The CBD oil industry in Kentucky is quickly growing. These days, consumers use various CBD oil products for different reasons. Despite the popularity and the growing number of brands and products, there has been a looming concern over the legality of CBD oil in the Bluegrass State. So, is CBD oil legal in Kentucky? Our brief guide will give you insight into the legality of CBD oil in Kentucky as well as how you can purchase high-quality products from trusted and respected brands.
CBD Oil in Kentucky: Is it Legal & Where to Buy
Interestingly, Kentucky was the country's largest producer of hemp in the 19th and 20th centuries. In fact, the state began cultivation of the plant in 1775. Nevertheless, in the 1930s cannabis cultivation was banned due to a rash of anti-cannabis campaigns. Even up to 2014, state authorities viewed cultivation and use of cannabis as illegal until the passing of the 2014 Farm Bill. That same year, Governor Steve Beshear signed SB124 into law. This bill allowed patients to use hemp-based CBD products with a physician’s prescription. Lastly, the state’s lawmakers passed HB333 in 2017, which legalized the sale and use of hemp-derived CBD products that contain 0.3% or less THC.
Is CBD Legal in Kentucky?
As we just stated, the 2014 Farm Bill as well as Kentucky’s SB124 legalized the use of CBD in the state. However, when compared to the laws of other states, Kentucky’s marijuana legislation is extremely stringent. To that end, possession and sale of marijuana-derived products is illegal in Kentucky. In the state, the legality of the product depends on what it’s derived from, as CBD can be made from both the hemp and marijuana plant. The good news is that hemp-based CBD products are completely legal in Kentucky. Per the 2018 Farm Bill, all hemp-derived products are legal to buy and sell throughout the United States providing they contain 0.3% or less THC.
Kentucky’s CBD Laws
Even though the state allows consumers to possess and use hemp-derived products with a maximum of 0.3% THC, they are not allowed to possess or use hemp-based CBD products in flower form. While SB124 legalized the growing and use of hemp-based products in 2014, it’s also important to consider the licensing laws and possession limits of CBD oil products for the state of Kentucky. Some of the most important requirements and laws are as follows:
Licensing Requirements
Kentucky mandated the Department of Agriculture to manage its CBD program. With more legislation, the growing of cannabis shifted from pilot research to full commercial production. However, the program only allowed licensed holders to grow the crop. In the state of Kentucky, it’s illegal to grow cannabis that contains greater than 0.3% THC, moreover, residents also cannot grow hemp on their property. In order to grow hemp legally, farms must apply for a license through the Department of Agriculture. Interestingly, once approved, the farms must only use seeds from a DEA-approved educational institution, and the crop must also be regularly tested by authorities to ensure that the plants contain 0.3% or less THC.
Possession Limits
Possessing CBD products with less than 0.3% THC in the state is legal. However, it’s illegal to possess and use marijuana-derived CBD products, even when using them for medical purposes. The state authorities can charge you in a court of law or impose fines for possessing CBD products that are outside of the state’s laws.
Is Marijuana Legal in Kentucky?
Unlike most states, Kentucky still maintains that the possession and use of marijuana is illegal. The state’s legislature has not passed any bill to legalize the use of marijuana, either for medical or recreational purposes. With the state viewing marijuana use as illegal, you can't use marijuana-derived CBD oil products. Using marijuana-derived products may lead to conviction in a court of law or heavy fines.
Despite some farms having licenses through the state’s Department of Agriculture, it’s illegal to grow marijuana in Kentucky. Interestingly, Kentucky is one of the few states that has zero tolerance for marijuana. However, some elected officials in the state’s legislature, as well as some advocacy groups, are slowly pushing toward legalizing marijuana. Some of the state’s residents believe that Kentucky will legalize marijuana use soon.
Is Hemp CBD Oil Legal in Kentucky?
Unlike marijuana-derived CBD oil, Kentucky allows the use of hemp-based cannabidiol products. Because the state legalized hemp, you can lawfully possess and use hemp-derived CBD oil or other hemp-based products. Moreover, the federal government passed the 2018 Farm Bill to legalize the use of CBD products created from industrial Hemp. Besides legally being able to possess and use these products, Kentucky also allows farmers, processors, and others who are licensed by the state’s Department of Agriculture to cultivate, transport, and process hemp that contains 0.3% or less THC.
