CBD is an extremely popular all-natural extract from the hemp plant. Many people buy CBD online through reputable brands, but many more end up with a similar but different product, hemp oil. You may be wondering, “Is CBD Legal?” The short answer is yes—hemp extracts are legal.
Before the 2018 Farm Bill
Prior to December 20, 2018, hemp and the plant’s naturally occurring compounds weren’t legal. To get CBD, you had to take your chances with an unknown brand without industry-wide safety regulations. These hemp extracts only came from the plant’s stalk, stem, and leaves. Also, most of the hemp before 2018 was imported. Customers with certain medical conditions in states with legal, medical marijuana could purchase CBD.
After the 2018 Farm Bill
On December 20, 2018, the president signed the Farm Bill into law, which legalized hemp cultivation legally again in America for the first time since 1937. The plant was legal and even required for citizens to grow from the 1600s until the early 20th Century. Unfortunately, it was caught up with cannabis, another variety of the plant with a higher THC concentration.
The federal bill legalizes hemp cultivation, sale, and use. The law includes 544 of the 545 compounds found in the plant. Because it’s a federal law, it applies to all U.S. states and territories. However, these jurisdictions can override federal regulations with local legislation.
As of January 2021, only two states prohibit hemp products. Idaho and Nebraska only allow extracts with 0% THC. The 2018 Farm Bill permits plants to have up to 0.3% THC. The small amount of THC isn’t enough to produce the high associated with marijuana.
The 2018 Farm Bill Legalizes all Forms of CBD
Although hemp tinctures are popular, the law allows consumers to buy CBD online in many forms, such as flowers, vape cartridges, edibles, drinks, capsules, and topicals. However, this is another situation where states can make changes to the federal regulations. For specific laws regarding what you can purchase, check with your state.
Most areas allow all products, but some prohibit edibles, drinks, and flowers. The wide assortment of ways to use CBD expands the population the products can serve. Many consumers that aren’t comfortable with tinctures or vaping are happy to get the same benefits with capsules and gummies. Additionally, it provides different options for buyers. Just because CBD is legal doesn’t mean everyone wants to smoke hemp joints. Older consumers often prefer more traditional methods like capsules.
All Hemp Compounds Except for Delta 9 THC are Legal
The beauty of the law is it doesn’t only apply to one phytocannabinoid. The hemp plant has over 140 cannabinoids with similar properties to CBD. Consumers can’t purchase delta 9 THC without a medical card or a recreational state. But they can buy CBD online and delta 8, delta 10, CBG, and THCV. These are only a few compounds companies have perfected the extraction process for or have a method for synthesizing.
Now you know CBD is legal, and even better, you don’t need a medical card to purchase this all-natural cannabinoid. It’s time to add the famous hemp extract to your wellness regimen.