Fairfield County, as hip and forward as it is, is all too weary of the fast trends of the last few years. From the multipurpose cauliflower to the gotta-have-’em Fila sneakers, trends come on quick and die hard. One trend that shows no signs of stopping is CBD products for health. New England Hemp Farm, a Connecticut-based CBD business, trusts the upswing in demand for it as a health supplement will continue and is making sure that the benefits are available for the long haul with its new retail space in town.
“In the age of opioids and over- prescription, we think CBD is an effective, all-natural way to deal with aches and pains,” says Brian Edmonds, cofounder with Keith Bunovsky. They founded the business after Brian suggested Keith try CBD lotion to soothe joint pain. It worked. This, along with their agriculture experience, inspired them to explore natural pain relief as a business opportunity. So, they learned all they could about hemp, how to create products with very minimal THC (the psychoactive component in hemp) and how to create a product line that works.
As a result, their brand includes tinctures, edibles, topicals and even pet products. “New England Hemp Farms products are made of the highest-quality ingredients available and are always third party, independently tested for potency and purity,” says Brian. “Our tinctures can be taken internally, which help provide a sense of calm, while our roll-ons and creams help with sore muscles and aches and pains.”
Westport store manager Colin Bannon—a 2013 Staples High School graduate—saw the benefits of hemp firsthand after suffering from back and shoulder issues. After traditional forms of rehab didn’t work, he turned to CBD products and found immediate relief. He says operating the new retail space in his hometown is an opportunity for him to give back and advocate for high-quality products. “Before becoming a daily user of CBD, I had to be extremely cautious of my body. Whether it was working out, going for a run, or even falling asleep at night, my body was constantly in pain,” he says. “For about a year now, I have been using CBD every day, and it has changed my life. Working for New England Hemp Farm has made me realize how many people could actually benefit from CBD, no matter the severity of the condition.”
Stop by 136 Main St., Westport, or roadtrip to headquarters at 13 Fort Hill Rd., Groton; also newenglandhempfarm.com.