CBD legislation in Europe : What’s the current status?

The legal status of cannabis, its derivatives and its uses is far from being a model of harmony on the old continent. Here is an overview of the different legislations, most of them almost permanent, within the European community.

The spectrum of cannabis uses is wide. Four main uses stand out: medical use, recreational use, wellness use related to CBD products and industrial hemp exploitation. Due to the controversial status of cannabis, these uses are sometimes prohibited, condemned or encouraged. Indeed, several factors can determine whether a cannabis derivative is legally available for consumption and purchase, or not. Thus, each country looks at and welcomes these uses differently depending on its drug policy, while keeping the general EU regulations as a guideline.

You want to know the legal status of cannabis and its derivatives in the EU countries? We offer you a legislative tour on the issue.

Reminder regarding the UE cannabis/CBD legislation

According to EU (European Union) legislation, hemp grown for “fiber” is legal if its THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) content does not exceed 0.2% or less. This provision is specified in Council Regulation (EC) No. 1672/2000 of 27 July 2000.

While cannabis is decriminalized in some countries, in the majority of cases, EU member states maintain a rather hostile attitude towards cannabis and especially towards recreational cannabis.

Regarding CBD, until recently there were no restrictions on the subject in EU regulations. However, EU legislation has moved towards some restriction. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), published new guidelines in January 2019 that affect cannabinoid-enriched foods: “If CBD is to be considered a food additive, it will need to be filed as a novel dietary ingredient.

All products containing CBD must now be approved by a national food authority as a “novel food”. These new guidelines are not mandatory, but some EU member states have already amended their CBD laws accordingly.

EU legislation update country by country

Ready for a tour of cannabis/CBD legislation in the EU in 2021?

Germany

The legalization of medical cannabis has been in effect in Germany since March 2017. Thanks to it, patients suffering from serious illnesses can be treated with cannabis-based medicines on prescription. As for CBD-based products, they are also legal, but only if the THC content does not exceed 0.2%. On the other hand, the German federal drug law prohibits recreational cannabis, although it tolerates the possession and consumption of small quantities.

Austria

Austrian law only prohibits psychotropic cannabis. The use of medical cannabis has been permitted since 2008. There are no restrictions on CBD, which is also legal. Authorized CBD products must not exceed the threshold of 0.3% THC. Even better than the majority of other EU members who stagnate at 0.2%.

Belgium

Under laws dating back to 1912, in Belgium anything extracted from the cannabis plant is illegal. Unless prescribed by a doctor, buying/selling or consuming CBD products is illegal. Medical CBD is allowed but only with a prescription. Apart from that, you can be prosecuted for possessing CBD products, even if they do not contain THC. The production, distribution, and sale of medical cannabis remains prohibited.

In 2019, Belgium announced that CBD flowers with less than 0.2% THC content are now considered tobacco products.

Bulgaria

In Bulgaria, CBD products are available over the counter as long as they contain less than 0.2% THC. In fact, it was the first EU country to issue a certificate for the sale of CBD in open markets.

Croatia

In Croatia you can legally import and buy CBD cannabis as long as the THC content does not exceed 0.2%. Also, medical cannabis has been legal since 2015. Patients suffering from pathologies related to AIDS, multiple sclerosis or cancer can be treated in pharmacies with a prescription. Similarly, the cultivation of industrial hemp is authorized. However, it is illegal to smoke cannabis in public places. Possession, even in small quantities, is forbidden.

Cyprus

Cypriot legislation allows the cultivation and marketing of whole plants or parts of plants or seeds of the species Cannabis sativa with a THC concentration not exceeding 0.2%. Producers and/or suppliers of industrial hemp must obtain a license. Convicted cancer patients are allowed to use cannabis oil for their palliative care.

Denmark

Under Danish law, the use of cannabis for medical and scientific purposes is still restricted. Under current law, you must have a prescription from a doctor to consume cannabis in any form. Therefore, CBD in Denmark is currently only available with a doctor’s prescription.

