A Lake Worth lifeguard wearing a protective mask asks a surfer to exit the ocean as Palm Beach County officials announced that all county beaches are closed due to red tide affecting coastal areas on October 4, 2018 in Lake Worth, Florida. Joe Raedle / Getty Images
The same red tide choking Florida's Gulf coast has spread to waters off Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties, forcing the closure of many popular beaches on Thursday and leaving hundreds of dead fish in its wake, according to local reports.
This is the first time in decades the toxic algae has affected both of Florida's coasts at the same time, the Associated Press reported.
<p style="">
"Florida's environment is now enduring a full-peninsula assault," Eve Samples wrote for
<a href="https://www.tcpalm.com/story/news/local/florida-voices/2018/10/04/florida-voters-sick-environment-literally/1498039002/" target="_blank">Treasure Coast Newspapers</a>, noting that it's only the eighth time since the 1950s that red tide has been documented on the East Coast of Florida.</p>
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<p style="">Several South Florida beaches reopened on Friday, the
<a href="http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/florida/fl-ne-red-tide-thursday-20181004-story.html" target="_blank">The Sun Sentinel</a> reported, but noted that a new forecast said "moderate" red tide conditions can be expected in the area at least through Tuesday.<br></p><p>
The outbreak of the
<em>Karenia brevis</em> organism first appeared last fall and has become one of the state's longest-lasting red tides on record. It has devastated Florida's marine life all summer, killing countless crabs, eels, fish, dozens of <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/red-tide-algae-killing-florida-wildlife_us_5b61cb2be4b0b15aba9ee150" target="_blank">manatees</a> and hundreds of endangered <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/red-tide-sea-turtles-dead-2590387089.html" target="_self">sea turtles</a>. The bloom has also been costly for the state's tourism industry and become a public health issue because it can irritate skin and cause respiratory problems.
</p><p style="">
The bloom now stretches roughly 135 miles along Florida's southwest coast.
</p><p style="">
In August, Gov. Rick Scott issued an
<a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/florida-emergency-order-red-tide-2595877043.html">executive order</a> declaring a state of emergency in seven southwestern counties and offered $1.5 million in aid. On Thursday, Gov. Scott announced $3 million in grants to St. Lucie, Martin, Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties to help mitigate the effects of red tide.
</p><p style="">
"In Florida, when presented with problems, we work together and face them head on—red tide is no different," he said in a
<a href="https://www.flgov.com/2018/10/04/gov-scott-dep-to-provide-3-million-for-red-tide-on-floridas-east-coast/" target="_blank">press release</a>. "So far, the state has provided more than $16 million to help minimize the impacts of harmful algal blooms and expand our research and understanding of red tide, including funding to help scientists test innovative solutions for this phenomenon. We will continue to work with our local partners to ensure that their needs are fully met until this year's red tide subsides."
</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-twitter_embed">
</p><div id="4d202" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="DIGBQC1576662119"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1048251564887040001" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">NOAA now posting respiratory illness forecast for east coast of #Florida in response to new red tide bloom. See lat… https://t.co/JZ662ssV3y</div> — NOAA's Ocean Service (@NOAA's Ocean Service)<a href="https://twitter.com/noaaocean/statuses/1048251564887040001">1538757623.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p></p><p style="">
Red tides can appear naturally, however some blame the phenomenon from increased nutrient pollution from human activities.
</p><p style="">
At the same time, as
<a href="https://theconversation.com/what-is-causing-floridas-algae-crisis-5-questions-answered-101305" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> reported, a concurrent outbreak of blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, has plagued downstream estuaries on both coasts. The bloom comes from discharges of polluted fresh water from Lake Okeechobee and polluted local runoff water from the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee watersheds.
</p><p style="">
<span></span>Gov. Scott, who has served for eight years, has faced a share of the blame for the state's red tide and blue-green algae outbreaks.
</p><p>
<span></span><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/energy-environment/2018/08/09/florida-an-environmental-crisis-takes-center-stage-tight-senate-race/?utm_term=.a62182654114" target="_blank">The Washington Post</a> reported in August:
</p><blockquote style="margin-left: 20px;">
During Scott's tenure, budgets for environmental agencies have been sharply reduced. The budget of the South Florida Water Management District, which oversees water issues from Orlando to Key West, was cut. Many of the more than 400 workers who lost their jobs in the $700 million cut were scientists and engineers whose jobs were to monitor pollution levels and algal blooms. Scott also abolished the Department of Community Affairs, which oversaw development in the state.
