Many people, especially beginners, ask these questions:
Can a minor buy CBD?
Do you have to be 18 to buy CBD?
Is there a minimum age requirement to buy CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a compound found in the cannabis plant. It can be extracted from hemp as well as marijuana plants.
CBD is already legal in many US states. It has been shown to have great benefits like a calmer state of mind, reduced physical discomfort, deeper rest, and many more.
Before buying CBD, you should be aware of certain considerations, such as how old you must be to buy and use CBD.
Is CBD Legal?
As CBD’s popularity explodes, many people are wondering if using CBD is legal or not. The answer to this question varies depending on two things:
- The state you live in.
- The type of CBD product you’re looking for.
In the United States, CBD products that contain less than 0.3% Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are federally legal. You can buy it over-the-counter or online without a prescription. CBD products don’t cause any intoxicating effects, meaning they won’t make you feel high.
How Old Do You Have To Be To Buy CBD?
Legal age requirements to buy CBD also vary by state. The type of CBD product and where you buy it from also matters.
According to federal law, you must be at least 18 years old to buy CBD products. But state laws may vary between 18-21 years old. Some stores also require you to show proof that you’re 18+.
Before buying CBD products, you should be familiar with your state’s laws regarding CBD.
What Are the Most Common Types of CBD Products?
You can consume CBD in many ways. The most common types of CBD products are the following:
- CBD oils. These are meant to be consumed by placing drops under the tongue. Of all products, CBD oil product is the most common and most potent. CBD oil contains a suspension of CBD in a carrier oil.
- CBD tinctures. Many people confuse them with CBD oils because both come in small oil bottles with droppers. Both are also taken sublingually. The main difference is that CBD tinctures are alcohol-based.
- CBD capsules and softgels. These are popular with people who don’t like the taste of CBD oil but want to experience the same great benefits. With CBD capsules and soft gels, you don’t need to measure your dose every time since each piece is already standardized.
- CBD edibles. Edibles like CBD gummies are recommended for people who want an enjoyable way of taking CBD. CBD gummies are bite-sized candies infused with CBD. These CBD edible products provide a tasty and convenient method of getting your daily dose of CBD.
- CBD topicals. These are meant to be applied directly to the skin. You can choose from lotions, gels, salves, and ointments. These products are less common but ideal for those who want to target a specific body area.
- CBD inhalable. CBD can be smoked or vaped. The effects are quicker because it’s absorbed through the mouth and lungs, making CBD go directly into the bloodstream.
All of these can be purchased in various places, including medicine stores, natural food stores, and even online.
How Old Do You Have To Be to Vape CBD Oil or Smoke CBD Cigarettes?
CBD vape oils and CBD cigarettes are legal at a federal level if the products are hemp-derived and have less than 0.3% THC. The 2018 Farm Bill allows people of any age to buy CBD products. This technically means that even minors can access them.
While there’s no longer a minimum age requirement to buy most CBD products, businesses are currently prohibited from selling inhalable items like vape CBD oils and CBD cigarettes to individuals under 21.
Once again, it is advisable to check your state’s laws on CBD before you buy CBD products like vape CBD oils or CBD cigarettes.
Can You Give CBD to Children Without Parental Consent?
Should you give your kids CBD?
Many well-meaning parents are wondering if it’s legal to give CBD to children. Many of them have tried CBD themselves and want their children to experience the benefits. Some want to alleviate their children’s physical discomforts.
As mentioned in the previous section, the 2018 Farm Bill allows minors to take CBD. So, yes, you can give CBD to children without parental consent. You have to make sure that it is derived from hemp with 0.3% THC or less.
If you’re not familiar, THC is the cannabis compound that gets you high. Marijuana-derived CBD has over 0.3% THC.
You’re only allowed to give marijuana-derived CBD to your child if:
- Your child is registered in your state’s medical marijuana program.
- The child is diagnosed with one of your state’s qualifying medical conditions.
- One of the parents or a legal guardian is in charge of controlling a child’s CBD consumption.
Parents should be extra cautious when giving CBD to their children. Studies on the long-term effects of chronic CBD use on children are limited. For your child’s safety, we would highly recommend consulting their doctor first.
How To Buy CBD: Four Factors to Consider
CBD’s popularity has grown exponentially in the last few years. This can be both good and bad, as we now have better access to CBD products but are also more vulnerable to scams.
CBD products differ in price and quality. If you’re thinking about buying CBD, here are the major factors to consider for you to choose the right product:
Check the Hemp Source
Hemp is a variety of the Cannabis sativa plant that is legal to grow in many countries. Hemp-derived CBD is your only option if marijuana-derived CBD is not yet legal in your state. Unlike marijuana plants, hemp doesn’t produce a high since it only contains trace amounts of THC.
Before buying CBD oil, it’s important to examine the hemp source to make sure it’s safe to consume. Check for a certificate of analysis (COA) provided by a third-party lab confirming the product contains less than 0.3% THC.
Opt For CO2 Extraction
Some concerns have been raised about CBD quality and safety. A good way to ensure you’re getting a safe and high-quality product is to look for CBD oil extracted with CO2. The CO2 extraction process is done using pressurized carbon dioxide to extract CBD from the plant.
Here’s why the CO2 extraction method is one of the best ways to extract CBD safely:
- It’s a method that has been used for many years in the medical and scientific industries.
- CO2-extracted CBD oil doesn’t contain any unwanted substances or chemicals that could cause side effects.
- The process can be carried out at the plant’s native temperature, which minimizes the degradation of the extracted oil.
- CO2-extracted CBD oils are more potent.
Considering the high-end tools used in CO2 extraction, the CBD oil it produces is generally more expensive. However, this only indicates that the company is seriously committed to providing safe and high-quality products.
Buy Lab-Tested Products
A major concern with CBD products is quality control. Many CBD companies don’t provide lab results and sell low-quality products that barely contain CBD. Some won’t even list the CBD content of their products. This means that you never really know what you’re getting.
If a seller is vague about their products, you may want to look for another source. When you buy CBD, make sure you buy it from a company that tests its products. Or better yet, get CBD products that are third-party tested and approved.
Ideally, CBD products should come with a COA from a reputable and independent laboratory.
Why is a Certificate of Analysis (COA) important?
- COA allows users to verify what exactly is in the product.
- It accurately determines how much CBD is present.
- It ensures that the product does not contain toxic or harmful additives.
COA basically proves the purity, safety, and reliability of a CBD product.
Choose Full-Spectrum CBD Instead of CBD Isolate
Compared to CBD isolate, full-spectrum CBD offers a complete set of cannabinoids and other beneficial compounds that work synergistically to create a more balanced, effective product. This phenomenon is called the entourage effect.
As its name implies, CBD isolate is an extract that contains only pure CBD. This may sound good until you realize CBD isolate products undergo several refining processes to get pure CBD. As a result, other cannabinoids are stripped away, and you’re not getting the benefits of the entourage effect.
Final Thoughts: Legal Age To Buy CBD
Consumers need to learn about their state’s CBD laws before they buy any product in the market.
If you’ve been looking for a CBD product but haven’t been able to find one that fits your needs, check out our CBD products page. We offer third-party-tested CBD extracts made from organically grown hemp. We go to great lengths to ensure that your CBDs are free of pesticides, herbicides, and synthetic growth boosters.
If you have any other questions or concerns about CBD products, let us know in the comments below. We’re always happy to hear from our readers, and we’ll do our best to help you out!
