Let’s talk about a common question…”Is CBD Legal in Arkansas?”
CBD is legal in Arkansas so long as it conforms to all requisite state and federal standards. Also, the state has a large number of medical dispensaries, particularly concentrated in locations around major city centers.
TL;DR – CBD products are legal within Arkansas, as long as they are derived from hemp and contain less than 0.3% THC.
As a side note, medical marijuana use became legal in Arkansas in 2016 with the passing of the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment (AMMA). This program was modified again in 2017.
Now we are going to learn more about Arkansas CBD laws, licensing requirements in the state and where to buy CBD in Arkansas .
What is CBD?
CBD means cannabidiol, which is a non-intoxicating compound derived from cannabis. CBD is one of over 100 different cannabinoids within the cannabis plant. CBD is infused to different things like gummies, oils, balms, and pills – to name a few of the more popular products.
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.
CBD is a Cannabis Derivative
Cannabidiol 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 when answering the question, “Is CBD Legal in Arkansas?” CBD is a non-psychoactive cousin of THC, which means CBD 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 you could drink an entire container of CBD oil (not recommended), and still not get high.
Supplementing with CBD is a great way to treat patients in a more natural way than other medications that have harsh side-effects. CBD research exploded over the last few years, and significant investments are continuing to be made in research and development.
The FDA is still figuring out their approval process for CBD, so until this is complete, CBD 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 abide by the Farm Bill of 2018 footsteps, a handful of states still have strange laws revolving around CBD.
Thankfully, CBD is legal in Arkansas. Arkansas doesn’t have weird laws about CBD use. Some of the more conservative states identify CBD with marijuana, even though it is completely non-psychoactive. For this reason, they have a set of strict laws. As time goes on states continue to soften these CBD laws.
How Did the Farm Bill Help Hemp?
The 2018 Farm Bill brought a revolution for hemp and hemp derived products. The cultivation of hemp became federally legal for recreational purposes at this time.
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.
CBD is now legal in Arkansas because they basically followed suit and created a similar state law, as mentioned above.
The United States FDA and CBD
The Food and Drug Administration has the authority of regulating CBD product labeling, monitoring therapeutic claims for CBD, and the usage of CBD for recreational and dietary purposes. The FDA, currently, has not allowed the advertisement of hemp-derived CBD as a dietary supplement, or as an additive to food and beverages.
The FDA must authorize any health claims that CBD products make. No medications to date have received this designation, except for the pharmaceutical drug Epidiolex.
While the Food and Drug Administration has maintained this stance for years, it has softened these regulations and is considering appropriate legislation around labeling CBD 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 and its legal status in Arkansas.
Is CBD Legal in Arkansas?
Arkansas has already taken many positions on the legalization of both cannabis and hemp. While hemp-derived CBD is completely legal in Arkansas, medical marijuana remains regulated and specifically for those who have a medical marijuana card.
You can read more about Arkansas Medical Marijuana here if interested.
Arkansas lawmakers are working to submit new regulations U.S. Department of Agriculture that remove marijuana as a controlled substance.
The state will continue taking steps to implement the current regulations and licensing requirements for the growers and processors within Arkansas.
Licensing Requirements for CBD in Arkansas
Finished CBD products do not require a license for use in Arkansas. A medical card is mandatory for legal use of marijuana. Possession of marijuana is illegal without this card.
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture (Department) is conducting a Hemp Research Licensing Program (Program) as authorized by state and federal laws. No person shall grow, handle, broker, or process hemp in Arkansas without first obtaining a license issued by the Department.
The Program will continue to operate under federal 2014 Farm Bill guidelines for the 2021 grow season, as permitted by the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act, ratified into federal law on October 1, 2020.
The Program licenses Hemp Growers and Hemp Processor/Handlers to conduct research operations and generate industry data in order to assess the agricultural and economic potential of industrial hemp production in Arkansas.
Since the research program is still in the beginning stages in Arkansas, there is still much to learn and investigate with this new agricultural endeavor.
Arkansas CBD Possession Limits
Arkansas has decriminalized all CBD possession limits. Currently, there is no possession limit for hemp-derived CBD products in Arkansas.
Where to Buy CBD in Arkansas?
To be honest, CBD products are all over the place in Arkansas. Consumers can buy CBD online, or in a variety of retail storefronts, gas stations, and kiosks within the state. As CBD products have continued to become more popular, businesses have decided they want to carry them in their stores. It is very easy to find them.
In the summer of 2020, the FDA conducted a study on CBD products from different brands. They 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 company rip you off.
Summary – Is CBD Legal in Arkansas?
Yes, CBD is legal in Arkansas. Here are some things to look for to make sure your CBD falls within the federal guidelines for use:
- Hemp-derived CBD is legal
- It must contain less than 0.3% THC
- 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 within AR. If you are looking to purchase or possess CBD in Arkansas, you don’t have to worry. It is 100% legal in Arkansas.
