Is CBD Legal?
If you turn the clocks back a few years, many people would be clueless if you were to ask, “Is CBD legal?” or “How old do you have to be to buy CBD?” Fast forward to the present, there’s been a huge shift in perception and knowledge about the cannabis plant and its cannabinoids, including CBD or cannabidiol. Today, CBD has become a common term for many people. But a lot of people are still unsure about the legality of CBD. The uncertainty is a result of two factors:
- Legality differs by location in the US (and abroad).
- Legality differs by the type of CBD product.
When it comes to location, the US has different laws for CBD in different states. In addition to that, different states have legalized various types of CBD products differently.
Products that contain less than 0.3% THC or tetrahydrocannabinol are legal at the federal level. Products such as CBD isolate, broad-spectrum CBD, and THC-free full-spectrum CBD are considered federally legal. But don’t take a company’s word as gospel. Make sure you double-check the THC levels in the seller’s third-party lab reports.
What is the Legal Age to Buy CBD?
How old do you have to be to buy CBD? Well, there is no straightforward answer to the question. The answer depends on these two factors, again:
- Which US state you live in.
- What type of CBD product you’re looking for.
Each state has its own set of laws when it comes to buying CBD. Basically, there are two age limits: 18 years and 21 years. Whether you’re 18 or 21, you should always make sure you have proof of identification with you as you’ll most likely be asked to prove your age when you’re buying a CBD product.
Age Restrictions for CBD in Various US States
As we now know, state laws vary when it comes to CBD. It’s worth knowing that while these laws can change depending on the state you are in, the Farm Bill makes it perfectly within law to ship CBD across states. But the legality of every state receiving these products, and the rules on whether they can be sold there rests on each state's distinct laws..
Let’s have a look at the age restrictions on the sale and use of CBD in various states:
- Alaska: 21 years.
- California: 18 years.
- Idaho: 18 or 21 years. The age restriction depends on which jurisdiction you live in. Idaho is also very strict with its laws regarding THC. Only CBD isolate that’s labeled THC-free is permitted to be sold and used.
- Michigan: 18 years.
- Missouri: There are currently no age restrictions on the sale and purchase of CBD products. However, shops are permitted to impose age restrictions on their own. Some forms of CBD are sold only if they come with appropriate medical recommendations.
- Nebraska: There are no age restrictions.
- New Jersey: 18 years for medical marijuana. There are no age limits on the sale of CBD.
- New York: 18 years.
- Oregon: 18 years.
- Tennessee: 21 years.
What’s the Legal Age for CBD in Various Countries
Now, let’s take a look at the age limits on the sale and use of CBD in some countries:
- Mexico: 18 years.
- Canada: Depends on the laws of the provinces and territories. In Alberta and Quebec, it’s 18 years, while in the rest of the country, it’s 19 years.
- Germany: 18 years.
- UK: 18 years.
- Italy: There are no age restrictions on the sale of CBD.
- France: 18 years.
- Spain: It’s a little complex there. The country’s drug control agency says that only topical CBD products can be used, and there are no age restrictions on these topicals. However, Spain has cannabis clubs, which are allowed to sell to people over the age of 21.
How Do You Know if a CBD Product is Good?
CBD's popularity has exploded, as evidenced by a proliferation of stores dedicated to its products, ranging from retail pharmacies to grocery stores. Some of these products are of high quality, but many of them aren't.
Don’t get stuck with a lemon, though. Buy the products from a reputable source and make sure they come with independent testing reports to validate the claims regarding cannabinoid content. The lab report is your best friend when it comes to weeding out the duds!
If a store or website won’t tell you where their hemp is grown and processed, go somewhere else. They might be trying to sell you hemp with little or no CBD.
What Kind of CBD Products are Available?
Now that you at least have an answer to the question of how old do you have to be to buy CBD, get acquainted with CBD in its various forms! Here they are:
- Edibles: You can buy edibles in the form of CBD-infused gummies, brownies, mints and more. It's become quite a popular way to experience CBD, and it’s often the preferred type for beginners.
But one question often lingers when it comes to edibles. If you enjoy gummies, you’ll know you’ve asked this question before, “How many CBD gummies should I eat?” While you won't feel the effects right away, it's better to start with just one before upping your dose. The effects take several hours to kick in because your body has to digest it first. So, many people make the mistake of having more than one before they feel the onset of the effects.
Gummies are one type of edibles that have charmed even the most cautious CBD users, mainly because they can be very delicious and they’re also a discreet way to enjoy CBD. Buying CBD gummies online is easier than ever. But just because they taste good doesn’t mean you should have too many of them quickly!
Top Tip: Full-spectrum cbd gummies include the full range of cannabinoids and terpenes (yes, that’s why they are ‘full-spectrum’), which could include THC if the gummies are not produced from hemp.
- Topicals: The topical CBD market is heating up with the hemp extract being used in a variety of skin care products, including lotions and salves.
- Vaping: Another option is to vape CBD. These can be disposable vapes, or refillable ones. They come in an assortment of styles, including ones that can be used with cartridges or dry herb flower. And if you're looking for one that works perhaps faster than Usain Bolt, check out vape pens that use a combination of CBD concentrate and sugar wax.
Is it Legal to Give CBD to Children?
While buying CBD is legal for adults in many states, there are limits on sales to minors and restrictions on use among minors. Some parents may want their kids to benefit from the cannabinoid's ability to reduce physical pain or ease anxiety levels.
According to the 2018 Farm Bill, the only restriction placed on minors' use of CBD is related to inhalation. So as long as a product contains less than 0.3% THC and is sourced from hemp that's grown according to federal regulations, minors legally can use with the permission of their legal guardians, it’s ultimately up to the parent to make this decision.
The Bottom Line on How Old You Have to be to Buy CBD
So, for the question ‘how old do you have to be to buy CBD?’ The answer depends on the US state you live in. If you want to purchase CBD products, you’ll have to do your homework and find out whether your state has laws regulating the sale and consumption of CBD, and what they precisely are.
Most states have an age restriction of 18 years, some have set it at 21 years, while a few others impose other kinds of stipulations that are not related to age. Having said that, if you get to freely buy and consume a CBD product, do make sure you purchase it only from a trusted seller.
