"Hemp House Offers Locally Sourced Products" - News Channel 9

News Channel 9 wrote this article & interviewed Dwayne in April, 2018.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Hemp, for your health? It's long been used for items like clothing and paper.

Now, the Hemp Farming Act of 2018 introduced this week is trying to get the federal government to change the way it looks at hemp. This is welcome news to local business owner Dwayne Madden.

Madden opened Hemp House in the Northshore six months ago. He says it's one of the first stores of its kind in the state. 

"It's fantastic, it's exceeded any expectations we could have had."

As the name suggests, he sells products made from hemp.

The products contain CBD, short for cannabidiol.

The CBD is extracted from the hemp plant and then manufactured into various products.

Hemp House sells every day items including soap, lotion, oils and capsules.

They also sell edible hemp, found in chocolate bars, suckers, even treats for dogs.

The products are all natural, organic and sourced from regional growers including Rush Hemp Farms.

"Tennessee grown hemp, then extracted and made into CBD and then all these wonderful products are put to shelf," Madden said.

Part of Dwayne's mission is to break down stereotypes surrounding hemp. It is not marijuana.

"We want people to know this is an all organic, natural product," Madden said. "There are no psychoactive effects."

Dwayne first started using CBD years ago for arthritis pain.

He used to work in construction, but switched gears to start helping others also dealing with pain.

"We can tell you about the relief that they're getting from different ailments - anxiety, chronic pain, depression, lots of skin issues."

Dwayne says he works with the local growers and manufactures to keep prices as low as possible.

"I see customers come in here every day relaying stories to me, crying tears of joy of how much CBD has changed their life."

He practices what he preaches when it comes to advice for other budding business owners.

"Source your stuff locally and contribute back to your local community," Madden said. "I think Chattanooga definitely embraces that."