State laws often contradict federal laws when it comes to cannabis regulation. Unfortunately, North Carolina has some of the harshest marijuana laws in the United States.
If you want to purchase CBD oil legally in North Carolina, there are a few things you’ll need to be aware of. We explain everything here.
Yes. Despite North Carolina’s strict laws against marijuana, you can still legally purchase CBD oil here.
CBD can be derived from both flowering marijuana and industrial hemp plants. This is an important distinction because North Carolina laws change depending on how your CBD oil is made.
If your CBD oil is made using a flowering marijuana plant as the source, it is regarded as the same as weed; this is because marijuana-derived CBD oil generally contains a high level of THC, which is the chemical in marijuana that gets you stoned.
On the other hand, CBD oil produced from industrial hemp is legal to buy and possess in all 50 states. This is a product of the Farm Bill of 2018, which took industrial hemp off of the federal list of Controlled Substances.
Previously, industrial hemp was seen as no different from marijuana in the eyes of federal authorities.
Purchasing CBD oil online is by far the most convenient way to find reliable CBD oil in North Carolina.
Online suppliers generally offer better deals than those you would find in-store. You can save a lot of money by taking advantage of bulk sales and special offers.
Shopping online makes it easy to compare products from different companies and find the right product for your needs.
It’s essential that you do your research about the products you purchase. The Food and Drug Administration has found that many of the products sold over the counter have significantly less CBD than advertised.
This is the first thing you should check before committing to a particular brand. Outside labs can test that the CBD content inside the product matches what the company is advertising. They can also make sure that the oil is free from any potentially harmful chemicals and solvents.
Learn more about third-party testing and why it’s so important.
As a health supplement, CBD is wonderful. It is helping thousands of Americans manage the symptoms of a wide range of medical conditions. However, CBD isn’t going to be a magical drug that cures diseases. Avoid companies that make these claims.
This is very important in North Carolina. The state has some of the harshest penalties for marijuana possession in the country. If caught with CBD oil containing THC, you could face jail time. If a company can’t follow the law, what are the chances that they are following quality controls?
Marijuana is currently illegal for recreational use in North Carolina. However, it has been decriminalized and Senate Bill 711 (North Carolina Compassionate Care Act) could possibly legalize medicinal marijuana.
A large reason for this is that the Federal Controlled Substances Act classes marijuana as a prohibited drug.
According to the Federal Government, marijuana is a Schedule 1 drug, which means it has the following qualities:
Other drugs listed in this category include heroin, LSD, magic mushrooms, and ecstasy.
If caught with even a small amount of weed, you can be convicted and given a fine and jail time.
Less than half an ounce (approximately 14 grams) and you will get off with a small fine of $200. Beyond that, you could start to see jail time.
Anything between half an ounce and 1.5 ounces can lead to 1 to 45 days in jail with a fine of $1000.
Get caught with more than 1.5 ounces in North Carolina and it becomes a felony. The punishment for felony marijuana possession can be 3 to 8 months in jail plus a fine of $1000.
Growing marijuana in North Carolina is a huge risk. Growing any amount of marijuana under 10 pounds will be treated as a felony and could lead to 3 to 8 months in jail.
You don’t want to get busted for possession of marijuana in North Carolina.
Technically, North Carolina has a medical marijuana program. However, it’s so incredibly limited that it might as well not have one at all.
The first steps taken toward medical marijuana in North Carolina happened in 2014 when the State Government passed the Hope 4 Haley and Friends Act.
The Act allows a very limited number of patients to participate in a study at the University of North Carolina to research the effects of CBD on epilepsy patients. The CBD oils used in the study are also limited. They must contain a minimum CBD content of 10% and less than 0.3% THC.
In 2016, Governor Pat McCrory introduced the North Carolina Epilepsy Alternative Treatment Act, which allows patients with intractable epilepsy to possess and use CBD oils that have a minimum of 5% CBD and a THC content of less than 0.9%.
Although North Carolina has made it legal for people with epilepsy to treat themselves with CBD oil, the state doesn’t have any licensed medical marijuana dispensaries.
This means that North Carolina medical marijuana patients need to purchase their medicine in another state that allows out-of-state medical marijuana cards.
North Carolina has banned delta 8 THC. It’s not alone — other states have outlawed it, as well.
As an isomer of delta 9 THC, it has some people concerned about its psychoactive effects, even though it has many health benefits. Studies are few, but it acts on the endocannabinoid system the same way THC does, just to a lesser degree, meaning it could greatly impact health. So far, it seems like it does.
You don’t have legal access to delta 8 in North Carolina, but maybe the laws will change soon.
If they do, remember to look for third-party tests before you do anything else. Shopping online gives you the best selection and lower prices, but you’re also able to check the company out thoroughly.
Check out the following companies for the highest-quality delta 8 around:
With so many different options available online, it can get a little overwhelming. Sometimes, there is no substitute for going into a store and seeing the product for yourself.
If you’re one of those kinds of shoppers, we have made a shortlist of CBD oil suppliers in North Carolina.
NOTE: Even if you make your purchase in person, ensure you do your research. The Journal of Regulatory Science has found that over-the-counter CBD oils have inconsistent levels of CBD and can sometimes contain solvents and pesticides.
You shouldn’t have any trouble finding CBD oil locally if you visit your closest vape shop. They will typically have several options sold over the counter or the staff can point you in the right direction.
North Carolina has been slow to make progress when it comes to marijuana laws. Although medical marijuana licenses are available, they only apply to epilepsy patients, and you need to travel to another state to make your purchases.
Until the laws catch up with demand, your best bet to find CBD oil in North Carolina is to place an order online with a good supplier.