Yes. The provisions of Senate Bill 57 make it legal to possess, buy, or sell CBD oil containing less than 3% of THC in Ohio. However, this law only applies to hemp-derived CBD oil and not marijuana-derived CBD oil. CBD sourced from marijuana is illegal in the state.
Governor Mike DeWine endorsed Senate Bill 57 on July 30, 2019, legalizing hemp and hemp-derived products, including CBD in Ohio. The bill requires the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) to regulate hemp production and cultivation. Senate Bill 57 decriminalized hemp and licensed hemp production in Ohio. Under this bill, universities in Ohio can grow and process hemp for research purposes without licenses. Ohio residents do not need licenses to possess, sell, or buy hemp or hemp products.
State Bill 57 does not specify the possession limits or age limit for persons who can carry, buy, or sell products containing CBD in Ohio. However, dispensaries generally sell CBD to persons who are at least 18 years old.
Yes. House Bill 523 permits physicians to recommend medical marijuana, including marijuana-derived CBD oil and other CBD products, for marijuana patients with specific medical conditions in Ohio. However, the doctors must first obtain certificates of recommendation from the State Medical Board of Ohio. Qualifying medical conditions for CBD oil recommendation in Ohio include HIV, Alzheimer's disease, cancer, Crohn's disease, glaucoma, hepatitis C, fibromyalgia, and multiple sclerosis. Others are inflammatory bowel disease, epilepsy, pain, Parkinson's disease, ulcerative colitis, traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Tourette's syndrome, and sickle cell anemia.
Ohio does not set a minimum age for buying CBD products. However, CBD stores and dispensaries in the state usually have age restrictions for their shoppers. Some vendors may require CBD buyers to be over the age of 18 while others, like smoke shops, may establish a minimum age of 21 years.
In line with the provisions of Senate Bill 57, the Hemp Program was created under the Ohio Department of Agriculture to administer the licensing of hemp businesses. State Bill 57 stipulates that licenses are not required to sell CBD products. Applications for hemp cultivation and hemp processing licenses are made online. An applicant must create an OH|ID account using their name, phone number, and email address. Alternatively, they can use the proposed business owner's name, phone number, and email address to create the online account.
Applicants must pay license application fees as required by the Department of Agriculture. Also, the owners (in sole proprietorships), partners, and executive managers of proposed hemp businesses must consent to criminal background checks by the Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Processor license applicants who intend to extract cannabinoids from hemp must also submit documents showing their facilities' operation plans. The operation plans must comply with the provisions of Title 901, Section 14.2.12 of the Ohio Administrative Code.
Title 901, Section 14.2.17 of the Ohio Administrative Code establishes the requirements for labeling hemp and hemp products. Apart from products derived solely from hemp fibers, all hemp product labels must comply with:
The standard of identity requirements in Title 901, Section 3.1.12 of the Ohio Administrative Code
The labeling requirements in Title 901, Section 3.1.11 of the Ohio Administrative Code
The food coloring requirements in Title 901, Section 3.1.13 of the Ohio Administrative Code
For edible hemp products, their labels must indicate the content level (in milligrams) of CBD and other cannabinoid compounds per serving. The labels must state the total milligrams per unit of CBD and other cannabinoids for cosmetic hemp products. Also, hemp product labels must state the product batch code to enable easy recall from the market if the need arises.
Title 901 Section 14.2.17(A)(6) of the Ohio Administrative Code stipulates that CBD-containing hemp product labels must contain statements informing minors to seek medical advice before using such products. The labels must also inform users to seek medical advice before using the products during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or when taking other medications.
As stipulated in State Bill 57, licenses are not required to sell CBD. CBD oil and other CBD products can be bought at vape shops, wellness centers, grocery stores, and dispensaries in Ohio.
CBD oil is the resulting mixture of combining CBD extract with a carrier oil. Dissolving CBD extract in a carrier oil makes it easier to formulate into usable products. CBD extracted from cannabis plants appears as a thick paste. Mixing it with a carrier oil, like coconut or hemp seed oil, increases its flow rate and improves its shelf life.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is an active ingredient in hemp and cannabis plants. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is another chemical compound found in hemp and cannabis. However, hemp contains higher levels of CBD and lower levels of THC. Conversely, marijuana is more abundant in THC and has a lower share of CBD.
CBD is believed to be effective in managing some medical conditions like chronic pain, anxiety, anorexia, seizure, Crohn's disease, dystonia, Parkinson's disease, acne, heart conditions, and depression. It is available in various forms such as edibles, tinctures, oils, vaporizers, creams, and lotions. CBD oil is the most common cannabidiol preparation.
The United States Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Farm Bill) legalized the cultivation of industrial hemp containing not more than 0.3% of THC. Hence, hemp-derived CBD with less than 0.3% of THC is federally legal. CBD is also legal in Ohio.
CBD has a number of known neurological effects. One of these is its well-studied anti-seizure benefit responsible for the FDA approval of a CBD medication for treating certain forms of epilepsy. Preliminary evidence also supports the belief that CBD has a calming effect on the nervous system. Studies indicate that it may be useful for the treatment of some mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety. CBD has also been reported to provide relief for those suffering from insomnia, chronic pain, and inflammation. Lesser known effects of the cannabidiol include reducing high blood pressure and boosting users’ appetites.
Cannabis drug tests do not look for CBD, rather they detect the presence of THC and its metabolites. Therefore, while it is unlikely that CBD will show up on a drug test, it is still possible for a CBD user to fail a drug test. This is because CBD products contain some amount of THC. Regular CBD users should easily pass cannabis drug tests but long-term users of full-spectrum CBD, those who recently took high doses of CBD, and those who ingest unregulated products with higher THC contents than reported will likely fail drug tests.