U.S. CBD Laws: Find Out if CBD is Legal in Your State

As of December 2018, hemp-sourced CBD is legal at the federal level, that is, all 50 states; however, laws still vary by state. So what’s the deal? Is CBD legal in your state? We’ll do our best to provide some clarity. Below is a brief breakdown of CBD laws state-by-state.  

What the 2018 Farm Bill meant for CBD

Thanks to the Agricultural Improvement Act (aka the Farm Bill) of 2018, hemp was removed from the controlled substances list. Industrial hemp became federally legal and is now considered an agricultural commodity. The bill also establishes the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program, which enables the USDA to “approve plans submitted by states and Indian Tribes for the domestic production of hemp.” The Congressional Research Service defines hemp as “the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant, including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.” The bill also gave states the power to oversee or limit hemp production. While states and Indian tribes can restrict the production and sale of hemp and hemp products (including hemp-sourced CBD) within their borders, they cannot restrict the transportation or shipment of hemp or hemp products across their borders. 

What does this mean for your state? A state-by-state guide

Alabama

• Hemp-sourced CBD: Legal
• Medical Marijuana-sourced CBD: Legal
• Recreational Marijuana-sourced CBD: Illegal 

Alaska

• Hemp-sourced CBD: Legal
• Medical Marijuana-sourced CBD: Legal
• Recreational Marijuana-sourced CBD: Legal 

Alaska’s laws seem straight-forward; however, the fine print looks a little hazy. Although both recreational and medical marijuana is legal in Alaska, CBD products may still be in violation of state law. Why? Because Alaska has yet to produce hemp under the industrial hemp pilot program. We know, confusing. Thankfully, Senator Mitch McConnell says this law is not currently being enforced. Still, proceed with caution. 

Arizona

• Hemp-sourced CBD: Legal
• Medical Marijuana-sourced CBD: Uncertain
• Recreational Marijuana-sourced CBD: Illegal 

Although medical marijuana is legal in Arizona, the state still considers CBD and marijuana separate entities. This means the law doesn’t allow cannabis extracts, including CBD. Unfortunately, patients with a medical marijuana license who’ve unknowingly bought CBD have been charged with criminal possession of a drug. If you live in Arizona, consult the Agriculture Department or Criminal Code before purchasing marijuana-sourced CBD products. 

Arkansas

• Hemp-sourced CBD: Legal
• Medical Marijuana-sourced CBD: Legal
• Recreational Marijuana-sourced CBD: Illegal 

California

• Hemp-sourced CBD: Legal
• Medical Marijuana-sourced CBD: Legal
• Recreational Marijuana-sourced CBD: Legal 

California has only one law concerning CBD: NO FOOD (for people or for pets). As of now, CBD cannot be used as an additive, dietary supplement, or ingredient in the state of California. This will remain in effect until the FDA says otherwise.

Colorado

• Hemp-sourced CBD: Legal
• Medical Marijuana-sourced CBD: Legal
• Recreational Marijuana-sourced CBD: Legal 

The cultivation, distribution, and sale of hemp in Colorado are completely legal. 

Connecticut

• Hemp-sourced CBD: Legal
• Medical Marijuana-sourced CBD: Legal
• Recreational Marijuana-sourced CBD: Illegal 

Delaware

• Hemp-sourced CBD: Legal
• Medical Marijuana-sourced CBD: Legal
  • Approved conditions only
  • May contain no more than 7% THC
• Recreational Marijuana-sourced CBD: Illegal

Florida

• Hemp-sourced CBD: Legal
• Medical Marijuana-sourced CBD: Legal
  • No more than 0.8% THC and 10% CBD
• Recreational Marijuana-sourced CBD: Illegal 

Georgia

• Hemp-sourced CBD: Legal
• Medical Marijuana-sourced CBD: Legal
  • Approved conditions only
  • No more than 5% THC
  • CBD must be greater than or equal to THC
• Recreational Marijuana-sourced CBD: Illegal 

Hawaii

• Hemp-sourced CBD: Legal
• Medical Marijuana-sourced CBD: Legal
• Recreational Marijuana-sourced CBD: Illegal 

Idaho

• Hemp-sourced CBD: Illegal
• Medical Marijuana-sourced CBD: Illegal
• Recreational Marijuana-sourced CBD: Illegal 

Idaho is one of three states that has exercised its right to restrict all forms of cannabis. The problem lies in the state legislature not recognizing hemp and marijuana as separate species of cannabis. 

