Is CBD legal in Denmark?

You have probably noticed that CBD and its related products have started appearing around Europe. On top of that, demand for CBD products has increased in recent years.

All of this could be a result of the many studies conducted on CBD, which point to the possible health benefits of CBD oil and similar products.

As stated, public opinion on CBD products is changing fast. To keep in step with this, governments must rethink their stance on CBD oil and similar products. To put it simply, this means that governments are changing their drug laws so that they better fit with the growing CBD market. Even the European Union as a whole has recognised the trend and tried to harmonise the regulation of CBD in its member states. The process has had some success, but we can and should do more.

This is why, we at Essentia Pura, believe in informing you of the regulations in your country. Whether you are a consumer hoping to use CBD oil or an aspiring entrepreneur starting up a company, our articles try to bring you up-to-date information on the legal status of CBD wherever you are located.

To help you, we have prepared a comprehensive article covering the EU that you can access here. We have also written in-depth articles on several states in Europe. You are welcome to read our articles about Portugal, Ireland, Spain, Germany, France, Poland, Italy, and Austria.

We are continuing this series of articles with an in-depth analysis of Denmark and its stance on CBD. We will answer the question of whether CBD is legal in Denmark as well as explain all the important aspects of CBD and cannabis regulation there.

To start we will discuss what CBD is. Then we will provide you with basic information about cannabis and CBD products. After that, we will focus on the legal status of cannabis and CBD oil in Denmark. In the last part, we will advise you on how to buy or sell CBD products in Denmark.

CBD basics

CBD comes from the cannabis plant. Cannabis is without a doubt one of the most widely known plants in Europe. Cannabis-based products are becoming more popular. Nonetheless, there are still major issues in its regulation. Furthermore, opinion on it differs from person to person.

Some people see it as a herb with plenty of health benefits. Some see it as a fun way to relax. Others see it as a dangerous drug.

So how come that people view the same plant through such different lenses?

Some of the answer is most likely found in the part of the cannabis plant called THC. This is what causes the famous high feeling, but we know the cannabis plant is rich in other stuff as well.

There are two main types of cannabis that you should know about. We will now analyse both of them.

Marijuana

First, there is the famous marijuana. This is a type of cannabis rich in both THC and CBD. It is usually considered an illegal drug, this means that it is not legal to sell it, and even personal use of marijuana is prohibited. We do not recommend any illegal acts. It could land you in major trouble, so be careful!

There are, however, some exceptions. In some countries, it can be used for medicinal purposes, in order to treat certain health problems. This is commonly known as medical marijuana.

There are also real chances that Denmark may soon legalize recreational cannabis. Five major Danish political parties have already presented this plan in the Danish parliament. The plan is to start a pilot project for five years. During this period, cannabis will be grown locally and sold through government-controlled retail outlets. However, this plan is still under consideration.¹

Hemp

There is, however, another type of cannabis plant. Unlike marijuana, this one contains almost no THC but is still rich in CBD. People usually know it as hemp, or sometimes industrial hemp. It has been used around the world for centuries, even millennia. It is still popular in many different aspects of life and it is usually regulated by the government. You can find hemp products, for example, in food products or clothing, as well as many other industries. Usually, the CBD oil you buy and use is hemp oil.

So far, so good. But we still haven’t answered the crucial question. What exactly is CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of 113 cannabinoids that comes from the cannabis plant. Scientists extract CBD from cannabis so that they isolate it from other cannabinoids. Most importantly, you can separate it from THC, the psychoactive element in cannabis. This is the short answer. If you want an in-depth answer, please read our article on CBD here.

We have now provided you with some basic information about cannabis. Now we will move on to the main topic of our article. What is the regulation of CBD like in Denmark?

Denmark regulations

Denmark’s CBD laws follow most of Europe in its regulation of CBD oil and other products. Danish law prohibits you from selling cannabis. Even possession of marijuana is prohibited. Furthermore, the personal use of marijuana is illegal in Denmark. Since possession is not allowed, legal use is difficult. However, the use of hemp is generally speaking legal – we will explain this in more detail later on.

