- Arkansas Medical Marijuana & CBD Oil – Is It Legal?
Arkansas Medical Marijuana & CBD Oil – Is It Legal?
CBD oil has been gaining a ton of traction in the health and wellness sector with publications like The Washington Post and Quartz praising it for the potential has to heal. Researchers of CBD claim that the drug can help alleviate a variety of illnesses such as depression, anxiety, chronic pain, epilepsy, HIV, and cancer. Before I delve into the varying benefits of CBD use, it is important to explain what CBD is.
What Is CBD? What’s The Buzz
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a naturally occurring cannabinoid of cannabis. It is one of the 113 or so cannabinoids found in the cannabis family of plants. Another popular cannabinoid is THC, the chemical component most commonly associated with marijuana. THC is responsible for creating the sensation of being “high” in users who consume it.
The CBD products sold on most store shelves have little to no THC. That means that using CBD will not get users “high” and because drug test only look for levels of THC, CBD usage will not show up on a drug test.
Hemp Vs. Marijuana
What’s The Difference?
Despite what many people believe hemp and marijuana are not the same. The key similarity the two plants share is that they both stem from one family of plant: Cannabis. While marijuana is used only for medicinal or recreational purposes. Hemp can be used beyond that for industrial purposes. Hemp can be processed to make clothes, materials for ships, or even used to make art.
There are two forms of CBD oil: hemp-derived CBD oil and marijuana-derived. These two distinctions are important for users of CBD oil in Arkansas because hemp-derived CBD will contain high levels of CBD and little to no traces of THC. Marijuana-derived CBD, however, will contain high levels of THC and small amounts of CBD. When purchasing CBD it is important to make sure it is hemp-derived.
Is CBD Oil Legal in Arkansas?
When people search up “is CBD oil legal in Arkansas?” they are looking for a simple yes or no answer. Unlike most states which break down the sale of CBD and require CBD products to be completely THC-free, the state of Arkansas does not do this. Not only is CBD oil legal in Arkansas, but Arkansas allows for the sale of CBD products to contain THC if it is less than 0.3%.
The state of Arkansas is very pro-CBD. In the spring of 2017, Arkansas created the Arkansas Industrial Hemp Act which included a 10-year research program in partnership with the University of Arkansas. The 2017 act was the start of the resounding “Yes!” to those asking “is CBD oil legal in Arkansas yet?” It expanded provisions in regards to the use of hemp, making it more accessible within the state.
Is Medical Marijuana Legal in Arkansas?
Arkansas’ marijuana lawsare strict. Marijuana for recreational uses is illegal in the state and anyone found in violation, depending on prior offenses and how many ounces of marijuana they contain can face up to 30 years in prison and a $15,000 fine. Despite this heavy consequences, 2016 became Arkansas’ holy year (or unholy depending on how you look at it). 2016 was the year Arkansas legalized the use of medical marijuana.
In 2016, propelled by shifting attitudes towards marijuana, voters passed Issue 6 or the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Act. With the passing of the act, Arkansas marijuana laws changed to accommodate the medicinal use of marijuana with qualifying conditions. The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Act qualifying conditions can be found here.
How to get a medical marijuana card in Arkansas?
Naturally, after the 2016Arkansas Medical Marijuana Act was passed, many people began asking how to get a medical marijuana card in Arkansas. The process is fairly simple. Prospective medical marijuana patients in Arkansas must register online through Arkansas’ Department of Health where they will be asked to pay a $50 non-refundable fee.
To qualify to register patients must be at least 18 years or older with minors needing parental consent for approval. Patients must be diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition, have a valid written prescription from a physician, and show proof of Arkansas residency. A list of qualifying conditions can be found here.
Medical Marijuana & Cannabidiol
Though medical marijuana in Arkansas was given the green light in 2016, because of the lengthy nature of laws it may take some time before any legislature is finalized or facilities are built. Currently, there are zero medical marijuana dispensaries in Arkansas. Though the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported that medical marijuana should hit Arkansas’ shelves in April 2019, things remain uncertain.
