Last updated: February 8, 2024
Is CBD legal?
Turns out, the answer to this question is layered.
In January 2023, the FDA announced that CBD products will require a new regulatory pathway per the USDA, and will work with Congress to develop a strategy. CBD products will no longer be categorized as dietary supplements or food additives. The announcement cites risk management concerns that stem from emerging research on the side effects of CBD on the liver when mixed with other medications, the male reproductive system's function, and exposure to children and pregnant women. However, it's important to note that no official statements have yet been released regarding any of these hypotheses. Research studies on dosage vs. effect are still underway and therefore remain currently inconclusive.
Although no federal law can officially claim the legal status of CBD, CBD products are still required to be regulated by the FDA.
In the future, new regulatory protocols might include stricter rules for labeling, content limits, minimum purchase age, and oversight around CBD for animals. Solutions may also include implementing multiple routes for product approval to adjust to the spectrum of CBD products being manufactured in order to meet consumer needs while being mindful of protecting public health.
For the most recent updates on 2024 CBD legality by state, check out this state-by-state review published by Disa Global Solutions, the leading provider of background screening, drug and alcohol testing, and compliance this month for state-specific laws.
In summary, here are the states that have fully or conditionally legalized CBD as of February 2024.
States where cannabis is fully or conditionally legal in 2024:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Compare this list with the prior year, according to a state-by-state review published by Forbes.
States where CBD was legal in 2023:
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Illinois
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- New York
- Florida
- Ohio
Benefits of legalization
Legalizing CBD opens all kinds of doors that have the potential to greatly contribute to the advancement of our society.
Here are some of the ways researchers project legalizing CBD can benefit us, both as individuals and as a collective:
- Increase access to alternative, natural remedies for pain relief and mental health
- Open up job opportunities
- Allow researchers to conduct conclusive studies on the medical application of CBD and consumer health
- Usher pivotal discoveries about possible treatments for conditions like chronic pain, anxiety, and depression that could benefit people around the world
- Generate revenue production for the economy
Future Forecast of the CBD Industry
According to this Yahoo Finance report, the global CBD consumer health market was valued at $17.38 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $109.87 billion by 2034, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.25% from 2024 to 2034. However, current legal restrictions play a huge role in how these measures will actually play out. The next steps in moving the needle forward entail not only legalization but social acceptance as well.
As a leading women's wellness brand that recognizes CBD's powerful healing potential, Ladykind wholeheartedly advocates for the federal legalization of CBD, and hopes you will too. Our mission not only speaks to helping women find relief from the painful symptoms of PMS and menopause through our product offerings, but also to eliminating the stigma and normalizing social discourse about culturally taboo topics (like periods and the female reproductive system) through content such as this article.
Visit our CBD Academy and read our blog to learn more about Ladykind's advocacy for CBD.
This article was written and approved by Sumeet Dhatt.
