Photo by Lance Asper
Are you interested in CBD in Florida? Whether you are a seasoned user or new to the world of CBD, this comprehensive guide will teach you all you need to know about CBD in Florida, including its uses, advantages, and more.
Cannabidiol (CBD) has grown in popularity as an alternative therapy for a wide range of ailments, including anxiety, chronic pain, and sleeplessness. CBD is extracted from hemp, a close relation to the marijuana plant. CBD, unlike marijuana, contains little to no THC, the psychoactive component responsible for the “high.”
CBD products are now readily available around the country, including in Florida. This includes Florida-based brands, such as green gold from insidecbd.net. It might be difficult to know where to begin with so many different items and brands to pick from. We are here to help, however, with a basic introduction to the regulations around hemp products in Florida.
Is CBD Legal in Florida?
Yes, as long as it is produced from hemp and has less than 0.3% THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD (cannabidiol) is legal in Florida. In 2019, the state enacted Senate Bill 1020, which legalized hemp and hemp-derived goods that fulfill federal standards, including CBD.
A medical marijuana card is required for CBD derived from cannabis, as well as products containing both CBD and THC. These are then sold at local dispensaries around the state.
CBD products are widely available at health food stores, physicians’ offices, and convenience stores. It is usually a good idea to buy CBD from trusted companies that give third-party lab testing results.
Buying Safe CBD in Florida
As of January 1, 2020, an official hemp license is required to sell hemp extract (CBD edibles) in Florida. Florida’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Division of Food Safety, released the state’s first official Hemp Food Establishment Guidance.
Florida Senate Bill 1020 passed in May 2019 and was signed by the governor into law effective July 1st, 2019. This bill created section 581.217, Florida Statutes, and gives the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) regulatory authority over Hemp and Hemp Extract.
As part of the State Hemp Program, the FDACS Division of Food Safety is in rulemaking to adopt Rule 5K-4.034. This rule will regulate the sale of Hemp Extract.
This means that there is a clear legal restriction on the sale of CBD and other hemp products. If the business you are buying from does not have a license clearly visible, it is not a legal business, and you should avoid it!
Controversy over CBD in Florida
During 2023’s “Operation Kandy Krush,” over 475 food restaurants in 37 Florida counties were examined. During the operation, 68,689 packets of hemp extract goods, including high-potency THC items, were confiscated.
Operation Kandy Krush was a week-long statewide operation to combat the illicit selling of hemp extract products that appeal to or are promoted to minors, which is legally forbidden under Florida law.
A loophole in Florida’s hemp regulations historically allowed for the unfettered manufacture and sale of high-potency hemp-derived goods containing delta-8 THC, even to minors.
While hemp has relatively low THC levels by legal definition, it can have large quantities of naturally occurring cannabidiol (CBD). After being extracted, CBD may be modified to produce delta-8 THC, a psychoactive cannabinoid.
