Cannabidiol or CBD is a naturally occurring cannabinoid in the cannabis plant which as per the 2018 Farm Bill is legal for consumption in the United States. Fortunately, for hemp-driven CBD products containing less than 0.3% THC and other similar low-THC hemp-driven products, you don’t need a medical marijuana card.
Even with practically no legal restriction on possessing and consuming CBD products with less than 0.3% THC, the laws can become a bit vague or complex from one state to another. Today, CertaMD presents a comprehensive guide on whether or not you need a medical marijuana card for CBD products.
CBD legalization across various US states
As per the US federal law, marijuana is still recognized as a Schedule I substance making its possession or consumption illegal. However, the 2018 Farm Bill legalizes the use of CBD products with less than 0.3% THC content in them. This means that regardless of the kind of CBD product you’re purchasing, the THC content should not exceed the set threshold of 0.3% of the product’s total weight. Anything above this set THC threshold will be considered cannabis as per the legal standards.
The state-specific laws for CBD products are different. In states like Georgia and Texas, you do need a medical marijuana card to purchase ‘low-THC’ CBD oil with less than 0.5% THC content. On the opposite, in states like South Dakota, Nebraska, and Idaho, CBD derived from marijuana plants is completely banned while in states like New York, there is a certain age restriction when it comes to purchasing and consuming CBD products.
Prescription vs Over-the-counter CBD oil: Which one should you choose?
Perhaps one of the most asked questions regarding this topic. Prescription or over-the-counter CBD oil? The answer is both. AS CBD oil with less than 0.3% THC is legal in principle across the US, you can easily get over-the-counter CBD oils. However, the problem with this is that the THC content labels for such products are not quite accurate and there is a high chance that you might be consuming more than the allowed THC content through such products without even knowing.
The alternative to this is obviously switching to prescription CBD oils with a definite THC content threshold that is both legal and safe to consume. This means that you’ll have to pay for an appointment with a certified doctor in order to get this prescription.
Also, it has been noticed that the place from where you’re purchasing the CBD oils has a great influence on the quality of the CBD oil. Registered pharmacies and dispensaries have a strict regulatory policy to keep only such generally accessible CBD oils and similar products that have a THC content lower than 0.3%.
Why opt for quality CBD products?
When considering CBD products, many consumers find that full-spectrum CBD offers more significant benefits compared to CBD isolate, particularly for those managing chronic pain or medical conditions like PTSD, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and Crohn’s disease. This is largely due to the ‘entourage effect’, where the natural combination of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids in the cannabis plant work together to enhance its therapeutic effects.
Full-spectrum CBD products contain a wider range of the cannabis plant’s original compounds, including minor cannabinoids like CBG, and a variety of terpenes and flavonoids. These products, which may contain more than 0.3% THC, could be especially beneficial. However, they are technically classified as cannabis products, meaning you’ll need to live in a state where recreational cannabis is legal or be a registered medical marijuana patient to access them. Whether or not these products produce a high depends on factors such as their potency, THC ratio, tolerance, and metabolism.
Final Note
CBD oils and similar products containing less than 0.3% THC content are legal across the US. However, whether or not you need a medical marijuana card to access these products solely depends upon the laws of the state you’re residing in. Make sure to consult a legal or subject expert before trying to try some amazing CBD oils!
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