Sunmed local franchise owner Ryan Sanford prepares to cut the ribbon on the new storefront in Machesney Park on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023, with members of the Parks Chamber of Commerce. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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MACHESNEY PARK  — A national franchise that specializes in premium hemp and CBD products has opened in a new location along the busy business district on Illinois 173.

Sunmed, 1419 West Lane Road, celebrated its ribbon-cutting Friday with members of the Parks Chamber of Commerce and dignitaries from Loves Park and Machesney Park.

The company offers a variety of hemp, CBD, Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC products in gummies, tinctures, topical creams, capsules and other forms. It also has options for pets.

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Local franchise owner Ryan Sanford said Sunmed believes in good science and openness. It’s products are non-GMO, organically farmed and third-party tested to make sure they’re free from harmful additives.

“We control everything at Sunmed from the farms that we own out in Oregon and Colorado, to the scientists that work in-house to formulate our products, to even the testing facilities,” Sanford said. “We control everything from soil to oil, we like to say, and are all about quality, safety and transparency.”

CBD stands for cannabidiol. It’s a product of the marijuana plant that doesn’t contain THC, the psychoactive element that produces a “high.”

Sunmed opened inside of Schnucks on Elevator Road in Roscoe in 2019, and made its move to Machesney Park in mid-October.

The national chain was founded by Rachael Quinn in 2018, when it opened the first Your CBD Store in Bradenton, Florida. The company how has more than 500 stores in 39 states across the nation. That makes it the largest brick-and-mortar CBD chain in the country. It is the second-biggest company by market share in the U.S., with just under 2% of the market, according to Statista. Charlotte’s Web has the largest market share.

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Sanford said most customers come to Sunmed seeking relief from pain or ways to improve their sleep.

“Like many other store owners, I started out as a customer of Sunmed myself,” he said. “Something as simple as getting better sleep has had a significant impact on my life.”


About | Sunmed

Where: 1419 West Lane Road, suite E, Machesney Park.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday

Contact: 815-979-8932

Online: getsunmed.com

Sunmed local franchise owner Ryan Sanford talks about the company Friday, Nov. 17, 2023, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new location on West Lane Road in Machesney Park. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas

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