Due to the many beneficial effects of different CBD products, talking about the legality of cannabidiol has become more important. Unlike THC, which is the psychoactive ingredient we get from marijuana, CBD doesn’t have any mind-altering capabilities. Instead, this chemical substance simply allows users to feel more relaxed.
Many of the CBD products on the market have more benefits than negative consequences. Basically, they can help with pain relief, anxiety, and similar ailments. What’s more, they can also help with seizures. As a matter of fact, the FDA is currently considering whether they should approve the first prescription medication made from the cannabis plant in the U.S.
Lastly, CBD can help relieve signs of brain deterioration. It can even be useful for fighting the symptoms of addiction. So there are many potential benefits of using these products. But, with the complicated state of marijuana legality across the country, is it legal to use products derived from this plant? Let’s find out.
Is CBD Legal in All 50 States?
Depending on whether CBD in a product is derived from the hemp plant or marijuana, its legal status may vary. Sometimes, CBD does also contain traces of THC. However, it’s generally not enough to be detectable by drug tests, so most CBD products won’t affect your mental abilities at all.
Furthermore, if CBD was extracted from the hemp plant, it will have even lower amounts of THC in it. Recently, CBD derived from hemp plants became legal nationwide. So if you want to use hemp oil products, whether they’re edibles or lotions, you’re in the clear.
Still, even though hemp oil products are legal on a federal level, some states still impose restrictive local regulations. Usually, the restrictions coincide with states that have strict marijuana laws as well. For example, Idaho, Nebraska, and South Dakota have bans on all cannabis products.
Conversely, some states make it much easier to get your hands on CBD products — regardless of the plant of origin. For example, if you live in one of the 10 states that have legalized marijuana (or Washington, D.C.), you’ll be fine.
A Big Win for Hemp Farmers
In recent years, the hemp and marijuana farming communities have had quite a few successes on a legislative level. First, there was the Agricultural Act of 2014 that set the stage for the hemp industry to grow more than ever. More importantly, that bill introduced many lawmakers to the subject at hand for the first time.
Furthermore, in 2018, the Senate introduced and passed the Hemp Farming Act. Basically, this piece of legislation sought to transfer the DEA’s authority over hemp to individual states. The states would then be able to oversee their own hemp production. The goal of the whole thing is to see hemp become a farming product much like any other.
As of December of 2018, all of these things have been signed into law. So the 2018 Farm Act became the first step toward true legalization of CBD products in the United States.
