If you’re interested in buying CBD oil, you’ll be pleased to know that you can buy it without a prescription almost anywhere in the United States.

However, that only applies to CBD oil made from “industrial” hemp, which has very little THC, the psychoactive substance that gets you high. Some CBD manufacturers will make oil from marijuana plants, which contain higher levels of THC. In those cases, you may need a medical card to purchase those products.

Because of this disparity between locations and types of CBD products, many consumers have questions about whether they need a prescription for CBD oil. Fortunately, we’ve compiled the information for you. Here’s everything you need to know.

Do I Need a Medical Card for CBD Oil?

The answer to this question depends on two factors: where you live and whether the CBD oil is derived from industrial hemp or regular cannabis. By law, hemp-based CBD oil can’t have more than 0.3% THC by volume, making it much safer and easier to regulate. Cannabis-based CBD can have higher levels of THC, making it more of a controlled substance.

Overall, as long as a CBD oil product is made from industrial hemp, there are few (if any) restrictions on its sale and consumption. So, you do not need a medical card to buy it.

On the other hand, cannabis-based CBD oil may need a doctor’s note, so where you live matters. Keep in mind that legalization is changing in states regularly, so this information may become out of date in a few years. That said, as of 2021, here are the 28 states where residents need to have a medical card to buy cannabis-derived CBD oil: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Can I Buy CBD Oil Over the Counter?

As long as your CBD oil is made from industrial hemp, you can buy it over the counter without a prescription. However, if you’re looking for cannabis-based CBD, 10 U.S. states don’t allow those products at all. These states are (as of 2021): Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Texas.

By comparison, there are 13 states where CBD oil with a higher THC count is permitted, so you can buy as many of these products as you like. Those states are: Alaska, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and Vermont.

Can I Buy Prescription CBD Oil?

Currently, the FDA has only approved one CBD-based prescription medication called Epidiolex. This drug can help epilepsy patients treat and prevent seizures.

Otherwise, all other hemp-based CBD oil products can be purchased without a prescription. If you’re looking for CBD oil with more than 0.3% THC content, you will need a medical card if you live in one of the 28 states we listed above. If you live in an area where recreational marijuana is legal, you won’t need a prescription or doctor’s approval for any kind of CBD, industrial or otherwise.

Virginia residents can buy high-quality hemp-based CBD oil from TruHarvest. The brand has a storefront in the Christiansburg Mall, or you can purchase these products online.

Can My Doctor Write a Prescription for CBD Oil?

Unless you’re being prescribed Epidiolex, your doctor cannot give you a prescription for CBD oil. Since there is limited scientific literature on CBD’s efficacy in treating various health conditions, physicians and healthcare providers can only recommend these products.

Another reason you can’t get a prescription for generic CBD oil is that there are many variances between potency and purity. One study of 84 different CBD products discovered that they contained less cannabidiol than they claimed. Even worse, 18 of those products had more THC than is legally allowed.

So, even if your doctor did write a prescription, he or she could not guarantee that you would get the best CBD oil, which could negate any potential positive effects.

Prescription vs. OTC CBD Oil

The primary difference between these types of CBD oil is the amount of regulation and oversight. Prescription CBD oil like Epidiolex must undergo rigorous testing to ensure that it is both safe and effective. Manufacturers have to produce consistent results with each batch to maintain FDA approval.

Over-the-counter CBD oil, however, doesn’t abide by any regulations. Since the FDA doesn’t monitor these products, manufacturers have no direct incentive to provide high-quality results.

As a consumer, you need to do your own research to find the best CBD products on the market. As a rule, you don’t want to take any claims at face value without independent verification. Look for CBD oil that is certified by third-party testing groups.

How to Choose the Best CBD Oil For Your Needs

Since hemp-based CBD oil doesn’t have many restrictions, you can buy a wide range of products from a vast assortment of sellers. With so many options, it can seem a bit overwhelming to know which one is best. Remember, the FDA does not regulate CBD oil, so there are a lot of companies making false or misleading claims about their products.

So, with that in mind, here are some ways to ensure that you get high-quality CBD oil.

Full Spectrum vs. CBD Isolate

During the extraction process, some manufacturers will only pull the cannabidiol from the plant and discard the leftovers. At first, isolated CBD may sound more appealing since it doesn’t have any other ingredients. However, most experts agree that full-spectrum CBD oil is better than isolate products.

The reason we recommend full-spectrum oil is that hemp contains a lot of beneficial ingredients. So far, there are limited studies that illustrate the different ways that hemp can improve your health, but preliminary evidence is promising.

Yes, full-spectrum CBD will have trace amounts of THC, but as long as the product is hemp-based, you don’t have to worry about getting high.

Certified Testing

One way to ensure that a product manufacturer is not making false claims is if they show an independent certification label. In this case, the brand sends samples of its CBD oil to a testing lab to verify its potency. Once the lab makes sure that the oil has as much CBD as claimed, it provides a certificate of approval.

Be sure to look for this certificate and check online to see if the testing facility is legitimate. While this process is a bit time-consuming, it helps you get the most out of your CBD oil.

Look at Reviews

Another excellent way to verify the potency of a CBD oil product is to see what other customers are saying. Check third-party websites that specialize in CBD since manufacturers won’t put negative reviews on their product page.

When checking these ratings, pay attention to any reviews that are related to your situation. For example, if you want CBD oil to help you sleep, ignore blurbs about pain relief or epilepsy. Knowing why you need CBD oil will help you make the best decision.

Get Your CBD Oil From TruHarvest

Since you don’t need a prescription to buy CBD oil, you have the flexibility to compare different products on the market. TruHarvest guarantees that all of our products are full-spectrum CBD, as verified by an independent testing lab.

While some manufacturers may derive their CBD from cannabis, we follow federal guidelines to ensure that our products don’t have more than 0.3 percent THC. However, because we grow and process our own plants, we can provide excellent potency that you won’t find with other brands. Browse our selection online today!