Spain

Spain is one of the most divisive countries in terms of cannabis legislation. Cannabis-based therapeutic treatments remain prohibited, except in Catalonia where Sativex has been authorized since 2013.

While industrial hemp is allowed, only the Cannabis Sativa L variety can legally be produced, sold and consumed. Similarly, only CBD products from industrial hemp are legal. Only, as in the EU, CBD products in Spain must not contain more than 0.2% THC.

In terms of decriminalization, Spain is one of the few countries where the private use of cannabis is legalized. However, the use, purchase, possession, sale and import of cannabis in public is illegal.

The government prohibits therapeutic claims on online purchases of CBD products.

Estonia

Estonia is the only one of the Baltic countries to have legalized medical cannabis. However, cannabinoid-based medication remains highly regulated. Under Estonian law, psychotropic drugs are illegal. CBD, however, escapes the psychotropic class and can be used legally.

Finland

The Finnish law on psychoactive substances is quite restrictive. Thus, although the law allows for therapeutic cannabis, requests for cannabinoid medication are handled on a case-by-case basis. CBD is legal in the sense that it is not listed as a prohibited substance.

France

Is cannabinoid-based medication legal in France? Yes, with Sativex, dronabinol (Marinol) or synthetic THC. But these medications have not been very conclusive. Therefore, a new decree of October 7, 2020 authorizes a new experimentation of therapeutic cannabis in 5 indications.

However, French legislation remains rather hostile to THC. And it has long been rather unclear on the uses of CBD products.

The 0.2% THC level was one of the main points that fueled the legal vagueness around CBD uses. In fact, France authorizes the cultivation of a restrictive list of hemp varieties with a THC level not exceeding 0.2%. Similarly, any extraction of cannabonoids was prohibited. Today, it is by virtue of a 2018 CJEU ruling that the sale of CBD products has been revived. A more precise legal development was expected.

It fell through a decision of the Court of Cassation that legalizes cannabidiol and hemp flowers legally produced in the EU. In this decision of June 23, 2021, the Court of Cassation states that “the prohibition of the marketing of products containing CBD cannot be ordered in the absence of proof that they fall into the category of narcotics.

Greece

Under Greek law, CBD is excluded from drug control. CBD products are allowed if they contain less than 0.2% THC.

Hungary

Hungarian law does not explicitly restrict CBD. According to Hungarian law, cannabis containing less than 0.2% THC is considered hemp. Therefore, CBD is legal in Hungary.

Ireland

Under Irish law, cannabis varieties containing THC up to 0.2% are permitted. Extraction methods such as the use of CO2 or solvents is illegal. Therefore CBD oil is legal if and only if it is obtained by cold pressing.

Italy

In Italy, it has been possible to buy medical cannabis in pharmacies since 2007. As of 2017, the Italian law introduces “provisions favoring the cultivation of industrial hemp . The goal is to re-inscribe the country as a major player in the industrial cultivation of hemp and CBD products. Industrial hemp can be grown if the THC content is 0.5% or less. In 2016, the Italian government legalized the sale and consumption of CBD. In 2018, high CBD light cannabis with less than 0.5% THC was legalized.

Latvia

Latvian cannabis legislation is aligned with EU legislation on industrial hemp. Therefore the country allows the sale of CBD products with THC limited to 0.2%. Cannabinoid medication is not allowed.

Lithuania

Lithuania adheres to the general EU law on hemp. CBD products can be legally purchased in Lithuania as long as they contain less than 0.2% THC. Like Latvia, Lithuania does not allow medical cannabis.

Luxembourg

Under Luxembourg law, cannabis is legal if it contains less than 0.3% THC. CBD in Luxembourg is therefore legal. Similarly, medical cannabis has been legal since 2018.

Malta

In Malta, to use cannabis for therapeutic purposes, a prescription is required. In 2015, Maltese laws placed restrictions on cannabis and CBD. Under Maltese law, cannabinoid extraction from any form of cannabis (marijuana or hemp) remains subject to the Drug Dependence Act of 2018.

