Global CBD & Delta 8 Laws

Find out what the regulations are for CBD, delta 8, delta 9, and other cannabinoids in your country. (NOTE: This is a reference for informational purposes and should not be considered legal advice.)

Regulations FAQ
United Kingdom

According to dailycbd.com,

"Delta 8 THC is illegal in the United Kingdom.

Marijuana is considered a Class B drug in the UK — which includes such drugs as amphetamines, ketamine, and codeine.

These extracts of marijuana, including all forms of naturally occurring and synthetic THC, are included. This means delta 8 THC is illegal in the United Kingdom, even if it’s derived from hemp.

Local reports suggest these laws aren’t enforced, but there’s always a risk of running into trouble. Order delta 8 THC at your own risk if you live in the UK." 

 

Update: 14th February 2020. Information below has been updated to reflect the latest from the Food Standards Agency and CBD foods/food supplements

 

  • Importing CBD: No strict requirements apply for importing CBD into the UK provided THC is not detected* by the authorities at the border.

  • Selling CBD: Depends on product category: Cosmetics require Cosmetic Product Safety Report (CPSR). Vape products should comply with non-nicotine e-liquid regulation i.e General Products Safety Directive. See below for CBD food/food supplements. You do not currently require a ‘hemp license’ to sell CBD in the UK provided THC is not detected*.

  • ‘Not detected’ means no THC at 0.01% as verified by accredited ISO lab.

  • CBD flowers: The sale of ‘CBD Flowers’ and buds is prohibited even if THC is below 0.2% and from EU approved origin.

  • CBD food/food supplements: As of 13th February 2020, new products on the market require a Novel Food application. Products on the UK market before 13th February 2020, require a validated submission or approved novel food application by 31st March 2020.

  • Applying for a license: Whether you wish to apply for novel food status or any other type of license relating to CBD or hemp requires significant capital, time and resources.

 

NOTE: A soft stance on enforcement by the UK authorities is the reason why we see prohibited products such as CBD flowers and unlicensed CBD foods without novel food application openly sold in shops in the UK.

 

  • Selling CBD in other EU markets: Each Member State has their own laws on CBD, most more strict than the UK. Expert advice is required to navigate local laws.”

Source: https://www.medicpro.london/cbd-regulation-laws-uk/

France

”CBD is NOT considered a narcotic in the eyes of the government — but there are restrictions that must be followed in order for it to be legal.

In 2018, the French Government clarified its stance on CBD products.

As we mentioned above, people are free to grow their own hemp in France.

However, the hemp must be one of the government-approved strains and only the stems and fibers can be used — using the flowers in any way is strictly prohibited.

There’s some confusion here because the hemp plant is legally allowed to have 0.2% THC by weight — which isn’t the case with CBD products.

CBD is only legal to sell, use, and possess in France if it has 0% THC. If the product contains any THC at all, it may be considered a narcotic by the authorities.

Companies selling CBD are forbidden from making any therapeutic claims not recognized by the ANSM or the European Commission. Additionally, the marketing of CBD products is limited and can’t promote the use of cannabis in any way.

With all of this in mind, customers in France should look for products made from CBD isolate in order to remain within the 0% THC limit.

CBD isolates are hemp extracts that are thoroughly processed to remove any remaining THC and other cannabis compounds.”

Source: https://dailycbd.com/en/france/

Netherlands

”How are Hemp and CBD Regulated in the Netherlands?

The cultivation of industrial hemp with less than 0.2% became legal in the Netherlands in 1999 after the European Union (EU) encouraged member states to grow hemp by giving them subsidies.

Farmers are allowed to grow and process EU-certified hemp varieties for fiber and seeds but aren’t permitted to process it for CBD due to the ban on hemp extractions.

CBD made from domestically grown hemp is legal only if the hemp is processed abroad and then sold as a final product back in the Netherlands.

Despite the prohibitionist Opium Law on hemp and hemp-derived oils, CBD is tolerated in the Netherlands and treated as a legal product. If you want to buy CBD, there are three rules by which you should abide:

  1. Your CBD must not contain more than 0.05% THC

  2. The CBD product you’re buying shouldn’t contain any health claims

  3. You shouldn’t consume more than 160 mg CBD per day”

Source:
https://dailycbd.com/en/netherlands/

Ireland

”CBD is legal in Ireland. However, there are two sets of regulations with discrepancies that make the law confusing; one which states that only CBD extracted from cold-pressing is legal and the other that even the slightest trace of THC in CBD would make it illegal. Despite this, CBD items are sold in Ireland from multiple extraction methods and well-tolerated whereas THC in products isn’t tolerated and is policed. Regulations in Ireland are currently being looked at by the Irish government as they look at proposals for decriminalisation of recreational cannabis and are expected to be updated in the near future.”

Source: https://www.theextract.co.uk/is-cbd-legal-worldwide/#Is_CBD_legal_in_Europe

Australia

”With the recent changes to the Food Standard certain hemp seed products are now permitted for human consumption. It is important to be aware that only the seeds of the hemp plant can be used for human consumption - extracts from the remainder of the plant are considered a drug.

In support of this change the Department of Health has amended controls under the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956 (PI regulations) to allow specific hemp seed and fibre products to be imported without requiring a licence and permit under the import regulation. The PI regulations may be found at Customs (Prohibited Imports) (Importation of Hemp Seeds and Hemp Derived Products) Approval 2018.
You may import the following substances without import permission under the PI Regulations:

  • Hulled hemp seeds

  • Hemp seed meal

  • Hemp fibre

  • Hemp seed oil if:

    • the total cannabidiol (CBD) content of the hemp seed oil is 0.0075% (75mg/kg) or less, and

    • the total tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content of the oil is 0.005% (50mg/kg) or less

You may import the following products without import permission under the PI Regulations

  • Products contain hulled hemp seeds, derived from hemps, and/or hemp seed oil provided that:

    • They do not contain another drug

    • They do not contain any part (or extracts) of the cannabis/hemp plant (excluding extracts made from the hemp seeds)

    • The total cannabidiol (CBD) content is 0.0075% (75 mg/kg) or less, and

    • The total tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content is less 0.005% (50 mg/kg) or less.”

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

According to dailycbd.com

"In Australia, delta 8 is illegal unless specific medical approval is granted.

Australia regulates all tetrahydrocannabinols under the same bill. THC is considered a Schedule 8 drug according to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Schedule 8 substances are those which the TGA believes have a high level of risk but provide some medicinal value. This is the same classification used for most prescription opiate medications.

The exception is the Australian Capital Territory — which moved to decriminalize marijuana and its derivatives in 2019."

Canada

”CBD is currently a controlled substance under the Single Convention. CBD products may therefore only be imported or exported under very specific conditions. Any import or export must meet all of these criteria and may only be done:

  • by a holder of a licence issued under the Cannabis Regulations

  • under an import or export permit issued to the licence holder by Health Canada for that shipment

  • for a legitimate scientific or medical purpose, as per international agreements"

Source:
https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-medication/cannabis/about/cannabidiol.html#a2

According to dailycbd.com

"Delta 8 THC is legal in Canada in all forms. However, it’s not as popular here as it is in the states and can be fairly difficult to find. 

Canada legalized all forms of Cannabis in 2018. With this change, the federal government was able to take control of the market. All cannabis products, regardless of the source (hemp or marijuana), are very strictly regulated.  This means it’s relatively difficult for companies to operate here and remain profitable.

If you’re looking for delta 8 products in Canada, check out companies such as Flashbuds or Haute Health Cannabis."