CBD, Hemp and The Law (Updated June 2019)

Last December, the 2018 US Farm Bill rescheduled hemp, ending nearly a century of prohibition of arguably the world's most useful plant. Since then, the FDA has approved a CBD-derived drug for seizures and the hemp-derived product market grew by over $100,000,000. What does this mean for New Yorkers?

Can I get in trouble at work for taking CBD?

Drug screens test for THC, not CBD. However, many so-called CBD products are actually full-spectrum hemp extracts which contain hundreds of compounds, including trace amounts of THC. (There's not enough THC to give the high associated with marijuana.) Though full-spectrum products are more effective for most people, CBD isolates (which contain only CBD - no THC) can be very helpful too. Importantly, CBD isolate products cannot trigger a positive drug screen for THC.

Can I bring CBD on planes and across state lines?

Laws governing CBD and full-spectrum extracts vary internationally and from state to state. Not only the average consumer, but attorneys and law enforcement agencies, have trouble understanding the shifting legal landscape. Therefore we recommend caution when traveling with hemp products. Very recently the FDA has approved passengers to fly with CBD “as long as it is produced within the regulations defined by the law” as defined by the 2018 Farm Bill which federally legalized hemp. https://www.fastcompany.com/90356444/flying-with-cbd-what-to-know-about-new-tsa-airplane-rules. 

Can I legally grow hemp?

Governor Cuomo and New York State are actually ahead of the curve on this one! We carry one strain of hemp flower (Lifter) grown in state and look forward to carrying many more local products in the future. Please drop in from time to time to see what we've found! Interested in growing hemp? Here's some info: https://esd.ny.gov/industrial-hemp.