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Goodrays is a brand new cannabis brand shaking up the UK CBD offering. Having recently launched the UK’s first 30mg all-natural CBD seltzer, Goodrays is fully sustainable, transparent in its supply chain, and all-natural. We chatted to co-founder Eoin Keenan about the brand, perceptions surrounding CBD and the growing seltzer market:

Tell us about Goodrays?

Goodrays is a premium cannabis drinks brand delivering all the de-stressing benefits of CBD, to adventurous and health-conscious consumers. We’re defining a new category of relaxation beverages with one of the world’s oldest and most misunderstood plants.

Cannabis is not the dirty word it used to be. Its natural, non-intoxicating compound CBD offers legitimate functional benefits and exciting social experiences for consumers who are looking to relax and unwind. 

Our CBD seltzers contain a higher dosage of CBD, than any others in the UK, designed so that you can feel the all-natural wellness benefits to help relax and unwind. And each can also contains a daily dose of vitamin D (the sunshine vitamin!), with sustainably sourced ingredients, only 33 calories and are suitable for vegans too.

Can you explain what CBD is and if it gets you high?

CBD is short for Cannabididiol – which is one of over 120 cannabinoids that the cannabis sativa L. plant creates. CBD is the non-intoxicating component of the plant and differs from  THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) in that it is non-intoxicating and won’t get you high. While the high people experience from THC is what cannabis is known for, CBD offers a wide range of useful health and wellness properties such as anti-anxiety, anti-inflammatory, anti-pain, anti-arthritic, and neuroprotective effects.

What are Cannabinoids?

Within the cannabis plant, there are over 120 chemical compounds known as cannabinoids. These special compounds can produce effects on one of the human body’s complex regulatory systems – the endocannabinoid system. The system helps to regulate the chemical and hormonal functions of the body and keep it in homeostasis (balance).

Is CBD legal?

Yes. CBD is legal in the UK, the EU and the majority of North and Latin America but some regulations may vary from country to country. Our CBD is sourced sustainably, rigorously tested, guaranteed zero THC and fully compliant with all local regulations.

What inspired you to launch a cannabis brand?

I’ve been a plant advocate since I studied drug policy as part of my Undergraduate degree. I had an interest for many years but really learnt about the cannabis industry when I went to work  in Canada and California. While there I got a greater understanding for why this incredible plant is so useful to us in so many different ways, no other plant provides the three products of food, fibre and medicine. But what really stuck with me were the genuine health benefits available to us all from this incredible and sustainable plant.

It was fascinating to spend time learning about the legitimization of Cannabis, especially in California, and gave me great insight into all elements of the business from product development to the supply chain, distribution and beyond.

I then went on to be part of Prohibition Partners, which is now Europe’s biggest CBD advisory service, where we formed Cannabis Europa, a platform to bring together leaders from the international cannabis industry to enact change in Europe – working with activists, politicians, and regulators.

After a time, I recognised that my passion was to work more in bringing about real change on a consumer level and to help make the cannabis plant more mainstream – to help change perceptions, improve education, and reduce the stigma.

Here in the UK we’re now in a place where regulated quality CBD products – following a wave of innovation with support from the FSA – can offer a genuine and credible choice for consumers. And that’s what Goodrays is all about, we want to unlock nature’s best kept secret to share the all-natural wellness benefits of CBD.

Do you think CBD is a trend or here for the long term?

It’s certainly more than a trend and interest continues to grow – right now there seems to be a real groundswell of activity as understanding and awareness builds. It’s an exciting time and the opportunity to build a completely new category of relaxation drinks doesn’t come round that often.

I think the pandemic has also had an impact, with people reviewing their lifestyle and the health and wellness choices they make every day – simple things such as moderating alcohol and caffeine intake and seeking alternatives, without compromising on flavour or experience.

Over the last decade I have witnessed a real shift in terms of the perception around cannabis and the wellness benefits CBD can offer. 

The cannabis plant dates back thousands of years, having been used as medicine and a fibre, and is one of the world’s most misunderstood super plants. It’s only now that we’re really getting to understand its properties and the opportunities it can enable us, on a legitimised scale.

Athletes, artists, musicians, and entrepreneurs have used cannabis and CBD to fuel creativity, accelerate recovery, aid sleep and relieve anxiety for centuries – so we know it’s stood the test of time, but we agree now certainly feels like the start of an exciting new chapter.

What is next for Goodrays?

We believe the future of wellness and relaxation will be defined by an ingredient that has been used to de-stress, fuel creativity, accelerate recovery, aid sleep and relieve anxiety for centuries – Cannabis Sativa L.

We want to create genuine products that are effective, functional, and uncompromised. And we’ve got a great line of new products in development so will be making some big announcements in the coming months!

To find out more take a look through the Goodrays journal and social media feeds, which are full of information about CBD, cannabis/hemp and daily inspiration for living a healthier, happier and more sustainable life.