Because the 2018 Farm Bill federally legalized hemp, adults across the country can benefit from the soothing and relaxing effects of hemp-derived CBD and THC products.
Although it’s clear that hemp products are legal nationwide, it’s not always clear how old you must be to buy them. Age requirements vary from state to state, with some states having no age restrictions while others require buyers to be at least 21 years old.
Hemp Products Are Federally Legal
Cannabis products that contain hemp-derived cannabinoids and less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC are legal for adults around the country to purchase. These products range from hemp-derived THC gummies to CBD topicals to cannabis sleep gummies.
Although hemp-derived products are legal nationwide, they are regulated by individual states, which impose their own restrictions on THC content and the age of buyers. The Farm Bill does not specify how old buyers of hemp must be, leaving states to do so.
Different Age Restrictions on Hemp Products
Different states have different age restrictions on hemp products. In states where adult recreational use of cannabis is legal, you usually have to be at least 21 to buy hemp products, the same minimum legal age for purchasing recreational cannabis or alcohol and tobacco.
Other states require buyers of hemp products to be at least 18, the legal age of adulthood. Policymakers establish these age restrictions to promote responsible consumption and reduce the risks associated with using cannabis.
States With No Age Restrictions
Some states don’t require purchasers of hemp products to be any particular age. You can legally purchase hemp products in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Iowa, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia even if you’re younger than 18.
States Where You Must Be At Least 18 Years Old
In some states, you must be at least 18 years old to purchase hemp products: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, and Louisiana.
States Where You Must Be Older Than 18
The following state have set their age threshold higher than 18: Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Exactly how old you must be to purchase hemp products varies from state to state.
States Where You Must Be 21
In some states, you must be at least 21 to purchase hemp products: Alaska, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Utah. In other words, the age requirement for buying hemp products is the same as the age requirement for buying alcohol and recreational cannabis.
Who enforces the age limits?
Licensed dispensaries and retailers are responsible for verifying the age of their customers by performing rigorous identification checks.
To make their job easier, educational initiatives and public outreach campaigns raise awareness about age requirements and promote responsible use of cannabis.
Understanding Age Restrictions on Hemp
The legal status of hemp products varies from state to state and even business to business. Many retailers enforce requirements even stricter than those of their own state, often requiring customers to be at least 21. The same goes for online businesses that want to meet nationwide shipping requirements.
Figuring out how old you need to be to buy hemp products can be confusing. However, it’s crucial you know your state’s regulations and the policies of the retailer before attempting to buy hemp-derived THC products.