Illinois

• Hemp-sourced CBD: Legal
• Medical Marijuana-sourced CBD: Legal
• Recreational Marijuana-sourced CBD: Legal 

Indiana

• Hemp-sourced CBD: Legal
  • No more than 0.3% THC
• Medical Marijuana-sourced CBD: Illegal
  • With the exception of treating epilepsy
• Recreational Marijuana-sourced CBD: Illegal 

Iowa

• Hemp-sourced CBD: Legal
• Medical Marijuana-sourced CBD: Legal
  • Approved conditions only
  • No more than 3% THC
• Recreational Marijuana-sourced CBD: Illegal 

Kansas

• Hemp-sourced CBD: Legal
  • No more than 0% THC
• Medical Marijuana-sourced CBD: Illegal
• Recreational Marijuana-sourced CBD: Illegal 

Kentucky

• Hemp-sourced CBD: Legal
• Medical Marijuana-sourced CBD: Illegal
• Recreational Marijuana-sourced CBD: Illegal 

Louisiana

• Hemp-sourced CBD: Legal
• Medical Marijuana-sourced CBD: Legal
• Recreational Marijuana-sourced CBD: Illegal 

Maine

• Hemp-sourced CBD: Legal
• Medical Marijuana-sourced CBD: Legal
• Recreational Marijuana-sourced CBD: Legal 

An early ratifier in legalizing cannabis, Maine has no restrictions regarding CBD products.

Maryland

• Hemp-sourced CBD: Legal
• Medical Marijuana-sourced CBD: Legal
• Recreational Marijuana-sourced CBD: Illegal 

Massachusetts

• Hemp-sourced CBD: Legal
• Medical Marijuana-sourced CBD: Legal
• Recreational Marijuana-sourced CBD: Legal 

Michigan

• Hemp-sourced CBD: Legal
• Medical Marijuana-sourced CBD: Legal
• Recreational Marijuana-sourced CBD: Legal 

Minnesota

• Hemp-sourced CBD: Legal
• Medical Marijuana-sourced CBD: Legal
  • Approved conditions only
• Recreational Marijuana-sourced CBD: Illegal 

Mississippi

• Hemp-sourced CBD: Legal
• Medical Marijuana-sourced CBD: Illegal
• Recreational Marijuana-sourced CBD: Illegal 

In 2014, Harper Grace’s Law legalized CBD products for patients with severe epilepsy only. The CBD product must have more than 15% CBD and no more than 0.5% THC.

Missouri

• Hemp-sourced CBD: Legal
• Medical Marijuana-sourced CBD: Legal
  • Approved conditions only
• Recreational Marijuana-sourced CBD: Illegal 

Montana

• Hemp-sourced CBD: Legal
• Medical Marijuana-sourced CBD: Legal
• Recreational Marijuana-sourced CBD: Illegal 

Nebraska

• Hemp-sourced CBD: Illegal
• Medical Marijuana-sourced CBD: Illegal
• Recreational Marijuana-sourced CBD: Illegal 

All forms of cannabis are highly restricted in Nebraska. 

Nevada

• Hemp-sourced CBD: Legal
• Medical Marijuana-sourced CBD: Legal
• Recreational Marijuana-sourced CBD: Legal 

New Hampshire

• Hemp-sourced CBD: Legal
• Medical Marijuana-sourced CBD: Legal
• Recreational Marijuana-sourced CBD: Illegal 

New Jersey

• Hemp-sourced CBD: Legal
• Medical Marijuana-sourced CBD: Legal
• Recreational Marijuana-sourced CBD: Illegal 

New Mexico

• Hemp-sourced CBD: Legal
• Medical Marijuana-sourced CBD: Legal
  • The first state to approve medical marijuana and marijuana-sourced CBD for post-traumatic stress disorder 
• Recreational Marijuana-sourced CBD: Illegal 

New York

• Hemp-sourced CBD: Legal
• Medical Marijuana-sourced CBD: Legal
• Recreational Marijuana-sourced CBD: Illegal 

North Carolina

• Hemp-sourced CBD: Legal
• Medical Marijuana-sourced CBD: Illegal
• Recreational Marijuana-sourced CBD: Illegal 

North Carolina has legalized CBD products for severe epilepsy only. The CBD product must have at least 5% CBD and no more than 0.9% THC. 

