California has a reputation for having some of the best CBD products in the country. In part, this is because California has had relaxed laws on hemp and cannabis. Which makes it easier to sell CBD products of all kinds.
The 2018 Farm Bill made hemp and CBD production legal throughout the US. Hence, hemp farming became possible in every state. Although California has a longer history with the CBD market, it’s certainly not the only state producing top-notch CBD.
California’s lucrative CBD market
California has something of a reputation for producing some of the best CBD in the country. Certainly, California sells the most CBD out of all US states.
According to Statista, California’s CBD sales in 2019 reached 730 million USD, which is far more than any other state. For comparison, Florida comes in second place with a market of 291 million USD—less than half of California’s market. As more people use CBD for a wide array of reasons, the CBD market will only grow over time.
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Part of the reason why California sells the most CBD is because so many CBD companies are based in California. This includes some of the best CBD companies in the US. Because hemp and CBD production has been legal in California for longer, the golden state has more established farms and brands
Does California grow the most hemp?
No! According to statistics from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), the top five states for hemp production are:
- Montana
- Colorado
- Kentucky
- North Carolina
- Oregon
The USDA notes that the amount of hemp planted has boomed since 2019. These statistics will change drastically if that growth continues. Hemp crops are used to make a range of different products, from hemp oil and hemp seeds to CBD products.
Much of the CBD sold in California comes from hemp grown outside of the state. Because a great CBD product starts with great hemp, the state that sells the CBD product can’t take all the credit. It’s ultimately a “group effort.”
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Excellent CBD is not exclusive to California
While it has a sterling reputation, California is not the only state with top-notch CBD companies.
There is no objective list of the “best” CBD companies in the US. It’s a very subjective matter. Because whether CBD is “good” depends on what it’s created for, how it’s created, and who it’s intended to serve. For this reason, one person’s favorite CBD brand might not work for another person.
Although many reputable, award-winning companies are in California, many are also located in Oregon and Colorado. Other states like Nevada, Montana, Arizona and New Mexico also grow plenty of hemp. These could have companies that rival the Golden State’s.
Also Read: In the Lone Star State? Here are the best places to get CBD in Texas.
Because hemp has become legal all over the United States, it’s far easier to grow it. Although getting a license to do so can be complex in some states. This means that hemp and CBD production is expected to increase over the next few years.
Although these newer farms threaten California’s reputation as the best state for CBD, this competition is ultimately a good thing. Competition breeds creativity and innovation. Companies and farms will push themselves to grow better hemp and create better CBD products.
Buying CBD Online in California
Thanks for the 2018 Farm Bill, you can purchase any California CBD products online. But only if they contain .3% or less of THC.
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Buying CBD in-store in California
Many stores in California stock CBD products!
Although it’s always a good idea to shop at a retailer specializing in hemp products and is staffed by specialists. If the retailer is state-licensed, you can safely assume that the product is high-quality. Since the state’s website says they have issued over 10,000 commercial licenses to cannabis businesses, you shouldn’t struggle to find officially licensed retailers.
The best way to find reputable retailers is by doing some research online before deciding. This way, you can be sure you’re getting high-quality products that contain what they say on the label.
What this means is that the CBD industry will grow from strength to strength over time. And all this ultimately benefits you, the consumer.
Sian Ferguson is a freelance writer based in Cape Town, South Africa and she has written for publications such as Healthline, Greatist, and Psych Central to name a few.