Netherlands

One immediately thinks of Amsterdam known for its relaxed policy towards cannabis consumption. But this tolerance of cannabis is only apparent because Indian hemp (with THC) is “really” illegal. However, you do not risk prosecution in the famous dedicated cafes. You can’t consume more than 5 grams of cannabis at a time. Because hemp seeds and CBD are not explicitly covered by Dutch drug legislation, CBD hemp seed oil is legal in the Netherlands.

Poland

According to the laws in Poland, there are no legal restrictions preventing the use of CBD. Hemp cultivation is limited to varieties with less than 0.2% THC. Since June 2017, the therapeutic use of cannabis is allowed with a medical prescription.

Portugal

Portugal is a pioneer in terms of laws supporting cannabis use. Although personal use of cannabis has been legal since 2001, medical cannabis has only been legalized since 2018. The country has great market potential and sales of CBD products are steadily increasing.

Czech Republic

According to Czech law, CBD products must not contain more than 0.3% THC. Below this threshold hemp and CBD products can be purchased and consumed freely in the Czech Republic. The country is one of the few countries that have decriminalized cannabis subject to THC limits.

Romania

Romanian laws do not explicitly prohibit CBD derived from hemp. Buying or consuming CBD products is legal in Romania as long as THC levels are below 0.2%. Medical cannabis, although authorized since 2013, must also respect the 0.2% THC limit. This represents a hindrance to the development of the commercial medical cannabis industry which does not benefit patients. They have to turn to other countries, especially to get Sativex.

Slovakia

Slovakia has no regulations on medical cannabis. CBD is listed as a psychoactive drug. For the time being, Slovak law is clear and states that CBD and its oil are illegal.

Slovenia

According to Slovenian law only the cultivation, possession, processing, sale and distribution of cannabis with a THC content of more than 0.2% is prohibited. Therefore, CBD products with a THC content of less than 0.2% are completely legal. Cultivation legislation requires a low THC content of less than 0.2%. CBD oil is legal in Slovenia for consumption.

Sweden

Swedish drug legislation is one of the most restrictive in Europe. Products containing THC, regardless of the quantity, are classified as narcotics. CBD, on the other hand, is no longer considered a drug but a medicine. Therefore, by law, oral CBD products require a license from the Medicines Agency to be sold. On the medical cannabis side, only Sativex is accepted as a cannabinoid-based medication. However, candidates for this medication must be referred to a doctor who must in turn receive approval from the Medicines Agency.

To conclude

Several EU countries have undertaken a parliamentary reflection to change the legislation on cannabis and especially on medical cannabis. The next few years should be interesting in terms of legal developments around cannabis and especially CBD.

What is the strongest CBD available?

For thousands of years, cannabis has been known by many cultures. To this day, it remains the hot topic of discussion, and it is common to confuse cannabis and cannabidiol (CBD), which are two different substances in terms of their health effects.

CBD is beneficial to health and its use is constantly growing in the medical field, as it is mainly used to calm pain and intervenes in other disorders. It is now legalized in some countries because of these therapeutic effects.

In this article, we offer you the selection of the variety richest in CBD and its importance on the body.

The strongest cannabidiol

There are several varieties of CBD offered by brands. Generally, medical cannabis consumers are looking for weed that is present in high amounts of CBD. However, choosing to find the strongest strain is a bit difficult.

Candida (CD-1)

Candida (CD-1) is genetically made up of Indica and Sativa, presents a cross between the two varieties AC DC and Harlequin. This variety contains the highest content of CBD and the lowest content of THC, moreover it does not produce psychoactive effect.

In fact, this variety is favored by people who wish to obtain medical benefits, because its level of THC is less than 1% which means, that it does not give any considerable psychoactive effect, contrary to what you can find in other varieties of cannabis the rate of THC is very abundant and produces thus, a high effect.

The medical potential of this strain is enormous, because its concentration, very high in CBD which goes from 11 to 20 %, allows him to treat a great number of disorders such as the anxiety, the insomnia, the epileptic seizures, the disease of Alzheimer. Candida (CD-1) is considered a true medical relief, while having little or no psychoactive effect.

