Everyone these days is tempted to try out CBD Oil— which you might have wondered about and is why you’re reading this article. If you’re a newbie, your mind must be loaded with many questions like Is CBD Legal? Is it safe to consume? Do you need a prescription to buy CBD Oil?
CBD’s popularity is surging across the globe and the US. So much so, its safety profile has even been acknowledged by the World Health Organization (WHO) which claims CBD Oil as “well-tolerated” and “safe” for use by humans. Despite the fact that even specialized agencies of the UN regard it as safe for consumption/use, many still remain unsure of whether or not you need a prescription to purchase CBD Oil
In a word, no, you do not need a doctor’s/medical authorities prescription to buy CBD Oil; however, there are more concerns related to this question than one can imagine. While CBD’s legality is dependent on the source of the Cannabis plant, CBD Oil’s prescription isn’t something debated on much.
Let’s dive deeper and take a look at this in this article!
Are CBD And Marijuana The Same?
Before jumping into the details and legalities of CBD Oil, let’s first get down to knowing a few things about the Cannabis plant and Cannabinoids. Pay close attention to the following key terms before getting into the legalities of CBD Oil:
Cannabis: Cannabis is a plant composed of three plant species having psychoactive properties, recognized as Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis. Cannabis is a broad/umbrella term, and plant varieties like Marijuana and Hemp are extracted from it.
Cannabinoid: Cannabinoids are organic, naturally appearing chemical compounds found in Cannabis plants. The most prominent Cannabinoid/Phytocannabinoid is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Although most Cannabinoids do not get you the signature high/intoxicated, THC does.
THC: Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC for short, is a Phytocannabinoid (chemical) found in certain Cannabis plants (Marijuana) that creates the principal psychoactive sensation upon consumption.
CBD: Cannabidiol, or CBD for short, is the second most notable Cannabinoid found in the Cannabis/Marijuana plants. Unlike its cousin THC, it does not get you high.
Marijuana: Marijuana is any variety of Cannabis Sativa or Indica or Cannabis product containing the psychoactive compound THC. It is classified into two forms as per its THC content: medical Marijuana and recreational Marijuana.
Hemp: Although sometimes confused with Marijuana, Hemp is a botanical variety of Cannabis plant/product having less than 0.3% THC content (dry weight), and does not produce intoxication upon use/consumption.
What Is CBD Oil?
Nowadays, CBD’s popularity is surging across the entire US, and you can find a variety of CBD products almost everywhere. One of the most popular CBD products is CBD Oil. Now and then, more and more companies/brands are springing up offering their own CBD Oil; however, this legality is somewhat hazy.
Is CBD Oil Safe To Consume?
CBD interacts with the body’s cannabinoid receptors, which form part of the Endocannabinoid system (ECS). As a result, the body induces two receptors: CB1 and CB2, and the body produces its own endocannabinoids (cannabinoids) post THC interaction; this interaction causes you to get a euphoric feeling.
Supplements like Kratom or compounds like THC are on the United States’ list of controlled substances, catalogs, drugs, and chemicals regulated by the government; CBD isn’t on the list. While some controlled substances like heroin are considered illegal and banned, others like Xanax (medicinal drug) require a prescription.
When discussing the safety of using CBD Oil, one of the prime concerns includes its side effects and mainly if it can get you high, similar to Marijuana/Cannabis?
Rest assured, CBD won’t get you high, and Hemp-derived CBD Oil is a relatively safer option than Marijuana. However, both THC and CBD are derived from the same source; their clear-cut properties distinguish them.
Is CBD Oil Legal?
People often get confused and wonder if they require getting a prescription for CBD Oil as many misconceptions float around its legality. In crux, CBD Oil is legal on a federal level as long as it has 0.3% or less THC content.
In 2018, the federal government (US) declassified Hemp from “controlled substances,” making a clear distinction from Marijuana. The 2018 Farm Bill permitted American farmers to legalize industrial Hemp, allowing manufacturing and selling of CBD Oil.
Regardless of this, the FDA does not regulate CBD to date, and it remains in a gray zone as each state has its laws/regulations.
Do You Need A Prescription For CBD Oil?
Getting a prescription for CBD products depends on their source. While Hemp-derived CBD Oils/products are legal at a Federal level; you can buy them over-the-counter. However, Marijuana-derived CBD Oil comes under local/state-wise regulations.
There are states that permit both medicinal and recreational Marijuana and then there are states which regulate “Medical” Cannabis Laws, but no “Recreational” Cannabis Laws. Furthermore, there are some states having neither Medical nor Recreational Cannabis Laws.
Epidiolex: The Federally Legalized CBD Prescription
The Federal Government (US) still classifies Marijuana as a Schedule I narcotic and therefore it is illegal for doctors to prescribe it as an official or first treatment choice. This is because Schedule I narcotics like THC are considered to have no medicinal properties and are unsafe for human use/consumption.
On the contrary, there is one FDA-approved CBD-based medication — Epidiolex. Doctors prescribe it to treat two kinds of drug-resistant forms of childhood-onset seizures/epilepsy.
The paradox is that the FDA supports the use of synthetically isolated CBD while refusing to investigate the efficacy of whole-plant extracts, which have been highlighted in preclinical human studies as more effective than products made from single cannabinoids.
For the present, Hemp-derived CBD Oils/products fall under the category of health supplements.
The Bottom Line
No Prescription is needed to date for the federally-legal supplements, and it is entirely safe to use it as long as you choose Hemp-derived CBD Oil. Moreover, we strongly advise you to do thorough research and consult a doctor before making any decision. The future might drive the Federal Government to open doorways to discover more/all potential benefits of CBD.