Paul Benhaim is a global hemp entrepreneur who has been at the fore-front of the industry for decades. Elixinol, a company that he founded is one of the premiere global hemp companies.
Paul Benhain's passion for hemp was inspired by many experiences in his youth, having traveled to many pristine places in the world and seeing first-hand how our modern use of waste (such as plastics) were doing harm to our natural environment.
His hemp career began in 1993 in the UK when he created a nutritional bar made with hemp. This led him to found the industry-leading brand Hemp Foods Australia, which continues to introduce the highest quality of hemp food products available. Paul has pioneered the development of many other products made from hemp and has shared many of his findings in 6 books.
Paul speaks to Joy Beckerman about Elixinol, a Colorado based company that he founded. He discusses theirs products, their global expansion and their transition into other hemp verticals.
https://podconx.com/guests/paul-benhaim
Dan Humiston: [00:00:07] Welcome to another episode of Hemp Barons. I'm Dan Humiston. And on today's show, we have a true international Hemp Barons who had a remarkable Hemp career even before launching his Colorado based CBD company. But since its launch a little over five years ago, his company has exploded and is now doing business all over the world. And it's expanding into other Hemp verticals, including Hemp Foods. Let's join Joy's conversation with Paul Benham from Alexandre.
Joy Beckerman: [00:00:46] Well, hello, Paul. Ben, and thank you so much for being with us on Hemp Barons today.
Paul Benhaim: [00:00:51] Good day, Joy
Joy Beckerman: [00:00:53] I have been an admirer of yours for years. I think over a decade now. And in the interest of full disclosure, I'm also blessed that I get to be on your staff, on the regulatory officer and industry liaison for Alex and all arguably the fifth largest Hemp extract company in the world. And you are one of its founders. Paul, I started paying attention to Alex now as soon as it was first into the world, because it is your baby and we are in over 40 countries right now. All of these products. Can you tell us a little bit about what made you get into Hemp extract after being involved in Hemp for almost a quarter of a century or so?
Paul Benhaim: [00:01:38] first of all, it it's a pleasure to have you as part of the team and the growing team, Joy, as we expand to do what I've wanted to do and what I have done and continue to do. And we'll continue to do for many years, which is to help as many people as possible. A variance, the benefits of Hemp in cannabinoid products in the best possible way. So, you know, we are doing that. And that has been, as you mentioned, mainly through Hemp fruits for me most of my career, though, I've worked with them. Hemp Plastics. I've written books on Hemp building and supported many others in their own businesses. And it wasn't until maybe about five years ago when I recognized that the cannabinoid content and particularly the non psychoactive . the stuff that doesn't get you high I low THC content, full spectrum cannabinoids were becoming more popular. And that happened with obviously Sanjay Gupta in the US originally. And I recognized that it was possible to extract those cannabinoids, those quality cannabinoids from high quality, organically grown Hemp, which I started in Europe five years ago and started to take that over to the U.S.
Paul Benhaim: [00:03:11] based in Australia. I realized that that wasn't sustainable for me to work in three continents at the early stage. So my work in more than that. And and I met Gabriel Edmondson, who has ended up being a co-founder of Alex Noble joint after only a few months of me working in the US with those extracts and has helped build Alex. To what it is today an end? It is because of the high quality cannabinoids that we recognize that we could produce and the fact that we were seeing people doing it in my carriage. And I guess in ways that weren't, in our opinion, sustainable or high quality possible for something that is ultimately for some medicine, for others a dietary supplement or daily use product. But in whatever way, they were too often consuming these products. And I wanted to make sure that what people consumed was of the highest grade possible. So that's what we do. We focus on global. I'm sorry. Just go ahead. We've become global innovative experts in the science based premium cannabinoid concentrates and all things Hemp.
Joy Beckerman: [00:04:42] And I think that's it's such a great Segway and what I what I almost interrupted you there to say is purity, potency and transparency, purity, potency and transparency. This is what Alex novel is offering a global consumers who are looking for the delivery of this general wellness property that we are discovering and learning so very much about. And beyond that is the technology, the various delivery systems and other technologies that are lifting all has to offer better. So unique. And could you tell us a little bit about what those technologies are, what makes them different and why they're important? Why does Alex and I'll have so many different delivery systems? I know why. But I'd love to love to hear your your explanation to the audience.
Paul Benhaim: [00:05:35] so many people have heard of CBD or Cannabis dial now. And that's, I think many people.
