Is CBD legal in Alaska? Good question.
TL;DR – The sale of hemp derived CBD oil products is illegal within the state of Alaska. Alaska is one of the red states, we we call them, because they choose not to follow federal guidelines for the sale of CBD oil.
Don’t try to buy CBD oil in Alaska, because it’s not legal.
Let’s go over some more about Alaska CBD laws, and licensing requirements within AK state.
What is CBD?
Related: What is CBD?
CBD, also known as cannabidiol, is a non-psychoactive compound derived from cannabis. CBD shares the outer space of the cannabis plant with THC.
Studies continue to show CBD may have a plethora of beneficial properties, with the most popular of these being: anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative,  pain relief, anti-seizure, and anxiety relief properties. In these medical field studies, CBD has proved its worth in a growing amount of trials.
It is important to understand exactly what CBD is when looking into the laws within Alaska.
CBD is a Cannabis Derivative
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a cannabis derivative. That doesn’t mean that it is the same as marijuana, though. It simply comes from a cannabis plant.
This is an important distinction to keep in mind. Both the industrial hemp plant and marijuana both fall under the cannabis plant species.
CBD is also a non-psychoactive cousin of THC, which means CBDÂ cannot, and will not, get you high. As long as your CBD is hemp-based, or comes from the hemp plant, it will not contain an amount of THC over 0.3%.
Federal regulations on CBD currently require all CBD products to come from hemp in order to remain federally legal. A THC amount of 0.3% isn’t enough to get anyone high.
In fact, this amount is so low that one could drink an entire container of CBD oil (not recommended), and still not get high.
Supplementing with CBD oil is a great way to treat patients in a more natural way than other medications that have harsh side-effects. CBD oil research over the last few years is significant. Investments done in research and development are numerous.
The FDA is still figuring out their approval process for CBD, so until this is complete, CBD oil will not be able to achieve the status of a dietary supplement.
Why is CBD Illegal in Some Places?
This is a tricky subject. Let’s begin by addressing the fact that while CBD is federally legal, each state has its own laws. While most states have followed the Farm Bill of 2018 footsteps, and do not regulate finished CBD products.
This is the case in Alaska, where hemp byproducts have been reclassified as agricultural products separate from marijuana. That said, they are still not legal to sell in Alaska.
Some of the more conservative states identify CBD and marijuana together, even though CBD is completely non-psychoactive. This is why CBD products like CBD gummies, for example, are so popular. Not everyone wants to get high.
For this reason, they have a set of strict laws. As time goes on though, states are continuing to soften these CBD laws. CBD oil in Alaska is not allowed – yet.
How Did the Farm Bill Help Industrial Hemp?
The 2018 Farm Bill brought a revolution for hemp and industrial hemp products. The cultivation of hemp became federally legal for recreational purposes when this was passed.
This bill specifically removed hemp, which is now legally defined as cannabis containing less than 0.3% THC by weight, from the schedule I list of controlled substances. As of the writing of this article, cannabis as a whole is now set to be voted on for removal from this same list.
The United States FDA and CBD Oil
The Food and Drug Administration has the authority of regulating CBD oil product labeling, monitoring therapeutic claims for CBD oil, and the usage of CBD for recreational and dietary purposes. The FDA, currently, does not allow the advertisement of hemp-derived CBD oil as a dietary supplement, or as an additive to food and beverages.
The FDA must authorize any health claims that CBD oil products make. No medications to date have received this designation, except for the pharmaceutical drug Epidiolex.
While the Food and Drug Administration maintained this stance for years, it has softened these regulations and is considering appropriate legislation around labeling CBD oil as a dietary supplement.
In addition, the Farm Bill has given the authority to states to allow or disallow the cultivation and business of CBD.
Let’s move on to CBD oil in Alaska, and talk about the legal status.
Is CBD Legal in AK?
No, CBD products are not legal to sell in Alaska. Even if they are THC free, they still aren’t legal.
That said, they did come out with a pilot program in 2018 to explore hemp derived products and all they have to offer.
This pilot program will likely lead to the legalized of hemp, since almost every other state within the US has done this. It seems Alaska just wants to take more time doing so.
Licensing Requirements for CBD in AK
Possession of CBD oil is not legal in Alaska. There is no license that will change this, either.
Further more, industrial hemp cannot be grown, cultivated, or marketed legally in the State of Alaska until
regulations to implement the new law are adopted and effective.
That said, an individual registered to participate in the Industrial Hemp Pilot Program may produce
industrial hemp. Production is defined at Ch. 5, SLA 2018 as the growing, harvesting, possessing,
transporting, processing, selling, and buying of industrial hemp.
Currently no determination has been made regarding the types of registration that will be offered under the pilot program, but it is expected multiple types of registration will be offered to coincide with the definition of production.
Consumers with questions about the Pilot Program may contact Rob Carter at the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Agriculture at (907) 745-8127 or robert.carter@alaska.gov.
Alaska CBD Possession Limits
CBD products are not allowed within Alaska.
Buy CBD in Alaska
To be honest, CBD oil products (also known as hemp oil) are all over the place in Alaska, even though they aren’t legal. Consumers buy CBD oil and hemp derived CBD products from a variety of online stores, and have the products mailed to them.
I want to caution you, though, to be extra careful when buying CBD oil online. New Phase Blends is a veteran owned and operated CBD company. We offer nothing but premium CBD oil that comes with a 30 day money back guarantee.
At least give us consideration before you purchase CBD products – I know you’ll be happy with your purchase.
In the summer of 2020, the FDA conducted a study on CBD products from different brands. It reported that roughly 25% of CBD products are either fake, under-dosed, or mislabeled. CBD is expensive.
I would hate to see a bogus CBD oil company rip you off. For more information on what to look for when purchasing a CBD product, check out this post by clicking here.
Summary – Is CBD Legal in AK?
No, CBD is not legal in Alaska. You cannot sell CBD oil in Alaska. In fact, it is one of the least CBD oil friendly states there are. There state hemp laws are very strict. While they do have a pilot program that started in 2018, it will likely be a bit longer before hemp is legal in Alaska.
If you are curious about federal guidelines for CBD products, take a look below:
- Hemp-derived CBD oil is legal
- It must contain less than 0.3% THC (a broad spectrum CBD oil will contain almost no THC, while full spectrums can contain up to 0.3% – FYI)
- I recommend that the CBD labels include a QR code that scans to a third-party lab result
- Marijuana-derived CBD is not legal
That about wraps up covering the legalities of CBD oil within AK.
Is CBD Oil Legal in the United States? A comprehensive, state by state legal guide by NPB.
