Is CBD Legal to Use in the UK and EU?
Cannabidiol, better known as CBD, is a component that can be extracted from both hemp and marijuana plants, and which has long been used for many different purposes. Lately, the use of CBD, especially extracted from hemp, has spread worldwide for its significant benefits. Yet, the laws surrounding its production, trade, and use, varies greatly from one country to another.
If you’re a NaturalWorks CBD consumer who needs to travel to Europe and the UK, you will need to be well acquainted on the latest regulations throughout the continent.
EU Legislation on CBD
In January 2019, CBD entered the list of EU Novel Food regulations. This basically means that some CBD products such as oils, sweets, some infusions and drinks, as well as snacks are now part of a list of food considered novel food (i.e. food not commonly used before 15 May 1997). This regulation states that CBD can be used in food provided it contains less than 0.2% of THC, which is the amount found in the hemp variety as opposed to marijuana. It also requires that anyone interested in placing CBD products into the market, applies for an authorisation.
Now, all the countries within the EU and the UK have adapted and applied the regulations according to their own criteria.
The following chart shows a general overview of legal status of CBD in Europe and the UK.
|
ILLEGAL |
LEGAL WITH PRESCRIPTION |
LEGAL |
|
Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia |
Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Malta, Portugal |
Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom |
Then, is CBD legal to use in the UK and EU? Let’s check the particulars.
CBD regulation in the United Kingdom:
The general rule states that products containing CBD must have an appropriate labelling, which should contain no medical claims, and should show ingredients, CBD content, and manufacturer details. The product must contain an undetectable amount of THC (0.02% recommended limit of detection)
Hemp can’t be cultivated at home without a license, but you can purchase any product that contains less than 0.02% THC provided that CBD has been extracted from the industrial hemp strain.
CBD regulation in the EU:
CBD is completely illegal to use in the following countries: Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Russia, Serbia, and Slovakia. You should check the specific laws of each of these countries before entering CBD products if you want to prevent possible legal problems.
Some countries allow the use of CBD products, only when these are prescribed by a licensed physician and purchased at a pharmacy. The limits of THC present in the product vary from one country to another, though. For example, while in Finland it must be 0%, in Austria it must be less than 0.3%.
Most EU countries have decriminalized the use of CBD derived from industrial hemp, due to the fact that it doesn’t produce the psychoactive effects that THC causes. In this way, you can move freely carrying with you your CBD edible, oil, or others, throughout most European countries. Yet just in case, check the specific regulations of a country before getting your vape out of your pocket.
References:
What are the rules about cannabis oil in the UK?:
https://www.rocketlawyer.com/gb/en/blog/cbd-oil-what-is-its-legal-status-in-the-uk/
https://www.talk-business.co.uk/2019/08/23/cbd-in-europe-where-is-it-legal-and-where-is-it-not/