Sasha Hull
Lantern Staff
Amongst the legalization of medicinal and recreational marijuana around the United States, a surge of CBD (cannabidiol) shops have surfaced over all 50 states. One of the newest CBD shops has taken root in El Dorado at 1236 W. Central Ave, making it the first of its kind in town.
Demara Epperly, Butler alumni and owner also owns two other Hemp Releaf locations in Park City and Derby. On Monday, Feb. 4, Epperly opened the doors of the El Dorado location.
“We partnered with Hemp Releaf after making labels for them for a separate company,” Epperly said. “We thought the products were great quality. Realistically, we liked it, and it was natural. It’s our hometown, and we wanted to set up shop there.”
Epperly’s interest in selling CBD stemmed from personal use and how it helped family members.
“My step-father was in a bad accident and instead of harmful pain medications, he would use CBD and it really helped him,” Epperly said.
Opening a Hemp Releaf store in El Dorado for Epperly meant spreading the benefits of CBD to a population currently without any. CBD has a multitude of benefits and routes for use. It can help with anti-inflammatory, anxiety, pain, arthritis, blood pressure and depression.
CBD is also sold in a wide array of products. Lotions are useful for localized pain and skin conditions. Tinctures and water soluble drops are considered easiest to use as they can be taken orally or added to drinks and will cover all symptoms. There are also edibles, vapors, sprays, smokeables and capsules.
Hemp Releaf customer Annie Pratt, believes the opening in El Dorado is a good step for the community.
“Anytime [a product] works on so many different things and it’s all natural, it is wonderful,” Pratt said.
Endocannabinoids receptors in the brain work alongside CBD to help regulate and retain homeostasis in the body. Because of the all natural composition of CBD, it is a safe alternative to other medication and in addition to other medications.
“There are more and more studies out online everyday to see how CBD can help your conditions,” Epperly said.
In regards to the El Dorado location, the community has helped Hemp Releaf feel right at home.
“The support has been overwhelmingly positive,” Epperly said. “I feel like CBD in general is getting talked about more and people are kind of word of mouth starting to hear about it. We had our signs up, and they were ready to talk about it. We are really happy with the response.”
Most people unfamiliar with CBD come to Hemp Releaf with various questions about hemp, cannabis, marijuana and the difference between all of these and the extraction process of CBD and how it is implemented into all of the products.
“Sometimes people have questions about THC,” Epperly said. “We explain to them that the THC is a separate chemical compound, but you are still getting the benefits. The .03% THC makes it marijuana, as opposed to hemp, legal in all 50 states and legal on a federal level now. Usually we talk about how there are no side effects. It works with your body and not against it.”
Pain, anxiety and depression are of the top reasons why customers come to Hemp Releaf. Epperly also has a message for Butler students: “After personally struggling with mental health, I would say that for students facing these problems during school and with exams, CBD is worth trying to help.”
Online research or a conversation with Epperly could help you or loved one’s with specific ailments without a doctor’s visit or other harmful and potentially addictive medications for relief. One can visit Hemp Releaf from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.