Introduction
In recent years, CBD products have become more and more common in the United States. CBD stands for Cannabidiol. It is an active chemical found in marijuana that does not contain the psychoactive tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Marijuana is a plant that is grown and harvested for its psychoactive effects. Marijuana is classified as a Schedule I drug by the federal government due to its high potential for dependency. However, the majority of U.S. states allow the regulated consumption of marijuana products, including CBD products. There are many CBD products like the popular CBD oil, which is said to have health benefits, such as treating opioid addiction, reducing PTSD symptoms, and offsetting anxiety and depression. Other CBD products include lotions, chewables, drinks, shampoos, and foods.
| State | CBD Legal Status | Cannabis Legal Status | Legal Medical Marijuana | Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Conditionally Legal | Comprehensive Medical Use | Yes | 90 |
| Arkansas | Conditionally Legal | Comprehensive Medical Use | Yes | 5,033 |
| Delaware | Conditionally Legal | Comprehensive Medical Use | Yes | 549 |
| Florida | Conditionally Legal | Comprehensive Medical Use | Yes | 16 |
| Georgia | Conditionally Legal | CBD/Low THC | No | 6,032 |
| Hawaii | Conditionally Legal | Comprehensive Medical Use | Yes | 217 |
| Idaho | Conditionally Legal | Illegal | No | 4,105 |
| Indiana | Conditionally Legal | CBD/Low THC | No | 4,436 |
| Iowa | Conditionally Legal | CBD/Low THC | No | 4,214 |
| Kansas | Conditionally Legal | Illegal | No | 4,360 |
| Kentucky | Conditionally Legal | CBD/Low THC | No | 2,185 |
| Louisiana | Conditionally Legal | Comprehensive Medical Use | Yes | 12,065 |
| Maryland | Conditionally Legal | Comprehensive Medical Use | Yes | 1,072 |
| Minnesota | Conditionally Legal | Comprehensive Medical Use | Yes | 4,739 |
| Mississippi | Conditionally Legal | Comprehensive Medical Use | Yes | 2,991 |
| Missouri | Conditionally Legal | Comprehensive Medical Use | Yes | 10,650 |
| Nebraska | Conditionally Legal | Illegal | No | 1,773 |
| New Hampshire | Conditionally Legal | Comprehensive Medical Use | Yes | 1,494 |
| New Mexico | Conditionally Legal | Recreational Use | Yes | 328 |
| North Carolina | Conditionally Legal | CBD/Low THC | No | 12,307 |
| North Dakota | Conditionally Legal | Comprehensive Medical Use | Yes | 1,929 |
| Ohio | Conditionally Legal | Comprehensive Medical Use | Yes | 5,554 |
| Oklahoma | Conditionally Legal | Comprehensive Medical Use | Yes | 3,770 |
| Pennsylvania | Conditionally Legal | Comprehensive Medical Use | Yes | 140 |
| Rhode Island | Conditionally Legal | Recreational Use | Yes | 284 |
| South Carolina | Conditionally Legal | CBD/Low THC | No | 10,839 |
| South Dakota | Conditionally Legal | Comprehensive Medical Use | Yes | 3,036 |
| Tennessee | Conditionally Legal | CBD/Low THC | No | 14,204 |
| Texas | Conditionally Legal | CBD/Low THC | No | 22,924 |
| Utah | Conditionally Legal | Comprehensive Medical Use | Yes | 5,827 |
| West Virginia | Conditionally Legal | Comprehensive Medical Use | Yes | 1,590 |
| Wisconsin | Conditionally Legal | CBD/Low THC | No | 11,062 |
| Wyoming | Conditionally Legal | CBD/Low THC | No | 1,750 |
| Alaska | Fully Legal | Recreational Use | Yes | 119 |
| Arizona | Fully Legal | Recreational Use | Yes | 5,699 |
| California | Fully Legal | Recreational Use | Yes | 2,711 |
| Colorado | Fully Legal | Recreational Use | Yes | 1,464 |
| Connecticut | Fully Legal | Recreational Use | Yes | 858 |
| District of Columbia | Fully Legal | Recreational Use | Yes | 210 |
| Illinois | Fully Legal | Recreational Use | Yes | 140 |
| Maine | Fully Legal | Recreational Use | Yes | 225 |
| Massachusetts | Fully Legal | Recreational Use | Yes | 132 |
| Michigan | Fully Legal | Recreational Use | Yes | 422 |
| Montana | Fully Legal | Recreational Use | Yes | 751 |
| Nevada | Fully Legal | Recreational Use | Yes | 994 |
| New Jersey | Fully Legal | Recreational Use | Yes | 19,911 |
| New York | Fully Legal | Recreational Use | Yes | 19,413 |
| Oregon | Fully Legal | Recreational Use | Yes | 849 |
| Vermont | Fully Legal | Recreational Use | Yes | 34 |
| Virginia | Fully Legal | Recreational Use | Yes | 10,747 |
| Washington | Fully Legal | Recreational Use | Yes | 483 |
Marijuana and CBD Legality
For a long time, American states had criminalized the production and consumption of marijuana. A shift occurred in recent years and states have started to authorize its consumption under certain conditions. In certain states that have the most liberal programs, medical and adult recreation programs provide marijuana for consumption and are regulated by the state. Although it is rare, it is sometimes the case that a state or a territory only has an adult recreational marijuana program, without having any medical marijuana program. About half the states in the U.S. have a comprehensive medical marijuana program alone, in which marijuana and marijuana-derived products are used for their therapeutic purposes, helping to relieve short-term anxiety, movement disorders, cognition problems, and pain.
