Navigating the world of CBD products comes with its own set of questions and considerations, and one that often arises is, "Is CBD legal in my area?" and "What are the age requirements?"
CBD has only been recently made legal at the federal law level through the 2018 Farm Bill, and individual states have made their own laws regarding CBD since. The legal landscape surrounding CBD can be a bit complex, with variations from one place to another.
In this guide, we'll break down the age requirements for purchasing CBD, helping you understand the rules and regulations in place. Whether you're a curious consumer or a parent looking for information, we've covered the age-related aspects of buying CBD products. Let's dive into the details.
Is CBD Legal?
The legal status of CBD can be complex. According to the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (the 2018 Farm Bill), hemp-derived CBD products containing less than 0.3% THC is federally legal, whereas marijuana-derived CBD remains illegal.
Although this legislation legalized CBD at the federal level, individual states retain the authority to determine its legality within their borders, establishing their own regulatory frameworks. For a more comprehensive analysis, refer to our blog, "Is CBD Oil Legal in the USA?"
Following state-level determinations of CBD legality, the issue of age restrictions for purchase arose, with individual states establishing their own policies.
While this discussion will focus on state-level age restrictions, it is crucial to recognize that local (county and city) ordinances may diverge from state regulations. Therefore, verifying the specific laws and regulations applicable to one's locality is essential.
Federal Age Limit
When Congress passed the 2018 Farm Bill, there was no mention of an age restriction on purchasing or using CBD. This means that technically, at the federal level, anyone, including a minor, can buy CBD.
However, as mentioned above, each state has the ultimate decision regarding any age restrictions for their state. Here is a breakdown of the age restrictions on CBD for each state with a few explanations when there needs to be some clarifications.
States With No Age Restrictions
| STATE | State Legal Status |
| Alabama | You must be registered as a medical cannabis patient, and selling CBD outside the medical restrictions is illegal. |
| Arizona | No Age Restrictions |
| Arkansas | No Age Restrictions |
| Iowa | No Age Restrictions |
| Maryland | No Age Restrictions |
| Missouri | No Age Restrictions |
| Nebraska | No Age Restrictions |
| New Jersey | No Age Restrictions |
| Texas | No Age Restrictions |
| Virginia | No Age Restrictions |
| West Virginia | No Age Restrictions |
States Where You Must Be 18 or Older
| STATE | State Legal Status |
| California | Must Be 18 or Older |
| Colorado | Must Be 18 or Older |
| Connecticut | You must have a license to purchase CBD |
| Delaware | Must Be 18 or Older |
| Florida | Must Be 18 or Older |
| Georgia | CBD products are illegal unless there are extreme circumstances, and you will need a special license when buying CBD. |
| Hawaii | For the most part, you must be 18 years or older when buying CBD, but a few stores require you to be 21. |
| Idaho | CBD products in Idaho must contain no traces of THC in them and require you to be 18 years old to purchase. Some places in Idaho require you to be 21 to buy CBD products. |
| Kansas | Like Idaho, there must be no THC within the CBD products. You must be 18 years or older and only be buying the CBD for medicinal use. |
| Kentucky | You must be 18 years or older and have a doctor's recommendation to buy CBD products. |
| Louisiana | Must Be 18 or Older |
| Massachusetts | Must Be 18 or Older |
| Michigan | Must Be 18 or Older |
| Minnesota | Must Be 18 or Older |
| Mississippi | Must Be 18 or Older |
| Montana | Must Be 18 or Older |
| Nevada | Must Be 18 or Older |
| New Hampshire | Must Be 18 or Older |
| New Mexico | Must Be 18 or Older |
| New York | Must Be 18 or Older |
| North Carolina | Must Be 18 or Older |
| North Dakota | Must Be 18 or Older |
| Ohio | Must Be 18 or Older |
| Oklahoma | Must Be 18 or Older |
| Oregon | Must Be 18 or Older |
| South Carolina | You must have a prescription to purchase CBD |
| South Dakota | Must Be 18 or Older |
| Vermont | Must Be 18 or Older |
| Washington | Must Be 18 or Older |
| Wisconsin | Must Be 18 or Older |
| Wyoming | Must Be 18 or Older |
States Where You Must be 21 Years Old
| STATE | State Legal Status |
| Alaska | Alaska has strict rules about selling and importing CBD, so it may be hard to find, but the user must be at least 21 years old to purchase. |
| Illinois | You Must be 21 Years Old |
| Indiana | CBD can only be used for medicinal purposes. |
| Maine | You Must be 21 Years Old |
| Rhode Island | You Must be 21 Years Old |
| Tennessee | You Must be 21 Years Old |
| Utah | You Must be 21 Years Old |
These age restrictions and laws are always changing and being updated. As the question goes, how old do you have to be to purchase CBD? The answer heavily depends on the state you live in. Check your local and state laws before buying CBD.
Which CBD Products Are Legal To Use Based On Age?
While federally legal hemp plant-derived CBD has no age restriction, the sale of inhalable CBD products (e.g., vapes, cigarettes) is uniformly restricted to individuals 21 years of age and older. This regulation supersedes federal guidelines regarding CBD itself. Consultation of local and state laws is advised for a comprehensive understanding of applicable regulations.
Can A Minor Use CBD?
While the answer to the question "Can a minor buy CBD?" is technically yes at a federal level, each state has its varying answers, as shown above.
Even though they can purchase CBD, parents should be cautious when it comes to giving their children CBD products. There is limited data on the long-term effects CBD may have on children.
The only reason a child or teenager should be given CBD is if a Doctor prescribes or suggests giving CBD a try. Please consult your physician before giving your child CBD.
CBD Drug Testing
Regarding CBD use and drug testing, awareness of potential tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content in certain types of CBD products is essential. While CBD itself is non-psychoactive, certain products may contain trace amounts of THC. To lower the risk of a positive drug test, selecting THC-free, broad-spectrum, or CBD isolate products is recommended.
Avoid hemp and marijuana-derived products that contain high levels of THC. These products contain strong psychoactive effects.
However, it is recommended that you consult your employer regarding their specific drug testing protocols before taking CBD. Learn what is acceptable and what isn't to secure employment.
Type of Drug Testing
Standard drug tests (urine, blood, or saliva) primarily screen for THC, not CBD. Although pure CBD should not trigger a positive result, trace THC in some CBD products can. Therefore, individuals subject to drug testing should select "THC-free" or "broad-spectrum" CBD products.
Furthermore, transparency with test administrators is crucial, as some tests specifically target cannabinoids, potentially yielding a positive result even with THC-free CBD.
Sum It Up!
This discussion has addressed the inquiries, "Can a minor buy CBD?" and "Do you have to be 18 to buy CBD?" While federal law does not impose age restrictions on CBD, individual state and local jurisdictions may establish their own regulations governing its purchase.
Furthermore, variations exist among states regarding the general legality of CBD. Consequently, it is imperative to ascertain the relevant laws and regulations before purchasing CBD products. Further inquiries may be submitted as comments to this post.
Why Buy From GreenIVe?
GreenIVe CBD products utilize high-quality, hemp-derived CBD oil and undergo rigorous third-party testing to ensure quality. Product formulations are tailored to comply with specific state regulations. GreenIVe offers a diverse range of CBD products, including oils, softgels, gummies, and topicals.
Customers may chat with our knowledgeable customer service representatives for personalized assistance and information regarding CBD products.
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