This article is not legal advice. Always consult a lawyer in your state for the best legal advice concerning cannabis and hemp.
There is a lot of confusion among the general population when it comes to the legality of CBD and hemp-based products.
This is especially true in places like Arizona where recreational use is illegal, and medicinal use is heavily regulated. Not everyone realizes that CBD is not psychoactive like marijuana containing THC, so they group it all together in their minds.
As a result, Arizona residents who want to try CBD products for their pain, anxiety, depression, acne, or any other reason may avoid it thinking that it’s also illegal. Here’s a quick guide to clear up any misconceptions about CBD use in Arizona and where you can buy it.
What Is CBD?
CBD refers to the compound cannabidiol, which can be found in cannabis plants — both hemp and marijuana. It occurs naturally in these plants, and has been found to have many of the same health benefits of marijuana without the psychoactive components. As a result, you do not feel high when you take CBD, and it will not cause any mental impairment. You can treat it like taking any other vitamins, minerals, or over-the-counter health supplements.
The main psychoactive element in cannabis comes from the marijuana plant, specifically the tetrahydrocannabinol compound — also known as THC.
There is little to no THC found in CBD or the hemp plant. That is why CBD and hemp products are treated differently, legally speaking, than any marijuana product that contains THC. It’s why CBD is legal to buy in Arizona without the same restrictions as medical marijuana.
Is CBD Legal in Arizona?
Yes. While marijuana is only legal for medical use, CBD is completely legal for anyone to buy and use for any reason. You don’t need a prescription or special medical permit like you do with cannabis. The only limitation is the source of the CBD in question — it must come from a hemp plant, not a marijuana plant.
This was not always the case. It was only back in 2018 when SB 1098 was passed to legalize the production and use of hemp-based products — like CBD — in the state of Arizona. In order to qualify as a legal product, it must contain 0.3% or less THC and it must be harvested from the following:
- Mature hemp stalks
- Hemp oil extract
- Hemp stalk fibers
- Sterilized hemp seeds
Products derived from hemp, including CBD oil, that are produced per the above requirements are legal to buy and consume in Arizona. CBD products derived from marijuana, however, are another story and can be more tricky.
Where to Buy Legal CBD Products in Arizona
Because CBD hemp products are completely legal in Arizona, you can buy them anywhere that sells them. That includes online sellers anywhere in the state and country, as well as internationally. You can also find CBD products in local shops such as vape stores, various health clinics or supplement stores, and so on.
However, even though it’s legal you should be cautious about what you buy — you don’t want to accidentally purchase something that’s illegal because you didn’t know any better. You also don’t want to get low quality products. If you’re ever unsure, you can always ask for recommendations from experts at dispensaries, such as Harvest of Arizona.
Ironically enough, the problems you can encounter come from a lack of regulation by the FDA. Hemp-based CBD oil is not regulated, which means there are a lot of low-quality products on the market that you can get fooled by. It’s a good idea to research any brand or manufacturer that sells CBD products ahead of time so you can find ones that have a good reputation for quality.
How Does CBD Work?
It is the use of CBD as a supplement and in medical treatments that is causing the recent increase of interest in products that use it. We’ll cover the specific medical uses further down, but for now we’ll cover how it works.
CBD is one compound that is classified as a cannabinoid, which attaches to specific receptors in your brain called CB1 and CB2. It’s worth noting that THC is also a cannabinoid, which is why marijuana has some of the same medicinal benefits as CBD.
Your body actually produces cannabinoids naturally, so taking CBD helps your body produce more of these compounds. The cannabinoids then more strongly interact with the CB1 and CB2 receptors in your brain, which deal with the following physical aspects of your well-being:
- Movement and coordination
- Pain and inflammation
- Mood and emotions
- Thinking and memories
- Appetite and nausea
- Immune system
By interacting with the receptors that can influence all of those elements, and more, CBD can affect and improve your health in those areas.
What Are the Benefits of CBD?
CBD can affect receptors in your brain that touch on so many different areas of your mental and physical health. As a result, it has been getting more and more studies, experiments and research into whether or not it can help treat or prevent numerous medical conditions. In general, studies have already shown that CBD can help with the following health issues:*
- Pain relief, including chronic pain from arthritis, fibromyalgia, etc
- Reduce inflammation
- Reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings for cigarettes and hard drugs
- Reduce frequency and severity of seizures for people with epilepsy
- Improve your mood by reducing stress and anxiety
- Improve your quality of sleep
- Improve your memory
- Stimulate your appetite and reduce nausea
* Not medical advice. Always consult a doctor or medical professional before using CBD.
There are some studies that are looking into CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties and if it can be used to treat or prevent conditions caused by inflammation. That includes treating Type 1 diabetes, which is caused by the inflammation of the pancreas, as well as acne.
For its ability to help improve memory and thinking, it is also being tested to help treat people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease to slow its progress.
Whether you or someone you know has any of these health issues, or whether you just want to take it to help general issues such as aches and pains or stress, CBD is proving to be a very useful supplement. If you live in Arizona, you can use the above information to talk with your doctor and do some research into whether CBD may be able to help with your physical and mental health..
