CBD Oil in Michigan: Cannabis Laws and Where to Buy

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 Michigan

• Hemp growers in Michigan are working with Michigan State University to develop a comprehensive hemp-growing program.
• Processors in the state are not permitted to create CBD intended for human consumption.
• Retailers in Michigan are not regulated.
• It is up to consumers to confirm the safety of their products.
• People are buying CBD products of all kinds in stores across the state, but shopping online allows for more thorough product research.

Is CBD Oil Legal in Michigan?

You may be reading this article because you are curious about trying CBD, but want to make sure you are not breaking any laws with your purchases. Or you may have made your purchases, but now you’re having second thoughts. Either way, your concerns are valid, because hemp laws are as confusing as can be.

Michigan has legalized recreational marijuana, so why are we still questioning CBD laws? Part of the issue lies in confusion about legal language, and part of it lies in the fact that this is a brand-new industry. Marijuana and THC have been getting all the attention for the last decade, and the federal government only recently acknowledged that there is a difference between hemp and marijuana. 

The Farm Bill of 2018 finally took hemp’s derivatives off the Drug Enforcement Agency’s list of controlled substances. Until then, CBD was considered marijuana, and was therefore in the same category as heroin. The Farm Bill reclassified industrial hemp as an agricultural commodity, defining it as having a THC concentration of 0.3 percent or less.

The market for CBD immediately exploded and everyone was interested in buying or selling CBD, but the agencies now in charge of regulating the products were largely unprepared for such a boom.

The Food and Drug Administration is still working through how it will keep Americans safe while allowing access to a product they are so enthusiastic about consuming. Here, we will look at the state of CBD laws in Michigan.

Are There CBD Laws in Michigan?

People all over Michigan are enjoying CBD products of every variety. You can walk into a store and find lotions, edibles, vapes, oils and even pet treats. The main catch with buying CBD in Michigan is that you need to be careful to make sure your CBD is hemp-derived when you purchase it outside of a dispensary.

As of right now, access to hemp-derived CBD made with hemp grown in-state is nonexistent. The state has a hemp-growing program, but it is currently in conjunction with universities for the purpose of research and testing. Those who want to buy CBD made with Michigan-grown hemp will have to wait.

CBD in Michigan: Understanding Different Types of CBD Products

CBD Oil

You can find CBD oil of all varieties in Michigan. There are companies that add fancy ingredients to their CBD, and there are several different formulas you could go with. Penguin’s CBD oils are pure and simple. We chose a straightforward approach, keeping things clear, so you can just relax and enjoy your CBD. 

CBD Capsules

Speaking of relaxing and enjoying your CBD, Penguin’s capsules are also simple and straightforward. We understand that people are busy, and sometimes you just want to take your CBD and get going with your day. The CBD we use in our capsules is the same fabulous formula we use in our oils, and the capsules are ideal to take with you wherever you go.

CBD Gummies

CBD gummies are likely what you have heard about most besides oils. Our little sweet-and-sour gems are a fun way to get your CBD and calm your afternoon hangry, too. They are a discreet snack when you’re just trying to make it to happy hour, and you can’t go wrong, as each gummy contains 10mg of glorious CBD isolate.

CBD Cream

If you’re looking to add a little something extra to your skincare routine, CBD cream hits the spot. Literally. You can focus your attention on one spot at a time with Penguin’s lavender-and-peppermint-infused CBD cream. Slather it on day or night for a sensory treat.

Industrial Hemp in Michigan

The aim of the 2014 Farm Bill was to support investigation into what a hemp crop in the U.S. might look like. It allowed states to develop research pilot programs, licensing a small number of growers working with universities to discover best growing practices in each state.

The 2018 Farm Bill revised the law to allow states to oversee programs for commercial growers with USDA approval. Despite this change, Michigan still operates under the 2014 pilot program. Growers are working with Michigan State University to learn more about growing hemp in the state, but the USDA will assume oversight for the 2021 growing season.

Processors of hemp in Michigan must obtain a license and comply with state and federal guidelines. They are currently not permitted to process CBD intended for food or beverages because the FDA has not approved CBD for human or animal consumption.

Processors are, however, permitted to make hemp-seed oils and other products intended for consumption from parts of the hemp plant not including the flower. This means that consumers in Michigan cannot obtain CBD made with Michigan-grown hemp until the regulation changes.

Can I Purchase CBD Online in Michigan?

Purchasing CBD

Despite Michigan’s tight hemp-processing restrictions, you can purchase any type of CBD product from a multitude of locations with no trouble. One CBD specialty shop owner in Macomb County complained that she constantly gets samples from CBD companies that want her to sell their products, but many do not have any sort of verification about what is actually in the package.

Purchasing CBD online is a more secure way to get your products, because you can do your research. Searching through websites will give you a good idea of a company’s reputation and the quality of its products, and you can do it from your living room sofa instead of under the pressure of a shopkeeper waiting to make a sale.

CBD Oil in Michigan

Michigan processors are not allowed to make CBD intended for human consumption, and CBD retailers do not need any sort of licensing to sell their products. Do you see the problem? This means that it is up to the shopkeepers and the consumer to ensure that the products on the shelf are labeled accurately and are safe.

Disreputable companies take advantage of this situation every day. Their products may be made with substandard hemp, or no hemp at all. Some “CBD products” do not even contain CBD! This is why it is essential to make sure you do your research. Even if a label makes statements about a package’s contents, you need to look for third-party lab results that confirm the company’s claims.

Penguin

You never have to worry about what’s in the package with Penguin’s CBD products because we proudly display a link to our third-party lab results on every product page. Our experts know what you need in a CBD product, and we want you to be confident you have found it in Penguin’s CBD. 

Our products are popular with major publications like LA Weekly and Merry Jane, and our customers think we’re pretty great, too. When you buy products from Penguin, you join a whole host of fans who understand what it means to find a quality CBD product you can trust, and keep coming back for more.

Final Thoughts About CBD in Michigan

CBD in Michigan is not quite as complicated as it may seem from an outside perspective. When thinking about Michigan laws, it is important to remember that CBD is a brand-new market, and CBD was on the DEA’s list of controlled substances until just a couple of years ago. So it is going to take some time to find a balance in legislation that protects consumers while allowing access.

Michigan’s hemp-growing program appears to be on the back burner at present, because growers are still operating under the 2014 pilot program. Processors are not allowed to make CBD products intended for human consumption, but retailers are not regulated in any way. 

This leads to a huge hole in protections, because all CBD oils, gummies and capsules sold in the Wolverine State are imported from other states with different regulations. Some retailers are conscientious about the products they carry, but there is little incentive to thoroughly vet products sold as an afterthought in gas stations and grocery stores.

Save yourself the worry of buying products from disreputable companies by visiting the Penguin CBD website, and learn what a difference transparency and quality make.