Do I Need a Prescription for CBD Oil?

In the United States, the contrasting approach by state and federal governments to recreational and medical cannabis leaves many residents in confusion. The growing market for cannabidiol (CBD) oil adds to this confusion, as the product is available in states where medical and recreational marijuana is illegal. That’s why many recreational consumers, as well as qualifying patients, are asking, “Do I need a prescription for CBD oil?” The surprising answer is — NO.

What Is CBD Oil?

Cannabis is available in many forms, from tinctures to edibles to dried flower. You’ll also find it as an oil, most often as CBD oil. The alternative is an oil with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), another cannabinoid that tends to offer a more psychoactive experience than its counterpart, CBD. CBD oil tends to carry more favor with patients and recreational consumers because it delivers relief without effects that may affect day-to-day responsibilities, such as giving a presentation at work.

Symptoms relieved by CBD oil include:

• Anxiety
• Epilepsy
• Nausea
• Cancer
• Pain

Patients also have success with using CBD oil for other conditions, like fibromyalgia.

What Is a Prescription vs. a Recommendation?

A topic of frequent discussion in the medical community are prescriptions versus recommendations for medical marijuana. While the terms appear interchangeable, U.S. legislation differentiates between the two, preventing licensed medical cannabis physicians from issuing a prescription for CBD oil, as well as any other type of medical marijuana. Instead, you can only receive a recommendation for medical cannabis — in other countries, some governments permit prescriptions for medical weed.

It’s essential to understand the difference between the two, whether as a patient or caregiver, as prescriptions for medical marijuana are not only fraudulent but also unusable. They’re not accepted by dispensaries or pharmacies, which leaves you or your loved one without the medicine you need to ease symptoms. In the case of CBD oil, however, you do not need a physicians’ recommendation to purchase it.

Why Is CBD Oil Available Without a Recommendation?

As a patient, caregiver or consumer, it’s always a smart decision to learn if recreational or medical cannabis is legal in your area, and if so, why it’s legal. By taking an investigative approach to the availability of marijuana, you can ensure that you’re within your rights when purchasing it for use, whether from a dispensary or reputable online storefront.

The reason why CBD oil is available, sans recommendation, is due to the following legislation:

• Controlled Substances Act: If you’re familiar with the Controlled Substances Act, you’ll know that it’s behind the country’s classification of cannabis. It’s also the reason why CBD oil is readily available across the U.S. The Controlled Substances Act only prohibits parts of a marijuana plant — it excludes the mature stalk and oils from cannabis seeds. That’s why producers extract cannabidiol oil from the shoot, creating a product that’s legal for sale and use.
• Agricultural Act of 2014: In the 1930s, the U.S. stopped the cultivation of industrial hemp, a cannabis plant with low THC content. Hemp features a rich history, as its fibers were of significant value to the textile industry. More than 70 years after its banning, government officials passed the Agriculture Act of 2014, or Farm Bill, which permits the cultivation of industrial hemp with less than a 0.3 percent concentration of THC. This decision paved the way for cultivators to grow hemp for CBD oil.

As producers adhere to the above legislation, any hemp-based product, like CBD oil, markets as a supplement versus an over-the-counter medicine.

What to Look for When Choosing a CBD Oil

If you’re considering CBD oil for you or a loved one, remember that it’s often available through reputable online stores. For residents of states where medical cannabis is legal, however, it’s advised that you meet with a licensed medical cannabis physician to receive your medical marijuana card, which will let you purchase more potent forms of CBD oil from licensed dispensaries.

For many patients and families, however, getting a card is not an option. If you’re shopping online, assess a company and their products through the following steps:

• Read reviews from existing customers across different websites.
• Request information about their CBD oil and its CBD content.
• Research customer complaints submitted through the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

Inquire about the following product information too:

• Extraction
• Origin
• Potency
• Purity
• Additives

If the company avoids transparency, features negative reviews and prevents requests for additional information, look for another provider of CBD oil.

How to Use CBD Oil

Following the arrival of your medicine, you’ll need to determine how you’ll use it. As CBD oil is versatile, it provides several administration options, including:

• Ingestion: The most practiced method for taking CBD, whether in oil or capsule form, is oral ingestion, which is identical to using cough syrup or other liquid medication. Effects do take longer to appear, as your liver must process the oil or capsule before releasing the CBD into your bloodstream.
• Sublingual: Another oral form of administration is sublingual, which is where you place your dosage underneath your tongue before swallowing. This technique leads to quicker results, as you’re absorbing the CBD into your bloodstream versus digesting it first.
• Topical: Depending on your brand of CBD oil, you may apply it as a topical, which is convenient for targeting localized pain. If you’re looking for relief from anxiety, however, a topical is not recommended — inhalation or sublingual administration is better, as it’s entering your bloodstream.
• Inhalation: For quick relief, vaping your oil is ideal. With this method, you heat the oil and then breathe in the produced vapors. Vaping or smoking delivers the fastest comfort, but may not offer an ideal solution if you’re coping with lung-related issues.

Depending on your selected administration method, your dosage will vary.

Learn More About Recommendations and Prescriptions for CBD

At MarijuanaDoctors.com, we’re passionate about providing accurate, up-to-date information on cannabis. Whether you’re a patient, physician or caregiver, our resources will provide you with the valuable information you need when researching the uses and types of marijuana available, as well as the legality of cannabis products in your area, such as CBD oil from hemp.

Learn more about CBD oil, as well as the differences between recommendations and prescriptions, by visiting our blog or talking with your doctor!