Is CBD Oil Legal in Arkansas? 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 Oil in Arkansas

• The Arkansas State Plant Board is responsible for hemp-farming oversight.
• CBD is legal to purchase without a prescription provided it contains less than 0.3% THC.
• Any retailer can sell CBD, and you do not need a special license.
• There is no oversight for CBD retailers.
• Hemp sold in Arkansas must either be processed or come from out of state.

Is CBD Oil Legal in Arkansas?

In 2018, the federal government passed a bill that distinguished marijuana from industrial hemp, effectively removing hemp and its derivatives from the Drug Enforcement Agency’s controlled-substances list.

Curious consumers instantly embraced the use of CBD as an alternative support, and companies selling the substance started popping up everywhere.

People all over the country are extolling the virtues of CBD, and it is a multibillion-dollar industry that keeps expanding. The Food and Drug Administration seems to have been unprepared for the overwhelming popularity of CBD, however, because the agency is still grappling with how it will impose and enforce regulation.

The FDA has not approved CBD for use as a supplement, food additive or curative treatment, but its efforts at enforcement are aimed at only the most profound offenders due to lack of organization and funding. The agency is currently focused on penalizing companies that make unfounded medical claims, aim their marketing toward minors and use unsafe manufacturing processes.

Due to the FDA’s lack of guidance on the subject of CBD, states are pretty much left to figure out which regulations make the most sense for their citizens regarding the sale and possession of CBD, and how they will enforce the regulations once they are in place.

While states’ rights comprise one of the most important features of the U.S. Constitution, it makes for a murky mess when it comes to CBD laws.

Are There CBD Laws in Arkansas?

Arkansas is one of the most liberal states regarding CBD sale and possession; however, there is one technical caveat to the sale of CBD in Arkansas. Growers are not allowed to sell their hemp directly to stores or consumers. Some people enjoy smoking unprocessed flower, but due to a mix-up in language that will likely not be fixed until 2021, all unprocessed hemp must come from out of state.

CBD with a concentration of more than 0.3 percent THC is regulated by the board overseeing the state medical-marijuana program, but no one oversees or regulates the sale of processed hemp-derived CBD.

Retailers do not need a license, there are no inspections or reporting requirements and anyone 18 or older can purchase and possess it without a prescription.

CBD in Arkansas: Understanding Different Types of CBD Products

CBD Oil

CBD oil is most often taken sublingually (held under the tongue). This is the most bioavailable method of absorption. Some people like to use CBD oil in their food and beverage recipes for a boost to their day.

Either way, Penguin’s CBD oil is the perfect choice because it comes in three concentrations and five delicious flavors—including natural—for all your dosing needs.

CBD Capsules

CBD capsules are just the thing for when you have a busy lifestyle and want a premeasured dose on the go.

Penguin CBD capsules provide 10mg of CBD suspended in MCT oil for maximum absorption. They are easy to throw into your travel bag, and can help you get through the most stressful days.

CBD Gummies

When you want a tasty snack with flavor that makes you smile, try CBD gummies. They are a discreet way of getting an afternoon or evening dose of CBD while satisfying your sweet tooth.

Customers rave about the sweet-and-sour flavor of Penguin CBD’s bright and colorful CBD gummy worms, which come in the ideal dose of 10mg. You can have just one or a handful, for a feel-good snack that will stick with you all day.

CBD Cream

A little CBD cream every day will help soften your skin by sealing in moisture. Smooth and rich, Penguin CBD’s cream is infused with lavender and peppermint aromas for a cooling sensation every time you use it.

Industrial Hemp in Arkansas

Arkansas actually began investigating the farming and processing of hemp and hemp products before the 2018 Farm Bill ever passed. The state has been interested in growing hemp for other uses such as textiles and biofuels since 2014. Growers and processors need a license to participate in the pilot program, and they report to the Arkansas State Plant Board (ASPB). 

Since the 2019 growing season, farmers have been growing hemp for use in CBD products. They follow guidelines set forth for ingestible hemp cultivation by the ASPB, and their crops are subject to regular inspection and testing. If there is any evidence of noncompliance, crops are at risk of being destroyed.

One of the issues with the state’s program is that some farms can fall through the cracks. Even though they are only allowed to sell their hemp to either state-certified or out-of-state processors, some farmers are blatantly disregarding regulations they do not agree with. Arkansas does not have the resources to enforce all regulations everywhere all the time, leaving a chasm in the state’s ability to control safety and quality.

In addition, some CBD companies cut corners and try to save money by purchasing hemp that is not safe for human consumption.

They may even purchase the hemp used in their CBD products from another country not subject to USDA oversight. Plants in those countries might be sprayed with harmful chemicals, planted in toxic soil and irrigated with polluted water.

Can I Purchase CBD Online in Arkansas?

Purchasing CBD

Because CBD sales are largely unregulated in Arkansas, you can buy CBD just about anywhere. Retailers do not need a special license to sell CBD, and consumers do not need a prescription.

You can find CBD for sale anywhere from the corner store to the farm store, but you need to be careful about what you buy because of the complete lack of oversight.

Even though it is legal to make your purchases at physical stores in Arkansas, you may be better off making your purchases online.

Doing your research about a product in the store can be a challenge, but when you order from the comfort of your own home, you have quick access to all the information you need in order to confirm that the brand offers the quality you deserve.

CBD Oil in Arkansas

State policies in Arkansas leave CBD consumers vulnerable to disreputable brands or subpar products that could be ineffective or even dangerous. Some companies are purposely deceptive about their products, and others are just negligent. Packaging can be mislabeled in regard to the amount of CBD or THC in your products, or a lack of testing can lead to chemical residue or heavy metal finding its way into your product.

When researching the companies you are considering for your CBD, the most important element to look for is transparency. Find companies that make the lab results (sometimes called a certificate of analysis) readily available and accessible for each product they make.

Customer reviews are another way to know if your company is worthy of your trust. A company that proudly displays its customer reviews is one that is not afraid to share what others think of its products.

Penguin

At Penguin CBD, we are honored that you trust us with your health and well-being, and we make your satisfaction our top priority.

According to Merry Jane, we are the “#1 CBD oil brand right now,” and our customers seem to agree. We work tirelessly to make sure you only get the best CBD products on the market, and we stay meticulous and transparent throughout the entire process so you never have to worry about the quality of your CBD.

We start with organic hemp from our partner farms in Oregon and process it with the cleanest extraction method available.

Our highly accurate CO₂ extraction method uses no solvents or additives, and the low temperatures allow for ultimate control over the finished product. In the end, we have every single batch of our CBD tested by an independent third-party lab to confirm that you are only getting our best.

Final Thoughts About CBD in Arkansas

Arkansas is one of the most lenient states when it comes to CBD. They offer a liberal hemp pilot program to encourage farmers to try the up-and-coming crop, and they allow just about anyone to sell CBD without the need to go through a licensing process.  

Consumers have access to a wide variety of products. CBD is easy to find just about anywhere you go, and you do not need a prescription as long as your CBD is hemp-derived.

The lack of regulation opens the door to creative innovation and discovery, leaving space for the citizens of Arkansas to find what works for them. Unfortunately, it also creates space for disreputable or negligent companies to come in and take advantage of consumer enthusiasm. They may use hemp that has not been conscientiously cultivated, and they may be deceptive about the way they package their products. 

When you’re looking for CBD you can be confident about purchasing, check out Penguin CBD’s website to see why our company is the No. 1 pick for so many. We only use the highest-quality ingredients, and we proudly share the lab results from every batch of our premier CBD formulas.  

Our products are always made to keep you satisfied every day, and we’ve got the reviews to back it up.