agree there need to be more studies done on the long-term effects CBD can have on animals, but the growing popularity in health fields means CBD is likely here to stay. More and more studies into the effects on humans and CBD point towards a reduction in anxiety, pain, seizures, muscle and joint pain, and neurological disorders.  

CBD oil for dogs (and other pets) can ease chronic conditions or occasional ailments such as: 

• Anxiety and Stress 
• Separation Problems 
• Inflammation 
• Pain Management 
• Arthritic & Joint Pain 
• Epileptic Seizures 
• Digestive Problems 
• Nausea 
• Mobility
• Symptoms of Cancer 

There are a lot of CBD products on the market for pets, but shopping for a quality product that will benefit your pup is the most important factor to consider. Be sure to read all the labels and double check ingredients. It is always best to turn to products with third-party lab test results to ensure not only quality, but potency and cannabinoid content label accuracy. 

Here are our top three picks for CBD oil for dogs:

1. Infinite CBD Small Pet 300mg 

2. Charlotte’s Web Hemp Extract 17mg 

3. CBD American Shaman Canine 300mg

Texas shows CA the way in fighting Washington

Good morning! TGIF. It’s all Trump, all the time now.

Trump’s signing of executive orders Wednesday to begin planning for construction of a wall along the Mexican border, to withhold federal funds from local governments that don’t cooperate with immigration authorities and to increase efforts to track down illegal immigrants immediately prompted Senate President Kevin de Leon to announce plans to sue the Trump administration with the assistance of former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder.

Further lawsuits seem likely as the Republican Trump continues to reverse policies that heavily Democratic California embraced under President Obama.

There’s a road map for how a large, wealthy state can resist a president whose edicts it doesn’t like: Texas in the past eight years under Obama.

CalWatchdog has more. 

In other news:

• Distractions: “In the wake of a turbulent election season and a disturbing new study on the credulity of many political news consumers, a handful of California legislators have put forward new bills designed to ensure the state’s public schools make students aware that not everything purporting to be factual reportage is as true or unbiased as it seems.” CalWatchdog has more.  

• Taxes: “GOP tax plan could boost prices for Californians’ (property) insurance,” reports CalWatchdog. 

• Trump’s wall: “With California’s political leaders in full resistance mode over President Trump’s executive order to build a wall on the Mexican border, Senate leader Kevin de León, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and others have floated an idea to try to stop it: the state’s famously stringent environmental laws. But legal experts say any effort to use state and federal environmental rules to block the wall faces extremely slim chances of being successful.” The Los Angeles Times has more. 

• Sanctuary cities: “The executive order Trump issued Wednesday putting cities and counties on notice that they would lose federal funding if they didn’t start cooperating with immigration agents has broad implications for California, a state that aggressively protects its undocumented population from deportation. But while the order allowed Trump to boast that he is fulfilling a campaign pledge, it also commits him to a fight that he is not necessarily poised to win.” The Los Angeles Times has more. 

Legislature:

• Gone till Monday.

Gov. Brown:

• No public events announced.  

Tips: matt@calwatchdog.com

Follow us: @calwatchdog @mflemingterp

New follower: @PhillipChenCA

State, feds on collision course over “sanctuary” policies

Good morning. TGIT. If today is anything like yesterday, buckle up. 

President Donald Trump on Wednesday said his administration would block federal funding for cities that don’t cooperate with federal immigration laws, with Democratic leaders in the state vowing to fight back.

A handful of California cities, like Los Angeles and San Francisco, have so-called “sanctuary” policies, which prompted the federal action. And in a statement of defiance, Senate President Pro Tempore Kevin de Leon said he would fast track his bill to make California a sanctuary state. 

“(T)he Senate will expedite the process to pass my bill, SB54, to prevent state and local tax dollars and law enforcement resources from being used to help ICE destroy families and damage our economy,” the Los Angeles Democrat said. 

But even as Democratic leaders strongly push to protect the sanctuary policies, the public is split. A Hoover Institution poll from earlier this month showed that 40 percent of voters support sanctuary policies, while 41 oppose (19 percent didn’t seem to care either way). 

CalWatchdog has more. 

