District Blog

Originally posted at Cloud City Supply's website: Ask Amy: The Important Distinction You Need To Know Between Hemp & Marijuana

One of the biggest challenges in the ever-evolving world of cannabis is the confusion between the different subspecies. Hemp often gets a bad rap due to its association with the notorious reputation of marijuana. And that’s not to mention all the other compounds and extracts that stem from the estimated 700 strains of cannabis. Each has a distinct, intricate set of characteristics, uses, and legal implications. In this blog, we’re asking the owner of Cloud City Supply to elaborate on the important details you need to know about the difference between hemp and marijuana.

Hemp vs. Marijuana

Characteristics

Hemp and marijuana both come from the cannabis plant. However, each is produced and used for its own purpose, independent of the other. The primary distinction is in their chemical composition, namely the levels of tetrahydrocannabinoil (THC). THC is the intoxicating compound that often precedes the plant’s overall reputation. Legally speaking, hemp is defined as a cannabis plant that contains less than 0.3% THC.

You can even tell the difference between hemp and marijuana plants just by looking at them. Hemp plants are tall and skinny and have fibrous stalks with fewer leaves. Comparatively, marijuana plants are shorter and bushier, featuring a broader array of leaves and flowering buds.

Use

Hemp is mainly produced for industrial use due to its nutritious source of proteins and fatty acids. It is commonly found in textiles, paper products, bioplastics, and construction materials. The 0.3% THC limit exists to ensure these products and materials are non-psychoactive. Conversely, marijuana is specifically cultivated for its THC content which can range anywhere from 5% to 30% or more, classifying it as a potent, psychoactive drug used for recreational and medicinal purposes. Furthermore, CBD, another hemp-derived extract of the cannabis plant is famous in alternative medicine for its highly effective yet non-intoxicating therapeutic benefits, yet is still often confused with the notoriety of marijuana.

The psychoactive properties of marijuana have proven to successfully manage various medical conditions like chronic pain, anxiety, nausea, and sleep. However, to that effect, its relaxing and euphoric impact has also driven a complicated legal history that varies depending on location.

Legality

On a global scale, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the legal status of hemp nor marijuana. Each...Read More

Originally posted at Cloud City Supply's website: Why Cannabis For Seniors Is A Growing Geriatric Trend

Did you know senior citizens are the fastest-growing age group in cannabis consumers? A 2018 study by the University of Michigan revealed a concerning shortage between geriatric psychiatrists and seniors in need of help navigating their mental health in their final stages of life. Coincidentally, cannabis has proven useful in helping to close the gap.

Why more seniors are turning to cannabis

As we age many shifts occur. Our bodies become frailer, our metabolism slows down, we develop medical problems that require daily treatment, and our brains shrink due to chronic inflammation. Consequently, these changes can bring on a set of physiological conditions often referred to as the “nuisances of aging” like insomnia, physical pain, dementia, depression, and existential anxiety. In a recent episode of the CNN series Chasing Life hosted by Dr. Sanjay Gupta, we learn how medical professionals are endorsing the medical and recreational use of cannabis for seniors impacted by these conditions.

Although the sale and use of cannabis still hang in legal limbo and therefore lack general safety guidelines across the board, more and more geriatric doctors are encouraging their patients to experiment with cannabis when they don’t respond well to pharmaceuticals. However, the challenge is that because data and research are still unfolding, consumers must assume responsibility for their own personal safety. Doctors advise patients wanting to experiment with medical cannabis for pain management, reducing inflammation, improving sleep quality, appetite stimulation, or soothing anxiety to consider their current mobility and how the compound might interact with other medications they are taking.

What to know about cannabis for the senior well-being

The best approach is to find a reputable dispensary with trustworthy budtenders who can make personalized recommendations on what types of products to try and how to start low and go slow with dosage. Medical cannabis is most ideal for end-of-...Read More

As a leading voice in CBD products and education in the South Bay, Cloud City Supply is celebrating National CBD Day with a little history lesson today. In this post, we will explore the history and origins of CBD, and explain how the compound became such an attractive option in alternative medicinal practices today.

Although CBD seems to have only gained popularity in recent years, did you know there’s actually a rich history that dates back thousands of years in various ancient cultures that have used cannabis for its plethora of healing properties?

