Yes, Cannabigerol (CBG) is federally legal in the US as of the 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized hemp (cannabis sativa with less than 0.3% THC by dry weight) and hemp derivatives.
As a result, you can buy CBG online and at brick-and-mortar stores in most US states.
In this article, we’re going to break down how CBG is legal, how its legal status compares to CBD and THC, and how to make sure the CBG products you buy are legal.
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What is CBG?
Cannabigerol, or CBG, is one of 100+ cannabinoids that naturally occur in the hemp plant.
The acidic form of CBG, CBGa, is the cannabinoid in hemp from which all others are derived, which has earned CBG the title “the mother of all cannabinoids.”
CBG isn’t as popular or widely used as CBD or THC, both of which are more abundant in the hemp plant.
This is changing, though, as many people are discovering the potential benefits of CBG for physical discomfort, relaxation, focus, and more.
But just as newly-popular cannabinoids bring excitement about the benefits they have to offer, they also come with questions – including question marks around their legality at the national and state levels.
Is CBG Legal?
CBG is federally legal as of the 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized all cannabinoids in the United States as long as they are derived from hemp.
Hemp is a variant of the cannabis sativa plant that contains less than 0.3% THC by dry weight.
Apart from the difference in THC content, hemp is genetically the same as federally illegal cannabis sativa, which the government refers to as marijuana.
The dry weight rule was presumably written to apply to dictate the THC content in dried cannabis flower. However, most companies and people have also extended the THC limit to CBG products like gummies and oil.
So under this interpretation, a jar of CBG gummies, for example, is considered a hemp product if it contains less than 0.3% THC by weight. This is what companies mean when they say a finished CBG product is hemp or that they label it as containing less than 0.3% THC.
Hemp vs. Marijuana: Understanding The Difference
Hemp and marijuana are two different variants of the cannabis sativa plant. Hemp contains less than 0.3% THC by dry weight, while marijuana contains more than 0.3% THC.
Because this difference only concerns THC content, the CBG that is extracted from a low-THC cannabis plant (hemp) is the same as what’s extracted from high-THC marijuana.
This means CBG is considered a hemp derivative, which makes it federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill.
The Legality of CBG vs. CBD vs. THC
While CBG is largely legal in the US, CBD and THC, two other cannabinoids, are restricted to different degrees. Here’s how the legality of CBG compares to that of CBD and THC:
CBG vs. CBD legality
Like CBG, cannabidiol (CBD) is a naturally occurring cannabinoid in hemp, making it federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill.
Similar to CBG products, CBD products are legal as long as they contain less than 0.3% THC by weight: this applies to gummies, flower, and more.
The one difference in their legality is that CBD products are restricted in some states, while few or no states have acknowledged CBG. However, CBD itself is legal in nearly every US state; restrictions typically have to do with the amount of THC the finished product can contain.
Learn more: CBG vs. CBD
CBG vs. THC legality
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a naturally occurring cannabinoid in hemp, making it federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill.
However, it’s only legal when it’s present in a concentration below 0.3% in the finished product. This applies to THC flower, as well as products like gummies and tinctures.
While this standard is designed to limit the potency of THC products, highly potent THC products are still legal; 0.3% of the weight of a jar of gummies is still a lot of THC extract – more than anyone would want.
Compared to CBG, THC is illegal or restricted in far more US states – even in hemp products – due to its psychoactivity. For more on this, see our article on delta 9 THC legality.
Learn more: CBG vs. THC
How to Make Sure The CBG You’re Buying is Legal
While CBG hemp products are federally legal in the US, it can sometimes be hard to know whether or not a certain product meets this standard. Here are a few things to look for when shopping:
Look for hemp-derived CBG
Most hemp-derived CBG products will have the word “hemp” on the label or be marked as containing less than 0.3% THC.
Try to buy products where this is explicitly stated: it’s easy to look for in products like gummies, but it takes more work when shopping for CBG hemp flower and similar products.
Check lab reports
Only buy CBG from companies that have their products tested by 3rd-party labs, then post the results on their website.
These tests verify the potency, legality, and safety of a product.
Once you’ve identified a CBG product that’s labeled as hemp, check its lab report to ensure it contains less than 0.3% THC to comply with the Farm Bill and is contaminant-free.
Buy from reputable companies
Apart from carefully analyzing the CBG products you’re looking to buy, a simple way to find better-quality products is to shop with brands that have built up a reputation of quality.
Read reviews and testimonials from other customers of the brand to see whether a product works the way it’s supposed to.
Where to Buy Legal CBG Products
There are two main places you can buy federally legal, hemp-derived CBG products:
- Brick-and-mortar retailers: Most CBD stores carry CBG products. If you’re in a state where cannabis (containing more than 0.3% THC) isn’t legal, the CBG products you’ll find in these stores will most likely be hemp-derived. If you’re in a cannabis-legal state, though, dispensaries will likely carry CBG products with higher levels of THC. This is fine, but you’ll want to be careful about taking these products across state lines since they’re considered marijuana, not hemp.
- Online companies: Your other option is to buy CBG products online. Lots of companies sell CBG gummies, CBG oil, CBG flower, and many other types of products. The benefit of shopping online is that you have more options: you can compare potencies, blends, and prices to find the product that works best for you.. A retail store might only have a handful of CBG options; online, you’ll find hundreds.
Conclusion: CBG is Likely Legal Where You Live
Because of the 2018 Farm Bill, CBG is most likely legal in your state. But since laws are always changing, we recommend researching your state’s laws before purchasing CBG products online.
Then, once you determine CBG is legal where you live, buy online from a reputable company that provides 3rd-party lab reports for their products.
Want to get started with CBG? Check out our collection of American-made, lab-tested CBG products:
Is CBG Legal: Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions our customers frequently ask us about the legality of CBG:
Is CBG legal in the US?
Yes, CBG is federally legal in the US under the 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized hemp (cannabis containing less than 0.3% THC) and hemp derivatives.
Does CBG get you high?
No, CBG will not get you high. Instead, it will create an uplifting, energizing sensation similar to that of caffeinated coffee.
Does CBG show up on drug tests?
No, CBG will not show up on a drug test. However, full-spectrum CBG products, which contain THC, will show up on a drug test because THC is a target analyte for federally-illegal marijuana.
Is it legal to drive on CBG?
Yes, it is typically safe and legal to drive after taking CBG because it isn’t impairing like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is. However, cannabinoids work differently in everyone, so always ensure you’re completely alert before driving if you’ve consumed CBG beforehand.
Is CBG legal in the UK?
Yes, CBG and CBG products are legal in the United Kingdom. However, they must contain less than 0.2% THC to be legal, as compared to the limit of 0.3% THC in the US.
Is CBG legal in Texas?
Yes, hemp-derived CBG and CBG products are legal in the state of Texas.
