Medical marijuana has been legalized in Ohio, and in the course of setting regulations, a product that has been on pharmacy shelves for years is no longer legal within the state.
CBD oil, which comes from hemp or cannabis and does not contain THC, has been sold in various locations for many years. The main consumers are elderly people who have trouble sleeping or deal with chronic pain. These users will have to find an alternative or discuss medical marijuana with their doctors, because the Ohio Board of Pharmacy included CBD oil in a list of products that are now only to be sold by a licensed dispensary. These products must come from a known source and be marked with the active ingredients, which has not previously been the case.
Eventually, possession of CBD oil that is not clearly marked and that was not purchased through an approved vendor will lead to criminal charges. However, the current focus is education and increasing awareness of the change in policy.
Some businesses are selling off their current stock, with no plans to replace the product. Meanwhile, other businesses are standing their ground. They maintain that the product has been a part of their available inventory for years, and to remove it would be a disservice to their regular clients.
These businesses feel their products are legal, largely because the products contain less than 0.3% THC, the element of marijuana that provides users with the high. CBD oils are also produced using plants that are covered under the 2014 federal farm bill, meaning they are exempt from coverage by certain laws.
The businesses that are retaining inventory do so predicated on the fact that previous scenarios involving charges were based on marijuana possession laws. Since these products do not contain significant amounts of THC, they cannot be considered marijuana.
The hemp-based oils are exempt from any potential legal blowback, according to certain producers and vendors, which means these products could remain available indefinitely. However, the wording of the medical marijuana legislation may interfere with the sales of these products as well.
For those who depend on CBD oil to help improve sleep patterns, mood or overall function due to chronic pain struggles, the hope remains alive that this issue will be resolved in a satisfactory manner. For now though, these people may be forced to find another vendor for their oils and tinctures made with them.
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