You may have heard about the health benefits of CBD oil, and want to try it for yourself but worry about the legality of CBD. This is a fair and common issue CBD oil beginners face due to the association with cannabis, a drug that is illegal in many countries.
Cannabis is made up of hundreds of chemical compounds, of which cannabidiol (or CBD) is one. In many countries across the globe, including the UK, most of these compounds (or cannabinoids) are indeed illegal, apart from CBD.
Where is CBD legal?
Whether you would like to take your CBD away with you on holiday or are wondering whether it is legal in your home country, it is important to check the laws on this. So, in what countries is CBD oil legal?
Is CBD oil legal in the UK?
Yes, CBD oil is legal in the UK. In fact, you’ll find CBD products in many high street stores around the UK. In 2016 the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)issued the opinion that products containing cannabidiol (CBD) used for healthcare reasons should be classed as a medicine an treated as such legally, stating: “It is vital that medicines meet safety, quality and efficacy standards to protect public health”.
However, it is important to note that CBD oil is only legal in the UK when the THC (the psychoactive compound that produces the ‘high’ feeling) is under 0.2%. The only exception to these is in prescribed medication, for instance to treat epilepsy or multiple sclerosis (MS).
Is CBD oil legal in the US?
Whether CBD oil is legal in the US largely depends on which state you are in. Although a federal bill in 2018 lifted the ban on hemp production (from which CBD is made), many states have been allowed to follow their own laws and many have decided to make hemp illegal.
However, federal law still states that CBD oils are legal to possess if they contain less than 0.3% THC.
States where CBD oil is 100% legal:
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Conneticut
- Louisiana
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Nevada
- Oregon
- Texas
- Washington
Idaho, North Dakota and Nebraska are unclear on the legality of CBD, and all other states have set conditions for CBD oil, for example, it must not be derived from a marijuana plant, or must containless that 0.3% THC.
Countries where CBD oil is illegal
There are some countries where all forms of CBD are illegal and could get you into some trouble if you are found in possession of the compound. These include:
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- China
- Russia
- Slovakia
It is always advisable to find out if the country you are travelling to have any particular laws on the substance before your arrival.
