CBD store comes to Northland

STERLING – The Northland Mall has a new tenant, and it’s a business that’s booming, thanks to a recent change in federal law.

Your CBD Store, a cannabidiol – or CBD – products franchise had a soft opening Saturday in the space last occupied by Didoughs Twisted Pretzel Co.

A new farm bill signed into law in December included the reclassification of hemp from a controlled substance to an agricultural product. Hemp that is harvested for CBD is used therapeutically for a variety of medical conditions. Proponents claim it is a natural anti-inflammatory that can relieve chronic pain and help fight everything from arthritis to anxiety.

The business is owned by Michael Cook, of Morrison, and his brother-in-law, Dustin Delpivo, of Peru. They also own a Your CBD Store in Peru – Cook runs the Sterling business while Delpivo is in charge of operations at the Peru site, which opened March 2.

They plan to open a third store soon in Rockford.

The language legalizing the cultivation and sale of industrial hemp defines it as cannabis that contains less than 0.3 percent tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the chemical responsible for most of marijuana’s psychological effects.

“There’s a misconception that this is pot-related, but it’s hemp-derived, and it won’t get you high,” Cook said.

The franchise puts a big emphasis on education, he said. The store is set up like a bar, where customers can grab a stool and sample the products. A big difference in the product line is how it’s delivered, which will go a long way in determining how quickly it works.

“There is a cream that people say starts to work in 10 to 15 minutes,” Cook said. “The vaping products can work instantly, and the oils might take an hour or hour and a half. Some peak in a few days, but everyone metabolizes differently.”

Products also come in the form of edibles, gel caps, coffees and teas. In addition to pain relief, there are body lotions and other beauty products. Some are made especially for pets.

“We have pet treats that can be used for things like inflammation, anxiety or itching from allergies,” Cook said.

Your CBD Stores now has about 300 sites nationwide. It’s founder, Rachael Quinn, started the franchise after the success she had using hemp-derived products to fight her Crohn’s disease. Her husband, Marcus Quinn, is CEO of SUNMED, the manufacturer of the stores’ products.

CBD products can be found in many health and nutrition stores, pharmacies, or even gas stations, but because it is an unregulated industry, it’s buyer beware for consumers, Cook said.

“A lot of stuff isn’t what it says it is, so you have to be cautious where you’re buying it,” Cook said. “Many manufacturers use alcohol-based solvents, but we force cold air through it, which makes for better quality.”

Your CBD Store offers a third-party analysis of products throughout the growth and manufacturing process. A bar code can even be scanned on phones to produce a certificate of analysis.

More information

Your CBD Store, which sells hemp-derived products for therapeutic use, is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at Northland Mall, 2900 E. Lincolnway in Sterling.

It's a franchise; find Your CBD Store on Facebook for more information about the company and its products.