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As the CBD industry grows, finding suitable products like CBD oil can be challenging due to varying state laws.
So, is CBD legal in Connecticut? Yes, Connecticut has relaxed laws for industrial hemp and hemp-derived products, including zero THC CBD oil and full spectrum CBD oil.
However, there are regulations on what qualifies as a marketable CBD product. Here’s a summary of Connecticut’s CBD laws for those looking to buy hemp in CT:
Table of Contents
Legal Concerns About CBD
What are the CBD laws in Connecticut?
Is full spectrum CBD legal in Connecticut?
Does Connecticut have a CBD possession limit?
Do you need a prescription for CBD oil in Connecticut?
Where to buy CBD in Connecticut?
How old do you need to be to buy CBD in Connecticut?
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.
Connecticut's HB 5780 in 2015 removed industrial hemp and cannabidiol (CBD) from the controlled substances list, followed by SB 893 in 2019, which allowed hemp-derived CBD products as food under minimal regulatory requirements, raising potential concerns about product quality compared to stricter states like California, Utah, and Colorado.
Here are the details:
Connecticut passed HB 5780 in 2015, a bill that effectively removed industrial hemp from the state’s controlled substance list. Unlike many states that offer an ambiguous amendment, Connecticut specifically mentions cannabidiol (CBD) as an exception to the state’s ruling against cannabis products.
In May 2019, SB 893 was passed, which laid out plans for hemp agriculture and sale within the state. This bill offers a definition for industrial hemp that lines up with federal regulations—any hemp plant or part of the plant that contains less than 0.3% THC on a dry weight basis.
The bill also clarifies that any hemp-derived CBD product intended for ingestion is classified as food. These products are legal for manufacture and sale within the state, but manufacturers must not make any health claims regarding these CBD products.
The state’s regulations on CBD are seemingly loose, especially compared to states like California, where it’s prohibited to use CBD in any food or dietary products. According to a document released by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, the state only has the following requirements for industrial hemp products:
Thanks to these laws, the state makes a careful distinction between hemp-derived CBD and CBD products derived from cannabis, which are only available under the state’s medical-marijuana program.
The CBD quality regulations in Connecticut are also scarce (compared to states like Utah and Colorado, which require stringent tracking and testing), which may put consumers at risk.
Many consumers are worried that the trace amounts of THC found in full spectrum CBD products may cause trouble in states where cannabis is illegal. Connecticut has very relaxed CBD laws compared to other states, like Idaho, where any amount of THC is illegal. There are no restrictions on full-spectrum CBD products that contain 0.3% THC or less and are derived from a legal hemp source.
To date, there are no possession limits for CBD products that meet legal guidelines. CBD products that contain over 0.3% THC may be classified as cannabis products, which are only available as part of the state’s medical cannabis program.
In Connecticut, 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 Connecticut, 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 Connecticut, the regulations regarding the sale of CBD products are minimal. That means that CBD may be accessible in many places, including corner stores and grocery markets.
However, this lack of regulation can be risky.
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.
Thanks to federal updates, CBD has the potential to be legal in every U.S. state. CBD is legal in Connecticut, but every state has different regulations regarding the manufacture and sale of CBD. Click here to find out where CBD is legal.
Yes, gummies containing CBD are legal in Connecticut, provided they are derived from industrial hemp and contain less than 0.3% THC, in accordance with state regulations on CBD products.
No, CBD is not a controlled substance in Connecticut. The state removed industrial hemp and cannabidiol from its controlled substances list in 2015, making CBD products legally available.
Yes, you can visit a dispensary in Connecticut without a medical card; however, access may be limited to cannabis products rather than hemp-derived CBD, which is widely available at various retail outlets.
As of now, CBD is still illegal in a few states, including Idaho, South Dakota, and Nebraska, where strict regulations against hemp-derived products remain in place.
Yes, you can generally bring CBD gummies on a flight, as long as they contain less than 0.3% THC, in compliance with federal regulations. However, it's advisable to check airline policies and state laws before traveling.
Many users report that CBD can help reduce anxiety symptoms, though individual responses vary. Research is ongoing, but CBD's potential effects on anxiety make it a popular option for those seeking natural remedies.
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