Is CBD Oil Legal In All 50 States?

This is a ubiquitous question. Due to the unfortunate affiliation with marijuana, there has been a lot of ambiguity among consumers about whether or not it is legally permitted in their home state. The answer is not quite as clear cut and simple, and perhaps you’d like it to be. You see, before 2018, the Cannabis Sativa or marijuana plant, as its better known, was completely prohibited in the United States save some minor exceptions. However, with the passing of the 2018 Agricultural Improvement Act, Congress created a legal designation for cannabis plants that contain less than .3% THC, which is now considered the legal limit. So, the short answer to this question is that if a product containing CBD is derived from Hemp, rather than cannabis or marijuana, then yes, it is legal in all 50 states. We will teach you how to ensure that you are only purchasing the legal varieties!

You can avoid any legal issues by ensuring that you only purchase CBD products that have come from USDA certified organic Hemp. Even though Hemp is legal, you should still be careful about what hemp products you choose to consume. Hemp is a plant that is particularly well-suited to cleaning the soil by extracting heavy metals and other contaminants. Unfortunately, these non-desirable substances end up in the Hemp. Many farmers are trying to fatten their wallets at your expense by cleaning their land, selling you the tainted Hemp at a premium, and then rotating back to their primary cash crop. Don’t fall for this hard-to-spot-scheme and only use providers that use organic, USDA certified Hemp.

What Is CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the primary active compounds in the marijuana plant. Unlike its more famous cousin, THC, it does not provide a mind-altering 'high' or otherwise impairs or inebriate you. CBD has been sought after for its many perceived beneficial characteristics, and the compound itself acts on the human Endocannabinoid System. Yes, that's right many people fail to realize that we, as human beings, produce our natural endogenous cannabinoids that help regulate sleep, appetite, and mood. Many people think that CBD and THC are the only two significant compounds in the cannabis plant. This could not be further from the truth. There are dozens of cannabinoids in the plant that all interact with each other and support positive outcomes in the body. Due to the federal prohibition of marijuana, medical research on CBD has been stifled for years. However, new interest and regulatory realities have created a mass impetus for using CBD for health and wellness. Research into the potential beneficial side effects or potential pitfalls is ongoing and copious. 

So far, the substance is considered mostly safe. However, if you are drug tested for employment or as a condition with a court, you may want to avoid the substance before talking to the person who administers your drug screen. Commercial synthesis of CBD can leave trace amounts of THC in certain products that may cause a false positive on a drug screen. CBD has been being used medicinally for thousands of years. When cannabis was prohibited, many of the natural areas that cannabinoids found their ways into our diet ceased. This has resulted in most people having a dearth of cannabinoids in their system, which is why some theorize many respond so positively to CBD.

What Is Hemp Oil?

Be careful here, because the terminology can be a little confusing. For example, hemp oil contains nearly no CBD, but hemp extract usually has a lot. Hemp oil is referring to the oil made from pressed hemp seeds. This is purely a dietary substance and should not be purchased to get exposure to CBD. If you’re looking for CBD, not hemp oil makes sure that the product contains either full spectrum hemp extract, broad-spectrum hemp extract, or CBD isolate. If the only ingredient is hemp oil, you will probably be duped into paying for CBD, but receiving absolutely none! So remember hemp oil does not equal CBD.

How Do People Consume CBD?

When most people say 'CBD,' what they mean most of the time is hemp extract most of the time. The most common way you will see people consuming CBD in the form of hemp extract tinctures. These are usually little graduated droppers that contain pure hemp extract that is high in CBD. We will elaborate a little later on which different kinds of CBD extracts there are. The taste of CBD oil is earthy, and most people find it pleasant and earthy. However, for those who simply like sweet-tasting things, there are always 'CBD gummies' available. These could be confused with a children's candy; they are so sweet and delicious. CBD has been used more and more in food; it has even appeared in a Carls Jr. CBD burger in Colorado briefly.

What Kinds of Hemp Extract/CBD Are There?

Full Spectrum: Full-spectrum hemp extract contains the entire range of cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. This includes dozens of different compounds that work synergistically together. Veteran CBD enthusiasts usually prefer full-spectrum hemp extract because having all the cannabinoids present unlocks something called 'the entourage effect.' This occurs when the multiple compounds in the extract work to give you a more significant benefit together than the mere sum of their parts. 

Broad Spectrum: Broad spectrum is nearly identical to the full spectrum except for one significant difference. To the extent possible, broad-spectrum has all the THC removed but has left every other cannabinoid in the mixture. This formula is ideal for airline pilots or federal workers who may have to be extra conscious about not getting a false positive for marijuana use on a drug screen.

CBD Isolate: This substance is pure, synthesized CBD, and it usually comes in the form of an odorless or tasteless powder. Unfortunately, many products may misrepresent what they have in them and may use the only minor, or underreported amounts of CBD isolate to try to flip a product for more money. There is nothing inherently wrong with CBD isolate, but be wary of vendors who appear to use only this and do not have a Certificate of Analysis from a lab that verified their product's contents.

It is essential to always consult a physician before beginning any new supplement.