Although the majority of countries around the world consider cannabis illegal, many are increasingly legalizing CBD, an extract of the hemp plant. As a result, CBD sustains the stigma surrounding cannabis and much more legal regulations and legislation than other health-related products. This limits regular consumers and entrepreneurs from cultivating, manufacturing, distributing, and possessing CBD products, making it a more stringent process.
Nevertheless, CBD has not only become increasingly popular among the general public, but it’s also becoming legalized in most parts of the world due to its numerous health benefits. Knowing and understanding the laws surrounding CBD when traveling or planning to move to other parts of the world is a good idea. Let’s take a look at CBD legality around the globe!
Legality in Europe
Europe is a large and expansive continent, with some countries harboring cities larger than whole countries themselves. That is why it may be tricky to decipher between the laws of EU countries and the continent as a whole. In general, EU guidance states that CBD licenses may be granted for cultivating cannabis plants containing low tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (less than 0.2%) for industrial purposes only, not human consumption. In addition, according to EU regulations, CBD products cannot contain any trace amounts of THC (<0.001 mg/kg) unless local drug enforcement authorities have approved it. However, the precise details surrounding its use differ by country.
The EU does regulate ingestible CBD products, or edibles, classified under “novel foods.” The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) categorizes novel foods as those not intended for human consumption but are now - or in the process of becoming - authorized and included in the EU's positive list of authorized foods. CBD is one of them. And although the process takes over two years, many European countries allow the sale of CBD products as the World Health Organization (WHO) deemed it “generally well-tolerated and safe.”
European countries where CBD is legal:
|
Continent |
Country |
Legal |
Legal w/ prescription |
|
Europe |
Austria |
yes |
x |
|
Europe |
Belgium |
yes |
x |
|
Europe |
Bulgaria |
yes |
|
|
Europe |
Croatia |
yes |
|
|
Europe |
Cyprus |
yes |
|
|
Europe |
Czech Republic |
yes |
|
|
Europe |
Denmark |
yes |
|
|
Europe |
Estonia |
yes |
|
|
Europe |
Finland |
yes |
x |
|
Europe |
France |
yes |
|
|
Europe |
Germany |
yes |
|
|
Europe |
Greece |
yes |
|
|
Europe |
Hungary |
yes |
|
|
Europe |
Ireland |
yes |
|
|
Europe |
Italy |
yes |
|
|
Europe |
Latvia |
yes |
|
|
Europe |
Lithuania |
yes |
|
|
Europe |
Luxembourg |
yes |
|
|
Europe |
Malta |
yes |
x |
|
Europe |
Netherlands |
yes |
|
|
Europe |
Norway |
yes |
|
|
Europe |
Poland |
yes |
|
|
Europe |
Portugal |
yes |
x |
|
Europe |
Romania |
yes |
|
|
Europe |
Slovenia |
yes |
|
|
Europe |
Spain |
yes |
|
|
Europe |
Sweden |
yes |
|
|
Europe |
Switzerland |
yes |
|
|
Europe |
Ukraine |
yes |
|
|
Europe |
United Kingdom |
yes |
Legality in the Americas
CBD is quite popular, accessible, and permissible in most of the United States, with legality in 47 out of 50 states. However, CBD is still completely illegal in Iowa, Idaho, and South Dakota. Canada legalized CBD for recreational and medicinal use, and it is legal for medicinal use only in Mexico. Jamaica and Costa Rica also decriminalized its use, but all other North American countries currently consider CBD illegal.
South American countries differ in their CBD regulations, with increasing numbers favoring its legalization for medicinal use.
Countries where CBD is legal in the Americas:
|
Continent |
Country |
Legal |
Legal w/ prescription |
|
North America |
United States |
Majority states |
|
|
North America |
Canada |
yes |
|
|
North America |
Mexico |
x |
|
|
North America |
Jamaica |
yes |
|
|
North America |
Costa Rica |
yes |
|
|
South America |
Argentina |
x |
|
|
South America |
Brazil |
x |
|
|
South America |
Chile |
yes |
|
|
South America |
Columbia |
yes |
|
|
South America |
Paraguay |
x |
|
|
South America |
Peru |
yes |
|
|
South America |
Uruguay |
yes |
Legality in the Middle East & Africa
Middle East
There is a stark difference between the various Middle Eastern countries regarding cannabis and CBD use and consumption. Countries such as Palestine, Egypt, and Turkey have strict regulations on products containing 0% THC and generally allow products for medicinal use.
Africa
South Africa is the single country that professed its terms on CBD legality, allowing for the consumption of 20 milligrams of CBD daily with 0.001% THC content. There is no known legal use of cannabis or CBD in any other African country.
Legality in Asia
Most of Asia strictly prohibits using, consuming, selling, and purchasing cannabis and CBD products. China has a growing CBD market, but consumer use is still illegal.
Asian countries where CBD is legal:
- India
- South Korea (medicinal use only)
- Thailand (cannot bring into country without a permit; permits last 30 days)
Legality in Oceania
Australia legalized CBD for medicinal use (prescription required) with the requirement that less than 2% of other cannabinoids are present. In New Zealand, doctors can prescribe CBD products for medicinal use.
Legality for Athletes
The legal regulation of CBD for athletes varies depending on the specific sport and governing body. In general, CBD is legal for use by athletes in most sports as long as it contains no more than 0.3% THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive compound found in cannabis prohibited by most sports organizations.
However, it's important to note that some sports organizations have their own rules and regulations regarding CBD and other cannabinoids. For example, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) removed CBD from its list of prohibited substances in 2018, but THC remains prohibited. The US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) follows WADA's rules, meaning that CBD is allowed, but THC is not.
WADA removed CBD from its list of prohibited substances in 2018, meaning that athletes can use CBD products as long as they contain no more than 0.3% THC in the USA or 0.2% THC in Europe. However, THC remains prohibited, and athletes should be careful to ensure that any CBD products they use are free from THC or within the legal limit.
Overall, athletes should check the rules and regulations of their specific sport and governing body before using CBD or any other substance. They should also be aware that CBD products can vary in quality and potency, and should only purchase products from reputable sources that have been independently tested for purity and potency.
* Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
