In What Countries Is CBD Legal? [2021 Update]

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There are many terms thrown around when people talk about the legality of CBD oil. Words like cannabis, hemp, and THC can often easily determine whether a CBD oil or other product is legally available for consumption and purchase or not. But why does this matter? Cannabidiol products all look and taste the same, right? Well- not quite. In this article, we will talk about the different types of cannabis, what makes cannabis products legal and where is CBD legal.

Let’s Talk About Cannabis

The use of cannabis with a high concentration of THC for recreational purposes is prohibited in most countries around the world. Nonetheless, many countries have adopted a policy of decriminalization to make simple possession a non-criminal offense. Others have much more severe penalties. For example, in some Asian countries, possession of cannabis is not just not legal but can result in imprisonment for several years. In most middle eastern countries, possession of very small amounts can result in more severe punishments.

In the United States, for example, the legal status varies according to state. Cultivation of hemp was officially made legal on a federal level thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill. This 2018 Farm bill allowed many farmers to grow a specific type of cannabis plant which is used for manufacturing cannabidiol products. Known as hemp-derived, the compound is widely used in the United States in the making of CBD oil, mainly used as a partial treatment of a variety of medical conditions. There are also many organizations supporting and advocating the safe use of cannabis across the country.

Is CBD legal all throughout the United States? Read our guide here.

Before we get into all that, let’s back up a little bit and talk about cannabis and where CBD comes in. The term cannabis¹ refers to a genus of flowering plants from the Cannabaceae family. The family consists of three primary species: Sativa, Indica, and Ruderalis. While people often refer to hemp and cannabis as “species”, they are actually not.². According to the Journal of Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research³, the terms “hemp” and “cannabis” are wide classifications of Cannabis that were adopted into everyday language by different cultures; however, they technically cannot be called plants on their own.

Nowadays, this is the understanding we have adopted:

“Hemp” refers to cannabis varieties⁴ such as Cannabis Sativa L. containing 0.2% or less THC content. Its cultivation is supervised by state authorities.
“grass”, “weed”, “pot” and “ganja” are synonym words, referring to Cannabis varieties which contain more than 0.2% THC⁵ and can induce psychotropic or euphoric effects on the user.

Cannabidiol is one of more than 60 compounds⁶ found in the cannabis plant, which means that both “hemp” and “medical cannabis” contain it within their chemical structure. This also means that CBD tinctures can be prepared from all cannabis plants, however, the CBD to THC concentration will differ with each plant.

What makes CBD legal?

The legality of cannabis oil for medical use or as a dietary supplement in Europe, in general, varies by country. Cannabis laws around the world may vary in terms of possession, distribution, how it can be consumed, and what medical conditions it can be used for. Nonetheless, according to EU law, CBD oil must not exceed 0.2% THC⁷. This applies to all countries in the European Union. This means that oils and other products have to be created using CBD-rich Cannabis varieties – namely Cannabis Sativa L (CSL) varieties. The cultivation of CSL varieties is officially legal in the EU, upon the conditions that they are registered in the EU’s ‘Common Catalogue of Varieties of Agricultural Plant Species’ and the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content in the plant does not exceed a concentration of 0.2 %.

There are, however, some countries that are following their own cannabis-specific laws, making cannabidiol partially legal or not legal at all. We suggest that you always check with your local authorities before purchasing any CBD oil.

Which Countries is CBD legal in?

CBD oil in Austria ✅

CBD oil is legal to purchase in Austria, as long as it is not advertised as a food supplement or medication and the maximal content of THC allowed is 0.3%⁸. This content of THC is higher than the general 0,2% suggested by the EU but there is change in progress in the EU to increase the threshold to 0.3% all over the European Union .

Bulgaria ✅

Bulgaria made history by becoming the first EU country to allow free sale of hemp-derived cannabidiol⁹. This makes CBD oil legal and easy to purchase in Bulgaria, as long as it contains not more than 0,2% of THC.

Moreover, the parliament has approved proposals to increase the limits of THC in CBD products from 0,2% to 0,3%. The final decision on this (THC constitution in CBD products) is still awaited.

Canada✅

According to the Cannabis Act also known as Bill C-45, which came into force on October 17, 2018, both hemp and marijuana are legal for medical and recreational use nationwide. Cultivation of marijuana and hemp is also legal in Canada.