In other news:

• Pensions: “The mayor of El Monte, a cash-strapped San Gabriel Valley city with many retired employees drawing two pensions, says there’s ‘no rational justification’ for the extraordinary, taxpayer-funded generosity. But at the same time, Mayor Andre Quintero says there’s nothing city officials can do about the situation in the near term.” The Los Angeles Times has more. 

• Sanctuary backlash: “Assistance promised to victims and law enforcement in response to the Dec. 2 terrorist attack is among the funding potentially jeopardized by President Donald Trump’s executive order blocking assistance to so-called sanctuary jurisdictions.” The San Bernardino County Sun has more. 

• Unfunded liability: “California faces a $76.67 billion cost to provide health care and dental benefits to retired state employees, state Controller Betty Yee reported Wednesday, an increase of $2.49 billion over the previous year’s estimate,” reports The Sacramento Bee. 

• Drought: “Hammered with record rainstorms and blizzards, nearly half of California is no longer in a drought, and the rest saw dramatic improvement over the past week, federal scientists reported Thursday. Overall, 49 percent of the state is now drought free, the highest level since April 2013, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor,” reports The San Jose Mercury News.

Legislature:

• In at 9 a.m. 

Gov. Brown:

• No public events announced. 

Tips: matt@calwatchdog.com

Follow us: @calwatchdog @mflemingterp

New follower: @Tony_Larson

Brown defiant and conciliatory in State of the State

Good morning! Happy Hump Day. In case you missed it, Jerry Brown teetered between conciliatory and defiant in his annual State of the State address on Tuesday.  

The popular Democratic governor echoed other Democratic leaders in the state by taking shots at Republican President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans and their proposed, yet sometimes vague, agenda.

On the day Trump pushed through two controversial oil projects opposed by environmentalists, with a repeal of the Affordable Care Act slowly working through Congress and with federal action on immigration looming on the horizon, Brown pointed to the battle lines drawn between the state and the federal government.

“While no one knows what the new leaders will actually do, there are signs that are disturbing,” Brown said. “We have seen the bald assertion of ‘alternative facts.’ We have heard the blatant attacks on science. Familiar signposts of our democracy – truth, civility, working together – have been obscured or swept aside.”

CalWatchdog has more.

In other news:

• Cap and trade: “California’s marquee climate-change program faced tough scrutiny on Tuesday from a state appeals court judge who seemed skeptical that the $4.4 billion raised from the state’s cap-and-trade program complied with laws regulating taxes and fees,” reports The Sacramento Bee. 

• 2018: “Mayor Kevin Faulconer says he has ‘unwavering support’ for San Diego’s close binational ties with Mexico in the face of a pending border crackdown by President Donald Trump,” writes The San Diego Union-Tribune.

• Family law: “California lawmakers will weigh whether family courts should allow children as young as 10 to testify before judges regarding parent custody or visitation rights.” The Los Angeles Times has more. 

• Musical chairs: “Xavier Becerra, a longtime U.S. congressman, was confirmed Monday as California attorney general as the state braces for conflict with the Trump administration on policies ranging from health care to immigration and the environment.” Politico has more. 

Legislature:

• Gone till Thursday. 

Gov. Brown:

• No public events announced. 

Tips: matt@calwatchdog.com

Follow us: @calwatchdog @mflemingterp

New follower: @ACCOC

Enough blame for everyone with Oakland housing crisis

Good morning! The governor gives his State of the State address today and it’s a pretty good bet he’ll discuss housing and the shortage of affordable options.  

From the Mexican border to the Bay Area, local governments along the California coast fret about short-term rental operations such as Airbnb eating up already limited housing stock.

In response, homeowners who use such rentals to deal with the high cost of living fire back with claims that they’re being scapegoated for local officials’ ineffective response to the Golden State’s affordable housing crisis.

In Oakland, these arguments keep growing more intense as tech workers keep moving in. Uber’s plan to build a new headquarters in the city by 2018 only adds to city leaders’ concerns about housing costs.

But recent reports and surveys leave little doubt that in Oakland, both short-term renters and local officials bear responsibility for severe housing headaches.

CalWatchdog has more.

In other news:

• Agriculture: “Agriculture leaders expressed disappointment over President Donald Trump’s decision Monday to pull out of a 12-country trade deal that would have boosted exports from San Joaquin Valley farmers,” reports The Fresno Bee. 

