OUR CBD STORY

Our Personal CBD Story

boys and their dog

Our CBD story starts like a lot of CBD stories at a point in time. Ours started in January 2009, at age 3, Colten had his first tonic-clonic seizure while on the stairs with his brother, Gunner (6), and our Great Dane pup, Angus.

Hearing the fall followed by Gunner’s yell, running in, and seeing Colten… No. Words. Can. Describe. We aren’t the first parents to see something like this, and sadly won’t we be the last. But needless to say, this scared everyone. Bill went into rescue mode doing all the things one shouldn’t do with someone mid-seizure. I called 911 and freaked out on the operator. Understandably, Gunner ran and hid. (Poor guy.) We weren’t prepared for that day. Thankfully, the EMTs were. Excellent is a word I often use to describe them, and it doesn’t do them justice.

At the hospital, we answer all the doctor’s questions except one. Did the seizure cause the fall, or did the fall cause the seizure? Until that moment, we hadn’t given it any thought. In our minds, the fall caused the seizure. What do you mean? Are you saying this could happen again?

It did. Several times. And it seemed that each additional seizure bred three more. Soon he was up to hundreds of attacks a day, from Myoclonic, Absence, Clonic, Tonic, Atonic to Generalized Tonic-Clonic. Frightened. That’s what we were.

We had no idea what was causing the seizures. Tests were inconclusive. We watched as everyday activities, things we took for granted, became an issue or cause for concern. His head falls into his cereal bowl and drops mid-stride. Losing muscle control and grip on whatever he was holding. Things like these happened often but were minimal compared to the long Tonic-Clonic episodes.

We learned about our “new” son and epilepsy with every new seizure and Dr. appointment. And sadly, we know treating epilepsy can be a dangerous game.

Rarely do doctors find the right prescription immediately to stop seizures. It’s usually a guessing game, starting at the top of a list and working its way down. Sadly, every drug on that list has harmful side effects, which get worse the further you go.

While searching for his diagnosis, they finally settled on Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy. I’m 99% sure it was reached by your standard pasta check. (You know, throwing ideas against the wall and seeing what sticks) Anyway, they started Colten on Keppra.

colten polyniak eeg at 3

“Keppra – It’s the best seizure medicine for kids!”

said Dr. #1, known for his propensity to be negative and wrong

In full disclosure, at the time I’m writing this, it has now been seven years,maybe longer not with this updated version of our CBD success story,  and I am not sure that the above was his exact quote. However, I remember being sold because it was a miracle worker for kids with epilepsy. Maybe it was/ is… Just not for our kid. It did nothing to stop the onslaught of seizure activity. However, it completely changed his personality and started his cognitive delays.

As part of our CBD story, we used to try and find humor in the situation and call him the Incredible Hulk. We joked about having a t-shirt made for him that stated, “It’s because I’m medicated.” (Seriously. I wanted that shirt in every color and bet other parents do too!) But honestly, the rage with his daily dose of Keppra was awful.

Since it did nothing to control the seizure activity, they added Depakote to the mix. When new meds are added, we watch for unknown side effects, as every parent does. We saw weight gain, hair loss, drowsiness, and cognitive delay. We soon found out it was what we COULDN’T see that was the bigger problem.

Blood tests showed dangerously low platelet levels, and we were told he was within hours of organ failure. Dr.’s immediately stopped all meds and prescribed Lorazepam. We were at our wit’s end. How can a medication that is supposed to help our child be this harmful? Is this list of medicines all that is available to us?

As Dr. worked to find the proper medication, we worked to find alternative treatments – essential oils, ketogenic diet, and nothing was off the table. Our Dr. (at the time) didn’t seem hopeful. He told us that he didn’t believe Colten would improve. He said he’d regress and depend on us for the most basic of needs.

“Prepare a room for him long term. He’ll never leave your house, and you will bury him someday.”
said the same negative Dr. #1

We immediately changed Dr.’s. We weren’t starting this path with a defeatist attitude, and we didn’t need it from our Dr.

Flash forward new doctor, hours of visits, EEGs, MRIs, and nights in the hospital, and they finally found a medication that his body would tolerate while containing seizure activity. Praise God! Not to say it didn’t come with its fair share of side effects, like the inability to regulate body temperature, tingling extremities, trouble concentrating, and attitude (nothing like Keppra rage, though!) But in the grand scheme, it was a blessing—a relief. While the dark circles under his eyes, lack of smiles and laughter (seriously, coaches and teachers called him “smiley” because he NEVER smiled due to the meds), was not what we had dreamed of for our son, the fact that he was not seizing at that time was a dream come true. Prayers answered.

This time of seizure reprieve allowed us to focus. We researched as much as we could on epilepsy. I joined forums. We were engaged with other parents in similar situations. This is where we learned about the benefits of cannabis for epilepsy.

