With the rising popularity of CBD as a remedy for conditions like insomnia and poor focus, many consumers are seeking local sources for buying CBD oil in Colorado. However, understanding the laws surrounding CBD can be tricky, as state regulations may not always align with federal guidelines on industrial hemp products.
So, is CBD legal in Colorado?
Yes, CBD is legal in Colorado, where cannabis is fully approved for adult use. This state has a well-established market for Colorado CBD, making it easier to access clean CBD products compared to many other states.
Here’s how to navigate the Colorado CBD landscape:
Table of Contents
Legal Concerns About CBD
What are the CBD laws in Colorado?
Does Colorado have a CBD possession limit?
Can doctors prescribe CBD in Colorado?
Where to buy CBD in Colorado?
What’s the legal age to buy CBD in Colorado?
Is CBD legal in all 50 states?
Resources
Disclaimer: We’re always working to stay informed on the latest CBD laws and research. However, state laws are subject to change and we advise that you do your own research to verify the information you find in this article. This is not intended as legal advice.
CBD became federally legal in 2018 under the Hemp Farming Act, which removed industrial hemp and its derivatives from the Controlled Substances Act. However, legal CBD must come from hemp containing less than 0.3% THC.
Even after starting with legal hemp, manufacturers must ensure the final product also contains under 0.3% THC, as extraction can concentrate cannabinoids and increase THC levels. Since the CBD industry lacks strict regulations, it's important to verify third-party lab tests to confirm a product's legality.
Federal guidelines apply, but you must also follow your state's specific CBD regulations.
Colorado is a leader in CBD legality and accessibility, having legalized and regulated hemp through SB 18-205 in 2018, allowing CBD as an additive in food and dietary supplements while imposing strict quality standards to ensure consumer safety.
Here are the details:
Fortunately for Colorado citizens, Colorado is one of the most progressive states in terms of CBD legality and accessibility. The state signed SB 18-205 into law in 2018, a bill that effectively legalized and regulated hemp as an agricultural good. They even allow CBD as an additive in food and dietary supplement products, something that’s been restricted even by other cannabis-forward states like California.
In general CBD is regulated by the Colorado Department of Agriculture, but manufacturers are required to register with the Colorado Department of Health and Environment (CDHE) before using CBD as an additive in food and other dietary products. Through this process, the state ensures CBD hemp products meet stricter standards than are required by many lax states, like Alabama and Connecticut. In order to register with the CDHE, manufacturers must:
For consumers, there are no laws restricting the use of CBD in Colorado, and CBD may be freely available across the state.
Colorado has no defined possession limits on legal CBD products. CBD products that contain over 0.3% THC may be classified as cannabis products, which are legal in Colorado, but are subject to their own possession limits.
In Colorado, you do not need a prescription to access CBD products. In fact, doctors typically cannot “prescribe” CBD products that are sold over the counter, rather they may “recommend” them. Even in states like Colorado where medical marijuana is legal, access usually requires a doctor’s recommendation, not a prescription.
CBD is still new, and only one CBD product has been approved by the FDA to date. This product, GW Pharmaceuticals’ Epidiolex, is designed to treat rare forms of childhood epilepsy. Aside from this product (which comes with stringent usage guidelines), many doctors are still learning about CBD. If you’re interested in the benefits of CBD, you may need to spark a conversation with your doctor.
In Colorado, CBD is incredibly accessible because there are a wide variety of growers and manufacturers throughout the state. Colorado also imposes stricter quality standards than most states, but this only applies to CBD products made within the state. There is still a major lack of industry oversight and the federal government has yet to impose any real quality regulations on CBD quality in general.
The lack of regulations within the industry can be risky for consumers.
Buying CBD online is a suitable option for most consumers. When you buy CBD online directly from the brand, you get better oversight of the brand’s manufacturing practices. Looking at the brand’s hemp source and lab testing procedures can help ensure that the CBD products you choose are clean, potent, and meet legal guidelines.
Buying CBD directly from a brand instead of from a third-party market may also be less costly since you won’t have to pay the extra fees that are often tacked on by the middle man. Of course, premium CBD can be expensive to manufacture, so you should also be wary of products that offer low-ball prices.
Finally, buying CBD online may be the best way to access many different types of CBD. The most common type of CBD product is an oil tincture, but you can find a variety of CBD edibles, topicals, and other specialty products when you shop online.
For more information on how to find high-quality CBD products, check out our CBD Buyer’s Guide.
The legal age to buy CBD in Colorado is unclear, as there are no statewide regulations, and laws vary by jurisdiction, with many sellers requiring buyers to be at least 21 years old for cannabis products; however, some CBD brands permit customers aged 18 and older to order legal CBD products online and have them shipped to Colorado.
Thanks to federal updates, CBD has the potential to be legal in every U.S. state. CBD is fully legal in Colorado, but every state has different regulations regarding the manufacture and sale of CBD. Click here to find out where CBD is legal.
Yes, you can take CBD on a plane to Colorado, as long as the CBD products comply with federal regulations and contain less than 0.3% THC. However, it’s important to check the specific airline policies regarding CBD products before traveling.
Yes, you can visit a recreational dispensary in Colorado without a medical card. Adults aged 21 and over can buy CBD and cannabis products from recreational dispensaries, as long as they provide valid identification.
No, CBD gummies are generally legal to travel with, provided they are derived from hemp and contain less than 0.3% THC. Always check the regulations of your destination to ensure compliance.
No, edibles are legal in Colorado. However, they must comply with state regulations, including proper labeling and packaging, and cannot contain more than 100mg of THC per package for recreational use.
In Colorado, you can buy gummies containing up to 100mg of THC per package for recreational use. For medical patients, there are typically no limits, but it’s best to check with the dispensary.
A 10mg edible can last anywhere from 4 to 8 hours, depending on individual tolerance and metabolism. Effects may vary, so it's advisable to start with a lower dose if you are new to edibles.
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