Is CBD Legal in Virginia? [Laws, Usage & Buyers Guide]

Is CBD Legal in Virginia? [Laws, Usage & Buyers Guide]

Posted by Christian on 26th Apr 2023

The buzz for Cannabidiol (CBD) is snowballing in different media platforms because of its claimed benefits. While the product is gaining support in some states, it is not yet legal worldwide. Is CBD legal in Virginia? If not, what is the CBD law in Virginia? Read on to find out.

This post will also highlight the content, effect, usage, and places to buy CBD in Virginia.

What is CBD?


Is CBD legal

Before anything else, knowing the actual content of the product is necessary. Cannabidiol, more popularly known as CBD, refers to a natural chemical present in marijuana or hemp plants.

To manufacture the product, experts perform a CBD extraction from cannabis plants. Once done, they will dilute it in a specific type of oil. It can either be coconut or hemp seed oil.

A hemp plant contains one percent less tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) than marijuana. For this reason, CBD products rely more on the use of hemp plants than marijuana, although CBD is present in both.

Since CBD has just boomed, many people are curious about how it is different from THC. While the two compounds offer the same medical benefits, they are still chemically different.

According to Medical News Today, the distinction between the two lies in the degree of psychoactive effect. Unlike THC, the new product is non-intoxicating and will not cause a high. CBD is still technically psychoactive but not as much as THC.

Now, what is the difference between hemp and CBD oil? A hemp plant produces both, but the former comes from the seed only. On the other hand, CBD oil extraction involves the whole plant.

Many people support the use of CBD because of its medical benefits. The product can treat different conditions such as seizures, inflammation, anxiety, depression, migraine, nausea, etc. However, the most notable CBD finding is its effectiveness in treating epilepsy, especially in children.

Is CBD Legal in Virginia?


Is CBD Legal in Virginia?

Is CBD legal in Virginia 2021?

Marijuana remains illegal in some states like Virginia. However, the case is different for CBD products. The answer to the question is not a dichotomy. A simple yes or no is not sufficient to explain the legalities of CBD in Virginia. So, what is the CBD law in Virginia?

The safest and most appropriate answer would be CBD is allowed but to a certain extent. To be more specific, The Hemp Farming Act of 2018 legalized the use of industrial hemp. However, there must be only at most 0.3 percent THC in the products. Otherwise, they are illegal.

The division responsible for maintaining the rules and regulations surrounding the safety and quality standards of the product is the US Department of Agriculture. However, the US Food and Drug Administration still has authority over food products with hemp addition.

Virginia has strict laws when it comes to the use of marijuana. However, the state is more lenient regarding hemp-related products. Virginia has shown interest in the use of hemp since ages ago.

In 1997, the state passed Virginia passed House Joint Resolution 565. It allowed a six-member joint subcommittee to study the potential economic impact of industrial hemp, as well as its barriers.

After its success, Virginia passed HJ 94 in 1999 to commemorate the Director of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, and the Secretary of Agriculture. It then permitted the controlled experimental cultivation of industrial hemp in the state. The process that won the approval of the upper authorities, allowing the cultivation, is a total legal loophole.

If you think about it, the federal law prohibits the farming of industrial hemp at the time. However, since federal agencies manage the program, permission was granted. Nonetheless, the approval comes with certain restrictions.

After a series of studies, it became clearer that industrial hemp usage can benefit the state. It can potentially help rural communities, and so Virginia pushed the production and cultivation of hemp further.

HJ 605 asked that the Committee on Rural Prosperity treat industrial hemp cultivation as a channel to promote prosperity in the rural areas. It happened in 2001. More programs and resolutions arose in the proceeding years.

Governor Terry McAuliffe signed Senate Bill 955 into law in 2015. It redefines hemp as a cannabis Sativa plant with at most 0.3 percent THC, which is allowed under federal laws.

The bill also led the Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to drafting rules for the program. Moreover, it gave other institutions authority over the establishment of industrial hemp cultivation programs.

In 2016, there was another legislation introduced to clarify the grounds of hemp cultivation further. According to House Bill 699, as long as a person holds a license for hemp cultivation, processing, and manufacturing, they will not be prosecuted. The legislation also gave the Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services authority to adopt rules and policies for a licensing program.

The fight for the promotion of industrial hemp cultivation does not end there. House Bill 532 was passed in 2018 to reduce restrictions on cultivation programs. However, the legislation did not sufficiently comply with the Hemp Farming Act of 2018.

For this reason, Senate Bill 247 was introduced as a follow-up to ensure strict compliance with the act. What it did is replace the current licensing system of the state.

The plan of Virginia to regulate hemp production is still in motion. It was submitted on January 15, 2020. Hence, it remains under review by the USDA.

