Is CBD Legal in New York? (CBD Laws in 2020)

Is CBD Legal in New York? (CBD Laws in 2020) - NanoCraft

Is CBD Legal in New York?


As of 2014, CBD is legal in New York. The state legalized medical marijuana in 2014, although the application process of obtaining and purchasing a herb was not the most convenient. 


However, in the past year or so, New York residents may be feeling excitement for both medical and recreational use. With new and updated changes happening around the US with hemp, we’re here to help guide you along with the legalities of hemp in the state of New York.


In today’s article, we’ll touch on the ins and outs of marijuana and hemp, what is legal and what requires a medical marijuana card, and how and where you can purchase CBD in the state of New York.


Let’s get to it.  


What is CBD? 


Let’s be honest, you’ve been wondering about CBD for a while now. You’ve scrolled through pages and pages of Google search results and there are still hundreds of thousands more to go, seeing no end in sight. 

If you live in a state that has legalized marijuana, you might be seeing more holistic, all-natural remedies, like cannabidiol, popping up just about everywhere. I mean, everywhere. Even though you’re seeing it in stores, shops, and online and social media, you may still be wondering, what is it and how does it work. 

 

 

Well, I’m here to help share with you the magic behind this wonderful herb that’s turning major heads. CBD is the medical abbreviation of cannabidiol, a natural compound found in the cannabis plant. CBD is just one of the hundreds of phytocannabinoids that are present in hemp and marijuana plants. It is a non-psychoactive compound, meaning it does not get users “high” or have euphoric effects.


Why is CBD Sometimes Illegal?


CBD can get confusing when it comes to being illegal or legal in each state. 


According to the Federal Controlled Substances Act of 1970, the law categorized all cannabis as a Schedule I Drug, meaning the plant is defined as being highly addictive, with the potential for abuse, and no allowed for medical usage.


However, the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill reclassified hemp as an agricultural commodity and made hemp cultivation federally legal. 

 

 

At the federal level, CBD is legal if it is 1) derived from the hemp plant and 2) contains less than 0.3% THC. Things can get less clear when you start navigating CBD laws and regulations state to state.


In the state of New York, you can purchase CBD products. However, there’s no guarantee that what you’re purchasing is what you exactly are looking for. For this reason alone, many New York-based CBD users and connoisseurs have found themselves in a pickle. 


Is CBD Legal in New York?


As of June 2019, New York State Senate passed Bill S6184A, also known as the Hemp Bill, which provided a comprehensive framework for hemp and CBD for the state of New York. 

 

 

This bill included regulations including:

  • All hemp extracts must be packaged and labeled according to NY Department of Agriculture and Markets standards
  • The sale of out-of-state hemp intended for humans animals is prohibited unless it meets NY standards and regulations
  • Retailers, wholesalers, and manufacturers selling cannabis oils and products must apply for a cannabinoid permit

There is currently a lack of set-in-stone regulations in the state of New York. Currently, CBD-infused foods and beverages are not permitted in New York. CBD oils, lotions, salves, and other CBD topical products are legal though. 

 

What about THC?


THC is the medical short term for tetrahydrocannabinol. THC is the psychoactive compound derived from the cannabis plant. It is responsible for most of marijuana’s physiological effects. 


When most people think of THC they think of “weed” or “Mary J”. THC is very different than CBD, in that it connects directly with cannabinoid receptors, thus, giving a “high” effect to users. THC attaches to these receptors activating them and affecting a user’s pleasure, movements, memory, thinking, and concentration. 
 

 

THC may produce mind-altering effects in users, so if you’re wanting a “high-less” effect, CBD with 0.0% - 0.3% THC would be your best choice. THC stimulates cells in the brain to release dopamine, creating that “feel good” euphoria effect that users rave about. However, THC may have potential side effects in users that CBD users aren’t really looking for. 

 

Where Can I Buy CBD in New York?


CBD salves, lotions, tinctures, and balms can be purchased from specialty stores, storefronts, vape stores, and small pharmacies. Food and beverage retailers may offer CBD products for purchase but are not yet legal. 


CBD derived from the marijuana plant is only legal at licensed dispensaries in the state of New York. 


