Where Is CBD Legal in the US? | CBD Laws by State
Planning a visit to the Kennedy Space Center but confused about CBD laws in Florida? Don’t worry, you are not alone. In the past few years, this country has seen the biggest boost in demand for cannabinoid-based products like CBD gummies and tinctures. ‘
The laws around this naturally occurring plant compound have completely evolved. As of now, you can legally buy CBD products in all 50 American states. The demand is so high that there are over two thousand active CBD brands in the country.
It seems like every other day a new player is entering the market with its unique formulation and product lineup. Here’s the thing though: the CBD laws on the state level have quite some variations. So even though CBD is legal in Texas, the local laws for some specific products can still be different than those in Arizona.
This is because the 2018 Farm Bill is a federal bill, and states have the power to interpret and apply it as they fit. So whether you are a beginner who is planning to buy CBD for the first time or just a curious traveler, this guide is all you need to read to understand CBD legality in different US states.
What exactly is CBD? Why is it popular?
Cannabinoids are naturally occurring plant compounds, and there are over 100 of them in cannabis sativa plants. Each cannabinoid has its own unique set of healing and therapeutic properties. CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of the most widely used and studied cannabinoids. It’s found in abundance in hemp plants, as they have only trace levels of THC.
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is another famous cannabinoid that is popular for its intoxicating effects and is mainly used for recreational or euphoric experiences. It can make you high and lose cognitive control; that’s why the 2018 farm bill has legalized only industrial hemp-derived products with no more than 0.3% THC in them by dry weight.
What makes CBD unique is that there’s no dependency factor with it. Even at very high doses, it doesn’t cause any major side effects, intoxication, or overdosing. When taken in an appropriate dosage, CBD can provide relief from sleep troubles, anxiety issues, stress levels, and even pain and inflammation levels.
It does so by making our body’s endocannabinoid system more efficient. The endocannabinoid system is responsible for maintaining a state of balance in our body by controlling our mood, appetite, sleep, pain, metabolism, memory, and other such functions.
That’s why taking CBD regularly leads to a holistic wellness experience. Plus, as we discussed above, it’s not addictive, and its natural properties make it a better and safer alternative to traditional chemical-ridden prescription medications for anxiety and pain.
CBD is also proven effective in the treatment of severe neurological conditions like epilepsy, Huntington’s disease, and Parkinson’s. Epidiolex has become the first and only CBD-based medication approved by the FDA for epilepsy treatment to date.
So yeah, in short, CBD products are popular among all age groups because they help people to chill down, relax, sleep, recover, and feel better.
Is CBD legal in all US states?
Technically, Yes, CBD is legal in all 50 US states. However, the legality can change depending on the type of product, its source material, and its use case. Usually marijuana-derived CBD products with more than 0.3% THC are available and legal only for people under medical Marijuana programs.
Whereas hemp-derived products can be used by anyone, and in some states, there’s not even any age restriction to buy the product. Then there’s Idaho, the only state where only broad-spectrum or zero THC products are legal. Let’s take a deeper look :
States where hemp-derived CBD products ( Less than 0.3% THC ) are legal
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Idaho
States where both hemp and Marijuana-derived CBD products are legal
Quick note: Even though Marijuana CBD products are legal in these states, you’ll still need to be part of the state’s medical marijuana program to buy them. Plus, such high-THC products can only be bought from registered medical Marijuana dispensaries.
- Alaska
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Illinois
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
The only four states that don’t allow you to grow hemp for personal use at home are Idaho, Mississippi, New Hampshire, and South Dakota.
What’s the future of CBD products in the USA?
There’s no doubt regular CBD products will most probably continue to be legal in most American states. But there’s a looming risk over the legality of Delta 8 or THCA kinds of products. The upcoming 2024 farm bill is a cause of discussion among various hemp growers and retailers across the country.
Just last month, Missouri completely banned the sale of drinks, candies, and other such products made from unregulated hemp derivatives like delta-8 THC. In another blow to the industry, Gavin Newsome, the governor of California, proposed an outright ban on hemp products with high THC content. Many states have also raised the minimum age for buying CBD products from 18 to 21. So yes, nothing is permanent, and you should always stay updated about the latest CBD regulations in your state.
The Key Takeaways
To sum it up, CBD is legal in all 50 U.S. states and can easily be bought via offline retail stores or reputed online brands like Colorado Botanicals. But there’s always a risk of new regulations in this industry.
Recently, many states have moved in the direction of banning unregulated hemp products with high levels of THC in them. That’s why you should always stay updated about the latest CBD laws and try to buy the products only from well-tested and regulated avenues.