Paul Benhaim: [00:05:44] They may be 5 percent of the population be a little bit more. So this is still a long way to go before we get true acceptance of CBD. But but that is still quite a significant number of people. But out of those people, most people don't really understand or differentiate between the different brands of CBD on the market. I think there's a few things that are starting to show within the industry that really do make people realise that they didn't have to differentiate them. Alex and I was trying its best to educate the market. To communicate ideas is why Alex and all those products are different to most that exist on the market and that that happens all the way from seed to shelf.
Paul Benhaim: [00:06:31] So everything from the genetics that we choose to use in ensuring that those genetics are the best and most natural forms possible. Now I'll give you the extreme to the other side. People are starting to use genetically modified genetics to start with, and that's the opposite extreme to what we don't go near in terms of farming where we grow without chemicals and certified organic where possible. And that, again, is a critical belief system. For me personally, and I still has a cultural belief within the company. Again, the other extreme is pure. And that happens a lot throughout the U.S. And that's why we chose Colorado, had really clean air, clean soils that we could start working rather than on other options. And there's a lot of Hemp being grown in Kentucky now. That's over 99 percent of the land in Kentucky has been degraded by the chemicals used in the tobacco farming. So, you know, those are the kind of things that we had to consider in terms of farming. And then when you get to processing, well, there's so many different forms of processing, everything from CO2 to ethanol to butane and to other hot chemical compounds that can strip out the cannabinoids from the plant into the products.
Paul Benhaim: [00:08:02] We have focused predominantly in CO2 extracts of which we have made those technologies more efficient and and clean, which a minority of very, very clean technology like it is possible to use. And things like ethanol, if it's done in a really straight, high quality way to produce full whole plant extracts as well. So we use some of those in mobile Balkan ingredient products methods. But all the methods that we use, we've tweaked over over five years of doing this day in and day out. And we feel that we've been quite a lot of intellectual property and ensuring that the first stage of extraction is done very important. But it's really the next stage. Stage and stage is really even at Alex and IP and against unique properties really start to sign and that is in its delivery technologies and delivery technology start within formulations. But those formulations have been developed for ultimate end users. So we recognize why people want what we'll need to use these products and then we come back and go, OK, how can we produce something that is the most efficacious possible? And we do that by ensuring no one that we use balanced compounds, which means, you know, different forms of cannabinoids. TURPIN Flavonoids using the whole plant extract.
Paul Benhaim: [00:09:41] So you've heard of full spectrum of broad spectrum products and that's really what what that's about. So. So that's one part of it. And that's often not what most people say, oh, we're the best because we use these full plant or whole plant spectrum products and that's great. But we can take that to yet another level by making sure that that's fully absorbed. Well, because as highly absorbent as possible and in the best ways and going to as quickly as possible to the right parts of the body that need it as well. So that's a whole nother set of technologies. And we've learned some of those ourselves internally. And we've also, I guess, acquired some of those technologies externally from other industries that have already merged and found ways to do that safely. So we are one of the first to do something like that with a lot presumable products that we created, certainly. Was life those animal products is a delivery technology. So people say, well, it's a little bit more expensive. Why would I take the same amount of milligrams of CBD from a slightly more expensive product? That's called life design involved and then having it from a regular product. Well, answer is very clear. It's because you're going to get a much improved by with. Products. How does that work? Well, if I if I can give the analogy of a football so a life design is like a football and that football has to be absorbed into your blood stream.
Paul Benhaim: [00:11:10] Now, when you put any foreign substance into your bloodstream, the chances of it getting through and into your system are limited to how well your body recognizes those. And it's generally understood that cannabinoids are absorbed at around about a 5 percent right into the bloodstream by treating it into a light design. That number is increasing Africa. And why? Well, because what you do is you tell you that cannabinoids and you put it inside the football, see basically disguise it for the body. And the body recognizes that football life I'm an easily absorbed it to a much higher degree. So that's an example of, I guess, a micro encapsulation. Technology is an encapsulation. My current Hemp solutions and a number of. To absorb these compounds, so I'm not gonna get too technical. I'm trying to keep it as simple as I can. But but these are where Alex now has has invested in research and development over the years to keep getting better and better. And we will continue to do that, because that is our goal is to produce, I guess, the best quality products in the most observable form. Ultimately, the consumer, the person that buys the product at the end of the day will get the best effects for the the least cost as well as natural way possible.