This means that regardless of THC content in any CBD product, it is completely legal in Canada. You can purchase CBD products online or in dispensaries without the need for a doctor’s prescription.

Cyprus ✅

Cyprus follows the EU regulations and allows the cultivation of hemp.¹⁰ Therefore, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, the production and marketing of Cannabis sativa, (whole plants, part of plants, or seeds) are legal whose THC does not exceed 0,2%.

Additionally, from December 2016 the Pharmaceutical Services of the Ministry of Health of Cyprus categorized CBD as a medicinal product. Therefore, all CBD products marketed in Cyprus must submit their products to the pharmaceutical services for examination.

Czech Republic ✅

The laws¹¹ the Czech Republic states the following:

NO authorization is required for the acquisition, storage and processing of hemp plants, which may contain not more than 0,3% of the tetrahydrocannabinols, and only hemp for industrial, technical and horticultural purposes, as well as trade in hemp for those purpose.

Therefore, cannabidiol oil (CBD Oil) is legal to purchase, as long as it contains an equal or less amount of the officially allowed THC percentage of 0.3%.

CBD in Denmark ⚠️

In Denmark, similarly to other EU countries, it can be argued that CBD oil is legal to purchase if it contains less than 0,2% of THC. Nonetheless, an ongoing debate¹² from the Danish authorities keep cannabis users in limbo. They suggest that due to the healing properties of cannabidiol, it can be classed as a medicine, therefore you should require a prescription to obtain it. There is one exception for topical CBD products such as creams and lip balm – these are completely legal to purchase and do not require a medical prescription. Nonetheless, people are still purchasing cannabidiol online.

The Danish authorities state that it is generally not punishable to buy or possess CBD products, as long as these contain less than 0,2% THC.

Buying CBD in Finland ⚠️

CBD oil is currently not legally available for sale in Finland, but it is possible to order it online. However, consumers do so at their own risk. At the end of 2020, the European Court of Justice ruled that CBD cannot be classified as a drug.

France ✅

France follows the general EU law for industrial hemp, therefore, CBD oil is legal to purchase with the content of 0,2% THC or less.

Is CBD legal in Germany ⚠️

Laws in Germany are very particular when it comes to CBD and cannabis. According to the Narcotics Traffic Act (“Gesetz über den Verkehr mit Betäubungsmitteln” in German), cannabis can also be seen as non-narcotic, provided that its tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content does not exceed 0,2 % and that it is used solely for commercial or scientific purposes (other than cultivation) which prevent its abuse for intoxication¹³. This law should be enough to make CBD products legal to market, nonetheless, the law goes into more detail, putting further requirements on cannabidiol production.

Higher Regional Court of Hamm in 2016 ruled that Hemp flowers (CBD buds) are illegal for mere consumption, as they are considered as part of the plant, therefore raw. The judge ruled the following:

Only harmless (processed, editor’s note) cannabis products may then be sold to an end user¹⁴.

Police also seems to back up the statement with a tweet on the 15th of January 2019

Der Verkauf von CBD-Cannabisblüten aus angeblich zertifiziertem THC-freien Anbau an Konsumenten ist strafbar.
Dennoch vertrieb eine Berliner Firma diese Ware an Geschäfte und übers Netz.
Gestern standen unsere Ermittler vor ihrer Tür …https://t.co/Rd98c0ZX9N
^tsm pic.twitter.com/XhIjmwKMch
— Polizei Berlin (@polizeiberlin) 15. Januar 2019

The tweet reads as follows: “The sale of CBD cannabis blossoms from allegedly certified THC-free cultivation to consumers is punishable by law“

The statement made by the Higher Regional Court set up the standards of which CBD products are legal and which not, but also brought in a lot of uncertainty. As of now, we know the following:

Hemp blossom tea✅
The tea must be made from hemp. The THC content must not be more than 0.2 percent.
CBD tea & CBD coffee ⚠️
The legal status is uncertain and unclear laws
CBD flowers ❌
Officially illegal
CBD oil (full spectrum extract) ✅
Purchase and use are legal if the THC content is less than 0.2 percent.
CBD oil (isolated CBD) ⚠️
Due to its pharmacological effect, isolated CBD can be considered as medicine.