The effects of the strongest CBD on the body

In order to project the importance of the strongest CBD, you must first know its benefits on the human body:

• Reduces inflammation and calms pain.
• Relieves epileptic seizures.
• Helps fight depression.
• Reduces stress and anxiety, as it has a relaxing effect.
• Helps to reduce the side effects of cancer drugs.
• Beneficial on mental disorders.

The functioning of CBD is based on its interaction with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), it has two receptors:

• CB1: present in the brain and central nervous system.
• CB2: present generally in the whole body.

For the mode of action, CBD influences indirectly on the receptors which gives, thereafter, a soft response which will be treated by the ECS, moreover it acts on the receptor (5-HT1A) to secrete serotonin and melatonin, which enters the regulation of the mood and the sleep. The medical use of CBD requires high intensity, but the choice of the latter is based on your needs.

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a cannabinoid found in cannabis that refers to a plant named hemp, and in botanical language called Cannabis Sativa. It is essentially, a very complicated plant to demonstrate with respect to these little known constituents. Nevertheless, CBD is the major constituent of the cannabinoid.

CBD is the prevention of cannabidiol, according to an etymological study, this name is composed of two independent parts and each of them gives information on the meaning of CBD :

• Cannabi: comes from cannabis which means a plant from which the molecule is derived.
• Diol: refers to a chemical substance displayed under the name of glycol.
• CBD: the composition of the chemical substance present in the molecule, also including oxygen and hydrogen.

In its natural state, this molecule is very abundant in cannabis, once the molecule is extracted from the plant, its name will change to cannabidiol, moreover thanks to this extraction the molecule can be presented as an essential oil. Finally, CBD has become very popular for its adaptation in electronic cigarettes, but also for its benefits in therapeutic use.

Is there an ideal time to consume CBD?

You want to consume cannabidiol “CBD” and you want to know how and especially when to take it?

You will first have to choose which product you want to consume CBD with, as there are several. It is possible to vaporize CBD with an e-cigarette or to inhale it in a traditional way, the legal cannabis with a high content of CBD and almost 0% of THC is legal to sell.

There is also CBD oil, which is used for several reasons including weight loss, and cannabidiol can also be found in lozenges or candy.

In this article, we will tell you when to take CBD for each of the cases mentioned above.

Knowing when to take CBD depends on how you use it

As we said, CBD can be present in e-liquid, and in this case, it is used for vaping. Otherwise, you may want to consume it in lozenges or in oil form. The body will consume cannabidiol in different ways, depending on how it is administered and the medium that is used. The duration of the effect of CBD is also influenced by this.

When to smoke CBD or vaporize it?

In order to have very fast effects of cannabidiol on your body, inhaling it or vaping it with an e-cigarette will provide you with this speed, because the CBD will go directly through the lungs, and more precisely the alveoli of the lungs which will accelerate its arrival to the blood.

If you have pains or crises, this method is preferred for its very fast and effective effects, otherwise, for long-lasting effects, prefer CBD oils or capsules.

When to consume CBD edibles like candies or capsules?

Cannabidiol capsules or lozenges are convenient to have on you at all times, and there is nothing to prepare, it’s like medicine that you have, if you feel like consuming it, just open the box and take it. The good thing is that there is a precise dosage in mg and when we know our habits and how much CBD we want, this dosage is perfect to suit everyone’s needs.

Nevertheless, the effects of this alternative, unlike vaping or smoking, are longer, and go from one hour to several hours (about 6h) because they pass through the stomach and must be digested.

When you are looking for quick relief from pain, this is not the best option.

It is however, advised to take these lozenges or capsules during your meals for a better assimilation of CBD by your body.

When to take cannabidiol oil?

All over the world, this alternative is the preferred one, composed of a vegetable oil which reinforces the assimilation of CBD as well as a little hemp which is very rich in CBD. A few drops on the tongue, the mucous membranes assimilate the cannabidiol oil very well and it diffuses quickly in the body. In addition to the speed of assimilation, it is the safest and most convenient way to take advantage of the benefits of CBD that make it :

• A pain reliever.
• An anti-inflammatory.
• An anxiolytic.
• An anti-epileptic.

