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Best Ways To Provide The Best Working Environment

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It’s no secret that your work environment has an impact on your productivity, performance and mood when at work. If your employees are stuck in a dark, gloomy office with unpleasant workers then they are at risk of becoming demotivated and left feeling as though the company they work doesn’t care about their wellbeing. 

Photo by Cadeau Maestro from Pexels

Have a look below at some of the ways you can provide the best working environment:

Hire A Team That Gels

As a business owner, you should be able to make decisions that are at times hard. However, you need to be able to make tough decisions and deliver bad news at times. When it comes to your team you have to understand that at some point you will need to look at your team and make changes. Don’t be afraid to get rid of bad employees. A good working environment typically starts with the people that you hire. You should try and make sure that your employees are professional and team players. The same should apply to anyone that already works in your office too, When employees work with bad employees they are more likely to become bad too. 

Provide Good Lighting

Providing the right lighting in the workplace plays an essential part in the performance and attitudes of your employees. It’s important that consider adding natural light into your workspace, not only does it improve the mood of your employees but it also helps their wellbeing, attitude, work performance and focus. It’s surprising to find that nearly fifty per cent of worker claim that they have no natural light provided. If you’re not able to provide natural lighting with windows then there are other options such as specialised light bulbs.

Provide A Comfortable Workspace

This doesn’t just mean thinking about providing a comfy chair for your employees it also means thinking about areas such as lighting. Working equipment, extra facilities, airconditioning such as MTA Australasia and many others. Something else that you ould consider is allowing your employees to choose where they would like to work including providing comfy seating areas, raisable desks and outside spaces. Trusting your employees to manage their own time adds an extra level of comfort and allowing them to customise their workspace makes them feel comfortable and relaxed. 

Encourage Communication

Communication is a powerful resource when used correctly. It’s important to focus on communication and consider it to be a priority for ay business. You should encourage open communication with anything and everything,you could even try having an open door policy where you show that you are open to communication at almost any time (of course, you will have times when you’re in meetings). Not only should you think closely about the communication methods used by yourself, your manager’s and supervisors but also the line of communication for your employees. You want them to feel as though they are able to share any problems without worry. 

These four areas should help you on your way to providing the best working environment for your employees. Do you have any others that you can share in the comments section below? 

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12 Tips for Job Hunters Over 50

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Originally Posted by Silvernest Team on Oct 14, 2017. This post was republished with permission from Salary.com

12-tips-job-hunters

The twelve tips outlined in this article will help you put the focus on your ability and attitude, not on your age.

How Older Workers Can Overcome Obstacles to Getting Hired

1. Avoid the Culture Clash

According to Scott Kane, founder of Gray Hair Management, LLC, an organization that specializes in helping senior professionals find jobs through coaching, mentoring, and networking, the issue isn’t age as much as it is culture. “Young human resources folks don’t feel that someone over 50 can mix with the current workforce,” he said. “When someone over 50 thinks like a 20-year-old, that is unusual.”

2. Dust Off Your Resume

Hiring managers should be impressed with your skills and competencies, not the fact that you graduated during the Eisenhower era.

It’s perfectly acceptable to eliminate experience more than 10 years old, as well as the dates you attended college. “Most employers are only interested in current skills and whether or not you have the necessary skills to get the job done,” said Renee Ward, founder of Seniors4Hire.org, an online career center for workers who are 50 and older. “Emphasize your skills, with tangible examples, and how these match the needs of the job.”

3. Network, Network, Network

Gone are the days when you searched the newspaper classifieds, submitted a few resumes, and let potential employers vie for your attention. Now it’s up to you to find creative ways to get the attention of employers.

Today, networking is one of the greatest skills a 50+ job seeker can develop. “There is nothing that replaces the value of face-to-face interaction,” said Tim Driver, founder of RetirementJobs.com, a career site and research organization for people over 50 that also identifies, then certifies, age-friendly companies. “Make a point to network with people who can provide referrals, so you can angle in to an employer from various perspectives.”

4. Nail the Interview

Many older workers have avoided regular interviews by being promoted up the ranks through the years, and are a little rusty when it comes to this important skill.

