Can You Still Buy CBD or THC Online in California? SB 378 Explained (2026)

Last updated: July 2026

Tried ordering your usual CBD or THC product online only to find it won’t ship to California? You’re not alone.

As of July 1, 2026, you can still buy CBD online in California—but only certain types. CBD isolate and CBN products with no detectable THC still have a legal pathway for online purchase, while many full spectrum CBD products, Delta-8 products, and other intoxicating hemp products are now restricted through regular online retailers.

The reason is a combination of California laws that took effect over the past two years. Assembly Bill 8 (AB 8) changed which ingestible hemp products can be sold in California, while Senate Bill 378 (SB 378) added new rules for online marketplaces that list intoxicating hemp products. Once you understand the difference, it’s much easier to know which products you can still buy and where to find them.

Date	What Happened
Sept. 23, 2024	California emergency rules: No detectable THC allowed in hemp foods, beverages, or supplements.
Jan. 1, 2026	Assembly Bill 8 (AB 8, Chapter 248, Statutes of 2025) took effect, making those rules permanent and moving intoxicating hemp products into the licensed cannabis system.
July 1, 2026	Senate Bill 378 (SB 378, Chapter 411, Statutes of 2025) took effect, making online marketplaces responsible for unlicensed intoxicating hemp listings.

Myth: B 378 is the law that banned THC products in California.

False. The restrictions on intoxicating hemp products came from California’s 2024 emergency regulations and AB 8. SB 378 is the law that adds enforcement for online marketplaces.

Many people assume SB 378 created California’s hemp restrictions because it took effect on July 1, 2026. In reality, the biggest product changes happened earlier when California adopted emergency regulations requiring no detectable THC in ingestible hemp products. AB 8 later made those rules permanent.

SB 378 focuses on where consumers shop online. It requires online marketplaces to verify that sellers offering intoxicating hemp products are properly licensed or display a warning graphic if they are not. It also requires marketplaces to provide a way for shoppers to report questionable listings and follow up on those reports.

The law also increases accountability for marketplaces that continue hosting illegal intoxicating hemp products. Its goal is to make online shopping safer by reducing access to unlicensed products rather than changing what consumers could already legally purchase.

“CBD is now illegal in California.”

False. CBD isolate and CBN products with no detectable THC still have a legal pathway for purchase online and in retail stores in California.

This is one of the biggest misconceptions surrounding California’s hemp laws. While many THC-containing hemp products became more restricted, California did not ban all CBD products.

The biggest factor now is whether an ingestible product contains detectable THC.

Here’s a simple breakdown:

• CBD isolate contains only CBD and no detectable THC.
• Broad spectrum CBD contains several hemp compounds but is formulated to remove THC.
• Full spectrum CBD contains CBD along with other naturally occurring hemp compounds, including detectable THC.

For consumers who simply want CBD without THC, CBD isolate products remain one of the clearest options under California’s current rules.

Myth: Full Spectrum CBD is fine because it’s under 0.3% THC.

False. Federal hemp rules are different from California law. California requires no detectable THC in ingestible hemp products, so most full spectrum CBD gummies, tinctures, and beverages can no longer be sold through ordinary direct-to-consumer online sales in California.

Many shoppers assume that because hemp products containing less than 0.3% THC are federally legal, they’re automatically legal everywhere. California has chosen a different approach for ingestible hemp products.

Beginning with the state’s emergency regulations in 2024 and continuing under AB 8, California requires hemp foods, beverages, and dietary supplements to contain no detectable THC. That means many products that are federally compliant no longer meet California’s requirements.

Most full spectrum CBD products fall into this category because they naturally contain detectable amounts of THC. Many broad spectrum products also require careful review depending on their final formulation.

Can CBD Be Shipped to California?

Yes—but only certain CBD products.

As of July 1, 2026, CBD isolate products and CBN products with no detectable THC still have a legal pathway for shipment to California. Many full spectrum CBD products, Delta-8 products, hemp-derived THC gummies, and intoxicating hemp beverages are no longer available through standard direct-to-consumer online sales.

Some national hemp companies also updated their California shipping policies after these laws took effect. Consumers should always verify whether a specific product can legally be shipped before placing an order.

