The age of majority is 18 years old in the United States. This means you must be at least 18 years old to buy CBD products in most US states or 21 years old in others, with few exceptions for minors with parental consent or judicial approval.
With the 2018 Farm Bill Act, the United States legalized the production and sale of hemp and its constituents, including CBD. However, marijuana-derived CBD remains illegal on a federal level, but local laws have allowed some people access to the state's medical-marijuana program or have legalized recreational marijuana altogether.
So is CBD Legal Under 18?
The 2018 Farm Bill does not set any limitations on who can purchase CBD, which means federally, there aren't any age restrictions—However, most states choose to enact laws requiring people to be at least 18 or 21 years old before they're allowed access to purchasing products with cannabinoids in them.
If you think you can get around the age restrictions by purchasing your CBD products online, we'd strongly advise against it. While the Farm Bill has made it legal to ship CBD throughout the United States, it may be illegal to receive the shipment depending on your state.
You may have noticed the age verification systems in place on cannabis websites—they're a pop-up box asking the site visitor to enter their age for access. There aren't any federal laws requiring this, but companies do this voluntarily to have basic measures in place.
How Old Do You Need to Be To Buy CBD In Each State:
Is CBD Safe?
The World Health Organization (WHO) even recognizes hemp-derived CBD as "generally well-tolerated" with a "good safety profile,"—But that doesn't mean it's without its risks.
Most of the risks associated with CBD happen because people take too much or mix the compound with prescribed medication leading to negative drug interactions.
Some of the side effects of taking too much CBD include:
- Drowsiness
- Migraines
- Dry mouth
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Changes in appetite [1].
These adverse effects are short-lived for most people, and they can be avoided by taking high-quality CBD products at lower doses.
The good news is that it's virtually impossible to reach a lethal overdose on CBD with most CBD products available.
Reaching toxic levels of CBD would take an extreme amount of money and effort. The LD50 is the standard in the medical community to assess a compound's toxicity. It describes the dose at which half the subjects would be killed from toxicity.
Researchers found the LD50 of CBD in rhesus monkeys to be 212MG/kg administered intravenously [2].
There aren't any intravenous CBD products available outside of clinical use, nor is this anywhere near the standard doses of CBD oils (25–50MG/day).
Is CBD Legal In The US?
Before you buy CBD, you want to make sure you're not breaking any laws.
CBD's legal status can be a tricky space to navigate because CBD can come from two sources: marijuana and hemp.
Hemp-derived CBD products are federally legal in the United States. The passing of the 2018 Farm Bill legalized the hemp cultivation and sale of industrial hemp and its constituents.
The key distinction in CBD's legal status lies in its sourcing.
Industrial hemp and recreational marijuana are technically the same cannabis plant. The major difference lies in their tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta-9 THC) content—the main intoxicating cannabinoid.
In the United States, hemp is defined as cannabis plants with less than 0.3% THC. Other countries may have different thresholds for THC content. For example, the European Union defines hemp as cannabis plants with less than 0.1% THC.
Marijuana remains a federally illicit substance. It's on the list of Schedule I drugs, along with heroin and cocaine. However, some states recognize the therapeutic potential of marijuana and have developed medical marijuana programs or have legalized recreational marijuana use altogether.
Why Does It Matter How Old You Are To Buy CBD?
While some states don't have any age restrictions for purchasing hemp-derived CBD products, the popular opinion is that there should be an age limit for buying CBD for two main reasons.
- To mitigate the risk of substance abuse—even though CBD oil is considered safe, it can pose a health risk for those who don't understand how to use it or may experience negative drug interactions.
- The CBD industry is new, and there are dangerous products on the market and a lack of regulation.
Is It Legal To Give CBD to Minors?
No, no minor under the age of 18 should be given CBD, but it all depends on the laws in the state you are living in. Outside of state-regulated medical cannabis programs, parents cannot give their children any THC. In the eyes of federal law, you're giving your child an illegal substance (THC), and you could be subject to investigation.
However, full spectrum CBD products derived from hemp plants remain a legal grey area.
Full spectrum CBD extracts contain a diverse range of hemp's naturally occurring cannabinoids, including up to 0.3% THC, for a more well-balanced and potent effect profile. Because of this trace amount of THC content, it could be interpreted as an unlawful action.