A photo of Colten Polyniak, age 9, receiving a follow up EEG. Colten was diagnosed with idiopathic generalized epilepsy at the age of 3.

I remember late-night conversations with Bill. If available, would we give Colten cannabis? We struggled with the stigma. (Please keep this in mind. We were very “green” (pun intended – haha) on the topic. During subsequent research, we would learn and soon educate others on the differences between the plant varieties. High CBD strains, i.e., hemp, is where it’s at… Hemp Helps.

That was our message. Every time the topic came up, we met with Legislators and advocated for the legalization of hemp; we focused on the benefits seen/proven through CBD treatment. HEMP treatment. Testimonials from parents across the country shouting the positive effects of CBD treatment, not only for epilepsy but for various other conditions, can be easily found. It wasn’t easy for us to continue to give Colten medication that dimmed his personality that made it difficult for him to participate in activities with his friends. All the while knowing full well there was something else out there. Something that other parents had the opportunity to give their children that we couldn’t.

We were hopeful when reading their success stories but felt helpless daily because it wasn’t available in Kentucky. We wouldn’t give up.

A young boy standing in a field of hemp plants, his arm around one of the plants.

Eventually (years later), it was like a Perfect Storm. Passionate Parents are hoping to improve their son’s quality of life + a State historically known for hemp cultivation is looking to grow again, + Kentucky Legislators are fighting to deregulate a harmless, therapeutic, industry-building plant. Times were changing in Kentucky and for Colten. Thankfully so. Now, we are cultivating and producing high-quality CBD oil, not only for Colten (now seizure, pharmaceutical & side-effect accessible) but also for many others that need the relief that CBD oil can provide.

CBD Epilepsy Success Stories: A Journey from Despair to Hope

How one family’s quest to find relief from epilepsy turned into an inspiring CBD success story.

The Onset: Discovering the Harsh Reality of Epilepsy

On a typical day in January 2009, the mundane turned into a nightmare as young Colten, at the tender age of three, endured his first tonic-clonic seizure. The haunting recollection of that day—Colten’s fall, the alarmed cry of his older brother, Gunner, and the desperate dash to the hospital—remains indelibly imprinted in the family’s heart. Many parents have faced the agony of witnessing their child’s initial seizure, yet no amount of shared empathy can truly encapsulate the raw, heart-wrenching emotions experienced in that singular, fearful moment. Yet, amidst the daunting medical journey that awaited, this photograph of Colten, with his whimsical rock star face during his inaugural EEG session, stands as a poignant reminder of the boundless resilience and humor that emanates from the heart of a child, even when encroached by life-altering adversities.

Discovering Relief: CBD for Seizures – Explore the potential of CBD in managing and alleviating seizure symptoms through Bluegrass Hemp Oil’s comprehensive guide

Joyful Colten Polyniak smiling during his first EEG session, displaying a beacon of hope amidst a challenging journey post a grand mal seizure.
Young girl diagnosed with Benign Rolandic Epilepsy.

The Search for a Solution: The Medication Roller Coaster

Epilepsy is a complex condition that goes far beyond the seizures themselves. The aftermath of seizures, the side effects of medication, and the constant vigilance required to manage the condition can be overwhelming. As parents of a child with epilepsy, we embarked on the often heart-wrenching journey of finding the right medication. From Keppra, which caused our sweet boy to experience uncharacteristic rage, to Depakote, which caused alarming physical symptoms, the road was far from smooth. It got real rocky, the doctor started prescribing multipule medacations, ( Is’s called polypharmacy, and it’s dangrous! ).  Soon the mixture of pharmacuticals had Colten hours away from complete organ failure one day. 

Finding Hope in the Midst of Despair: The CBD Discovery

In our desperate search for ways to improve Colten’s quality of life, we discovered the wonders of CBD. Many parents shared their positive experiences with CBD, praising its benefits for epilepsy and other conditions. However, at the time, it was nearly impossible to find a reliable source of high-quality CBD. Our excitement was momentarily dashed when we learned that CBD was not available in Kentucky, but a fortuitous turn of events was about to make the impossible possible.

Unveiling Excellence: BHO Extraction Superiority – Dive into the meticulous process of BHO extraction and understand its superiority in preserving the purity and potency of CBD.

 CBD-rich resin grown and extracted by Kentucky Cannabis Company, used to make cannabidiol oil.
A young boy standing in a field of hemp plants, his arm around one of the plants.

The Turnaround: Kentucky's Green Revolution and Our Family’s CBD Success Story

Our quest for an alternative to traditional epilepsy medications led us to advocate for the legalization of hemp in Kentucky. As the state’s laws began to change, we found not only relief for our son Colten, but also an opportunity to become pioneers in the CBD industry. In 2014, we launched the Kentucky Cannabis Company, followed by the Bluegrass Hemp Oil retail store. Today, we are proud to be leaders in this growing sector, helping others find the same relief that Colten has experienced.

