Is CBD legal in Pennsylvania?

The popularity of various CBD products in Pennsylvania is growing fast. Although the market is at its best right now, some people are not familiar with the CBD laws present in the state.

In this article, we will discuss what CBD is, as well as the CBD laws and regulations in Pennsylvania, usage and where to buy them.

What Is CBD?

Cannabidiol or CBD is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid that is present in cannabis. It is one of the most abundant cannabinoids, enabling it to provide various therapeutic properties like analgesic, anti-inflammatory, seizure-suppressant, and anti-anxiety.

Marijuana and hemp plants are the most common source of CBD. Both of these are primarily legal in various states since they only contain a few amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol or THC.

If we were to compare, however, experts see marijuana as more unacceptable than hemp due to its content. Marijuana has higher levels of THC than hemp, which gives the plant mirror psychoactive properties. Hemp, on the other hand, does not exceed 0.3% of THC. This means that its users won’t experience that “high” effect.

Listed below are some of the health benefits of CBD that have been proven by science:

• Relieves pain - The endocannabinoids produced by the body can bind with cannabinoid receptors that help reduce chronic pain.
• Helps reduce depression and anxiety - Studies revealed that CBD possesses some antidepressant-like effects that can act on the brain’s receptors, thus, regulating social behavior and mood.
• Reduces acne - CBD has anti-inflammatory abilities, reducing sebum production and lowering the possibility of acne on the skin.
• Helps with high blood pressure - The properties of CBD that lowers anxiety and stress are also the ones responsible for lowering blood pressure.

Is CBD Legal in Pennsylvania? [Laws & Regulations]

So, is CBD legal in Pennsylvania? The short answer is yes. However, there are reservations that users should take note of to avoid any complications in the future.

Pennsylvania started as a conservative country. In fact, the 1970 Federal Controlled Substance Act considered all kinds of cannabis as Schedule I. This means that everything is tagged as substances with high potential for abuse, can be a primary source of addiction, and has no medical use accepted by the body. Believe it or not, this even encompassed hemp.

Because of this act, believers were triggered to develop a more scientific basis to prove that there are benefits coming from cannabis. There was a shift of mindset in 2014 with the passage of the 2014 Hemp Farming Bill.

If you were to ask what is the CBD law in Pennsylvania that you should read to know the details of its legality, the first thing that would come into mind is the Hemp Farming Bill.

2014 Hemp Farming Bill

The2014 Hemp Farming Bill was the turning of acceptance. It recognized the difference between marijuana and hemp (a high-CBD yet low-THC type of cannabis). They have established definitions on where hemp was proven to only carry less than 0.3% THC levels compared to marijuana which has more.

House Bill 967

Following the 2014 Hemp Farming bill, Pennsylvania lawmakers officially approved House Bill 967. This law legalized the cultivation and processing of hemp, even hemp-derived CBD production, in the state.

Although this is regulated, it was already a big step for the state to consider hemp as an agricultural commodity coming from the findings of the 2014 Farm Bill. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) was tasked to oversee this to ensure that the rules on growing are all applied.

Hemp Farming Act of 2018

The Hemp Farming Act of 2018 was officially signed by President Donald Trump last December 20, 2019. He approved the removal of hemp from the Controlled Substances list. However, this did not exempt Marijuana. There were still some states where marijuana was still illegal.

This bill also allowed the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate its use as a food additive, adding therapeutic claims and the labeling of CBD. Although the act was already passed, FDA was still firm with its stand that hemp-derived CBD won’t still be allowed to be added to food and beverages. They should also not be marketed as dietary supplements.

Currently, FDA is still continuously revising its regulations on CBD products to avoid any confusion from the public.

On the side, this bill also encompasses various rules to limit the transactions for hemp. Pennsylvania required that all CBD derived from hemp be extracted and sold to individuals through its industrial hemp pilot program.

Despite this, residents see this state statutory code as a kind of formality only. People are still legally allowed to buy and use hemp-sourced CBD products anywhere in the state. Surprisingly, you also don’t have to provide any doctor’s prescription to purchases these kinds of products.

Only those CBD products sourced from cannabis are the ones requiring a doctor’s prescription. This is in connection to the medical marijuana guidelines passed in the state last 2016. Therefore, you should always keep in mind that recreational use of CBD is still not allowed in the state, and various consequences will happen should they find you guilty in this account.

What Is the CBD Possession Limit in Pennsylvania?

If you were to purchase CBD in Pennsylvania, the first thing that would come to mind is the possession limit. This is vital information as there is a thin line between purchase and jail.

What’s good about this state is that you don’t have to worry about anything. There are no limits on possessing hemp-derived CBD products. In fact, a patient undergoing a medical marijuana program may possess supplies that will last for 30 days.

Where to Buy Best CBD Products in Pennsylvania?

The most accessible places you can go to for hemp-derived CBDs are the smoke and vape shops in Pennsylvania. If there are no stocks available there, you may also check health food stores and even pharmacies. As mentioned above, they allow over-the-counter transactions.

However, for those who are looking for products that are CBD-derived from cannabis, you may only find them in medical marijuana dispensaries. Make sure to bring your doctor’s recommendation with you, so they will know that you are a qualified patient.

Another option you can take is to buy hemp-derived CBD products online. Various websites offer a wide array of products that you can try.

Don’t be worried if you feel that your buy won’t reach you. The US Postal Service confirmed that there will be no limitations on shipping CBD products in the state.

Takeaway

Answering the question, “Is CBD legal in Pennsylvania 2021?”, is pretty easy. This state is one of the few states that are open to using CBD products, especially hemp-derived ones.

These are known to be used as a medical remedy, not only to people but even to animals as well. This therapeutic product has science aching it as one of the best ways to relieve mental and physical ailments.

Although producing and buying CBD products are a walk in the park in Pennsylvania, everyone still has to be careful. You have to read the guidelines and other pertinent rules and regulations that are critical when purchasing one.