Many individuals are unsure whether buying CBD oil requires a prescription because it is produced from hemp and cannabis plants. For many physical and mental ailments, CBD is a natural and safe substitute for pharmaceutical medications. People use CBD as self-medication for neurological problems, autoimmune diseases, chronic pain, anxiety, and depression.
Hemp-based CBD oil doesn’t need a prescription whereas a prescription is required for cannabis-based oils. Read below to find out why cannabis-based oils require a prescription.
Is CBD Oil Legal?
Yes, CBD oil is legal all over America. In 2018, the Agricultural Act was amended and legalized hemp and hemp-based products. However, the act doesn’t legalize cannabis-based products, so marijuana is still illegal in America.
Cultivation of hemp was also legalized with this act. Before hemp was legalized, hemp could only be used for industrial and research purposes.
Do You Need A Prescription To Buy CBD Oil?
You can buy CBD oil from a drug store without a prescription. This is mainly because these products don’t contain more than 0.3% THC. THC is another cannabinoid that is responsible for the euphoric effects of marijuana. Higher doses of THC can induce euphoria as well as intoxicate you. Buying any hemp-based product with a THC concentration greater than 0.3% requires a prescription.
Epidiolex And Sativex
Epidiolex, the first CBD-based epilepsy drug, was approved by the FDA in 2018. This medication contains synthetic, purified CBD and is available in pill form. CBD is well-known for its antiepileptic properties, which stem from its interactions with GPR55 and TRPV-1 receptors, both of which are involved in seizures.
Sativex is a prescription medicine used for managing symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS). They contain both CBD and THC in equal proportions. Sativex is effective for relieving muscle spasticity and pain related to MS and it is found better than first-line MS treatments.
Both Sativex and Epidiolex require a prescription from a doctor.
Final Verdict
Buying CBD oil does not require a prescription as long as it is derived from hemp. But if a product has a higher concentration of THC, a prescription is required to buy them.
Epidiolex and Sativex, two CBD-based medications approved by the FDA, are the only CBD products that require a prescription. These medications are used to treat drug-resistant epilepsy.