</blockquote><p style="">
Sen. Bill Nelson, who is battling Scott to keep his Senate seat, tweeted Friday: "The people of Florida know how Rick Scott's disastrous environmental policies have harmed our waters and devastated communities. Their voices are being heard loud and clear."
</p><p style="">
Pointing the finger back, Scott has accused Nelson of failing to secure federal funds to fix the aging Lake Okeechobee dyke.
</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-twitter_embed">
</p><div id="7d131" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="PR5VKL1576662119"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1048223681045045254" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">The people of Florida know how Rick Scott's disastrous environmental policies have harmed our waters and devastated… https://t.co/GGvX8tfiOB</div> — Bill Nelson (@Bill Nelson)<a href="https://twitter.com/NelsonForSenate/statuses/1048223681045045254">1538750975.0</a></blockquote></div>
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Mom and baby West Indian manatees in Three Sisters Springs, Florida. James R.D. Scott / Getty Images
2018 has not been a good year for Florida's iconic manatees. A total of 540 sea cows have died in the last eight months, surpassing last year's total of 538 deaths, according to figures posted Monday by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER).
The figure will likely climb higher before the year's end amid the state's ongoing toxic algae crisis. The red tide in the state's southwest is the known or suspected cause of death for 97 manatees as of Aug. 12, the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission recently reported.
<p>
Combined with the winter cold spell, which claimed 69 manatees, more than 10 percent of the state's estimated manatee population of around 6,300 individuals could be wiped out this year, PEER noted. </p><p>
<span></span>The 540 reported deaths is also the second highest total in a decade. The <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/2013-deadliest-year-on-record-for-manatees-1881848826.html" target="_blank">deadliest year on record</a> was 2013, when 830 Florida manatees perished. A third of those deaths were also linked to red tide.
</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xODMyNTMzOS9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2OTUyNjkzMX0.hge7FSdHuhiJ0pyT5Mb7jF5Ghk4BfwS9gT99HSnAd-0/img.png?width=980" id="737c9" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="c3731d77aa24b784a9b9defab551ad20" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image">
<small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="add photo credit...">PEER</small>
</p><p style="">
Other threats to the gentle giants include blue-green <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/algal-blooms">algal blooms</a> along Florida's east coast as well as boat strikes, which resulted in 75 manatee deaths, according to
<a href="https://www.savethemanatee.org/news/oped/red-tide-watercraft-strikes-and-the-esa-under-attack-tough-year-for-the-florida-manatee/" target="_blank">Save the Manatee Club</a>.
</p><p style="">
"Florida's manatees have no defense against this ecological disaster," said PEER Executive Director Jeff Ruch in a statement, noting that red tides and algal blooms poison both manatees and their food supplies. "Florida's steadily declining water quality is a death warrant for the manatee."
</p><p style="">
<span></span>Red tide, which is caused by the Karenia brevis organism, is a natural phenomenon but some have blamed <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/climate-change" target="_blank">climate change</a> for worsening the crisis, as well as mining and agricultural practices that can cause excess nutrients to flush into the waters.
</p><p style="">
In a
<a href="https://www.peer.org/news/news-releases/manatee-deaths-in-2018-already-top-last-year%E2%80%99s-high-toll.html" target="_blank">press release</a> Monday, PEER said it has documented a "precipitous decline in water pollution enforcement under <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/rick-scott">Governor Rick Scott</a>, as well as the massive amounts of phosphorus and other nutrients discharged daily both legally and illegally into Florida's waters."
</p><p>
"The increased duration, scale, and toxicity of red tide and algal bloom events should be an eco-wakeup call for Florida," Ruch added. "Governor Scott has
<a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/florida-emergency-order-red-tide-2595877043.html">declared a red tide emergency</a> but the role his own environmental policies have played in spawning this crisis deserves examination."
</p><p style="">
<span></span>Last year, the West Indian manatee was downlisted from "endangered" to "threatened" by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). Conservationists felt that the downgrade came too soon.
