WADING RIVER, NY — If you're hankering for edibles, gummies or oils, the search is over: A new CBD store is opening soon in Wading River.

The first retail location of Noid Botanicals, a CBD and hemp wellness store, will have its grand opening on Saturday, Dec. 14 at The Shoppes at East Wind. Founder Christian Vergara said the new CBD store is "focused on safety, quality, and community."

According to Harvard Health Publishing, CBD stands for cannabidiol. "It is the second most prevalent of the active ingredients of cannabis (marijuana). While CBD is an essential component of medical marijuana, it is derived directly from the hemp plant, which is a cousin of the marijuana plant." And, "while CBD is a component of marijuana (one of hundreds), by itself it does not cause a 'high,'" the post said. Harvard Health also pointed to a report by the the World Health Organization that said: "In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential...To date, there is no evidence of public health related problems associated with the use of pure CBD."

Vergara said CBD has numerous health benefits, including stress relief, supports restful sleep, and helps to foster joint and muscle health. While many CBD companies seek to create their own products, touting their effectiveness and quality, Noid seeks to be the source to verify those claims, Vergara said. The "Noid Botanicals" logo, he said, won't be found on any products in-store. Instead, the company aims to perform the necessary research and vetting to find the highest-quality CBD around, partnering with only those who take their product and its safety seriously, he said.

"We're not here to sell you on a magic pill. We only hope to make it easier for customers to discern the good, the bad, and the ugly, in terms of CBD," Vergara said.

Vergara added that he created the company out of his own personal success with CBD and a passion to share it with others. "It's not something to take for granted. We must hold companies accountable and ensure that the products contain everything they should — and nothing they shouldn't," he said.

Currently, Vergara said, CBD is "largely unregulated as the FDA has struggled to form guidelines for this emerging industry." Although the United States Department of Agriculture does regulate hemp grown in the United States under state-mandated pilot programs, "the products being sold aren't always what they seem," Vergara said. "Due to CBD being considered a 'dietary supplement', labeling and claims made can often be misleading. Sometimes, companies use CBD extract sourced from outside the US, which can contain harmful chemicals, pesticides, and microbial growth. Another common issue is ensuring the amount of CBD claimed is actually being delivered in the end product," he said.