How old do you have to be to buy CBD? even after the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill, there are still some unclear requirements. The age limit is a question that people worry about since research regarding the use and effectiveness of CBD is still limited. Besides that, the legal issue tends to be different depending on the state. Doing research and learning laws will help you understand CBD age requirements. This article offers a review of CBD, its legality, use by children, forms, and factors to consider when making purchases.
Is CBD legal?
CBD is legal in the US federally. However, there is still a grey area since federal law and state laws are different. Up to now, there are still a few states that have not made CBD legal. This has made the legality issue quite tricky, even after the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill.
Federally, only CBD products from hemp plants are legal. Additionally, the products need to contain less than 0.3% THC compound. So, it’s important to understand your state’s laws regarding the use and possession of CBD before making purchases
How Old Do You Have to Be to Buy CBD?
In most states, an individual needs to be at least 18 years to be able to buy CBD hemp products. However, CBD age requirements vary depending on the state. There are some places where you need to be at least 21 years.
Understand that CBD age requirements aren’t clearly written. Besides that, there isn’t an official federal age requirement since CBD laws are different from state to state. So, in places where such rules aren’t clear, then purchases and age requirements are usually at the discretion of the vendor.
CBD for Children
There is only one pure CBD product that has FDA approval for use by children. This medication is strictly made for children with rare forms of seizures that don’t respond positively to conventional medications. Even though there have been studies to analyze the use and benefits of CBD in children, research is still limited. CBD’s product for children can only be administered by a physician.
What are the Common Forms of CBD Products?
You can find CBD in several forms thanks to its versatile profile. There are products for external application, oral ingestion, and sublingual intake. This means that users can apply it in various forms to achieve the desired effects. The most common forms of CBD products include:
Oils/Tinctures
They are normally available in bottles that come with droppers. CBD oil/tinctures are made for sublingual application. Apply a few drops under the under, wait for around a minute or so and then spit out. CBD oils are the most common and potent products of all forms. They also have a higher bioavailability and tend to produce effects quickly. However, there is a slight difference between CBD oils and CBD tinctures. While you can take both of them sublingually, CBD tinctures are usually alcohol-based.
Edibles
These are edible products usually in the form of gummies, cookies, chocolates, teas, and others. CBD edibles are usually infused with CBD oil and are made for oral ingestion. CBD gummies are the most popular edibles. They are tasty, come in multiple flavor options, and in pre-dosed servings. They generally offer ease of use and much-needed convenience, especially when it comes to daily dosage.
Capsules
CBD capsules and soft gels are pills or tablet-like products. they are tasteless and odorless which makes them ideal for people who don’t like the smell and taste of raw hemp. They also offer ease of use since they come in pre-measured servings.
Topicals
You need to apply CBD topicals externally, directly to the skin. They provide users with localized effects since they usually work on a specific body part. You can find CBD topicals in the form of salves, lotions, ointments, gels, and balms. The CBD compound in topical products doesn’t normally reach the bloodstream. This makes them ideal for people who undergo THC tests frequently.
What Should You Look for When Buying CBD?
CBD’s popularity has risen significantly. This has consequentially increased the number of CBD product manufacturers in the industry. But due to the lack of strict regulations, the products available are not equal. Most of them are made with cheap and toxic additives that may be harmful to consumers. To be safe, it’s important to do a comprehensive background check and this includes considering factors such as:
Hemp Source
Reputable brands with quality CBD products normally use organic hemp sources harvested domestically. Understand that hemp plants grown in other countries aren’t regulated in the same way America regulates hemp farming. Thus, they are more likely to contain toxic pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals, and other harmful elements.
Extraction Method
Even though there are many ways to extract CBD, some companies opt to use cheap extraction techniques to cut down overall costs. Methods such as solvent extraction are easy and affordable. However, they normally degrade the quality of the plant extract. This is because they normally leave unwanted solvents and sediments behind.
To ensure you buy a clean, pure, and high-quality product, consider brands that use the CO2 extraction method. This is currently the gold standard of the CBD industry. The technique involves the use of pressurized CO2 which is both safe and effective. It extracts CBD and doesn’t leave chemicals or harmful substances behind.
Third-party Testing
One of the main things that separate reputable CBD products from others is the availability of lab tests. Reputable brands normally use independent 3rd-party labs to test and verify the quality of their products. such results are important in helping you know the type of product you’re buying. Besides that, you will have an overview of the potency and other ingredients found in the CBD product. So, when making purchases, ensure that the product has a certificate of analysis (COA).
Extract type
CBD extracts are available in three types: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate. CBD isolate contains over 99% pure CBD. This is because any other element is usually filtered during the extraction process. it’s an ideal product for those who want to avoid the psychoactive effects of THC.
Broad-spectrum CBD is more potent than isolate CBD. This is because it contains CBD, terpenes, flavonoids, and other cannabinoids that work in synergy. Full-spectrum CBD has similar components to broad-spectrum CBD. However, it also contains trace amounts of psychoactive THC content. this type of CBD extract is renowned for its powerful entourage effect. It’s a phenomenon that happens when all the cannabinoids in a product synergistically work together to boost each other’s positive effects while also weakening the negative ones.
Final Thoughts
The issue of CBD’s legality and age requirements is common. Even though CBD is legal at the federal level, it’s not legal in all states. every state has its laws regarding the use of hemp CBD. Besides that, the legal age requirements are different depending on the state. There are states where these requirements aren’t clear at all. In most states, however, you need to be at least 18 years. That’s why you find that in most stores you need to show an ID proof that you are an adult. Generally, ensure that you are familiar with your state’s laws before making CBD purchases.
