CBD Oil in Alaska: Is It Legal & Where To Buy

Do you reside in Alaska? Have you been looking for CBD oil in your area? Then you’ve come to the right place. Our quick and simple guide will show you where you can find the best CBD oil in the state of Alaska while also teaching you what you can do to ensure that you’re buying the highest quality oil for your unique goals and needs.

CBD in Alaska: Everything You Should Know

First and foremost, one of the best things about Alaska is that it’s one of the states responsible for pioneering the cannabis legalization movement. And since the cannabis industry is exploding in popularity as of late, Alaska provides a wealth of opportunities for all consumers who are searching for high-quality CBD oil to help support their health goals. Read on to find out what you should know about CBD oil’s legality in the state.

 

Is CBD Legal in Alaska?

The good news is that both hemp- and marijuana-derived CBD oil are legal in the state of Alaska. The bad news is that both hemp and marijuana are not seen as equal by Alaska's government. There are many differences that you need to know before going out to buy CBD oil in Alaska.

Marijuana-Derived CBD Oil 

In 1998, once Ballot Measure 8 was passed, the state launched its medical marijuana program. Next, in 2014, recreational marijuan use became legal with the passing of Ballot Measure 2. This bill enabled licensed companies to open marijuana dispensaries around the state so consumers could buy CBD oil and other marijuana-based products. 

Hemp-Derived CBD Oil

Thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp-based CBD products are legal across the entire United States at the federal level. Ever since that bill’s passing, the state government hasn’t introduced any bills trying to regulate hemp-based CBD products that are made within Alaskan borders. In fact, the state is now fully supporting legislation that allows industrial hemp to be grown on Alaskan soil. Because hemp is naturally bred to contain 0.3% or less THC, it will not evoke a euphoric “high” sensation in anyone who uses hemp-derived CBD products. Therefore, the state doesn’t have any legal restraints on these types of products when it comes to selling and possessing them. In Alaska, hemp-based CBD oil is thought of as an over-the-counter supplement, which makes it easily found in a large selection of physical locations. 

Is Marijuana Legal in Alaska?

Currently (at the time of publication of this blog), only recreational marijuana use is legal in Alaska. The state made an update to the fines linked to marijuana use in 2021, and then in 2022, legislators enacted further regulation changes. Interestingly, marijuana has had a complex history in the state over the last few years. In fact, it’s been decriminalized and then made illegal multiple times since 1975. Back in 1975, if you got caught with a small amount of marijuana, then you would be fined $100. Then in 1990, Alaskans voted to make possession of marijuana a misdemeanor that could lead to a sentence of 90 days in jail. Finally, Alaskans voted to legalize the recreational use of marijuana in February of 2014. This same law also allows possession of up to one ounce of marijuana and up to six plants, (3 of which may be flowering).

Where to Buy CBD Oil in Alaska

It’s relatively simple to buy CBD oil in Alaska. However, if you’re looking to buy a bottle of marijuana CBD oil, then you may need to travel to the nearest dispensary to seek out help. Thankfully, the staff who work at dispensaries in Alaska are extremely well educated and informed about the products that they sell. Additionally, you may also find advice about the best marijuana-based products from enthusiastic local cannabis users. When it comes to hemp-based CBD oil in Alaska, however, you basically have two options for buying: brick and mortar stores like vape shops, head shops, or health food stores, or shopping and buying high-quality products from reputable brands online. 

Buying CBD Oil Online in Alaska

Locating CBD oil in Alaska is fairly simple when compared to other states because along with hemp-based oils, marijuana-derived oils are also legal, though recreationally. As stated earlier, most hemp-based CBD oils can be found online through reputable brands. Sadly, a lot of less trustworthy brands cut corners to sell cheap oils that contain little to no CBD in them at all. Moreover, trying to buy CBD oil on Amazon will only lead you to a dead end, as most oils sold on there are hemp seed oils that contain no CBD whatsoever.

