Is There an Age Restriction on CBD?
CBD is a powerful wellness tool. And like many other medicines — and like the cannabis that it comes from — there's some debate about restricting the public's access to it.
Is there an age restriction on CBD? Unfortunately, there's some misinformation out there, but this article will clear it up once and for all.
There is currently no federal age requirement for purchasing or using CBD, but several states have imposed their own age requirements, which tend to be between age 18-21. These restrictions are further complicated by policies that distinguish between CBD derived from hemp vs CBD derived from marijuana, with the latter tending to be more heavily restricted.
If you're looking for a comprehensive breakdown and specific info on your state, then you've come to the right place! Without further ado, let's dive in CBD age limits under both federal and state laws.
Is There an Age Requirement for Buying CBD Under Federal Law?
Federal law does not impose an age restriction for the sale or use of CBD products that are derived from hemp.
While that might seem like an easy, simple answer, there are a couple of things to unpack there: Most notably, "on CBD that comes from hemp". Here are the important points.
The 2018 Farm Bill and Hemp vs. Marijuana
CBD is harvested from the cannabis plant, which has long been stigmatized and even outlawed throughout the United States.
But the passage of a law known as the 2018 Farm Bill reclassified certain types of cannabis plants, making them legal and effectively birthing the US CBD industry overnight.
The Bill created two different legal classifications of cannabis: hemp (which contains very very little of the psychoactive cannabinoid known as THC) and marijuana (which contains comparatively very high levels of THC).
- Under the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp and products that are derived from it are now legal under federal law. The bill imposed no age restrictions on such products, leaving it up to states to impose their own restrictions.
- However, if those same products are derived from marijuana, they are still illegal under federal law, even if all traces of the marijuana's THC are removed. As such, there is technically no age requirement for marijuana-derived CBD either — it's equally prohibited for all users, regardless of age!
State policies often maintain the distinction, and some states impose different age requirements for hemp-derived vs. marijuana-derived CBD.
State-by-State CBD Age Restrictions
So, the federal government doesn't impose an age requirement for CBD. But that doesn't mean you're in the clear yet!
Different states have imposed restrictions on CBD, whether derived from hemp or marijuana. Here's a quick breakdown of each state's CBD policy.
Alabama
There is no specific age requirement for CBD in Alabama.
Alabama follows the federal guidelines on CBD legality. As such, hemp-derived CBD is legal, while marijuana-derived CBD is still criminalized.
Alaska
In Alaska, sale and use of CBD are restricted to persons over the age of 21.
As with the federal rule, marijuana-derived CBD is still illegal under Alaska law, and only hemp-derived CBD is legally available.
Arizona
There is no specific age requirement for CBD in Arizona.
As with the federal rule, marijuana-derived CBD is still illegal under Arizona law, and only hemp-derived CBD is legally available.
Arkansas
There is no specific age requirement for CBD in Arkansas.
Arkansas freely allows the sale of CBD derived from hemp. It also allows for limited use of marijuana-derived CBD, though it is not available for recreational use.
California
In California, the sale and use of CBD are age-restricted, but the age differs based on the type of CBD product.
Hemp-derived CBD is restricted to persons of age 18+. Marijuana-derived CBD is restricted to persons of age 21+.
Colorado
In Colorado, sale and use of CBD is restricted to persons over the age of 18.
Colorado permits only hemp-derived CBD to be sold in its state borders. Further, it has imposed slightly more restrictive requirements than the federal law (limiting total THC content, not simply delta-9 THC content).
Connecticut
In Connecticut, sale and use of CBD is restricted to persons over the age of 18.
Only hemp-derived CBD is widely available, but Connecticut has also allowed for the use of marijuana-derived CBD products for those with medical marijuana recommendations.
Delaware
In Delaware, sale and use of CBD is restricted to persons over the age of 18.
Delaware permits the sale and use of both hemp-derived and marijuana-derived CBD products, though the latter requires a medical marijuana recommendation.
Florida
In Florida, sale and use of CBD is restricted to persons over the age of 18.
Florida permits the sale and use of both hemp-derived and marijuana-derived CBD products, though the latter requires a medical marijuana recommendation.
Georgia
In Georgia, sale and use of CBD is restricted to persons over the age of 18.
Georgia's CBD policies are somewhat more restrictive than many other states, which has made it more difficult to find in the state's borders. Nonetheless, hemp-derived CBD is technically permissible.
Hawaii
In Hawaii, sale and use of CBD is restricted to persons over the age of 18.
However, additional restrictions may impose different age requirements for different situations. If CBD products are sold at a liquor shop, for instance, an age requirement of 21 may be imposed.
Idaho
In Idaho, sale and use of CBD is restricted to persons over the age of 18.
Idaho has imposed more restrictive requirements than the federal law, banning all traces of psychoactive THC, regardless of how the product is derived.
Illinois
In Illinois, sale and use of CBD is restricted to persons over the age of 21.
Illinois does not distinguish between different types of CBD products, so both hemp- and marijuana-derived CBD products are equally permissible.
Indiana
In Indiana, sale and use of CBD is restricted by age. Some jurisdictions in the state require age 18+, others require 21+.
As with the federal rule, marijuana-derived CBD is still illegal under Indiana law, and only hemp-derived CBD is legally available.
Iowa
There is no specific age requirement for CBD in Iowa.
As with the federal rule, marijuana-derived CBD is still illegal under Iowa law, and only hemp-derived CBD is legally available.
Kansas
In Kansas, sale and use of CBD is restricted to persons over the age of 18.
Kansas has imposed more restrictive requirements than the federal law, banning all traces of psychoactive THC, regardless of how the product is derived.
