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CBD (Cannabidiol)

Federal: Legal

Non-intoxicating cannabinoid available in hemp-derived products federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill. Sold as oils, tinctures, capsules, gummies, topicals, and beverages. FDA has approved one CBD drug (Epidiolex) for specific pediatric seizure disorders; broader therapeutic claims are not FDA-recognized.

Federal basis

2018 Farm Bill (Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018) §10113 removed hemp-derived cannabinoids with ≤0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight from the Controlled Substances Act.

Common forms

  • Oils and tinctures
  • Capsules and softgels
  • Gummies
  • Topicals (creams, balms, salves)
  • Beverages
  • Vape cartridges

Common uses

  • General wellness (not an FDA-recognized indication)
  • Seizure disorders (FDA-approved as Epidiolex for Dravet, Lennox-Gastaut, and tuberous sclerosis complex)
  • Anxiety and sleep (consumer use; clinical evidence mixed)

Safety notes

  • CBD can interact with prescription medications metabolized by the cytochrome P450 system, including blood thinners and certain seizure medications. Consult a physician before combining with prescriptions.
  • The FDA does not regulate CBD wellness products. Independent lab testing (Certificate of Analysis) is the consumer's best check on cannabinoid content and contaminants.
  • CBD products may contain trace delta-9 THC up to 0.3%. Heavy daily use of full-spectrum CBD has produced positive drug-test results in some users.

CBD is the most widely available hemp-derived cannabinoid in the US consumer market. It is non-intoxicating: it does not produce the euphoric or impairing effects associated with delta-9 THC.

Federal status is settled: hemp-derived CBD with ≤0.3% delta-9 THC is not a controlled substance under federal law. State law varies. A handful of states regulate CBD more restrictively than the federal floor.

What FDA does and does not allow

The FDA has approved exactly one CBD-containing drug, Epidiolex, for three rare seizure disorders. FDA has not approved CBD for any other indication. The agency considers it a violation to sell CBD products with therapeutic claims, and periodically issues warning letters to companies making unsubstantiated medical claims.

Quality and testing

Because consumer CBD products are not FDA-regulated, third-party Certificates of Analysis (COAs) are the consumer's primary quality check. A COA should disclose cannabinoid content, residual solvents, heavy metals, and pesticides.

Sources

  1. FDA: FDA Regulation of Cannabis and Cannabis-Derived Productsaccessed May 17, 2026
  2. Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (text)accessed May 17, 2026