Hemp became federally legal in the United States under the 2018 Farm Bill, when it was
classified as an agricultural product. One of the ways that hemp plants are used commercially is
the extraction of CBD—a non-psychoactive compound found in hemp and cannabis plants.
While there is still some ambiguity around the legality of CBD from cannabis in certain states,
the legalization of hemp has significantly impacted the CBD industry, and caused a shift in the
domestic market. The production and consumption of CBD oil derived from traditionally grown
hemp plants is now legal nationwide on a federal level. (1)
The Evolving CBD Market
Since the recent legalization of hemp-based CBD, and its introduction to the open market as a
mainstream commodity, there is a tremendous lack of regulation in place to monitor and
modulate prices. Due to high demand and how it has spiked supply, the commercial CBD market
has become volatile and inconsistent. The normal laws of economic growth and balance don’t
seem to apply to this industry as it expands at an accelerated rate.
This may cause you to wonder, how much should legitimate and high-quality CBD oil cost?
Keep reading to find a detailed breakdown of prices, trending brands and products, and more
information about the benefits and legalities surrounding the consumption of CBD oil.
What is CBD Oil?
Cannabidiol, or CBD, oil is the non-psychoactive compound found in the hemp and cannabis
plants. It often gets associated and confused with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)—the psychoactive
compound found in cannabis plants, known to induce mind-altering effects, such as
disassociation from reality and euphoria. However, when isolated from THC, CBD isn’t known
to have any such psychoactive effects, and may be safely tolerated by humans. CBD is usually
derived from hemp plants that have less than .03% THC. It may cause feelings of drowsiness and
sedation, which is one reason why it may be helpful to people suffering from insomnia or
anxiety. (2)
There are three categories of CBD oil. Understanding the differences between them can help you
navigate the cannabinoid spectrum and make informed purchasing decisions.
The Cannabinoid Spectrum: Three Variations
CBD isolate: 100% pure CBD, with zero trace of THC or any other active compounds of the
cannabis plant.
Full-spectrum CBD: Contains all naturally occurring cannabinoids including THC, and is only
legal in states where marijuana use has been legalized.
Broad-spectrum CBD: Less processed than isolate, with most cannabinoids left intact, except
for THC. Products under this labeling may run on the more expensive side, since the process to
produce it is more labor-intensive and costly. (3)
Why Use CBD Oil?
An increasing number and widening variety of consumers have been showing interest in CBD oil
as a natural remedy for various mental and physical health issues, including insomnia, anxiety,
depression, chronic pain, and inflammation, among others. (4)
While conclusive scientific evidence is limited, and more clinical research is needed to
corroborate the health benefits of CBD, many consumers and advocates of CBD oil have claimed
it helps with some medical conditions and improves overall wellness.
The use of CBD oil to treat epilepsy has undergone years of clinical trials and research. This has
culminated in the FDA’s approval of Epidiolex—a medication that treats seizures caused by two
types of epilepsy: Lennox Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome. These both largely effect
children, and Epidiolex is the first FDA approved medication in existence to target Dravet
syndrome. (5)
Neither CBD nor hemp oil are cures for any medical condition, illness or disease, but according
to some claims, they may have therapeutic benefits that help patients cope with their symptoms
and enjoy improved quality of life.
Is CBD Oil Legal?
The legality surrounding CBD oil from cannabis is a complex issue and differs on a state-by-
state basis. The use of crystalline isolate (pure CBD crystals) is legal in most states, but full-
spectrum cannabis oil is legal only in states where marijuana use has been legalized.
Some states have more complicated laws surrounding its use. For example, in Mississippi, the
use of marijuana-based CBD oil is illegal, except when medically prescribed to treat epilepsy. In
Idaho, marijuana CBD use is illegal for both recreational and medical purposes. In Kentucky,
marijuana-based CBD oil is completely illegal.
Hemp growth and the production of hemp products is legal in 46 states, with the exception of
Idaho, Mississippi, New Hampshire and South Dakota. These states retain the right to ban
production of hemp plants within state borders, as ordained by the Farm Bill. (6)
For the most part, CBD products from hemp are legal in the majority of states without the need
for a prescription or medical card. And, because hemp is traditionally grown with trace amounts
of THC or none at all, consumers aren’t at risk of experiencing a “high” from using these
products. However, although hemp has been removed from the Controlled Substances list, CBD
is still classified as a Schedule I drug by the FDA and the DEA (Drug Enforcement
Administration).
