The growing Cannabis industry and the benefits of CBD have tempted everyone to give it a try. CBD is a natural cannabinoid that is present in the hemp plant. Due to its extraordinary properties, it is gaining popularity.
CBD products contain many other cannabinoids as well, one of which is THC. The concentration of THC determines whether or not a certain product will be legal. If CBD is derived from hemp and the concentration of THC is less than 0.3%, you are good to go.
Since THC is a psychoactive ingredient, it makes us question whether we really need a CBD oil prescription. It is not needed most of the time. Let us see why?
What is CBD Oil? Is CBD Oil Legal?
Cannabidiol is a natural cannabinoid present in the Cannabis plant. Cannabidiol (CBD) oil is extracted from the Cannabis plant. Along with CBD, there are hundreds of chemicals in Cannabis. One of them is THC, which is a psychoactive ingredient that is responsible for causing the high. However, the concentration of less than 0.3% THC in CBD products do not induce any mind-altering effects.
CBD itself is a non-psychoactive compound that is known to support the general wellbeing of humans. People, looking for a natural way to support their overall wellbeing and balance, can give it a try. CBD has been legalized in so many states of the US.
While talking about its legal status, CBD obtained from the hemp plant has been legalized all over the US in the 2018 farm bill. CBD obtained from marijuana is still illegal. Though states law may vary.
Hemp and marijuana are from the family of the cannabis plant, but the law treats them differently. Their legality difference is due to the level of THC content. CBD derived from hemp contains a THC concentration of less than 0.3%; thus, it does not cause high. Marijuana on the other hand contains 0.3% or more THC. Therefore, marijuana obtained CBD is likely to get you high, as THC is present in more than 0.3% concentration.
When consumed with the right dose of CBD oil, it can be really beneficial. Let us see this by understanding how CBD works in our bodies.
How CBD works?
There is a complex biological system in the human body known as the endocannabinoid system (ECS). With a lot of receptors, it is known to perform some of the vital functions of the body. ECS is responsible for keeping the body at homeostasis, which means keeping it in balance. Though it was discovered in the 1990s, still so many things about this system are unknown.
ECS is divided into three components that are enzymes, receptors, and endocannabinoids. Let us understand each component briefly.
Enzymes: They are structural proteins that can be present in any form. However, from all these forms, only two of them have the capability to break down endocannabinoids.
Receptors: These substances are spread throughout the body. Endocannabinoids bind to these receptors to produce the required effect. These receptors are categorized into CB1 and CB2 receptors.
Endocannabinoids: These signaling substances help keep various functions of the body normal. Endocannabinoids have a major role in influencing mood, stress, immunity, and pain. Cannabinoids are made inside our bodies; these are endocannabinoids. However, the cannabinoids obtained from plants are phytocannabinoids. An example of a phytocannabinoid is THC that is a psychoactive substance.
Receptors CB1 and CB2 are situated in different parts of the body, and they regulate different functions. CB1 is located in the brain, spine, and lungs. It is responsible for managing coordination, appetite, mood, and memory. On the other hand, CB2 receptors are located in the spleen, colon, and immune systems. They are responsible for inducing pain and inflammation.
Research has found that the receptors in our body respond to both endocannabinoids and phytocannabinoids. Once the cannabinoids are broken down, the endocannabinoids bind to the receptors. Some researchers believe that CBD binds indirectly to the CB1 receptor and thus supports the ECS.
Though CBD is beneficial and is legal in most of the states of the US, but do we really need a prescription before purchasing CBD oil?
Do You Need a Prescription for CBD Oil?
Since CBD has a lot of health supporting benefits, everyone wants to give it a try at least once. CBD is quite controversial, and people want to be on the safer side before purchasing it. Thus, comes the question, do I need a prescription for CBD oil?
Prescription need depends upon the source from which CBD is obtained. Since hemp-derived CBD is legal in the US, it can be bought over the counter. On the other hand, CBD can also be derived from the Marijuana plant. Marijuana-derived CBD has a high concentration of THC. It is legal in only some US states. Therefore, you will need a prescription for CBD oil if it is derived from Marijuana.
In short, if the CBD product contains more than 0.3% of THC, you need to have a prescription to purchase it. Also, know that if medical and recreational cannabis is legal in your state, you don’t necessarily need a prescription to purchase it. CBD oil that is derived from hemp and has less than 0.3% THC can be bought easily from online stores. However, if you want a product with more THC concentration, you need to visit a nearby cannabis dispensary.
Every doctor does not provide a CBD oil prescription. Usually, cannabis specialized staff are bound to give a prescription for CBD oil.
How to get a CBD oil prescription?
You can get CBD oil prescription from:
- A Cannabis clinic
- A Doctor
- A nursing service
- Cannabis telemedicine service
Doctors are usually hesitant in prescribing CBD products. Instead, they prefer to direct you to the cannabis clinic. Doctors are bound to the laws; therefore, they cannot refer marijuana-based CBD products. However, you can get a prescription for hemp-based CBD quite easily; if not, you can always go to a cannabis clinic.
Cannabis clinics have doctors that are usually specialized in anesthesiology, psychiatry, or surgery. These doctors have knowledge about cannabis, and they can prescribe you CBD oil according to your needs. Other than that, cannabis clinics also have cannabis educators that can guide you really well about strains, prices, and more.
