It’s practically impossible to live in the state and not come across CBD in one form or another. Gone are the days when people used to frown upon people enjoying cannabis in any form. With the latest research and millions of user reports, it has become clear now that CBD is capable of helping you sleep, relax, and feel better.
It’s effective for anxiety, stress, pain, skin health, gut health, cardiovascular health, and even several severe neurological conditions. One popular category among the growing CBD user base is Broad Spectrum Products.
Among the many types of CBD available, broad-spectrum CBD stands out as a middle ground between full-spectrum CBD (which contains trace amounts of THC) and CBD isolate (which contains only pure CBD).
Broad Spectrum CBD oils have all other hemp compounds like terpenes, flavonoids, phytonutrients, and a range of cannabinoids except THC. Yes. You read that right: broad-spectrum CBD has zero THC.
Broadly speaking, broad-spectrum CBD is considered legal, but factors like THC content, sourcing, and local laws play a role. Let’s break down the legality of broad-spectrum CBD and what you need to know before purchasing.
Let’s understand Broad Spectrum CBD in Detail.
Broad-spectrum CBD is a type of CBD products that go through a careful filtration process after the initial extraction from hemp plants. Manufacturers here ensure that all important elements like cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavinoids stay, and THC gets compelled to be removed.
Doing so differentiates the broad spectrum from the other two kinds of CBD products:
- Full-spectrum CBD: Contains all hemp compounds, including up to 0.3% THC.
- CBD isolate: Pure CBD with no other cannabinoids or plant materials.
The full THC removal process is often quite complicated, and brands have to invest a lot in state-of-the-art machinery. This advanced filtration makes it ideal for individuals sensitive to THC or concerned about drug tests.
People use broad-spectrum CBD for a wide range of issues like pain relief, anxiety management, and better sleep. There’s no risk of ingesting THC at all, which makes it perfect for athletes or those in professions with strict drug-testing policies ( teachers, lawyers, military people, etc. ).
In fact, many sports organizations like NBA, UFC, USA Triathlon, WADA, and more have now allowed THC-free CBD use for their athletes. But, no, THC doesn’t automatically mean universally legal. Its legality is often affected by regulations in specific states, sources of hemp, and regional laws. Let’s take a look at some of them.
Legal Framework of Broad Spectrum CBD Products
Let’s take a look at the US first, after all, it’s the fastest-growing CBD market in the world right now. All kinds of CBD products are legal in the US through the 2018 federal farm bill.
The only condition is that THC in products can not be more than 0.3%, and it must be derived from industrial hemp only. Since broad-spectrum CBD falls under this definition, it’s legal in all US states.
But here’s the catch: the FDA still restricts CBD in food, beverages, and supplements, which creates a lot of confusion for both brands and consumers. That’s why, for now, most CBD products are sold as “cosmetics” or “topicals” to bypass these rules.
The industry is still waiting for the new, revised, upcoming farm bill, and there can be some major changes. But yes, as of now, broad-spectrum CBD is legal in all US states. In some states, you’ll have to be above 18 to buy it, 21 in others, and in some states, there’s no age limit at all. So make sure to check your local laws once.
Canada, Europe & Asia
In Canada, another bustling CBD market, all CBD products are legal under the cannabis act. The only condition is products must meet strict labeling and THC limits. The European Union has strict restrictions and says that CBD products can not have more than 0.2% THC.
Broad spectrum passes this criterion. Hence, it’s legal in many European countries, including the UK, Ukraine, Switzerland, Spain, Slovenia, Poland, Norway, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Hungary, Greece, Germany, France, and more.
If you do plan to visit, check out the respective countries’ official guidelines first. In Asia, countries like Japan and South Korea allow CBD only if it’s 100% THC-free, so a broad spectrum is legal there too. The same applies to India as well, where you can legally buy a broad spectrum without a prescription.
Common Confusion & Challenges When Buying CBD
Mislabeling is the biggest issue in the CBD industry right now. FDA hasn’t established clear guidelines, which leads to inconsistent enforcement. Brands try to exploit these loopholes and do some heavy compromise on quality and filtration processes. Some products labeled “broad-spectrum” still contain trace THC due to poor quality control.
So, it’s important that you only buy from reputable brands that give out the latest lab test reports. Ensure that they use only organic hemp and have transparent policies. Try to avoid brands that make unproven health claims.
So yeah, do proper research, read up on local laws, verify the lab test reports, and only from established and transparent companies like Colorado Botanicals.
Also, don’t assume that it’ll change your life overnight. Your body needs to adapt to the compound. Hence, you’ll have to take broad-spectrum CBD regularly for weeks or months to see significant positive changes. Just start with a low dose, and consult with a doctor first if you have underlying health conditions.
Summary
To sum it up, Yes, spectrum CBD is legal. If you live in a state, city, or country that has allowed hemp-derived products, then broad-spectrum CBD is automatically legal there. Usually, a restrictive limit is placed on THC content, and since broad-spectrum CBD is completely free from it, it’s allowed easily.
You can buy from both online and offline stores, but make sure to properly read the label first and match cannabinoid levels with the lab test report. You can easily and legally enjoy broad-spectrum CBD in the US, Europe, Latin America, and many Southeast Asian countries as well.
If you are a US resident, then Colorado Botanicals is one of the best brands out there in terms of overall quality, customer support, pricing, and easy returns.
