10 minute read

Is CBD legal in Slovakia?

Updated January 15, 2024

Written by

Mag. Valentin Mis, LL.M.

CBD Legal

Legally reviewed by

Valentin Mis

Author

The information provided in our articles has undergone a thorough research process by a team of writers, editors, legal advisors, and medical experts to guarantee accuracy. Only reputable sources have been cited.

Furthermore, to ensure the most recent and relevant data, the content is consistently evaluated against current scientific literature and expert recommendations.

CBD has been moving upwards in the past decade. It is one of the latest trends in the health and food industry. We believe this is due to promising research that is done on CBD. We are sure that you have come across some articles describing how good it is supposed to be for your well being. Perhaps even your social media feed is full of CBD posts.

But is this all just a temporary trend or is it a thing to watch out for? Even more importantly, how are countries around the world responding to this surge in demand and production of CBD? To put it simply: Is CBD legal?

We, at Essentia Pura, understand that all of this new information can be confusing for some people. There are many sources telling you different things, some of them obviously exaggerated. We want to set the record straight.

We consider it our mission to explain in layman terms the regulation of CBD around the EU. This is why we are preparing detailed articles about CBD products, ranging from its regulation in European Union member states to CBD products for your pets and other innovations in the market.

In this article, we will take a deep look at the Republic of Slovakia and try to answer your questions. Hopefully, by the end of this article you will learn:

What is CBD?
The difference between hemp and marijuana.
Some possible medical effects of CBD.
Is CBD legal to use in Slovakia?
Where to buy CBD in products in Slovakia?
How to start your own CBD business in Slovakia?

If you are interested in any of these topics, please read on.

CBD basics

Let us start with some basic information about CBD in general. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a component of the cannabis plant.

Cannabis has been present in human society for a long time, but nowadays it is commonly associated with narcotic drugs, which is giving it a bad reputation. But this is not the whole story.

There are actually two major types of cannabis plant – marijuana and hemp. They differ significantly in chemical aspects as well as in how the law treats them.

Marijuana

Marijuana holds a special place in people’s minds and marijuana consumption is increasing in European countries. The debates surrounding it often end with significant disagreements. Mostly this is due to a thing called THC. THC and CBD are both components of the cannabis plant and marijuana is especially rich in THC. As THC affects your mental state it is listed on the list of psychotropic substances under the psychotropic substances act.

Essentially this means that marijuana is illegal in the Slovak Republic and is considered a drug. Selling, purchasing, growing even small amounts of marijuana can cause you serious trouble. Possession of marijuana or its personal use is not allowed according to the law.

The other thing you might have heard about is medical marijuana. It is also causing a disruption in the medical field, but Slovakia is, unfortunately, lagging behind. There are currently no active medical cannabis programs in Slovakia. There were a couple of unsuccessful pushes in the Slovak parliament to regulate marijuana and especially medical marijuana. Perhaps the Slovakian government will reconsider its stance.

Industrial hemp

The second type of cannabis is industrial hemp. The main distinction from marijuana is in its THC level. Industrial hemp contains virtually no THC, which means that, unlike marijuana, it does not affect your mental state. To say things more plainly, hemp does not get you high. It has been an important part of human society and it is used in the food industry, textile industry among many others.

Industrial hemp production is allowed under the law and is rising in Slovakia. Specifically, in the last decade, more and more Slovakians are starting to grow hemp products. Nonetheless, we believe that there is still ample room for growth.

Back to CBD in Slovakia

So CBD is a component of cannabis that does not make you feel high and might have some medical benefits. But how do scientists get CBD from the plant into oil or other products? In short, scientists extract CBD from the plant so that they isolate it from other cannabinoids. Most importantly, they separate it from the psychoactive substances (THC). They can then use the extracted substance to make CBD infused cannabis oil or other products. We also offer you an in-depth, scientific look at CBD.

There is an increasing amount of research that is showing that you can use hemp cannabidiol (CBD) for pain management, anxiety, and similar issues. Slovakian authorities do not recognize such claims, so CBD in Slovakia cannot be used for medicinal purposes.

Regulation of CBD in Slovakia

Now we know what CBD is, but what does the law say about CBD oil in Slovakia? Is CBD legal?

This is a difficult subject matter. Slovakia has not removed CBD from the list of controlled substances, despite the fact that this is not in accordance with EU and WHO recommendations. This could mean that Slovakia is the only EU country that does not allow CBD products to be sold.

Things are a bit more complicated.

Slovakia is a member state of the EU. This means that the sale and purchases of hemp CBD products are legal as part of the free movement of goods. This view was confirmed in 2020 by the European Court of Justice.

The decision of the court threw CBD products into legal limbo in Slovakia. For example, CBD is not considered to fit into the category of food supplements, neither is it is considered a medical remedy under the law. Above that, it is technically still considered to be in a ‘Controlled Substance Group 2’, this means that it is only legally sold with permission from the Ministry of Health.

