Meet Chad Jantzi, Pharm D., who recently toured our Farmulated CBD facilities in Waterford, PA. Chad is a Corry, PA native and a current pharmacist at Your Hometown Pharmacy in Erie, PA. We will be discussing his opinions about the CBD industry in an ongoing blog series, "Chat with Chad."
Can you tell us a little more about your background?
I began my undergraduate studies at Grove City College but transferred midway through my second year to Clarion University where I earned my degree in business management. With my business degree in hand, I began my post-college career in sales. First, with McInnes Steel Company covering the Southeast Territory for several years and finishing as a pharmaceutical representative with Shire Pharmaceuticals.
I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent in the business sector but ultimately felt something was missing. It was at that time Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) announced they were starting a pharmacy program and accepting applications for their first class. I jumped at the chance to further my education. In the Summer of 2005, I earned my Doctor of Pharmacy degree. I have worked at several different retail pharmacies through the years but have been at Your Hometown Pharmacy in Erie, PA since 2013.
What were your initial thoughts when CBD entered the industry?
When I first heard about CBD and the various CBD products entering the market, I had mixed feelings. On one hand, I was hopeful that CBD would prove to be beneficial – to live up to the claims many were making about its therapeutic potential. But I have been in the industry long enough to witness countless pharmaceutical “wonder drugs,” with all their promise, hype, and declaration come and go. People get excited, and for good reason, when something new is marketed to the masses – especially if this product claims to cure or even alleviate an ailment or disease state they suffer from. A new sense of hope surfaces. Initially, due to excitement and expectation, there is self-persuasion that recovery and relief is taking place but over time a realization that any recognizable improvement has not been achieved.
After learning more about CBD, have your feelings shifted?
Well, I am pleased to announce after learning more about CBD and hearing testimony after testimony from first-hand accounts, CBD use is demonstrating promise on a variety of health fronts. Much research still needs to be done but patients are getting results. That brings me JOY!
Do you think the negative connotations surrounding cannabis are still deterrents to CBD use?
Absolutely. There are some people who hear CBD and the first things they think of are the apparent dangers they were warned about concerning drug use. But time, education, and testimonials continue to shrink this population.
Do you believe most consumers understand the difference between marijuana and hemp?
I believe not only consumers but also most health professionals do not understand the difference between marijuana and hemp. The best place to start is to understand that the plant Cannabis sativa has two primary species – the marijuana plant and the hemp plant. Both contain hundreds of chemical compounds but there are two critical components they share – CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol). The hemp plant contains high CBD and very low (less than 0.3%) THC levels. The marijuana plant is just the opposite – high THC and lower CBD levels. CBD is the non-psychoactive portion of the plant, meaning you will not receive the “high” people associate with marijuana use. In contrast, it imparts a feeling of relaxation and calm. THC, on the other hand, does produce the classic “high” or euphoria associated with marijuana.
What were your thoughts when touring Farmulated CBD’s facilities and learning more about its products?
I was honestly very impressed with everything about Farmulated! With any organization, you must start with the people or team making it up, and ownership has done an amazing job in finding the right employees.
Thanks, Chad! We'll talk to you soon.
