CBD Oil: Is It Legal And What Can You Use It For?

CBD is becoming more and more common, and is known to have a tie to marijuana, but how closely are they related? Does it have a similar (turbulent) relationship with the law? Can it be used safely and legally? If so, what for? In this article, we try to help explain what exactly CBD oil is, its legality, and some of the benefits that you might be able to gain from using it.

What is CBD?

CBD, or cannabidiol, is an isolated extracted from the Cannabis Sativa plant. This plant contains over 100 substances or chemicals, including CBD and THC. CBD is commonly derived from hemp plants, which are a strain of the Cannabis Sativa plant that contains lower concentration of THC and higher concentrations of CBD. THC is the psychoactive component that can result in the “high” that is associated with marijuana and therefore is under enforcement by the DEA. 

Once CBD is extracted from the Cannabis Sativa plant, it is produced in multiple forms, including creams or oils. This is a rather simplified explanation, but the main point is that CBD is a natural, non-psychoactive substance. 

The 2018 Farm Bill 

Under previous federal laws, hemp had the same classification that marijuana did as being a controlled substance, despite not having the same psychoactive effect. Due to this classification, Hemp was being enforced as a controlled substance by the DEA. 

At the end of 2018, the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 (or “2018 Farm Bill”) was passed which contained broad legislation around agricultural programs, income support, and rural development. A bill like this for agriculture improvements is passed every 5 years or so, however, this bill in particular was unique due to one component of the 2018 bill: hemp was to be declassified as a controlled substance and the cultivation of the plant was legalized. This meant that hemp was no longer illegal under federal law, however cannabis products were still going to be regulated by the FDA. 

So now that it’s legal, what can you use it for? 

Uses of CBD Oil

Now that the production of CBD oil is legal, it is being used for a variety of purposes to help people in their day to day lives. It has shown promise in relieving stress and anxiety for individuals. For people suffering from insomnia or poor quality of sleep, it can help. It can serve as an anti-inflammatory and relieve pain, or help with the pain and duration of migraines. It’s also been shown to lower blood pressure and regulate blood sugar levels, which can help individuals with diabetes. For all of these methods and uses, it is considered a natural alternative to provide relief rather than taking pharmaceutical medication.

CBD oil is considered a safe method of relief for the chronic illnesses and medical conditions mentioned above. The possible side effects that come with CBD oil are mild – change in appetite, fatigue, and diarrhea. 

In addition to using as an oil, CBD has been added to food and beverages, bathroom products, and more, all with the goal of providing a relaxing, stress-relieving sensation free of the psychoactive effects of marijuana.