Also called Cannabidiol, CBD is a chemical compound from the cannabinoid family naturally occurring in the cannabis plant. Although it is less known than delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, THC, which is responsible for the intoxicating effect experienced by cannabis users, CBD is increasingly popular for its potential therapeutic effects. Per a World Health Organization report CBD shows no effect indicative of a dependence potential or substance abuse. The safe, non-addictive CBD may also be used to neutralize the effect of THC, depending on the quantity of each compound taken.
Extensive scientific research – most of it funded by the United States government – and rising anecdotal evidence from patients and clinicians support CBD's potential as a therapy for a wide variety of ailments, including autoimmune diseases, metabolic syndrome, neurological conditions, skin diseases, neuropsychiatric illnesses, and gut disorders. CBD is available in various forms, including topicals and lotions, oils, crystals, waxes, e-liquids, and capsules.
Per the 2018 Farm Bill, it is now legal in the United States to make, buy and consume CBD products if they satisfy specific requirements. CBD products must be made from hemp and contain no more than 0.3 percent THC in order to be legal in the United States. CBD products derived from marijuana and hemp-derived CBD products containing more than 0.3 percent THC remain illegal in the United States. Note that the 2018 Farm Bill permits states to enact their own laws to prohibit the use of CBD in their jurisdictions.
Yes. You may purchase and use hemp-derived CBD oil in Illinois as long as certain requirements are fulfilled. Such products must contain no more than 0.3% THC and must be made in Illinois. You may purchase marijuana-derived CBD oils if you suffer from any of the qualifying medical conditions in the state, possess a valid ID card and a medical marijuana card, and have obtained a licensed physician's recommendation.
One of the differences between CBD oils produced from marijuana and CBD derived from industrial hemp is that marijuana-derived CBD oils contain a higher content of THC, which may get people "high."
Former Illinois Governor Patt Quinn signed the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act into law in August 2013. This legislation legalized the cultivation, sale, and use of medicinal marijuana throughout the state for residents certified to be suffering from specific severe medical conditions. Additionally, the Act shields qualifying patients from legal and criminal culpability, as do their providers and doctors. The laws have since been expanded, and Illinois has now published a list of medical illnesses for which CBD is permitted. Illinois holds a strict view concerning CBD consumption under this program. Regulators monitor cannabis from its origin through its final sale.
The state has permitted the use of CBD for a limited number of patients suffering from specified conditions. They may use marijuana-derived CBD if they are suffering from one of the state's qualifying conditions. Among these disorders include HIV/AIDS, Parkinson's disease, cancer, and severe fibromyalgia.
An Illinois resident registered under the state's medicinal marijuana program can possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana fortnightly. However, card-carrying patients may grow up to 5 marijuana or CBD-rich hemp plants at home. Patients who want more must purchase them from state-licensed medical marijuana dispensaries.
In 2014, the Cannabis Control Act was passed, establishing the Illinois Hemp Research Pilot Program, which authorized the Department of Agriculture and higher educational institutions to cultivate industrial hemp for academic and agricultural research. In 2019, the Illinois Department of Agriculture issued a set of provisional regulations under the Industrial Hemp Act guiding licensure, inspection and sampling, laboratory testing requirements, sale, transfer, and transportation of industrial hemp.
Under the Illinois Industrial Hemp Act, the state's definition of industrial hemp remained consistent with the federal government's THC restriction of 0.3 percent by weight. Under the provisional rules, the sale and transfer of all hemp and hemp-derived products that meet these products' state and federal definitions are permitted in Illinois. The 2018 Farm Bill also permitted states to establish their own hemp-growing programs, as long as they submitted a plan to the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) for approval.
Illinois has not imposed any restrictions on the amount of CBD that an individual may possess. Patients registered under the state's medical marijuana program may possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana-derived CBD during a 14-day period.
Doctors in Illinois are not permitted to prescribe CBD oil, but they can recommend CBD oil to patients they have sufficient cause to believe will benefit from it. Illinois residents use CBD oil to treat various illnesses and symptoms of illnesses. Some of the conditions that patients may treat with CBD oil include:
Note that the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) has not approved cannabis for medical use. Hence, doctors are also not permitted to prescribe hemp or marijuana CBD products to their patients. However, the exception is the drug called Epidolex, a pure CBD, approved by the USFDA for use by children suffering from seizures related to tuberculosis, sclerosis complex, Gastaut Syndrome, and Dravet Syndrome.
Per Section 1200.20 of the Illinois Industrial Hemp Act, no person may cultivate industrial hemp in the state without obtaining an industrial hemp cultivation license from the state Department of Agriculture (IDOA). Section 1200.20b of the Act also requires persons who handle industrial hemp in the state to register with the IDOA for processor or handler permits. Registered hemp handlers can process, transport, or store industrial hemp for any length of time on facilities owned, operated, or controlled by an entity or individual, or the agent thereof, licensed to cultivate industrial hemp or registered to process industrial hemp.
An applicant for an industrial hemp cultivation license must submit a signed, complete, accurate, and legible application form provided by the state DOA. The applicant is required to provide the following:
For intending hemp processors, the following are required:
Per the Illinois Industrial Hemp Act, applicants for hemp cultivation licenses or processor registrations will be subject to criminal background checks. Anyone convicted of a controlled substance-related felony in the previous ten years to the date of application would be deemed ineligible.
Illinois stipulates a set of generic requirements for packaging and labeling all cannabis products in the state. In accordance with 410 ILCS 705/55-21, all products containing cannabis must be sold in an odor-proof, sealed, and child-resistant cannabis container consistent with specified standards. Each cannabis product must be labeled prior to sale and securely attached to the packaging. The label must say in legible English and any other languages authorized by the Department of Agriculture:
The label must also not contain:
Where applicable, the following are labeling requirements for cannabis products produced by concentrating or extracting ingredients from cannabis plants:
All cannabis product labels must have warning statements for customers that are readable and clearly noticeable to a consumer evaluating a package and that cannot be covered or concealed in any manner. Per 410 ILCS 705/55-21(h), the Department of Public Health will identify and update relevant health warnings for packaging, including any needs for particular labeling or warning requirements for cannabis products.
Specific warnings applicable to various cannabis products are contained in Section 1300.940 of the IDOA Adult-Use Cannabis Emergency Rules. Note that in accordance with 410 ILCS 705/55-21, individuals other than purchasers who destroy or alter any labeling affixed to the primary packaging of cannabis products in Illinois will face appropriate penalties.
CBD is available in several locations around Illinois. CBD derived from the marijuana plant with a healthy dosage of THC is available exclusively at licensed medical marijuana dispensaries. These shops provide high-quality products but will demand medical marijuana cards from purchasers. Consumers seeking hemp-derived CBD products can find such at numerous health food stores, head shops, smoke shops, and vape shops. Illinois is home to practically every form of CBD now available. Smokables, edibles, balms, and other cannabis products are available at retailers around the state.
Additionally, you may get CBD oil online. This method is perhaps the most convenient way of obtaining CBD. The online purchase offers you access to a large selection of products. There are several reputable producers whose products are available online. When shopping CBD products online, always purchase from trusted vendors. These retailers typically have their products tested by reputable third-party laboratories that disclose the composition of their products.