In the meantime, CBD which is derived from the same family of plants as marijuana can be as just as beneficial, and perhaps more so since it has no-psychoactive effects. With CBD being legal in all 50 states it is significantly more accessible, not to mention cheaper than obtaining medical marijuana.
Hemp For Pain Relief
When pain lasts for more than 12 consecutive weeks it gets classified as chronic. Currently, over 25 million adults suffer from chronic pain. One of the most commonly prescribed painkillers for intense pain are opioids. Opioids are considered even more powerful than morphine and are equally as addictive. CBD, on the other hand, is a low-impact drug with an extremely low risk of addiction.
Many studies suggest CBD may reduce pain by reacting with receptors in the brain and immune system. For instance, scientists believe that CBD influences signals from receptors in the body like CB2. Because CB2 receptors help play a role in managing pain in the body, by interacting with it CBD may help reduce inflammation and pain.
Hemp For Anxiety
Anxiety disorders are considered an epidemic in the United States. Anxiety affects 40 million Americans, and 3 million new cases are diagnosed every year. When anxiety is left untreated it can cause a buildup of stress and strain on the body both mentally a physically.
Anxiety is a natural response the body creates when faced with stress or fear and apprehension of something to come. When someone suffers from anxiety on a frequent basis or anxiety starts to inhibit someone from going about their day regularly, it becomes classified as an anxiety disorder. Anxiety orders take many shapes and forms including
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Depression
Continuous feelings of intense despair and sorrow, generally including apathy towards one’s own life or the life of others
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Panic Disorder
Real and sudden feelings of terror that happen unprovoked
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Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Recurring stress and fear for no particular reason
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Social Phobia
An intense fear of interacting and socializing with others
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Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
A disordered characterized by people having unwanted, reoccurring thoughts (obsessions) and recurring behaviors (compulsions)
CBD Edibles
Medix CBD provides CBD edibles in the form of gummies and fruit chews. Edibles are good for people who want a more flavorful and colorful way to take CBD. Since edibles have a specific amount of CBD within them, it is also a good way for consumers to regulate their CBD dosages.
The recommended amount of edibles that Medix CBD recommends is 2-3 gummies or fruit chews a day. Since edibles must be metabolized or broken down by the liver before the body can absorb CBD, gummies are the most gentle form of CBD consumption with benefits showing up gradually. Gummies are good for people who want to try CBD out before diving straight in.
CBD Hemp Oil Tinctures
CBD oil tinctures are a straightforward approach to taking your CBD. Similar to gummies, tinctures are good for people who want to control how much CBD they are taking in. Conveniently engineered with a 1 mL dropper, Medix CBD oils come in many sizes and potencies.
The recommended way to take CBD oil tincture is sublingual or below the tongue. By placing the tincture below the tongue, CBD can easily be absorbed by the many tiny blood vessels or capillaries located beneath the tongue. Unlike gummies which must be digested first, tinctures can be felt fairly quickly within 10- 15 minutes and last 4-6 hours.
CBD Hemp Oil Creams
CBD oil creams are one of the leading pain relief products emerging on the market. In fact, in a study published in the National Library of Medicine & National Institute of Health researchers concluded that topical formulations that contain cannabinoid to have therapeutic value in skin inflammations.
Medix CBD pain creams are effective with just a small portion of use. Creams are good because consumers can apply it directly to inflamed and pained areas of the body. Topicals are recommended for those who want to target specific muscles and areas of the body.
Where to Buy CBD Oil in Arkansas?
If you are wondering where to buy CBD oil in Arkansas, looking for somewhere in the state might be tedious and overwhelming. It doesn’t need to buy. Purchasing CBD oil in Alabama can be as easy as a quick click of a button. Since Arkansas allows for the sale of CBD with THC, there are a vast array of only online shops that interested CBD oil users can buy from.
When choosing a CBD vendor Medix CBD is a good choice. Medix CBD will ship products right to your front door and comes in a wide variety of different CBD products: oils to vapes to gummies to more. All products are lab-tested and infused with rich premium CBD hemp oil to provide the best quality product for consumers.