CBD In Washington

Complete Buyers Guide

Even tho marijuana and THC-infused products were legalized long before hemp and hemp CBD in Washington state, CBD eventually caught up. Now that hemp and CBD are both legal in the state, officials are saying that it’s NOT legal to add CBD to food and beverages — that is unless you’re a licensed marijuana dispensary. Crazy, right? 

Before we get into the details of Washington hemp and CBD laws, let’s clarify exactly what we’re talking about.

Hemp is defined as any cannabis strains that produce under 0.3 percent THC. Anything above that level and a strain is considered to be marijuana. 

Compounds CBD acid and THC acid are found in raw cannabis. Both are non-intoxicating. THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol) is the buzz-inducing compound that’s produced when marijuana is smoked, vaped, or cooked

CBD is similar to THC in that they are both part of a family of compounds known as cannabinoids. And both CBD and THC provide medicinal benefits. 

With that out of the way, let’s take a brief look at how Washington CBD laws got where they are today.

The history of cannabis laws in Washington

Cannabidiol AKA CBD

Washington was one of the many US states that banned all cannabis cultivation in the 1920s. Possession became punishable by one to 10 years in prison. It took almost half a century for the state to start coming to its senses. In 1971, the penalties for the possession of 40 grams or less of cannabis became a misdemeanor. 

Almost 30 years later, in 1998, the state passed a measure that permitted physicians to recommend medical marijuana to patients with terminal or debilitating illnesses including: “chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting in cancer patients; AIDS wasting syndrome; severe muscle spasms associated with multiple sclerosis and other spasticity disorders; epilepsy; acute or chronic glaucoma; and some forms of intractable pain.” Qualified patients were permitted to possess up to twenty-four ounces of usable marijuana and grow up to 15 plants at home.

In November 2012, the state decriminalized marijuana making legal the possession of up to 1 ounce. However, the cultivation and sale of marijuana remained illegal until the state could develop a system of licensing for growers and dispensaries. 

Finally, in November 2013, the state began accepting license applications for marijuana growers, processors, and dispensaries. Washington’s first recreational marijuana dispensaries opened their doors to the public on July 8, 2014.

All the while, hemp, which is non-intoxicating, remained illegal outside of licensed marijuana grow operations and dispensaries.

Washington hemp and CBD FAQ | 2022

Is hemp CBD oil legal in Washington State?

Yes! CBD oil derived from hemp can now be purchased legally by all Washington residents.  However, there are some limitations which we will cover below. 

Although shops in Washing have been selling hemp-derived CBD products for years, technically, up until the latest hemp laws were signed into effect in late 2019, CBD products were only legally available at licensed marijuana dispensaries in the state.   

How can I get Cannabis based CBD or balanced products in Washington?

If your doctor feels that your medical condition can benefit from the use of medical marijuana you might qualify for a Washington medical marijuana card

That being said, marijuana is legal for all adults in the state of Washington but can be purchased only at any licensed marijuana dispensary. Residents are no longer required to present a medical marijuana card. 

However, if you want edible products that contain CBD, or you want THC, you have to be 21 or older because you’ll need to buy them at a state-licensed marijuana dispensary. Technically. But many shops that sell CBD products still sell edibles.

What medical conditions are being Helped with CBD?

Both CBD and THC are being used to treat a wide array of medical conditions. The fact that CBD is being used to treat scores of conditions might seem tough to swallow, but CBD acts on the human body in a number of ways. Not only does CBD interact with the human endocannabinoid system or ECS which is responsible for maintaining balance in a range of bodily functions, CBD also protects brain and nerve cells from age-associated damage, provides antioxidant, antibiotic, antifungal, and antiviral protection, and much more.

Here are some of the scores of medical conditions that are being treated with CBD in Washington:

Where Can I buy hemp CBD online?

Anyone can purchase CBD products online in Washington. That also includes edibles and beverages.

Aside from being able to have your CBD delivered right to your doorstep, a big advantage of buying online is that you’ll find a much wider selection of CBD products than you are likely to find in a local shop. However, along with the good comes the bad. Be sure to do your homework and search for a brand that you can trust.

Is Delta-8 or THC O legal in WA?

YES, Washington legalized all hemp derivates, cannabinoids, and isomers including all tetrahydrocannabinols.

What is Delta 8 THC? D8 is great example of the mind-bending evolution of the CBD market. Prior to 2021, few people had ever heard of delta-8 THC. This is essentially a cannabinoid that is similar to the familiar buzz-inducing delta-9 THC except that it’s produced directly from hemp CBD rather than from marijuana.

Delta-8 is less intoxicating and less likely to cause feelings of paranoia, although it does have some intoxicating properties.

Can I grow hemp in WA?

There are two ways that Washington residents can legally grow hemp. The first is if you’re a card-holding medical marijuana patient you are permitted to grow up to 15 cannabis plants at home with a physician’s recommendation. It doesn’t matter if it’s hemp or marijuana. The maximum legal yield is 8 ounces. Cardholders also have the option of joining cooperatives and growing cannabis with up to four other patients, as well as to buy seeds, seedlings, and clones. 

If you’re not a cardholder, but you have a doctor’s recommendation you’re permitted to grow up to 4 plants and possess up to 6 ounces. And you cannot join a collaborative. Short of those two options, you’re not permitted to grow your own hemp or marijuana at home.

The second option for growing hemp outside of the medical marijuana program is to be licensed by the state Department of Agriculture to operate a hemp farm. We have provided some links to additional resources related to growing hemp in Washington at the end of this article.

Cab I Start a CBD Store in Washington?

Yes. No special permits are required to sell CBD in Washington. Unless you’re selling it privately to friends or at the local flea market, you are strongly advised to bone up on the state’s laws pertaining to hemp CBD and keep abreast of any changes to those laws in the future.

Even tho the U.S. FDA continues to drag its feet on setting up CBD regulations, the CBD market in Washington continues to mature and evolve. CBD gained in popularity again in 2021 and is rolling in 2022.

More and more CBD-infused products are being released each day. CBD products comes in an array of oils, tinctures, concentrate, capsules, topical solutions, lip balms, lotions, and infused edibles. 

All totaled, consumers spent about $3.5 billion on CBD products last year. Business is Booming!

Learn More: How to Build & Sell a CBD Business

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