Joy Beckerman: [00:12:37] And I think that I think also we want consumers to have a choice of delivery systems that work for them, for example. You know, I use a on Hemp oil capsules. Why? Because I'm already taking a handful of supplements. I'm a supplement gal. And for me, capsules are part of my regimen. They work. I'll ensure that I'm taking all that I'm supposed to take it each day. So for me, I'm a calcium girl. I also have to go in almost every room in my house because I just love being able to support them underneath my tongue throughout the day. So I'm getting more delivery. But on the capsules, girls also are full spectrum water soluble powders. You know, Alex and all this technology, I've not seen any other products like this out on the market. And this technology of of full spectrum water soluble powders with a proprietary Turpin blend that give or that promote certain certain effects for different times of the day, I should say. Do you want to tell us a little bit about the CBD create, build, dream, full spectrum, water soluble powders that we have?
Paul Benhaim: [00:13:50] Sure. Well, as you say, that's just the way to get in. Mike Green taxation, five available technologies. Then the next level is absolutely into the consumer's preference. So some people prefer gummy bears. I mean, you know, I wouldn't comment on those. But as you say, some people for a capture or some people used to tinctures under the tongue. We I believe the medicine is food. And food is something that I've spent a long time working with. And, yes, you can have extremely healthy foods, but more importantly, you can have extremely healthy, tasty foods. And that was that was one of the concepts behind these create, build, dream or CBD powders that we created there. The other concept behind it was that, you know, again, we wanted to access as many people as possible. That's been my mission of mine for many years, a mission of the companies now that we recognize. And not everyone wants to pay 30 dollars, 50 dollars or 100 dollars for a for a product that they have not yet experience. So how could we make a single dose for us for like two or three dollars? So that's how we created these these individual sachets. So people combine them individually. They can buy the weekly packs, they can buy different flavors. So we created one for the morning to see or create one for the middle of the day to keep us going to be for the bill and d a dream for one for the evening time. So the morning and the middle of the day, how does you were just mix it with some water and enjoy the beautiful berry drink beautiful citrus drink into the evening.
Paul Benhaim: [00:15:31] You would have a more chocolate pound on that. You would mix with your milk products. That is a dairy, dairy, milk. And it's up to you, of course, and you can have that hot in the evening and that and each of those products if you add them and have one of each of those every day. That would be good quality serving size rolls of CBD. And in each one of those, of course, CBD in Iowa available for it. These are just again, normal delinquencies that have science behind them and that taste good and cost effective for for the consumer. So we think there's definitely a lot of potential of success between those powders and and a number of other products, because some people who just like medicines, we think it's a medicine that they want to just take a product like an expense, which you might have heard of. Personally, I still enjoy the tinctures, which I like. My preference personally is in the light design product right now because I can't tell you about some of the other wonderful technologies we were coming as well that did a very similar like the vaccine and a lot of ways in which I get to enjoy it and try it before they come out to the public. But we will continue to develop these technologies I think is the point and keep improving them. And we'll keep investing and making sure that we have the best quality products that taste as good as possible for as many people as possible.
Joy Beckerman: [00:17:00] And of course, the bombs both for the body and for the lips. I just I mean, I have my own anecdotal stories as to how the bombs work for me. I have eczema on my elbows that I otherwise needs a core steroid tape for an able to sort of maintain it, which I just think is if I'm able to keep it at bay, which I just I think our bombs are fantastic and are all of our products. And particularly when we get into the skin care and specifically our Hemp arms and our extra strength Hemp is there made of such high quality ingredients that they're great for the skin. Even if we didn't have the added benefit of Cannabis dial and Hemp extract in there, they're just everything we do. Is everything a listing? All does. With so, so much consciousness to it and so selective with every single ingredient. Many CBD companies out there using, you know, M City oil source from Palm or Soy and ours are sourced from coconuts.
Joy Beckerman: [00:18:12] All of these decisions all the way down the line.
Dan Humiston: [00:18:18] I to take a minute to thank all of our Hemp Barons listeners and to let you know that you can support the show by subscribing to MJ Bell's premium. It's only four dollars and ninety nine cents a month and you gain access to all previous episodes of Hemp Barons as well as all MJ bowls, other podcasts and exclusive content. Go to MJ MJBulls.com and enter promo code barrons to get your first month.
Joy Beckerman: [00:18:40] heavily engaged in education and in advocacy are alignment.
Joy Beckerman: [00:18:50] My alignment with you, Paul, all these years has then advocacy wanting to be a part of the healing the planet, wanting to be a part of healing the human race. And you started out. I can't help but touch upon because your your history is just so prolific. We can only touch upon it in this show. But, you know, with the first Hemp Seafood Bar, the nine bar, you know, you knew we were gonna get these omegas and these are highly digestible form of protein into the human body. You've written nine books on Hemp from nutrition to plastics and and so on. You were. Personally, I think, you know, the single the most single voice, I guess is always takes an army with every type of legislative and regulatory change, whether it's a state level or a federal level. But with Australia, your engagement in Australia, which finally now the Australian consumer is allowed to consume the nutritious, highly nutritious Hemp seeds. Thanks to your efforts and of course, of all those folks who who worked on it with you, that quality education and advocacy is is such a huge part of what Alex and Al does. Can you share any insight as to any projects that Alex and I was working on through the future in any of those areas, whether it be new products or and I know there's so much in the works or education and advocacy. We're involved in every level with advocacy, state level and federal level here in the United States. And I know we have a global team around the world that anything you can share with us what we just see around the corner.
