Cannabis-infused hand sanitizer? Are you for real?
In March 2020, amid the global outbreak of COVID-19, Heylo introduced HIGHgiene to the world through cannabis retailers in Washington State. This cannabis-infused hand sanitizer contains over 100mg of cannabinoids, dozens of terpenes, a 2:1 ratio of THC to CBD and an organic alcohol and aloe base.
If you're generally skeptical like the Heylo Team, your first inclination may be to dismiss such a product as capitalizing on a trend. Before you do so, consider the science behind why a hand sanitizer infused with cannabis actually makes sense for human health.
Sometimes when you combine two good things you get an undesirable result. Orange juice and brushing your teeth, for instance. No, thank you!
But there are also instances when combining two things yields a sum that is greater than the parts. This is the idea behind synergy - that the combined force of two functions is even greater as a single force. This concept holds true for cannabis’ Entourage Effect, and it may also be the driving force behind the benefits of cannabis-infused hand sanitizer.
Terpenes are aromatic compounds that affect not only the aroma but also the experience and medicinal potential of cannabis. Two common terpenes in cannabis, limonene and beta-pinene, have been studied for antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in vitro.
The base of HIGHgiene is similar to the hand sanitizer you would find at your neighborhood store - a minimum of 65% organic ethanol with aloe - to disinfect and provide healing relief to the hands. What makes HIGHgiene different is the introduction of cannabinoids and terpenes from cannabis.
Per 2 fluid ounce bottle:
HIGHgiene doesn’t just hold the protective potential from a broad spectrum of cannabis compounds - it is also produced in a manner that is environmentally-friendly and sustainable. Heylo has operated a zero-waste cannabis lab in SODO, Washington since we launched in 2017. During our RawX process, fractions of cannabis oil undergo a wax-removal process which includes winterization, filtration, and distillation. Organic ethanol that is reclaimed during the filtration process is typically re-used in our facility to clean surfaces and maintain a hygienic environment. We now use this ethanol as part of the base in HIGHgiene. It’s a win-win-win for consumers, for Heylo, and for the Earth.
While Heylo is proud to introduce HIGHgiene to the world, we aren’t creating a new product line for the quick buck. There is a global shortage of hand sanitizer in the world and it doesn’t sit right with us to cash in on a global crisis where we have the means to help deliver safety.
Unfortunately, our options are limited by rules enforced by the Liquor and Cannabis Board of Washington State. Heylo is prohibited by law to sell any products below the cost of production. In addition, retailers are required to impose a 47% tax on the sale of all cannabis products. Despite these challenges, the cannabis hand sanitizer will be sold on the market for less than $9 - reflecting near-zero margins for Heylo. Some retail partners will take similar steps reducing their margins on sales of this product to allow for greater accessibility. We are grateful to these partners.
HIGHgiene will be made available in Heylo’s premiere partner cannabis retailers beginning March 20, 2020. A list of those partners will be made available below:
