Is It Legal?: A Quick Guide to CBD and THC laws
Our world today has a very different relationship with CBD, THC and, newly, Delta-8 than it did 10 or 20 years ago. There are dispensaries that are fancier than Apple Stores and a millions different ways you can take CBD and THC. But there are still some places where weed isn’t legal at all, other places where it’s kinda legal, and even some places where certain forms of CBD aren’t fully legal. It can get confusing, but we got your back!
But first, what is CBD, THC, and Delta-8?
Think of CBD, THC, and Delta-8 like part of the same family. They all come from plants in the cannabis sativa genus. So they’re all pretty similar. They work with your endocannabinoid system, which is the system whose job is to regulate important systems in your body like sleep, appetite, memory, and neuroplasticity (functions connected to mental health). Taking CBD, THC, or Delta-8 can help your ECS work more efficiently, which is why you can experience pain relief, insomnia relief, and depression symptom relief.
They are also pretty different. THC and Delta-8 have a certain way they connect to your CB receptors (cannabinoid receptors). They LOVE hanging out with them, and that is why you “feel” high when you take them. CBD on the other hand, doesn’t really connect with those receptors, making CBD non-psychoactive. The differences in these substances is why there is so much inconsistency in where they’re legal. Let’s start with CBD.
Where’s CBD Legal?
CBD is a substance that, usually, contains less than 0.3% of THC. Some types, like broad spectrum CBD, carry only trace amounts. Because it contains so little THC, you don’t feel the euphoric, psychoactive effects that you feel when you take full THC. Because of its non-psychoactivity, CBD is generally legal across all 50 states.
Our states and the country federally as a whole do see things differently sometimes. So there are some states that recognize CBD more legal than others. Here’s a quick list:
Where is CBD legal?
All states except Idaho and Kansas, where it must have less than 0.2% THC compared to the country-wide acceptance of less than 0.3% THC.
Where is CBD legal in specific forms?
- Utah: CBD Edibles (excluding gelatin cubes) are illegal
- North Carolina: CBD is legal but it is illegal to grow hemp
- Wisconsin: It is safe to assume CBD is legal, but there is much legal confusion around if CBD with or without THC is legal
Where’s THC Legal?
Is weed legal in Florida? Is weed Legal in New York? So many questions, so many confusing answers!
Because of THC’s psychoactive properties, it is not as widely legal as CBD is. These are the 18 states where weed is legal:
Legal for medicinal and recreational uses
- Alaska
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Illinois
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Montana
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Nevada
- Oregon
What about Delta-8?
Delta-8 is a newer cannabis compound, more like THC (which is technically Delta-9) than CBD. Because of the differences in the compound from Delta-9, Delta-8 is actually legal for medicinal and recreational use in 32 states! Here’s a list of states where Delta-8 is NOT legal:
- Alaska
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Idaho
- Iowa
- Montana
- New York
- Nevada
- North Dakota
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- Utah
- Washington
As more and more research is done to understand the effects of CBD, THC, and Delta-8, there is bound to be changes to restrictive laws surrounding their use. Here are a couple sites you can periodically check to make sure you have the most up to date info on cannabis laws:
