Is CBD Oil Legal in Texas? | CBD Oil in Texas

Written by Cathy Rozyczko — Edited by Jason Brett on September 27, 2021

Texas Governor Abbott signed legislation clarifying which hemp products are legal and which are not. Looking for CBD in Texas? Here's what you need to know.

Understanding Hemp Legality and CBD Use in Texas

When the federal government lifted the ban on industrial hemp cultivation, many people assumed that hemp-derived CBD products would be legal everywhere.

But that's not what happened.

The government left those decisions to the discretion of individual states.

Although some businesses had been selling CBD products in Texas for quite a while, far too many people learned the hard way that CBD was not legal in their state.

About a year ago, everything changed. Governor Greg Abbott signed legislation clarifying which cannabis products are legal in Texas and which are not.

Today, numerous Texas farmers are converting their fields, businesses are adding a wide range of hemp-derived CBD products to their inventories, and health-conscious consumers are investigating their options.

But as enthusiasm for all things hemp continues to grow, many people in Texas are still hesitant to try CBD. Some worry because they discovered that CBD is extracted from cannabis, or have read reports written before June of 2019. Others are concerned about purchasing inferior products.

If you're looking for CBD in Texas, here's what you need to know.

 Clearing the Confusion About Texas Hemp Legislation

It's understandable that people might still be questioning the legality of CBD in Texas. Since hemp crops had been banned on American soil for decades, many people seem to have forgotten that there are two distinctly different cannabis plants.

That means the legality of CBD products depends on which plant the cannabinoid-rich oils are extracted from, and why some people still say CBD is not legal in Texas.

One plant produces enough THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) to cause the type of intoxication the plant species is known for, the other does not. Texas hemp legislation specifies that CBD products are legal as long as they're made with cannabis oil extracted from the stalks, stems, and flowers of industrial hemp plants.

To be classified as industrial hemp, crops must test at 0.3% THC or less. Hemp crops testing at levels higher than legal limits must be destroyed. The same restrictions apply to hemp-derived CBD products.

But just because CBD products that contain trace amounts of THC are legal doesn't mean all CBD users are comfortable using them. Fortunately, there are options.

Selecting the Hemp-Derived CBD Product That's Right for You

CBD is the frequently used abbreviation for cannabidiol, one of more than 100 plant-derived cannabinoids found in cannabis.

A cannabinoid is a lipid that functions like a neurotransmitter. CBD mimics the effects of several neurotransmitters synthesized in your body and interacts with the receptors of your endocannabinoid system.

This ability to interact with the system responsible for numerous processes throughout your body explains why so many people say CBD has considerable therapeutic potential for countless seemingly unrelated health and wellness concerns.

You've likely noticed that CBD is available in a wide range of products. The cannabinoid can be absorbed through the skin, inhaled in a cloud of vapor, infused into edibles, or simply swallowed.

Once you find a CBD product best suited to your needs, you'll soon discover that you have three distinctly different product types to choose from. Consider some of the many reasons you might prefer one of the following options.

 

• Full Spectrum CBD Products
  Full spectrum CBD contains all the additional cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and other phytonutrients in the same ratios found in nature, including trace amounts of THC. Many CBD users find full spectrum products the more attractive option because of the way the additional cannabinoids and plant terpenes interact to maximize product potency, a phenomenon unique to cannabis called the entourage effect. The trace amounts of THC in full spectrum extracts will never cause intoxication, even if consumed in excessive amounts.

 

• Broad Spectrum CBD Products
  Broad spectrum CBD products contain many of the same plant elements as full spectrum products, but the THC is removed during extraction and processing. Most CBD users selecting broad spectrum CBD oils, capsules, and vape products choose this option because they want to experience the benefit-multiplying potential of the entourage effect but prefer using a THC-free alternative.

 

• Products Made with CBD Isolate
  CBD isolate is a flavorless, odorless powder that is nearly 100 percent pure cannabidiol. All the unwanted plant components are removed during extraction and processing. Products made with CBD isolate are popular with people who don't care for the flavor or aroma of industrial hemp or are looking for a way to add CBD to their favorite recipes without changing the flavor. CBD products made with isolate powder are also THC-free.

Finding High-Quality CBD Products in Texas

In Texas, it's easy to find CBD in specialty shops, retail stores, vape shops, and online. Once you know the differences between full spectrum, broad spectrum, and CBD isolate products, you'll likely have a much easier time navigating through your purchasing options.

But before purchasing hemp products, you'll want to have enough information to ensure you're selecting high-quality merchandise. To protect yourself from making a potentially disappointing purchase, consider the value of the following suggestions before you buy CBD.

Know How Much CBD Your Product Contains

Reputable product manufacturers provide detailed information about their CBD products. The CBD content should be specified in milligrams (mg).

If the manufacturer is avoiding specifics by using vague terminology like “high potency,” “extra-strength,” or “strongest formula,” look elsewhere. If the CBD content is not specified, it's unlikely the product contains enough CBD to provide any of the effects you might be hoping for.

Insist on products from manufacturers providing access to third-party test results, so you have the opportunity to verify that your CBD products are as pure and potent as the manufacturer claims.

Remember that Hemp Oil and Hemp Seed Oil Are Not the Same

CBD is commonly referred to as hemp oil throughout the industry. Unfortunately, too many companies try to blur the distinction between hemp oil and hemp seed oil. Some go as far as to claim hemp seed oil has the same health and wellness potential as CBD while identifying hemp seed oil content in milligrams to make their products look legitimate.

Before making a product selection, it's essential to verify that the hemp oil used in the products you select is extracted from the flowers, stems, and stalks of the plant, not cold-pressed from the seeds. Legitimate products identify CBD as cannabis sativa extract, cannabidiol, full spectrum hemp extract, or PCR (phytocannabinoid-rich) hemp extracts. Hemp seeds and hemp seed oil do not contain CBD.

 Be Wary of Large Amounts of Low-Cost CBD

In your search for high-quality CBD, you may be tempted by large bottles of hemp oil priced considerably lower than other brands. That's when it's important to take a look at the CBD content.

Most often, these products contain far less CBD than you might be expecting. You'll likely find that bargain-priced CBD contains a large amount of the carrier oil used to help improve bioavailability. That means you'll need to use more product per serving to get the results you might be hoping for.

With CBD, product value is determined by the cannabinoid content in the package, not the number of fluid ounces in the bottle. You'll want to calculate the cost per mg by dividing the package price by the total amount of CBD in the container.

Experiencing the Health and Wellness Potential of CBD in Texas

When the federal government removed industrial hemp from its list of controlled substances, the legality of cultivation and sale was left to the states.  While hemp-derived CBD is legal in most states, there are exceptions. Some only allow THC- free products; a few don't allow CBD at all.

But CBD is legal in Texas. You're free to use CBD whenever you like as long as the THC content falls within federal limits, 0.3 percent or less.

While this natural health and wellness product is considered safe for most people, if you have a health condition or take medication, please consult your health care provider before adding CBD to your daily routine. The cannabinoid is known to interact with several prescription and non-prescription medications.

 

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