Top Countries Where CBD is Legal in 2023
CBD is a compound found in the Cannabis Sativa plant. Unlike marijuana, which contains high levels of THC and is illegal in most countries, CBD is non-psychoactive and can be extracted from hemp.
This article explains you where CBD is legal and what are their rules which CBD users should know.
CBD has become popular in recent years for its medical properties, including supporting the treatment of epilepsy, post-traumatic stress syndrome, and insomnia.
The legality of CBD varies from country to country and is determined by its THC content. THC is the compound in marijuana that causes a “high.” In many countries, CBD products are legal as long as they contain less than a certain percentage of THC, which varies from country to country.
For example, in Poland, Germany, and Northern Ireland, CBD products with less than 0.2% THC are legal, while in France, the THC content must be 0.00%.
Some countries, such as the Netherlands and Italy, have more liberal attitudes toward CBD and allow higher levels of THC in CBD products.
In contrast, countries like Slovakia and Sweden have stricter regulations and consider any THC content in CBD products to be illegal.
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This article lists the top countries where CBD is currently legal in 2023 for recreational use:
- U.S.A.
It’s not entirely clear whether or not CBD is legal in the United States. CBD products derived from hemp, which contain less than 0.3% of the psychoactive compound THC, were decriminalized by the 2018 Farm Bill.
However, federal law still prohibits the use of CBD derived from marijuana with a THC content of 0.3% or higher. It’s important to keep in mind that CBD laws may be different from one state to the next.
2. Canada
CBD can be used for either therapeutic or recreational purposes in Canada. In 2018, the government of this country legalized the recreational use of marijuana, which includes CBD products. Health Canada has strict guidelines that CBD products sold in the country must follow.
- U.K.
CBD can be sold legally in the United Kingdom as long as it satisfies certain requirements. The CBD must come from an EU-approved industrial hemp strain and contain less than 0.2% THC.
CBD products that are legal and safe enough to be used in these ways can be legally distributed to the public as dietary supplements and beauty products.
- Switzerland
When it comes to CBD, Switzerland’s laws are among the most lenient. In 2011, cannabis products with less than 1% THC were made legal in the country. Since then, the use of CBD products has become widespread in the country.
- Germany
If the THC content of CBD is less than 0.2%, it can be sold legally in Germany. You can market CBD products as dietary supplements or beauty aids, but not as pharmaceuticals.
- Italy
Italy legalized the use of medical marijuana in 2013, and CBD products with less than 0.6% THC can be prescribed by doctors.
CBD products that are legal and safe enough to be used in these ways can be legally distributed to the public as dietary supplements and beauty products.
- France
Medical marijuana was made legal in France in 2013. CBD products with less than 0.2% THC can be sold as food supplements or cosmetics.
- Spain
In Spain, cannabis for personal use is decriminalized, and CBD products with less than 0.2% THC can be sold as food supplements or cosmetics.
Legal regulations on CBD
CBD products are legal under current legislation, with THC content being the determining factor. Hemp-derived CBD oil has a variety of potential applications, including:
- Poland – THC < 0.2%,
- Germany – THC < 0.2%,
- Austria – THC <0.3%,
- The Netherlands – THC < 0.05%, above this limit it is a pharmaceutical product,
- France – THC < 0.00%,
- Belgium – THC < 0.2% – prescription required,
- UK – THC < 0.2%, but only as a dietary supplement,
- Northern Ireland – THC < 0.2%,
- Southern Ireland – THC 0.00%,
- Iceland – no legal regulations concerning CBD, but a very strict marijuana law,
- Spain – THC < 0.2%, for external use only,
- Portugal – on prescription,
- Luxembourg – THC < 0.2%,
- Switzerland – THC < 1%,
- Greece and North Macedonia – THC < 0.2%,
- Czech Republic – THC < 1%,
- Hungary – THC < 0.2%,
- Malta – legal marihuana for personal use
- Georgia – THC 0.00%,
- Cyprus – THC < 0.3%,
- Romania – THC < 0.2%, for medical use only
- Slovenia – THC < 0.2%,
- Slovakia – illegal,
- Italy – THC < 0.6%,
- Croatia – THC < 0.2%,
- Bulgaria – THC < 0.2%,
- Norway – THC 0.00%,
- Sweden – THC 0.00%,
- Denmark – THC < 0.2%, prescription required,
- Finland – THC < 0.2%, prescription required,
- Estonia – THC < 0.2%,
- Lithuania – true hemp cultivation is legal, but the status of CBD products is very unclear,
- Latvia – THC<0,2%
CBD – a global perspective
- Mexico – THC < 1%, works on full legalization of marijuana are underway,
- Argentina – THC < 1%,
- Brazil – THC < 0.2%,
- Chile – THC < 1%,
- Peru – THC < 1%,
- Costa Rica – unclear,
- Uruguay – THC < 1% (banned for foreigners),
- Guatemala – illegal,
- South Africa – THC < 0.2% (illegal in other African countries),
- Virgin Islands – THC < 1%,
- Australia – THC < 0.05%,
- New Zealand – prescription required,
- Israel – THC 0.00%; very unclear status, may entail consequences,
- Turkey – THC 0.00%; very unclear status, may entail consequences,
- Egypt – THC 0.00%; very unclear status, may entail consequences,
- Hong Kong – THC 0.00% (no possibility to export it),
- Japan – THC 0.00%,
- China – unclear,
- South Korea – only on medical order and under clinical conditions,
- India – unclear,
- Belize – THC < 1%,
- Thailand – THC < 0.02%,
- Belarus – illegal,
- Russia – cultivation is legal, CBD products are illegal,
- Ukraine – THC 0.00%.
It’s important to note that while CBD is legal in many countries, recreational marijuana use is still illegal in most places. The rules around CBD can be confusing, so it’s important to check the laws in your country before using any CBD products.
References
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Sammy, a freelance CBD writer with a doctorate in medicine from South Korea, is a highly skilled and knowledgeable author in the field of medical cannabis.
- Sammy, PhD
- Freelance CBD Writer
- Medical Cannabis Expert