The Cannavist Issue Four | Page 6

LETTER editor from the As we reflect on the last 12-months, its clear to see this year has truly been the year of CBD. We began in January with what was a period of discontent for many in the medical cannabis community. While CBD was the new year ‘It’ product, the legalisation of medical cannabis in the UK by former Home Secretary Sajid Javid proved not to be the success many had anticipated. Campaigns and lobbying ensued, with many families cast in despair and doctors perplexed at a time which is usually full of hope for a new year, a new chapter. Merely a month into the year and the European Food Safety Authority announced it would look at restricting CBD infused food products under the Novel Food regulations, blurring the lines of an already greyed area. Fast forward to the summer months and the landscape had thankfully changed for the better. The first annual Europe CBD Expo took place in July which attracted visitors from all over the world. London became a CBD pop-up shop haven and names you will find in this magazine made it into high street retailers. Sadly, the black market sale of vape products (believed to be THC oils) in the US has tainted cannabinoid vaping on both sides of the Atlantic in recent months. As consumers, we all have a right to know what we are buying. Do your research on the product you are using. If you take CBD, no matter the delivery method, ensure it is a verifiable product from a legitimate retailer and that the product has undergone third party analysis by a reputable lab. It’s been a year of highs and lows, but the community and industry have shown signs that 2020 will be the year to remember. Watch this space. On behalf of the team, I wish you all a wonderful end to the year, and a prosperous 2020. The Editor Róisín Delaney Assistant Editor Gordon Stribling Journalist Lucy MacKinnon Head of Design Hayley Parker Lead Graphic Designer Victoria Smith Junior Graphic Designer Ayaz Arshad Junior Graphic Designer Aaron Rana Creative Director James Parnell Graphic Designer Connor Dimberline Junior Graphic Designer Lewis Eyre Design Support Lucy Booth Marketing Manager Katie Loomes Senior Web Developer Aadil Popat Marketing Executive Carrie Strouther Photographer Josh Tysoe Events & PR Manager Zeahna Young External Reviewer Lisa Blake Finance Director Joanne Stubley Accountant Kris Worton Finance Executive Anna Difusco Finance Executive Mollie Smith General Manager Abida Razaque Sales Supervisor Steve Culf Sales Executive Baz Bassra Sales Executive Ali Shah Sales Executive Tom Slack Sales Executive Den Adams Sales Executive Jason Bacon Director Pom Kaila Director David Turner Managing Director Paul Caplin This publication and the products shown herein are intended for an 18+ audience. The comments and opinions given by contributors to this publication are not the views of the editor or magazine, unless otherwise stated. The products featured in this magazine are not sponsored, were included at the decision of the editor / publisher and were not seen or altered by the suppliers in any way prior to publication. While every effort is made to respect editorial and advertising standards, The Cannavist cannot accept liability for issues raised or comments made by those featured in this magazine. Should you have a query about the content in this publication, email the editor: [email protected]