Various brands of cannabidiol and hemp oil are displayed on a white solid wood folding tower.© Sara Brittany Somerset
Products distilled from cannabis that does not contain THC, the psychoactive chemical component that provides a “high,” are sold throughout Ohio. Cannabidiol or CBD oil can be found in boutique shops and health food stores. In another blatant attempt by Big Pharma to try to stifle their most significant competition, Ohio’s Pharmacy Board says sales of CBD products are illegal if they aren’t being sold in a licensed dispensary.
Under Ohio’s new medical marijuana law, which goes into effect on September 8, the Board’s clarification on CBD oil, which can derive from either marijuana or hemp, is illegal. The board says CBD oil must go through the same rigorous testing procedures and comply with the same rules as real cannabis.
CBD is not legal in all 50 states. According to the Agricultural Act of 2014 (AKA the farm bill), only CBD cultivated under state law “in which such institution of higher education or state department of agriculture is located, and such research occurs,” is legal. CBD that is not manufactured from hemp grown under a state pilot program or for academic research is not legal.
Additionally, according to Jo Ingles of WOSU public radio Ohio, “The board adds the only legal way to sell CBD is through a medical marijuana control program dispensary. The Ohio Department of Commerce approved 56 dispensary licenses, five of which are in Franklin County.”
Ohio’s medical marijuana program has had significant setbacks and is currently expected to become partially operational by the end of 2018.
“The message is clear that until dispensaries are operational, and none are right now, no one is allowed to possess or sell CBD oil and other marijuana-related products. Still, some stores stocking CBD oil are continuing to sell it, despite the pharmacy board’s ruling,” Ingles announced.
Despite the new ruling, several stores are still defiantly stocking and selling CBD, either because they are not aware of the new decision or because they would instead not adhere to it. Many customers do not distinguish one type of CBD from another or consider where it is derived.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/sarabrittanysomerset/2018/09/02/is-cbd-illegal-in-ohio/