• Regulation: “Under legislation passed in 2011, environmental lawsuits against mega-projects would face significant restrictions, forcing any litigation to take no longer than nine months. Instead, the Warriors’ case lasted nearly a year. Overhauling the environmental law, the California Environmental Quality Act, is a perennial issue at the Capitol, and the measure benefiting the Warriors arena was one of the most high-profile CEQA reforms in recent years. But the failure of the 2011 legislation to meet its stated goals reveals the difficulty lawmakers have had in making meaningful changes to the law.” The Los Angeles Times has more. 

• Politics: “Orange County could hold the key to Republican success nationwide with the fastest growing slice of the electorate, Asian American voters.” The Orange County Register has more.

• Poverty: California has the highest real poverty rate in the country, reports PolitiFact California.

Legislature:

• At the State of the State festivities.

Gov. Brown:

• Swearing in ceremony for state attorney general and State of the State address at 10 a.m. in the Capital.

Tips: matt@calwatchdog.com

Follow us: @calwatchdog @mflemingterp

New follower: @SD_TaxFighters

Snack tax may soon be back

Good morning! A tax on snacks may soon be back. 

A bill introduced by Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia, D-Bell Gardens, would roll back the sales and usage tax exemptions for certain, less-nutritious, snack foods.

The measure, part of Garcia’s agenda to highlight inequities in the tax code, requires a heavy lift to become law. In 1992, voters repealed a tax on snacks, leaving most candy and junk food exempt from sales tax. The measure requires two-thirds majority and a vote of the people.

Garcia’s office estimates the measure would bring in around $1 billion in tax revenue annually. 

While the additional revenue could fund any number of priorities, Garcia has long sought to make a point that snacks with little nutritional value are not taxed, while necessities — feminine hygiene products like tampons — are.

“As I took a closer look at our tax code, it became apparent that while California’s policy is to tax luxury items, the reality is that it’s inconsistent,” Garcia said in a statement. “We tax necessities like tampons but exempt chocolate bars.”

CalWatchdog has more. 

In other news: 

• Voter Fraud: “Voter fraud ‘test’ could backfire.” The Orange County Register has the story. 

• Cap and Trade Challenge: “With President Trump in the Oval Office, California officials are bracing for the possibility that the new administration will undermine the state’s landmark policies on climate change. But the more immediate threat isn’t coming from Washington; it lies in a lawsuit that has been slowly winding its way through state courts.” The Los Angeles Times has more. 

• 2018: “Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom says it could get ‘intriguing’ if Peter Thiel, the billionaire tech entrepreneur and key ally of President Donald Trump, makes a move to challenge him in next year’s governor’s race,” reports Politico.

• Budget: “Now more than ever, voters have decided that billions of those dollars should make their way through Sacramento with hardly a single politician’s fingerprints on them,” reports the Los Angeles Times. 

Legislature:

• Assembly in at 1 p.m. Senate in at 2 p.m., will vote on Xavier Becerra for attorney general.

Gov. Brown:

• No public events announced. 

Tips: matt@calwatchdog.com

Follow us: @calwatchdog @mflemingterp

New follower: @StanfordNews1

Time to work toward 100 percent renewables?

Good morning! TGIF. It’s inauguration Day. So, in honor of the festivities, whether you’re watching in adoration of the incoming president, in morbid curiosity, or just plain ol’ hate watching, we’ll keep it short this morning.  

• Environment: “It’s time to talk 100% renewable energy, California Senate leader says,” writes the Los Angeles Times. 

• NFL: “The Oakland Raiders have made good on a threat that loomed over hometown fans for months, filing paperwork Thursday to move the National Football League team to Las Vegas.” SF Gate has more. 

• Trump: “Scientists in California have named a newly discovered moth species after President-elect Donald Trump, saying the white and yellow scales on the insect’s head are reminiscent of Trump’s blond hairdo.” Capital Public Radio/AP have more. 

• Pensions: “San Diego county and city pension funds have nearly $7 billion less in the bank than they need to cover benefits already earned by current and former employees, a deficit that’s risen 90 percent in just two years, new reports show.” Voice of San Diego has more.

