Local Restaurateur Opens CBD Oil Store in Oxford

By Talbert Toole
Lifestyles Editor
talbert.toole@hottytoddy.com

Antonio (Tony) Barragan decided to open Hempville CBD after realizing the healing properties the plant-based oils have for illnesses and injuries. Photo by Talbert Toole.

Oxford can expect to see its very own brick-and-mortar CBD oil store open close to the Valentine’s Day holiday. Bim Bam Burgers owner Antonio (Tony) Barragan has taken a different direction in entrepreneurship with the launch of Hempville CBD Oils—an alternative and holistic health service. The location is sandwiched between Great American Cookie and Francesca’s on Jackson Ave. 

Barragan visited a friend in Chicago about six months ago who had been injured from being hit by a vehicle. He said his friend refused to use opioids for her spinal pain. Instead, she experimented with CBD oil to prevent the pain until her spinal surgery.

Sparking his interest, Barragan began to indulge in research regarding the plant-based oils. As someone who considers himself anti-opioid, CBD seemed to be a better alternative for some of his own personal injuries like arthritis.

“I refused to take any opioids, seeing what it has done to some of my family members,” Barragan said.

Returning home from his trip, Barragan spent several hours conducting research into CBD oils. He said not only did he learn the positives the oils have for physical illnesses, but he also learned the positives that CBD can have for mental disorders such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.

In addition to human consumption of CBD, Barragan said he also educated himself on pet consumption. Pets who suffer from joint pain, anxiety due to weather circumstances, and seizures, to name a few, have also had positive enhancements from the oil, he said.

After conducting extensive research into the product, Barragan was notified of a CBD exposition in Florida. He immediately booked a flight and hotel to attend the event that had a lineup of CBD experts.

Two weeks before the expo, event organizers announced there would be a 16-hour certification course on CBD. Barragan knew this was his opportunity to become even more knowledgable on a product that would soon turn into a new business back in his hometown of Oxford.

“I was like, ‘Wow, I have to do this,'” Barragan said.

During the expo and certification course, Barragan was able to meet with a diverse group of CBD specialists including doctors and parents whose children used CBD oils to treat an array of diagnoses.

Now with a certification to hang on his wall and knowledge to educate others, Barragan is well on his way to open his own CBD store this month.

“It all started with this young lady in Chicago,” he said.

The Difference Between Hemp and Marijuana

Although some might confuse the difference between hemp, the plant that makes CBD, and marijuana, there is a big difference in the chemical make-up.

The two exclusively derive from the same biological family—Cannabis sativa—and look identical; however, the biggest difference between the plants is the Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) levels, according to Medium.com.

Hemp contains a very low concentration of THC—a psychoactive property—at 0.3 percent or less while marijuana contains a much higher percentage.

While marijuana has been deemed as a drug used solely for recreational and medicinal purposes, hemp has been grown primarily for industrial purposes that include building materials, biofuel, food products, and now THC-free CBD products.

Although each state has varying laws regarding the usage, sale, transportation and cultivation of Hemp, Mississippi does, in fact, have a law that was passed in 2014 making the possession of CBD products legal on a very limited circumstance.

The law requires products to have more than 15 percent CBD in each product and less than 0.5 percent THC; however, it must be overseen by a or under the supervision of a licensed physician. 

For more information on Hemp Ville CBD, visit their website.