Virginia’s regulation of CBD and hemp-derived products is incredibly muddy. The past few years have done much to loosen legal regulations on CBD and hemp derivatives, but the state still has much to do before consumers have full access to the CBD that they need. Users of CBD and hemp products in the state of Virginia might be confused about how, when, and if they might be able to access CBD. As a result, government officials and legislators continue to clarify existing laws in order to clear the air a bit on the issue of CBD.
Like many conservative-dominated states, Virginia has been slow to adopt laws in favor of medical marijuana usage. It was a controversial decision when the state decided to expand its medical cannabis framework via House Bill 1251 and Senate Bill 726. As it stands, the state allows medical marijuana to be prescribed, but only when consumers have the permission of a doctor and are suffering from an “intractable—” or untreatable—form of epilepsy.
Medical CBD in Virginia
The most clearly legal form of CBD legal in the state of Virginia comes in the form of medical marijuana CBD. When a prescription is given from a licensed physician, medical CBD is legal so long as it offers THC content of less than 5% and a CBD content of over 15%. Recent laws passed by the house and the senate in Virginia expanded the list of conditions for which CBD products can be prescribed.
Medical CBD is classified as a marijuana product in the state of Virginia. For consumers who have been prescribed CBD, this means that their treatment can only be found within licensed dispensaries. While there are a handful of dispensaries in the state, users of CBD should call before visiting these shops to ensure that the products they want are in-stock.
Hemp-Derived CBD in Virginia
Hemp CBD is a bit of a different story. Because of the 2014 Federal Farm Bill, the industrial hemp industry remains legal in all fifty states. This means that CBD products with a THC content of below .03% are sold in establishments all over the state. Smoke shops, head shops, and even convenience stores will often sell these CBD products to consumers who are older than eighteen years of age.
