Is CBD legal worldwide?

Cannabis is illegal and CBD is legal in most countries around the world. However, because CBD is an extract from the cannabis plant, its legality is steeped in lots of regulation and legislation which mean that not everybody can grow, produce or purchase the products. Adding to this the fact that each country has its own laws that are ever changing regarding cannabis; it is a minefield answering questions regarding the legality of CBD.

Is CBD legal in Europe?

Regulations by the EU govern the sale of CBD in most European countries. However, these countries are allowed to make their own interpretations of the regulations and well as level of punishment. The tolerance for cannabis-related crime varies massively from country to country in Europe and, as a result, so does how the law on CBD is policed.

Albania – NO

Cannabis and any of its byproducts are illegal in Albania but plants are present throughout the country and the law isn’t usually enforced. People using cannabis for personal use are not generally prosecuted but the law still dictates the products are illegal. For this reason, CBD oil is illegal in Albania and is not worth the risk of importing into the country.

Austria – YES with a prescription

Possession of cannabis was decriminalized in January 2016. However, the Austrian Ministry of Health has recently issued a ban on the sale of all food and cosmetic products containing CBD unless issued via a medical professional. Without a prescription for your CBD product, it will be taken from you in Austria. Despite this, CBD oil is still available to purchase as an aromatic oil which is ‘not for human consumption’ in some Austrian shops.

Belarus – NO

Belarus has one of the most restrictive laws across Europe with both recreational and medical use of cannabis being completely illegal. In law, there is no distinction between marijuana or hemp in Belarus and anybody caught cultivating hemp and selling CBD can be prosecuted with up to 5 years in prison.

Belgium – YES with a prescription

Cannabis is illegal in Belgium but decriminalized for adults over 18 for the possession of up to 3 grams. Cannabis-derived drugs are legal for medical use, such as Sativex. However, Belgium has an extremely low rate of prosecution for cannabis possession and is renowned for being relaxed with CBD items available online and in health food stores for many years. So, CBD is technically illegal without a prescription due to a law made in 1912, but it isn’t policed.

Bosnia and Herzegovina – NO

Even though a branch of the Bosnian government has been formed to explore the legalization of cannabis products for medical purposes; all cannabis and by-products are illegal in Bosnia. Therefore, CBD is illegal in Bosnia.

Bulgaria – YES

Bulgaria is the first country in Europe to allow the free sale of CBD oil products made from hemp. This means it is neither classed as a supplement or a medicine like in the rest of Europe, but as a food. CBD is completely legal in Bulgaria with a THC of less than 0.2%.

Croatia – YES

Cannabis is legal in Croatia with a prescription. Possession of cannabis is decriminalized and being caught with a small amount for personal use will result in a fine. All hemp and CBD related products are legal in Croatia as long as they have less than 0.2% THC and you can safely import and buy hemp and CBD here.

Cyprus – YES

CBD is legal if it comes from industrial hemp and the concentration of THC does not exceed 0.2% at any point during production. It’s safe to travel to Cyprus with CBDbought in the United Kingdom.

Czechia / Czech Republic – YES

Recreational cannabis is decriminalized. Possession of up to 10 g and the cultivation of up to 5 plants both are subject to a small fine. The law states that any cannabis product that contains less than 0.3% of THC is legal, so CBD oil can be sold and consumed openly in the Czech Republic.

Denmark – NO

The answer is quite complicated for possessing CBD in Denmark. From July 2018, CBD oil containing less than 0.2% THC is legal but must adhere to strict regulations set regarding medicines, food products and food supplements. Due to the Danish authorities interpretation of these regulations, they advise that all over-the-counter and online CBD items are more than likely illegal, even if they contain less than 0.2 % THC. The advice is that these products would have to be assessed on an individual basis.

As a Danish resident, you can apply to be part of a pilot scheme made available in January 2018 to use cannabis products and must possess a written prescription from your licensed health provider. There is nothing to state that prescriptions are valid from other countries, so don’t travel to Denmark with any CBD.

Estonia – YES

Recreational cannabis is decriminalized where possession of up to 7.5 g is subject to fine. Large amounts of cannabis and distribution are illegal. Medical forms of cannabis are available with a permit. Estonian law dictates that CBD is not banned for use. Consequently, CBD with less than 0.2% THC are perfectly legal for sale, consumption and travelling into Estonia.

Finland – YES with a prescription

CBD is legal in Finland, but any products containing CBD are classed as a medicine, so must require a prescription issued from a medical professional. Other cannabis products are illegal and although it isn’t heavily policed, punishments for minor possession can be quite harsh.

France – YES

CBD is legal. However, the French government advise that even the slightest trace of THC in CBD would make it illegal. Therefore, only CBD with 0% THC is legal for sale and consumption in France.

Germany – YES with a prescription

CBD and the medical use of cannabis are legal substances in Germany, but only if you possess a medical prescription and a marijuana card. Some CBD items are not classified as medicines such as hemp tea and full-spectrum extract as long as the THC is less than 0.2% and can be purchased. CBD bud/flower is illegal.

Greece – YES

CBD is legal if it comes from industrial hemp and the concentration of THC does not exceed 0.2% at any point during production. Safe to travel to Greece with CBD sold in the UK.

Hungary – YES

CBD is legal if it comes from industrial hemp and the concentration of THC does not exceed 0.2% at any point during production. It is safe to travel to Hungary with CBD sold in the UK.

