Taking the not-so-high road to well being

Debra Stark, owner of Debra’s Natural Gourmet in Concord, started carrying Cannabidiol products in 2018.

If that’s unknown to you, it means cannabis, or pot, without the mind-altering THC, or chemical that makes you high.

The Federal Drug Administration has approved CBD as a drug that can be sold over the counter as a supplement to treat various stress-related conditions such as pain, anxiety and insomnia.

Inside the shop, there is a large rack containing CBD oils, pastes, tablets, gummies, creams, even dog treats, that are flying off the shelves, with customers wanting to try the newly approved substance.

“We’ve had an excellent response,” she said. “We have lots of repeat customers. It’s not a miracle drug - nothing is - but from our experience, it treats a variety of conditions.”

One woman with rheumatoid arthritis told Debra that rubbing in a CBD-infused cream lessened her pain.

Debra said she first tried a CBD lozenge to test its calming effects as she was about to traverse the George Washington Bridge that links New York and New Jersey.

Making the trip across the 10-lane span is normally so stressful for her (and most others) that she thought “why not?”

And it worked.

“It was wonderful,” she said. “I was alert and calm the whole way over the bridge.”

Debra’s used to sell chocolates and teas with CBD, but the Town of Concord interpreted the FDA approval to mean that it could be sold as a drug/health supplement, not a food.

Debra’s son, Adam Stark, is in charge of managing the CBD line, among his other roles at the popular store. He said the FDA’s approval is being interpreted differently in surrounding towns.

But its effects, whether in pill or cream form, seem to be helpful to a wide swath of consumers.

Adam rigorously vets the 15 different companies from whom he orders CBD products. They come from various farms around Massachusetts, Vermont, and Colorado. Each batch of CBD has its own characteristic profile, a la grapes from different wineries.

“The products are different depending on the soils, the same way apples are different at various farms based on growing conditions,” she said.

She has CBD purveyors into the shop to talk to educate consumers on their goods.

“Eighty percent of those at one of the talks reported feeling better after using it,” Stark said.

One dog owner tried Zen Dog treats with CBD, and reported his pet was able to stay calm during a thunderstorm.

So you won’t get high, but you just might feel better with CBD products.