CBD Oil in Alaska: What You Need to Know

Disclaimer: All of the information in this guide is based on our own research into the topic. We have done our best to use accurate and up-to-date information from respected and credible resources. However, we cannot claim to be a legal authority, and none of the following information should be taken as legal advice. 

A Guide to CBD in Alaska

• The Alaska Department of Natural Resources regulates all CBD production in the state.
• Farmers, processors and retailers are required to obtain an operating license.
• Though recreational marijuana is legal, the THC limit for hemp-derived CBD is 0.3%.
• You do not need a prescription to purchase CBD in Alaska.
• Despite strict regulations by the state, you still need to research to ensure your product is reputable.

Is CBD Oil Legal in Alaska?

The passage of the 2018 Farm Bill expanded the legality of growing and processing industrial hemp as long as it contains THC concentrations of 0.3 percent or less. This effectively differentiated marijuana plants from hemp plants, and took CBD off the Drug Enforcement Agency’s list of controlled substances.

The United States Department of Agriculture is now in charge of overseeing the growth and processing of industrial hemp, and states must register with the federal agency in order to be operating in compliance with federal law. Despite the requirement for federal approval, states are still responsible for devising and enforcing their own regulations.  

The Food and Drug Administration is in charge of creating and enforcing regulations surrounding the manufacturing, packaging and sale of CBD, but the agency has been grappling with these regulations due to the fact that CBD is already in use as an active ingredient in an approved drug, Epidiolex. This complicates the regulatory process for CBD as a consumer product.

While federal agencies scramble to figure out how to regulate CBD, the market has exploded with new companies—some reputable and some not—and enthusiastic consumers looking to CBD as an exciting new addition to their wellness regimen.

This means the states are left to come up with guidelines and enforcement strategies that protect consumers.

Are There CBD Laws in Alaska?

Alaska has been slow to the draw when it comes to creating a plan for how the state will handle CBD laws, but legislators have recently devised and approved some of the most comprehensive laws in the country.

These laws are meant to protect consumers from CBD companies that care more about profits than about the well-being of their customers. You do not need a prescription to purchase or possess CBD in Alaska. 

The Department of Natural Resources is responsible for overseeing all elements of CBD sales, from the farming and processing of hemp to the registration and oversight of retailers. Growers and processors must adhere to regulations presented under Alaska’s Hemp Pilot Program, and retailers are subject to strict rules regarding products and labeling.  

Though recreational marijuana is legal in the state of Alaska, products sold as hemp-derived CBD must contain 0.3 percent THC or less.

Any labeling must come with full independent lab results confirming purity and potency. If there are statements on the packaging about terpene composition, separate lab results must accompany those claims.

CBD in Alaska: Understanding Different Types of CBD Products

CBD Oil

Many consumers prefer to take CBD oil because this is one of the most bioavailable formats on the market.

Penguin’s broad-spectrum CBD oils come in three levels of potency and four flavors (including natural flavor, which is ideal for adding to food and beverages), so they are perfect whether you are just getting started with CBD or it has been part of your daily routine for years.

CBD Capsules

CBD capsules are a convenient option for anyone who may be new to taking CBD, or if you just want a premeasured dose you can grab and go. Capsules are processed through the digestive system, so they take a little longer to take effect, but they also last a little longer in your system.  

Penguin CBD’s capsules have no additives. They are packed with 10mg of pure CBD suspended in MCT oil for maximum absorption. It is safe to take more than one at a time, and they are convenient for travel.

CBD Gummies

CBD gummies are a tasty way to get a boost no matter what time of day it is. They can be a discreet afternoon pick-me-up or a satisfying sweet bedtime treat. Penguin CBD’s gummies are made with your enjoyment in mind, and customers love the way they taste.

These fun, bright gummy worms are the perfect texture, covered in sweet-and-sour sugar, and they have 10mg of CBD isolate. Eat one gummy or a handful, and enjoy all the goodness of our delicious CBD edibles.

CBD Cream

Penguin's CBD cream goes on smoother than a penguin sliding across the ice. Infused with peppermint and lavender scents for a relaxing aromatic experience in addition to the CBD, this is a cream you will love using morning, noon and night, for a glow that comes from the inside out.

