Is CBD Oil Legal in Washington DC?

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Is CBD Oil Legal in Washington DC?

CBD oil is legal in Washington D.C., provided its possession and use are within the stipulated limits. Washington D.C. permits residents to use, possess, and sell hemp-derived CBD oil, provided the THC content in the products does not exceed 0.3%.

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What are Washington DC CBD Laws in 2024?

To date, no specific CBD laws have been enacted in Washington D.C. Despite the 2018 Farm Bill's passage, D.C. has yet to implement an industrial hemp program. According to the 2018 Farm Bill, products derived from industrial hemp may be sold in Washington D.C., provided their THC content is not above 0.3 percent by weight. In D.C., cannabis has been legalized for medicinal and adult use. The District legalized cannabis in 1998 through Initiative 59; however, it was not fully implemented until 2013. Patients who possess medical marijuana cards may purchase CBD derived from cannabis at regulated dispensaries.

Adult-use cannabis became legal for anyone aged 21 or older in 2015 under Initiative 71. However, Initiative 71 included no provision for the selling of cannabis. Also, the consumption and possession of cannabis and cannabis-derived products are illegal in public places. The District of Columbia is still debating the sale and commercialization of recreational cannabis with its Safe Cannabis Sales Act.

What are Washington DC CBD Possession Limits?

Washington D.C. establishes no possession limitations for hemp-derived CBD. Although the Safe Cannabis Sales Act proposes a daily limit of 72 ounces of liquid cannabinoids, such as CBD oil, this law has not yet been approved. However, marijuana-derived CBD is subject to possession limits in Washington D.C. Individuals are permitted to possess up to two ounces of cannabis. An individual found in possession of more than two ounces may face a misdemeanor charge, a maximum fine of $1,000, and up to six months imprisonment.

Can Doctors Prescribe CBD Oil in Washington DC?

Washington D.C. permits doctors to prescribe CBD oil to patients of legal age with medical marijuana cards who suffer from one or more of certain qualifying medical conditions, such as:

  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Chronic renal failure
  • Epilepsy
  • Hepatitis C
  • Appetite loss
  • Cachexia
  • Cancer
  • Glaucoma
  • Crohn's disease
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Cramping
  • Seizures
  • Intractable pain
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Any other condition approved by the Washington Board of Health

How Old Do You Have to Be to Buy CBD in Washington DC?

The District of Columbia requires individuals buying CBD products within its jurisdiction to be over the age of 18. However, only adults who are 21 years or older can buy CBD from cannabis dispensaries in DC.

What are the Licensing Requirements for CBD in Washington DC?

Currently, Washington D.C. does not have an established industrial hemp program. No law in the District regulates industrial hemp license, cultivation, testing, or manufacture. Additionally, there are no licensing requirements for retailers selling hemp-derived CBD products, such as CBD oil. However, labeling requirements for products derived from cannabis are contained in Section 25-2715 of the Safe Cannabis Sales Act.

Where to Buy CBD in Washington DC?

CBD products may be purchased at various locations in Washington D.C. You may purchase CBD online, over the counter at a dispensary, or at a local vape shop. Shopping for CBD at a physical storefront may be costly since running a physical storefront involves high operational expenses, generally reflected in the CBD prices. However, purchasing CBD from a physical shop enables you to physically inspect the product and obtain guidance from an in-store specialist.

When you purchase CBD directly from an online retailer, you may be able to take advantage of special offers such as discounts, coupon codes, bulk purchase discounts, and loyalty programs. These offers may not be available at local physical shops. Shopping online allows you to compare brands and products, review test results for CBD products, and have the products shipped to you in a few days.

What is CBD Oil?

CBD oil is the product obtained from mixing the thick paste of CBD extract in a compatible oil. Referred to as carrier oil, this medium acts as a solvent for dissolving the highly viscous CBD extract in order to make it easier to use and formulate into other products. The most commonly used carrier oils for making CBD oil are hemp seed oil and coconut oil.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a naturally occurring chemical compound found in the cannabis plant (cannabis or hemp). CBD provides therapeutic effects without mind-altering symptoms. This happens because CBD does not contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the cannabinoid or chemical compound that creates a high feeling or mind-altering effect. CBD is legal in many states in the United States, despite the varying legal status of marijuana.

CBD can be found in various forms. The different forms allow users to tailor their method of use to their specific needs. The most common CBD forms are oils, tinctures, creams, lotions, capsules, pills, edibles, and vaporizers. CBD in oil and tincture forms usually contains glycerin, oil, or alcohol base. Consumers can typically take oil and tincture CBD forms through a dropper or by adding them to drinks and foods. CBD edibles contain extracts in a food form, such as chocolate and tea. However, gummies are the most common form of CBD edibles. CBD edibles come in various flavors and strengths. CBD vapes are typically used to deliver CBD extracts quickly through inhalation.

The United States government enacted the Farm Bill in 2018, declassifying hemp from the Controlled Substances Act's Schedule I classification. Consequently, United States citizens may produce hemp and hemp-derived CBD products providing the products contain less than 0.3 percent THC. Additionally, the 2018 Farm Bill delegated final CBD legislation to states, allowing them to establish varying CBD regulations.

While CBD seems to be demonstrating its efficacy in an increasing number of studies, Epidiolex, a CBD-based medication, remains the only cannabidiol medication licensed by the US Food and Drug Administration for specified medicinal applications. Approved in 2020, Epidolex may be purchased to treat seizures associated with Dravet Syndrome and Gastaut Syndrome.

What Does CBD Do?

Available studies suggest that CBD has an overall calming effect on the nervous system. This mechanism of action is chiefly responsible for its approved use for treating epileptic seizures and its reported effectiveness for conditions such as insomnia. Federal restrictions on marijuana in the United States have meant that studies on the benefits of CBD have been limited. Still, several studies claim that CBD offers many health benefits, such as alleviating joint pain, treating childhood epilepsy, therapy for schizophrenia, relieving pain, reducing anxiety and depression, and reducing chronic inflammation. In addition to these findings, the World Health Organization (WHO) also reports that CBD does not put users at risk of addiction to the substance.

Does CBD Show Up on Washington DC Drug Test?

CBD does not show up on cannabis drug tests. However, users of CBD products may fail such tests if they have been taking unregulated products. Unregulated CBD products rarely contain the amounts of THC indicated on their labels. Products with higher THC content can easily cause users to fail drug tests due to the accumulation of detectable levels of THC and its metabolites.

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