Kiosk selling oil infused ice-cream opened by friends
CBD smoothies also sold by duo at second site
TWO friends from Portsmouth have teamed up to open a kiosk selling CBD products - including icecream and smoothies infused with the oil.
Alfie Ruffell, 25, and George Oliver, 24, opened their second Rio-Vitalise kiosk at Clarence Pier on Saturday.
The two young entrepreneurs were inspired to go into business together after seeing the benefits that the oil, which is derived from cannabis, had on their relatives.
Alfie’s dad Ricky Ruffell suffered a triple aortic split two years ago.
Alfie said: ‘He was only given 48 hours to live. Then once he got home he was given six months. He started using CBD and CBG oil and he’s still here.
‘They call him the miracle man.’
George’s nan Lynda Field also started taking the oil when she was diagnosed with skin cancer.
CBG stands for cannabigerol and is a type of cannabinoid obtained from the cannabis plant.
CBD is short for cannabidiol, a chemical substance found in cannabis.
As lockdown hit their two existing businesses – George worked in construction and Alfie ran a finance firm – the pair decided to team up to go into business selling the products.
They started trading last summer, from a kiosk at South Parade Pier, selling smoothies and ice-creams infused with the oil.
As they saw demand for their business grow, they have expanded their product range and have now opened their second base.
Alfie said: ‘It has become our mission to get this product out to the masses.
‘There’s an array of things that it is good for, both mental and physical pain.
‘It does not get you high, as it does not contain THC like cannabis, but the medicinal benefits are unbelievable.
'People need to try it and see for themselves.’
The pair have set up a direct link to a farm in Spain, where they have been growing 50,000 cannabis plants, which they will harvest this October.
They will then turn the plants into oil, and create products such as moisturiser, serum, deodorant, health shots, vape kits and juice, plus more, which will be imported under their license.
Alfie said they were pleased with the positive response to their business so far. He said: ‘We are trying to make health and wellbeing more fun, and reach a younger audience, while also helping all ages by promoting the benefits of CBD and CBG oil.
‘It can help with so many things, like arthritis, sciatica, MS, dementia, tremors, insomnia, anxiety, neurological pain, the list is endless.
‘Plus we sell some of the best gelato you will ever taste.
‘I hope we will be in for busy summer.’
For more go to rio-vitalise. com/