A Ray of Hope: CBD for Epilepsy – Read more into how CBD emerges as a beacon of hope in the quest for effective epilepsy management, through the insightful resources provided by Bluegrass Hemp Oil..

Our Commitment: Ensuring Quality and Trust

Our Family's Hemp Farm Produces the Best Full-Spectrum CBD Oil on the Market

Our family’s journey to the CBD industry began with a personal mission: to help our son Colten, who was suffering from severe epilepsy. Traditional medications weren’t working, but CBD made a life-changing difference.

Today, we are proud to own and operate a vertically-integrated, family-owned hemp farm in Mercer County, Kentucky. We grow and harvest our own hemp to produce the highest quality full-spectrum CBD oil on the market.

Our full-spectrum CBD oil is made from the bloom of the hemp plant, which means it contains all of the beneficial cannabinoids and terpenes that work together to create the entourage effect. This effect is what makes our CBD oil so effective for a wide range of conditions, including epilepsy, pain, anxiety, and sleep problems.

We are committed to providing our customers with the purest and most effective CBD oil possible. That’s why we test our products at every stage of the production process, from seed to shelf. We also offer a satisfaction guarantee, so you can be sure that you are getting the highest quality CBD oil available.

Side view of the green Kentucky Cannabis Company building with bold white letters, housing the Bluegrass Hemp Oil CBD store.
Award logos from Readers Choice awards Bluegrass Hemp oil has won as best CBD Company

A Legacy of Firsts

Our CBD story has many milestones. We take pride in being the first to cultivate high CBD hemp, produce CBD products, and open an exclusive CBD retail store in Kentucky. We’re not just sharing our CBD success story; we’re crafting a legacy.

As Kentucky’s first CBD company, we have a legacy of innovation and impact. We were pioneers in the industry, planting the first seeds of high CBD hemp cultivation in the state. We also produced the first CBD products in Kentucky and opened the first exclusive CBD retail store.

We are more than just a successful CBD company. We are crafting a legacy of helping people find relief and well-being through the power of CBD.

We are proud of our many milestones, including:

  • Being the first to cultivate high CBD hemp in Kentucky
  • Producing the first CBD products in Kentucky
  • Opening the first exclusive CBD retail store in Kentucky
  • Helping thousands of people find relief from a wide range of conditions, including epilepsy, pain, anxiety, and sleep problems

We are committed to providing our customers with the highest quality CBD products on the market. We source our hemp from sustainable farms in Kentucky and use state-of-the-art extraction and manufacturing processes to produce CBD products that are pure, potent, and effective.

From Despair to Hope: Our Family's Mission to Educate, Advocate, and Provide Trustworthy CBD Solutions

Our family’s journey from despair to hope inspired us to turn our ordeal into a beacon for others. We know what it’s like to search for relief and to feel lost and alone. That’s why we’re on a mission to educate, advocate, and ensure that everyone has access to trustworthy CBD solutions.

We’re more than just a CBD company. We’re a family of passionate advocates who believe in the power of CBD to help people find relief and live better lives. That’s why we offer a wide range of high-quality CBD products and educational resources. We also work tirelessly to advocate for the CBD industry and to ensure that everyone has access to safe and effective CBD products.

We believe that everyone deserves to know the truth about CBD. That’s why we’re committed to providing our customers with accurate and up-to-date information about CBD research, benefits, and safety. We also offer a satisfaction guarantee on all of our products, so you can be confident that you’re getting the best possible CBD experience.

We’re proud of the work we do, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to help people find relief and live better lives through the power of CBD. If you’re looking for trustworthy CBD solutions, we invite you to join our family.

Visit our website today to learn more about our CBD products.

Golden hour at the Kentucky Cannabis Company family farm in Mercer County, Kentucky. A field of CBD hemp stretches to the horizon, bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun.

Founded in 2014 for family, by family,  Kentucky Cannabis Company and Bluegrass Hemp oil our CBD Store retail store and website) have successfully continued to operate today as a vertically-integrated, family-owned business, focused on bettering the hemp industry so all consumers can purchase products they can trust.

Our CBD story as turned into a company of firsts. As well as providing us with many CBD stoies now from our Genesis Blend CBD oil users from all over the world. Back to our CBD story, we are the first to plant hemp in the Kentucky soil since its prohibition. The first to cultivate for high CBD hemp the first to produce CBD products in the commonwealth, the first to open an exclusive CBD retail store, Bluegrass Hemp Oil, in Kentucky and United States. You can trust our commentment to making the best full spectrum hemp CBD oil.