Is CBD Legal in Florida? FL Hemp Laws (2023)

Illustration of Florida state in white background
Written by Nina Julia | Last updated: February 2, 2023

CBD is legally accepted in Florida. After years of being against legalization, Florida has finally placed hemp-derived CBD on the legal list. Now, residents can enjoy the benefits of CBD.

Following the 2018 Farm Bill, Florida only allows CBD products with 0.3% THC content. Any amount above this number will be considered illegal.

Florida is quite a progressive state when it comes to cannabis laws. Residents with a medical marijuana card can purchase CBD oil containing considerable THC if they suffer from one of the eligible conditions. More people than ever in Florida are interested in the health benefits of CBD oil.

If you want to buy CBD oil in Florida, you have two options: shop online or look for a reliable vendor near you.

In this article, you’ll learn about both methods on top of Florida’s laws with regard to cannabis and its derivatives.

Let’s get started!

Is CBD Oil Legal in Florida?

Yes, CBD is legal in Florida with some requirements. Residents can only buy hemp-derived CBD oil and not those from marijuana. This has been the condition being followed by many other states after the 2018 Farm Bill was passed.

Florida residents should particularly look into the products they buy since only those containing 0.3% THC or less are considered legal. Of course, you should also check whether CBD is sourced from hemp or marijuana.

Let’s quickly cover the legal status of both sources of CBD in Florida.

Related: Which States Is CBD Legal?

Marijuana CBD Oil in Florida

Florida has a bumpy history with marijuana. In 1933, a young man named Victor Licata mutilated his family members — parents, two brothers, and sisters — with an ax. He had been previously treated for mental illness, but the police attributed his atrocious act to marijuana cigarettes. As it was later shown after the murder, there was no evidence that Licata’s used marijuana at the time or generally in his life.

Today, marijuana is illegal for recreational use. Possession of fewer than 20 grams of marijuana is punishable by one year in prison and a fine. Any amount above that can result in 5 years in jail and a suspended driver’s license — even if your charges had nothing to do with driving.

Related: Is Marijuana Legal in Florida?

Can Doctors Prescribe CBD Oil in Florida?

In 2014, Governor Rick Scot signed Senate Bill 1071, legalizing a single non-intoxicating hybrid strain of marijuana — Charlotte’s Web — as a treatment for those with epilepsy.

Since then, Florida has expanded its medical marijuana program, adding new qualifying conditions and products to the list. In 2016, the state lawmakers approved Amendment 2 in 2016, succeeding with a definite majority of the votes (71.3%).

If you want to apply for a medical marijuana card in Florida, you must have one of the following conditions:

  • ALS
  • Cancer
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Epilepsy
  • Glaucoma
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Parkinson’s Disease
  • PTSD
  • Any other condition where a doctor considers marijuana the most beneficial treatment for the patient.

You can obtain a medical marijuana card if you can prove that you have tried other treatments but to no avail.

Unfortunately, Florida residents aren’t allowed to grow their own weed. As a patient, you must buy marijuana from one of the state-licensed medical dispensaries.

How to Buy CBD Oil in Florida

The CBD market in North America lacks regulation regarding the manufacturing and labeling of CBD products. It’s important that you’re able to distinguish between a premium product and a poorly manufactured one.

Follow these steps to save time and money on shopping for CBD:

  • Only buy from companies that can provide lab reports for their products. Third-party laboratories will analyze the CBD content of the product to verify if the amount of CBD matches the one advertised on the bottle. They will also look for contaminants and unwanted additives such as heavy metals, pesticides, solvents, and mycotoxins. If a company doesn’t share the lab reports anywhere on their website, or at least on request, you shouldn’t trust it.
  • Choose full-spectrum CBD. If a product is labeled as “full spectrum,” this means it was made using the entire hemp plant, so it contains all beneficial compounds from it. This includes CBD, trace cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, which allow the body to process CBD more efficiently. Full-spectrum extracts are considered more effective than isolates due to that trait.
  • Opt for CO2-extracted products. CO2 extraction is by far the best method to make CBD products because it doesn’t use additional heat or solvents. CO2-extracted products are consistently potent throughout all batches without toxic solvent residue at the bottom. The equipment necessary for CO2 extraction is also expensive, so it’s a sign that the company is ready to invest in quality.
  • Organic hemp is the best source of CBD oil. Hemp plants are bioaccumulators; in other words, they can absorb both the good and the bad substances from the soil they grow in. The best CBD oils in Florida are made from organic hemp grown in open-air farms without pesticides or growth boosters.
  • Avoid companies making outrageous claims about CBD. CBD isn’t a miracle drug, even though it can help with a wide range of health problems. If you see a company claiming that its CBD oil can cure cancer or something similar, you should avoid that company.

CBD Oil in Florida: Best Brands & Products

1. Royal CBD (Editor’s Pick)

Get 15% off all Royal CBD products. Use code “CFAH” at checkout.

Product Details

Potency 250 mg – 2500 mg
Available Flavors Natural, Berry, Mint, Vanilla
CBD per serving 8.3 mg – 83.3 mg

About Royal CBD

Royal CBD is a relatively new company that has already made big headlines in major media outlets. Starting out as a small artisan business run by three friends, Royal CBD is one of the most reputable suppliers in the United States. The company offers full-spectrum CBD oil in different flavors and concentrations, softgel capsules, THC-free gummies, and two broad-spectrum topicals: warming salve and cooling menthol gel.

