Patients' Guide to Buying CBD Oil in Arizona
CBD oil is readily available in Arizona and can be purchased by residents and visitors alike. If you are interested in exploring the benefits of cannabidiol or already use CBD as part of your health and wellness routine, this guide to buying CBD oil in Arizona will get you off to a flying start.
What Is Cannabidiol?
Cannabidiol (shortened to CBD) is one of the most abundant cannabinoids (active compounds) found in the cannabis plant. When present alongside tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD works to temper the way that THC acts on the receptors located throughout the body. In many cases, CBD can reduce many of the side effects of THC without necessarily taking away the high.
Marijuana plants—varieties of Cannabis sativa containing more than 0.3% THC—are typically bred for their THC content and may only contain a small percentage of CBD. Hemp plants, in contrast, are sometimes bred for their CBD content and can often contain up to 25% CBD. According to their legal definition, industrial hemp plants contain less than 0.3% THC, so they can’t get the user high.
Uses for CBD Oil Products
Research on CBD oil is still in the initial stages, and there is still a lot of work to be done. Many of the available studies are either cell cultures (in vitro) or animal studies and haven't reached the stage of clinical trials. Dozens of clinical trials would be needed for doctors to formally prescribe cannabidiol.
One CBD-based drug—Epidiolex®—has been approved by the FDA for use with two rare forms of epilepsy (Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome). However, a growing number of people use CBD for several other kinds of ailments, and many report an improvement in their symptoms.
Anxiety
A systematic review of studies published in 2003 indicates that CBD could help with anxiety—especially social anxiety disorder (SAD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and the anxiety component of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In a 2019 study of late Japanese teenagers with social anxiety disorder, CBD significantly reduced anxiety symptoms. In animal studies, CBD has also demonstrated anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) effects. Moreover, many CBD users have reported an increased sense of calm and a reduction in "racing thoughts" when using CBD.
Sleep
A related use of CBD is for anxiety-related insomnia. In a 2019 case series study, anxiety patients with sleep difficulties were given 25-75 mg of CBD daily for at least one month. After the trial period, 66.7% of the participants had improved sleep scores after taking CBD. It is important to note that CBD was most effective for sleep in the first month, after which the effectiveness fluctuated.
Pain
Animal and human studies have repeatedly shown that cannabidiol is effective for reducing inflammation—including inflammation related to osteoarthritis and neuropathic pain. As a result, CBD has become popular in topical balms and for internal use in people and animals with arthritis and other chronic pain conditions.
Skin Care
One anecdotal retrospective study suggests that topical CBD can help with psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and outcome scars with no adverse side effects observed. CBD's anti-inflammatory, sebum-balancing, and moisturizing properties, in particular, have contributed to it becoming a popular ingredient in many skin care products, including creams, lotions, soaps, and makeup.
Is CBD Oil Legal in Arizona?
CBD is legal in Arizona thanks to the passing of the Farm Bill in 2018, which redefined hemp as a commercial agricultural crop in the United States. According to this bill, hemp is classified as Cannabis sativa that contains less than 0.3% THC by dry weight and its (sterile) derivative products.
Hemp-Derived CBD Oil
In Arizona, hemp products—including CBD oil from industrial hemp—became legal with SB 1098 soon after the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill. Arizona has no limits on how much hemp-derived CBD an adult can purchase and possess. You can easily find hemp-derived CBD online, in dispensaries, and even at your local big-box store—although you're most likely to find a wide range of CBD products in online and physical stores that specialize in hemp.
Marijuana-Derived CBD Oil
CBD oil from marijuana (THC-rich cannabis) became legal in Arizona when the Smart and Safe Arizona Act was passed in 2020, legalizing recreational cannabis for adults age 21 and above. As per Arizona law on dispensary limits, adults can purchase and possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana flower or 5 grams of concentrates—including cannabis-derived CBD oil. Patients with a medical marijuana card can possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis and cannabis products.
Types of CBD Products in Arizona
As mentioned above, there is a wide range of CBD oil products in Arizona—expanded by the possibility of purchasing CBD oil from marijuana. You will typically find the following kinds of CBD products for sale in dispensaries and online:
Tinctures
Medical marijuana dispensaries typically sell high-quality CBD tinctures with varying volumes and concentrations. Some tinctures come with the full spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes (labeled as "full-spectrum CBD") while others have had the THC removed (labeled as "broad-spectrum CBD"). Yet other tinctures are made with CBD isolate, which contains only the CBD without any other cannabinoids, terpenes, or flavonoids.
