For the first time ever, Portland has their own CBD cafe, and it’s unlike any of its out-of-state predecessors. GrönCafe, a business venture owned an operated by the edible company Grön Chocolate, will give patrons, otherwise hesitant, an opportunity to try CBD without walking into a dispensary. Portland’s first CBD cafe opened Wednesday, and already it’s making waves throughout the area for its unique menu of drinks and chocolate.
What Is CBD?
First off, let’s get a little into the basics—what is CBD?
CBD, or Cannabinoids, represent the non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis. Cannabis produces over 400 different compounds, with roughly 60 of them coming in the form of cannabinoids.
Cannabinoids interact with your body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) by binding to the receptors of the ECS. The endocannabinoid system is linked to different mechanisms in your body that regulate certain variables like mood, appetite, pain, memory, and more. In turn, the consumption of CBD alters the pre-existing ECS and creates a plethora of different effects in the human body.
Over the past decade or so, increased studies have shown CBD to help treat a variety of ailments such as inflammation, nausea and vomiting, seizures, anxiety, depression, diabetes and multiple sclerosis, amongst others.
Portland’s First CBD Cafe Is Now Open
Now that we have a little background on the product, let’s get back to GrönCafe.
What makes Grön’s cafe so different from any other of its kind, is the fact that they were able to find a loophole that prevents state-regulators from interfering with their business. How? Well, their CBD is not actually cannabis-based; it’s extracted from the bark of trees found in Southeast Asia.
“We’re able to actually go out to the public with this product because it’s not from cannabis or hemp. We can do public medicated samples and people can try it for themselves,” said Gron CBD’s event coordinator, James Sharinghousen said to KATU.com.
In addition to their CBD’s unscheduled status, GrönCafe will also have no age restrictions for their shops—unlike most state-regulated CBD shops with a 21 and over policy.
And while it’s unclear whether or not Grön’s bark-based CBD contains the exact same clinically-studied effects as regular CBD, owner Christine Smith does claim there is a small difference—she says her CBD has effects similar to aspirin. She feels like it makes her energetic but not sleepy.
The shop, which carries a variety of chocolates and hot beverages, had a soft open on Wednesday and attracted a variety of fresh customers—some which never would have thought to have tried CBD otherwise.
“I would never even go into the store to get the product because that’s how adverse I am to the whole thing,” Janet Leathem said to KATU.com.
At the moment, it’s unclear whether or not the state of Oregon will attempt to put regulations on GrönCafe, as their business model has been unprecedented up until this point. However, Grön CBD’s operation manager Jenna Rice says the company will take it day-by-day.
“That’s not to say somebody couldn’t come in tomorrow and tell us something different. We’re definitely aware that could happen.”
