Is CBD Legal In Alabama? (2022)

cbd legal in Alabama

Alabama CBD Laws - What, Where & How To Buy

The state of Alabama has a lot to offer, including a vibrant culture, beautiful landscapes, and rich history. However, the state is also known for its restrictive laws regarding cannabis, but is CBD legal in Alabama?

In fact, Alabama is one of the most challenging states in the country regarding Cannabis legality. 

In April 2020, Alabama passed Alabama Medical Marijuana Patient Bill. The act legalized medical marijuana in the state of Alabama.

We will unpick the buying options, THC content and availability of CBD in Alabama.

What Is CBD?

CBD oil is a non-psychoactive chemical compound from the cannabis plant that’s been proven to have numerous health benefits. 

It is extracted from hemp plants, which are different from marijuana plants because they don’t contain enough THC to cause any effects on the user.

CBD products made from industrial hemp have been legal in Alabama since 2018 and can be purchased at physical stores, gas stations, or online. 

However, if you have a medical condition that requires a higher dosage of THC than the legal limit (or some other form of THC), you may need to seek out an alternative source for now.

The State Of Alabama And CBD

Alabama is nicknamed the Yellowhammer State after the state bird. Alabama is also known as the Heart of Dixie and the Cotton State. 

Alabama is one of 37 states in the U.S. that allow the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. It was the first time any state had passed a law legalizing medical marijuana through lawmakers instead of voters.

Patients must be 18 years old or older. Many people are talking about CBD these days, but legal issues and different state laws can be confusing. 

This article will answer the question, ‘Is CBD legal in Alabama?’.

Facebook Reddit Twitter Whatsapp

Alabama CBD laws And The Farm Bill

The Farm Bill

You may have heard of the Farm Bill, a federal law that allows the cultivation and sale of hemp plants. 

The farm bill was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump in 2018, making it legal to sell hemp-derived CBD products across all 50 states—including Alabama.

Hemp is defined as cannabis plants with no more than 0.3% THC on a dry weight basis.

Facebook Reddit Twitter Whatsapp

Carly's Law (SB 174)

The Carly’s Law (SB 174) bill was signed on April 1, 2014. It allows a doctor to prescribe medical cannabis to people with seizure disorders who have seen no improvement from their current treatments.

The law also allows patients to access CBD oils with less than 0.3% THC content.

Patients who have received a prescription from the University of Alabama–Birmingham’s School of Medicine, may possess and use CBD products.

However, ‘prescription’ is confusing because doctors can only prescribe marijuana in Alabama according to state laws.

Carly’s law was named after a young girl from California called Carly Chandler. Carly lived with Dravet Syndrome, a rare form of epilepsy that causes her to have multiple seizures daily. 

The new law permits doctors to prescribe cannabis products like edibles or oils to patients with severe forms of epilepsy such as Dravet Syndrome or Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS).

Facebook Reddit Twitter Whatsapp

Leni's Law (HB 61)

Leni’s law is the first CBD-legalization bill to be signed into law in the U.S. Robert Bently signed the law on May 4, 2016. 

The law is named in honor of Leni Young, diagnosed with epilepsy and successfully treated with CBD.

It allows patients with intractable epilepsy to use CBD oil derived from hemp plants, provided they have a doctor’s recommendation.

The law also protects those who use CBD oil for non-intractable epilepsy and those who use it to treat other medical conditions.

Leni’s law expanded the definition of seizure-inducing conditions to allow more patients access to CBD products. 

However, only one form of CBD(Epidiolex) is FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved for the treatment of childhood epilepsy, so access remains limited.

Facebook Reddit Twitter Whatsapp

Alabama Industrial Hemp Research Program Act

The 2016 Alabama Industrial Hemp Research Program Act (Act) authorizes the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (AID) to establish a research program to study the viability of industrial hemp plant in Alabama. 

AID is authorized to issue licenses to individuals who wish to grow industrial hemp for research purposes. 

Any person who receives such a license must agree not to produce more than 20 pounds of finished product per year if they grow seed and not more than 10 pounds per acre if they grow fiber or oilseed varieties. 

A license is required for anyone who wishes to grow industrial hemp in the state.

Alabama residents may apply for a license to grow or process hemp by paying a non-refundable $200 application fee.

Facebook Reddit Twitter Whatsapp

Is CBD Legal In Alabama Today?

Alabama is a CBD-friendly state. The state has passed legislation allowing for the use of CBD oil for the treatment of certain medical conditions, including epilepsy.

The law does not allow for recreational use or growing of marijuana plants, but it allows for industrial hemp cultivation and distribution within the state.

CBD has been shown to treat anxiety disorders, chronic pain, cancer symptoms, and more without causing any high—but there are still some restrictions on where you can purchase it and how much you can buy at once. 

Before buying CBD products online or over the counter at your local shop, make sure they comply with federal government requirements so that they won’t cause any issues down the road!

The Difference Between Hemp And Marijuana

Hemp and marijuana are both varieties of the same plant. 

However, hemp has a much lower concentration of THC than marijuana. In fact, its Delta-9 THC levels must be less than 0.3% for it to be considered hemp and, therefore, legal in Alabama.

What Is Hemp Used For?

Hemp is used for industrial purposes like rope making and clothing manufacturing, which means you can use your own hemp as long as you don’t try to sell any products made from it or use it recreationally.

You’ll need a license specifically for that purpose!

The good news is that CBD products are legal in Alabama, as long as they contain trace amounts of THC and at least 5% CBD. 

This means that you can buy CBD oil or any other hemp-derived product from Alabama pharmacies and enjoy its benefits without worrying about getting arrested for doing so.

Facebook Reddit Twitter Whatsapp

Medical Marijuana In Alabama

Alabama does not allow recreational marijuana use.

It does permit medical use for patients with certain qualifying conditions who have been approved by their doctor to use cannabis for said conditions. 

The vast majority of these patients opt to use CBD instead of THC.

This is because of its non-psychoactive properties and lack of side effects like anxiety or paranoia associated with using high-THC strains.

They can be found in most dispensaries and health food stores across America today!

Facebook Reddit Twitter Whatsapp

Legalities Of Hemp In Alabama

Alabama has a pilot program for the production of industrial hemp, and several CBD-friendly brick-and-mortar stores have opened. 

However, there is no state-wide medical cannabis program in place yet. 

If you live in Alabama, it’s important to understand the important distinction between hemp and marijuana to avoid getting into trouble with law enforcement or your employer.

The legality of CBD depends on several factors:

  • Federal level
  • State level
  • Reason for use
  • THC concentration

Marijuana has a high potential for abuse as a drug, and it’s still classified as a Schedule 1 under the Federal Controlled Substances Act. 

It’s illegal to sell marijuana at the federal level, and personal use is still illegal under federal law.

Is CBD Legal In Alabama - The Bottom Line

So, Is CBD legal in Alabama? The answer is, Yes. 

CBD is permitted as a dietary supplement. This means you can buy it at CBD stores or online, and it will not affect your drug test results. 

Alabama has also passed laws allowing the medical use of industrial hemp products by people with certain medical conditions if they have received written approval from their doctor. 

The state requires licensed vendors to test such products for heavy metals and other impurities before selling them to consumers.

We hope this article has helped you understand the local laws around CBD oil in Alabama. 

If you’re looking for more information on how to get started with CBD or where to buy CBD oil products, check out this article.

We have a wide variety of articles and guides to help you navigate the wonderful world of hemp-based wellness.