Is CBD Legal in Puerto Rico: Limits, Usage & Where to Buy
Posted by felipe@cbdvapejuice.net on 22nd Nov 2022
Cannabis has always been popular among many people because of its recreational and medical potential. In the United States, more and more places have made the plant legal on some level, while others are fighting to make it accessible. CBD is the most available cannabinoid out there.
Aside from the states in the country, some of its territories are also taking a stand with regards to cannabis and its cannabinoids. Puerto Rico is one of those places. Interested in using CBD while in this territory? The first thing you should know is this: Is CBD legal in Puerto Rico?
Here, you can learn about the legality of cannabidiol in the territory, imposed limits, and where you can buy CBD in Puerto Rico. Read on.
What is CBD?
Before answering the question, "Is CBD legal in Puerto Rico?” you should get more clarity on what it actually is, so you can consume it more safely and legally. The first thing you should do is find out what exactly it is.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of 540 chemical substances found in the cannabis plant. One type of these compounds are cannabinoids, the number of which is more than a hundred. CBD falls under the category of cannabinoids, along with THC, the other main cannabinoids in the plant.
Between the two, CBD is the cannabinoid that is responsible for the medical properties of the plant. Do not get us wrong though. THC also has potential for medical applications.
This is why the Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of a drug containing a purified form of CBD called Epidiolex for treating rare forms of epilepsy like Gastaut-Lennox Syndrome and Dravet Syndrome.
A synthetic form of THC was also approved for inclusion in Marinol, which is designed to treat loss of nausea, appetite, and weight loss. Cesamet contains nabilone, a synthetic ingredient that is like THC, which is made for treating nausea and vomiting in cancer patients.
The thing about CBD is that it is deemed more acceptable by many because it is non-psychoactive, unlike THC. This means that CBD does not make you high, making it more palatable for the market.
CBD has shown value in addressing different issues such as chronic pain, inflammation, difficulty sleeping, stress, and restlessness. It can also be used as a lifestyle aid for many people.
If you live in Puerto Rico or are planning to visit the country anytime soon, you might be wondering, “Is CBD legal in Puerto Rico 2022?”
Is CBD Legal in Puerto Rico?
To answer the question “Is CBD legal in Puerto Rico,” this country takes a friendly stand on medical marijuana. Keep in mind that this is partial legalization and is distinct from full legalization in that it only made medical marijuana legal, but not for recreational use.
Medical marijuana is legal in Puerto Rico, but only for patients with approved qualifying conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, ALS, anorexia, anxiety, cancer,epilepsy, fibromyalgia, HIV/AIDS, migraines, rheumatoid arthritis, and more.
However, this does not say anything about the legality of CBD in the territory. The good news is that Puerto Rico followed suit when the United States passed the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, also known as the 2018 Farm Bill.
After the AIA, the Department of Agriculture of Puerto Rico started the Puerto Rico Hemp Licensing and Inspection Office (OLIC, when abbreviating its Spanish name), which is in charge of creating, developing, promoting, and enforcing the territory’s Hemp Industry.
According to Puerto Rico’s Hemp Program signed in 2020, any company wanting to import or distribute any product containing hemp-derived cannabinoids such as CBD should first secure a license from OLIC.
Organizations can also secure a manufacturing license from OLIC, allowing them to buy, process, create, sell, and export products containing hemp-derived cannabinoids, including CBD.
Given that businesses can secure licenses to sell products containing hemp-derived cannabinoids like CBD, the answer is yes, CBD is legal in Puerto Rico.
The country’s hemp regulatory body was assembled following the passing of the 2018 Farm BIll. This is why you will find that the regulations in the territory are similar to those in the US.
With this, qualified individuals can access different kinds of CBD products, as long as they contain cannabidiol from hemp. Some of the products include topicals, edibles, drinkables, oils, and tinctures.
What is the CBD Possession Limit in Puerto Rico?
The Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture Hemp Program (PRDAHP) is responsible for regulating the CBD market after it was established alongside the 2018 Farm Bill.
Is CBD legal in Puerto Rico? Yes. But are there limits? What you need to know is that legal CBD possession is not restricted after the cannabinoid was deregulated in the US and Puerto Rico.
What is the CBD law in Puerto Rico? The part of regulation you need to remember is that only those made with cannabidiol from hemp are legal.
According to the Hemp Program, hemp or Cannabis sativa L. is any cannabis plant with a low THC content, particularly 0.3% or below.So, the resulting extract should also contain a similar level of THC.
Those living in Puerto Rico or are planning to visit the country should be aware of any rules or regulations that cover CBD. To know more about the country’s policies on the cannabinoid, you might want to get in touch with authorities to ask.
Legality of CBD Oil in Other States of US
Now that you know the legality of CBD in Puerto Rico, you might be interested to know more about the accessibility of this cannabinoid in the States in the US.
When talking about CBD legality in the US, the most important detail is that the AIA made hemp federally legal. It also removed cannabidiol from the list of controlled substances, again, on the federal level.
What does being federally legal mean? In the United States, the federal government has laws that apply nationwide. However, states can create and enforce their own laws. This is why recreational marijuana is illegal on the federal level, but it is legal in 21 states.
In the same way, states have their different policies on cannabidiol. Some abide by the legal threshold as imposed by the AIA, which makes any CBD product legal, as long as they contain only 0.3% THC or less.
Meanwhile, states that fully legalize marijuana may not have restrictions on the type of CBD product circulating in its market and being accessed by the public. Some states allow only hemp-derived CBD like Hawaii and Florida, but states like California only allow marijuana-derived ones.
What you need to know is that some states allow varying levels of THC in their CBD products. An example of this is Idaho, which prohibits any trace of THC.
To gain a clearer picture, here is a comprehensive list of states regarding the status of CBD legality within their premises based on Forbes Health.
States where CBD is Fully Legal
- Alaska
- Arizona
- California - Only marijuana-derived CBD is allowed, but not strictly enforced
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- Illinois
- Maine
- Massachusetts - Those with more than 0.3% THC is legal for adults, and medical cannabis license holders 18 to 20 years old.
- Michigan
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New York
- Oregon
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
States where CBD is conditionally legal
- Alabama - Only medical cannabis license holders can access products with more than 0.3% THC
- Arkansas - Only medical cannabis license holders can access products with more than 0.3% THC
- Delaware - Only medical cannabis license holders can access products with more than 0.3% THC
- Florida - Only hemp-derived CBD allowed
- Georgia - Only medical cannabis license holders can access marijuana-derived products with equal amounts of THC and CBD up to 5%
- Hawaii - Only hemp-derived CBD allowed
- Idaho - No traces of THC allowed
- Indiana - Only CBD products containing 0.3% of THC or less allowed
- Iowa - Only medical cannabis license holders can access products with more than 0.3% THC
- Kansas - No traces of THC allowed; medical CBD oil with up to 5% THC allowed for cardholders
- Kentucky - Only hemp-derived CBD allowed
- Louisiana - Marijuana-derived CBD oil allowed for medical cannabis license holders
- Maryland - Marijuana-derived CBD oil allowed for specific conditions
- Minnesota - Marijuana-derived CBD oil allowed for specific conditions
- Mississippi - Marijuana-derived CBD oil with up to 0.5% THC allowed for medical cannabis license holders
- Missouri - Only medical cannabis license holders can access products with more than 0.3% THC
- Nebraska - Only hemp-derived CBD oil allowed
- New Hampshire - Marijuana-derived CBD oil allowed for specific conditions
- New Mexico - Marijuana-derived CBD oil allowed for specific conditions
- North Carolina - Marijuana-derived CBD oil allowed for medical cannabis license holders
- Ohio - Marijuana-derived CBD oil allowed for specific conditions
- Oklahoma - Marijuana-derived CBD oil allowed for medical cannabis license holders
- Pennsylvania - Only medical cannabis license holders can access products with more than 0.3% THC
- Rhode Island - Only medical cannabis license holders can access products with more than 0.3% THC
- South Carolina - Only medical cannabis license holders can access products with more than 0.9% THC
- Tennessee - Only medical cannabis license holders can access products with more than 0.9% THC
- Texas - Only qualified patients can access products with up to 1% THC
- Utah - Marijuana-derived CBD oil allowed for specific conditions
- West Virginia Marijuana-derived CBD oil allowed for specific conditions
- Wisconsin - Marijuana-derived CBD oil allowed for specific conditions
- Wyoming - Only hemp-derived CBD allowed
The only state where CBD is strictly illegal is South Dakota. How about in other Latin American countries? Is CBD legal in Puerto Rico? Yes it is. It is also legal in other nations like Mexico and Colombia.
