Mexico Treats CBD as a Supplement – Although cannabis and Cannabidiol are medically and/or recreationally legal in many U.S. states, Mexico operates a bit differently. In particular, Mexico decriminalized the personal use and possession of five grams of cannabis in 2009. Then, last year, they legalized medical cannabis. However, the country’s medical cannabis law is quite strict, especially because Cannabidiol oil must contain less than one percent THC. Nonetheless, currently, Mexico is working to improve and properly transition into a federal medical cannabis program. Even though this program is a work in progress, CBD is viewed as a supplement in Mexico. Since CBD is non-psychoactive, Mexico’s lawmakers have become more lenient with citizens consuming it.

Views on Cannabidiol in Mexico

Even though Mexico continues to work on their medical cannabis program, Cannabidiol is viewed differently by lawmakers. Due to CBD’s variety of properties, it’s becoming more acceptable for people to consume this cannabinoid. Mexico’s lawmakers have become so lenient that CBD may become as common as traditional vitamins and minerals.

Mexico’s government understands this cannabinoid and its potential. This has led to them permitting citizens to consume large quantities of CBD, if they see fit. Even though cannabis is viewed as a drug by many governments and authority figures, CBD isn’t. CBD doesn’t cognitively impair users, nor does it deliver psychoactive effects. Thus, in Mexico, CBD is viewed as a supplement rather than a drug. The Mexican government understands this distinction, which is why CBD is viewed and treated differently. Due to CBD’s potential benefits, Mexico’s government wants to give their citizens the opportunity to consume this compound.

Background of Mexico’s Medical Cannabis Program

Moreover, last year, Mexico’s government moved towards legalizing medical cannabis. On June 19^th of 2017, Mexico’s President, Enrique Peña Nieto signed a cannabis cultivation bill into law. This law focused on the cultivation, production, and usage of medical cannabis products that contain less than one percent THC. Despite last year’s legal move regarding cannabis, access to CBD and other cannabis products are limited. However, according to Raul Elizalde, the President of HempMeds Latin America, there’s hope when it comes to CBD accessibility in Mexico. Specifically, he mentioned that Mexico’s new law will allow producers to begin incorporating CBD into everyday health products.

In addition, Raul Elizalde went on to state the following about this recent transition:
“A good point about this regulation in Mexico is that any product with a THC concentration higher than 1 percent can still be registered with the government and sold as a prescription. But, the best part is the cannabinoids with below 1 percent THC content can be in medicine, supplements, lotions, food, anything. This is very, very good for our country, and I think we’re one of the very first in the world to take that path.”

Mexico’s government understands the potential of this cannabinoid. Therefore, they’re striving to make CBD more accessible to their citizens. To this day, in Mexico, medical cannabis patients continue to be stigmatized for consuming this alternative form of medicine. However, the stigma is slowly disappearing and becoming less intense.

Reasons Why CBD is Viewed as a Supplement in Mexico

In general, there’s a clear distinction between medical and recreational cannabis and the usage of Cannabidiol. HempMeds’ President Elizalde stated the following about CBD usage and its classification as a supplement in Mexico: “Nobody buys CBD to get high, nobody buys it to try to abuse it, and the only thing that will happen if it’s scheduled as a controlled substance is that it will become a black-market drug. But, it’s not a drug. It’s a supplement.”

In the future, Mexico and HempMeds Latin America will have more medicines that contain CBD. However, it won’t be limited to only medicines. Instead, CBD will be sold in the form of lotions, supplements, and vitamins like Vitamin C. This way, people can have more access to natural forms. With time, in Mexico, CBD will be treated like over-the-counter vitamins instead of as a drug.

Regulation of CBD

On another note, the regulation of CBD as a medicine would limit the quantity of products out there for people to purchase. Also, most likely, only one or two pharmaceutical companies will be able to sell CBD as a medicine by prescription. Currently, Poway-based Medical Marijuana Inc. is the only company that allows Mexicans to get legal permits to import CBD and CBD products with a doctor’s prescription.

Since medical cannabis and CBD products are still relatively limited in Mexico, California’s recent legalization of recreational cannabis had an impact on Mexican citizens. Specifically, California’s legalization change affected many Mexicans who reside near the border. Numerous Mexicans take advantage of California’s simpler access to different cannabis products.