But to make matters even more complicated, this regulation is only there because of the drug Sativex. Sativex however, contains both CBD and THC, so this standard is questionable.

As we mentioned above, the dominant view now is that CBD can be legally sold in Slovakia, due to its membership in the European Union and the fundamental principle of free movement of goods.

As elsewhere in the EU, CBD oil is only legal in Slovakia if the CBD is derived from hemp. This means that the THC level in CBD oil must be really low.

Furthermore, hemp CBD products cannot be advertised as medicinal products. If you are starting your own company, we recommend you seek specialist advice regarding advertising.

UPDATE MARCH 2021

As promised we are keeping you up to date with information about the development of CBD regulation in Slovakia. On the 18th of March, the government succeeded in removing CBD from the list of controlled substances in the Slovakian parliament. This means that it is following the new judgment of the European Court of Justice and the new opinion of the European Comission.

So how will this change the CBD industry in Slovakia?

Even though the law has passed the parliament and will come into force on the 1st of May, many open questions remain. Things will become clearer in the coming weeks and months, as all of the stakeholders will adjust to the new reality.

We will watch out to see how the authorities will interpret the law, this means that you should look for opinions issued by the Ministry of Health and other similar authorities. The second thing to keep an eye on is, if CBD suppliers will feel comfortable with a bolder marketing strategy with the new law. Last but not least, you should look for signs of increased demand from consumers, this means looking at surveys and yearly/monthly consumption data. If consumers will respond to the new legislation its good that you are ahead of the curve with bold and imaginative CBD products.

Two things are clear as of summer 2023: EFSA is still holding Novel Food approval applications, and CBD products have finally started selling in Slovakia.¹However, there are still some limitations. Selling CBD oil for oral intake would still be an issue. However, the Slovakia government now allows the sale of CBD products as cosmetics.^2,3 This means that the CBD business had already started flourishing in the nation. Some time will still have to pass before CBD products can be sold as food supplements, but the legal situation for now looks quite promising.

You can always come to us, with any questions regarding your CBD business.

Buying CBD

CBD is unfortunately not readily available for buying in Slovakia. You can however buy hemp CBD products online. The online version usually offers a wider variety of products to choose from. We recommend you are careful and double-check that the CBD oil on sale complies with all of the rules issued by the authorities.

We are firm believers that this will change with the 1st of May 2021, as the new law takes effect and CBD is no longer considered a controlled substance. Lots of open issues remain, but at least there is a profound sense of optimism about the future of CBD industry in Slovakia.

Selling CBD in Slovakia

If you are setting up your own CBD oil company in Slovakia you have to of course strictly follow all the regulations about cannabis cultivation and production.

This can be hard, as the status of CBD in Slovakia is unclear. The government is introducing a law that will clarify the status of CBD in Slovakia. More specifically it is trying to remove CBD from the list of psychotropic substances. We will closely follow the new bill and let you know as soon as CBD legal situation is a bit clearer.

Nonetheless, it is always helpful to have a bit of a head start overbefore your competition. We will offer you some advice and some things to consider before you start making preparations.

You should first decide whether you want to work as an agent for some firm. This means that you help distribute their CBD oils. The other option is to forge your own path from the start. There are benefits to both, in the former a big part of the business is secure, whereas in the latter you are your own boss.

The second thing to consider is if you want to sell your CBD products in Slovakia only or if you want to take the e-commerce route. Usually, the e-commerce option allows you to market your CBD oil products to a wider audience. You also do not need to rent out a store, some storage space should be enough, and as the year 2020 has taught us, e-commerce is more resilient to shocks to the economy.

On top of that, please make sure that you follow all legislation regarding consumer protection regulations, data protection law, and advertising act.

We recommend that you thoroughly examine your 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 products. Your supplier should show you CBD oil that does not contain THC and is extracted from cannabis with less than 0.02% THC. Check that they follow any other guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health or other authorities.

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 company 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 cannabis regulations in Slovakia or other EU member states contact us at our email address.

Conclusion

So is CBD legal in Slovakia? Let us review what we have learned:

CBD is derived from cannabis, but it does not get you high.
Cannabis with high THC content is illegal in Slovakia even for personal use and is a controlled substance. UPDATE MARCH 2021: CBD is no longer considered a controlled substance and CBD products will be legal for personal use from 1st of May onwards.
CBD oil is legal and can be purchased online, due to Slovakian membership in the EU.
The sale of CBD oil in Slovakia is in a gray area, we will update the article as soon as more is known, UPDATE MARCH 2021: CBD is now legal
Make sure that you are in compliance with all other legislation.

We hope this gave you an answer to most of your questions regarding CBD in Slovakia. If you want any additional information, do not hesitate to contact us, our staff will get back to you as soon as possible.

You are also welcome to read our articles about other countries:

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The Entourage Effect Explained

Updated January 15, 2024

Written by

Simon Šfiligoj

CBD Manufacturing

Furthermore, to ensure the most recent and relevant data, the content is consistently evaluated against current scientific literature and expert recommendations.