So, when looking to buy CBD oil in Alaska, you should look to see if the brand uses an independent lab to routinely test all of its products. These tests determine the overall safety, purity, potency, and quality of the products. Brands that have their products tested by an independent lab, and that post those results on their website, show customers that they care about the safety of their products and about being transparent. Another thing to look for are brands that make outlandish claims about their products. While there are many excellent things linked to CBD, it is not a miracle cure for everything. Hemp source matters too.

Buying CBD Oil Locally in Alaska

If you prefer to buy your CBD in a physical brick and mortar store, then you won’t have any issues doing that in Alaska. CBD oil is sold at many locations in the state including head shops, vape stores, dispensaries, and even in cafes. The main advantage to buying your CBD oil from a store is that you’ll be able to physically touch, read, and examine products. You can also ask employees for advice if needed, though they may not be able to thoroughly answer your questions as if you did the research yourself. 

In general, when shopping for CBD in a store, you should remember that you may have a tough time getting a high-quality product. The industrial hemp that’s used to make local CBD oils is not grown under an Alaskan pilot program, so you may have difficulties finding the hemp source of the products that are sold in local stores. On top of that, CBD oils that are sold in stores tend to be more expensive than those you’ll find online. This is mostly because store owners also have to account for rent and other types of overhead that need to be paid in order to keep their doors open to the public. Again, the best bet is to buy your CBD oil from a reputable brand online where you can take advantage of coupons, discount codes, sales, or customer rewards programs. 

CBD Oil in Alaska: Online Shops vs. Local Stores

In short, it’s easier, faster, and more convenient to buy CBD oil online than it is to take a trip to the local brick and mortar store near you. When buying your oil online from a reputable brand, you won’t have to drive around looking for local stores to find the brand that you're searching for. Additionally, stores carry limited stock, so your chances of finding a large variety of products are slim. When you shop for CBD oil from the comfort of your home, you can take all the time you need to research brands and products.

You’ll have time, without the restriction of store hours, to read third-party lab reports, verified customer reviews, product ingredients and descriptions, and much more. When shopping online, you’re giving yourself the opportunity to be an educated and well-informed consumer. As an added bonus, many brands offer coupon codes, sales, discounts, and other savings programs to help customers offset the prices of their products.

However, if browsing in person just works better for you, then do it! A great approach is to head to a local store, see what draws your attention, and then ask questions and inspect the labels. You can purchase right then and there if you're satisfied, or you can take a picture of the item or note the brand info and finish your research online. This hybrid approach often leaves customers feeling extra confident in the product they ultimately choose! 

What to Look for When Buying CBD Oil in Alaska

When buying CBD oil in Alaska you should: 

• Search for brands that use hemp that’s locally grown in the United States.
• Go with brands that use the industry preferred CO2 extraction process, as this ensures that extracts will be potent and pure.
• Never trust a company that makes wild claims about its products, that doesn’t use an independent lab to test its products, or that doesn’t post its third-party lab results online.
• Go with brands that have clearly stated shipping and return policies. Any brand that has confidence in the quality of its products will offer customers some type of money-back guarantee. 
• Opt for full-spectrum products over CBD isolates or broad spectrum products (unless you’re subjected to regular drug tests). Full-spectrum products contain all of the excellent terpenes, cannabinoids, and phytonutrients of the hemp plant, which work synergistically together to create an entourage effect that boosts each other’s positive properties while dampening negative ones

Summary on Legality and Buying CBD Oil in Alaska

Alaska is head and shoulders above many other states with its progressive marijuana and CBD laws, however, deciding on where to buy your CBD oil is still a difficult decision. Therefore, the best option when it comes to buying any type of hemp-based CBD oil is to purchase it online from a brand you can research fully and grow trust with.

Once you find a trustworthy brand by confirming that it uses an independent third-party lab to test its products for potency and purity, has clean, organic hemp sources, and uses the industry preferred CO2 extraction process to obtain its extracts, you’ll be able to find the best CBD oil for your needs. Even though you may be able to find some good products locally in Alaska, if you open up your search to brands based outside of Alaska you'll have a lot more options!