The interview is the place where you connect with the employer, sell yourself and show that you have the energy, passion, and excitement necessary to do the job. You’ll have to work a little harder than your younger competitors to show that you’ll fit in, so be sure to think carefully about how you want to be perceived. Then it’s all about practicing.

5. Make Age an Asset

Don’t focus on your age, but also don’t run from it.

Instead of thinking how you can defend your age, use concrete examples of your competencies and skills to show how you have a leg up on younger applicants. “In today’s job market, if you don’t meet 125% of the job qualifications chances are you won’t get the job,” Kane said. “This goes for everyone, not just the over 50 crowd.”

6. Show Them You’re a Team Player

A younger manager may have concerns about managing someone the age of their parent, or may feel that an older applicant won’t be able to relate or work with a younger team. “Older workers are sometimes viewed as stubborn, or set in their ways,” Driver said. “Organizations seek team players, regardless of age. Show you are a team player, won’t have a problem taking direction from or learning from younger colleagues, and have the energy, passion, and excitement to embrace the future.”

7. Show Off Your Tech Savvy

The ability to use technology is seen as one of the biggest differences between younger and older workers. “It’s a myth that older job seekers can’t—or won’t—keep up with changing technology,” Ward said.

Show potential employers that you can navigate technology with the best of them by carrying and using the right devices, having a presence on social media sites such as LinkedIn, and communicating via text and email.

8. Be Part of the Solution, Not the Problem

In the end, what does age have to do with it anyway? “The biggest problem for many candidates is that they have difficulty selling themselves as the solution to the problem,” Kane said. Do your homework by researching the organization and identifying the issues they face. Use your skills, experience, and knowledge to show how you hold the key to solving their particular problem, and your age will no longer be a factor.

9. Take Some Online Classes

Kill two birds with one stone. “Participating in online education demonstrates you are eager to learn new things and aren’t stuck in your ways, but also indicates that you are comfortable with technology,” Driver said. You can also gain valuable employment credibility by completing a degree program or earning a certificate in a relevant area.

10. Seek Out Age-Friendly Employers

Steer clear of organizations or industries that are known for having young workforces. According to Driver, one of the common threads among the age-friendly employers certified by RetirementJobs.com is that they face problems with turnover.

“Data shows that people who are older stay on the job three times as long as people who are younger,” he said. “If you can be smart about finding companies that are facing problems with turnover, you have a solution for those companies.”

11. Stay Positive

It’s tough for everyone out there, so don’t take it personally if your job search lags on for longer than you’d like. Getting grouchy will just promote the perception that you’re a “grumpy old person.” Stay positive, keep networking, focus on your skills and competencies, and sooner or later you’ll be identified as the best person for the job.

12. Hard Work Will Prevail

When it comes to looking for work, age and experience is often a double-edged sword. Older candidates often do have to work harder to overcome discrimination, but with the right strategy, age can be a non-factor.

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Soft vs. Hard Inquiries? What’s the Difference?

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Credit inquiries come in two flavors: soft and hard. Here’s how each kind affects you.

Inquiries, soft or hard, are authorized requests to see your credit report. But the similarities end there.

Soft Inquiries

A soft credit inquiry is sort of a more routine credit check that can be done without your permission. Examples include when:

  • A lender you currently do business with requests your report to make sure you’re still creditworthy
  • You check your own credit report

The key takeaway for soft inquiries is that they won’t affect your credit score because they’re not applications for credit.

Hard Inquiries

A hard inquiry happens when a potential lender requests your credit report to help evaluate whether to offer you credit. Examples include applying for a:

  • Mortgage
  • Car loan
  • Credit card

Why inquiries matter

Though soft inquiries will show up on your credit report, they will have no effect on your perceived creditworthiness. Hard inquiries, on the other hand may be factored into credit scoring models. Though hard inquiries are generally seen to have a negative effect on credit scores, the impact of each inquiry isn’t usually too big. However, too many hard inquiries on your credit report may drag your credit score down, especially over the shorter run.

Here’s the good news on hard inquiries: they’ll fall off of your credit report after 2 years. Also, if you make a certain amount of hard inquiries within a short period of time when you’re loan shopping for a single purchase (like a mortgage), credit scoring models will generally consider all those hard inquiries to be one inquiry – they don’t want to penalize you for shopping around for the best deal.

Bottom line, don’t worry about soft inquiries, but keep an eye on your hard inquiries.

