Is CBD Oil Legal? Answers For The US, UK, EU, CA, AU & More!

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Written By Sol

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CBD stands for cannabidiol, and it is one of the compounds that are found in the cannabis plant. It will not make you feel high when you ingest it or your body is exposed to it through inhalation or through your skin. However, the same can’t be said of tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as THC, which is another one of the compounds in the cannabis plant. Because one of these cannabinoids (THC) can get you high and is illegal in most parts of the world, many people feel confusion when it comes to CBD as well.

Is CBD legal? If so, where is it legal, and in what forms is it legal? Can you buy it and use it however you wish, or are there restrictions placed on its use as well? To help you better understand what you need to know about the legality of CBD in various parts of the globe, we have created the short guide below.

Is CBD Legal in the United States?

In the U.S., the federal government has homed in on hemp versus marijuana to determine if CBD would be considered legal. While marijuana is used to get extracts that contain high amounts of THC, hemp can be used to make products that contain CBD without THC.

The Farm Bill of 2018 made CBD that comes from the hemp plant legal on a federal level, provided that it doesn’t have any more than 0.3% THC. Contrast that with cannabidiol that is derived from marijuana, which is still illegal. This bill also set regulations in place that hemp farmers must adhere to in order for a CBD product to be deemed legal.

Beyond knowing the law on a federal level, though, it is also important to be aware of your state laws to determine if you can legally purchase THC and CBD products. For example, some states have legalized marijuana, while others still consider it illegal unless it is used for a medical reason, and still others have not legalized it at all. And laws can also differ from one state to another when it comes to products that contain CBD, so consumers should not just assume that cannabidiol is legal in all 50 states.

For example:

  • In Idaho, cannabidiol oil is only legal if it contains 0% THC, and if it is made from the seeds or stalks of the hemp plant. In Louisiana, only products that contain no traces of THC may be purchased.
  • Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Nevada, Maine, Michigan, and Massachusetts are states that have made all CBD products legal, including those products that have more than 0.3% THC.
  • Restrictions are in place in states like Georgia, Alabama, and Missouri, where CBD can only be used by those who need it for certain medical purposes.
  • The majority of states have legalized CBD products that contain less than 0.3% THC.

Remember, too, that laws can change over time, so be sure to do your research to discover what your state’s laws have to say about the production, sale, and purchase of CBD products. That way, you can follow the law and avoid getting in trouble.

Is CBD Legal in Canada?

The Cannabis Act of 2018 legalized recreational marijuana in Canada, and once the law is fully implemented, all cannabis products, including those that contain cannabidiol, should be legal. However, the law will regulate these products, so there might still be some restrictions regarding which types of CBD you can purchase.

Also, like the United States, the provinces throughout Canada might make their own laws regarding the cannabis plant and the compounds derived from it, so be sure to do your research before purchasing.

Is CBD Legal in the European Union?

European Union law dictates that a CBD product must not contain any more than 0.2% THC. However, as is the case in the U.S., laws can vary from one EU country to the next, so it is worth taking some time to do your research. And, remember, laws can change, so keep an eye out for updates as well.

Here are a few examples of how the CBD laws can differ from one EU nation to the next:

  • CBD products are not legal in the following countries: Belgium and Slovakia
  • In Austria and Luxenbourg, it is legal to purchase cannabidiol products that contain up to 0.3% THC. In the Netherlands, the products can contain 0.5% THC or less.
  • In Ireland, you can only legally purchase cannabidiol oil if it is made using the cold pressing extraction method.

Is CBD Legal in the United Kingdom?

CBD oil from cannabis that contains higher amounts of THC can be legally used medicinally in the U.K. Bear in mind that THC is illegal in the United Kingdom, so products that contain it are not available for purchase unless you have a prescription for a medical condition.

What you can buy legally is hemp CBD oil. The product can only contain trace amounts of THC (less then 0.2% THC). These products can be sold as nutrition supplements, but not as medicine.

Is CBD Legal in Australia?

Cannabis oil is only available legally in Australia if you have a medical reason for it and a prescription from your doctor to obtain it.

Here are some things to remember about the laws in Australia:

  • All cannabis extracts, regardless of cannabinoid levels, are considered drugs.
  • Hemp oil is considered a drug. You can only get it with a prescription from your doctor if you have a need for medicinal cannabis.
  • It is illegal to import or buy a hemp oil product without a prescription.
  • Hemp seed oil extracted from cannabis seeds is not classified as a drug, it doesn’t have any extracts from cannabis, and it only contains trace amounts of cannabinoids (including CBD), so it is legal to purchase it.

Laws Vary from One Place to the Next

As you can see, laws surrounding the purchase and use of CBD vary widely from one nation to the next, and the law can even vary within a country’s different states and territories as well. Therefore, always check your local laws to determine if you can legally purchase a product that contains cannabidiol, if it’s totally illegal, or if you need a prescription. That way, you won’t have to worry about running into any trouble. And always remember, laws change, so try to find the most recent updates to your country’s restrictions on cannabinoids.

Sources:

https://www.cnet.com/news/where-is-cbd-legal/

https://www.odc.gov.au/hemp-products

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