Bella Vista Business Association Directory

By Karen Rice | BVBA Directory CBD of Bella Vista owners Patricia Medrano and Rich Wilens know the questions people have about cannabidiol (CBD). And CBD of Bella Vista considers it their mission to set the record…straight. Customers are looking for: relief from pain, deep sleep and help with anxiety. ey also want to know: 'is it marijuana?' 'Is it illegal? 'am I gonna get high?' e answers are no, you can't get high; it's not illegal; and it is not marijuana. But "yes"—it can relieve aches and pains, help with sleep and anxiety. Simply put: hemp is cannabis, and marijuana is cannabis, but marijuana is not hemp. CBD comes from hemp. e storefront at 3401 Bella Vista Way, is an absolute information station about CBD. ey are the source for information customers need to make information decisions: dispelling myths, sharing experience and of course, sharing information about CBD products. e attitudes are changing, as CBD of Bella Vista takes the word about CBD into the community…everywhere from the Bella Vista Arts and Cras show, the health fair at Riordan Hall, e Bella Vista Farmers Market, to a seminar at Concordia Retirement Center. Co-owner Patti Medrano knows the benefits of CBD. Patti has been a caregiver for clients in Northwest Arkansas. Her clients take CBD and she teaches her clients how much to take per dose. Patti also has first-hand knowledge, as she uses CBD herself every day. "It manages my anxiety, and helps me focus," says Patti. "At 62 years old, I am pain free and manage a better quality of life as I get older." Co-owner Rich Wilens also shares his first-hand experience. A U.S. Army veteran, Rich's ailments include PTSD from Vietnam, heart issues, three crushed vertebrae, spinal stenosis, sciatica and arthritis. When the VA stopped refilling his opioid prescription, he turned to CBD for pain relief. "at was in 2014, aer the Farm Bill passed," Rich recalls. "I started taking this CBD, and I felt better almost immediately. I no longer needed the opioids." e 2014 and 2018 Farm Bills legalized and expanded hemp cultivation nationwide. Hemp is a type of cannabis plant that's a cousin of marijuana. Hemp, however, cannot by law contain more than 0.3 percent THC, the compound in marijuana that gets a person high. Even trace amounts of THC can show up on a drug screen. at's why, in addition to full spectrum CBD products, CBD of Bella Vista also sells CBD products which contain no THC whatsoever. CBD is extracted in a liquid, crystal or powder, and can come in many forms including oils, gummies, creams, tinctures, balms, waters, sprays and even dog treats. "e best part is that it works for dogs and cats and helps with noise and separation anxiety," Rich continues. "We carry a full line of pet products. Every 4th of July and New Year's Eve, we give away CBD treats to dogs, cats, any animals that have noise/firecracker anxiety, absolutely free!" Rich is using his Internet marketing savvy to ride the wave of CBD business. At the same time, he's fighting against another wave—of low quality products flooding the market in a largely unregulated industry. "My job is to educate my clients," he says. "An average consumer of CBD has no idea what they're getting." "ere are companies in town that have only one product and another company gets their CBD from China that is not pesticide free," he continues. "It is a new unregulated industry and you have to be careful." He has researched extensively to 'weed out' the good from the bad, and carries only the top-rated products. Of course, the higher quality products carry a higher price tag. And Rich understands that's an obstacle for many in his target audience who may be on fixed incomes. "In my store, we work with everybody, because I know this is a product that helps people." he continues. "I know that people are skeptical of it, and we are here to deliver the message. e message is 'this stuff works.'" Rich values the networking of the BVBA in helping him get that message out to Bella Vista and beyond. "e small business owners work together to make all businesses in Bella Vista successful," he says. "I like the social gatherings, talking about the differences in businesses in BV and how we can help each other." Rich also loves the small community feel of Bella Vista. "My product is a bit controversial, but people in Bella Vista have accepted that CBD works for every human and pet in Bella Vista," he enthuses. "I love the people in BV and love educating my older clientele about CBD and making life better and pain free." To learn more, stop in at the store, Monday through Saturday from 10-6. Visit their Facebook page at facebook/CBD of Bella Vista. Or get a group of up to 25 together for a personal presentation about CBD. CBD of Bella Vista 3401 Bella Vista Way Bella Vista, AR 72714 (559) 308-0039 www.cbdnwa.com CBD of Bella Vista: Living Life Pain Free 2020 Bella Vista Business Association Directory | 11

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