Substance Use Law

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Florida Marijuana Law

Hemp vs. Marijuana: What’s the Difference?

Although hemp and marijuana are both cultivated from the cannabis plant, hemp is high in CBD (cannabidiol) which typically comes in the form of an oil and doesn’t contain much, if any, THC – the substance in marijuana that gives users a high. The biggest distinction is that hemp is legal, while marijuana is not. Even though it does not produce a high, hemp and CBD oils derived from hemp are popular as they are marketed for their use to ease pain, anxiety, depression, and insomnia.

In 2018, the sweeping Agriculture Improvement Act (or Farm Bill) changed the way Floridians consume and cultivate hemp products. It is legal for anyone over the age of 18 to consume or grow hemp, as long as the product contains less than 0.3% THC. Licensing is not required to consume hemp products in Florida, but they are required for people wanting to grow or sell them.

Hemp plants and marijuana plants are the same species. Hemp plants are those cannabis plants that contain less than 0.3% of THC. Marijuana, on the other hand, is a cannabis plant that contains more than 0.3% THC. CBD can come from either plant – which means that law enforcement must test a cannabis plant before determining whether it should be considered marijuana or hemp.

Know the Difference Between Hemp Oil and CBD Oil

If you are interested in CBD oil, it’s important to know the difference between hemp oil and CBD oil. Hemp oil is made by pressing the hemp seeds into a culinary oil, so there is actually very little to no CBD content. CBD is made by extracting the CBD compound from the leaves, flowers, and stalks of the plant.

While it is legal for Floridians to shop for CBD online, it is important to note that the online CBD industry functions with very little oversight. Some products could have less CBD than they market.

Additionally, CBD products also very often contain low level amounts of THC. Continued and regular use of the products may cause you to test positive on a drug test meant to detect illegal marijuana use.

Many requirements and processes apply in order to cultivate, sell, and transport CBD and hemp products. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has laid out many of them here.

CBD in Pet Food and Treats

Hemp and/or CBD are commonly used in animal food and treats, especially for dogs that may have anxiety. These products are legally sold in Florida as long as the vendor is properly licensed. These products are regulated by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Agricultural Environmental Services.