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CBD (cannabidiol) is one of the many cannabinoids derived from the hemp plant. The substance is known for its impact on relieving stress, anxiety, depression, inflammation, and a number of mental disorders.
Even though CBD is removed from the list of FDA’s controlled substances, there is an ongoing debate on the legality of the substance in many states. That’s why, there’s always a question mark related to the sale of CBD products on massive online marketplaces like Etsy.
Is it allowed?
The short answer will be no, you can’t. The platform claims that it has strict seller guidelines to prevent sales of any substance that is not approved by the FDA. The platform also claims that it has the right to deny or remove any listing that is in direct violation of federal laws.
As a result, sellers can list hemp seeds, hemp oils, tropicals, etc. But products that are a derivative of marijuana can’t be listed on the platform as marijuana is still recognized as a Schedule I substance on the federal level.
Etsy’s policy on selling CBD products
Etsy is very strict on its seller guidelines and violating these guidelines can result in your listing getting down or even a permanent ban on your account. Here’s a comprehensive list of products that can’t be listed on Etsy,
- Alcohol
- Tobacco products
- Drug accessories and paraphernalia
- Recreational drugs and herbal products (including CBD)
- Products claiming to cure or treat a condition or illness
- Regulated medical devices
- Medication or pharmaceuticals of any kind
- Hazardous product
- Recalled items
- Vapes or vaporizers
Why sales of CBD products is prohibited on Etsy?
The sale of CBD products has been halted on Etsy for quite some time and the platform has its own reasons to do that. The CBD infused in many CBD products is not yet FDA-approved which makes the whole legality of CBD products quite ambiguous.
Also, the FDA has not yet categorized CBD products as over-the-counter medication or dietary supplements. As a result, platforms like Etsy prefer to keep the ban on CBD sales rather than make a move to make the whole situation clear.
What happens if you try to sell CBD products on Etsy?
Etsy has built its reputation as a platform that promotes the sales of products that are 100% genuine and legal. This is why the platform has such a firm stance on CBD products.
The platform reserves the right to deny a listing or even take down one if it violates the set guidelines. The platform has done this many times in the past and swift action is taken as soon as a seller lists a CBD-based product. The platform also reserves the right to permanently ban a seller’s account meaning that the seller may lose their non-refundable Etsy seller fee.
Possible other ways to sell CBD products
When it comes to selling CBD products online, selecting the right platform is important. Many merchants face time-to-time termination of their seller accounts, just because they ignore crucial guidelines. One possible way to sell CBD products is to partner up with high-risk merchant sites such as Shopify, Woocommerce, etc. to activate a CBD merchant account. This will help you to securely make credit/debit card-based transactions without the risk of getting your account terminated.