You might be asking yourself if you can grow cannabis?

The Danish government does not allow you to grow marijuana. Hemp cultivation, however, has been legal in Denmark since 1998. It is a thriving and growing business. Nonetheless, you have to register your cultivation at the agricultural agency of Denmark.

When we talk about cannabis in Denmark we must mention the story of Freetown of Christiania. This “freetown” is a part of Copenhagen, the capital city of Denmark. From 1971 until the early 2000s Christiania was the one place where cannabis was freely sold. This was not really legal. However, the authorities, especially the city council, tolerated this. Since the early 2010s government has enforced Danish law in Christiania. This means that the free zone in Copenhagen is now under the control of the authorities.

Medical cannabis regulation

As we mentioned above, scientists are currently very busy conducting experiments on cannabis. A great deal of research is showing the possible health effects of cannabis products. In response to this, authorities are changing their view of the drug. More and more countries allow doctors to treat certain problems with cannabis products. We know these products as medicinal cannabis.

Denmark started with a four-year-long medicinal cannabis pilot programme in January 2018. At that time medicinal cannabis products were legal in Denmark. They are not, yet, free to buy. If you want to use a medical cannabis product, you will need a doctor’s prescription. This means that only patients with certain health issues can use medical cannabis. Furthermore, the drug is only available in pharmacies. On top of this, only a couple of cannabis-plant-based products have been approved for sale in pharmacies, for example, Sativex.

To get approved they need to go through a rigorous process run by the Danish Medicines Agency. Nonetheless, we hope that patients will benefit from this new policy.

CBD regulation

Denmark follows most countries in Europe in distinguishing between marijuana and industrial hemp. The most important threshold for the distinction of the plants is its THC content. If the plant has less than 0. 2 % THC content it is considered to be industrial hemp under Danish law. If the THC content is above 0. 2% of THC it is considered marijuana.

In July 2018 Denmark decided that cannabis with less than 0. 2% THC content would no longer be on their list of euphoriant substances. You can read more about this here.

Essentially, this makes products such as hemp seed oil legal in Denmark. CBD oil derived from industrial hemp is legal in Denmark. On the other hand, CBD oil derived from marijuana is illegal. It is legal if you get it with a prescription – this means that it is treated as medical marijuana. You should also keep in mind that the less than 0. 2% THC content rule is not enough for the product to be legal.

CBD oil and similar cannabis products must also follow all other necessary regulations. This means that you should study pharmaceutical regulations and regulations for food supplements. The Danish Medicines Agency has a list of frequently asked questions focusing on medical cannabis and CBD oil. We recommend you visit their website here.

Where to buy CBD in Denmark

If you are a consumer and you are interested in buying CBD products in Denmark we can offer you some advice. In most countries, you can either buy CBD oil online, in a pharmacy, or in health food stores. In Denmark however, this is a sort of grey area.

The Danish government thinks that most CBD oil currently sold in Denmark is illegal. Not because of THC, but because it does not observe all the necessary standards. So does that mean that it is not legal to buy CBD oils? What does this mean for you?

Don’t worry, the current practice is to punish the store and the producer of the product and not the consumer. You can still use your CBD oil. Nonetheless, be careful! Products that do not meet the necessary legal standards might not be safe! We recommend that you avoid any store that makes exaggerated health claims.

To get medical cannabis you need a prescription from your doctor. You can buy at only at licensed pharmacies.

How to sell CBD in Denmark

As explained above, CBD oil is legal to sell under Danish law. You need to make sure that the CBD is derived from hemp and not marijuana. This means that it must contain less than 0. 2% THC. Your product might qualify as a medicine. This has to be approved by the Danish Medicines Agency, but this is a difficult process.