Industrial Hemp in Alaska

Alaska’s Department of Natural Resources is responsible for the oversight of all things related to CBD, from hemp farming to sales.

The Industrial Hemp Pilot Program requires that growers register with the DNR, and they may only plant seeds after approval. Growers must also submit to pre-harvest testing that verifies THC content is within the legal limits, and that there are no toxins deemed harmful by the Alaska DNR.

All growers must register if they intend to use CBD for commercial purposes. There are extra regulations for farms that also grow marijuana plants with higher THC concentrations. Additionally, growers may only use pesticides approved for hemp by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. 

Unfortunately, however, CBD companies can fall through the cracks of regulation, and they may cut corners in an effort to reduce costs. Some CBD companies use hemp grown in other countries, or hemp that has not been regulated by a state pilot program.

These companies may make their CBD with hemp grown in polluted soil, sprayed with pesticides and fertilizers that contain harmful toxins, or irrigated with contaminated water.

Penguin CBD takes great care to ensure that your CBD products only contain the purest ingredients on the market. Before it is sent off for processing, the hemp is tested to ensure it contains no harmful chemical residue or heavy metals, and that it meets the requirements for 0.3 percent THC or less.

Can I Purchase CBD Online in Alaska?

Purchasing CBD

Retailers in Alaska must register with the state in order to sell CBD products at their brick-and-mortar stores.

They must prominently display their license presented by the DNR, and they must include every location where they may be selling CBD. Retailers are subject to regular inspection to verify their products meet all regulations, and products must submit to testing for label accuracy.

While the state has comprehensive restrictions on CBD sales, some retailers who do not register with the state continue to sell CBD products.

This means they are not regularly inspected and their products are never tested. When you purchase your CBD products online, however, you have the opportunity to really do your research.

You can learn about the reputation of the brands you are considering, and any company selling a reputable product provides convenient access to third-party lab results confirming the purity and potency of their products.

CBD Oil in Alaska

Unfortunately, any time there is a great amount of interest in a product, there are going to be shady companies that want to take advantage of consumer vulnerability.

With the lack of federal oversight, there are plenty of companies getting away with deceptive claims and product labels. Even when the deception is not purposeful, negligence can lead to misinformation about the quality of CBD products. 

In addition to the importance of starting with high-quality hemp, CBD companies must also invest in independent third-party lab testing. Hemp is a bioaccumulator, meaning it absorbs everything in its environment. It is sensitive to its environment as it grows, meaning that variations in weather may result in varying compositions.

The process that works for one batch may produce different results for the next. This is why it is essential that each batch be tested to ensure that the finished product is as advertised.

Penguin

Named by Merry Jane as the “#1 brand CBD oil brand right now,” Penguin CBD takes pride in providing you with only the highest-quality products on the market. We start with organically and domestically grown hemp, and we use the purest method of extraction there is. Our CO₂ process uses no additives or solvents, and its low temperatures give us maximum control over our final results. 

Buying CBD products can be intimidating because there are so many companies out there, and they all offer different features. With Penguin CBD, you can trust that your wellness is our top priority.

We use an independent lab to confirm the purity and potency of our products, and we make the results easily accessible for every batch. We take pride in the transparency of our products, and believe that is a true sign of quality.

Final Thoughts About CBD Oil in Alaska

You may have considered purchasing CBD in the past but put it off because you were overwhelmed with information. The laws surrounding CBD are confusing and the regulation and enforcement of quality is no easier to navigate.

Laws and guidelines are constantly shifting as state and federal governments grapple with developing uniform enforcement strategies, which essentially leaves the consumer to figure it out alone. 

Alaska has recently developed stronger guidelines for hemp growers under the Hemp Pilot Program, and the state has put some pretty strict regulations in place for processors and retailers as well.

Every company involved in CBD products from seed to sale in the state of Alaska must be approved and licensed by the Department of Natural Resources, and they are subject to regular inspection and testing by its agents. 

Regardless of Alaska’s efforts to enforce guidelines, the most convenient and secure way to get your CBD is still through the website for brands you have confirmed to be the best.

When you look at customer reviews and verified lab results, you can trust that what is on the label is what’s in the package. Check out Penguin’s entire line of high-quality CBD products today, for a name that is known for “keeping calm and waddling on.”