The origins and evolution of CBD in medicine

Originating documentation begins in 2737 BCE in ancient Chinese medical texts. Chinese physicians used the cannabis plant as a natural remedy for various conditions including pain relief, inflammation, and indigestion. In the ancient Indian Ayurvedic medicinal practice – one of the world’s oldest holistic healing systems – cannabis was also used for pain management, anxiety, and even epilepsy. Around the 7th century, the plant gained recognition in the Middle East and quickly became a staple herbal remedy throughout Islamic cultures. Arabic medical texts mention it was utilized for many of the same therapeutic purposes, most notably for pain relief.

Eventually, cannabis’ gleaming reputation reached Europe during the medieval period and was listed in many pharmacopeias throughout the 19th century. During this time cannabis was also used for copious common medicinal purposes in the United States until it was later criminalized in the early 20th century. It wasn’t until the 1940s when CBD garnered the interest of researchers who first discovered the compound in the cannabis plant. Approximately 50 years later, after scientists ascertained knowledge of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the 1990s, data about specific cannabinoid extracts (like CBD) and how they interact with the human body to produce these magical effects became available.

Modern...Read More

If you follow our social media, you may have noticed that Downtown Campbell appears to be trying out a new look. It's true. We're changing our logo from the well traveled water tower logo that was designed for us by Sonya Paz over 15 years ago and had been used as the identity banner of Downtown Campbell since 2008.

Our new logo is the wonderful work of Sally-Anne Peterson, one of the current board members of the Downtown Campbell Business Association and the owner of Quintessential Real Estate. We've been searching for a new look for the Downtown Campbell brand for years now and a lot of different things have been tried. The amount of effort Sally put in (as a volunteer no less) to get this over the finish line is unimaginable except for those who've attempted a similar challenge for a community as dynamic as Downtown Campbell.

The classic look from 2008 isn't going to completely disappear anytime soon. There's still stuff that pops up around town and online that's from even before that time. Given all the things that Downtown Campbell is and is involved in, it'll probably be a year or two before we finish the transition with the website getting an overhaul sometime in the first half of 2024.

The introduction of our new logo would be a good time to let you know more about the people behind the logo and much of the culture of Downtown Campbell. We're the Downtown Campbell Business Association (DCBA), an independently funded organization of business owners and locals united in the shared interest of having a vibrant downtown as a place where community grows.

Each year in the fall, the Teal Run returns to Campbell Park to hold their annual day of hope, love, and support for the women and families that have been affected by ovarian cancer. This year's event will be on Sunday, October 1st and will be its 9th running of the Teal Run 5K.

If ovarian cancer has touched your life, please consider being a part of this day of hope and healing. Over 500 people are expected to participate in the Kids' Dash and the 5K as runners or walkers to raise money and celebrate someone's battle with ovarian cancer.

Please head over to the Teal Run's website to learn more about it and register for the 5K or to make a donation to help in their cause. They're also looking for businesses to donate goods or services for their prize drawing.

At the heart of our mission is a commitment to providing clean, safe, and highly effective CBD products supplemented by educational-based customer service to help you find solutions tailored to your individual needs. When you shop at Cloud City Supply, you can rest assured that any product you pick up has undergone an extensive testing process by independent labs to ensure its formulation is free of any heavy metals, pesticides, solvents, or any other harmful ingredients you might find in other CBD brands. However, although all our products meet the highest quality market standards, that doesn’t necessarily mean they are all safe for any consumer to use. Today, let’s review the different types of CBD products we offer and how they coincide with other drugs or medications you might be taking.

Topical CBD

When you apply CBD to your skin, it is not absorbed into your bloodstream nor metabolized by your liver. Therefore, topical CBD products are safe to use regardless of what medications you are currently taking. Topical CBD products include creams, lotions, salves, balms, serums, bath salts, bath bombs, and oils. Topical CBD products are the safest way to experience the relaxation and relief CBD can bestow upon muscle aches and joint pains.

Oral CBD

CBD in the form of gummies, capsules, softgels, pills, and beverages passes through your gut and is metabolized by your liver. Because CBD is broken down in the liver by binding to specific enzymes (p450 CYP3A4) that break down drug compounds in over 25% of over-the-counter medications, mixing it with prescription meds or other drugs presents a potential risk, as it may alter the efficacy or increase the blood levels of those medications. Depending on the medication, unintended side effects might include nausea, drowsiness, and even possible overdose with certain painkillers. Because CBD strongly affects these enzymes, we recommend asking your doctor or booking a free consultation with our in-house CBD coaches before experimenting if you are taking other medications.

