Many people are apprehensive about trying full-spectrum CBD products because they are not sure if they are legal in the United States. Since each state is responsible for passing their own laws, and restrictions vary from state to state, it is hard to know where you can buy legal CBD.

It's actually a lot easier than you might think!

In this article, we will help you to understand the legalities of CBD, and how that impacts the way products are produced, sold, and restricted.

A Brief History on the Legality of CBD

CBD, also known as cannabidiol, is one of the hundreds of compounds derived from the hemp plant, a not too distant cousin of the marijuana plant. The two most prevalent active ingredients found in cannabis plants are CBD and THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol. Suffice it to say, THC is the compound that gives that “high” feeling while CBD does not.

While all 50 states have legalized CBD, some have done so with varying degrees of restriction. This is where things can get confusing. CBD is legalized on a federal level, but still faces varying restrictions on the state level.

The confusion comes, in part, from the difference in where CBD can be extracted from. CBD extracted from hemp is legal in all 50 states. CBD extracted from marijuana is legal for adults in 11 states and Washington D.C. Medical marijuana is legal in only 33 states.

Under federal law, marijuana is a Schedule I dangerous drug, and this is where much of the confusion and stigma around CBD comes from.

The Path of Federal Prohibitions on Marijuana

As a means of regulating drugs back in 1914, Congress passed the Harrison Narcotics Act. Rather than prohibiting their use, Congress instead imposed a tax on opium, heroin, morphine, and other drugs in an attempt to circumvent legal challenges.

Both the Harrison Act and the follow-up Marijuana Tax Act passed in 1937 was intended to generate revenue. These laws essentially outlawed the possession or sale of certain drugs. The Boggs Act passed in 1952 then introduced harsh mandatory sentences for drug offenses, including marijuana.

By 1970, Congress passed the Controlled Substances Act establishing schedules into which drugs were placed based upon their potential for abuse and perceived medical usefulness.

One unfortunate result of the war on drugs was that cannabis ended up as a Schedule I drug along with heroin and LSD.

This history helps to explain how cannabis, and therefore CBD was burdened with so many legal restrictions that are just now starting to lift.

2018 Brings a Sea Change in Legalizing Cannabis

In June of 2018, the FDA approved a drug called Epidiolex that doctors had been using to successfully treat seizures associated with some rare and severe pediatric diseases. This represented a milestone not only for patients and their families but also because the active ingredient that brought relief was CBD.

It seemed that at long last, we were discovering the many benefits of CBD. In December the 2018 Farm Bill was signed into law and removed hemp, defined as Cannabis sativa L. and its derivatives having no more than 0.3 percent THC by dry weight from the definition of marijuana in the CSA.

CBD was no longer associated exclusively with marijuana, and as a result, was no longer considered a Schedule I drug. It is now easy to buy CBD legally across the country.

As it stands today, people who are seeking remedy or relief for serious illnesses are cautioned not to sidestep proven, safe medical therapies. Caution is the watchword when looking for CBD products as some labels claim theirs contain more CBD than is actually present, or they might contain substances that are not shown on the label, such as THC.

What to Know About Full-Spectrum CBD

Full-spectrum CBD derived from hemp contains all the cannabinoids including CBD and THC, but at its regulated percentage of less than 0.3 THC by dry weight.

It also contains the other naturally-occurring terpenes, which gives hemp its familiar aroma, flavonoids, essential vitamins, fatty acids, proteins, and more. It is sometimes referred to as “whole-plant CBD.”

While it contains trace amounts of minor cannabinoids and this very low THC content, the overall composition is considered “full spectrum.” This is important as it will produce what is known as the “entourage effect.” This is truly what makes cannabis unique to our own body’s receptors.

While there is much more research required to fully understand all that cannabis does for our health, what is clear is that full-spectrum CBD intrinsically knows how to regulate both the uptake and suppression relative to how the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) in the body responds. This type of CBD oil does not give you the intoxicating effect of marijuana that causes some people concern. That said, one must be cautious if your job requires drug testing as even this small amount of THC may appear in the results.

Our full-spectrum CBD oils from hemp plants are available online. You do not need a prescription or a doctor’s recommendation to buy CBD products online. CBD has quickly become a sought-after cannabinoid with growing mainstream interest and a wide range of potential uses.

Conclusion

The CBD market, while still in its infancy, is maturing from a sub-category into an industry in its own right. With that comes the recognition it deserves from consumers who have come to rely on its value to them personally. CBD oil is legal and becoming easier and easier to find across the United States.

Many have referred to this market’s moment in time as a sort of wild west with everyone jumping in on the action. Is it any wonder when BDS Analytics forecasted expected CBD sales to exceed $20 billion by 2024 in the United States alone? While the Federal Government continues to maintain cannabis as a Schedule I drug, the FDA will not regulate the production of CBD products, which opens the door to unscrupulous marketers.

At present, there are so many CBD stores out there, both brick and mortar and online. If you are looking to purchase your first CBD tincture, you could simply google "CBD near me" and you may find a local CBD shop in your town.

If you're looking for a more convenient option to buy CBD oil, there are great CBD companies online who will ship for free right to your door.

For the consumer, the restrictions amount to the old axiom “buyer beware.” Hemp-derived CBD is still unregulated and research on its many benefits continues. With its storied history, it really is only a matter of time before researchers can go beyond their limited studies and fully understand all that Cannabis Sativa provides.

In the meantime, companies like Eden's Herbals do their best to provide consumers with up to date CBD knowledge, a variety of products, and great customer service. Eden’s Herbals boasts high-quality, lab-tested products, a safe CO2 extraction method, and a range of THC free and full-spectrum CBD products online.

Eden's Herbals also have a wide range of CBD products including edible Gummies, Tinctures that range from 1000mg to 4000mg, Skin Care products, Pet Treats, and more all offered online for safe shopping and free shipping delivered anywhere in the world, including all 50 states in America. If you are looking to purchase CBD from a trustworthy retailer, you can take it from Forbes Magazine that Eden’s Herbals is a no B.S. CBD company and the smart choice among CBD fans.

*Statements made have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and CBD is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any specific illness or disease.