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Simple Ways To Flex Your Eco Credentials

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As a regular consumer with a mortgage and pennies to save, it can be tough to think in an environmentally friendly way. We all know about Greta Thunberg, climate change and the importance of doing our bit to help safeguard the future of the planet, but it can be hard to pay enough attention to this aim when more pressing issues intrude on our every day life. Not everyone has the luxury of purchasing more expensive groceries from local producers such as fresh fruit and veg or meat, and many people don’t have the cash to purchase a hybrid car rather than relying on the old banger on our driveways. However, all is not lost. Take a look at these simple ways to flex your eco credentials.

Image credit Pixabay – CC0 Licence

Shopping

When you head to the supermarket, don’t feel guilty that you are lining the pockets of a corporate fat cat rather than the high street shopkeeper. High street shops can be expensive, so heading their regularly might not work for you. Supermarkets are great solutions as prices are kept low. Do your bit by buying loose fruit and vegetables rather than those items that are packaged in a ridiculous amount of polystyrene and plastic. If you are finding yourself down the toilet roll aisle, go for the recycled option. Down the bread aisle, choose the loaf that is wrapped in compostable packaging, rather than a single use plastic. When at the check out, whip out your reusable bag from an eco bag company. These are strong, durable and save you collecting an obscene amount of carrier bags at home.

You can also look at your own use of single use plastic. Rather than purchasing bottled water, get hold of a water filter to purify the water coming out of your tap. Bottled water is wasteful, whereas a filter, with replacement cartridges is much more efficient and will save you money. All the while, you get the water that you want.

Image credit Pixabay – CC0 Licence

Driving

If you can, take public transport to get to work, reach an appointment or to visit family. This is the best way to cut your carbon emissions. Alternatively, consider signing up for a local car sharing scheme. Just because you do a lot of motorway driving or have to head out to obscure places off the beaten track, doesn’t mean you need a car. Hiring a vehicle instead via a car sharing scheme can be more economical and better for the environment. You don’t have the stress or expense of maintenance, and you’ll always have the luxury of driving a new and modern vehicle.

Some car sharing schemes allow you to choose from electric powered stock, enabling you to be even more environmentally conscious when driving. Support these local initiatives and you can enliven your local economy as well as contribute to environment improving policies.

Being environmentally aware can appear tougher if you don’t have the cash to seemingly match. However, follow this guide and you can flex your eco credentials muscles successfully.

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How To Beat A Migraine

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Pixabay. CCO Licensed. 

Migraines are severe headaches that many people suffer from frequently. They can be triggered by all kinds of factors from stress to a break in routine and they can often be debilitating. Knowing how to beat a migraine can help you to get on with your day and not suffer as long. Here are just several popular ways of beating migraines.

Turn the lights off

Bright lights can often make migraines worse. Consider lying down in a dark room for an hour or two and see the effect it has. Wearing shades may also be able to help if you’re unable to lock yourself in a dark room.

Use the right painkillers

You can also use painkillers to fight a migraine, however you need to be careful of which painkillers you use. Certain painkillers such as aspirin and ibuprofen should never be mixed together and you should read instructions as to how often you can take painkillers. Never drink alcohol while taking painkillers as it can be deadly.

Drink some coffee

Weirdly, some people get migraines as a symptom of coffee withdrawal. If you catch the migraine early enough, drinking some coffee could be enough to stop it in its tracks. Obviously, this is not a long-term solution and you may want to consider slowly reducing your coffee intake. 

Use hot and cold treatments

The heat and the cold can both help to ease the pain of a migraine. In the case of heat, a hot bath could be a great form of pain relief – the hot bath water will stimulate nerve endings and could result in a pain-numbing endorphin rush. As for cold treatments, applying an icepack or bag frozen vegetables to your head for short periods could also work.

Consult a doctor

If you’ve got concerns about your migraine or need help getting to the cause, it could be worth possibly consulting a primary care doctor. Such doctors may be able to come out and meet you wherever you are. There are also medical phone lines that you can ring for advice if you don’t need a doctor to visit you.

Consider holistic therapy

There are lots of forms of holistic therapy that many people use for migraines. A massage you’re your local spa clinic could be one way of numbing the pain. You could also try looking into acupuncture, which involves using tiny needles in pressure points to relieve pain. On top of these forms of therapy, there are many herbal medicines and natural painkillers that you can try such as ginger. 

