Despite the overwhelmingly positive studies on CBD, and the fact that it’s becoming one of the fastest-growing industries of the 21st century, there are still a lot of people throughout America who are unsure as to whether or not it’s actually legal. And, to be quite honest, we can’t blame them. Our country’s legal history with cannabis is extremely complicated, and legislation regarding hemp specifically has only changed significantly in the last few years. We completely respect consumers’ concerns about taking something when they don’t know if doing so will ultimately result in some type of legal penalty.
Good news is that the laws about CBD are pretty clear these days. And, to help you understand things better, we’re going to discuss the legality of hemp in a fully comprehensive way so that you can know exactly where you stand with the law should you start a CBD regimen.
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What Does CBD Stand for?
CBD stands for cannabidiol, which is the dominant compound in the hemp plant. Hemp is a member of the cannabis genus, but unlike marijuana, it’s non-psychoactive, meaning that while marijuana can get you high, hemp cannot. The reason why CBD has been given its spotlight over other compounds in hemp is because it’s the most prominent and readily available, occurring in far higher amounts than other compounds in the plant material. And, CBD has been widely studied for its many fascinating properties. Still, a lot of CBD products on the market contain many other compounds in hemp as they naturally occur in the plant.
Is Cannabidiol Actually Legal?
Let’s take a look at what the federal law says about the hemp plant.
Up until 2014, hemp was a classified substance along with marijuana, as cannabis as a whole was illegal throughout the country. But then, in 2014, it became legal for farmers to cultivate hemp specifically for research purposes.
Finally, in 2018, the Farm Bill was enacted, which lifted basically all restrictions on the hemp plant, and its star compound, CBD. The Farm Bill clearly states that hemp is no longer a classified substance, and that hemp can be legally sold, purchased and consumed as long as it has no more than 0.3% THC, which is the psychoactive compound highly abundant in marijuana. This 0.3% is about the amount that naturally occurs in hemp.
Further, the law states that CBD is only legal if it is extracted from hemp. This is because marijuana also contains a small amount of this compound. Further, hemp’s derivatives are all legal, including individual cannabinoids extracted from hemp, as long as they are tested to show that they have a maximum of 0.3% THC.
Legality of CBD According to State
Of course, each individual state is free to make their own laws regarding cannabis. Some states have enacted further restrictions on hemp, which is why we’d like to break down hemp laws according to each state. Note that these laws are always subject to change, so you should regularly check in with your state’s legislation on CBD and hemp products.
Hemp and CBD products are fully legal in Alabama as long as they have a maximum of 0.3% THC.
Alaska
Hemp and CBD products are completely legal in Alaska, as long as there is no more than 0.3% THC.
Arizona
Hemp and CBD goods are fully legal throughout Arizona, and they must contain a maximum of 0.3% THC.
Arkansas
All CBD and hemp-based goods are legal in Arkansas, assuming they have no more than 0.3% THC.
California
Hemp and CBD products are completely legal in California. There is no legal limit on THC levels as marijuana is also legal throughout the state.
Colorado
Like California, Colorado has legalized cannabis altogether, and so there are no restrictions when it comes to CBD and hemp products.
Connecticut
CBD and hemp products are legal in the state, and must have at most 0.3% THC.
Delaware
Delaware is another state in which hemp and CBD are fully legal, so long as they have 0.3% THC at most.
Florida
Florida permits residents to use CBD and hemp products that have a maximum of 0.3% THC.
Georgia
CBD and hemp goods with a maximum of 0.3% THC are legal in Georgia, with the exception of food and beverages.
Hawaii
All CBD and hemp products are legal in Hawaii, but must contain no more than 0.3% THC.
Idaho
CBD and hemp products are illegal in Idaho, with the exception of hempseed products which do not contain cannabinoids.
Cannabis is fully legal in Illinois, so there are no restrictions when it comes to hemp and CBD products.
Indiana
CBD is fully legal throughout Indiana, along with all hemp goods, that have a maximum of 0.3% THC.
