There’s been a buzz lately around CBD (Cannabidiol, derived from the flowers and leaves of the hemp plant) and its purported health benefits. Did you know it’s available in Hong Kong?
KAMA is a new HK-based company offering CBD products that are completely legal, and won’t give you any “high” associated with cannabis. We speak with Kate and Matt, who started the company after their own positive experience with CBD.
How did KAMA start?
We gave CBD a go ourselves and noticed some incredible benefits. These included getting a solid night’s sleep without feeling groggy in the morning, being more positive and less anxious, with less pain and a far better focus during the day; a clarity of sorts.
We thought, why aren’t more people taking CBD? We then decided to create our own brand in Hong Kong – known to be a very stressful city – where it could help with depression and anxiety without the negative side effects from pharmaceutical medicine.
Give us an overview of CBD: How long has it been around?
A very long time! The use of cannabis-derived medicine is attributed to an early Chinese emperor, to help with memory loss and malaria; and it’s believed that Queen Victoria may have used it to ease menstrual cramps.
However, modern-day CBD started gaining more traction in the 1980s, specifically with a study that focused on epilepsy sufferers; 50 percent of the sufferers stopped having seizures. Then came the discovery of the Endocannabinoid system (ECS) in our own bodies; this is important as the ECS responds to other cannabinoids like CBD. The stigma associated with CBD has been fading since then, and interest in its therapeutic properties has grown.
What ailments can it help?
People use CBD for a vast range of reasons – too many to list. Research points to its efficacy helping with pain and inflammation, sleep disorders like insomnia, and anxiety and depression.
However, it’s used by some to assist with arthritis, cognitive decline, epilepsy and other serious conditions. More research is needed, but the large amount of anecdotal evidence suggests that CBD can help in some way.
What form does it come in, and how do you use it?
CBD can come in a wide variety of forms. We have tinctures (oil-based droppers), dropped under the tongue, chewable gummies, and capsules which are swallowed with a sip of water. We also have a face cream with a whopping 1,000mg of CBD; it’s applied by massaging gently onto the face and neck. We’ve had customers use our products in baked goods, and even in cocktails featured in a prominent bar in Hong Kong.
Is it becoming more popular – both in general and in Hong Kong?
Hong Kong is seeing an increase in CBD popularity, though there is still some misunderstanding surrounding it. The biggest questions we get are, “Is it illegal in Hong Kong?” and “Will it get me high?” The answer is “no” to both! It has no psychoactive properties and is completely legal in Hong Kong.
People in Hong Kong are becoming more conscious of wellness and positively supporting their bodies and minds. For this reason, more people are turning towards CBD to support their wellbeing.
What does KAMA do differently to other providers?
We felt the market here had a relatively small range of CBD strength, usually on the lower side. We cater for newbies and those who are more experienced by offering lower and higher strength products. Affordability is our other feature. It’s important to note the amount of CBD you’re getting in a product; we felt that value for money wasn’t there in Hong Kong.
The quality of the product is paramount, too. The plants are grown in Scandinavia with no GMOs in a clean environment with real sunlight, fresh air and pristine Nordic water. They’re then created in the US under GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices), with rigorous third-party testing. Everything is organically grown and cruelty free, and we also have products that are vegan, kosher and gluten-free.
The product is also said to benefit pets in various ways; tell us a bit about that.
CBD for pets can reduce inflammation, anxiety, pain and hyperactivity. We have tasty dog treats, and also pet oil that can be dropped into your pet’s ear, onto their favourite snack or straight into their mouths. It’s great for joint and mobility issues, and really helps pets feel more calm and secure.
Speaking of pets, who’s the little guy on your logo?
That’s KAMA the chameleon! The name is an acronym of our own names, but it was also a play on the word “calmer”, which is how we felt after taking CBD – and what we hope others will feel, too. It also fit with our ethos; we saw the chameleon and its ability to change colour as similar to what we wanted our customers to do: change their colours to become better versions of themselves.
What’s your own background; how long have you been in Hong Kong?
We have a long history with Hong Kong, having both moved here when we were kids; our families have been here for over 30 years. We’ve lived in multiple countries over the years but Hong Kong is in our blood. It draws us back in!
More information
Follow KAMA on Instagram or Facebook (@kamacbdhk) for news and offers. There’s currently 20% off for all EL readers and subscribers! Just enter the code “EXPATLIVING20” when buying from the website. Same-day delivery is available, along with free delivery to Sai Ying Pun, Sheung Wan, Kennedy Town/Western and also Mid-Levels.
See more in our Living in Hong Kong section!
