Because hemp is sometimes confused with marijuana, there is still a certain stigma attached to CBD. However, from a legal perspective, hemp-derived CBD is legal and possession should be no problem in many countries, but it’s important to understand how the law on CBD use and possession works differently depending on which country you’re in.
CBD in France
France also has a confusing relationship with CBD. The country’s regulations stipulate that hemp-derived products must maintain THC levels of 0%. However, the Mission interministérielle de lutte contre les drogues et les conduites addictives (MILDECA) authorizes CBD products with a THC content of 0.2% or less. Companies can market CBD products as long as they stay within these limits:
- Do not claim any therapeutic benefit, unless authorized by the Agence Nationale de Sécurité du Médicament et des Produits de Santé
- Advertisements must not confuse CBD with cannabis or promote cannabis
In order to consume quality CBD products that comply with current French law, we recommend that you buy from reputable stores. At CBD Alchemy, we take great care in analyzing all our products – CBD flowers, CBD resins and CBD oils– to guarantee THC levels of less than 0.2%.
CBD in Europe
In Europe, marijuana and cannabis laws differ from country to country. While general EU legislation allows the consumption of CBD products containing no more than 0.2% THC, there are a few exceptions such as Croatia and Slovenia, which apply an outright ban to all cannabis and cannabis-derived substances, including CBD.
CBD in the USA
The USA is unique in that all 50 states have different laws for CBD products. Some CBD products are explicitly illegal at the federal level, such as CBD gum, and any product in which CBD is added to food or drink. However, only a small handful of states have laws that apparently allow CBD to be added to foods and beverages. Labeling requirements for CBD products also vary from state to state, and not all products can be legally sold at retail in all 50 states. In the U.S., it’s very important to read state laws and understand that a product not manufactured in your state may not be legal to buy, sell, use or possess.
CBD in Canada
CBD oils are completely legal in Canada, and citizens can freely purchase CBD products without restriction. The country legalized marijuana and hemp for both medical and recreational use in 2018. While you won’t have trouble finding stores that sell CBD in Canada, businesses must adhere to strict regulations to make this possible.
However, a Cannabis Act sets out the rules and regulations that govern CBD in Canada. It remains a controlled substance, and growers seeking to cultivate high-CBD cannabis must acquire a federal license and follow the Cannabis Regulations. Hemp growers who cultivate plants with a THC content of less than 0.3% also require a license under the Industrial Hemp Regulations.
CBD in South America
Some South American countries have legalized medical marijuana. These include Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, Peru and Chile. In general, it seems that the countries that have approved medical marijuana are the ones that are open to the sale and consumption of CBD oil, which is a logical conclusion. Although many South American countries are beginning to relax regulations, the use and cultivation of cannabis and all its extracts are still illegal in a handful of South American countries, including Bolivia and Venezuela.
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