Because local and state laws around CBD are constantly in flux, it’s recommended you do your
research and become familiar with the laws in your state before starting to use CBD oil for any
reason.
How Much Does CBD Oil Cost?
Due to legal complexities surrounding the sale and use of CBD oil, and because it’s still
somewhat of a novelty to the market, the cost of CBD oil ranges widely across brands and
products. The spectrum of quality is also obscured by the vast number of manufacturers and
retailers, and how many of them produce inferior products under false pretenses or inaccurate
labeling.
The variations of CBD oil prices are difficult to explain. The best way to determine the fair cost
CBD oil is to calculate the price per milligram of CBD.
It’s important to note, however, that a high price might not indicate authenticity or quality. The
average price taken from six popular and well-known brands is USD$0.15/mg of CBD. Also,
take into account the type of product and how it's produced. CBD gummies, CBD topicals, CBD
capsules—these products are all manufactured differently and production costs vary. Location of
production may also influence pricing. For example, CBD gummies made in Colorado may sell
at a higher price in another state, and if consumers are willing to pay that price, it then becomes
the standard.
When shopping for CBD oil, you should do your own due diligence, and consider other factors
besides the price. Some things you should consider when questioning the price of CBD oil are as
follows:
- Was the CBD grown at an accredited farm?
- Was it grown organically (without the use of pesticides)?
- Does it pass a third-party lab test?
- Was it extracted through a C02 extraction process?
- Does it have positive reviews from real users?
Reputable companies will practice transparency and openly provide this information on the
labels of products. Even if you’ve found an oil for a low price (under USD$0.15/mg), you should
make sure it meets all of the above criteria before investing in it.
Third-party lab tests are important to determine the cannabinoid content of a product. A Dutch
study found that only 7 out of 46 tested brands contained any traces of cannabidiol at all.
How Much CBD Oil Should You Take?
When first deciding how much CBD oil to take, there are a few determining factors to consider.
First of all, consider your bodyweight. Second, define your expectations for the product and what
purposes you intend to use it for.
For people who weigh less than 130 pounds, it’s commonly recommended to take a dosage of 11
to 17mg, depending on whether you’re looking for mild, moderate or strong effects. For people
130 to 230 pounds, 18 to 27mg is seen as the ideal amount.
Those who weigh more than 230 pounds may require a larger dose, such as 23 to 45mg. Again,
these numbers are contingent on your desired effects. While using CBD oil, you must be vigilant
for side effects, which may intensify with higher doses.
If you’re a first-time CBD oil user, err on the side of caution and start at the low end of the
dosage spectrum. Consult with your regular doctor before taking CBD oil or introducing any
new medicinal supplement to your health regimen.
In Summary
There aren’t any well-defined or pre-determined rules and regulations around the concentration
and price of CBD oil in the United States, which makes it difficult to know whether or not you’re
getting taken advantage of as a first-time consumer.
How much should CBD oil cost? The average cost calculated from six trusted brands is
USD$0.15 per milligram. But the price is not the only thing to consider.
Make sure you do adequate research prior to purchase and only buy from U.S. accredited farms
and manufacturers that comply with third-party lab testing requirements. Read reviews and
consider leaving feedback about your own experiences, too.
For more information on CBD prices and other information regarding potential benefits , visit
our F.A.Q. page.
1. “Marijuana, Hemp, CBD Oil: What’s Legal and Where” , Source:
https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/news/20190108/marijuana-hemp-cbd-whats-legal-and-where
2. “CBD vs THC: What’s the Difference?”, Source: https://www.healthline.com/health/cbd-vs-thc
3. “Breaking down the 3 major types of CBD”, Source:
https://www.winsightgrocerybusiness.com/wellness/breaking-down-3-major-types-cbd
4. “Cannabidiol (CBD) – What we know and what we don’t” Source:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cannabidiol-cbd-what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-2018082414476
5. “Medical Marijuana and Epilepsy”, Source: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/treating-seizures-and-epilepsy/other-treatment-approaches/medical-marijuana-and-epilepsy
6. “USDA Releases Long-Awaited Industrial Hemp Regulations”, Source:
https://www.fb.org/market-intel/usda-releases-long-awaited-industrial-hemp-regulations#:~:text=Industrial%20hemp%20is%20defined%20as,the%20crop%20within%20their%20borders
Images
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https://stock.adobe.com/au/images/cbd-bottle-and-dropper-in-sunlight/369094227?prev_url=detail
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