The Worldwide CBD Legal Status: Where it’s Legal and Where it’s Not

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The use and distribution of Cannabidiol (CBD) has been a topic of much discussion and debate in recent years. While CBD is a non-psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant, it has been gaining popularity for its potential health benefits and therapeutic effects. However, its legal status varies from country to country and even from US state to state, making it confusing for consumers and businesses alike. In this article, we will explore the worldwide CBD legal status, where it’s legal and where it’s not. CBD is a hot topic in the health community, and it’s not hard to see why. CBD is an active compound found in cannabis that has been shown to have certain health benefits. But what does this mean for the average person who wants to try CBD? And how does it affect their travel plans or ability to buy these products abroad? Well, let’s dive in!

The UK has embraced CBD.

The UK has begun to embrace CBD. The UK has a very liberal approach to CBD and its derivatives. There are many products on the market, sold as food supplements and cosmetics that contain low levels of THC. CBD retailers must not make any medical claims unless they are authorised by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

However, the legal status of CBD is similar to that of the EU. CBD products are legal as long as they do not contain more than the legal limit of THC. This can vary on a country-by-country basis.

CBD and the EU

The European Commission added cannabinoids to the EU Novel Food Catalogue in January 2018. This EU rule considers CBD a novel food due to the lack of history regarding use as food before 1997. In general, CBD products are legal in the EU as long as they do not contain more than the legal limits of THC. However, some countries, such as Germany and Italy, have specific regulations regarding the use and sale of CBD products.

Italy has a confusing legal situation surrounding CBD.

Italy has a confusing legal situation surrounding CBD. On one hand, it’s legal; on the other hand, it’s not clear how to get it.

CBD is available for purchase in Italy–but only if you have access to hemp-derived products or have a prescription from a doctor who will prescribe them for you.

The country’s government has stated that these products are illegal without being able to specify what exactly makes them illegal and what would happen if someone was caught selling them illegally.

CBD is currently in a legal gray zone under Italian law. Over the past few years, Italian legislation has shifted back and forth on CBD—resulting in confusion about how to regulate it properly.

In 2016, law 242 legalized the cultivation of industrial hemp—popularly known as “light cannabis”—on the condition that it contained less than 0.2% THC by weight. If the total THC content was between 0.2 and 0.6 percent, there would be no legal repercussions for the grower or seller of that product—except perhaps a fine if caught by police during an inspection. In May 2019, the Italian Supreme Court of Cassation banned the sale of cannabis derivatives, including hemp leaves and flowers. However, they excluded products that didn’t cause narcotic effects—such as CBD oil—from this ruling. No ruling was made, however, on how much THC is allowed in CBD products.

On 28 October 2020, a decree established that oral CBD required further in-depth technical and scientific studies. These were to be conducted by the National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità) and National Council of Health (Consiglio Superiore di Sanità). Despite the rapid succession of legal changes, Italians can still purchase CBD online and in person. Many Italians prefer to be safe by ensuring that they buy products under 0.2% THC

It’s important to note that CBD edibles are explicitly illegal in Italy.

Germany’s laws are more specific

German regulations regarding CBD and hemp are very specific. The Drug Trafficking Act, which is still in force, defines cannabis-derived products as legal only if the THC content does not exceed 0.2%. Such goods may be sold commercially or used for scientific purposes to prevent misuse.

In 2017, Germany’s legislature amended its narcotics laws to reflect the increasing popularity of both cannabis and hemp as well as growing medical research supporting their benefits. This legislative change made it clearer when people could use or sell cannabidiol, a substance found in all forms of cannabis but is often most concentrated in hemp products

Like in the UK, German law defines industrial hemp as cannabis containing less than 0.2% THC and grants licenses to companies that want to grow it or process the plant into CBD oil under certain conditions. Unlike in the USA—where anyone can acquire a license for growing or processing this type of crop without restriction—companies wishing to do so in Germany must submit an application (along with proof of their land’s quality) before they are able to cultivate

concentrations of THC are available only as medical cannabis products with a doctor’s prescription. For Germans ordering CBD products from the UK or abroad, broad-spectrum CBD and isolate—both without any THC—represent the safest options.

Spain is another country where it’s difficult for consumers to find high-quality hemp CBD products.

The Spanish government implemented new regulations on CBD after the European Union’s rules were passed. AECOSAN (The Spanish Agency for Food Security and Nutrition) and the Ministry of Health ordered companies to stop the marketing and sale of CBD for human consumption.