You can also contact cannabis professionals through video calls. These professionals are usually affiliated with cannabis clinics. Nevertheless, most of these services are stand-alone as well. You can communicate your issue with them, and they will provide you with the authorization to the best of their knowledge.
Which CBD Products Are Approved by the FDA?
The FDA has knowledge about the purpose for which CBD is used. At this time, no one can claim that CBD can treat a certain disease. Nevertheless, it is good for the general wellbeing of the human body as it supports the endocannabinoid system. Moreover, THC and CBD products cannot be sold as dietary supplements.
FDA has approved three Cannabis related drugs that can be used for medicinal purposes on licensed healthcare prescriptions. One of which is Epidiolex, which contains a purified form of CBD. Since this drug is approved by the FDA, it is safe to use and sell.
Cesamet is another drug that contains the substance nabilone, which is structurally similar to THC. Moreover, FDA also approved drugs like Syndros and Marinol. These medicines are known to be therapeutic. The presence of an active ingredient called dronabinol makes them effective.
Where Can You Buy CBD Oil Over the Counter?
CBD oil can be found almost everywhere, from online stores to coffee shops and markets. Since so many benefits of CBD are known, a lot of people are tempted to try CBD products, which is why you can easily find CBD oil and other products in nearby stores and markets.
But since making CBD oil demands knowledge of cannabinoids and a lot of skill, not everyone can make high-quality CBD products. Therefore, it is necessary to buy CBD oil from reputed stores. You can rely on online CBD stores since a lot of information about their products can be found easily on the internet. You can check if the CBD comes from the right source or not. In addition, reviews on the page make it easier to judge the product.
Reasons to Shop for CBD Online
Though CBD products are available everywhere in health stores and dispensaries, buying CBD products online can be a lot more beneficial. Let us see how.
When you visit a nearby dispensary, you will see there are only a few options to choose from. However, when you search the online CBD stores, there are a variety of options. You can always purchase a CBD product according to your budget from online stores. Also, there are so many brands to choose from; you can go for the one that seems the best to you.
Other than that, you can do a good deal of research about a certain brand before buying its products. Online stores have all the information about their products. You can easily check the product for third-party lab testing and more.
The most obvious reason is the ease of access. You don’t have to get up and walk to the store to buy anything. Everything is just a few clicks away. Online stores are also best in the sense that they usually offer discounts to their regular customers. If you keep on buying items from a certain website, you are likely to get a discount offer. Subscribing to newsletters is another advantage as you get to know when the discounts are going on in the store. You rarely get these benefits in the local dispensaries.
How to Choose the Right Product
For You Certain factors determine the quality of CBD products. You can choose the right one for yourself while considering the following factors.
Strength
The strength of CBD oil greatly varies. Normally CBD oils are sold in three potencies:
- 500 mg
- 1000 mg
- 1500 mg
Though the above-mentioned potencies are most common, you will also find CBD oil with potency 2000 and even 4000 mg. This does not mean that a 1000 mg bottle is always more potent. For instance, you bought a 15 mL bottle with 500 mg potency, and there is another bottle of 30 mL with 1000 mg potency. This shows that a bottle with 30 mL content will be almost equal to 15 mL.
People who are going to start taking CBD for the first time should go for low potency CBD oil. This is usually a 30 mL bottle with 500 mg oil. This strength is good for beginners and people who are sensitive to CBD. You can use it initially and observe if this potency is enough to relieve you and support your endocannabinoid system. If not, you always have an option of medium and high-potency CBD oils that have an even stronger impact on your endocannabinoid system.
Purity: Extraction & Manufacturing
CBD obtained from cannabis plants that are grown in the US, is of high quality. The industry is regulated. This ensures that CBD is coming from plants that are not exposed to pesticides and other chemicals. Thus you get completely natural products.
Other than that, research enough about the method with which manufacturers extract CBD from the plant. There are several methods of extraction, and each way has its impact on the quality of CBD products. IPA and CO2 extraction are the safest and widely accepted methods of CBD isolation.
CO2 extraction brings out pure CBD without any contaminants and harsh materials. Similarly, IPA extraction is the most favorable method as it is safe and efficient. While looking for CBD products, do not forget to check the method with which the company extracts CBD.
Transparency
You should know what is inside the CBD product you are taking. The CBD industry is growing day by day, there may be a decrease in quality products since so many want to enter the market fast. You should have an idea of whether the product you are taking is free of contaminants or not.
Third-party lab testing ensures the safety, transparency, and quality of CBD products. This test is significant in ensuring that the product is right for you. Third-party lab testing involves sending a product sample to independent laboratories with the right equipment and then getting it analyzed for potency, heavy metals, and contaminants.
Price & Delivery
Prices of CBD products are almost similar for most brands. However, quality CBD products are generally pricey than others. Third-party lab testing is quite expensive, thereby bringing a high-end product involves higher investments. Similarly, the quality of the hemp plant, the cost extraction method and the addition of other premium ingredients make a product low or high quality, thus determining the price.
When it comes to delivery, know that hemp derived CBD products with less than 0.3% THC content are allowed to deliver across the US. KENJI products are shipped via UPS to ensure you receive your package timely.
Conclusion: Do You Really Need a Prescription for CBD Oil?
Prescription is not necessary if you live in a state where hemp-derived CBD is legal. It is necessary only if you need CBD Oil that is extracted from marijuana with more than 0.3% THC content in it. You can consult a doctor or a cannabis clinic to get a prescription for CBD oil.