Some reports have been circulating that the EU has increased this THC range from 0.2% to 0.3%. However, we should note that this increase mainly applies to allowing the cultivation of certain cultivars of hemp and not essentially for CBD oils.²

You also need to make sure that you follow all the necessary regulations. We recommend you talk to a specialist to walk you through this process. If you are looking for a business partner to supply your CBD-related company, take a look at Essentia Pura. We are a Slovenian company that offers the bulk sale of CBD extracts.

We take pride in ensuring strict compliance with national and EU regulations. We are a trusted wholesale partner for your CBD-oriented business. If you want further information, please contact us at our email address. Our professional staff will get back to you as soon as possible.

Conclusion

So is CBD oil legal in Denmark? Let’s recap the regulations.

CBD is derived from cannabis. Generally speaking, there are two types of cannabis in Denmark. Marijuana is not legal, because of the high THC content and fear of excessive drug use. It is not legal to buy or sell this type of cannabis. Since January 2018 some patients can use medicinal cannabis that contains THC. They can only do that with a prescription and only for drugs approved by the Medicines Agency. Hemp contains very little THC. It is legal to grow it in Denmark, but you need a proper permit to grow cannabis.

So, CBD oil derived from hemp is legal under Danish law. You have to be careful to follow all other regulations that apply to food or health products. Again, please be careful to follow the law when you are dealing with CBD.

Additionally, it is pretty likely that in the near future, Denmark may take certain steps toward legalizing recreational cannabis. The parliament is already working in that direction. However, this does not mean recreational cannabis will become legal anytime soon. Initially, the government plans to launch a five-year pilot project, but this idea still hasn’t seen the light of day.

We hope this has answered all your questions about CBD oil in Denmark. If you would like to learn more please contact us at our email address or leave a reply in the comment section.

Is CBD legal in Greece?

CBD products have been making plenty of noise around the world. Primarily, this is due to a growing amount of scientific research which points to the potential health benefits of CBD. All of this sparked a lot of interest from people who suffer from certain health issues and are searching for remedies. As a response, many new businesses have developed their own CBD products.

Similarly, countries around the world have noticed this trend. To keep pace with business and scientific development many have decided to review and rewrite some of their drug laws. Even the European Union (EU) responded to the trend and harmonised the legal regulation of CBD in its member states.

Nonetheless, we at Essentia Pura believe that much more can and should be done to encourage CBD businesses in the EU as well as around the world.

To help this effort we have prepared an overview article of the EU regulations and in-depth articles about different countries such as Portugal, Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Poland, Austria, and Ireland.

We are continuing this series of articles with an in-depth look at the legal aspects of CBD in Greece.

It is without a doubt an interesting country to cover. It’s not just a popular holiday destination, it’s also a good place for the fast-developing cannabis industry. It has a long history of CBD products, the longest some might say. Thousands of years ago writers were discussing cannabis and its effects on people, without knowing that these effects are also due to CBD.

We believe that this tradition is still strong and that Greece’s CBD culture is growing stronger every day. If you want to learn more, please read on.

In the first part of the article, we will explain some basic terms regarding CBD. Then we will focus on the legal aspects of drugs in Greece. We will deal with the question of the use of cannabis, as well as the cultivation and production of cannabis. Furthermore, we will explain the legal status of CBD in Greece, including the latest developments. We will also focus on the regulations of medical cannabis. Last but not least, we will offer you some advice on how to buy CBD products in Greece and give you tips on how to best launch your own CBD product in a legally compliant way.

Basic CBD information

CBD is derived from the cannabis plant. Most of you are at least somewhat familiar with cannabis. Nonetheless, we think that if you want to understand CBD oil you first need to have a proper understanding of the cannabis plant.

There are two different categories of cannabis plants, marijuana and hemp. While they are essentially the same plant they differ in some important chemical aspects. We should tell you right away that the usage and legal regulation of them can differ significantly.

There is some confusion in Greece’s legal terminology in this regard. The drug laws published in the government gazette use the word cannabis for both hemp and marijuana, but the difference (THC content) is still present.