How do you know if the medication you are taking is broken down by the p450 CYP3A4 enzyme?

Here’s one easy way to tell: If the label or pamphlet provided by your pharmacy says not to take the medication with grapefruit, then it is not safe to take with oral CBD products. Grapefruit contains compounds...Read More

Tickets for our Fall Wine Walk are now ON SALE and we also have something exciting to tell you!

For the first time since we started doing Wine Walks in the spring fo 2010, we're doing the Wine Walk on a Thursday night instead of Wednesday. Our Wine Walks have been very popular right from the start, but one thing we keep hearing is that people wanted to do it on Friday or Saturday night.

We can't do Friday or Saturday because it's just not possible to hold a high traffic event when Downtown Campbell's already going to be full of people as it is. Thursday is a day we can try out. Let us know what you think. If you prefer it, we'll schedule all of our future Wine Walks on Thursdays.

Our Fall Wine Walk will be on Thursday, September 21st from 6-9pm. Advance sale tickets are $50 plus ticketing fees. Advance sale pricing ends on the week of the event and the ticket price goes up to $55 starting on Monday, September 17th.

Purchase confidently because your tickets will be refundable up until the day of the event.

Florra is one of our newest businesses in Downtown Campbell, but it's blended in so well to the Downtown Campbell scene that it feels like it's been here for years. On the occasion of September being Self-Care Awareness Month, we're sharing with you an excerpt of the story of how Thuy Ha chose to take her life in a new direction and start a retail business to help people practice self-care.

Thuy's Story

Florra is an outer expression of everything I believe in—beauty, wellness, self-care, and living in harmony with each other and the earth. My vision for this store came from a very deep and authentic place, one that took a very long time for me to uncover—and I believe it's the reason why many customers seem to resonate with the store so much.

Like so many, my purpose came from much pain. I had been living my life on autopilot for many years, doing and accomplishing the things I thought would make me happy. I was living someone else's perfect life but it was far from my own truth. I soon learned that when we ignore our soul's whispers, our bodies will make us take notice.

I began experiencing physical and emotional health issues along with a deep inner knowing that something was off. I tried everything during that time to get better but I soon found that nothing was going to heal me overnight. It took years of ignoring my body and my soul to get to that low point, so it would take some time for things to get better. I began by eating a cleaner diet of organic and unprocessed foods. I switched out all of the personal care products in my home to ones with natural ingredients and without harmful toxins. I sought out holistic healing modalities such as acupuncture and even became a certified Reiki practitioner. The journey was ultimately about loving myself, listening to my body, and honoring my soul.

The best remedies though, were found in the smallest moments—salt baths with flowers and candles, a warm cup of chai tea at dawn, burning cleansing smoke, and inhaling fragrant essential oils. It wasn’t long before I started feeling like myself again. I garnered the courage to walk away from the things I no longer resonated with and rebuilt my life with more authenticity and purpose.

Self-care has since become a non-negotiable for me. It’s a ritual that I practice often and diligently. I opened Florra in hopes of inspiring many others to do the same for themselves. There's nothing better for our wellbeing than slowing down, being present, and taking time for small and sacred moments.

Since we opened, Florra has become a space for community gathering through our many different workshops and events. This aspect of the store is what I cherish most as it brings me so much joy to hold space for these enchanting evenings filled with togetherness and all-around good vibes. Sometimes, the events are profoundly healing; other times, they are fun and vibrant.

I have fallen in love with the...Read More

Do you represent a winery or have friends who do? We're looking for a few good wineries to come join us for our upcoming Fall Wine Walk in Downtown Campbell on Thursday, September 21st.

The Downtown Campbell vibe is legendary and our Wine Walks are one of the most established Wine Walks in Northern California with a history of selling out even on weeknights. We're always looking for new winery friends so if you'd like to be a part of a magical evening, please email [email protected] with your contact information and a short introduction to your winery.

You may have noticed that there appears to be some roadside construction work happening throughout Downtown Campbell. After a series of delays, construction on the semi-permanent parklets has begun in several locations.

