Is CBD Legal in Louisiana?
CBD is legal in Louisiana as long as it is derived from hemp. CBD is a compound derived from the cannabis plant and does not contain any psychoactive properties. It can be sourced from hemp or marijuana. Users claim that CBD provides relief for various medical conditions and is beneficial to our health. CBD is known to provide relief for anxiety, seizures, and insomnia among many others.
In 2019, John Bel Edwards, the governor of Louisiana signed House Bill 491 which legalized the sale of CBD hemp products and its derivatives in the state as long as it contains THC less than 0.3%.
Is CBD Oil Legal in Louisiana?
Since hemp-derived CBD is legal on the federal level, residents won’t have a hard time buying CBD hemp products across the US. In Louisiana, medical marijuana can be accessed by patients or individuals enrolled in the medical cannabis program. Individuals who have a hard time obtaining a license have the option to use CBD oil derived from hemp.
Many people believe that using CBD is a better alternative when it comes to treating various health conditions. Louisiana legislature allows the use of CBD for the treatment of certain medical conditions including HIV/Aids, Crohn’s disease, seizures, spasticity, muscular dystrophy, Glaucoma, cancer, anxiety, and cachexia.
Is it Legal to Buy CBD Products in Louisiana?
Consumers can easily purchase CBD for sale in Louisiana. CBD comes in various forms including oils, tinctures, edibles, capsules, creams, lotions, vapes, and concentrates among many others. Residents can easily find and purchase CBD products and its derivatives in CBD shops, health stores, heap shops, and vape shops across the state.
However, the most convenient way to purchase CBD products is online. Users who do not have the time to go out and buy CBD from retail stores can have the products discreetly delivered straight to their doorstep. Buyers can also order in bulk and get discounts.
Online retailers offer a variety of CBD products. However, buyers should do their research first to ensure that the products are legit and are made of high-quality CBD. To check the quality, make sure that the manufacturer offers information on lab-tested products, uses CO2 extraction, has full-spectrum CBD, and is derived from industrial hemp.
What Do the Laws and Regulations about CBD in Louisiana Specifically Say?
The state of Louisiana legalized the use of cannabidiol or CBD for specific applications and allows the use of industrial hemp. With the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill, industrial hemp was declassified and is no longer a schedule 1 controlled substance. The state legislature considers industrial hemp as an agricultural crop and therefore, legalized its cultivation.
Meanwhile, hemp growers are required to get a license from the Dept. of Agriculture and must be registered with the Dept. of Health and Human Services. CBD products, on the other hand, are required to follow the labeling requirements along with a disclaimer stating that the product was not evaluated by the FDA. It also needs a barcode linking the product to an analysis certificate.
According to the Louisiana Law Blog, to be legal, CBD should have a concentration of less than 0.3% THC. An analysis should also be filed with the Dept. of Health and Human Services.
Other Important Considerations When Buying CBD in Louisiana
The law on cannabis was updated which altered the term of requiring a doctor’s prescription to doctor’s recommendation. This means that patients now can get a recommendation from a doctor and not a prescription. Patients can also access medical cannabis along with its derivatives to treat medical disorders. The new rule sets up an environment to industrialize the hemp plant.
As of 2018, only 11 doctors were licensed by the state and are allowed to recommend cannabis to patients. Meanwhile, the Louisiana Board of Medical Examiner announced that a total of 15 doctors applied for a license. Currently, there are nine state-licensed dispensaries present in the state. The state also has new laws and will likely expand the patient base so that more can access cannabis.
What are the 2019 News About CBD in Louisiana?
According to The Advocate, the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco recently began issuing temporary permits which allow CBD manufacturers to sell CBD products legally in the state. The agency is responsible for regulating the CBD retailers and released 20 permits valid until February 2020.
Afterward, businesses can expect laws to become more permanent. The permits issued authorizes gas stations, liquor shops, CBD shops, and retailers to sell products based on a list of businesses from the ATC.
The legalization of hemp paved the way for the state Dept. of Health to regulate the sale of CBD products in Louisiana. The department is also in charge of registering the labels of CBD products. Meanwhile, the Dept. of Agriculture is responsible for supervising hemp cultivation in the state. The ATC, on the other hand, oversees the CBD retailers.
Both the ATC and state health department are creating frameworks on regulating CBD in the state. Mike Strain, the Agriculture Commissioner, expressed that they are currently working on hemp regulations for federal government approval. Once the legislation is approved, farmers will be able to grow hemp under the Dept. of Agriculture and Forestry.
Legislators helped define the difference between hemp and marijuana as well as the laws surrounding it. According to Juana Marine-Lombard, ATC Commissioner, “ATC employees have worked diligently to process the influx of CBD applications in just a short amount of time,” and “The agency is ready to provide the necessary support for this new industry in Louisiana.”
Conclusion
The state of Louisiana has seen some progress in recent years. Hemp products are now legally available even if they contain less than 0.3% THC. Meanwhile, medical marijuana in the state was approved for qualified patients.
Following the latest bill from the House of Representatives, more people can now access CBD and maximize its health benefits. Individuals who are not registered in the medical marijuana program or do not have any qualifying medical condition can always use hemp-derived CBD oil.