Shopping online for CBD though, however, is a totally viable and easy option for purchase too. Consumers can buy from a wide array of online options for CBD oils and products, read brand reviews, and have products shipped directly to their homes.

 

 

Online CBD shopping offers the users time and detailed information about each product and company. It also gives the user control for price-matching and doing their research before being pressured into purchasing a product they may not know enough about. 


Here, at Nanocraft CBD, we pride ourselves on not only the quality of our hemp but also the consistency and potency of our CBD oils and products. 


Do You Need a Medical Card to Buy CBD in New York?


Currently, users must have a medical marijuana card (MMJ card) to purchase CBD oil in the state of New York.

However, few may not know that New York residents can buy legal CBD without an MMJ card too. Several companies, working under legal federal hemp legislation, manufacture high-quality CBD oils and products that are legal to purchase, sell, and ship to most, if not all, states in the USA. 


Are There CBD Possession Limits in New York?


Currently, there are no distinct possession limits for hemp-derived CBD in the state of New York. 


Patients with a medicinal marijuana card can legally possess a 30-day supply of non-smokable and non-edible cannabis-derived CBD products.


If you do not have a valid NY medical marijuana card, you must purchase CBD oil that has been sourced from legal and industrial hemp, rather than marijuana strains. 


What will the Future of CBD Look Like in New York?


The hemp market is still largely unregulated in the US today. Since CBD is not yet federally legal, there is room for grey here. 


Because of this, companies can get away with labeling and selling a hempseed oil product, with little to no CBD, and can call it a CBD product. More so often then not, this can be frustrating and disappointing, especially if you are purchasing products in New York in health stores, food places, or vape shops, etc. 

 

 

There are not yet any clear and distinct restrictions on the types of businesses that can sell CBD oils and products in New York. You can browse for hemp products online and at a wide range of stores, health food shops, convenience CBD stores, and even growing into coffee shops and cafes near you. 

When shopping for CBD products in New York, look for important details about CBD, including the type of CBD, how much CBD is in the product, what other ingredients are in it, and whether or not the products have been third-party tested for quality and control. 

Speaking of purchasing CBD online, it is legal to send CBD oil through the mail as long as it contains less than 0.3% THC.


How do I Choose a CBD Product?


Nanocraft offers a wide range of products including CBD oils, CBD powders, CBD infused waters, CBD pills, and CBD topicals.

Each and every one of our products contain only the highest quality hemp-derived cannabidiol, organically grown and farmed, with state-of-the-art farming techniques and standards. 

If you’re wanting a quick absorption, our Pure CBD Drops are a great option. Sublingual application allows for the CBD to be absorbed quickly into the bloodstream via your tastebuds. 

Our CBD Topicals are an athlete favorite when it comes to helping sore muscles and assisting in pain relief.

Our CBD Powder and CBD H2O are a great option if you’re wanting to drink down CBD packed with superfoods, electrolytes, and unique terpenes while you’re working out or need a post-workout shake.

CBD Oil is a stellar option for users and athletes wanting to reap the benefits of CBD quickly. The major benefit of CBD oil is it’s easy-to-apply sublingual administration. The CBD oil absorbs directly into the bloodstream, through receptor cells. 

Not sure which one to try? Check out our CBD Bundles and CBD for Athletes Collections. 

* DISCLAIMER: The information in this article is for educational purposes only. It does not exploit or provide medical advice of any kind. Therefore, any reliance you place on the information below is strictly at your own risk. Please check with your medical provider before starting or changing a CBD routine.


Kirsten Thornhill, MS
Nanocraft Sciences
Content Writer x Physiologist x Researcher
Human Performance Researcher | Lifestyle Medicine Advocate
Kirsten Thornhill was born and raised in a small farm town in Stanislaus County, California. Kirsten graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Exercise Science from CSU Stanislaus and her Master of Science degree in Exercise Physiology from Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, CA. She is currently in pursuits of a PhD in Health Sciences: Human & Sport Performance at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions in Northern Utah, specializing in Cardiology and Rehabilitation. She is very passionate about human physiology and the metabolic and nutritional adaptations that occur during exercise in athletes. Kirsten enjoys educating and informing people about the importance of lifetime movement, plant-based eating, and health research and development. Her passion for natural, lifestyle medicine enables her to strive when promoting health and education.




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