Can You Buy CBD Oil on Amazon?

Revised May 2022

Since the federal legalization of industrial hemp in late 2018, the cannabidiol (CBD) industry is seeing explosive growth. CBD is now used by millions of Americans to help relieve a number of ailments, including inflammation, chronic pain, anxiety, insomnia, depression, and more — and demand appears to be increasing every year. With CBD so popular, it’s no surprise consumers might flock to the online megastore Amazon to purchase this supplement, which begs the question, “Can you buy CBD oil on Amazon?”

What Is CBD?

CBD is one of the more prevalent cannabinoids present in the cannabis sativa plant (alongside THC), and it’s the most prevalent cannabinoid in hemp. Like THC, CBD acts on the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is in charge of regulating essential functions in the body such as sleep, immune responses, pain control, inflammation, cognition, and memory. This, in part, is why CBD has been found to have such wide-ranging health benefits. Additionally, CBD doesn’t cause that “high” feeling associated with marijuana — making it a great option for those looking for natural solutions to physical and mental ailments without the psychoactive effects of THC.

Is It Legal to Buy CBD on Amazon?

With the 2018 passing of the “Farm Bill,” industrial hemp was declared an agricultural commodity. Marijuana and hemp are both subspecies of cannabis sativa — the defining difference being each plant’s THC content. While marijuana is still listed as an illegal drug, hemp is now legalized on a federal level — and with it, hemp-derived products such as full spectrum CBD oil. Though laws surrounding cannabinoid products vary state to state, CBD oil is generally legal in the U.S. as long as it has a THC content of no more than 0.3%.

So, is it legal to buy CBD on Amazon? Technically, yes — as long as the THC content doesn’t exceed legal standards. But does Amazon permit its sellers to offer CBD on the site? No. And (unfortunately) that’s their prerogative.

Why Won’t Amazon Carry CBD?

As with many of its policies, Amazon keeps its cards well-hidden as to the company’s reasoning for this no-CBD rule. Some experts speculate that Amazon is concerned about the rapidly changing state legislation around CBD, as well as international law, which can be confusing at best.

The Policies Regarding CBD Oil on Amazon

According to Amazon’s online policy, “Listings for products containing cannabidiol (CBD) are prohibited, including but not limited to”:

• Full spectrum hemp oil
• Rich hemp oil
• Products that have been identified as containing CBD

In other words, any hemp oil you find for sale on Amazon isn’t allowed to contain any CBD, otherwise the vendor runs the risk of having their Amazon seller account revoked. Despite this rule, some unscrupulous vendors have been found to be marketing CBD oil as “hemp oil” without any mention of CBD, in an attempt to circumvent Amazon’s policy. These sellers rely on potential buyers to message them directly to ask whether the products contain CBD, but these shady tactics put the sellers, their shops, and potentially their customers at risk.

Is Amazon CBD Legit?

Honestly, it’s hard to say. Consider this, though: if these sellers are lying about their product descriptions, what else might they be hiding?

Even outside of the “not-quite-honest” hemp oil shops on Amazon, it can be tricky to know what you’re getting when purchasing CBD supplements. In 2020, the FDA tested 147 hemp and CBD products and many were found to have CBD content that didn’t match the labeling.

Out of the 102 products that listed a specific amount of CBD on the label:

• Nearly a fifth contained less than 80 percent of the amount of CBD indicated
• Nearly half had a CBD content within 20 percent of the amount indicated
• More than a third contained more than 120 percent of the amount of CBD indicated

Additionally, two products that listed CBD as an ingredient on the label were found to have no CBD at all, and one product was even found to contain concentrations of lead which required further testing.

So, how can you be sure the hemp products on Amazon are pure, organic, or free from contaminants? The short answer: you can’t. At least, not without researching the manufacturer to make sure it’s a trustworthy source. Until the FDA imposes additional regulations regarding the packaging, marketing, and production of CBD oil, your best bet is to order directly from a reputable brand.

Where to Find the Best CBD Oil Online

While you can’t purchase reliable CBD oil on Amazon, you can still find high-quality CBD oil online. NuLeaf Naturals offers high-grade, full spectrum CBD oil that undergoes third-party batch analysis and reporting to ensure you get the best CBD products and results. NuLeaf Naturals’ products are available at retailers all across the U.S. as well, so if you prefer to shop locally, you can find a store near you. As of 2022, Amazon UK is now allowing the sale of CBD products from compliant brands like Blessed CBD, so the US may very well be next.

Do you have questions about our products, or are wondering which one is right for you?

Our Expert Team is here to help via phone, email, or online chat:

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