Marijuana

Marijuana is the one that gets the most attention of the two. It is also the one that most of us think of when someone mentions cannabis laws. The part that makes it so famous is this thing called THC. It is a component of marijuana that is responsible for the “high feeling” you get if you use it. Due to its psychoactive element, governments usually prohibit it in one way or the other. The Greek government is no exception.

Essentially, this means that the law prohibits the cultivation of marijuana. The use of marijuana for recreational purposes is also illegal. It follows that selling and buying the substance are thus illegal acts under the law.

Okay, so recreational use is prohibited, but what about using marijuana as a medical remedy?

Medical cannabis

In 2018 the Greek parliament made an amendment to the cannabis law and opened a path for medical cannabis in Greece. At the same time, two pharmaceutical companies were able to obtain the necessary permit to start producing medicine from cannabis plants. Since then production and processing plants have become more common in Greece. Perhaps this signals wider changes in Athens’ policy and maybe even in the region as a whole. Hopefully, more countries will adopt changes to their drug laws and allow cannabis for medical use.

You should note that medical marijuana is not freely available. So how can you get it?

If you want to get your hands on medical cannabis in Greece you need to get a prescription from your doctor. Only then can you buy the product from a licensed pharmacy in Greece.

Hemp

Hemp is the second type of cannabis. This has also been around for a very long time. In fact, some of the first mentions of cannabis cultivation and hemp production, and their use, come from Greece. Hemp production was an important part of the industry in Greece until the 1950s. A wider shift in Greece’s policy occurred since then. Hemp cultivation was banned, but this was recently reversed. Hemp plants are again becoming an important part of the cannabis industry in Greece.

The crucial distinction between the two types of the plant is the THC level. Industrial hemp contains almost no THC, but it is nonetheless rich in other substances, such as CBD. The usual permissible content in hemp is less than 0. 2% THC. The same limit is also set by EU cannabis laws.

Cultivation and use of hemp are legal in Greece, albeit with some limitations, such as government approval. For example, before you can plant your cannabis seeds to grow hemp, you have to obtain the appropriate permit from the government.

It is now time to discuss the central question of this article. What exactly is CBD?

CBD explained

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of 113 cannabinoids that come from cannabis. CBD is extracted from cannabis in such a way that it is isolated from other cannabinoids. Most importantly, it can be separated from THC, the psychoactive element in cannabis. This is a major reason why a lot of people are drawn to it.

You can learn more about the process of extraction and separation here.

Scientists have conducted a wealth of research into CBD in the last couple of years. The results look promising. Nonetheless, the benefits of CBD and cannabis products are often blown out of proportion by enthusiasts. If you want some fact-checked information on the benefits, you are welcome to read this overview written by our team.

CBD in Greece

So what does the law say regarding CBD oil in Greece?

CBD legal status is linked to cannabis in Greece. We explained above that marijuana is generally illegal, but the Greek parliament and the Greek government are taking steps to change the law. Hemp, on the other hand, is legal to use and grow, with some limitations.

It comes as no surprise that hemp CBD oil is the most common product on the market.

CBD oil is legal in Greece if it has less than 0. 2% THC content. In other words, if it is extracted from hemp. A doctor can give you a prescription for medical cannabis, but this is, of course, just for medical purposes.

Buying and selling CBD oil in Greece

As promised in the beginning of the article, we will give you some helpful tips on where and how to buy CBD oil and related cannabis products if you are a consumer. We will provide you some information on how to efficiently sell CBD oil and similar products if you are an aspiring entrepreneur.

Buying CBD oil

You can buy CBD extracted from hemp without restrictions in Greece. It is available in pharmacies and health stores in major cities in the country.

If you want to have a wider variety of products on offer then we suggest you try to buy CBD oil online. E-commerce is a modern alternative to in-person shopping that can simplify your life and ensure a safe shopping experience in these uncertain times. You can buy CBD oil and other products from different countries and can check out online reviews from other customers.