This ban removed all CBD foods and dietary supplements from the shelves, leaving CBD cosmetics and topicals as the only legal CBD products in Spain. CBD made in Spain can be marketed only as a “technical product” or “product for external use.” Products that can be externally applied are legal within spain, however tinctures, capsules, supplements, oils, gummies and edibles are not legal.

CBD is legal in the United States, but the way it’s sold varies by state.

In the United States, the legal status of CBD is complex and depends on several factors, including the source of the CBD and the intended use. The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp-derived CBD at the federal level, which means it is now legal to grow, sell, and consume hemp-derived CBD products as long as they contain less than 0.3% THC. However, individual states have the right to regulate the use and sale of hemp-derived CBD products, and some states have restrictions on the use and sale of CBD products.

The good news is that CBD is legal in all 50 states. The bad news? The way it’s sold varies by state, and some states are stricter than others when it comes to regulating the sale of CBD products. Here are some examples:

  • Some states allow only high-CBD products (those with less than 0.3% THC) for medical use, while others allow both high- and low-CBD products for medical purposes.
  • Some jurisdictions require consumers who purchase cannabis-derived extracts like tinctures or edibles from dispensaries or retailers to provide proof of medical need before purchasing any amount at all; other jurisdictions do not require such documentation on purchase but may have other restrictions on minimum quantities allowed per person per day/week/month depending on their local laws surrounding possession limits by nonresidents visiting from out-of-state locations where recreational marijuana use is legal within their home state but not necessarily within ours yet either!

Canada’s regulations are very liberal when it comes to CBD.

In Canada, the legal status of CBD is relatively straightforward. The use and sale of CBD products are legal as long as they are derived from industrial hemp and contain less than 0.3% THC. In addition, Health Canada has approved several CBD-based drugs for medical use, including Sativex, a treatment for multiple sclerosis. If you’re looking to buy CBD in Canada, you’ll be happy to know that the country has some of the most liberal laws concerning this substance. CBD is completely legal and can be purchased online or in retail stores.

You may have heard that it’s illegal for companies outside of Canada to sell their products into Canada, however this isn’t true. You can order products within Canada as long as it conforms to the Canadian rules on CBD

China and Japans rules on CBD

In Japan, CBD oils must be made without THC (the psychoactive component in marijuana), as even small amounts of this substance are illegal and heavily punished. Furthermore, CBD oils and similar products can only be marketed as food supplements or food products on the Japanese market.Any mentioning of CBD health benefits is not allowed, these are similar rules to the UK and the EU.

In China, Although CBD is not on the list of controlled substances, its use is still subject to legal restrictions—and only a few companies are allowed to produce it.

Although CBD is not a controlled drug, it’s also not listed in the Inventory of Existing Cosmetic Ingredients in China (IECIC), and currently, CBD is not allowed as a raw material in products.

However, it’s only a matter of time before CBD extracted from flowers will become permitted in cosmetics in China — several companies have received pre-approval for producing CBD from flowers.

CBD down under in Australia

In Australia, the legal status of CBD is also relatively straightforward. CBD products are legal for medical use with a prescription, and the use and sale of hemp-derived CBD products are legal as long as they contain less than 0.3% THC.

If you’re travelling with CBD (or hemp products), it’s best to be prepared.

Choose your CBD travelling companion wisely! Our favourite products to take on your holidays are our CBD gummies! They make a great treat whilst on planes, trains or on car rides, you can find out more about why we love Charlotte’s Web CBD Gummies here. Whilst our capsules are fantastic to keep your CBD regime up to date whilst out and about.

  • Make sure you know the laws in the countries you are visiting.
  • Make sure you know the laws in your home country.
  • Know the laws of any other countries where your flight will pass through, like an airport layover or stopover on a longer trip abroad–you may need to declare those goods at customs before leaving their jurisdiction!

The laws around cannabidiol vary a lot depending on what country you are in, so it’s important to do some research before you start buying anything (especially if you live in one of the places listed above).

There are many countries where it’s legal and others where it isn’t, so make sure you do some research before buying anything online or in person. If you live in one of the countries listed above (or plan on travelling there), then make sure you have all the information about what products are allowed through customs so nothing gets confiscated! The laws around cannabidiol vary a lot depending on what country you are in, so it’s important to do some research before you start buying anything (especially if you live in one of the places listed above)

If you’re travelling soon and need advice on what products to take with you, drop one of our team a message and we will gladly assist.