UK confectionery expert Andy Baxendale has been recruited to develop and launch a range of sweets containing cannabis-derivative CBD oil for national supplier The CBD Works.
The artisan, hand-made sweets have been launched to trade buyers this week and are also available for consumers to buy direct.
What is CBD oil?
CBD is a phytocannabinoid derived from marijuana and hemp plants.
It is non-psychoactive, meaning that it does not cause the 'high' associated with imbibing cannabis, as it does not include the chemical compound called THC – or tetrahydrocannabinol.
CBD is purported to ease pain and manage anxiety, although there is little scientific research to support this.
Baxendale said: “CBD oil is legal in the UK, provided it has been derived from an industrial hemp strain that is EU-approved and follows FSA guidelines.
“With CBD's growing market, it was only a matter of time before people saw the benefits of infusing it into a lozenge-type sweet to make it easy to ingest.”
According to its website, The CBD Works strives to offer ‘the consumer the best, safest and quality assured CBD Oil products from all over the world and sells a range of products, including CBD oil with MCT (coconut oil), turmeric and other superfoods / botanicals’.
Known throughout the industry as ‘The Sweet Consultant’, Baxendale has 24 years’ experience in the confectionery business and a Master of Science (MSc) in Advanced Food Manufacture.
The former product development manager for Chewits, a respected national consultant in every aspect of confectionery production, Baxendale has extensive knowledge of regulation and legislation in the industry, advising companies on everything from recipes to staff training and enhanced production techniques.
He is currently working to set up a National Academy of sweets to teach a new generation the art of confectionery production and development.
Vegan Vicky's CBD Winter Nips are one of the new lines created by Baxendale. They are infused with CBD oil, which is reputed to have anti-inflammatory, pain-reducing, and calming effects - but does not contain Tetra Hydro Cannabinol (THC), which is the part of marijuana that gets you high.
Each pack of 40g contains 25mg of CBD, which is around the recommended daily allowance.
“Vegan Vicky's CBD Winter Nips are a high-boiled herbal-flavoured candy with full spectrum raw CBD oil, ” said Baxendale.
