The climate around marijuana and its many uses is rapidly changing around the world.
The popularity of CBD Oil and its derivatives are continuously on the rise, and more people are turning to it as a treatment for things such as epilepsy, pain relief, and anxiety.
Luckily for those of you in Alaska, CBD oils are widely available and easily accessible.
Usually, the most convenient way to get CBD oils sent right to your door is by purchasing through a trustworthy online store. If you prefer to purchase your CBD oils in person, there are many shops in Alaska that can help you find the right product for your needs.
To make an informed decision on where to purchase your CBD oils, it is useful to consider a few things. Most importantly, you must be aware of the legal climate surrounding marijuana and hemp in Alaska.
Yes, CBD is legal in Alaska.
CBD oils can come in many different forms. In the wake of its growing popularity, CBD oil has been integrated into edibles, tinctures, creams, balms, extracts, and even products for your pets.
Additionally, there are CBD oils that contain THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and others that contain little to none.
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the active ingredient in marijuana that makes the user feel “high”. CBD oils derived from a flowering marijuana plant generally contain THC and will have a psychoactive effect.
CBD oils derived from industrial hemp (the same stuff used to make paper and fabrics) will contain very low levels of THC and should not have psychoactive properties.
Under Alaska law, the two types of CBD Oil are treated slightly differently.
Under the Agricultural Act of 2014, industrial hemp is supposed to be grown locally in Alaska under a pilot program. Technically, any CBD oils sold in Alaska need to be produced by the state’s industrial hemp pilot program, but no such programs exist.
As a result of this strange legal situation, any CBD oil sold in a store is not entirely legal; however, almost nobody is enforcing it.
In February 2017, over 1500 CBD products were seized from businesses in Alaska by government authorities.
CBD oil and marijuana-related products are emerging industries, which can cause a lot of difficult circumstances. For customers, this creates a concern with purchasing CBD oil sold in stores because it is difficult to trace the source of the products and get reliable information.
The good news is, depending on your individual needs, you will be able to find both varieties of CBD oil in Alaska.
With marijuana products being legal for recreational purposes, it’s easy to find CBD oils in Alaska compared to many of the other states. They can be found most easily online, where you can quickly compare prices and products from the comfort of your home.
Some companies are less than reliable and advertise products that contain little to no CBD at all. This can directly affect the overall health benefits and usefulness of CBD oils.
The CBD oil industry is still new and growing. Unfortunately, the laws and regulations surrounding them have not quite caught up to these shady companies.
There are a few precautions you can take to protect yourself from false claims about CBD oil.
Your first move should be to check if the company’s products are tested by a third-party lab. These labs can determine if the products contain the advertised CBD levels and if there are any other foreign contaminants.
Another time to be wary is if the company is making unreasonable health claims. CBD oil has several excellent health benefits; however, it’s not a miracle cure for everything out there. CBD oils and their uses can vary, so it is important you make an informed decision.
The most convenient method for purchasing CBD oils is through a reliable online store.
This is the most common way of buying CBD oils because it doesn’t require you to leave your home. It also allows you to compare the offerings of different companies without having to drive from location to location.
Shopping online gives you access to valuable information about the company and whether or not their products suit your needs.
Purchasing your CBD oils directly from the source online is usually the cheapest and fastest option. Companies often sell their stock in bulk, allowing you to take advantage of discounts and other special offers.
When shopping online for CBD oils, it’s important to be aware of the risks.
If you would prefer to shop in-store and see what is available near you, take a look below for some helpful suggestions.
Marijuana is legal for recreational and medicinal purposes in Alaska. In 2021, the state updated the fines associated with marijuana use and in January 2022, made regulation changes, so make sure you read the details.
The history of marijuana in Alaska has been somewhat complicated. Its legal status has swung back and forth between decriminalized and illegal several times since 1975. Back then, getting caught with small amounts of marijuana would land you with a $100 fine. Not bad.
Jump to 1990, after a series of marijuana trafficking offenses, Alaskans voted to make possession a misdemeanor that could lead you to land 90 days in jail. Yikes.
This occurred several more times between 1990 and 2014 when finally, The Alaska Marijuana Legalization Initiative was approved by 52% of voters in the state.
Once the bill was passed, Alaska legalized the recreational use of marijuana on February 24, 2015. This law also allows an individual to possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana and up to 6 plants, 3 of which may be flowering.
Delta 8 THC is banned in Alaska.
Despite Alaska’s progressive marijuana laws, delta 8 is illegal.
It’s legal federally, as long as it comes from hemp and has less than 0.3% THC. Some states have outlawed it for various reasons. This is unfortunate because people love it since it’s like THC and has similar benefits but is less intense. If you want marijuana but don’t like the high, delta 8 is a great replacement.
It works on the endocannabinoid system like THC does, binding to CB1 and CB2, meaning it can increase appetite and reduce pain.
If there comes a time when you can buy it in Alaska, check out online vendors first.
Choose one of these three for the most potent delta 8 THC:
Just like with CBD, it’s easier to check the purity and potency of the product and save money in the process.
If you are more comfortable heading into a store to make your CBD oil purchase, Alaska is a great place to be.
In Alaska, you can find CBD oil at head shops, vape stores, and dispensaries. There are even cafes that will add CBD oil to your coffee!
One of the few advantages of heading into a local store is being able to physically examine products and ask a local specialist for their opinion. However, It is important to remember that it may be difficult to tell if you are getting a quality product. The industrial hemp plants used to make the CBD oils do not fall under an Alaskan pilot program; therefore it may be difficult to find the source of items sold in-store.
CBD oils purchased in-store are also generally more expensive when compared to buying online, largely because physical storefronts are not cheap to own and maintain.
Keep this in mind when making your purchase decision.
With these considerations in mind, let’s take a look at some popular locations to pick up your CBD oils locally.
The appearance of CBD oil in cafes and restaurants is a testament to its growing popularity. Alaska recently passed a law that allows customer-to-consumer cannabis products in-store, which is good news for CBD oil users.
Only a few years ago you may have asked: “what on Earth is CBD oil?” Now you might be adding CBD to your morning coffee.
In Alaska you might be able to find CBD oil in these local cafes:
Vape stores are appearing all over the country and are often an easy way to find CBD products. There is likely one near you if you live in the following cities:
Anchorage:
Fairbanks:
Wasilla:
If all else fails, dispensaries are always a safe bet.
Marijuana use is legal in Alaska, so it should be no trouble finding a local dispensary. CBD oils produced from industrial hemp fall into that legal grey area, so it may be difficult to find a reliable source through a dispensary. In case you are struggling to find a local shop, here are a few to get you started.
Anchorage:
Fairbanks:
Wasilla:
Although Alaska has some of the most forward-thinking and progressive laws regarding marijuana products, it’s not always easy deciding on where to buy.
Purchasing your favorite CBD oils is not an exception. The unusual legal situation around CBD oils can make purchasing locally unreliable. The best option for finding high-quality products for less money by far is finding an online store you can count on.
Using a trusted online source for your products, you can ensure that a third party has tested them and get the most bang for your buck. Although you may be able to find some products locally, likely, they are not legal in Alaska.
Save yourself a lot of trouble and purchase online.