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State board says CBD oil is illegal; Attorney says it’s legal under 2014 Farm Bill

Some say the state is wrong to rule the sale and use of CBD oil is illegal because it’s exempt under a federal law.

RELATED: CBD oil, sold for years locally, not illegal in Ohio

Lori Harrod has sold and used cannabidiol oil for years. The oil comes from hemp or marijuana, and does not contain THC — the chemical in marijuana that gets people high.

Harrod said she was upset to learn the Ohio Board of Pharmacy ruled that all marijuana products, including CBD oil, can only be sold in a licensed medical marijuana control program dispensary.

None of those dispensaries are yet open in Ohio, so the oil is illegal for anyone to possess or sell.

Harrod is an ambassador for Zilis, a company that produces hemp-derived CBD oil. The company’s attorney drafted a letter, calling the pharmacy board’s position misguided.

"Products derived from hemp grown in federally authorized state pilot programs are exempted from the purview of the controlled substances act by the 2014 Farm Bill," the letter read in part.

“We are totally, 100 percent still legal,” Harrod said. “We are part of the 2014 Farm Bill.”

Representatives on Tuesday from the pharmacy board said all CBD oil is illegal, and that someone breaking the law could face administrative or criminal action.

The World Health Organization agrees with Harrod, saying CBD oil should not be controlled as a drug.

The attorney for Zilis said they’re considering going to the governor, and demanding the state pharmacy board make a retraction.

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