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5 Marketing Strategies That Are Now Outdated

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Marketing is constantly evolving. While there are plenty of new strategies coming in, there are also plenty of older strategies that are becoming obsolete as a result. Here are just a few once-popular strategies that are now outdated – and what you should be doing instead.

Brochures

Companies used to publish brochures and catalogues as informational guides to products and promotions. Nowadays, brochures are regarded as a waste of paper – especially given that they serve the exact same purpose as a website.

Instead of building a brochure, you’re better of putting your time and money into web design. You can update a website at any time, allowing you to constantly promote the most up-to-date information on your company. Apps can also serve a similar function to brochures and could also be worth looking into.

Printed newsletters

Many companies also used to print off newsletters as a way of keeping customers updated. Nowadays, this form of marketing is also dying out due to the convenience of emails.

Emails don’t cost anything to send and are instant. Because of these benefits, many companies are now trying to persuade customers to switch to email mailing lists. A bulk email messaging tool could be the one investment you want to make, making it easier to send masses of emails at once.

Phonebook advertising

It used to be a case that the only way to find the contact details of a company was to use a phonebook. That was until online search engines came along and practically killed off phonebooks.

Appearing on the first page of Google is the modern day equivalent of having pride of place in the phonebook. Boosting one’s rankings on search engines isn’t easy and generally requires investing in SEO services. You can also pay to create search engine ads so that you’re guaranteed to rank at the top until a certain amount people click on your ad.

Billboards

You’ll still find plenty of billboards around today. However, they’re not nearly as effective at building leads as they once were. Billboard advertising is expensive and nowadays fewer people are observant due to other distractions (namely mobile phones).

There are other forms of advertising that could have better results such as PPC advertising. Given that your average person stuck in traffic is also more likely to check their phone than spot a billboard, it could also be worth pouring that extra money into mobile advertising such as SMS advertising or app development.

Cold calling

Cold calling has never been a popular form of advertising among consumers, but it did used to be effective. These days, it’s much harder to call a stranger up and sell them something. There are now fewer landlines and more mobile phones, and you can view numbers on mobile phones before choosing to pick up. There are also stricter laws when it comes to obtaining data such as phone numbers make it more catered to existing customers.

Direct emailing could be a better alternative marketing strategy to cold calling. People find this less invasive, it’s less costly and it allows you to offer more information more quickly without being cut off. Research email sales tactics and try fine-tuning this strategy instead. 

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What do you need to know about the 3 credit bureaus?

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You may already know TransUnion, Experian and Equifax are the three national credit bureaus. Simple enough. But knowing more about what they do, what they don’t do and what you can do makes it easier to navigate the credit reporting system—which can save you time, money and aggravation. Here are 3 credit bureau facts you may not know, but should.

Fact 1: Each bureau produces its own report & score.
Each of the 3 credit bureaus produces their own, separate credit report and their own separate credit score. That means one bureau’s report or score may not look like another’s report or score, especially since some creditors may report information to one or more bureaus at different times.

Why it’s important:
To get a more complete picture of your credit, you should pay attention to your credit at all 3 bureaus. And that’s why, for example, TrueCredit offers credit monitoring for all 3 bureaus.

Fact 2: There’s no such thing as a legally required free annual credit score.
But many people think there is. You are legally entitled to a free annual credit report from each of the 3 credit bureaus. But none of them come with a score. That said, when you get your annual credit report from one of the bureaus, the bureau may show you a separate offer for your credit score. That score offer may be free or carry a fee. It’s up to the bureau, but just know they’re not required to offer you a free score.

Why it’s important:
There are many good reasons to know your credit score—it shows you where your credit stands at any one time and it’s a quick way to keep up with your credit health, among other benefits. Just know you’re not entitled to it free of charge at annualcreditreport.com. Whether you can get free scores somewhere else or how much you’d pay depends on the score, seller and a lot of other details.

Fact 3: Knowing which bureau(s) to contact depends on the kind of issue.
Before you contact a bureau, it’s a good idea to know which bureau or bureaus you need to reach. And that depends on what you want to do.