Iowa
CBD and hemp goods are legal in Iowa, but must have no more than 0.3% THC. Further, products that are inhaled, like vapes and CBD flower, are illegal in the state.
Kansas
Technically, only THC-free CBD and hemp products are legal in Kansas.
Kentucky
All hemp and CBD products with a maximum of 0.3% THC are legal in Kentucky, except for flower products.
Louisiana
In Louisiana, all CBD and hemp goods are legal if they have a maximum of 0.3% THC.
Maine
CBD and hemp goods with no more than 0.3% THC are legal in Maine.
Maryland
Hemp and CBD products are legal throughout Maryland, as long as they have 0.3% THC or less.
Massachusetts
CBD and hemp goods with a max of 0.3% THC are legal in Massachusetts, except for foods, beverages and dietary supplements.
Michigan
Hemp and CBD with a maximum of 0.3% THC are legal in Michigan, except for foods and beverages.
Minnesota
Hemp and CBD products are legal in Minnesota as long as they have no more than 0.3% THC. However, foods and drinks containing hemp are illegal.
Mississippi
CBD and hemp with a max of 0.3% THC are legal in the state.
Missouri
CBD and hemp can be bought and sold legally in Missouri if the products do not contain more than 0.3% THC.
CBD and hemp goods with a maximum of 0.3% THC are legal in Montana, except for foods and beverages.
Nebraska
Technically, CBD and hemp are illegal in the state of Nebraska.
Nevada
Because recreational cannabis is legal in Nevada, there are no restrictions on CBD and hemp products.
New Hampshire
Products with 0.3% or less THC are legal in New Hampshire, except for food and beverage goods.
New Jersey
CBD and hemp goods are legal in New Jersey, but must contain at most 0.3% THC.
New Mexico
CBD and hemp products with 0.3% THC or less are legal in New Mexico.
New York
CBD and hemp products, except for foods and beverages, are legal in New York as long as they have 0.3% THC at most.
North Carolina
CBD and hemp are fully legal in North Carolina as long as they have a max of 0.3% THC.
North Dakota
CBD and hemp is permitted throughout the state as long as there’s no more than 0.3% THC present.
Ohio
CBD and hemp with a max of 0.3% THC is permitted in Ohio.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma allows CBD and hemp with no more than 0.3% THC.
Oregon
CBD and hemp products are legal in Oregon but must have a maximum of 0.3% THC.
In Pennsylvania, you can use CBD and hemp goods that have no more than 0.3% THC.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island allows CBD and hemp products to be legal, but they cannot have more than 0.3% THC in them.
South Carolina
CBD and hemp with a max of 0.3% are legal in South Carolina, except for raw flower and vaping products.
South Dakota
Technically, CBD and hemp are illegal in South Dakota.
Tennessee
CBD and hemp products containing a maximum of 0.3% THC are permitted in Tennessee.
Texas
Texas allows for CBD and hemp throughout the state as long as the products contain a maximum of 0.3% THC.
Utah
CBD and hemp are legal throughout Utah and must have a maximum of 0.3% THC. However, foods, beverages and smokable products are not legal.
Vermont
In Vermont, CBD and hemp products with up to 0.3% THC are legal.
Virginia
In Virginia, CBD and hemp goods with up to 0.3% THC are permitted.
Washington
CBD and hemp products, with the exception of food and beverages, are legal throughout Washington, and must have at most 0.3% THC.
West Virginia
CBD and hemp are legal throughout West Virginia, as long as the products have no more than 0.3% THC.
Wisconsin
CBD and hemp are only legal in Wisconsin with a doctor’s approval.
Wyoming allows residents to use hemp and CBD with up to 0.3% THC.
CBD is, Ultimately, Legal According to Federal Law
Each state has the ability to make their own laws, and some states are more lenient than others, but the majority of individual states completely support residents’ desires to use cannabidiol for wellness purposes. At Kigh CBD, we follow the laws regarding hemp carefully in order to make sure that we operate a business in a completely legal manner.