CBD Oil in Florida: Things to Know

Interested in learning about the current status of CBD oil in Florida? Keep reading for the most up-to-date information on policy and legal status…

The United States is undergoing an exciting transition regarding cannabis and CBD. While marijuana is fuelling hot debates about legalization and use, hemp has experienced an excellent evolution into legality.

Its long-awaited legalization finally took place when former President Trump signed the U.S. Farm Bill into law back in November 2018. Part of this bill (the Hemp Farming Act) legalized industrial hemp by isolating it as a distinct species compared to marijuana. Thus, hemp is no longer on the DEA’s list of illegal Schedule I substances, and hemp cultivation is now permitted (with proper licensing). And, more importantly, hemp-derived cannabinoids like CBD are also legal on a federal level.

Formerly, CBD occupied a legal gray area that left many people outright confused. The Farm Bill has clarified most of this, but certain “inconsistencies” still remain among various states – particularly those with active medical marijuana (MMJ) policies.

In Florida, CBD is permitted, but with some caveats. The CBD landscape is questionable, and unfortunately, many brands are still offering defective products. For this reason, it’s vital to shop with a reputable, high-quality brand like Premium Jane.

Understanding the Difference Between Marijuana and CBD Oil in Florida

In a nutshell, individual states still have the right to develop their own laws. Some states with MMJ programs mandate that all cannabis products be sold and distributed in state-licensed dispensaries. This maximizes state tax revenue brought in by legal cannabis sales. And of course, it also means that state residents are discouraged from ordering CBD online from other states.

There is currently an active medical marijuana program in Florida, but legislators have been pretty lenient with “non-dispensary” stores. As a result, it’s easy to buy CBD in Florida from a qualified online retailer. (Believe it or not, the quality and range of options tend to be much higher online).

The Shifting Attitude Toward CBD in Florida

Historically, Florida has not been a very cannabis-friendly state. As is the case with the rest of the country, hemp was illegal there for decades. In 2014, however, a few things changed. One occurrence involved CBD, and the other was related to medical cannabis.

In 2016, Amendment 2 was introduced to the state legislature and passed with 71.3% of the vote. This Amendment legalized medical cannabis in Florida, and qualifying conditions for those over the age of 21 included the likes of cancer, epilepsy, glaucoma, and more. Potential patients however must visit a licensed doctor to receive approval before they can get an MMJ card, which is of course expensive.

That said, the change in law has led to a gradual shift with regards to cannabis use, and now there is a push to legalize recreational marijuana in Florida. Several petitions have done the rounds suggesting that state residents may be in favor of full legalization.

But what does all this information mean for CBD oil in Florida?

Is CBD Legal in Florida?

On March 20, 2014, the Florida House of Representatives passed a measure that was implemented to stop the prosecution of those in possession of “low-THC CBD oil.” These oils are defined as containing less than 0.5% THC and more than 15% CBD. However, this was only intended to prevent the prosecution of those suffering from seizures – just a tiny fraction of CBD users in Florida.

Then, the Farm Bill came along and made hemp-based CBD products federally legal. This is where things get confusing in terms of Florida’s CBD laws.

Generally, Florida laws prior to the Farm Bill did little to differentiate between marijuana and hemp. In other words, CBD was illegal in the same way as marijuana. The Florida Department of Agriculture even outwardly said that it was unlawful to sell CBD products in the state. That said, law enforcement was largely hands-off when it came to CBD.

But what about now? Is CBD oil legal in Florida?

A Shifting Stance

For a while, CBD remained in a bit of a no-man’s land. There was no official legislation in place to say what was legal, and what was not. However, the Department of Agriculture pushed for regulations that were on par with the federal government’s stance on hemp.

A few years ago, a great-grandmother was arrested for possession of CBD at Disney World, placing things on the “utterly ridiculous” side in terms of the legal confusion scale. She was released just hours later, but most people still wish to avoid jail time, even for a few hours. Does this risk still remain if you buy CBD oil in Florida?

It’s highly unlikely. A couple of years ago, the regulations in Florida were brought in line with the government’s 2018 Farm Bill. As a result, hemp plants and the CBD derived from them are now permitted in Florida.

Hundreds of bottles of CBD oil are sold in Florida each day – both online and in-store, and there have been no more legal issues for compliant manufacturers and users. This is not to say that all compliant manufacturers live up to the same quality; CBD users need to choose a trustworthy brand that sells top-quality products, and this can require some research.

Where to Buy the Best CBD in Florida

There are several places to pick up CBD in physical storefronts throughout the Sunshine State. However, most users choose to order CBD online for a variety of reasons.

For example:

• You can view lab reports, determining the actual quality of any company. Reputable brands should always publish third-party lab tests to prove that their products contain the correct ingredients.
• It’s easy to read up on a brand on their official website, particularly if there is an ‘About Us’ section. This way, it’s simple to see where the brand grows hemp, what the extraction method is, and a wealth of other helpful information.
• Users can cross-reference customer reviews, making it easy to separate the wheat from the chaff. By reading third-party reviews, you can determine which brands are worth your money based on the opinions of other users.

It can nevertheless be time-consuming to shop online. Many brands ship to all 50 states, giving CBD users hundreds of options.

Make your shopping experience quicker by starting right here at Premium Jane. We strive to produce exceptional quality in everything we do, beginning with Farm Bill-compliant, organic hemp. Then, we use CO2 extraction – renowned as the best method on the market – to produce our proprietary full-spectrum hemp extract.

What’s more, we offer verified third-party lab reports on our CBD content and purity. You can view our lab sheets for each of our products in the Premium Jane online store.

Final Thoughts on CBD Oil in Florida

In summary, CBD laws in Florida are likely to change fast. If you are interested in this market, there will probably be a lot to keep up with in the coming years! There is even a chance that full cannabis legalization will turn the market upside down, so keep your eyes peeled.

Although nobody knows how that will pan out, the CBD market in Florida is booming. Those seeking where to buy CBD oil in Florida are spoiled for choice. If you’re looking for one of the highest quality, cleanest, and most reliable CBD tinctures on the market, browse our range here at Premium Jane. We ship to Florida every day, and we would be happy to help you on your CBD journey.