Greece ✅

The Greek government has legalized hemp (less than 0,2% THC) since 2018 and excluded it from the list of Drugs and Narcotics.

Thereupon, hemp-derived CBD products including foods and beverages containing less than 0,2% are legal for purchase online and over the counter.

Greece is currently evaluating a proposal for permitting medical cannabis products made from Cannabis Sativa with more than 0,2% THC.

Ireland ⚠️

CBD Oil can be legal in Ireland only if it’s extracted by cold pressing¹⁵. Extraction methods such as using CO₂ or solvents make CBD oils unfit to sell and illegal.

Buying CBD in Italy ✅

The situation with CBD in Italy is a bit complicated. While there is no official law, which states that cannabidiol products are legal, there is also no law, prohibiting the manufacturing, selling, and consuming CBD oil¹⁶. Manufacturers and consumers alike are taking advantage of this “loophole” and enjoying the benefits of CBD undisturbed.

Japan ✅

Medical cannabis laws in Japan have been evolving since the approval of the high-CBD drug Epidiolex to the Japanese market for clinical trials in 2019.

Until 1948, hemp cultivation and processing were legal in Japan. But, post the 1948 Cannabis Control Act, hemp cultivation and use have been subject to licensing. However, the act has excluded products of cannabis grown from stalk and seed from the controlled substances.

Therefore, under the current status, CBD products derived from the seeds and stem of hemp plants that are THC-free are legal in Japan.

Latvia ✅

Latvia follows the general EU law on industrial hemp and therefore allows for CBD oil with up to 0.2% of THC to be legally sold on the market. However, farmers are not allowed to extract cannabinoids which is why CBD products are never locally sourced within Latvia.

Lithuania ✅

Lithuania is another EU country that complies with the general hemp law, making cannabidiol legal, as long as it contains no more than 0.2% of THC.

Luxembourg ✅

It is legal to buy CBD oil in Luxembourg, as long as it contains 0.3% of THC or less¹⁷.

Netherlands ✅

According to the Opium Law in the Netherlands¹⁸, CBD oil is tolerated as a herbal product and can be legally sold and consumed if it is extracted from EU hemp, containing 0.05% of THC or less.

Norway⚠️

As Norway is not part of the EU, the general hemp law does not apply there. The Norwegian Medicines Agency, the one setting the rules for all medicine-related products, considers CBD to be a drug. At this time, CBD can therefore only be purchased if you have a doctor’s prescription.

It is possible to legally purchase CBD isolate without a prescription, however, you must make sure that it is 100% free from any THC. If the Norwegian customs detect any level of THC, they will seize it and potentially get you into legal issues.

Poland ✅

In Poland, there is no restriction in legislation specifically preventing the use of CBD. Hemp strains containing less than 0.2% THC have been cultivated in Poland for a very long time¹⁹

Portugal ✅

Portugal has the most progressive cannabis laws in the world. It legalized medical cannabis in 2018 and decriminalized cannabis for personal use in 2001, particularly more focused on medical use. For example, the medicinal use of cannabis for Chronic pain, Cancer, Post-traumatic stress disorder, etc must be prescribed by a doctor.

When it comes to CBD, it is legal and can be purchased or consumed without a prescription as long as the THC content is below 0.2%.

Romania ✅

The Parliament of Romania issued Law No.339 of 29 Nov 2005 concerning the ‘Legal regime of plants, Narcotic drugs, and psychotropic substances, narcotic psychotropic preparations’ which includes cannabis and all its species. The annexure classifies THC, its isomers, and their stereo-chemical variants under the Schedule I substances.

Although the Romanian Supreme Court has decriminalized cannabis, recreational use is forbidden.

Coming to CBD products including oils, soap, creams, balms, etc are legal in Romania as long there it is 0% THC. Products that tend to contain THC concentrations like CBD edibles or flowers are not permitted.

Slovenia ✅

According to Slovenian law, the cultivation, possession, processing, sale, and distribution of cannabis having a THC content greater than 0.2% is prohibited under existing legislation²⁰. Therefore, cannabidiol oil with less than 0,2% of THC content is completely legal.

