These days CBD, the popular hemp plant derivative, is marketed as an effective cure for many health conditions. After it was approved by federal regulators to treat some diseases, its popularity is quickly growing among people of all ages.
In April 2019, the collected data showed that there were 6.4 million CBD Google searches. In comparison with 2017, the searches increased by 160.4 % according to the research published in Jama Network Open1.
Since many articles are devoted to the medicinal benefits of CBD, we know more or less about its good effects. But we still have many questions about laws and rules for CBD-derived products. Let’s clear it up.
Federal legality
Due to legislation passed in 2018, cannabis and its derivatives, including CBD products, are legal in the USA. The provision to Farm Bill, officially known as the Hemp Farming Act, fully legalized the hemp industry in the US. Also, it removed cannabis entirely from the Controlled Substances Act. It means that hemp plants can be grown domestically in the US, sold as an agricultural commodity, and used commercially2.
Legality by states
Federal legislation pushed for legal cannabis, and now there are only three states where hemp of any sort in any form is still illegal. These states are Idaho, Nebraska, and South Dakota.
Currently, there are 10 states where hemp is legalized both medically and recreationally. They include Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington. Also, cannabis is fully legalized in Washington D. C. The other 23 states left legalized cannabis only for medical purposes.
Rules for manufactures
The CBD market increase brought many manufacturers. Unfortunately, some of them do not follow the requirements and put the users at risk. It means that consumers should be cautious and do some research before using CBD products. It is also recommended to study product labeling carefully.
According to recent research, only 30 % of products were accurately labeled regarding the levels of CBD and THC content2.
Every CBD product should be labeled according to FDA Dietary Supplement Labeling Guide3. Go to the website and check whether the manufacturer follows the recommendations.
Unfortunately, due to the young age of the CBD oil industry, there are no stringent regulations that control the manufacturing process. Respected brands pay attention to the quality and purity of their products, serving as a guarantee that consumers will get expected health benefits.
Some companies sell products at low prices. It may be because they apply cheap/substandard methods while extracting CBD oil. Such products may contain toxic compounds and contaminants and can be dangerous for your health.
Third-party testing
Third-party means, the lab which is a separate entity and has no affiliation with the manufacturer whose products they are testing. Such labs check CBD products for a variety of factors and compounds. Usually, reputed manufacturers would produce the certificate of quality given by such labs (found on their websites). Third-party testing results help a consumer choose the right and safe product.
If you have any questions on CBD product quality and safety, give a call to the manufacturer. As a customer, you have a right to obtain the answers to your questions.
References
- Leas EC, Nobles AL, Caputi TL, Dredze M, Smith DM, Ayers JW. Trends in Internet Searches for Cannabidiol (CBD) in the United States. JAMA Netw Open. 2019;2(10):e1913853-e1913853. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.13853
- Bonn-Miller MO, Loflin MJE, Thomas BF, Marcu JP, Hyke T, Vandrey R. Labeling Accuracy of Cannabidiol Extracts Sold Online. JAMA. 2017;318(17):1708-1709. doi:10.1001/jama.2017.11909
- Center for Food Safety and Applied. Dietary Supplement Labeling Guide. FDA. April 2018. http://www.fda.gov/food/dietary-supplements-guidance-documents-regulatory-information/dietary-supplement-labeling-guide. Accessed November 13, 2019.
