By Taylor Boyd
Patrick County’s newest business, The Green Leaf, located on Main Street in Stuart, is meeting a growing demand for all-natural hemp, CBD (Cannabidiol), delta-8 THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) products, CBD oils, and marijuana growing supplies.
Ken Moorefield, owner, decided to open his business about six months ago because he believes in the medicinal benefits of his products.
“It’s a niche that will help people,” he said, adding he chose to base his store in Stuart because there “was nothing else here for the medicinal side.”
The store held a grand opening on June 30, but was open earlier in June, according to Moorefield.
While this is his first store, he said he has ample experience in working with CBD products gleaned by working closely with his parents at their store in Collinsville – Simply Hemp.
“So, we’re kind of sister companies,” he said.
Because CBD has not been approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), Moorefield said he cannot tell people that his products are going to help with their medical issues, but he added “there are studies that show the benefits as far as just normal aches and pains, arthritis, seizures, and anti-cancer properties.”
Research also has shown that CBD products help with anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain, and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
In addition to selling products for people, he also carries supplies for pets, since CBD products have the same benefits for animals as they do for humans.
For example, Moorefield brought up his seizure-prone rescue Labrador, Sadie.
“We started utilizing CBD, and now for six months, she hasn’t had the first seizure. And it’s calmed her down quite a bit as well because she was kind of hyper,” he said.
Informational pamphlets on animal dosages based on size and weight are available in the store. The pet supplies are available in CBD oil drops and chewable products.
For first time users, Moorefield noted it can take a few days for the products to take effect. He also said people should research the products they are interested in to fully understand what they will be buying. “Or, you can even come in and talk to us. We’d be more than happy to walk you through the benefits and basically the medicinal side of CBD,” he added.
Moorefield said a lot of people are excited to grow their own plants, according to Moorefield, who added that the growing tents and lights can be used for more than growing marijuana.
“I have a tent and grow lights at home that I use for the microgreens. I also use it for tomatoes and cucumbers to get all of my seeds started. So, it’s a great tool for that as well,” he said.
Moorefield is currently unsure if he will expand into the dispensary side of marijuana in the future.
Current products include lotions, muscle rubs, bath bombs, body soap, oils, and more.
“We also have the Brother’s Apothecary, which is a lot of the herbal teas that do have CBD in it, but it has a lot of the other natural, native plants like wild lettuce in it,” Moorefield said.
For more information, visit the store’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/TheGreenLeaf, or go to www.thegreanleafva.com.
