Carl’s Jr. is testing out a cannabis burger to stay at the forefront of the CBD trend. The chain said on Wednesday that it will sell the Rocky Mountain High: CheeseBurger Delight burger at one location in Denver, Colorado for just one day (April 20th, of course). The burger features a sauce infused with CBD, or cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive hemp derivative. Though the promotion is limited, it’s not a stunt. "It is something that feels right for the brand," she told CNN Business. Food, beverage and other consumer goods companies have been trying to figure out how to capitalize on growing interest in ingredients like CBD. Consumers are increasingly seeking products that offer an extra something, like increased energy or better gut health. CBD may fit the bill: Some studies suggest the CBD can help treat inflammation, pain, anxiety and seizures. Carl’s Jr. isn’t promoting any possible functional benefits of CBD, Trevino said. Carl’s Jr. is hoping to please their customers, whom Trevino said tend to be interested in new trends.

It’s also chasing "future Carl’s Jr. customers that are younger," said Trevino. "They are more open to different flavors of products," as well as benefits trendy ingredients may offer. The chain first decided to explore CBD in January, after introducing a product based on another trend. Earlier this year, the chain announced a plant-based alternative to its signature burger in partnership with Beyond Meat. "I was sitting down with our head chef Owen Klein, and we were talking about trends," Trevino said. After the Beyond Meat launch, they came up with a wish list that included a CBD product. Related article Suddenly, CBD is everywhere. CBD is an attractive new ingredient for companies, but they have to act carefully because regulation around use of the ingredient is ill-defined. Hemp was legalized nationally last year as part of the Farm Bill, but the Food & Drug Administration still hasn’t decided how to regulate CBD products. In a March interview with Brookings Institution, former FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb said it could take several years before the agency fully legalizes CBD for use in food products and dietary supplements. Starting small, in a market where cannabis regulation is "really strong," will allow Carl’s Jr. to figure out how to move forward. Testing CBD could give the company an edge over competitors, because most of its locations are in Western states, where recreational cannabis is legal. Because Carl’s Jr. decided to test in just one location on one day, it was able to bring a product to customers very quickly. The chain partnered with Bluebird Botanicals, a Colorado-based company that sells CBD oil and capsules, for the test.

CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) are the two major compounds found in the cannabis plant. Each has unique properties, potential health benefits, and side effects. The following article covers CBD and THC, their effects, their legal status, and their safety considerations. CBD and THC are known as cannabinoids. They have very similar chemical structures and activate the same receptors within the body’s endocannabinoid system. Despite their similarity in structure, CBD and THC exert entirely different effects. The most significant difference between these two compounds is that THC is psychoactive. This means it can affect how the brain works. THC activates the body’s "reward" pathways to produce the "high" that’s associated with marijuana use. It does this by activating a cannabinoid receptor called CB1. When THC activates this type of receptor, things like movement, body temperature, and brain function are affected. In contrast, CBD is not considered psychoactive. It does not cause euphoria or a "high," even at large doses.

Much of the research on CBD and THC is preclinical, meaning it’s been studied in animal models. Large-scale human trials are necessary to determine if CBD or THC can help treat most of these conditions. Though it does act on cannabinoid receptors, CBD mainly affects other receptors, including serotonin receptors. It may help counteract some of the negative effects of THC, including serious side effects like psychosis. CBD has many purported therapeutic properties. Pain. Overall, Nature’s Garden CBD Gummies there isn’t enough evidence that CBD by itself helps with pain. Some research has shown that high doses can improve neuropathy (nerve pain), NaturesGardenCBD.com though more data is necessary. Anxiety. So far, the results are mixed. Some studies show that CBD can improve symptoms of social anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), while others show no effect. Seizures. Epidiolex, a purified CBD oil, is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for some hard-to-treat types of childhood epilepsy.

Brain protection. Animal studies have shown that CBD may have benefits for those who have Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease, but human clinical trials are necessary to verify these effects. Effects on animals may or may not translate into benefits for humans. THC is the psychoactive ingredient from the marijuana plant. The possession and use of marijuana and THC-containing products are not legal in all U.S. THC is effective for increasing appetite and for nausea and vomiting related to cancer chemotherapy. Pain. Prescription THC products have been shown to improve neuropathy and quality of life. Spasticity (muscle tightness). Sativex (nabiximols), a mouth spray that combines THC and CBD, is approved for spasticity in Europe. PTSD. A very small trial found that Cesamet reduced nightmares in 10 military personnel with PTSD. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Smoking THC was found to improve symptoms of IBS, but benefits may be only short-lived. People who used THC long-term were learn more likely to ultimately require surgery for IBS.