All you need to know about CBD in Florida

cbd florida

A roadmap to CBD in Florida

  • CBD products are legal throughout Florida
  • CBD products sold in Florida contain less than 0.3% THC
  • CBD products are being sold in physical and online stores
  • Industrial hemp can be legally grown in Florida
  • CBD market in Florida offers a variety of CBD products

Is CBD legal in Florida?

In July 2019, Florida state lawmakers passed Senate Bill 1020 effectively legalizing CBD in this state. Senate Bill 1020, which is in line with the federal 2018 Hemp Farming Bill, introduced several key changes:

  • It legalized hemp-derived cannabinoids, including CBD. With the introduction of the Bill, CBD was removed from the list of controlled substances.
  • It explicitly legalized hemp, which the Bill defined as a plant containing less than 0.3% THC by weight.
  • It legalized hemp-derived substances, that is, extracts, which contain no controlled substances and are intended for ingestion.

Before the adoption of Senate Bill 1020, CBD laws in Florida have undergone several changes. In 2014, Florida state lawmakers passed Senate Bill 1030 (Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act of 2014). Senate Bill 1030 made it legal for medical professionals to prescribe low-THC CBD oil to patients diagnosed with certain medical conditions.

Florida’s first medical marijuana program made it legal for patients with qualifying conditions to purchase, possess, and consume medical cannabis containing 10% or more of CBD and no more than 0.8% THC, provided they have a doctor’s prescription. Smokable forms of marijuana were not legalized until March 2019, when state lawmakers passed Senate Bill 182. Today, patients with qualifying medical conditions have access to products that contain high levels of both CBD and THC.

Before finding their place on the market, all hemp-derived products must be tested by a licensed third-party laboratory, certifying that they do not contain more than 0.3% THC and do not have any contaminants.

Where to buy CBD products in Florida?

The demand for CBD products in Florida has skyrocketed since the introduction of Senate Bill 1020. Currently, California is the only state which has more CBD shops than Florida. While the CBD market in Florida has been growing rapidly, it is not fully regulated. The lack of regulation and transparency have opened the door for serious concerns such as:

  • Inaccurate or misleading product labels
  • Products containing additives which can be potentially harmful
  • Pesticides and solvents used on the plant surfacing in products
  • Concentrations of CBD being lower than advised
  • Untested products being sold

While regulating authorities are doing what they can to ensure consumer safety, consumers are strongly advised to do their due diligence before buying CBD products. Apart from educating themselves on different CBD products and the effects they have, consumers also need to ensure that they purchase their products from reputable and trustworthy retailers.

Product labels are a valuable source of information for consumers and can tell a lot about whether the product is legal and safe for use. CBD product labels should not contain any claims on the medical or therapeutic benefits of CBD, nor should they advertise CBD products as dietary supplements. The information consumers should be looking for on the labels are:

  • Amount of active CBD per serving
  • Ingredients
  • Net weight
  • Distributor or manufacturer name
  • Suggested use
  • Batch or date code
  • Full-spectrum, broad-spectrum or isolate

Consumers can contact the retailer or manufacturer to learn more about where the product they are interested in comes from and how it was made. Reviews can also tell a lot about the product. Products with a solid following and a decent number of loyal buyers are more viable on the market.

Is it legal to grow industrial hemp in Florida?

It is legal to grow industrial hemp in Florida provided a license is obtained from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The license is free and is valid for twelve months.

As part of the application process, applicants are required to complete a background check. To do this, they are required to have the Originating Agency Identifier number, used at locations that complete the fingerprinting and submission process. Additionally, applicants are required to submit a hemp containment and transportation plan for each cultivation.

Once the license is obtained, cultivators are obliged to arrange a meeting with the Office of Agricultural Water Policy, in order to enroll their production in the applicable best management practices. This provides the cultivators with a presumption of compliance with water quality standards under Florida law and is required in areas covered by Basin Management Action Plans.

Licensed cultivators have ongoing responsibilities such as reporting crop harvests, maintaining environmental containment, and submitting samples for THC testing. There is no minimum or maximum acreage requirement, and there is no requirement to grow hemp in the ground. Industrial hemp in Florida can be grown in-ground, in greenhouses, in containers, and hydroponically.

What CBD products are sold in Florida?

The CBD market in Florida offers a multitude of CBD products suited for different methods of consumption and tailored to different consumer preferences. We are listing just a few below.

There is no doubt that CBD oil is the most popular CBD product on the market. It is made by extracting CBD from the hemp plant and then diluting it with carrier oil, usually coconut or hemp seed oil. The dilution does not reduce its potency. The fact that it can be consumed in different ways makes it the go-to product of many satisfied consumers. CBD oil can be taken sublingually, is suited for topical application, and can also be ingested. If taken sublingually, the effects of CBD are almost immediate.

CBD capsules are the second-favorite CBD product. They are ingested orally, like any other capsule. The reason why many consumers choose CBD capsules is the fact that they are convenient to take, as they come in precise dosage, and convenient for traveling. In addition to that, they look and are ingested like any other capsule, which makes them inconspicuous. Consumers who cannot get used to the earthy flavor of CBD oil are choosing capsules since they are flavor-free.

CBD edibles are CBD-infused foods and drinks. They are the most discreet and delicious way of getting a daily dose of CBD. The market offers a wide selection of CBD edibles, from jellies to chocolate bites.

CBD oil is one of the many CBD products suited for topical application. CBD topicals, such as balms, creams, and ointments are growing in popularity. These products are applied to a target area on the body, where they are absorbed by the skin. CBD cosmetics satisfies the needs of an increasing number of consumers since it benefits the body while being 100% natural and chemical-free.

Vaping or smoking is another way to experience the effects of CBD. CBD vaporizers or vape pens are filled with CBD vape oil or CBD terpenes, where these are turned into gas and inhaled. Terpenes are compounds responsible for color, flavor, and smell in plants, and when combined with CBD they either intensify or lessen its effects.

Disclaimer: While we do our best to provide our customers with accurate and updated information, we are not legal experts. The information provided below is based on our independent research and should not be taken as legal advice.

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