To understand the legal status of CBD in California we must first have a look at the term cannabis which is a chemical compound containing more than 0.3% THC and cannabis-derived from hemp with 0.3% or less THC in it. The cannabis laws are under state health agency in California and also this US state has not adopted any single law for the procession, distribution, and sale of cannabis. Although the California Department of Public Health’s Food and Drug released a document which states that cannabis and its derivatives are added in edibles but still CBD derived from hemp is not allowed to be added in food, beverages, and dietary supplements.
Adults age 21 and above are legal to buy and possess CBD in California. CBD oils are widely available at the dispensaries and also at the retail stores. But the state laws regarding CBD prohibit the use of cannabis-derived from industrial hemp to use in food, beverages, and dietary supplements until the FDA approves it to be safe. For the business owner to be worked as a CBD oil distributer in California you must be aware of the legal status and laws governing the CBD in California.
California CBD Laws
California is one of the relaxed states that are a strong supporter of the legalization of the use of cannabis. It is also the first state that legalized medical marijuana after the Compassionate Use Act of 1996 and also California legalized CBD use for recreational purposes after 20 years through the Adult Use of Marijuana Act.
With the adoption of the Farm Bill in 2018, California introduces AB 228 bill. That clarifies the legal status of CBD and also the legal status of hemp-derived cannabis to use in edibles without any restrictions but currently, this bill was held to avoid the unregulated selling of CBD and its products especially hemp-derived and California go with the regulations of cannabis with that of FDA.
Licensing Requirement for Selling CBD oil in California
CBD oil distributor in California should know that without license cultivations, sale, distribution, retail, and manufacturing of cannabis is prohibited in California by the Bureau of Cannabis Control, CDFA’s Cal Cannabis Cultivation Licensing, and CDPH’s Manufactured Cannabis Safety Branch. The business of cannabis is only operating in the legal commercial cannabis market with effect from 2018. California holds the largest number of State issue licenses for the cannabis market in the US. This state license is required for the engagement of all cannabis activities happening in California.
The applicants of license need to provide documents as proof from the local jurisdiction that they would do the business before the license is issued. It is also important to note that if local jurisdiction doesn’t allow commercial CBD activity then the state for those particular premises cannot issue the license. This information is important so that you can plan your area for the CBD distribution.
CBD Product Labelling Requirements
California Department of Public Health in 2019 has released a labeling requirement for the CBD products in California State. CBD oil distributor in California must have all the required information on State labeling rules for products to be distributed and sold. All people in the cannabis business must follow these labeling and packaging rules. Labeling is consists of the primary panel and the secondary panel.
Primary Panel
This involves the front of the packaging and is the one display in retail settings. This is very important as it identifies the product nature being displayed including the
- Name of the product
- Its weight
- CBD product sign
- The state-specific symbol for cannabis
Secondary Panel
It is called an informational panel. This is the label other than the primary label. The important component of this label is the mentioning of the packaging of CBD products with proper date. Another important component is the UID number issued by the California cannabis track and trace department. Other information on this panel must include
- License number
- Distributer name
- Website or phone number
- Warnings from government
- CBD content percentage
All the information on the label must be clear, legible, and in 6 size font