Mexico’s Drug Policy Steps Moving Forward

Moving forward, President Elizalde and many others believe that Mexico will successfully foster a thriving medicinal and recreational cannabis marketplace. Many people are also hopeful that Mexico will begin fixing decades of damage caused by the cross-border drug war. Last year, Mexico’s President expressed that their country’s drug policy failed. Recently, though, Mexico elected a new President, Andrés Manuel López Obrador. He will oversee regulations and different rules regarding Mexico’s medical cannabis law and CBD accessibility. From here, the new President revealed a plan that would change Mexico’s drug strategy in significant ways.

Furthermore, Olga Sanchez is the President’s proposed interior minister. She has many ideas for drug policy changes. This starts with attacking the causes of poverty, creating truth commissions, and giving scholarships to the youth to help get them out of the drug scene. Overall, Mexico’s medical cannabis program is still a work in progress. However, since CBD is viewed as a supplement, there’s a higher likelihood of forms of CBD being more accessible for medical purposes.

Stay tuned to see the progress Mexico makes in the weeks and months to come. Also, join us in witnessing the changes Mexico makes to help their citizens, especially those with various diseases and ailments.

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CBD Oil Legal in Indiana – After years of confusion, on Wednesday, March 21^st, Indiana’s Governor signed House Bill 52 into law. This particular law legalizes Cannabidiol (CBD) oil that contains less than 0.3 percent THC. For many years, there has been a great deal of confusion regarding the legalization of CBD oil in Indiana. However, since Governor Holcomb officially signed HB 52 into law, Indiana Hoosiers can now legally purchase, possess, use, and sell CBD oil. CBD oil derived from hemp can be purchased on various online stores and websites. However, Hoosiers can now legally purchase CBD oil at various Indiana clinics, retail shops, and even convenience stores.

Basic Information Hoosiers Should Know Regarding House Bill 52

So far, this bill has already made a significant impact on Hoosiers. According to Governor Holcomb, the following was stated about the newly passed CBD bill, “The bill provides much needed clarity, with labeling requirements and a 0.3% THC limit on CBD products.”

Overall, HB 52 permits Indiana residents to purchase, possess, use, and sell CBD oil. However, the oil must meet Indiana’s labeling requirements. The main requirement is that the oil must contain less than 0.3 percent THC, according to Indianapolis Star reports.

House Bill 52 Manufacturer Requirements

In addition, the final and updated version of this bill contains specific requirements for CBD manufacturers. For example, all manufacturers must have each individual batch of CBD oil products tested. This is required to ensure that all products contain less than 0.3 percent THC. Also, HB 52 requires all manufacturers to place a QR code on each individual product label. These QR codes link to a document that contains essential information. The document contains information about the products’ ingredients and the company that manufactured the ingredients.

This part of the bill requires CBD oil manufacturers to create specialized labels for CBD oil to be sold in Indiana. Although Governor Holcomb and Indiana lawmakers think this is necessary, many CBD manufacturers disagree. For example, according to the Indianapolis Star, many CBD manufactures expressed how silly they believe this labeling requirement is. This is the case because Indiana doesn’t have any label regulations on other vitamins or supplements.

Reasons for Confusion Regarding the Legalization of CBD Oil in Indiana

Moreover, the recent legalization of CBD oil in Indiana is significant. However, not too long ago, there was major confusion regarding who could legally consume CBD oil. This was the case because in 2017, Indiana passed a law that allowed children with epilepsy disorders to possess and use CBD oil. After the law was put into place though, no concrete CBD program was created. Also, there were no designated clinics or retail shops for epilepsy patients to purchase CBD oil.

In the same year, Indiana’s Attorney General stated that CBD possession is illegal besides for epilepsy patients who were covered by Indiana’s 2017 epilepsy law. After this statement was released, Indiana State Excise Police raided multiple stores that sold CBD oil derived from hemp. From here, mass confusion took place across the state regarding the legality of CBD oil.

Final Details about HB 52

After the recent legalization of CBD oil in Indiana on March 21^st, Indiana State Excise Police released the following statement, “…the Indiana State Excise Police will be returning the products that were taken last summer to respective retailers. Excise will be doing this in a timely manner to ensure retailers have ample time before labeling requirements go into effect.” In a series of months (July 1^st to be exact), HB 52 will go into full effect.

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