</p><p style="">
"We believe this is a devastating blow to manatees," Patrick Rose, executive director of
<a href="https://www.savethemanatee.org/" target="_blank">Save the Manatee Club</a>, said in a <a href="https://www.savethemanatee.org/news/press-releases/highly-controversial-federal-action-puts-manatees-in-harms-way/" target="_blank">statement</a> then. "A federal reclassification at this time will seriously undermine the chances of securing the manatee's long-term survival. With the new federal administration threatening to cut 75 percent of regulations, including those that protect our wildlife and air and water quality, the move to downlist manatees can only be seen as a political one."
</p><p style="">
Save the Manatee Club said that FWS "failed to adequately consider data from 2010 to 2016, during which time manatees suffered from unprecedented mortality events linked to habitat pollution, dependence on artificial warm water sources, and record deaths from watercraft strikes."
</p><p>
Florida's deadly red tide started nine months ago and has become the state's longest on record since 2006. Besides manatees, the outbreak has killed scores of marine life, including countless crabs, eels and fish, hundreds of endangered
<a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/red-tide-sea-turtles-dead-2590387089.html" target="_blank">sea turtles</a>, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2018/08/03/a-red-tide-ravaging-florida-may-have-killed-a-whale-shark-for-the-first-known-time/" target="_blank">potentially a whale shark</a> and <a href="https://www.wfla.com/news/sarasota-county/11th-deceased-dolphin-believed-to-be-first-local-victim-of-red-tide/1365484017" target="_blank">11 bottlenose dolphins</a>.
</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-twitter_embed">
</p><div id="03aff" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="XMO4K71576683805"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1029714874581114880" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">#Florida Gov. Scott Issues Emergency Order for Toxic #RedTide #algaebloom @flgovscott https://t.co/frBZ44nxGz</div> — EcoWatch (@EcoWatch)<a href="https://twitter.com/EcoWatch/statuses/1029714874581114880">1534338131.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p></p>
From Your Site Articles
- What Is Causing Florida's Algae Crisis? 5 Questions Answered ›
- Florida Gov. Scott Issues Emergency Order for Toxic Red Tide ›
- Florida Manatee Is Found With ‘Trump’ Written on Its Back ›
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Like many other plant-based foods and products, CBD oil is one dietary supplement where "organic" labels are very important to consumers. However, there are little to no regulations within the hemp industry when it comes to deeming a product as organic, which makes it increasingly difficult for shoppers to find the best CBD oil products available on the market.
<p>Here you can learn about the importance of organic hemp oil, why it's better for the environment, and which CBD companies actually make trustworthy products with sustainable farming processes. origins which weigh heavily on many consumers who want to buy a product that's produced in the best way possible for not only themselves to ingest, but for the environment as well through sustainable farming methods. </p><h2>What Is CBD Oil?</h2><p>First things first, CBD stands for cannabidiol, and it's a cannabinoid found within cannabis sativa plants. This plant compound is believed to have many potential benefits, and it is primarily derived from hemp plants via a CO2 extraction process. </p><p>Since CBD is extracted from industrial hemp, which contains only trace amounts of THC (the psychoactive component in cannabis plants), this means that CBD won't make you feel high like marijuana, which has much higher levels of THC that causes psychoactive effects. Instead, the effects of CBD are much more subtle and promote a general sense of calm and relaxation in most users.</p><h2>What Makes a CBD Oil Organic?</h2><p>In terms of organic labels, perhaps the most important (and prominent) certification comes from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This government organization has been labeling foods as "organic" for many years, but what exactly does this certification entail? Essentially, a label indicating that a product is "USDA Organic" or "Certified Organic" means that at least 95% of the ingredients are obtained from organic sources.</p><p>For a crop to be considered organic by the USDA, it must be grown without the use of industrial solvents, irradiation, genetic engineering (GMOs), synthetic pesticides, or chemical fertilizer. Instead, farmers rely on natural substances and <a href="https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2012/03/22/organic-101-what-usda-organic-label-means" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">mechanical, physical, or biologically based farming</a> techniques to cultivate healthy and organic crops.</p><p>Before the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, no hemp-derived products could be dubbed as "certified organic" since the hemp plant and its extracts were still categorized as a Schedule I Controlled Substance. However, it's still difficult for CBD companies to obtain a USDA certified organic label for their products due to the legal grey area that still surrounds CBD extracts. </p><p>Because of these challenges, and due to the fact that industrial hemp has only recently become an agricultural crop, very few CBD oils are USDA certified organic. Rather, many CBD products contain hemp extracts from plants that were grown in organic conditions but may not be federally certified.</p><h2>What are the Best Organic CBD Oil Brands?</h2><p><em>Each product featured here has been independently selected by the writer. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.</em></p><em><br></em>