Kentucky
There is no specific age requirement for CBD in Kentucky, but unofficial policy may restrict it to persons over age 18 or even 21.
Louisiana
In Louisiana, sale and use of CBD is restricted to persons over the age of 18.
As with the federal rule, marijuana-derived CBD is still illegal under Louisiana law, and only hemp-derived CBD is legally available.
Maine
In Maine, sale and use of CBD is restricted to persons over the age of 21.
As with the federal rule, marijuana-derived CBD is still illegal under Maine law, and only hemp-derived CBD is legally available.
Maryland
There is no specific age requirement for CBD in Maryland.
As with the federal rule, marijuana-derived CBD is still illegal under Maryland law, and only hemp-derived CBD is legally available.
Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, sale and use of CBD is restricted to persons over the age of 18.
However, marijuana-derived CBD products are also available and are restricted to persons aged 21+
Michigan
In Michigan, sale and use of CBD is restricted to persons over the age of 18.
Minnesota
In Minnesota, sale and use of CBD is restricted to persons over the age of 18.
Minnesota has imposed its own rules on CBD products, which are similar to but distinct from those set out by the 2018 Farm Bill. Nonetheless, CBD is generally available to adults.
Mississippi
In Mississippi, sale and use of CBD is restricted to persons over the age of 18.
However, there may be limited exceptions that allow minors to use CBD, provided that they have both a medical recommendation and the consent of their parents or guardians.
Missouri
There is no specific age requirement for CBD in Missouri.
As with the federal rule, marijuana-derived CBD is still illegal under Missouri law, and only hemp-derived CBD is legally available.
Montana
There is no specific age requirement for CBD in Montana.
However, the unofficial policy may restrict sale of CBD to persons aged 18+. This is dependent on local jurisdiction rather than state law.
Nebraska
There is no specific age requirement for CBD in Nebraska.
As with the federal rule, marijuana-derived CBD is still illegal under Nebraska law, and only hemp-derived CBD is legally available.
Nevada
In Nevada, sale and use of CBD is restricted to persons over the age of 18.
New Hampshire
In New Hampshire, sale and use of CBD is restricted to persons over the age of 18.
New Jersey
There is no specific age requirement for hemp-derived CBD in New Jersey.
However, New Jersey's medical marijuana program is generally restricted to persons aged 18+, so certain CBD products may be age-restricted.
New Mexico
In New Mexico, sale and use of CBD is restricted to persons over the age of 18.
New York
In New York, sale and use of CBD is restricted to persons over the age of 18.
However, New York may impose restrictions on certain types of CBD product. For instance, the state treats CBD vape and smoke products differently, requiring age 21+.
North Carolina
In North Carolina, sale and use of CBD is restricted to persons over the age of 18.
As with the federal rule, marijuana-derived CBD is still illegal under North Carolina law, and only hemp-derived CBD is legally available.
North Dakota
In North Dakota, sale and use of CBD is restricted to persons over the age of 18.
Ohio
There is no specific age requirement for CBD in Ohio.
Despite this, many areas in Ohio impose an unofficial requirement, restricting sales to persons age 18+.
Oklahoma
In Oklahoma, sale and use of CBD is restricted to persons over the age of 18.
Minors may be able to use CBD in Oklahoma, but will need to acquire a medical recommendation first.
Oregon
In Oregon, sale and use of CBD is restricted to persons over the age of 18.
Oregon has legalized marijuana for both medical and recreational use, so there is no difference between hemp-derived and marijuana-derived CBD products.
Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, sale and use of CBD is restricted to persons over the age of 18.
As with the federal rule, marijuana-derived CBD is still illegal under Pennsylvania law, and only hemp-derived CBD is legally available.
Rhode Island
In Rhode Island, sale and use of CBD is restricted to persons over the age of 21.
As with the federal rule, marijuana-derived CBD is still illegal under Rhode Island law, and only hemp-derived CBD is legally available.
South Carolina
In South Carolina, sale and use of CBD is restricted to persons over the age of 18.
South Carolina has imposed its own restrictions on available CBD requirements, which may differ significantly from the federal Farm Bill guidelines.
South Dakota
In South Dakota, sale and use of CBD is restricted to persons over the age of 18.
Minors may be able to use CBD in South Dakota, but will need to acquire a medical recommendation first.
Tennessee
In Tennessee, sale and use of CBD is restricted to persons over the age of 21.
Texas
There is no specific age requirement for CBD in Texas.
As with the federal rule, marijuana-derived CBD is still illegal under Texas law, and only hemp-derived CBD is legally available.
Utah
There is no specific age requirement for CBD in Utah.
Nonetheless, some jurisdictions may impose unofficial local requirements, most often restricting CBD to persons age 21+.
Vermont
In Vermont, sale and use of CBD is restricted to persons over the age of 21.
This follows the general rule set by Vermont's recreational cannabis laws, so individuals must be 21+ to enter dispensaries where cannabis products are sold.
Virginia
There is no specific age requirement for CBD in Virginia.
Washington
In Washington, sale and use of CBD is restricted to persons over a certain age, but the age varies depending on where the CBD is purchased.
In most locations, Washington restricts CBD to persons aged 18+. If the CBD is purchased at a dispensary, however, the requirement is 21+.
West Virginia
There is no specific age requirement for CBD in West Virginia.
As with the federal rule, marijuana-derived CBD is still illegal under West Virginia law, and only hemp-derived CBD is legally available.
Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, sale and use of CBD are restricted to persons over a certain age, but the age varies depending on where the CBD is purchased.
In most locations, Wisconsin restricts CBD to persons aged 18+. If the CBD is purchased at a dispensary, however, the requirement is 21+.
Wyoming
In Wyoming, the sale and use of CBD are restricted to persons over the age of 18.