The legality of CBD differs from state to state. Some 47 states allow the sale of hemp-derived CBD products, although some states have restrictions on the types of CBD products that can be sold. More generally speaking, at a federal level, it is legal to purchase CBD products only if the THC level is under 0.3.
Is CBD Legal in All States?
CBD is available for legal purchase in the vast majority of U.S. states. In 2022, there are only four states in which it is impossible to legally purchase CBD or other marijuana products. In all states where marijuana is legally sold, it is regulated by the state. In some states like New York and New Jersey, CBD is completely legal with no restrictions placed on them. While in other states, like Georgia and Arizona, CBD is legal but restrictions are placed upon CBD products and applied only to recreational CBD consumers. Some states, like Idaho and Nebraska, however, prohibit the sale and use of CBD products.
These are the 17 states where CBD is fully legal:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Illinois
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New York
- Oregon
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
CBD Legal Status by State
Alabama
CBD Legal Status
Conditionally Legal
Comprehensive Medical Use
Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests
90
Ranked in the US
#49
Alaska
CBD Legal Status
Fully Legal
Recreational Use
Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests
119
Ranked in the US
#48
Arizona
CBD Legal Status
Fully Legal
Recreational Use
Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests
5,699
Ranked in the US
#13
Arkansas
CBD Legal Status
Conditionally Legal
Comprehensive Medical Use
Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests
5,033
Ranked in the US
#15
California
CBD Legal Status
Fully Legal
Recreational Use
Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests
2,711
Ranked in the US
#24
Colorado
CBD Legal Status
Fully Legal
Recreational Use
Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests
1,464
Ranked in the US
#31
Connecticut
CBD Legal Status
Fully Legal
Recreational Use
Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests
858
Ranked in the US
#34
Delaware
CBD Legal Status
Conditionally Legal
Comprehensive Medical Use
Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests
549
Ranked in the US
#37
District of Columbia
CBD Legal Status
Fully Legal
Recreational Use
Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests
210
Ranked in the US
#44
Florida
CBD Legal Status
Conditionally Legal
Comprehensive Medical Use
Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests
16
Ranked in the US
#51
Georgia
CBD Legal Status
Conditionally Legal
CBD/Low THC
Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests
6,032
Ranked in the US
#11
Hawaii
CBD Legal Status
Conditionally Legal
Comprehensive Medical Use
Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests
217
Ranked in the US
#43
Idaho
CBD Legal Status
Conditionally Legal
Illegal
Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests
4,105
Ranked in the US
#20
Illinois
CBD Legal Status
Fully Legal
Recreational Use
Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests
140
Ranked in the US
#45
Indiana
CBD Legal Status
Conditionally Legal
CBD/Low THC
Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests
4,436
Ranked in the US
#17
Iowa
CBD Legal Status
Conditionally Legal
CBD/Low THC
Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests
4,214
Ranked in the US
#19
Kansas
CBD Legal Status
Conditionally Legal
Illegal
Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests
4,360
Ranked in the US
#18
Kentucky
CBD Legal Status
Conditionally Legal
CBD/Low THC
Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests
2,185
Ranked in the US
#25
Louisiana
CBD Legal Status
Conditionally Legal
Comprehensive Medical Use
Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests
12,065
Ranked in the US
#6
Maine
CBD Legal Status
Fully Legal
Recreational Use
Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests
225
Ranked in the US
#42
Maryland
CBD Legal Status
Conditionally Legal
Comprehensive Medical Use
Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests
1,072
Ranked in the US
#32
Massachusetts
CBD Legal Status
Fully Legal
Recreational Use
Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests
132
Ranked in the US
#47
Michigan
CBD Legal Status
Fully Legal
Recreational Use
Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests
422
Ranked in the US
#39
Minnesota
CBD Legal Status
Conditionally Legal
Comprehensive Medical Use
Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests
4,739
Ranked in the US
#16
Mississippi
CBD Legal Status
Conditionally Legal
Comprehensive Medical Use
Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests
2,991
Ranked in the US
#23
Missouri
CBD Legal Status
Conditionally Legal
Comprehensive Medical Use
Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests
10,650
Ranked in the US
#10
Montana
CBD Legal Status
Fully Legal
Recreational Use
Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests
751
Ranked in the US
#36
Nebraska
CBD Legal Status
Conditionally Legal
Illegal
Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests
1,773
Ranked in the US
#27
Nevada
CBD Legal Status
Fully Legal
Recreational Use
Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests
994
Ranked in the US
#33
New Hampshire
CBD Legal Status
Conditionally Legal
Comprehensive Medical Use
Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests
1,494
Ranked in the US
#30
New Jersey
CBD Legal Status
Fully Legal
Recreational Use
Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests
19,911
Ranked in the US
#2
New Mexico
CBD Legal Status
Conditionally Legal
Recreational Use
Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests
328
Ranked in the US
#40
New York
CBD Legal Status
Fully Legal
Recreational Use
Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests
19,413
Ranked in the US
#3
North Carolina
CBD Legal Status
Conditionally Legal
CBD/Low THC
Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests
12,307
Ranked in the US
#5
North Dakota
CBD Legal Status
Conditionally Legal
Comprehensive Medical Use
Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests
1,929
Ranked in the US
#26
Ohio
CBD Legal Status
Conditionally Legal
Comprehensive Medical Use
Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests
5,554
Ranked in the US
#14
Oklahoma
CBD Legal Status
Conditionally Legal
Comprehensive Medical Use
Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests
3,770
Ranked in the US
#21
Oregon
CBD Legal Status
Fully Legal
Recreational Use
Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests
849
Ranked in the US
#35
Pennsylvania
CBD Legal Status
Conditionally Legal
Comprehensive Medical Use
Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests
140
Ranked in the US
#46
Rhode Island
CBD Legal Status
Conditionally Legal
Recreational Use
Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests
284
Ranked in the US
#41
South Carolina
CBD Legal Status
Conditionally Legal
CBD/Low THC
Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests
10,839
Ranked in the US
#8
South Dakota
CBD Legal Status
Conditionally Legal
Comprehensive Medical Use
Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests
3,036
Ranked in the US
#22
Tennessee
CBD Legal Status
Conditionally Legal
CBD/Low THC
Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests
14,204
Ranked in the US
#4
Texas
CBD Legal Status
Conditionally Legal
CBD/Low THC
Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests
22,924
Ranked in the US
#1
Utah
CBD Legal Status
Conditionally Legal
Comprehensive Medical Use
Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests
5,827
Ranked in the US
#12
Vermont
CBD Legal Status
Fully Legal
Recreational Use
Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests
34
Ranked in the US
#50
Virginia
CBD Legal Status
Fully Legal
Recreational Use
Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests
10,747
Ranked in the US
#9
Washington
CBD Legal Status
Fully Legal
Recreational Use
Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests
483
Ranked in the US
#38
West Virginia
CBD Legal Status
Conditionally Legal
Comprehensive Medical Use
Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests
1,590
Ranked in the US
#29
Wisconsin
CBD Legal Status
Conditionally Legal
CBD/Low THC
Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests
11,062
Ranked in the US
#7
Wyoming
CBD Legal Status
Conditionally Legal
CBD/Low THC
Total Drug Possession Marijuana Arrests
1,750
Ranked in the US
#28