Where To Buy Best CBD Products in Puerto Rico?
So, you now know the positive answer to “Is CBD legal in Puerto Rico?” You might be wondering where to buy CBD in Puerto Rico. To get high-quality products from a reliable seller, you should check out CBD Genesis.
We carry a wide variety of items, from gummies, vape juice, tinctures, and oils, so you have more options to choose from. Not sure what to get? Here’s a small review of our items.
Vaping is one of the most common ways to use CBD. The effect can be instantaneous, so it is preferred by many. The CBD Genesis CBD Disposable Vape Pen is a great choice for those wanting a potent and fast-acting product.
Aside from its impacts, its availability in four strains is a plus. You can get it in Blue Dream, Granddaddy Purp, Girl Scout Cookies, and Pineapple Express. These have their own sets of characteristics, which gives them distinct flavors and odors.
This product contains 1,000 milligrams of CBD in one milliliter of vape juice, making every puff powerful and effective. This one comes with the natural terpenes of the cannabis plant, without any trace of THC.
An enjoyable, yet effective choice is the Genesis CBD Gummy Bears. They are made from natural fruity flavors, making them sweet, healthy, and delicious treats. The taste and texture of these edibles are just like any regular gummy bear, but with an interesting twist.
This contains a total of 500 milligrams CBD isolate in 20 pieces of gummies. This means each piece has 25 milligrams of pure CBD. This offers the set of benefits typically associated with CBD such as relaxation, sleep improvement, inflammation and pain relief, and more.
The thing is, it is taken orally, through the digestive system, so it can take some time before the effects manifest. You might need to wait between 30 minutes to two hours for the impact to kick in.
Those looking for a decadent treat will be glad to get the Active CBD Chocolate Bar. It has 15 pieces per bar containing a total of 300 milligrams of activated CBD. So, you can get 20 milligrams of CBD for each piece.
The bar is made using dark chocolate for that rich, slightly bitter taste. This artisan candy is made by a family of chocolatiers that have been in the candy-making business for more than 100 years.
You can expect a decadent CBD experience without any hint of THC. It is also taken orally, so there will be delays in the delivery of CBD into your bloodstream.
Aside from inhaling CBD in e-liquid form or ingesting it in gummy or chocolate form, you can also get this cannabinoid into your system by topical application. You just need to rub it onto the area of concern and you are good to go.
The CBD Pain Cream by Genesis comes in two-ounce bottles, available in two strengths: 1,000 milligrams and 500 milligrams. You can choose the variant that suits your needs.
Nevertheless, both types can provide direct physical relief with the help of the full-spectrum CBD it is infused with. It contains only 0.3% of THC, making it within the legal limit.
Takeaway
With more knowledge about the affirmative answer to “Is CBD legal in Puerto Rico?” You can get ready to find the best CBD oil products in the country. CBD Genesis can hook you up with top-shelf items that are effective and reliable, so make sure to check out our shop.