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CBD Oil in Rhode Island
Rhode Island, like all other US States, has its own legal framework when it comes to CBD oil, and the legality of various cannabis products. If you have come to this page asking:
“Is CBD legal in Rhode Island?”, you will find the answer here!
Just in case you are pressed for time, the short answer is “yes!” – but if you are curious about the legal wrinkles when it comes to CBD oil within the state of Rhode Island, we encourage you to read on.
When researching this topic, it is important to keep in mind that most legal entities in the United States now recognize a distinction between marijuana and hemp. While marijuana and hemp are both cannabis plants, they are not the same plant; consuming hemp will not have the same result as consuming marijuana— not in the eyes of the law, and not physiologically speaking.
The primary difference (according to federal law) between hemp and marijuana, deals with the concentration of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is one of more than one hundred different cannabinoids (chemical compounds) found in cannabis plants. THC is one of the most well-known cannabinoids though, because it is psychoactive; in other words, THC causes users to achieve a “high” when consumed.
Industrial hemp has a negligible amount of THC while marijuana has far more.
Most CBD products that you can legally purchase, possess, and consume within the United States are made from industrial hemp; they cannot put you in an altered mental state, and they contain less than 0.3% THC by dry weight. When you see CBD products being advertised for sale on billboards, road signs, or in retail environments, you are more than likely seeing products made from industrial hemp.
While there are indeed CBD products made from marijuana, these remain highly restricted in nearly every jurisdiction and require specific medical clearances and/or doctor’s permissions to legally obtain and use from designated dispensaries.
Is CBD Oil legal in Rhode Island?
Yes, CBD oil is legal in Rhode Island and, so long as it is derived from hemp, it can be purchased, possessed, and consumed by members of the general public. As with other states, federal law applies here: hemp-derived CBD products that are sold to the general public must contain no more than 0.3% THC. Marijuana-derived CBD products remain restricted, and can only be legally obtained through Rhode Island’s medical cannabis dispensary system; such products are illegal for possession/use by the general public.
What are the current CBD laws in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island’s cannabis laws have come a long way since the initial ban on the sale of cannabis in 1918.
Examining how the state’s legal framework has evolved in the past century can help readers understand the legal situation for cannabis in Rhode Island today.
Medical marijuana use has been legal for some time now, first becoming legal statewide in 2006 after the passage of S0710, also known as The Edward O. Hawkins and Thomas C. Slater Medical Marijuana Act.
The push to get medical marijuana approved was met with resistance from Governor Don Carcieri who vetoed the bill. The legislature overrode the governor’s veto with a vote of 59—13 in the State House, and a vote for 28—6 in the Rhode Island Senate.
In 2009 the state established the medical dispensary program, being only the second state at the time to do so (the first being California).
Under state law, those who suffer from “debilitating medical conditions” are eligible to use medical marijuana. These conditions include cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, and hepatitis C. Those who suffer from chronic pain, seizures, muscle spasms, or severe nausea may also be eligible.
However, the recreational use of marijuana and marijuana-derived products, including marijuana-derived CBD, is not permitted under the law.
While polls indicate that Rhode Island residents are ready to see full legalization of all cannabis without restriction, full legalization has not been achieved. Time will tell if they get there sooner rather than later, though the eventual outcome seems to be settled, if public sentiment has any sway.
However, hemp is presently far more accessible than marijuana, and for a greater number of residents.
While industrial hemp became fully legalized at the federal level in 2018 with the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, it ultimately left power with the states to determine the local laws and regulations regarding the crop and its derived products.
Some states are lagging on this front, and some are only just catching up. But Rhode Island has kept up pace with federal laws as they relate to hemp. The state’s Hemp Growth Act of 2017 first made the distinction between hemp and marijuana, one year before federal law did the same with the 2018 farm Bill. In 2019 when the Industrial Hemp Growth Act was updated. This update made it expressly clear that the sale of hemp-derived CBD products is legal within the state. It should be noted that it does prohibit residents below the age of 21 from accessing these products.
Can I purchase CBD in Rhode Island?
You can buy CBD in Rhode Island. Not only will you find hemp-derived CBD products widely available across “The Ocean State,” but you can also buy CBD products from online retailers and then have those products shipped directly to your home. Often, CBD users prefer the ease and convenience of buying their hemp-derived CBD products from a highly trusted online retailer—and they enjoy the greater variety of product formats available when purchasing online.
Highland Pharms’ cleanly and legally produced CBD products come in a wide variety of formats ranging from capsules to tinctures, creams, vape oils, and gummies. We even sell CBD pet treats!
If you are a resident of Rhode Island, we hope that you will consider making us your go-to source for all of your CBD needs. You can rest easy knowing that we are able to send our products straight to your front door, no matter where you are within Rhode Island!
Sources
https://weedmaps.com/learn/laws-and-regulations/rhode-island
http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText16/HouseText16/H8232A.pdf
https://weedmaps.com/learn/cbd/is-cbd-legal-in-rhode-island
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_United_States_farm_bill
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Controlled_Substances_Act
http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE21/21-28.6/INDEX.HTM