• Obamacare politics: “Democratic legislators took their pro-Obamacare message on the road Thursday, convening a hearing in Bakersfield to examine the repercussions of repealing the Affordable Care Act. The state Senate health committee pointedly held its hearing in the Central Valley — far afield form the state Capitol and the home districts of most members in attendance, but the home turf of key Republican members of California’s congressional delegation including House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy.” The Los Angeles Times has more. 

Legislature:

• Gone till Monday. 

Gov. Brown:

• No public events announced. 

Tips: matt@calwatchdog.com

Follow us: @calwatchdog @mflemingterp

New follower: @JonathanArambel

Assemblyman: Russian interference should be taught in schools

Good morning. Happy Thursday. We begin this morning with an inauguration eve question: Should Russia’s interference with the 2016 presidential election be taught in schools?

One assemblyman thinks so.

The extent to which Russia interfered is still being investigated, but reports suggest there’s consensus among U.S. intelligence officials that Russia hacked emails of Democratic officials and operatives in an effort to influence the election. The hacked emails were distributed to the news media, including CalWatchdog, throughout the election through the site WikiLeaks. 

Assemblyman Marc Levine, D-Marin County, has introduced legislation to require state educators to develop curriculum for students to learn about Russia’s involvement in the election.

CalWatchdog has more. 

In other news:

• Trump Transition: “In selecting former Georgia governor Sonny Perdue for agriculture secretary, Donald Trump dealt Abel Maldonado, the former California lieutenant governor and apparent finalist for the position, one more high-profile, if unsurprising, blow,” writes Politico. 

• Bullet Train: “A lawsuit filed in 2014 by Kern County against the California High-Speed Rail Authority will be dismissed under the terms of a settlement announced Wednesday afternoon by the state agency. … This is the third of the seven CEQA lawsuits to be settled.” The Fresno Bee has more. 

• AG appointment: “(Xavier) Becerra also said he’d defend and enforce recently approved voter-enacted ballot initiatives to speed up the death penalty process and legalize recreational marijuana.” The Sacramento Bee has more. 

• State vs. Feds: “Donald Trump’s pick to head the Environmental Protection Agency cast doubt on whether California should continue to have power to impose its own emission rules for cars and trucks, an authority the state has enjoyed for decades that is also the cornerstone of its efforts to fight global warming.” The Los Angeles Times has more. 

Legislature:

• In at 9 a.m.

Gov.Brown:

• No public events announced.

Tips: matt@calwatchdog.com

Follow us: @calwatchdog @mflemingterp

New follower: @sam_s_oh

Many CA House Democrats boycotting inauguration

Good morning! Happy Hump Day. Even though the inauguration is approaching, the campaign seems as though it’ll never end.

At least 15 of the 39 House Democrats from California are planning to boycott the presidential inauguration of Republican Donald Trump, according to multiple reports. 

The reasons range from district work, to disdain for Trump, to responding to Twitter polls. In all, more than 50 House Democrats are planning on skipping the event.

Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi will attend, however, out of a sense of “responsibility” and to honor the “peaceful transition of power.” The two remaining undecided Californians are: Senator Dianne Feinstein and Rep. Xavier Becerra of Los Angeles. Feinstein had a pacemaker installed last week, while Becerra is going through the confirmation process to become California’s next attorney general.

CalWatchdog has more. 

In other news:

• Pensions: “Over the past seven years, the city of San Diego has paid more than $14.7 million to bring retirees back to work part-time while they still collect a pension,” reports The San Diego Union-Tribune. 

• Marijuana: “California lawmakers want to make it easier for marijuana dispensaries to pay their taxes, saying many cash-only businesses are forced to drive long distances with thousands of dollars to make an in-person payment.” The San Francisco Chronicle has more. 

• No accountability: “On a summer day in 2015, 16 high-level managers at the Board of Equalization received special pay raises that the department still can’t explain.” The Sacramento Bee has more. 

• Water: “Despite drenching rains and heavy snowfall this winter, California moved Tuesday to keep in place its statewide water conservation rules — at least for another three months or so,” reports The San Jose Mercury News. 

Legislature:

• At 10 a.m., the Senate Rule Committee will consider the nomination of Congressman Xavier Becerra as the state’s attorney general.

Gov. Brown:

• No public events announced. 

Tips: matt@calwatchdog.com

Follow us: @calwatchdog @mflemingterp

New follower: @bscrafford