TROY — After countless emergency room visits and medical appointments, Troy resident Allison Joseph believed her struggle with chronic pain would be lifelong and irremediable.
That is until she said she was introduced to CBD or cannabidiol, an extract of the cannabis plant said to reduce pain, calm anxiety, aid sleep and provide relief for inflammation, nausea and other ailments.
Now, the 53-year-old is the proud owner of Nature Vibez Wellness, which opened in downtown Troy earlier this month. The small business sells cannabinoid hemp products in a variety of forms to promote health and wellness.
Years ago, when Joseph, riddled with medical issues, was recommended to try CBD to help manage her pain, she said her immediate reaction was fear.
“Coming from the background that I’m coming from, it still had that stigma that’s connected to cannabis,” said Joseph, who was born in Guyana before moving to Troy at the age of 18. “I’ve been so conditioned since childhood against cannabis that it scared me so much, even though I knew there were health benefits I was just too afraid.”
After researching the chemical found in marijuana and learning that it doesn’t elicit a high, Joseph said she became less fearful and decided to try it. “It’s been life-changing,” she said, adding that the drug has helped her walk better, reduced her trips to the doctor and…
