Do You Need A Prescription to Buy CBD?

Do You Need A Prescription to Buy CBD?

The American government legalized CBD when they introduced the Farm Bill at the end of 2018, and CBD products have been increasing in popularity ever since. Technically speaking, you do not need a prescription to buy CBD products. However, there are a lot of caveats to this law and the issue is not as straightforward as it might seem.

What Is CBD?

CBD grows naturally in some plants, and its popularity has soared over the past couple of years. It is now used in everything from face cream to latte. However, it is usually available as an oil, like this CBD Oil Morning-Time Citrus, or this CBD Oil Any-Time Natural Oil, and can be taken as is or used in cooking. It is also possible to vape it.

Its popularity has grown because it is said to have many health benefits. It is used for joint pain, back pain, arthritis and anxiety, among other things. Some people use it instead of prescription drugs or in addition to them. Although it has been in existence for thousands of years, it is only more recently that research has started to be carried out into the health benefits of it. Because so little research has been carried out to date, there is little for governments to consider when deciding whether to legalize this substance or not. As the health benefits are studied further, it is believed that more countries will remove their restrictions regarding it.

THC

The federal government has legalized CBD that contains less than 0.3% THC. Anything above this level is still illegal and would therefore require a prescription to carry it. It is also worth noting that federal law governs all airports in the U.S., so care should be taken when making cross-country trips with CBD. You will be safe as long as you carry CBD that clearly states the THC content on the label and is unopened. If you have opened it, airport security might believe that you could have replaced the contents of the bottle with something else and confiscate it.

It is currently legal to carry CBD with less than 0.3% THC content in every state. You can buy this within the U.S. and have it shipped anywhere in the country.

Differences in State Law

Some states do not stipulate that the THC content of CBD has to be less than 0.3%. In these states, products with less than 0.3% THC will be available online or in local stores. However, you will have to go to a specialist dispensary to buy CBD that has a THC content that is greater than 0.3%. These states are currently:

• Alaska

• California

• Colorado

• District of Columbia (D.C.)

• Illinois

• Maine

• Massachusetts

• Michigan

• Nevada

• Oregon

• Vermont

• Washington

In some states, state law mirrors federal law, so you can only buy CBD without a prescription if it contains less than 0.3% THC. At the time of writing, these states are:

• Arizona

• Arkansas

• Connecticut

• Delaware

• Florida

• Hawaii

• Louisiana

• Maryland

• Minnesota

• Missouri

• Montana

• New Hampshire

• New Jersey

• New Mexico

• New York

• North Dakota

• Ohio

• Oklahoma

• Pennsylvania

• Rhode Island

• Utah

• West Virginia

There are some states where CBD would be illegal under state law, but it is allowed because it is acceptable under federal law. Right now, these states are:

• Alabama

• Georgia

• Idaho

• Indiana

• Iowa

• Kansas

• Kentucky

• Mississippi

• Nebraska

• North Carolina

• South Carolina

• South Dakota

• Tennessee

• Texas

• Virginia

• Wisconsin

• Wyoming

Points to Consider

It is worth noting that these laws are subject to change, so check before you travel to make sure you always stay on the right side of the law if you are carrying CBD. This is especially true if you are traveling between states as CBD with a THC content of higher than 0.3% THC is available to buy in some states, but you will be breaking the law if you carry it into other states without a prescription. If the content of THC is more than 0.3%, you are not protected by federal law in any state.

CBD is likely to grow in popularity over the next few years and will be reviewed on a regular basis by both federal and state laws. The laws may change as more research is carried out into the product and what it can be used for. If you are a regular user, make sure you keep your knowledge of CBD up to date. However, as of right now, you do not need a prescription to buy CBD as long as it contains less than 0.3% THC.