Do you have a medical condition that you would like to treat with cannabis use?

In that case, you need to get a prescription from your doctor. Only then you can get your hands on medical cannabis. Do not worry, this is easier in Greece than in many other countries in the European Union.

Above all, please always check out the store you are buying from. You have to be sure they are a proper and legitimate business, dealing only with legal products. We also urge you to avoid buying products from companies that make over-the-top health claims about their CBD oil products.

Selling CBD oil

If you are setting up your own CBD oil company in Greece, you have to strictly follow all the legal rules about cannabis production in Greece.

We recommend that you thoroughly examine your product supplier beforehand. Focus on whether they follow all essential cannabis laws so that you avoid any legal troubles. You should make sure that you work only with accredited buyers and dealers of CBD-related products. Your supplier should provide you with CBD oil that does not contain THC and is extracted from cannabis plants with less than 0.2% THC.^1,2

It is also good to source your CBD products from EU-based manufacturers.³ Since now CBD products are classified as “Novel Food” in the European Union, it means that it’s good to have Novel Food Authorization before selling CBD products in Greece or EU nations

If you want to sell medical cannabis, you need to be a registered pharmacy, which is far more difficult. We recommend getting local legal advice on that matter.

Additionally, it is worth mentioning that although all EU member states must allow the sales of a product that was legally produced in another EU member state, things may vary in practice. Local laws prevail over local laws, which needs to be taken into account. Thus, each country has its own specific requirements for product labeling, like ‘originating from an authorized variety of cannabis’ or ‘not for medical use’. Hence, it is vital to know these local regulatory requirements to avoid goods being stuck with customs after import.

Since CBD products are widely sold in Greece, it can be said with confidence that any product based on CBD isolate is legal. Broad-spectrum CBD products are also legal as they are THC-free. However, one should seek legal advice when importing full-spectrum products. It is better to ask certificate of analysis (COA) from the manufacturer for seeking legal advice in that country. At present, products containing THC below 0.2% are legal in Greece, and it is pretty likely that this maximum limit may be raised to 0.3% in the future in accordance with the new EU Common Agricultural Policy for 2023. However, to be safe, one should only import or sell products with THC well below the established legal limit of 0.2%⁵.

Furthermore, it is also recommended that one should seek legal advice when importing or selling any CBD product that contains THC, even within a legally allowed limit. Since the law regarding THC content is quite blurry. The law in Greece allows unprocessed cannabis products to have THC under 0.2%, but this does not essentially mean that this law is applicable to food supplements for human consumption⁵.

Therefore, based on the latest information, it would be safe to say that CBD supplements that contain CBD isolate and are THC-free are absolutely legal in Greece. However, products that contain some THC must be imported with great care and only after legal advice, even if such products were legally produced in other EU nations⁵.

If you are looking for a partner to supply your CBD-related shop, Essentia Pura is a Slovenian company that offers the bulk sale of CBD extracts. We take pride in ensuring strict compliance with national and EU regulations. We are a trusted wholesale partner for your CBD-oriented business with plenty of experience. If you have any questions regarding the bulk sale of CBD oil and other products, as well as any legal questions about regulations in Greece or other EU member states feel free to contact us at our email address.

Conclusion

So is CBD oil legal? Let us quickly recap.

Greece recently changed its drug laws. As a result, Greece CBD production is rising. CBD oil is now legal in the country so long as it is extracted from hemp. This is the cannabis that has less than 0.2 % THC content. If you want to purchase CBD oil with more THC you can do so with a prescription. This is called medical cannabis. Medical use is legal in Greece.

Production of cannabis must be approved by the government. Recreational use of the plant with more than 0. 2% THC is still not legal and is considered substance abuse. Cultivation of cannabis is allowed for certain purposes in Greece.

The law is changing in the country and these changes are introducing a more generous treatment of CBD oil and medical cannabis in Greece.

Learn more about the legality of CBD in your country by contacting info@essentiapura.com or call us on +38651362880 for more information.