In all six parklets will be built. A semi-permanent parklet will be built at the following restaurants:

• Katie Bloom's (in progress)
• Flights (in progress)
• Trattoria 360 (in progress)
• Aqui's
• Tessora's Barra di Vino
• A'Bellagio

Each will take upwards of seven weeks to finish and all six planned parklets are expected to reach completion by the end of September.

It's time to wrap up all things Car Show in Downtown Campbell until next year. Before we sign off entirely, there are a few things we want to leave you with.

Lots of people asked if they can help at next year's event. Most of what happens in Downtown Campbell is completely organized by volunteer efforts so we're always taking down info on people who want to help. Just go fill out our volunteer info form and we'll be in touch when it's time.

We still have t-shirts available for $20.

A lot of people signed-up for our email newsletter after hearing about our car show in June. Unfortunately, we had an issue with our newsletter software and could not add some email addresses for people with yahoo.com, att.net, sbcglobal.net and prodigy.net email addresses. If you signed up, but didn't receive a newsletter recently, please sign-up again.

Finally, a lot of amazing photographers have shared their photos of our car show and some of them show a side of our car show that we weren't able to quite capture ourselves or missed entirely. We're sharing a few of our favorite ones to the Facebook event for the Historic Downtown Campbell Car show.

If you're a photographer and you created a set of images you want people to see, feel free to post a link to it from the Facebook event page. We're opening up permissions to post to that event until the spammers show up and force us to shut it down again.

Thank you one last time from all of us who are very grateful for your support of our labor of love that is our Car Show and the community spirit of Downtown Campbell.

We still have a limited supply of t-shirts from last weekend's car show! If you want to get your hands on one of these Campbell local collector's items, they'll be available starting next week at The Olive Bar in Downtown Campbell.

The t-shirt is 96% cotton in a throwback heather gray color featuring the Historic Downtown Campbell Car show artwork in black print on the front. On the back are the local businesses that sponsored the show.

Sizes range from M to 4XL and is also available in women's tank top, but we may have already run out of some sizes, especially the largest ones. All sizes and varieties of the t-shirt are $20.

Payment by Venmo is preferred, but cash and credit card will also be accepted. You will need to scan a QR Code to pay for your shirt(s). The t-shirts aren't being sold by the Olive Bar. They're just being held there for purchase from the Downtown Campbell Business Association, who was responsible for the show.

The first Historic Downtown Campbell Car Show is in the books and we hope you enjoyed it. The only thing we have left to do is share awards from the show with you. There were five categories and five custom made trophies handed out for the best cars in each category as selected by our panel of judges.

• Best Truck - Larry Squarcia (Cupertino) - 1956 Yellow Ford F-100.
• Best Import - Sammi Frazier (San Jose) - 1973 Datsun 240Z
• Best Hot Rod - David Stohlman (San Jose) - 1932 Ford Roadster
• Best Muscle Car - Jacob Artache (San Jose) - 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle
• Best in Show - Orange Krate - 1955 Chevrolet Gasser

Thank you to all of you who entered your car into our first car show. We had a goal of making this a very well rounded car show with a little bit of everything, but we only had 160 entry spaces we could fill. That's not a lot of openings to spread around to so many different types of cars. It meant a lot of highly worthy entries were turned away.

Events like this car show are no easy feat to produce in a city center like Downtown Campbell. They're even harder to get started for the first time.

Like with most things that happen in Downtown Campbell, it's hard to name any single person to applaud. Downtown Campbell has a culture of many hands. We don't have the budget or the administrative staffing that other downtowns have. The one amazing asset we have is this culture of everyone doing what they can without worrying about who gets credit.

The person who spearheaded and led the drive to produce this car show was Mike Van Sant, auto enthusiast and owner of The Olive Bar. For over a year, he looked forward to having his own cars at his own car show, but withdrew them to make room for other people when it became clear that we had several times more people who wanted to be in the show than we'd have room for.

Carol Pouya (Tessora's Barra di Vino) was the co-champion advocating and organizing for the car show. Amy Taylor (Cloud City Supply), Sally Peterson (Quintessential Real Estate), Brooke Ramirez (Bombshell Boutique) put in countless hours working with the City of Campbell and coordinating businesses to participate in the show. Mark Dunkle (Campbell CERT) and Michael Sanders (Home Church) led the volunteer staffing efforts both as team leaders and as actual...Read More