A roadmap to CBD in Oregon
- CBD products are legal throughout Oregon
- CBD products sold in Oregon contain less than 0.3% THC
- CBD products can be bought in licensed and legally owned dispensaries across the state
- It is legal to grow hemp in Oregon with a license from the state’s Department of Agriculture
- CBD market in Oregon offers a multitude of CBD products
Is CBD legal in Oregon?
Oregon has a reputation as one of the most cannabis-friendly states. It was one of the first states to legalize the use of medical cannabis by adopting Measure 67 – the Oregon Medical Marijuana Act in 1998. In 2014, it legalized the recreational use of cannabis by adopting Measure 91 – the Control, Regulation, and Taxation of Marijuana and Industrial Hemp Act. In short, the state has legalized cannabis-derived and hemp-derived products prior to the passing of the federal 2018 Hemp Farming Bill, which removed CBD from the list of controlled substances.
Ever since 2018, Oregon follows the CBD classifications introduced by the bill, under which:
- businesses have to apply for a license to sell CBD products
- CBD products sold should contain less than 0.3% THC
- CBD products should not be advertised as dietary supplements
Oregon Department of Agriculture is responsible for overseeing and regulating hemp-derived products. There are no restrictions on the sale of CBD products to persons aged 21 and older (with the exception of inhalant delivery systems and their components). Minors are permitted to use CBD medically, but a parent/a guardian must submit a written consent to a physician before they can prescribe CBD to the patient.
There are cultivation, labeling and testing requirements which are different for cannabis-derived and hemp-derived products. According to the state’s labeling and packaging restrictions, if the product contains only industrial hemp, hemp symbol must be featured on labeling, which is a white cannabis leaf on a blue background with the word „HEMP“ written alongside it. Furthermore, the label should feature the following warning “This product is derived from hemp and could contain THC. Keep out of reach of children.” and an FDA statement “This product is not approved by the FDA to treat, cure, or prevent any disease.” For any products other than an edible, tincture, or capsule, the label needs to feature a warning “DO NOT EAT.”
According to the state’s testing requirements, extracts or concentrates for sale must be tested for pesticides, solvents, CBD, and THC content.
There are no possession limits for hemp-derived products, while possession limits vary for CBD products that are derived from marijuana:
- 456 grams of marijuana in solid product form
- 2,052 grams of marijuana in liquid product form
- 5 grams of concentrates
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved only one CBD product, Epidiolex, which is used to treat seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome or Dravet syndrome in patients 2 years of age and older. The FDA has prohibited making medical or therapeutic claims on product labeling and marketing CBD products as dietary supplements.
Where to buy CBD products in Oregon?
Oregon has been a frontrunner in the CBD industry for years. Much like in the rest of the world, the number of CBD users in Oregon is on the rise, and they have a wide variety of online and retail stores to purchase from. It is estimated that by 2024 the CBD industry in Oregon will grow to $20B.
Such a high demand for CBD products is creating economic opportunities for retailers and manufacturers alike, and it is not uncommon that industry players are taking advantage of the industry growth. Some of the main issues are making unfounded medical claims for products, marketing innovative products which are not effective at all and poor and inaccurate labeling.
There are a couple of things consumers can do to make sure the products they buy are safe and legal for use:
- reading the label content – product labels are a valuable source of information for consumers, and they should abide by the FDA rules. According to the FDA regulations, CBD product labels should not feature any medical claims nor should they advertise CBD products as dietary supplements. The labels should contain information on the amount of active CBD per serving, ingredients, net weight, distributor/manufacturer name, suggested use, batch or date code, full-spectrum, broad-spectrum or isolate, and Oregon’s hemp and/or universal symbol.
- asking the retailer or manufacturer – it is perfectly fine to ask the retailer or manufacturer on the specifics of the CBD product one is interested in. It is always good to know where the product comes from and how it was made.
- reading reviews – learning whether the product has a solid following and a decent number of loyal buyers can tell a lot about its viability on the market.
Is it legal to grow industrial hemp in Oregon?
The 2018 Hemp Farming Bill made it legal to grow hemp in Oregon, but hemp was grown in this state way before the introduction of the Farming Bill. By 2017, there were more than 100 farmers planting 1,300 acres of hemp in Oregon. From 2015 to 2018, there was a twenty-fold increase in state licenses to grow hemp.
The Oregon Department of Agriculture established a statewide hemp program in 2015 under the 2014 Farming Bill. It continues to operate this program throughout 2020.
To grow hemp, it is necessary to obtain a license from Oregon’s Department of Agriculture. It usually takes between 2 to 4 weeks, and once obtained the license is valid from 1 January to 31 December of the calendar year. It is illegal to grow or handle (that is, process into commodities or products) hemp without registration. There are no minimums or maximums on the number of acres or hemp plants.
What CBD products are sold in Oregon?
Stores across Oregon offer a multitude of CBD products suited for different methods of consumption and tailored to different consumer preferences. Below we are listing a few.
CBD oil is the most popular CBD product on the market. It is made by extracting CBD from the hemp plant and diluting it with carrier oil (usually coconut or hemp seed oil). Part of the reason why CBD oil is so in demand is the fact that it can be consumed in different ways, which is not the case with other CBD products. CBD oil can be consumed sublingually, is suited for topical application, and can also be ingested. If taken sublingually, the effects of CBD are almost immediate.
CBD capsules are orally ingested just like any other capsule, and come in precise dosage. They are inconspicuous and a convenient CBD product for those often traveling. Unlike CBD oil, which has an earthy flavour to it, CBD capsules are flavor-free.
CBD edibles are the most discreet way of getting your daily dose of CBD. They are foods and drinks infused with CBD. In addition to being discreet, they are also very delicious. There is a wide selection of CBD edibles available on the market, from jellies to chocolate bites.
CBD oil is not the only CBD product suited for topical application. CBD topicals, such as balms and ointments are growing in popularity. These products are usually applied to a target area on the skin. An increasing number of consumers is replacing traditional cosmetics products with CBD cosmetics because it is 100% organic 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.
Resources:
- Oregon Government, Hemp Laws and Rules
- Oregon Secretary of State, Department of Agriculture, Chapter 603
- Oregon Government, Oregon Cannabis – Hemp FAQs
- Guide to CBD, CBD in Oregon
- Oregon State University, What is Industrial Hemp?
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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