Milford woman sells hemp oil products

Some of the hemp-oil products sold on Caseys Edibles, an online health and wellness store started by Milford resident Sallie Gawron. Some of the hemp-oil products sold on Caseys Edibles, an online health and wellness store started by Milford resident Sallie Gawron. Photo: Contributed Photo Photo: Contributed Photo Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Milford woman sells hemp oil products 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

MILFORD -- Sallie Gawron didn't know much about medical marijuana until she saw the effect it had on a stranger.

"The guy was only maybe in his 40s and he could hardly move," she said. "He was walking with a cane and you could see the pain in his face. Then he takes out a medical marijuana joint."

After some time had passed since the man lit up, he began to have more control over his limbs, although he still moved slowly, Gawron said. "I was amazed," she said. "Something just clicked with me."

The experience led the Milford resident to begin researching the medical marijuana industry. "I said I have to find legal products that can help people," Gawron said.

Her research led her to hemp-based products. Last year, Gawron started Caseys Edibles, an online health and wellness store. She sells products like body lotions, shampoos, lip balms and edibles like chocolates, cooking oils and protein mixes.

Hemp is a low-grade version of marijuana. It is distinguished from the drug by its lower levels of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the main chemical that creates the marijuana high.

Although it is legal to sell hemp-based products in Connecticut, it is not legal to grow the plant.

"Hemp is like one of the most misunderstood plants," Gawron said. "Hemp has been around for hundreds of years."

Last year, the Legislature passed a law that required the state Department of Agriculture, state Department of Consumer Protection and state Department of Economic and Community Development to study the possibility of legalizing industrial hemp in the state.

In their report, the departments state it is "unlikely that hemp would become a major industry in the state." But the departments recommended that if the state moved forward with the decriminalization of industrial hemp, it should align its laws with the federal Agriculture Act of 2014. That law allows an institution of higher education or state department of agriculture to cultivate industrial hemp for research purposes.

It sets a limit for the tetrahydrocannabinol present in the hemp.

In recent years, many have come forward claiming hemp oil has medical benefits, as well. Gawron said she has only read stories about the oil helping people with illnesses.

However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in February sent some scathing letters to manufacturers of hemp oil products that claim on their websites and marketing materials that it has a medicinal effect. In some cases, the companies even lied about the presence of cannabidiol, or CBD, a cannabis compound, in products.

"It is important to note that these products are not approved by FDA for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of any disease, and often they do not even contain the ingredients found on the label," the FDA stated on its website. "Consumers should beware purchasing and using any such products."

Gawron said she swears by the effectiveness of many of her products.

She said she has seen a baby product help a mother heal her child's diaper rash and the pet spray has taken away her pooch's itch. She especially stands by her body lotions, body washes and shampoos.

"I've got the smoothest skin I've ever seen," she said.

For more information, visit caseys-edibles.com.

ktorres@ctpost.com, 203-330-6321, http://twitter.com/ktorresbpt