Best Ways to Consume Cannabidiol

There are many different ways to consume cannabidiol. You can add it to your food or drink. You can also place drops under your tongue and allow the CBD to absorb into the bloodstream. This will provide faster absorption and immediate effects. Edible products such as CBD gummies are another good way to consume CBD.

Vaping flower using a dry herb vaporizer

Vaping flower using a dry herb atomizer is a relatively new way to consume cannabidiol. It has several advantages over smoking cannabis, including better lung health and less smell. Additionally, vaping offers a better taste and more discreet consumption experience. It is also a healthier way to consume cannabis because it does not involve burning the plant, which damages lungs. Furthermore, vaping flower allows you to access the full spectrum of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other chemical compounds without the carcinogens associated with combustion.

Another advantage of vaporizing flower is that the device allows you to control the temperature of the chamber, so you can customize the temperature for maximum results. This type of vaporizer can be used by recreational and medical marijuana users alike. The temperature can be adjusted, which helps the cannabis release its fragrance better.

Some flower vaporizers can also be used to consume cannabis concentrate according to this source. The PAX 3 vaporizer, for example, is compatible with cannabis concentrate material, and can even connect to a smartphone app. It also has Bluetooth compatibility and is renowned for its sleek, long-slender design.

The vaporizers are portable or stationary, and can provide powerful vaporization. Vaping flower using a dry herb atomizer is a popular way to consume cannabidiol. Dry herb vaporizers heat the cannabis flower to a vaporization temperature, which allows the vaporized compounds to be inhaled. The devices vary in their temperature control and can handle a considerable amount of cannabis.

Vaping e-liquid using an e-cig

Vaping an e-liquid containing cannabidiol vapor is an option for consuming cannabidiol. However, it has several drawbacks. First, it can cause lung damage. Second, the process involves inhaling vapor containing toxic gases. Using an e-cig with a nicotine vaporizer can also pose a risk of pulmonary diseases.

Vaping is the process of heating liquid cannabis to vapor, mimicking smoking. A vaping device heats liquid cannabis, such as CBD, and then the consumer inhales the vapor directly into the lungs. Because it is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, there is a risk of lung damage. Because of this, it is important to avoid adding substances to vaping liquid, such as vitamin E acetate.

Moreover, e-liquids contain THC and nicotine, and adult users should avoid using e-cigs if they do not smoke. Moreover, THC is illegal under federal law. The best way to avoid this risk is to avoid THC-containing products altogether. For those who are already using cannabis, the best option would be to seek evidence-based treatment for it.

CBD is considered a Schedule I drug. The FDA has not regulated it for general medicinal use, although it has been approved for use in the treatment of rare types of epilepsy. Despite its legal status, there are still many questions surrounding CBD’s long-term effects. As a result, vaping is not the best choice for most people, as the risks associated with CBD vaping are unknown.

Eating the plant

Cannabidiol is a compound in the cannabis plant. It has been shown to help with cancer-related pain. It can also be used for other medical purposes. The FDA has approved products made from cannabis for certain conditions, including pain. Most of these products can be purchased through a healthcare provider who can write a prescription. Other uses of cannabis are not approved by the FDA.

Cannabinoids are chemicals that activate specific receptors in the body. These chemicals are approved drugs for treating side effects of cancer, and some have also been shown to have beneficial effects. For more information, read this comprehensive summary of cannabinoids and cancer. You can also visit the NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms. The NCI uses a dictionary that is geared toward laypersons.

Cannabidiol is derived from cannabis plants. It is extracted from the leaves and flowers of the cannabis plant using solvents. These solvents vary from relatively innocuous to toxic. The range of solvents used varies from petroleum-ether to naphtha to supercritical fluids like butane. Some of these compounds are winterized before being used. As a result, they become concentrated.

While cannabis is still illegal in the United States, the FDA has approved a form of cannabidiol for seizures. However, it does not produce the altered consciousness associated with marijuana. Studies are underway to determine if CBD can have a therapeutic effect.