2021 Update
No updates have been made to Cannabis/ hemp- CBD laws in Pennsylvania.
In addition to the federal hemp laws laid out in the 2018 Farm Bill, each state has its own state hemp laws. Before we dive in on Pennsylvania Hemp Laws and the legality of CBD in Pennsylvania, it is important to understand the different types of hemp and CBD products that these laws may be applied to.
There are many (somewhat confusing) terms for hemp oil:
- Isolate or THC-Free Hemp Oil has only CBD and all other plant compounds have been removed, THC is undetectable. Pure CBD Isolate can also be purchased in powder form.
- Full-Spectrum Hemp Oil has all plant compounds, including less than 0.3% THC.
- Broad-Spectrum Hemp Oil has undetectable THC, but contains other plant compounds.
- PCR (Phytocannabinoid-Rich) Hemp Oil with Zero-THC is a new marketing term for broad-spectrum hemp oil.
- CBG Hemp Oil is a hemp oil from a cannabigerol (CBG) rich hemp strain that has more CBG than is found in CBD Hemp Oil.
- Hemp Flower is the dried and harvested flower of the hemp plant. It can be used whole or extracted to make CBD isolate, Full-Spectrum CBD, or Broad-Spectrum CBD (PCR Hemp Oil).
FAQ: Hemp and CBD Legality in Pennsylvania
Is Full Spectrum CBD Legal in Pennsylvania?
That is a trick question because full-spectrum CBD is not the same as the so-called PCR Hemp Oil! This new marketing term is certainly introducing even more confusion around CBD products.
Pennsylvania allows for CBD products that comply with FDA requirements to be bought and sold in retail stores and by mail.
Is It Legal to Ship PCR Hemp Oil to Pennsylvania?
It is legal to ship ALL types of hemp products with less than 0.3% THC to all US States according to the 2018 Farm Bill.
Where to Buy Full Spectrum CBD Oil in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania CBD stores carry many CBD products, but better deals and better selection can be found online in some cases.
Do you need a special license to purchase PCR Hemp Oil in Pennsylvania?
You don’t need a special license to purchase CBD hemp oil (all types) in TEMPLATE, only to grow, test, or sell products.
How Does Pennsylvania Legally Define Hemp?
The 2018 Farm Bill defined “hemp” as the plant species Cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant, including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.
General Permit Standards and Requirements for Hemp. Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.
Growing and Selling Hemp in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania hemp growers and handlers must be registered and licensed with the state. The hemp program in Pennsylvania is moving from a research program into a full cultivation program. There are new 2020 Pennsylvania hemp regulations for growers to follow.
Pennsylvania state CBD laws are rooted in the 2018 Farm Bill. However, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has additional requirements for CBD and hemp companies to meet. Pennsylvania CBD laws allow only for products that meet the FDA's requirements. That means CBD drinks and foods are prohibited in Pennsylvania! Retail Hemp and CBD products must:
- Products must contain no more than 0.3% THC
- Products must come from a registered farm
- Products must be tested by a licensed laboratory
Pennsylvania state hemp laws allow for many products, some of which the FDA may be less welcome to:
- Industrial hemp for building or fiber materials
- Industrial hempseed (food product)
- Industrial hempseed oil (food product)
Surprisingly, Pennsylvania DOES NOT allow hemp to be cultivated for the purpose of CBD extraction. However, their language does leave some ambiguity:
Cannabinoids, such as cannabidiol (CBD), are a group of chemicals concentrated in the female flower of the cannabis plant. While they are chemically similar to THC, they do not have the psychoactive effects of THC. PDA does permit growth of hemp for the purpose of producing CBD. However, it will be the permit holder's responsibility to ensure that any CBD extraction or the production of CBD-containing substances complies with all laws and regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions. Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.
