Is CBD Legal in Florida?
After President Trump signed the 2018 Farm Bill which descheduled hemp as a Substance I drug, it became federally legal to cultivate and sell hemp across the US. While hemp comes from the same Cannabis plant that also produces marijuana, the difference is that marijuana has higher amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol or THC compared to hemp. THC is the chemical that produces the high effect.
Both marijuana and hemp contain CBD, a medical compound discovered to have potential health benefits. Hemp was legalized since it does not contain over 0.3% THC and therefore, manufacturers have developed it into various forms including CBD oil among many others. This makes it easy for consumers and residents to buy CBD for sale in Florida.
Is CBD Oil Legal in Florida?
CBD oil in Florida is legal for recreational and medicinal use if it is derived from hemp. Florida used to have stricter laws on both hemp and marijuana. However, thanks to the newly updated laws and regulations surrounding CBD oil in the US, Florida has also changed its position on CBD and has decided to evolve with the rest of the US states.
Several CBD shops have appeared in various areas across the state. In the suburbs of Florida, residents can check out the stores particularly in Pinecrest, Westchase, Winter Park, and Nocatee. The most common forms of CBD products in Florida are topicals, vaporizers, tinctures, and edibles.
Is it Legal to Buy CBD Products in Florida?
There are two ways to access CBD products in Florida. Residents who are suffering from qualifying medical conditions can simply get approval from their physician and apply to be able to access marijuana-infused products. Meanwhile, those are not able to qualify can still get access to CBD products derived from hemp. Even without high levels of THC content, residents can still enjoy the benefits of CBD oils.
An article by Tampa Bay Times explains that Nikki Fried, the Agriculture Commissioner is pushing legislation that will both make the state and federal laws on hemp more consistent. In 2019, Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill legalizing the smoking of medical marijuana in Florida. With the updated rules, Florida residents can expect more adjustments and improvements on the growing and selling of cannabis for medicinal purposes. DeSantis said that “Last year, we had so many amendments that I think we need reform.”
What Do the Laws and Regulations about CBD in Florida Specifically Say?
There have been several attempts across various states in the US to legalize the use of CBD products. With the recent changes to the use of CBD oils, Florida laws seem to be promising. In 2014, Florida passed its own bill known as Charlotte’s Web bill which legalized the use of CBD extracts with low THC levels. At the same time, farmers were permitted to grow hemp.
The Senate Bill 1030 passed by the state legislature developed a registry ID card for patients who are suffering under certain medical conditions. The bill allowed qualified Florida patients to possess and use cannabis products with high CBD and low THC content. At the same time, dispensaries were allowed to produce medicines with 10% CBD and less than 0.8% THC.
The law also created a licensing system for dispensing organizations to produce medicines with at least 10% CBD and no more than 0.8% THC. In 2016, Florida issued licensed to dispensing companies to provide patients access to CBD oil under HB 307. Legislators also voted to amend the medical marijuana to allow patients to access medical marijuana with higher concentrations of cannabis oil to treat disorders.
In 2019, Florida signed a bill allowing adult patients to possess a maximum of 2.5 oz. of marijuana for 35 days. Patients should be aged 18 and above with a signed health consent.
Other Important Considerations When Buying CBD in Florida
The Cannabis Radar explains that based on Senate Bill 1020 passed in 2014, a qualified patient under the medical marijuana program should be a resident of the state and registered by a licensed physician. Patients must qualify from any of the approved conditions to be able to get access to marijuana-derived CBD oil. Residents can consult with a licensed physician to get approval and then apply for a medical marijuana card.
Doctors, on the other hand, are required to undergo a training course with the state Department of Health. The course should be retaken upon the doctor’s renewal of their license.
What are the 2019 News About CBD in Florida?
According to an article published by Lexology, in 2019 Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida signed Senate Bill 1020 which regulates hemp and its extracts in the state of Florida. This includes cannabidiol or CBD. With the passing of this bill, the state of Florida has become the latest state to enforce the legalization and regulation of the hemp industry at the federal level.
Florida has developed a framework to regulate the hemp industry. The new law proposes to establish a program under the Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services to promote hemp cultivation including the handling and processing of the extracts. The proposed system will require businesses that want to grow, process, handle, transport, and sell hemp-related products to register with the state.
CBD sellers and distributors in Florida must have a certificate of analysis from an independent testing lab. The certificate must indicate the batch tested by the lab and that it contains a THC concentration of not more than 0.3%. The lab should also indicate that the batch does not contain any harmful contaminants for human use. The newly updated law will enforce state attorneys, police officers, and municipal officers to help implement the new rules.
Conclusion
With the amended laws on hemp cultivation, use, and selling, Florida residents have shown immense curiosity about the uses and benefits of CBD products. The hemp industry in Florida continues to grow and raise awareness of CBD and its derivatives.
Hence, a lot of manufacturers, retailers, and dispensaries made initiatives for voluntary testing to reassure the public that they are producing and selling high-quality CBD products. At the same time, they are doing their best to meet the standards imposed by the state in terms of cultivating and processing the extracts.