Is CBD Legal In Kentucky?
Are CBD and cannabis legal in Kentucky? Everything you need to know about buying CBD and cannabis in Kentucky!
What is the current legal status of CBD in Kentucky, and what should you know before you buy any high-quality CBD products in Kentucky?
To help make buying CBD online in Kentucky a little easier, we’re going to take a closer look at the current Kentucky CBD laws and what you need to know before buying any CBD products in Kentucky.
CBD In Kentucky
CBD oil in Kentucky is 100% legal and available for purchase both through online stores and physical stores. Kentucky has a long history of growing industrial hemp plants which began in 1775, exploded again during World War II, and is thriving once again.
However, not just anyone can start growing industrial hemp plants in Kentucky. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture is responsible for issuing licenses for growing hemp in the state of Kentucky. According to state and federal regulations, CBD products are 100% legal in Kentucky as long as they contain less than 0.3% THC.
Are CBD Products Legal in Kentucky?
Kentucky reinstated hemp as one of its primary crops soon after the 2014 US Farm Bill. Following the 2018 US Farm Bill, Kentucky quickly moved to fall in line with federal regulations defining hemp as any cannabis plant with below 0.3 THC and above 0.3% as marijuana. Hemp-derived CBD products are legal in Kentucky according to 40 KRS 218A.010(27).
Even though the 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the controlled substance list, no one can grow, handle (possess), or process hemp plants, viable seed, leaf, or floral materials without a hemp license which the Kentucky Department of Agriculture has issued. As clearly stated in KRS 260.858(3), “It is unlawful for a person who does not hold a license issued by the department, or who is not an agent of a licensee, to cultivate, handle, process, or market living hemp plants or viable seeds, leaf materials, or floral materials derived from hemp.”
In 2018 the United States Congress passed the Agricultural Improvement Act, which is otherwise known as the Farm Bill, making it legal at a federal level to cultivate hemp and produce products from hemp.
Importantly, at the same time, they also made a critical definition as to the difference between hemp and marijuana plants, defining hemp as any cannabis plant which contained less than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Even though hemp plants may now be legal to grow and possess at a federal level, it’s up to any individual state, including Kentucky, to introduce state legislation that governs the cultivation, processing, handling, and selling of hemp plants and hemp flower in their states.
Kentucky’s New Regulations for Hemp-Derived Cannabinoid Products
Kentucky has recently implemented new measures to regulate hemp-derived cannabinoid products, including delta-8 THC. These regulations, introduced in 2023, aim to establish a framework for the safe production, distribution, and sale of these products while allowing public feedback before final rules are enforced.
Summary:
- Legislative Action: Governor Andy Beshear signed HB 544 on March 23, 2023, mandating regulation of hemp-derived cannabinoids, including delta-8 THC.
- Emergency Regulations Initiated: The Cabinet for Health and Family Services released emergency regulations (902 KAR 45:190E) on August 1, 2023, covering manufacturing, processing, distribution, and sale.
- Amendments and Current Status: The emergency regulations were amended on October 13, 2023, and will remain effective until new replacements and proposed final regulations are issued.
- Expiration and Timeline: The current emergency regulations expire on April 27, 2024; replacements and proposed final regulations are expected before this date.
- Public Engagement: Public comment periods will follow the release of new emergency and final regulations before they are enacted.
What would make CBD Illegal in Kentucky?
Like many states in the U.S., if CBD products contain more than 0.3% THC, they would be illegal in Kentucky.
CBD oils and other CBD products that utilize CBD sourced from marijuana plants could have higher than 0.3% THC above the federally mandated regulations.
The 1970 Federal Controlled Substances Act categorized all types of cannabis, which includes hemp, as Schedule I narcotics. The 2014 US Farm Bill changed when they recognized a distinct difference between the marijuana and hemp plants.
To help make a clear definition between the two plants, they defined hemp as containing less than 0.3% THC and marijuana as containing more than 0.3% THC.
Where to Buy CBD in Kentucky?
One convenient way to purchase CBD oil in Kentucky is by visiting various local health and wellness stores that stock CBD products. These stores often carry a range of options; however, for a more hassle-free experience, ordering online from reputable brands like Stirling CBD is an excellent choice. Stirling CBD ensures top-notch quality through its solventless extraction process, which maintains the purity of cannabinoids and other beneficial compounds. Additionally, their products come with Certificates of Analysis (COAs) from third-party testing providers, guaranteeing transparency and safety. Stirling CBD offers premium-grade cannabinoids that are proven and tested, making them a trusted source for high-quality CBD products delivered straight to your door.
What is CBD (cannabidiol)?
Over one hundred different cannabinoids are found in the cannabis plant, and the two dominant cannabinoids are cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Almost all CBD products sold online or in-store are made using CBD that was sourced from industrial hemp plants because hemp is naturally high in CBD and low in THC.
Unlike THC, CBD is non-psychotropic. What does that mean? It means that CBD isn’t going to give you that ‘euphoric high’ that products high in THC would. In most states in the U.S., CBD products are 100% legal as long as they contain less than 0.3%.
Growing anecdotal evidence from people worldwide would suggest that CBD could potentially help them reduce swelling, pain, and stress.
Studies suggest that CBD is a powerful natural swelling and redness reducer, and many people are incorporating CBD into their daily health and wellness routines. However, we still require more clinical trials before making any specific medical claims about CBD.
