Can You Get Arrested for Possessing CBD Oil or Other CBD Products?
According to an article from the Detroit Free Press, the market for CBD products which have very low and almost non-detectable levels of THC has experienced a boom in recent years. It is even expected to exceed $22 billion by the year 2022. With such a growing industry, more and more people are trying to get their hands on these pain and anxiety relievers. However, the question on most people’s mind is if you can get arrested for possessing CBD oil and other CBD products.
What is CBD?
Before we get to the legalities surrounding CBD products, let’s first go through what it is and why there is a clamor for the product in the past recent years.
Cannabidiol (commonly known as CBD), is the second most common active ingredient found in cannabis (marijuana). It is an essential component of medical marijuana, but while this is so, it is directly derived from the hemp plant, a cousin of the marijuana plant. An article from the Harvard Health Publishing website notes, that while CBD is among one of the hundreds of components of marijuana, if it is only used by itself, it will not cause a “high.” The same article quoted the World Health Organization saying that to date, there is still no evidence pertaining to public health-related problems caused by the use of pure CBD.
CBD is commonly being sold to ease anxiety and misery due to insomnia, pain relief, and better sleep. Even local Lansing Quality Dairy stores are carrying cbd products because of high demand. The most important use of CBD is for the treatment of some of the harshest forms of childhood epilepsy syndromes (Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome). The latter health concern does not typically respond to anti-seizure medications, which meant that the discovery of CBD gave hope to children suffering from it.
Are CBD Oil and other CBD products legal?
In answering this question, it is essential to confirm first if one is referring to CBD from hemp or marijuana. Note that the US Congress made CBD derived from hemp legal nationwide via the 2018 US Farm Bill, but CBD derived from marijuana is still illegal in the country.
Zeroing in on the state of Michigan, CBD products derived from either hemp or marijuana have been both made legal. The law that legalized cannabis states that it is made available for all individuals age 21 and above. Currently, only those who have a valid Michigan Medical Marijuana card may purchase these products. The sale of THC products to those without a valid Michigan Medical Marijuana card will not be allowed.
While purchasing and possession of CBD products in Michigan are both legal, it is important to be mindful when transporting these products to other states. It’s always best to check the laws of the state that you will be traveling into before you decide to take your CBD products with you. You wouldn’t want to get caught for something that you didn’t know is illegal in a different state.
Can I get arrested for possessing CBD products in another state?
It is important to be knowledgeable about all the laws surrounding CBD oil and other CBD products. Research the laws in the state you’re travelling to before you leave with your CBD products in hand. It’s also best to find out what kind of CBD product you possess. If it is illegal to possess CBD products derived from hemp or marijuana in the state that you are traveling to, leave your CBD products in Michigan instead.
Can I avoid getting arrested for the possession of CBD products?
Being smart and using your common sense can be the key to avoid getting arrested for the possession of CBD products in a different state. If you’re unsure if you can take your products with you to a different state, its best just to leave them in Michigan. You should only purchase your CBD products from facilities that perform thorough tests on their products.
If you need legal advice about the possession of CBD products, you may get in touch with the Clark Law Office. You can fill out the form below for a free consultation with a Lansing criminal defense lawyer or for a quicker correspondence, call us at (517) 347-6900 at your earliest convenience.