Paul Benhaim: [00:20:42] Well, I think you touched a point, you know. You know, at the end of the delivery devices conversation, he touched upon like topical products.
Paul Benhaim: [00:20:50] And, you know, I think we saw TV skincare, which is the the brains of a top cause that was developed by the team, was really a good example of what what we what we choose to do and what we will continue to choose to do. You know, bringing our range of topical products is something that really could take a few months if you really wanted to focus on it. And we really focused on the type of skincare. But it took a few years because we made sure that every single ingredient in it was literally food, great products. And I think that is the difference between what we do. And, you know, then then what is, I guess, the norm in the general industry of putting. Just putting new things on the shelves. We're not about putting new things on shelves. We're putting we're about putting. I guess the next level of the highest quality products on shelves. And even if you put it on your skin, the skin is your largest organ. So everything you put in your skin is absolutely critical to that. And we have really done our best to ensure that not only our products observable, but every kind of products in our skincare is virtually edible. No, I'm not saying you should eat skincare products, but they these are these are the reasons why their food, fuel, skip literary. So, you know, that's that's that's an example of, you know, the development that is under in progress.
Paul Benhaim: [00:22:18] Could you ask about the future? Because we are a public company. We can't really talk too much about the future. I'm sorry, but I can tell you in court, we have no use using these concepts of creating better products, better delivery devices, better technologies. We will continue to be innovative, using science technology to support the media and consumer and to ensure that people all know that they can trust the brand, know that they can trust where what we do and where it comes from is it is what we truly believe internally, because if we didn't believe in it, we wouldn't have had such an amazing team and allowed us to bring our products all over the world. You know, as much as we're U.S. focused and based in Colorado and that is our focus market. We've now expanded significantly into Japan. And we've got a great team throughout Europe through, you know, we're in the high street stores there. And, you know, we are truly building a movement together to show that we can make a difference every day of our lives with everything that we choose. So, you know, being part of the election or choosing to buy an election or product is making that choice in saying that, you know, we don't agree with what's happening. And we want to make this a small change because those small changes all add up and allow us to make bigger changes together.
Joy Beckerman: [00:23:53] And and, you know, also understanding that it's a consumer choice for quality and for value. On top of all of those all everything that you get the win, win, win. When you engage with the lips and all. But for example, we put the MGS CBD as as you only a few other industry leaders actually give the consumer everything that they need to know to find out what is in this bottle. What does a serving size? How many milligrams of actual Cannabis dial am I getting in that serving size? And this also gives them the factors and the variables of the factors that they need to be able to figure out how much they're paying per serving size. And, you know, between crap ingredients that are out there on the market and and not enough information on the label for a consumer to actually make a conscious decision or understand what they're paying for their products. It's it can be really confusing out there for the consumer. And it's just really wonderful to have industry leaders like it. Listen. A perfect fit for a guy like me who who is education and quality and transparency really stewarding, not just leading the industry, forwarding the industry and stewarding this process the way that it looks and all does just makes me just makes me very proud. Amazing stuff. Paul, is there anything that I haven't asked you that you may want the listeners to know before we get off the line?
Paul Benhaim: [00:25:26] Well, you know, we are. We are excited about the Hemp food products that we're producing. You've just produced some Hemp plant based protein burgers. So Hemp veggie burgers. People like to call me at the plant based protein market. So that's very exciting. I hope to expand those out of Australia in the not too distant future. You know, we are looking at the medical cannabis industry, of course, seeing how we can use the expertise in the high court products that we've learned in all cannabinoid world out. It to that the medical cannabis that exist as well. There's no signs. It's not just about creating products. It's about backing up everything that we say we believe in. And we would like to what we tend to certainly make war claims moving forward. But we won't do that without the proof, of course. So you know that that is part of what we do. And part of what we love. And look forward to sharing all with your listeners as we grow and expand. And please come point on. Alex Hemp dot com.
Joy Beckerman: [00:26:34] Wonderful. Thank you so much for being with us today, Paul, and hopefully have you back back here again.
Joy Beckerman: [00:26:39] Good luck with everything.
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