<h2>Why Organic Hemp Oil Matters</h2><p>Hemp is a unique plant, not only for its rich cannabinoid content, but also for its ability to absorb a wide variety of components in soil. But this trait poses great risks when it comes to the creation of CBD products derived from hemp.</p><p>Because hemp has a high capacity for compound uptake, this means that the plants can retain <a href="https://www.remedyreview.com/industry/lab-test-results/" target="_blank">harmful chemicals like pesticides</a>, heavy metals, and other residual solvents. This is especially true when it comes to synthetic chemicals that are more toxic to humans, and difficult to remove once they have been absorbed by the hemp plant.</p><p>Organic farming practices help reduce the risk of hemp crops absorbing harsh chemicals that may later end up in CBD oil after extraction. When you're taking CBD as a wellness supplement to help alleviate your symptoms or improve your overall well-being, the last thing you want is to ingest compounds that might negatively outweigh the benefits of CBD. This is an important reason to look for third party lab test results when shopping for CBD products since these certificates of analysis can show the full cannabinoid and terpene profile of a hemp extract, as well as test results that search for the presence of any residual solvents.</p><p>In addition to creating a better end product, organic farming practices are also better for the environment. Sustainable and organic farming methods may <a href="https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-eating/organic-foods.htm" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">reduce pollution, conserve water, reduce soil erosion, increase soil fertility, and use less energy</a>. The use of natural pest deterrents as opposed to chemical pesticides is also better for nearby animal populations and ecosystems.</p><h3>Organic vs. Natural</h3><p>While there are only a select few companies offering certified organic ingredients in their products, almost every brand in the CBD market creates "natural" products. The term "all-natural" or "plant-based" does not mean that a product is organic, and since hemp oil is a natural derivative of hemp plants, these products are often referred to as all-natural. However, there are some synthetic CBD oils that should be avoided because they are chemically constructed and may produce unwanted side effects that are not caused by naturally derived CBD extracts.</p><h2>What are the Benefits of Organic CBD Oil?</h2><p>There's a long list of potential CBD oil health benefits, and some of the most common wellness advantages include:</p><ul class="ee-ul"><li><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2503660/" target="_blank">Chronic pain relief</a></li><li><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4604171/" target="_blank">Anti-anxiety effects</a></li><li>Better sleep</li><li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/inner-source/201901/cbd-oil-mental-health-should-you-take-it-too" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Improvements in mood</a></li><li>Internal balance and regulation</li></ul><p>When dealing with pain, inflammation, sleep issues, and mental health struggles, it can be hard to find sufficient treatment options. The use of certain prescriptions can cause unwanted side effects, yet they are often the only solution for patients with these medical conditions. In search of other therapies, people have started to flock towards CBD oil as an alternative remedy for a variety of conditions. However, it should be noted that CBD products are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and you should seek your doctor's advice before using CBD if you have a serious medical condition.</p><h2>Look at the Labels Before You Buy CBD Oil</h2><p>When you go online to buy CBD oil, you'll quickly realize there is an overwhelming number of brands that are saturating the market. It can be difficult to determine which products are truly as good as they make themselves out to be. Always look for up-to-date third-party lab tests so you know you are getting a great product, and don't hesitate to contact the brand if you have any additional questions. And if you're intent on purchasing 100% organic CBD oil, it's best to look for certified products or brands that are held to strict regulatory standards.</p><p><strong>Melena Gurganus </strong>is the Reviews Editor at EcoWatch. She is passionate health and wellness and her writing aims to help others find products they can trust. Her work has been featured in publications such as Health, Shape, Huffington Post, Cannabis Business Times, and Bustle.<br></p>
Spruce