If you need a more elaborate explanation regarding the legalities of CBD products in Virginia, read on.

Without restriction, the state residents can consume CBD products as long as they only contain 0.3 percent THC at most. However, people should be informed that "without restriction" is open for interpretation.

Consumers can freely buy CBD in Virginia because of its medicinal or therapeutic properties. However, not all CBD products are legally available in the state.

As mentioned above, CBD oil can come from two different sources. It can either be extracted from the hemp or the marijuana plant.

The use of the latter remains illegal in Virginia while the former is allowed. It only means that residents can prevent any violation of the law if the CBD product they possess is hemp-derived. Otherwise, there would be some legal complications.

What is the CBD Possession Limit in Virginia?


What is the CBD Possession Limit in Virginia?

When it comes to CBD Possession, there are limited rules or regulations. There are not enough resolutions allowing qualified patients to legally possess CBD or THC products with at least 15 percent CBD and at most 5 percent THC in total. Nonetheless, any processed form of cannabis is allowed with no possession limit, except the whole flower.

Initially, the law was only applicable to those patients with epilepsy. However, it was expanded in 2019, allowing patients with other medical conditions as long as they present written certification from their doctor.

While there are possession limits in most areas, any amount of hemp-derived CBD oils are legal in Commonwealth, Virginia. If you wish to try the product but are not a certified patient yet, you may check out the Virginia Department of Health Professionals website to apply.

Where To Buy Best CBD Products In Virginia?


Where To Buy Best CBD Products In Virginia?

Many people, especially those who have just heard about CBD, wonder where to purchase CBD products in Virginia. When the Hemp Farming Act of 2018 was not yet passed, people needed Industrial Hemp Grower, Processor License, or Dealer to possess CBD.

However, since the product is legal already in the state, it is now reasonably easy to buy them. There are numerous options from which you can acquire the product.

You can get them in clinics and shops. Apart from those, you can also acquire CBD oil products directly from the manufacturers. If none of the above works for you, asking from an online dealer is an option too.

You can have the products shipped to your residence if it is more convenient for you. As long as you purchase only the amount permitted by law, then you are good.

Instead of wondering about the availability of CBD oil products, looking for quality stores should be your priority. So before handing out your money, you must do your research first. You have to be a wise buyer if you wish to have the best CBD products in Virginia.

When you visit the market, there are going to be plenty of options. What you need to do is assess if the dealer works with an independent and reliable laboratory.

Another step you can take is to check if they are a member of the American Hemp Association. Although it is not a requirement, being part of the organization gives the seller extra accountability. It can be a way of evaluating if the dealer sells high-quality CBD oil products.

If you’re looking for the best products you can consume, why not start with this list?

  • Active CBD Oil Salve: This product is known for its high-quality vegan CBD salve. This offering is definitely a treat due to the infusion of rosemary essential oil and arnice & calendula extracts. The 550 mg is recommended for beginners, but if you want to taste the more concentrated version, the 1100mg should be your go-to.


Active CBD Oil Salve

  • Active CBD Oil - Gold 25%: CBD oil is an excellent alternative if you’re looking for something that can help you with depression and anxiety. This comes from extracting CBD from cannabis plants. This is then diluted with various carrier oils such as hemp seed oil and coconut.


Active CBD Oil - Gold 25%

Active CBD Oil Distillate Cartridges 275 mg

  • Active CBD oil Shatter plus Terpenes 95-97%: This CBD oil is known for its 95 to 97 percent CBD material. What sets this apart from the bunch is the real Cannabis Terpene Clend integrated into the mix to add some savory dabbing experience.


Active CBD oil Shatter plus Terpenes 95-97%

Takeaway


Acquainting yourself with the laws in your state is necessary, especially when attempting to purchase products that are not yet legal worldwide. Not only can it prevent you from violating any federal law, but it can also help you not miss out on possible medical solutions.

CBD oil possession is legal in Virginia as long as you buy CBD products with THC of no more than 0.3 percent. Being mindful of the THC content is imperative so you do not end up with legal complications. But generally, it is safe to purchase them in Virginia.

Just make sure that the products you buy are hemp-derived. CBD oil extracted from the marijuana plant remains illegal in the state and can get you a serious problem. There are different CBD products, so you better check them all out first. Some offer cigarettes, gummies, CBD-infused oil, and more. You can even give some CBD products to your pets.

The support for the use of CBD for health purposes continues to increase over the years. So if you need the product and reside in Virginia, having it legal in the Commonwealth should be good news. Just make sure to do a little research before purchasing anything.

After all, knowledge is what got us here. There is more to know about CBD oil and its benefits. And different medical experts work on it up to this day. Check the benefits and buy yourself some at CBD Genesis today!