Topicals
Topical CBD products are usually made with cannabidiol derived from hemp plants—whether full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or isolate. In Arizona, you can find high-quality creams, lotions, balms, ointments, lip balm, patches, bath soaks, and body oil.
Edibles
CBD edibles are popular with people who need a little help to wind down at night, get going in the morning, or generally relax. CBD-infused gummies are the most popular kind of edible. However, the range is continually expanding, and you'll frequently come across CBD-infused chocolates, candies, mints, and protein powders on dispensary shelves.
Inhalables
Most people who smoke or vape cannabis do so for the THC. However, CBD-only vape cartridges and CBD-rich hemp pre-rolls are steadily gaining ground. If you have an Arizona qualifying condition for which CBD-rich strains are recommended, you'll find plenty of concentrates and pre-rolls that are naturally high in CBD.
What to Look for in a CBD Oil
Targeted Effects
When purchasing CBD oil in Arizona, it helps to know what you're trying to achieve and the kind of product that is likely to help. For example, a broad-spectrum tincture or gummy might be best if you want to try CBD for sleep. Conversely, if you're concerned about acne or localized pain, the best CBD product is more likely to be a topical formula such as a balm or cream.
The Source and Concentration
Next, it's important to pay attention to the source of the CBD, whether it's an isolate or broad-spectrum oil, and the concentration of CBD per bottle or dose. In particular, look out for common terms including:
Hemp Oil
This is oil extracted from the leaves, stalks, and flowers of industrial hemp. It may contain a low or high level of CBD, trace amounts of THC, and the complete package of plant chemicals (and flavor) that come with hemp.
Hemp Seed Oil
This oil is pressed from the seeds of the hemp plant. Hemp seeds contain no THC or CBD and are mostly used as a dietary source of protein and omega-3s. Hemp seed oil is the easiest product to source because it contains no psychoactive compounds. However, it does not have the same properties as
whole-plant hemp oil.
Hemp-Derived CBD Oil
This is an oil extracted from the stalk, leaves, and buds of hemp (not marijuana) and, by definition, contains CBD. It may be full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or a CBD isolate. The label should state how much CBD and THC are contained in the bottle, and the company should provide the results of third-party testing that confirms these values. Remember that hemp only contains trace amounts of THC (<0.3%), and many companies remove this trace amount before they use the hemp oil to make their products.
Marijuana-Derived CBD Oil
This oil is extracted from cannabis with more than 0.3% THC and an appreciable amount of CBD—typically 10-20%. Marijuana-derived CBD oil may be indicated for medical use in patients who require high levels of CBD and THC.
To ensure that you don't pass possession limits when purchasing marijuana-derived CBD oil, you can schedule a telemedicine appointment and obtain a medical marijuana card in Mesa. Then, you can purchase up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis every two weeks.
Where Can You Buy CBD Oil in Arizona?
There are several places you can purchase CBD oil products in Arizona. Each has a slightly different range of CBD products available as well as limitations on what you can buy.
An Online Store
For many people, online stores are the easiest place to purchase CBD oil. Typically, these stores sell a wide range of hemp products to adults of legal age—including CBD tinctures, topicals, gummies, dried hemp flowers, other medicinal herbs, and occasionally hemp-plant clothing and merchandise. Online CBD stores usually ship anywhere in the United States that hemp-derived products are legal. Sales tax (if applicable) will be added automatically at the checkout.
Dispensaries
Arizona State has dozens of top-quality dispensaries that sell medical and recreational cannabis products. Here, you will find hemp-derived and marijuana-derived CBD products throughout Mesa, Phoenix, and other cities in the state. To enter a dispensary in Arizona, you must be 21 years of age or 18 years of age and carry a valid medical marijuana card. Some products and discounts are only available to MMJ cardholders, so it's worth getting a card if you have a qualifying condition.
Walmart
A limited selection of hemp-derived CBD products is available at Walmart and some other chain stores in Arizona. If you simply want to buy CBD for general health support, any of the products available should be fine. However, if you're buying full-spectrum CBD for medical use and want high-quality products, you might be better off visiting a dispensary or shopping for CBD online.
Make the Most of CBD Oil in Arizona
Cannabis-friendly laws and top-shelf CBD products make the state of Arizona an excellent place to shop for CBD. As long as you are at least 21—or 18 with an Arizona-issued MMJ card—you will have access to a wide range of hemp-derived CBD products (with or without THC), marijuana-derived CBD, and quality hemp products in general.
The best way to find a CBD product that's right for you is to consult with a doctor in Arizona State that specializes in your health needs. Also speak to the budtenders at your local dispensary. With a little trial and error and a few different products, you should soon be able to find the right one.