You Can Still Buy	Restricted Outside the Licensed Cannabis Channel
CBD isolate	Full spectrum CBD gummies
THC free CBN	Delta-8
CBD isolate tinctures	THCa
CBD isolate Gummies	Hemp THC gummies
CBD isolate capsules	Hemp THC drinks

Myth: Delta-8 is legal because it comes from hemp.

False. As of July 1, 2026, Delta-8, Delta-10, THCa, and other intoxicating hemp cannabinoids do not have a legal pathway outside California’s licensed cannabis channel.

Because Delta-8 is made from hemp, many people assume it follows the same rules as CBD. In California, that’s no longer the case. Under the state’s current hemp laws, intoxicating hemp products—including Delta-8 and similar cannabinoids—must be sold through the licensed cannabis channel rather than ordinary retail stores or standard online marketplaces.

The same applies to other intoxicating hemp cannabinoids such as Delta-10 and THCa products intended to produce intoxicating effects. If you’ve been wondering, “Is THCa legal in California?” the answer depends on whether it’s being sold through a licensed cannabis business. Outside that system, these products no longer have the same legal pathway they once did.

If you’re shopping online and see Delta-8 or similar products advertised with no mention of a licensed seller, that’s a good reason to pause and verify the listing before purchasing.

Myth: If it’s listed on Amazon, Instagram, or a website, it must be legal.

False. SB 378 was created because unlicensed intoxicating hemp products were widely available online, so simply seeing a product listed doesn’t mean it’s being sold legally.

Before SB 378 took effect, shoppers could easily find intoxicating hemp products across websites, apps, and social media. The new law places more responsibility on the marketplaces themselves to help reduce illegal listings.

As consumers, you may begin noticing a few changes. Online marketplaces that don’t verify seller licenses must display warning graphics for certain listings. They must also provide a way for shoppers to report listings they believe violate California’s requirements and follow up on those reports.

When shopping online, it’s worth taking a few extra seconds to look for signs that a seller is legitimate. If a listing doesn’t clearly identify the business, makes unrealistic claims, or doesn’t provide basic product information like third-party testing, it’s smart to keep looking.

The goal isn’t to make shopping harder—it’s to make it easier for consumers to identify reputable businesses while reducing access to unlicensed intoxicating hemp products.

Myth: There’s nowhere left to buy THC products in California.

False. Adults can still purchase THC products through California’s licensed cannabis dispensaries and licensed cannabis delivery services.

The biggest change isn’t whether THC products exist—it’s where they’re sold.

If you’re looking for THC gummies, THC drinks, THC seltzers, or other intoxicating hemp products in California, the appropriate place to shop is through a licensed cannabis dispensary or licensed cannabis delivery service. California’s rules moved these products into the licensed cannabis channel to provide greater oversight and consumer protections.

On the other hand, shoppers looking for THC free wellness products still have options outside the cannabis system. CBD isolate products and CBN products with no detectable THC continue to have a legal pathway for online purchase and are also available through many traditional retailers.

Understanding this split makes California’s current rules much easier to navigate:

• THC products: Licensed cannabis dispensaries and licensed cannabis delivery services.
• CBD isolate and THC free CBN products: Still available through traditional online retailers and many brick-and-mortar stores.

What to Check Before Buying CBD in California

California’s hemp rules have changed, but finding a quality CBD product doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are a few things to check before you buy.

• Look for a third-party Certificate of Analysis (COA). A COA is an independent laboratory report that confirms what’s in a product and verifies cannabinoid content.
• Check for “no detectable THC.” This is different from “<0.3% THC.” Under California’s current rules for ingestible hemp products, that distinction matters.
• Know your CBD type. CBD isolate contains only CBD. Broad spectrum CBD contains multiple hemp compounds with THC removed. Full spectrum CBD naturally contains detectable THC.
• Avoid products containing synthetic cannabinoids. Stick with products that clearly identify their ingredients and testing.
• Purchase THC products only through California’s licensed cannabis channel.

At Extract Labs, every batch is third-party tested, and we publish our Certificates of Analysis so customers can review their results before purchasing. You can view our lab results on the Extract Labs COA page and browse our THC free CBD isolate products to find options that align with California’s current requirements.

California CBD and THC Laws: FAQ

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Disclaimer: This article is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. California hemp and cannabis laws continue to evolve. Always verify the most current state and local requirements before purchasing or selling hemp or cannabis products.