CBD today is widely available from local stores, supermarkets, gas stations to dispensaries. The immense popularity of the ingredient has led to many players flooding the market with CBD products. You can buy a range of products, including CBD tinctures, oils, capsules and pills, vapes, mints, cosmetics, and even aromatherapy products. With such wide availability, the most commonly asked question is how old do you have to be to buy CBD? This article will examine in detail the age limitation to buy CBD products and the reasons why CBD is so popular.
The popularity of CBD:
CBD or cannabidiol is a popular health and wellness ingredient with immense popularity the world over. This ancient ingredient traces its roots back to traditional medicine use in many cultures, especially in Southeast Asian Countries. Obtained from the extract of the hemp plant, CBD has many therapeutic properties. It provides relief from pain, inflammation, anxiety, depression, insomnia, lack of appetite, and many chronic conditions. As a result, many people who don’t find relief with over-the-counter or prescription medications are looking at CBD as an alternative therapy option. This is contributing to CBD’s immense popularity.
So, how old do you have to be to buy CBD?
The simple, short answer is, it depends. The detailed answer is that the age to buy CBD varies from state to state, depending on the legalities and local laws. Some states require you to be 18 years of age, while in others, you have to be at least 21 years old. As a general rule, though, in most states, you can buy CBD when you are 18 years old. To buy products from a certified cannabis dispensary, you must be 21 years old.
Why is there an age restriction on CBD?
CBD, as we know, is obtained from the extract of the hemp plant. This extract contains high levels of CBD and trace levels of THC. THC is the compound found in high quantities in marijuana and is responsible for the typical high associated with recreational drugs.
The presence of these trace levels of THC is responsible for CBD earning a bad rap. This is one of the major reasons the use of CBD may not be legal or permitted with restrictions in most states. But with research proving that CBD has many medical beneficial properties, governing bodies are slowly legalizing the use of CBD. The US Farm Bill of 2018 has legalized the use of CBD with THC levels less than 0.3%. The laws, though, are not very clear, and each state has its own legal framework when it comes to marijuana sale and use.
Regulations require CBD manufacturing companies to maintain trace THC levels. But there is no infrastructure to make sure that this requirement is being adhered to. As a result, the use of marijuana is still restricted in some states.
In 1851, United States Pharmacopeia classified marijuana as a viable medical compound. Since then, many doctors have used marijuana to treat medical conditions such as epilepsy. But in 1970, the US made the use of marijuana and its related products illegal. With this move, the use of CBD became highly restricted. Since CBD is illegal, there is no sufficient research to prove its efficacy in treating various conditions. In addition, marijuana and related products have also been classified as Schedule 1 drugs. This move makes it impossible to obtain federal funds for studying CBD. As a result of this dearth of research, we do not know the effects of CBD on kids. We do not know how this compound will work in kids and whether its usage is beneficial or harmful.
In such situations, pediatricians advise parents not to take any risks and stay away from the product. You must be 19 or 21 and above to be able to buy CBD, especially in the USA, subject to local laws.
Possible risks of using CBD for kids and young adolescents:
- As we mentioned earlier, the manufacture and sale of CBD are unregulated. Most product labels may mention that the THC levels are minimal or absent. But if this norm is not adhered to, it may cause unwanted side effects in kids. High levels of THC are absolutely unsafe for kids and young adolescents.
- We do not know how much CBD will enter the system with different forms of usage. Products that deliver higher quantities of CBD always carry a risk for underage users.
- If the child is taking any other medications, CBD may interact with those medications, again producing unwanted side effects.
To sum up, CBD has many therapeutic and wellness properties. Many people are shifting to the use of CBD for its benefits. How old you have to be to buy CBD varies from state to state and depends on the local laws and restrictions. Always check with the local laws and regulations before buying CBD.
