ON TOUR: CBD Hemp Flower in California

In case you are thinking that CBD hemp flower in California is ahead of other states, you need to rethink that. It is true that they legalized all things cannabis much before the 2018 Farm Bill.  California was the first state to legalize medical marijuana in 1996.

But interestingly enough, California is behind the 8 ball when considering hemp growth \’\’and use.  You can consumer marijuana edibles \’\’and smoke pot but not many people drinking CBD hemp infused coffee or tea.

CBD Hemp Flower in California – Considering the Legal Gray Area

You might think that a state which has legalized marijuana on all levels of growing, using \’\’and smoking, that they would be on the cutting edge of hemp. But the situation continues to be complicated in California.  On the federal level, hemp is legal since the 2018 Farm Bill, but California issued strict laws regarding the use of hemp in all forms including CBD.

The state continues to ban selling CBD in food products unless it is CBD from cannabis marijuana. There is some CBD in marijuana, but very little making the CBD products extremely expensive.

That takes it to the other area of non-food products such as vape pens, hemp pre-rolls \’\’and also the CBD hemp flower nugs. Well, according to the California Department of Public Health, California law says there are no “thou shalt nots” in regard to the manufacturing, processing or selling non-food hemp.

So, vape pens, topicals, \’\’and creams \’\’and other non-food items lurk around in the legal gray area until further notice.  Hemp flowers also are in a legal gray area in the Golden State meaning that hemp flower is not entirely illegal but it does remain unregulated.

Then in October 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 153 that changes previous hemp cultivation laws giving them a green light compliance with the 2018 Farm Bill.  This law took effect January 1, 2020. Besides recognizing hemp as a legal crop it also covers the following items.

• California Department of Agriculture to submit a state hemp plan to the USDA.
• Establishes rules on which institution qualifies as an agricultural research institution.
• Establishes rules for registration of all hemp growers
• Hemp cannot be cultivated in licensed cannabis facilities

CBD Hemp Flower in California — Considering the Expansion of Hemp Growing

Currently the California Department of Food \’\’and Agriculture (CDFA) has 23 counties producing hemp, 258 growers, 34 seed breeders along with 16,899 registered acres.  Many in agriculture anticipate that there will soon be a powerhouse of hemp production. California has the soil \’\’and the temperate climate which allows for year-round cultivation. This means that more than one crop can grow to maturity in a 12-month period.  County-level agriculture commissioners are busy passing hemp production ordinances in all 58 counties.

It is true that hemp in the Golden State comes from licensed growers who have few hoops to jump through to be part of the industry. California only requires a onetime fee of $900, info on the lot to be used for the farming of hemp, \’\’and the kind of seed to be inspected \’\’and validated. These are the requirements which hemp farmers must comply in order to receive a license.

If you want to grow cannabis hemp at home, you can grow no more than six plants \’\’and you have to be at least 21 years of age.  The plants must be concealed at all times \’\’and secured in an area where they cannot be accessed by outsiders.

CBD Hemp Flower in California — The Buying of it All

You can find CBD hemp flowers \’\’and other products pretty much anywhere in California. It is available in brick \’\’and mortar stores as well as online. Presently, California does not impose any laws or regulations that oversee importation of hemp except that they pass protocol for plant pest quarantines.

Anyone who is looking to buy CBD hemp flower in California can find high quality flower nugs.  California is waiting for the FDA to rule on the safety of hemp consumption.  Considering this, CBD hemp flower in California remains not as an approved food, food additive or dietary supplement.

CDPH has stated that edibles using industrial hemp seed oil are legal. However, any other extract taken from hemp is illegal to incorporate into any food. Strange as it may seem, any extract taken from marijuana is legal because it has been decreed a food item.

If you want more information on all things CBD, read other posts here on our blog.

Are you looking for CBD bud products? Dr. Strains CBD only sources its CBD bud from small hemp farms. Check out our online shop or contact us for more information.

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