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDY4NjI3OC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyOTM2NzgzOX0.axY0HjeqRctJsR_KmDLctzDpUBLBN-oNIdqaXDb4caQ/img.jpg?width=980" id="774be" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="8379f35b1ca8a86d0e61b7d4bfc8b46e" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="spruce organic cbd oil" data-width="710" data-height="959" /><p>As one of the best brands in the business, Spruce CBD is well-known for its potent CBD oils that feature many additional beneficial phytocannabinoids. This brand works with two family-owned, sustainably focused farms in the USA (one located in Kentucky and one in North Carolina) to create its organic, small product batches. The max potency Spruce CBD oil contains 2400mg of full-spectrum CBD extract, but the brand also offers a lower strength tincture with 750mg of CBD in total.</p>
$89
CBDistillery
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDcwMjkzNC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyMTU4OTM4Nn0.ypRdeDSBcE87slYrFfVrRwtJ2qGIK6FD5jBB4pndTMo/img.jpg?width=980" id="b473b" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="9930b53c9d58cb49774640a61c3e3e75" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="cbdistillery cbd oil" data-width="1244" data-height="1244" /><p>All of the products from CBDistillery are <a href="https://ushempauthority.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">U.S. Hemp Authority Certified</a>, and for good reason. The company only uses non-GMO and pesticide-free industrial hemp that's grown organically on Colorado farms. Its hemp oils are some of the most affordable CBD products on the market, yet they still maintain a high standard of quality. CBDistillery has a wide variety of CBD potencies across its product line (ranging from 500mg to 5000mg per bottle) and offers both full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD oils to give customers a completely thc-free option.</p>
$35
FAB CBD
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDY4NjIyNS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2NDIwOTEyMn0.MlTjz096FJ0ev_-soK7_Z-FeQeJczWoeh9Qi9SSkHsY/img.jpg?width=980" id="04b26" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="76aa4862f44603242e318982acea6646" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="fab cbd oil" data-width="800" data-height="800" /><p>For an organic CBD oil that has it all, FAB CBD offers plenty of variety for any type of consumer. All of its products are made with zero pesticides and extracted from organically grown Colorado industrial hemp. FAB CBD oil comes in five all-natural flavors (mint, vanilla, berry, citrus, and natural) and is also available in four strengths (300, 600, 1200, and 2400mg per bottle).</p>
$39
NuLeaf Naturals
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDY4NjIxOS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1NzExNTgyMX0.D6qMGYllKTsVhEkQ-L_GzpDHVu60a-tJKcio7M1Ssmc/img.jpg?width=980" id="94e4a" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="3609a52479675730893a45a82a03c71d" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="nuleaf naturals organic cbd oil" data-width="600" data-height="600" /><p>As an industry-leading brand, it comes as no surprise that NuLeaf Naturals sources its CBD extract from organic hemp plants grown on licensed farms in Colorado. The comany's CBD oils only contain two ingredients: USDA certified organic hemp seed oil and full spectrum hemp extract.</p><p>NuLeaf Naturals uses one proprietary CBD oil formula for all of its products, so you will get the same CBD potency in each tincture (60mg per mL), but can purchase different bottle sizes depending on how much you intend to use.</p>
$38.50
Charlotte's Web
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDcwMjk3NS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0MzQ0NjM4N30.SaQ85SK10-MWjN3PwHo2RqpiUBdjhD0IRnHKTqKaU7Q/img.jpg?width=980" id="84700" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="a2174067dcc0c4094be25b3472ce08c8" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="charlottes web cbd oil" data-width="1244" data-height="1244" /><p>Perhaps one of the most well-known brands in the CBD landscape, Charlotte's Web has been growing sustainable hemp plants for several years. The company is currently in the process of achieving official USDA Organic Certification, but it already practices organic and sustainable cultivation techniques to enhance the overall health of the soil and the hemp plants themselves, which creates some of the highest quality CBD extracts. Charlotte's Web offers CBD oils in a range of different concentration options, and some even come in a few flavor options such as chocolate mint, orange blossom, and lemon twist.</p>
$60
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Florida Gov. Rick Scott issued an executive order Monday declaring a state of emergency due to the ongoing impacts of red tide in seven southwestern counties.
The algae outbreak started nine months ago and has become the state's longest on record since 2006. The red tide has killed scores of marine life, including countless crabs, eels and fish, as well as dozens of manatees, hundreds of endangered sea turtles, potentially a whale shark and 11 bottlenose dolphins.
<p style="">
<span></span>The toxic bloom, which is caused by the Karenia brevis organism, has become a public health concern. Residents along the southwest coast have <a href="http://myfwc.com/redtidestatus" target="_blank">reported</a> respiratory problems due to winds picking up the aerosolized toxins. People can also become ill after consuming contaminated seafood.