Buying CBD Oil Online in Kentucky
Even with the wealth of brick and mortar stores in Kentucky, a good number of residents still choose to purchase their CBD oil online. On top of being able to spend as much time as they need to research brands and products, consumers also enjoy online shopping for many other reasons.
Some of the factors that cause people to choose shopping for CBD oil online over shopping for products in stores are:
- Trusted online brands offer coupon codes, discounts, subscription clubs, special programs, and bulk deals.
- You can take all the time you need to verify the brands and products by reading customer reviews, third-party lab reports, and product ingredients.
- You can comfortably shop from home and spend time comparing different brands and products.
- You’ll be able to explore other types of hemp-derived products to try in addition to your CBD oil.
Buying CBD Oil Locally in Kentucky
With the increased demand and use of CBD products, many retailers are selling a large variety of hemp-based offerings. Below are some recommended CBD retailers throughout Kentucky:
Louisville:
- Wild Vape E-Cigs
- Saffire Vapor
- Louisville CBD Company
- Rainbow Blossom
- Three Sisters CBD Market & Juice Bar
Lexington:
- Bluegrass Hemp Oil
- AltSmoke
- CBD Energy, LLC
- Smoke Palace
- The Head Shed Lexington
Bowling Green:
- Remedy Vapor E-Cigs
- Smoke N Glass
- TKO Vapors
- Saffire Vapor
Owensboro:
- Horizon CBD
- Clarks Health & Nutrition Center
CBD Oil in Kentucky: Online Shops vs Local Stores
With the state legalizing the use of CBD oils, you can easily find these products in various local stores or online vendors. Nevertheless, it’s important to do some research so that you’ll be able to find the best place to purchase hemp-derived CBD products from.
Two main places you can buy CBD oil in Kentucky are:
Online Shops
Consumers report that shopping online is one of the best ways to buy CBD products. Buying CBD oil online offers you the freedom and the time to deeply look into brands and products. Moreover, lots of reputable online brands offer coupon codes, discounts, subscriptions, and programs that you’ll be able to take advantage of. Furthermore, shopping online is the best way to see a wide variety of products and possibly buy your favorite products in bulk. However, it’s advised to take as much time as you need to research brands and products so that you can avoid wasting your hard-earned money and time on cheaply priced products made by less reputable brands. Sadly, these types of products can be less potent and laden with harmful chemicals and additives. Lastly, shopping online is convenient, easy to do, and you’ll be able to have your order shipped directly to your doorstep.
Local Stores
Apart from online, you can also find CBD products in various local stores throughout the state. These stores include natural health retailers, head shops, vape stores, etc. You can easily walk into these locations and choose any product that best suits your needs. Like online stores, it’s important to find a reputable vendor by carefully investigating the store’s brand roster and product selection. You may even want to get a referral to a store that has high ratings and that sells pure and potent products made by reputable brands. While it may be convenient to drive down to the brick and mortar store nearest to you, you may not be able to find what you’re looking for. Additionally, you may not be able to find any information on the brands and products that the store sells. Also, there’s no way to predict if the staff in the store will be able to thoroughly answer your questions or address your concerns in a manner that you’ll be satisfied with.
What to Look for When Buying CBD Oil in Kentucky
Many online vendors and local stores offer a wide range of CBD oil to suit different needs. Despite the type of CBD products or their uses, there are various factors that you should consider when buying CBD oil. Below are some things to look for when shopping locally or online to ensure that you’re on the right track:
- Hemp source
- Extraction method
- Product variety: full-spectrum, broad spectrum, or CBD isolate
- Brand reputation
- Verified customer reviews
Final Thoughts on Buying CBD Oil in Kentucky
Despite Kentucky having a long way to go in legalizing marijuana, the state’s hemp-based CBD market is booming. Since Kentucky legalized the use of hemp-derived CBD oil with less than 0.3% THC, many consumers are frequently visiting online or local stores to purchase these products. However, before you spend any of your hard-earned money, you should thoroughly research brands and products to ensure that you’re getting the cleanest, purest, and most potent products from brands that are respected and trusted among consumers and those in the industry. Lastly, because hemp-based CBD products are federally legal across the United States, you may find it easier to shop for CBD oil online, as you’ll be able to buy it from any state without any issues.