North Dakota

• Hemp-sourced CBD: Legal
• Medical Marijuana-sourced CBD: Legal
• Recreational Marijuana-sourced CBD: Illegal 

Ohio

• Hemp-sourced CBD: Legal
• Medical Marijuana-sourced CBD: Legal
• Recreational Marijuana-sourced CBD: Illegal 

Oklahoma

• Hemp-sourced CBD: Legal
• Medical Marijuana-sourced CBD: Legal
• Recreational Marijuana-sourced CBD: Illegal 

Oregon

• Hemp-sourced CBD: Legal
• Medical Marijuana-sourced CBD: Legal
• Recreational Marijuana-sourced CBD: Legal 

Pennsylvania

• Hemp-sourced CBD: Legal
• Medical Marijuana-sourced CBD: Legal
• Recreational Marijuana-sourced CBD: Illegal 

Rhode Island

• Hemp-sourced CBD: Legal
• Medical Marijuana-sourced CBD: Legal
• Recreational Marijuana-sourced CBD: Illegal 

South Carolina

• Hemp-sourced CBD: Legal
• Medical Marijuana-sourced CBD: Illegal
• Recreational Marijuana-sourced CBD: Illegal 

In 2014, Julian’s Law legalized CBD products for patients with severe epilepsy, Dravet Syndrome, and Lennox-Gastaut. The CBD product must have a minimum of 98% CBD and no more than 0.9% THC.

South Dakota

• Hemp-sourced CBD: Legal
• Medical Marijuana-sourced CBD: Illegal
• Recreational Marijuana-sourced CBD: Illegal 

While hemp-sourced CBD is legal across the state, marijuana and marijuana-sourced CBD is not (except for the epilepsy drug Epidiolex, the only FDA approved prescription with CBD). 

Tennessee

• Hemp-sourced CBD: Legal
• Medical Marijuana-sourced CBD: Illegal
• Recreational Marijuana-sourced CBD: Illegal 

In 2015, Tennessee legalized CBD products for patients with severe epilepsy. The CBD product must contain no more than 0.9% THC.

Texas

• Hemp-sourced CBD: Legal
• Medical Marijuana-sourced CBD: Illegal
• Recreational Marijuana-sourced CBD: Illegal 

Texas allows CBD products only to be prescribed to patients with severe epilepsy. The CBD product must have a minimum of 10% CBD and no more than 0.5% THC.

Utah

• Hemp-sourced CBD: Legal
• Medical Marijuana-sourced CBD: Legal
  • For patients with severe epilepsy
  • Must contain a minimum of 15% CBD
• Recreational Marijuana-sourced CBD: Illegal 

Vermont

• Hemp-sourced CBD: Legal
• Medical Marijuana-sourced CBD: Legal
  • Approved conditions only
• Recreational Marijuana-sourced CBD: Legal 

Virginia

• Hemp-sourced CBD: Legal
• Medical Marijuana-sourced CBD: Legal
  • For “any diagnosed condition or disease determined by the practitioner to benefit from such use” 
• Recreational Marijuana-sourced CBD: Illegal 

Washington

• Hemp-sourced CBD: Legal
• Medical Marijuana-sourced CBD: Legal
• Recreational Marijuana-sourced CBD: Legal 

Washington, D.C.

• Hemp-sourced CBD: Legal
• Medical Marijuana-sourced CBD: Legal
• Recreational Marijuana-sourced CBD: Legal 

Though recreational marijuana is legal in Washington D.C, a person may not possess more than two ounces at a time. The use, growth, and exchange of marijuana on personal property is allowed, while the personal or commercial sale of it is strictly prohibited. 

West Virginia

• Hemp-sourced CBD: Legal
• Medical Marijuana-sourced CBD: Legal
• Recreational Marijuana-sourced CBD: Illegal 

Wisconsin

• Hemp-sourced CBD: Legal
• Medical Marijuana-sourced CBD: Legal
  • For seizure disorders only
• Recreational Marijuana-sourced CBD: Illegal 

Wyoming

• Hemp-sourced CBD: Legal
• Medical Marijuana-sourced CBD: Illegal
• Recreational Marijuana-sourced CBD: Illegal 

In 2015, Wyoming legalized hemp-sourced CBD products for severe epilepsy only. The CBD product must have at least 5% CBD and no more than 0.3% THC. 

Final thoughts 

Please note, because laws change all the time, it’s important to consult your state’s Agriculture Department or Criminal Code before purchasing or using CBD products in your state.

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