Is CBD Legal in Missouri
More and more Americans are discovering the potential uses of cannabidiol (CBD) oil and how it can improve general health and well-being. This powerful plant-based compound can be used in a variety of different ways and comes in many forms. Though it still has a stigma for being related to cannabis due to its name and origin, it’s completely free of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which is the compound responsible for psychoactive effects in cannabis and marijuana.
Due to this stigma and its origin, many people are concerned whether the use of CBD is legal in their state. When it comes to CBD legality in Missouri, the legal framework can be complex and confusing, especially given that laws around CBD are still in their infancy in many states. So to help you understand these legalities, we’ll be clearing up some misconceptions and also provide information on the use of CBD in Missouri.
Legality of CBD
The legality of CBD has always been a difficult question to cover due to the complexities surrounding it. However, a law passed by Congress in 2014 allowed for the cultivation of industrial hemp. This is known as the Agricultural Act and the specific section is numbered 7606. This section of the act technically makes it legal for CBD to be extracted from hemp without legal repercussions. However, it was only until recently that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) still considered CBD to be a form of cannabis.
However, the recent passing of the Agricultural Act in 2018 led to the removal of this classification. This meant that CBD from hemp was no longer considered to be an illegal drug on the federal level. However, it still meant that the sale and ownership of CBD was something for the state to regulate, hence why there can be a lot of confusion surrounding CBD and its legality in different states.
In 2014, Missouri passed bill HB 2238 which gives patients with incurable epilepsy access to CBD oil that contains less than 0.3 percent THC and at least 5 percent CBD. However, patients can only access CBD with Missouri after a recommendation from a neurologist and a state-issued hemp registration card. Eligible patients can then purchase CBD from CBD Oil Care Centers that are administered by the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA).
However, people that do not have a recommendation have also used CBD in Missouri. Although CBD oils are technically illegal for consumer use in Missouri, many prosecutors and law enforcement agencies have decided not to prosecute the sale or ownership of the compound. Individuals have yet to be prosecuted for the ownership or use of CBD in Missouri, but some retailers have been stopped for selling CBD oil.
Now that CBD oil is legal on a federal level, Missouri will likely adopt these revised laws and make it legal for the product to be sold in retail stores, even if they aren’t administered by the state. As it stands now, authorities may still prosecute retailers for selling CBD products unless they have approval.
Obtaining CBD in Missouri
To legally obtain CBD oil in Missouri, you must receive a recommendation and obtain a hemp registration card from a certified neurologist. This is only available to patients with an incurable epileptic condition, making it difficult for most people to obtain it. However, certain retailers in Missouri do offer CBD. While this technically violates state law, it’s rare for authorities to prosecute for the sale of CBD products outside of authorized channels, such as the use of a hemp registration card.
Legally-obtained CBD must contain less than 0.3 percent THC and 5 percent CBD. This is the legally-defined limitations imposed by Missouri law. This ensures that patients receive genuine CBD products that are low in THC and higher in CBD, thus providing the most benefit.
Another reliable method of purchasing CBD in Missouri is to obtain it online from certain retailers. If you choose to purchase online, it’s incredibly important to pick from a reputable online store that offers real CBD products as there are many scams and snake oil products offered by people who are attempting to cash in on the increased popularity of the compound.
While the only truly legal way to obtain CBD in Missouri is to obtain a hemp registration card, there is virtually no chance of being prosecuted for purchasing CBD online assuming you are not purchasing large quantities for the sake of reselling in a retail setting. If you’re concerned about staying within the law, then you must go through official state processes instead.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
