05 Apr Legal Status of CBD Around The World
Countries with clear laws and guidelines on CBD legality and THC % levels.
| Country | Legal THC % |
Notes |
| Australia | 0.2% | CBD is legal in Australia, its laws are clear and defined. |
| Canada | 0.3% | CBD is legal in Canada, its laws are clear and defined. |
| USA | 0.3% | CBD is legal in the US, laws vary from state to state regarding legal CBD products. |
| England | 0% | The limit is zero THC, unless growers have a cultivation license to grow industrial hemp with no more than 0.2% THC. |
| Bulgaria | 0.2% | The first EU country to allow the free sale of CBD products. |
| Cyprus | 0.2% | CBD is legal in Cyprus, its laws are clear and defined. |
| Czech Republic | 0.3 | CBD is legal in the Czech Republic, its laws are clear and defined. |
| Greece | 0.2% | CBD is legal in Greece, its laws are clear and defined. |
Countries with unclear laws on CBD
All the following are countries where CBD may be legal, but has unclear laws.
Ireland (0.2%) – Inconsistent
Recent amendments to Irish law have recognized hemp CBD as a non-cannabis product, making it legal. However, imported CBD products are often held up (indefinitely) at customs and CBD Café proprietors currently find themselves battling their way through the courts.
Russia – Unknown
According to a statement released by MJNA CEO, Stuart Titus – Medical Marijuana Inc., has become the first company granted permission to import and sell CBD products into the notoriously anti-drug Russian Federation. (We cannot verify this at present).
Germany – Legal
CBD and medical cannabis have been legal in Germany for the past 2 years. Patients are required to get a marijuana card and doctor’s prescription. While recreational cannabis remains illegal, Germany holds a liberal stance on its private and public consumption.
Italy (0.2%–0.6%) – Que sera sera!
New legislation passed in 2019 banning it from being sold as ‘Cannabis Light’– a smokable form – is still not being fully enforced. It’s left to the discretion of local Carabinieri.
Austria (0.3%) – Unclear
The legal situation regarding CBD is a bit more complicated than in Germany. Cannabis flowers and extracts containing CBD can be legally sold, but not as a food supplement or medication.
France (0.2%) – Unclear
The largest producer of industrial hemp in Europe. It is unclear whether CBD oil is legal or not. While France follows the general EU law for industrial hemp and CBD products of 0.2% THC, in 2018 French authorities shut down CBD Cafés (Mmm … sounds very Irish!). Following this a directive was issued stating – Products, and especially CBD-based e-liquids are prohibited if they contain THC regardless of the rate and if they are not obtained from varieties and parts of authorised plants. The 0.2% THC limit applies to hemp for industrial and commercial purposes only.
Finland – Regulated
CBD products are legal but regarded as medicine and require a prescription. Importing CBD products from abroad is not easy and heavily regulated.
Denmark – Undecided
While cannabis derived CBD is legal, measures are controlled and require prescriptions. Marijuana remains an illegal substance and the penalty could be a fine or a prison sentence of up to 2 years. The cultivation, processing, sale and or distribution of marijuana is illegal. However, a 4 year pilot programme was introduced in 2018, for the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes.
Sweden – Inconsistent
Sweden has some of Europe’s most restrictive drug laws. Medical agencies are currently working on classifying CBD as a medicine but this will be a long judicial process. However, in 2019 a court ruling declared that hemp is excluded from the definition of cannabis and therefore is not considered a drug. On the other hand as CBD products contain THC it does not meet this exception and therefore – is a drug!
Norway (0%) – Unclear
Personal drug use was decriminalized in December 2017. CBD can only be got on prescription and must contain 0% THC. Norway is not a part of the European Union.
The Netherlands (<0.2%) – Weird!
CBD oil containing <0.2% is legal in the Netherlands as long as it was produced outside the Netherlands!
South Africa (0.001%) – Legal
CBD preparations that contain a maximum daily dose of 20mg CBD, with not more than 0.0075% CBD and 0.001% THC.
Japan (0.00%) – Legal (Surprise!)
Very strict laws regarding cannabis – 5 year prison term for possession and up to 10 years for growing. Amazingly, CBD is legal once it contains zero THC.
China – Illegal (No surprise!)
CBD is not legal in China. However, hemp production is, as long as the plant is bred with less than 0.3% THC. Since THC is extremely difficult to measure until the hemp is harvested this is a bit of a great wall! The sale of hemp seeds and hemp oil and the use of CBD in cosmetics is legal.
South Korea
One of the few countries in east Asia to legalize medical cannabis (2018). CBD oil is legal but strictly for medical purposes .
Thailand (0.1%) – Confusing!
Legal so long as it’s 99% pure and contains <.01% THC. CBD oil can be derived from either cannabis or hemp. Current laws established in 2019 don’t come into full effect for a period of 5 years. Until then imports of CBD oil made from cannabis is banned while imports of CBD oil made from hemp is legal.
CBD Laws in India – Unclear
Growing hemp is allowed with special permission. Certain cannabis products are legally available as ‘Ayurvedic’ medicine. However, the laws governing the import/export of cannabis/CBD products are extremely unclear.
The Verdict
The Netherlands, Sweden and China should have a chat about reality and fantasy. Ireland and France need to teach the big boys how to share. We all know how things get done in Italy and Thailand. UK, Japan and Norway – 0% – seriously?
When you buy from 123CBD.ie
We take care of every aspect of your experience. Your order arrives at your door quickly and discreetly. Many of our customers prefer dry vaping our CBD hemp flowers. Also the effect of using a tea strainer works very well in extracting the CBD from our flowers.
We do encourage all of our customers to seek medical advice before beginning with our CBD products. Medical conditions should always be discussed with your doctor.