Iceland – NO

There is no specific law on the production and sale of CBD in Iceland. However, Icelandic authorities do not make a distinction between cannabis and CBD and therefore CBD is illegal in Iceland. However, many small Icelandic businesses sell CBD despite the law.

Ireland – YES

CBD is legal in Ireland. However, there are two sets of regulations with discrepancies that make the law confusing; one which states that only CBD extracted from cold-pressing is legal and the other that even the slightest trace of THC in CBD would make it illegal. Despite this, CBD items are sold in Ireland from multiple extraction methods and well-tolerated whereas THC in products isn’t tolerated and is policed. Regulations in Ireland are currently being looked at by the Irish government as they look at proposals for decriminalisation of recreational cannabis and are expected to be updated in the near future.

Italy – YES

The cultivation of hemp and the production and sale of CBD is legal in Italy, providing the content of THC throughout production is no more than 0.6%. The Italian Supreme Court advised in June 2019 that this legislation does not pertain to smokable cannabis. Therefore, the sale of high-CBD strains of cannabis with less than 0.6% THC is not legal in Italy.

Latvia – YES

CBD is legal if it comes from industrial hemp and the concentration of THC does not exceed 0.2% at any point during production. Safe to travel to and from Latvia with CBD sold in the UK.

Lithuania – YES

CBD is legal if it comes from industrial hemp and the concentration of THC does not exceed 0.2% at any point during production. Safe to travel to and from Lithuania with CBD sold in the UK.

Luxembourg – YES

CBD is legal if it comes from industrial hemp and the concentration of THC does not exceed 0.3% at any point during production. Safe to travel to and from Luxembourg with CBD sold in the UK.

Malta – YES with a prescription

Cannabis is decriminalized for possession up to 3.5 grams and is legal for medical purposes. CBD is classified as a medical form of cannabis in Malta and is therefore only available with a prescription.

Netherlands – YES

Possession of cannabis is decriminalized up to 5 g and the sale and use is widely tolerated in licensed coffee shops. CBD is legal but CBD oil is illegal in the Netherlands, because of distinction in the law which dictates that cannabinoids cannot be isolated from the cannabis plant. Despite this, CBD is widely available across the Netherlands and not policed.

Norway – YES

Although Norway is not part of the EU, their law has been largely dictated by the European hemp market, so CBD is legal in Norway. However, the Norwegian government advise that even the slightest trace of THC in CBD products would make it illegal. Therefore, only CBD with 0% THC is legal for sale and consumption in Norway.

Poland – YES

CBD is legal if it comes from industrial hemp and the concentration of THC does not exceed 0.2% at any point during production. Safe to travel to and from Poland with CBD products sold in the UK.

Portugal – YES with a prescription

Recreational cannabis is decriminalized up to 25 g and medical cannabis is legal in Portugal. CBD is considered to be a medicine and technically only available with a prescription from a medical professional.

Romania – YES

Recreational cannabis is illegal and medical forms of cannabis is available as long as the THC is less than 0.2%. The Romanian government has no restrictions on where the CBD in their products is sourced, so unlike most EU nations, the CBD can be extracted from marijuana.rather than hemp. CBD products are legal in Romania as long as they contain less than 0.2% THC.

Russia – NO

The cultivation of hemp is legal in Russia, but any extraction involving removing or isolating cannabinoids is illegal. It appears some vendors so sell CBD products despite the fact that CBD oil is illegal in Russia.

Serbia – NO

All cannabis and by-products are illegal in Serbia for recreational or medicinal use. Consequently, all CBD products are illegal in Serbia.

Slovakia – NO

One of the strictest countries in Europe for cannabis possession, even a small amount of cannabis can result in 8 years in prison. The Slovakian law dictates that CBD is a psychoactive narcotic and the production, sale and possession of any CBD product is prohibited and punishable by law.

Slovenia – YES

CBD is legal if it comes from industrial hemp and the concentration of THC does not exceed 0.2% at any point during production. Safe to travel to and from Slovenia with CBD products sold in the UK.

Spain – YES

The cultivation of cannabis for personal use in Spain is legal. By law, any cannabis product (including CBD) cannot be bought or sold in Spain as a consumable product. CBD is legally allowed to be sold as a cosmetic product. Despite this, consumable CBD products are still available in Spain but display the warning ‘for external use only’. These CBD products must have less than 0.2% THC.

Sweden – YES

CBD is legal. However, the Swedish government advise that even the slightest trace of THC in CBD products would make it illegal. Therefore, only CBD products with 0% THC are legal for consumption in Sweden. A license from the Medical Products Agency in Sweden is needed to sell consumable CBD products.

Switzerland – YES

Swiss cannabis laws are relaxed, with possession of 10 g or less of cannabis decriminalized. Cannabis and by-products are legal if they contain less than 1.0% THC. All hemp-derived CBD products with less than 1.0% THC are legal to purchase and consume in Switzerland.

Ukraine – YES

CBD is legal. However, the Ukrainian government advise that even the slightest trace of THC in CBD products would make it illegal. Therefore, only CBD products with 0% THC are legal for sale and consumption in Ukraine.

United Kingdom – YES

CBD is legal. However, the UK government advise that even the slightest trace of THC in CBD products would make it illegal. Therefore, only CBD products with 0% THC are legal for sale and consumption in the UK.

Next Step

Now that you understand the rules and regulations, reach out to our sales rep and see how we can help you with quality CBD products at a reasonable price and experience a great customer service that is lacking in this industry!