Parents have turned to low doses of non-prescription CBD products purchased online or at health stores for their kids' feelings of anxiousness, hyperactivity, restless nights, and discomfort.
Long-term effects of chronic CBD use on children are limited, and CBD hasn't been trialed extensively for its effectiveness and safety for use with children. However, there are promising studies that support CBD's use for seizure control, autism spectrum disorder, and certain anxiety disorders [3, 4, 5]
What Are The Risks of Using CBD Oil for Children?
Because the CBD industry is so new, there aren't very many clinical tests on the safety and efficacy of CBD on children.
While CBD is said to be generally safe, there are some risks involved:
- THC Content: It is illegal to give THC to children, so you may have to shop for CBD isolate or THC-free broad spectrum products.
- Too Much CBD: CBD edibles are dosed based on weight. It can be easy to go overboard on CBD oils and CBD gummies for kids, resulting in a negative experience.
- Poor Quality CBD Products: Not all brands that sell CBD have their customers' best interests at heart. When buying CBD, it's important to shop from reputable sources that can prove that their CBD is legal and comes from contaminant-free industrial hemp.
- Negative Drug Interactions: Before giving children CBD, it's a good idea to speak with your healthcare professional to make sure your child doesn't experience side effects from mixing their prescribed medication with CBD products.
FAQ about age, restrictions & CBD:
How old do you have to be to buy CBD in products?
The legal age to purchase CBD products varies by jurisdiction but is usually 18 years or older. Always verify the age requirements in your region before making a purchase.
How old do you have to be to buy CBD gummies?
The age requirement to purchase CBD gummies is generally 18 years old. In some states, the age limit may be higher, up to 21 years old. Ensure compliance with your local regulations before buying CBD gummies or other CBD-infused products.
How old do you have to be to buy CBD in Texas?
There is no minimum age set by statute to purchase CBD products in Texas, including consumables. However, federal regulations require buyers to be at least 18 years old to purchase CBD products derived from hemp. It's advisable to check with individual retailers for any specific age restrictions.
How old do you have to be to buy CBD in Georgia?
Customers in Georgia must be at least 18 years old to purchase CBD gummies or other CBD-infused items. It is advisable to verify individual businesses' age requirements before making a purchase.
What is the age limit to buy CBD in California?
In California, the age limit to buy hemp-derived CBD is 18 years old, while for marijuana-derived CBD, it is 21 years. Both age restrictions are in place to ensure minors cannot access CBD products.
Do you have to be 21 to buy CBD?
The age requirement to buy CBD varies by state and retailer. Some states and retailers may set the minimum age at 21, while others may allow purchases at 18 or older. It's important to be aware of both the state's legal age requirement and any additional age restrictions set by the CBD retailers.
Can minors buy CBD?
No, minors are prohibited from purchasing any CBD products under US law. Most states choose to enact laws requiring people to be at least 18 or 21 years old before they're allowed access to purchasing products with cannabinoids in them.
Resources:
- Iffland, K., & Grotenhermen, F. (2017). An update on safety and side effects of cannabidiol: a review of clinical data and relevant animal studies. Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 2(1), 139-154.
- Huestis, M. A., Solimini, R., Pichini, S., Pacifici, R., Carlier, J., & Busardò, F. P. (2019). Cannabidiol adverse effects and toxicity. Current Neuropharmacology, 17(10), 974-989.
- Silvestro, S., Mammana, S., Cavalli, E., Bramanti, P., & Mazzon, E. (2019). Use of cannabidiol in the treatment of epilepsy: efficacy and security in clinical trials. Molecules, 24(8), 1459.
- Blessing, E. M., Steenkamp, M. M., Manzanares, J., & Marmar, C. R. (2015). Cannabidiol as a potential treatment for anxiety disorders. Neurotherapeutics, 12(4), 825-836.
- Fleury-Teixeira, P., Caixeta, F. V., Ramires da Silva, L. C., Brasil-Neto, J. P., & Malcher-Lopes, R. (2019). Effects of CBD-enriched Cannabis sativa extract on autism spectrum disorder symptoms: an observational study of 18 participants undergoing compassionate use. Frontiers in neurology, 10, 1145.
