Unlike some states, New York has made its laws concerning CBD and hemp oils as straightforward as possible. Hemp-derived CBD products are available all over the state in food health stores, head and smoke shops, and even in some gas stations and convenience stores. Additionally, New York makes it legal to purchase CBD products online, so long as these products remain below a certain limit of THC content.
Additionally, medical-grade CBD products high in THC content are available all over the state—but only to those with a medical marijuana recommendation. The state has a simplified process for gaining access to medical marijuana permissions, and their comprehensive framework for legislation has led to the creation of medical dispensaries all over the state. This is great news for sufferers all over the state, who can now use CBD as a natural alternative to other forms of medication during their treatment.
Medical CBD in New York
New York offers a succinct list of qualifying conditions for medical marijuana usage. These conditions include HIV/AIDS, cancer, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, Huntington’s Disease, chronic pain, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Anyone with these conditions can gain access to medical marijuana so long as their primary licensed physician writes them an official recommendation to be filed with the state.
CBD with a high THC content derived from the marijuana plant is only legal under this framework. Otherwise, it remains illegal in the state, and penalties can be severe.
Hemp-Derived CBD in New York
The law in New York concerning hemp-derived low-THC is even more simplistic. According to both the Farm Bill 2014 and New York state law, consumers with or without medical marijuana cards can access CBD. This CBD must be below a certain percentage of THC content, but it can be sold by vendors of different kinds all over the state.
Moving forward, it is unlikely that New York will become more difficult in their regulation of CBD products. Instead, the trajectory of the law is positioned firmly in the direction of more access to CBD products, both those derived from marijuana and those derived from the industrial hemp plant. In any case, CBD users in New York face a tremendous set of opportunities.