What does chocolate have to do with CBD oil? As it turns out, a whole lot.
Jewel Zimmer, founder of Juna, started her CBD journey with chocolate. Her company, {cocoa}, focuses on pure ingredients, fine craftsmanship, and sustainable practices (which has carried over to her line of CBD oils.)
RELATED: The Best CBD Chocolate For Menstrual Cramps And Chocolate Cravings
The chocolate gained an international following, and have been sold in high-end stores like Barneys New York and Neiman Marcus.
So, how did Jewel make the jump from chocolate to CBD?
“When crafting the chocolates, we worked with a chemist to extract natural mood enhancers from the ingredients, and put them back in to the finished product. I didn’t realize at the time, but those mood enhancers were actually a type of naturally occurring cannabinoid.”
As her chocolates became popular, Jewel, who lives in California, was approached by multiple local cannabis companies.
RELATED: The Best CBD Tea For Self-Care Sundays
“These companies wanted to collaborate, asking me to make edibles using their cannabis. After five years of saying no, I was finally convinced, and began an emotional journey discovering just how healing the plant is.”
For Jewel, using fresh ingredients that are ethically sourced is key whether making chocolates or CBD. It took her a year to source her cannabis for Juna as she carefully considered each farm.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BrRYPd3hpVW/
“You can’t make the best product without the right source.”
The best product is exactly what Jewel is striving for. She believes that in today’s climate, people need quality CBD products more than ever.
“With everything going on environmentally, technologically, and politically we’re in sensory overload. Today, there’s more stress, sickness, and anxiety than ever.”
RELATED: New Survey Explains Why CBD And Sex Are The Perfect Match
https://www.instagram.com/p/BquwsqRBZpt/
While Jewel felt strongly about the healing benefits of CBD, she was concerned about how quickly it would catch on with consumers. However, she was pleasantly surprised by how receptive people were to her products.
What surprised her even more were the cannabis farmers she’s worked with.
“The beauty and sophistication of the farms was one of the most surprising things about this industry. These farmers have degrees in agriculture and their permaculture techniques are just incredible.”
According to Jewel, Juna is all about wellness and creating balance to be healthier and happier. The mission of the company fits perfectly with the culture of legalization that she has witnessed.
RELATED: Best CBD Massage Oil For A Super Soothing Self-Massage
https://www.instagram.com/p/BmjlwB9l3ku/
“Long-time cannabis advocates and newcomers are coming together in a way that doesn’t feel angry or political. Everyone is showing up at city hall and getting regulations changed in a civil and collective way.”
And, when it comes to women in particular, Jewel has noticed a lot of camaraderie.
“It’s kind of unspoken among the women in the industry, but females seem to be sticking together and lifting each other up, which is great to see.”
Now that the laws have changed to favor CBD use, Jewel plans on expanding her CBD products into beauty and wellness.
RELATED: 20 Unique CBD Gifts We Discovered On Instagram – For The 2018 Holidays
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bjnayh8Bnsa/
In the future, she hopes to launch cannabis chocolates and introduce more people to the microdosing conversation.
Juna cannabis collection of THC and CBD is sold in California only. Juna hemp CBD is sold nation wide and available from the website directly. Keep an eye on their site as new products in the health and wellness realm may pop up soon!