Certainly, in recent years, cannabidiol, or CBD for short, has been the subject of much excitement in health and wellness markets across the country. You might have seen CBD stores popping up in your community – perhaps even a coffee shop that sells CBD-infused beverages, or a spa using topical products that contain CBD. Online, too, many companies offer a variety of CBD products to choose from. All of which leads to the question: Are CBD products legal, and if so, which ones?

This is an understandable question, as CBD is still a product that is relatively new in many communities across the country. It is also understandable as many people know that CBD is extracted from the hemp plant. The hemp plant is a variety of the cannabis plant. It only makes sense, then, that a common misconception exists as to whether hemp, and hemp-derived products like CBD, are also illegal.

Hemp contains relatively low levels of THC and is a hearty, versatile plant that has been used by humans in any number of ways throughout history. Hemp has had a somewhat troubled and complicated history in the United States. Learning that history, from its earliest beginnings through the present day, can be helpful in understanding the current legal status of hemp, and products like CBD, which are derived from it.

Hemp has been cultivated by humans for almost as long has history has been recorded. For more than 10,000 years, people have been using hemp in any number of ways. In fact, the oldest documented relic of human industry is a piece of hemp fabric, estimated to be approximately 8,000 years old. Over the course of history, humans have used hemp in any number of ways. We have used it to produce all sorts of textiles: fabric, rope, and clothing, to name a few. Hemp has been used to make paper, plastic, and even biodiesel fuel. It is a strong, versatile plant that is easy to cultivate and can be grown in a variety of climates. As a result, over the course of history, humans all over the world have been using it in any number of ways.

America, too, has a long history with hemp. Presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson both grew hemp. And during the Colonial Era, Americans were, in fact, legally required to grow hemp. Thereafter, in 1937, Congress passed a tax act, and this effectively began the era of hemp prohibition, as the tax and licensing regulations associated with the act made it very difficult for American farmers to cultivate hemp. There was a brief reprieve from these restrictions during World War Two, when the Japanese attacks on America effectively shut off the supply of Manila hemp fiber from the Philippines. As a reaction, the United States started a “Hemp for Victory” campaign, under which United States farmers were encouraged to grow hemp, and under which hemp cultivation was subsidized by the government. After the war ended, however, the government shut down the hemp processing plants, and the prohibition essentially went back into effect.

This prohibition lasted, by in large, until very recently – until 2018, in fact. In 2018, the United States Government passed the Farm Bill. The Farm Bill officially removed hemp, as well as hemp seeds, from the current statutory DEA schedule of controlled substances. This means that hemp is now considered an eligible crop under the federal crop insurance program. It also means that the sale of hemp, and all hemp-derived products containing less than .3% THC, became federally legal, including all CBD products that contain CBD derived from the hemp plant and meet that standard. The good news then, and the short answer for customers who are interested in trying CBD and experiencing all of the benefits that it has to offer, is that, provided their CBD product falls under this .3% THC threshold, it is legal to consume that product and you can do so with peace of mind.

At Pharmstrong™, we know that our customers value that peace of mind very much. That is why we’ve taken the extra step of using highly sophisticated and advanced extraction and purification processes to ensure that our products not only fall below the .3% THC threshold, but are entirely THC-free. We understand and appreciate the fact that some of our customers, for any number of personal, religious, or professional reasons, would rather not consume any THC at all. We respect and honor that choice, and we are proud to offer our customers not only the premium, potent, and pure CBD products they desire, but peace of mind as well. If you are interested in trying one of our many premium CBD products for yourself, we encourage you to stop by our store for a sample if you are in the area. Even if you can’t stop by our store, however, we offer a wide selection of products online. One of our knowledgeable customer service representatives would be happy to talk with you about our products at any time in order to answer any questions or address any concerns that you may have. We feel confident that each and every customer can find a product that is a wonderful fit for his or her needs. Visit us soon, and find the perfect product to begin experiencing all that CBD has to offer!