  • To dispute something on your credit report, contact the bureau that produced the report.
  • To place a fraud alert on your credit files, pick a bureau, any bureau. It doesn’t matter which, because each of the 3 is required to notify the others about your fraud alert.
  • To place a credit freeze (sometimes called a security freeze), you need to contact each of the 3 credit bureaus.

Why it’s important Knowing which bureaus to contact can save you time, which is nice if you have a little time to save. But it becomes critical knowledge when your credit may be at risk or when you think you may have become a fraud victim. It pays to know what to do when every second matters.

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Taking Your Solo Business Venture To The Next Level

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The business world itself can be a terrifying place, even for the most well-established companies. Having a business on your own can be even scarier. While it may be an unnerving notion, owning a business can also be far more beneficial when it is done solo.

Today we are going to look at some of the tools available for those solo entrepreneurs out there.

Image Credit – Pexels – CC0 Licence 

Go Virtual

If you control a solo business, one of the toughest things to convey is your ability to compete with the big boys and girls out there. Luckily enough, doing this is as simple as creating an illusion.

There are solutions out there now that can make your business appear far more substantial than it is. Taking advantage of something as simple as a virtual address can give you presence. There is nothing worse for a solo business venture than having a residential address shown on their business website. Taking advantage of a virtual address can not only place you anywhere you want to be in the world, but it can also offer you PO Box service.

Another solution that will marry up to your virtual address is the use of a VOIP. VOIP systems are essential in maintaining a sense of virtual growth for any business. Voice over IP lines can provide an area code for anywhere in the world you desire and have that number diverted to a cell phone. 

VOIP lines are controlled via an APP or a dashboard on your laptop. Having access to tools like this can set a solo venture up for success.

Keep Everything Secure

The one worry of most solo ventures are taking on too much. Obviously, for larger companies, managing large amounts of customer data are far easier than it is for a smaller business. 

Situations like this often put smaller businesses off taking on too much; after all, managing tons of data does present certain risks, these risks, however, can be managed. There are solutions like https://www.realitsolutions.com/services/data-backup-solutions/ that can offer a comprehensive service in keeping your data safe.

Also finding a solution when it comes to a CRM system will pay off massively moving forward. CRM systems are a great way of managing customers and their needs while you are out on the road.

Get Your Order Management Process Right

Something that often goes overlooked by solo businessmen and women is the importance of the order management process. This process is now and always will be the beating heart of your business.

The order management process is a staged design that should be carefully set out by you. The design should show everything from your client’s ordering to the moment the product or service is safely in the hands of the client.

Having this process mapped out is so vital as it offers a streamlining to your business and quite often offers automation solutions along the way. 

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Cutting Back On The Cost Of Driving

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There could be several reasons why you’d want to cut your driving costs. A change in circumstances could call for the need to budget, or you could be simply looking to free up your cash for something else. Whatever the reason, there are a lot of ways you can save money on driving.

Take a look at some of the following ways to cut back on the cost of driving to give your finances a boost.

Switch to a more affordable car

Car payments can really eat into your budget, so if you’re looking for a simple way to free up money each month, consider buying a cheaper car. While having an expensive car is great, if you only need a car to get you from A to B, then something more affordable can just as easily do the trick. Buying a used car is one easy way to reduce your car payments, so why not shop around to help you find a good deal?

Shop around for insurance

Besides the cost of the car itself, car insurance can be your next biggest outgoing. It’s important that you shop around for the best insurance deal each time your renewal is up – you never know what kind of deals you could get from a cheaper provider. You should read more about finding low-cost car insurance so that you can get a better deal. Many providers will even offer a no claims discount, so if you’re a good driver with no history of accidents, you could save even more!

Drive less

One easy way to cut down on the cost of driving is to drive less. By carpooling or taking other forms of transport, you could reduce your fuel costs easily. Walking or cycling are excellent ways to commute to work, and as they are free, you could easily find yourself saving some money each week. Save the car for when it’s raining or you’ve got a real need for it – you’ll be surprised at how easily you could get by without one.

