There are three letters taking the world by storm – CBD. A recent study found that the global CBD market was around $2.8 billion in 2020. It’s estimated to continue growing over 20% a year for the rest of the decade.
It seems like CBD products are everywhere. There are oils, drinks, gummies, vapes, and lotions. There are even pet products with CBD these days.
But is CBD legal? It’s a complicated question, but let’s try to find the answer.
Whats Is CBD?
You may be asking yourself this question, so let’s start here. CBD stands for cannabidiol and it’s one of the 113 cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant.
Yes, that’s the same cannabis plant that produces marijuana. You see, there are different types of cannabis plants. The key difference between them is the level of THC.
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the psychoactive cannabinoid that makes you “high.” Some cannabis plants can have as much as 30% THC.
Meanwhile, hemp plants produce CBD but very little THC. You don’t get the same intoxicating effects with CBD, but it is believed to help treat anxiety, pain, sleep disorders, and more.
There are many ways to take CBD. You can inhale smoke or vapor, take oils or tinctures, AND use lotions, for starters.
There are also plenty of CBD-infused food and drink items on the market. In short, it’s not hard to buy CBD these days. But how about the CBD laws?
Is CBD Legal?
Unfortunately, there’s no easy way to answer this question. The legal status of CBD depends on the country. In many parts of the world, CBD falls into a grey area.
Take the United States, for example. The 2018 Farm Bill made it so that CBD is legal if derived from a hemp plant.
Sounds simple, right? There’s a kicker, though.
It is only legal if the plant has less than 0.3% THC. If it has more than that, it is classified as marijuana and it is federally illegal.
The way that cannabis plants grow and breed can also cause a hemp plant to become marijuana. It then becomes illegal, even if it’s just one plant in a large crop.
There are also different CBD laws from state to state. It can be a bit confusing, to say the least.
It’s a similar situation in South Africa, where CBD is legal if it comes from a hemp plant and contains less than 0.2% THC.
If you want to buy CBD there, it’s legal to purchase supplements that have less than 600 mg of it. Click here to read about CBD laws in South Africa.
Around the world, there are many countries where all cannabis remains completely illegal. This includes CBD products.
Best CBD Advice
As you can see, the situation with CBD isn’t cut and dry. In many cases, there isn’t a simple “yes” or “no” answer to the question “Is CBD legal?”
The CBD laws are always changing, so it’s important to stay informed. One thing is for sure, though. This industry will continue to grow in the years to come as more people turn to natural ailments.
If you’re curious to learn more about CBD, check us out for lots of detailed posts and keep coming back as we’re always posting fresh content.