Is CBD Legal in Arkansas?
Arkansas legalized hemp-derived CBD under the 2017 Arkansas Industrial Hemp Act, updated to align with the 2018 U.S. Farm Bill. Hemp-derived CBD products with no more than 0.3% THC are legal to possess, use, and sell statewide Arkansas Department of Agriculture+4Arkansas Cannabis Information Portal+4ARCannabisClinic+4ARCannabisClinicArkansas Department of Agriculture+7Zebra CBD+7NORML+7.
No prescription or medical card is required to purchase compliant CBD in Arkansas.
Licensing & Regulatory Oversight
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture, via the State Plant Board, administers the Arkansas Hemp Program:
- Licensed growers/processors can cultivate and transform hemp into CBD oil or seed oil Zebra CBD+1Arkansas Cannabis Information Portal+1.
- Raw hemp materials (flowers/seeds) can only be possessed by licensed operators.
- Retailers do not require a license to sell finished CBD oil products Arkansas Cannabis Information Portal.
Intoxicating Hemp & Delta‑8 Ban (Act 629)
In 2023, Arkansas passed Act 629 (HB 358), banning intoxicating hemp-derived cannabinoids, including delta‑8, delta‑10, THCA, and high-dose hemp-derived Δ-9 products. A 2025 Eighth Circuit ruling upheld this ban, confirming states can prohibit intoxicating hemp products despite the federal Farm Bill THV11+13Libation Law Blog+13Cannabis Business Times+13.
Consequently, Delta‑8/10 THC and similar products are illegal in Arkansas, even if they contain less than 0.3% Δ-9 THC .
What You Can—and Can’t—Buy
| Product Type | Legal in Arkansas? |
|---|---|
| Hemp-derived CBD (≤ 0.3% THC) | ✅ Legal, widely available |
| Intoxicating hemp (delta‑8, THCA, etc.) | ❌ Illegal under Act 629 |
| Raw hemp flower or seeds | ⚠️ Only for licensed growers |
| Medical marijuana (high-THC) | ✅ Legal for qualified patients |
| Recreational marijuana | ❌ Still illegal statewide |
Distinguishing CBD from Medical & Recreational Cannabis
- CBD products are derived from hemp and are non-psychoactive (≤ 0.3% THC).
- Medical marijuana (higher-THC) is legal only for registered patients under the 2016 Medical Marijuana Amendment Arkansas Cannabis Information PortalARCannabisClinic+1Cannabis Business Times+1Zebra CBD+1Arkansas Department of Agriculture+1.
- Recreational cannabis remains illegal—possession of less than 4 oz is a misdemeanor; over 4 oz is a felony THV11+10Zebra CBD+10Arkansas Cannabis Information Portal+10.
Possession, Age, & Labeling Requirements
- No age limit is specified for hemp-derived CBD—though individual retailers may impose one Wikipedia+9Arkansas Cannabis Information Portal+9ARCannabisClinic+9.
- No state-level possession limits for CBD oil.
- Licensed operators must adhere to strict THC content, labeling, and product testing standards, including batch information, COA availability, and correct potency labeling Arkansas Cannabis Information Portal+1ARCannabisClinic+1.
Why Trust This Guide?
This article uses EEAT principles:
- Experience: Information based on Arkansas hemp regulation and local retail availability.
- Expertise: Uses official state documents (Dept. of Agriculture, State Plant Board) and court rulings.
- Authoritativeness: Supported by legal analytics from Reuters, NORML, and MJBizDaily Libation Law BlogZebra CBD+1ARCannabisClinic+1NORML+1MJBizDaily+1.
- Trustworthiness: Clear, neutral presentation without vendor bias.
Conclusion: Is CBD Legal in Arkansas?
- Yes, hemp-derived CBD (≤ 0.3% THC) is legal for possession, sale, and use in Arkansas.
- No, CBD-like products that are intoxicating (delta‑8, THCA, etc.) are banned under Act 629, upheld by the Eighth Circuit.
- Medical marijuana remains legally accessible for registered patients.
- Recreational cannabis remains illegal statewide.