Spain ✅

Spanish laws are in favor of the general EU hemp law and officially allow the production and purchase of CBD oil, containing no more than 0.2% of THC²¹.

Sweden ⚠️

Sweden has some of Europe’s most restrictive drug laws. Since June 2019, the Supreme Court decided that CBD tinctures with THC content, regardless of quantity, should be classified as narcotics.²²

Previously, CBD was in a grey zone but was considered by the Medical Products Agency to be medicine, especially when many companies marketed the CBD oil with medical claims, which means that they automatically fall under the Medicines Act and have to follow certain regulations. Cannabidiol products for oral intake are today considered medicines and in order to sell them, a license from the Medical Products Agency is required. If the product contains THC regardless of quantity, it is classified as a narcotic drug.

Switzerland ✅

Swiss cannabis and hemp laws are fairly relaxed. Hemp-derived CBD tinctures are completely legal to bring into and purchase in Switzerland, as long as they do not exceed the legal limit of 1% THC.²³

United Kingdom ✅

It is legal to buy cannabidiol oil in the United Kingdom if the product contains no more than 0.2% of THC²⁴ as per EU law.

In what countries is CBD Oil illegal?

CBD is illegal in Belgium ❌

Belgium laws contain a list of plants that are not allowed for use in or as a foodstuff²⁵. This list, unfortunately, contains the Sativa L Cannabis, therefore CBD oil is not legal to purchase. However, CBD products for external use can be purchased in stores all over Belgium.

Don’t buy CBD oil in Russia ❌

The Government Resolution No. 681 issued on June 30, 1998“On Approval of the List of Narcotics, Psychotropic Substances, and Their Precursors being a Subject to Control in the Russian Federation” includes the narcotic cannabinoid THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), all its isomers, and derivatives.

Although CBD is not on the list, it is still a THC isomer, like many other cannabinoids with identical atomic composition and molar mass. Taking this into account, at present, medical and recreational cannabis is also strictly prohibited.

There were some relaxations for the Industrial use of cannabis in the year 2020, subject to strict guidelines.

Ultimately, Russian laws do not provide for special rules regarding CBD content and its legal status is not clear. So, stay clear of CBD oil/ CBD products in Russia.

CBD oil is not legal in Slovakia ❌

Slovakia’s law is very clear: CBD belongs to their “Group 2” of narcotics, therefore all types of CBD oil are considered illegal for production and consumption alike²⁶.

What Types of CBD Products are Legal to Purchase?

There are a variety of CBD products available on the market. These include CBD Oils, CBD creams, CBD capsules, CBD E-Liquids, CBD edibles, as well as CBD infused cosmetics. As long as the finished product contains no more than 0.2% to THC, it is considered legal. These products are all made by extracting the CBD compound from Cannabis and mixing it with terpenes and a carrier product, for example, hemp seed oil. Nonetheless, not all products created from cannabis contain CBD. Since certain cannabis varieties are grown for their fiber or edible seeds (hemp and hemp seeds), often there is a confusion between hemp seed oil and CBD oil.

The Difference Between Hemp seed oil and CBD oil

Hemp seed oil is produced by pressing the seeds. It contains several plant materials but no THC. Hemp seed oil, unlike CBD oil, doesn’t contain any cannabinoids, regardless of the fact that they are both extracted from the same plant. Hemp seed oil is mainly used for cooking, but also like food, as it is a good source of protein, fiber, and minerals²⁹.

CBD oil, on the other hand, can contain many (full-spectrum) or just one (isolate) cannabinoid. It is known for its medicinal properties, mainly due to its anti-inflammatory qualities.

CBD and cosmetics

The EU Cosmetics Regulation³⁰ states that all cosmetic products made available for purchase on the market must be safe for human health when used under normal or reasonably foreseeable conditions.

Further down in the document, in annex II, there is a list of substances that are prohibited from use in cosmetics. It includes any substance referred to in Tables I and II of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961 (the Single Convention)³¹, which includes cannabis.

Nonetheless, the Single Convention uses a particular definition of Cannabis limited to “the flowering or fruiting tops of the cannabis plant” and excludes the seeds and leaves of the plant when not accompanied by the tops. This means that CBD can legally be used in cosmetics and sold in the EU, when not obtained from the cannabis flower.

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