The hemp used by Royal CBD comes from open-air farms in Colorado, where the plants use natural sunlight to grow healthy, CBD-rich flowers. The company makes all its products using CO2 extraction, ensuring consistent potency and high purity without applying extra heat or solvents.

The Royal CBD oil is available in four potency options, including 250 mg, 500 mg, 1000 mg, and 2500 mg. These are full-spectrum products, so you’re getting the entire goodness from the original hemp plant. Full-spectrum CBD has been shown to be more effective at easing inflammation, pain, and seizure activity than products based on isolated cannabinoids.

The Royal CBD collection is regularly tested in a certified laboratory for CBD content, purity, and safety. You can access the lab reports on request.

Although Royal CBD doesn’t offer its products anywhere locally (at least not yet), they ship to all 50 states. Plus, the company has a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can return your product for a full refund if you’re not satisfied with the results.

Pros Cons
  • Made from locally grown organic hemp
  • Extracted with supercritical CO2
  • Infused with full-spectrum CBD
  • Available in 4 strengths and flavors
  • Up to 2500 mg of CBD per bottle
  • 3rd-party tested for potency and purity
  • Great natural flavor
  • Not available in local CBD stores (this may soon change)
  • No vapes in its product lineup

2. Gold Bee (Runner-Up)

Product Details

Potency 300 – 1200 mg
Available Flavors Natural, Honey
CBD per serving 8.3 mg – 33.3 mg

About Gold Bee

In my opinion, Gold Bee is the best company for low-potency CBD oils. The brand comes from California and makes honey-flavored CBD oil in three concentrations: 300 mg, 600 mg, and 1200 mg. Usually, companies tend to use flavorings like mint, vanilla, berry, or citrus in their oils, but this one is a true maverick.

It tastes surprisingly natural and does a great job of masking the taste of whole-plant extracts. Similar to Royal CBD, these are full-spectrum products extracted at low temperatures. Gold Bee CBD oils reflect the chemical profile of the original hemp plant, including CBD, trace cannabinoids, and valuable terpenes, all of which enhance the therapeutic properties of CBD.

These oils are a good choice if you’re just getting started with CBD products or have some experience but don’t take more than 40 mg CBD daily.

Pros Cons
  • Sourced from US-grown organic hemp
  • Contains full-spectrum CBD
  • Up to 33 mg CBD/mL
  • Great potency range for beginners
  • Third-party tested for potency and purity
  • Great honey flavor
  • No high-strength CBD oils

Where to Buy CBD Oil in Florida

A booming market makes Florida a great place to buy CBD oil. CBD products are everywhere, from local organic food stores to vape shops and pharmacies. Today, however, most CBD transactions are made online. It’s no wonder that people are choosing to purchase CBD that way. This section explains why finding a reliable online supplier is the best way to get your hands on quality CBD products in Florida.

Reasons to Shop for CBD Online

Buying CBD online offers some benefits you won’t find in local stores. It’s by far the most convenient way to buy CBD oil in Florida.

Online stores generally have a greater variety of products in stock. When buying CBD online, you can browse through products like tinctures, capsules, balms, lotions, edibles, concentrates, vape juice, and even pet products, whereas local vendors typically have one or two forms of CBD from a limited number of companies.

It’s just easier to compare products from several brands without wasting time on driving around to find the right CBD oil for your needs.

You can also do a quick research about the products you order. You must read through a company’s website, find their mission statements and CBD sourcing details, read reports from the third-party lab analysis, or reach out to other users on social media groups and forums for detailed advice.

It would be difficult to run a thorough research on a brand in a physical store, especially now that many manufacturers are churning out products with less CBD than listed on the bottles. Others use unwanted additives, such as solvents, synthetic flavorings, or pesticides.

Doing your homework before buying CBD oil will help you weed out mediocre companies from high-quality suppliers within minutes.

Local CBD Retailers in Florida

If you still prefer to shop for CBD locally in Florida, this section contains a list of several places that may be able to help you find the right products and answer your questions about your goals with CBD.

See if you can find your city on the list!

CBD Stores in Miami

  • Trulieve Miami
  • Miami 420 Marijuana Doctor
  • Miami Vapor Shop

CBD Stores in Orlando

  • Trulieve Orlando
  • KNOX Cannabis Dispensary
  • Orlando 420 Marijuana Doctor

CBD Stores in Jacksonville

  • Trulieve Jacksonville
  • Your CBD Store
  • Laughing Grass

Summary: Buying CBD Oil in Florida

If you don’t have a medical marijuana card, you can purchase hemp-derived CBD oil in Florida. Such products are legal in all 50 states, and you don’t need a prescription for them. There are many places across the state where you can find CBD supplements. However, if you’re looking for the best deals on CBD oils in Florida, we recommend that you find a reliable online store. Doing so will save you time and money.

Regardless of your shopping choices, remember to research any company selling CBD out there — and that you base your decision on facts, not marketing slogans.

Nina created CFAH.org following the birth of her second child. She was a science and math teacher for 6 years prior to becoming a parent — teaching in schools in White Plains, New York and later in Paterson, New Jersey.

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