Go green

More and more people are looking at ways they can go green to help the environment. By investing in an electric or hybrid car, you’ll be doing your bit for the environment while also going green. Electric vehicles can be great to drive, and if you live or work near the city, it’ll be easier to find a charging point. Take a look at all of the electric vehicles on the market in 2020 to help give you a clearer idea of what’s out there.
Cutting back on your driving costs can easily save you money each month. Whether you’re saving for something in particular, or you just want to cut back, then your car and driving habits should be one of the first places you look. If you’re serious about saving money, then making some lifestyle changes is necessary, so don’t see cutting back on your car as a bad thing, see it as a positive way to take care of your financial future.

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Hemp vs Marijuana: What’s the Difference?

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Originally posted on APRIL 2, 2019 in CBD EDUCATION, CBD NEWS

hemp vs marijuana

It seems like you see the letters CBD everywhere today. You almost forget that not long ago, CBD products weren’t legal in America. What makes CBD legal comes down to its plant source. Following the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp and marijuana are classified as two different substances under the Control Substance Act. That’s because the effects of hemp vs marijuana are very different. This contrast is thanks to how marijuana and hemp affect a network inside of our body, known as the endocannabinoid system. Let’s discuss the differences between hemp and marijuana.

Hemp vs Marijuana: A Difference in Genetics

While hemp and marijuana effects differ, the two plants are siblings from the same family. Marijuana and hemp are both species of the Cannabaceae genus. There are two predominant plants in the Cannabaceae family. They are Cannabis indica and Cannabis sativa.

Due to it’s sturdier frame and huskier exterior, present-day hemp evolved from Cannabis sativa. Their short and stocky frame cause hemp plants to grow closer together than marijuana plants do, maxing out around 4 inches apart.

Thanks to the hardiness of their fibrous stalks and close proximity to other plants, hemp can withstand many climates. The durability of hemp allows them to reach maturity within 108 to 120 days.

While hemp is just one species of the Cannabaceae genus, marijuana, on the other hand, can be cultivated as either Cannabis indica or Cannabis sativa. That’s where it’s pickiness stops.

To best grow marijuana, you’re going to need warmer climates and more space. These cannabis family members also like breathing room–upwards of six feet between plants! Hey, maybe space is a bit of a good thing. After all, marijuana matures quicker than hemp, as these plants are ready for harvest within 60 to 90 days.

Another glaring difference between hemp and marijuana? Hemp plants are male. Whereas, marijuana is female. Maybe that’s why they mature quicker than hemp plants!

Hemp Effects vs Marijuana Effects

One last difference in the hemp vs marijuana debate might just be the most important. It involves how compounds within these plants interact with our endocannabinoid system.

The endocannabinoid system relies on a series of receptors located throughout our body. These receptors regulate everything from our mental health to hormone production to appetite.

Research indicates hemp effects are very beneficial to the system. The plant is a complete protein containing all the essential amino acids. Hemp effects also include antioxidative and anti-inflammatory benefits. This wide range of qualities is why CBD oil is popping up in everything from beauty lines to supplements to skin care.

Additional research confirms many of the benefits of hemp effects can also be achieved to some degree by marijuana as well. However, there’s one significant difference between how hemp affects the endocannabinoid system vs how marijuana affects it. This primary contrast is that marijuana triggers a psychoactive effect on the endocannabinoid system.

While marijuana can create a euphoric feeling throughout the body, hemp doesn’t have the same effect on the endocannabinoid system. Farm Bill-compliant hemp can’t get you high. The reason for such a variance in cannabis experiences comes down to two molecules–CBD vs THC.

CBD vs THC

What gives plants their distinct attributes are the network of chemical compounds within their DNA. In the Cannabis sativa family, the significant differences between plants come down to plant-based compounds known as cannabinoids.

Cannabinoids are molecules formed within the oils of the cannabis plant. They are also behind the therapeutic benefits of cannabis.

As the prefix implies, cannabinoids are closely associated with the cannabis family. While other plants do have cannabinoids, none has an abundant supply as members of the Cannabaceae clan. Research indicates that the hemp plant has at least 113 cannabinoids known to humankind.

Think of cannabis plants like men and women. Both genders have estrogen and testosterone in their system. The difference in these levels is what causes one person to grow the characteristics of a male like facial hair or traits of a female such as the growth of breast tissue.

In hemp vs marijuana plants, instead of estrogen or testosterone, their molecular structure depends on the ratio of CBD vs THC.

What Causes Marijuana Effects?

Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol is the THC molecule that gives marijuana its psychoactive or intoxicating characteristics. The THC molecule binds on cannabinoid receptors, creating a euphoric-like feeling on the system.

Under the Farm Bill, hemp plants must have 0.3% THC or less. Due to its low concentration of THC, hemp effects are not psychoactive.  

What Causes Hemp Benefits and Effects?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is predominant in hemp plants and the primary reason for the effects felt from hemp. It works in unison with the other cannabinoids in hemp to help bring homeostasis (balance) to our system.

Unlike THC, the CBD molecule doesn’t bind onto many receptors. Instead, it stimulates stressed receptors, causing a calming-like effect on the body.

CBD can’t get you high. In fact, due to its molecular structure, CBD can even counteract unwanted marijuana effects.   

A History of Hemp CBD Benefits on Ancestors

Back before plants were classified by species and family, our ancestors learned about herbs through trial and error. They would use plants for sustenance and eventually, for medicinal purposes. One of the earliest texts known to humankind is a Hindu work known as The Vedas. This ancient record referenced cannabis as one of the Five Essential Plants.

ancient hemp history

When our ancestors migrated, they brought this versatile plant along with them. Chinese emperor Shen-Nung seeped the leaves in a tea to experience hemp effects such as pain relief. Egyptians used cannabis to treat sore eyes. Romans applied hemp extracts to heal sores on both humans and horses.

Our ancestors who went west took hemp along for the journey. As America started colonizing, parts of the country even valued hemp as an acceptable form of payment!

Cannabis was so commonplace that in the 1800s it was an ingredient in many over-the-counter medicines. The plant even landed itself on a list of medicinal herbs in the 1850 US Pharmacopeia.

In 1850, science hadn’t evolved to the point where scientists could differentiate between hemp and marijuana. Cannabis the species was classified like one plant, and this would come to be detrimental in the hemp vs marijuana battle.

Hemp vs Marijuana and Prohibition

In the early 1900s, America was cracking down on mind-altering substances. This change in philosophy caused the country to ban cannabis. During this time, nobody was able to differentiate between hemp and marijuana. They couldn’t figure out that one plant will cause the psychoactive side effects, while the other won’t. Since no one could distinguish between the two, the cannabis ban affected both plants.

With prohibition, companies removed cannabis as an active ingredient in their over-the-counter remedies. Consequently, the masses became deprived of the CBD benefits from ingesting hemp products.

Figuring Out the Difference Between Hemp and Marijuana

In the 1960s, scientists finally discovered the THC molecule. They realized this cannabinoid interacted with the body, fostering the high associated with marijuana effects.

Simultaneously, pharmaceutical companies started to grow. With the industrial revolution, companies began mass-producing medications in the same laboratories that were performing studies on these drugs. With our ever-growing reliance on pharmaceutical remedies, hemp-based care and studies seemed a thing of the past. Therefore, the need to distinguish between hemp and marijuana seemed unnecessary.   

While conventional drugs have a place in wellness, many come with a laundry list of side effects. Just watch one commercial and your head will be spinning. These unfavorable effects led many to look toward a more natural form of therapy that had our ancestors’ approval.

In 1996, medical cannabis became legal in California. However, the groundswell behind the hemp movement didn’t swing into full gear until 2012. This was a landmark year where numerous states voted in favor of medical cannabis. Even then, it wasn’t until 2014 the differences between hemp and marijuana were recognized legally. Still, the laws surrounding cannabis can be tricky and make knowing the difference between hemp and marijuana more crucial than ever.   

Hemp vs Marijuana and the Law

In 2018, Congress signed a new Farm Bill into law. A provision in this legislature saw the differences between hemp and marijuana finally recognized.

Farm Bill Opportunity swiss army knife

Photo Credit: USDA Website

The new Farm Bill reassigned the cultivation of hemp under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) instead of the Department of Justice. With this change of oversight, hemp became reclassified under the Controlled Substance Act.

During prohibition, the Controlled Substance Act classified both hemp and marijuana as cannabis. Unfortunately for those who wanted hemp CBD benefits, all species of cannabis were classified as a schedule 1 controlled substance. That categorization held hemp in the same regard as opioids and meth. It’s also a reason for the long-standing stigma surrounding cannabis products today.

