Jelly beans make people happy, right? Well, that might get stepped up another notch. The inventor of Jelly Belly candies, who now owns a company called Spectrum Confections, is adding a little somethin-somethin to his newest line of jelly beans: CBD oil.
Increasingly popular for its reported health effects, CBD oil (officially called "Cannabidiol") is a natural remedy used for many common ailments. It's one of the 104 chemical compounds derived from the cannabis plant, aka marijuana. CBD oil is made by extracting CBD from the cannabis plant, then diluting it with a carrier oil like coconut or hemp seed oil.
Most people know of the mind-altering effects of cannabis, which is caused by Tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as THC. That's what produces the "high," and CBD does not have this effect. It does, however, offer relief from pain and other symptoms for many. It's starting to show up in a lot of things... and now that includes jelly beans.
David Klein, the man who invented the Jelly Belly brand in 1976, did an initial release of CBD-infused jelly beans under the Spectrum Confections product line - and quickly sold out. He talked with Cannabis Aficionado about them:
“The jelly bean is perfect for the proper dosage [of CBD],” Klein said, "We are putting 10 ml in each. If people want a small dose, they eat one. If they want 20 ml, they can eat two,” and so on. “They can decide what their proper dosage is.”
CBD-infused jelly beans will come in 38 different flavors, including toasted marshmallow, strawberry cheesecake, cinnamon, spicy licorice and mango. The jelly beans also come in sugar-free and sour varieties.
The health benefits of CBD oil are still being researched, but numerous examples from pain relief to potential heart health, diabetes prevention, and more. Here's an example of the benefits being touted. We'll look for them soon - hey, they're worth a try!