</p><p style="">
Harmful algal blooms can cause about $82 million in economic losses to the seafood, restaurant and tourism industries according to
<a href="https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/why_habs.html" target="_blank">NOAA</a>.
</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xODMwMTA4NS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0MTA0OTEwN30.9mFmjz5pshCy3XSFaGTM__Q96MzhPy4ia1GHS420dzo/img.jpg?width=980" id="e2a9c" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="521a8dc573c6f37fe94298eb1cfc4dab" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image">
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="add caption...">Red Tide Status Map, August 10, 2018.</small><small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="add photo credit...">Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission</small>
</p><p style="">
Scott's emergency was declared for Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Sarasota, Manatee, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.
</p><p>
"I am issuing an emergency declaration to provide significant funding and resources to the communities experiencing red tide, so we can combat its terrible impacts," Scott said in a
<a href="https://www.flgov.com/2018/08/13/gov-scott-issues-emergency-order-for-red-tide/" target="_blank">news release</a>. "This includes making additional FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission) biologists and scientists available to assist in clean-up and animal rescue efforts."
</p><p style="">
The executive order will direct $1.5 million in funds to state agencies, including $100,000 for Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium to increase its response to red tide impacts, $900,000 for hard-hit Lee County's cleanup efforts and $500,000 for <a href="https://www.visitflorida.com/en-us.html" target="_blank">VISIT FLORIDA</a> to establish an emergency grant program to help the affected communities bring in tourists.
</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-twitter_embed">
</p><div id="f2fd2" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="WAT65U1576662123"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1029105487273504769" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">Today, I issued an emergency declaration to help SW FL and Tampa Bay area combat impacts from red tide. We’re direc… https://t.co/4JUdWz2EvA</div> — Rick Scott (@Rick Scott)<a href="https://twitter.com/SenRickScott/statuses/1029105487273504769">1534192842.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p></p><p style="">
Red tide is a natural phenomenon but some have pointed fingers at
<a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/climate-change">climate change</a>, as well as mining and agricultural practices that can cause excess nutrients to flush into the waters.
</p><p>
Gov. Scott, who has served for eight years, has also faced a share of the blame for the state's frequent red tide and blue-green algae outbreaks.
</p><p style="">
<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/energy-environment/2018/08/09/florida-an-environmental-crisis-takes-center-stage-tight-senate-race/?utm_term=.a62182654114" target="_blank">The Washington Post</a> reported last week: </p><blockquote>During Scott's tenure, budgets for environmental agencies have been sharply reduced. The budget of the South Florida Water Management District, which oversees water issues from Orlando to Key West, was cut. Many of the more than 400 workers who lost their jobs in the $700 million cut were scientists and engineers whose jobs were to monitor pollution levels and algal blooms. Scott also abolished the Department of Community Affairs, which oversaw development in the state.
</blockquote><p style="">
Scott, who is battling incumbent Sen. Bill Nelson for the U.S. Senate, has accused Nelson and the federal government for "allowing discharges of tainted water from Lake Okeechobee that have led to ugly, smelly and potentially dangerous algal blooms in places including the state's St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee rivers," the Post wrote.
</p><p>
"Washington politician Bill Nelson made a pledge 30 years ago to solve this problem," Scott's television
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kht2vAtfOkQ" target="_blank">ad</a> declares. "But Nelson's a talker, not a doer."
</p><p>
<span></span>Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla), visited Mote Marine Lab Monday and spoke with its scientists about ways to combat red tide. Earlier this year, Congress <a href="https://buchanan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/buchanan-legislation-fight-red-tide-passed-congress" target="_blank">successfully passed</a> a Buchanan-sponsored bill that added $8 million to combat toxic algae blooms.
</p><p>
Buchanan hopes to know how much of that funding will go to Florida in the coming days, the
<a href="https://www.bradenton.com/news/local/article216615315.html" target="_blank">Bradenton Herald</a> reported.
</p><p style="">
"We need more scientists, we need more answers. There's still a lot of questions," he said, according to the Herald. "I've heard for many years of red tide being a natural occurrence, and I'm sure that's the case (for) hundreds of years, but I think there are things aggravating a lot of this and we've got to get serious about it. Because it affects animals and tourism and (the) value of real estate. We've got to get whatever resources we need and I think we'll do it on a bipartisan basis. I think enough is enough."
</p>
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