Thanks to the new Farm Bill, which was signed with a hemp pen by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, hemp is currently a schedule 5 substance. While recognizing the differences between hemp and marijuana was vital for CBD legality, it doesn’t make all forms of CBD oil legal. Let’s take a look at the difference between hemp vs marijuana-derived CBD Oil.

What is the Difference Between Hemp and Marijuana Derived CBD Oil?  

CBD derived from hemp plants compliant with the Farm Bill is legal in all 50 states. That’s because these hemp plants have less than 0.3% THC in their genetic makeup. Therefore, companies can use these plants to extract CBD oil without worrying about creating a formula with psychoactive properties.

Almost one-fifth of the states in our country recognizes recreational marijuana. Based on the guidelines of those states, extracting CBD oil from marijuana plants is legal. Therefore, products in states where recreational marijuana is legal may have a higher concentration of THC than the 0.3% in government-mandated hemp. Consequently, these products may cause psychoactive side effects for the person who is using them. Furthermore, the products may become illegal when they cross state lines.

While hemp got a pass during the new Farm Bill, marijuana did not. If you are purchasing CBD oil in a state where recreational marijuana is legal, check out the label. Make sure the CBD oil comes from hemp instead of marijuana.

To further complicate the situation, states which recognize medical marijuana but not recreational, also allow the extraction of CBD oil from marijuana. Medical marijuana cardholders should always have their card inside their wallet, especially when they are traveling with CBD oil. That way, if you do purchase a product in compliance with your state’s medical marijuana program, you will be in accordance with local laws in neighboring states too.

Full Spectrum CBD Oil Benefits

You must be asking yourself, why bother making CBD oil with marijuana if the plant is illegal on a federal level? That’s because there are therapeutic benefits to the THC molecule. In fact, all 113 cannabinoids in the hemp plant (including THC) are rich in antioxidants, fatty acids, and other micronutrients. Though THC found in CBD products is below .3% and not nearly enough to get you high, having a small amount can still provide benefits.

hemp vs marijuana products

The primary objective of cannabinoids is homeostasis (balance). They enter the bloodstream in search of angst-ridden receptors throughout the endocannabinoid system. Based on the cannabinoids interaction with the stressed-out receptor, the balance gets restored throughout the network.

Cannabinoids love homeostasis so much they try to accomplish this task as efficiently as possible. Studies suggest cannabinoids have a beneficial effect on one another. Dubbed the entourage effect, cannabinoids exhibit a natural synergy. This unique interaction is what makes the benefits of CBD oil possible for millions.  

Not all CBD oil is created equally. To know you are getting all of the cannabinoids, make sure the label says words such as:

  • Full-Spectrum
  • Broad-Spectrum
  • Whole-Plant

These labels indicate all parts of the hemp plant including its leaves, stems, and seeds were used during the extraction process. This means the formula is enriched with a load of nutrients which subpar, fly by night companies may leave out.

How to Get CBD Oil without the THC Molecule   

There are many reasons for someone to be skeptical of purchasing a product with THC. For one, you may have a sensitive endocannabinoid system. Others may be afraid of unknowingly breaking the law. If this sounds like you, you can still experience the benefits of CBD oil.

At Made by Hemp, we produce phytocannabinoid rich hemp oil without any THC. While the THC molecule does exhibit therapeutic benefits, it is not necessarily needed in CBD products, though as highlighted above can prove beneficial. 

CBD products made with CBD isolate are THC free.

Hemp vs Marijuana Uses

With marijuana being abundant in THC, it is mostly used for its psychoactive properties and medicinal benefits. States with laws allowing for both recreational and medical marijuana have laws for when, where and how to use these products.

Hemp, on the other hand, has historically been used for more industrial purposes like clothing, biofuel, food products, paper, and more. With the recent rise in popularity as a supplement, CBD derived from hemp is making this plant popular again, and helping companies like ours to educate more people on the benefits of hemp vs marijuana as a supplement.

Conclusion

Now you know the difference, spread the word! Help others to understand this important concept about the difference between hemp and marijuana. There are many epidemics going on in the world today such as deforestation, sickness and disease, opioid addiction and more which more studies and research could provide insight into how the hemp plant and its constituents could prove important in these issues and more.

Contributed Post. Article originally posted on https://madebyhemp.com/

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