In this article we will be talking about the entourage effect, what it is and how we can use it to our advantage. We will focus on how we can benefit from this phenomenon in relation to cannabis, where many unique elements appear together and how the effects are different with isolated elements.

WHAT IS THE ENTOURAGE EFFECT?

The entourage effect is a phenomenon where several different compounds work together to achieve an effect that would be impossible for them to achieve on their own. This “accompanying“ effect is the sum of the effects that compounds can produce in the relationship to each other.

The cannabis plant has more than 400 hundred unique chemicals, each affecting us in a different way. There are more than 100 cannabinoids, 200 terpenes, many flavonoids, and several phenolic compounds. Some of these compounds are inactive, some are active, beneficial, and good for us like CBD. Some are even psychoactive and potentially dangerous, like THC!

But when in relation to each other, the effect of one compound can be pronounced, while the effect of another compound can be diminished. This way one compound can become more effective when combined with another one. (or less effective.) Sometimes, an inactive compound can even become active in combination with other compounds!

Basically, the entourage effect is the combined effect of many compounds acting together in harmony. As an analogy, imagine a pianist playing the piano. While the sound of the music he creates can be amazingly wonderful, when he is accompanied by a singer, the music gets to another level. Though, If the singer is bad and sings too loud, the pianist would probably be better playing on his own. So the entourage effect doesn’t automatically translate into a better experience. But I think we all agree that listening to a professional orchestra playing in tune, accompanied by a choir or an opera singer, delivers the ultimate music experience.

And we believe that the same can be said for medicinal plants like cannabis. Their healing is the greatest when the widest spectrum of plant components is consumed. In other words, nature knows best!

The Entourage Effect is like a healthy balanced diet, where getting all kinds of nutrients is important!

Looking at science and research

While the Endocannabinoid system we have in our bodies is mostly being accepted in medical fields, the entourage effect still remains more of a theory.

I would like to stay away from in-vitro studies done in labs and in vivo studies done on rats. This article will be mostly based on studies performed by doctor Ethan Russo. He helped GW Pharmaceuticals to develop the only two phytocannabinoid-based registered drugs. (Sativex and Epidiolex) He should be the right address for concrete information about the entourage effect! You can read more about his finding on his website.

Is the entourage effect real?

According to Dr. Russo, yes. He is a firm believer in the synergistic effects of plant-based compounds. That’s why Sativex, the cannabinoid drug he helped to develop, consists of both cannabidiol (CBD) and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The ratio of these most common cannabis compounds in Sativexis is 1:1. While this ratio might not be perfect in all scenarios, it supports the idea of cannabinoid synergy.

For example, isolated CBD on its own doesn’t produce many effects, some studies even point towards inactivity. But if consumed together with THC, for example, 10mg of CBD and 1mg of THC, the CBDs effects can be greater than the effects of 100mg CBD alone.

Taking Sativex as an example, where the ratio could be 10mg THC to 10mg CBD, the effects of CBD are pronounced by THC. Additionally, when CBD is influencing on cannabinoid receptors, it also prevents the full effect of THC. This is seen in diminished negative side effects of THC, like racing heart, anxiety, red eyes.

This is an example of cannabinoid synergy.

Like in a basketball game, where having both a strong defense and strong offense is important!

Terpene Entourage effect

The role of terpenes in the Entourage effect is ever so important! What are terpenes? They are the building blocks of aromas. Theres thousands of them and their combinations are what give plants their distinct smell.

As we mentioned before, more than 200 terpenes were found present in the cannabis plant. Although some specific terpenes are way more prevalent than others, interesting discoveries point to them directly influencing our endocannabinoid system!

One research from the University of Arizona Health Sciences found evidence that points to cannabis terpenes having a role in pain therapies with fewer side effects. The study credits entourage effect for producing better effects with smaller doses.

Terpenes and cannabinoids are both located in the trichomes, the resin glands of the cannabis plant. They are basically cousins too, as they share the same precursor, Geranyl pyrophosphate.

So the theory that these plant components are sharing similarities in effects is not far fetched!

Why did GW Pharmaceuticals also include a wide array of terpenes in the formulation of Epidiolex? Epidiolex is the registered cannabinoid drug in the EU, where isolated cannabidiol is the only cannabinoid component. Why would they enrich the CBD isolate with terpenes, if not for the entourage effect?

The trichomes in the cannabis flower are where the plant treasures most of terpenes and cannabinoids.

Anecdotal evidence of The Entourage effect

Many patients report a completely different experience when taking Marinol, as opposed to consuming high THC medicinal cannabis. Marinol is a registered cannabinoid drug, available in the US, where synthetic THC is the only active ingredient. They find it much better to consume medicinal cannabis rich in THC, along with the full spectrum of plant compounds.
Full-spectrum CBD hemp extracts are found to be more effective than broad-spectrum extracts, which are more effective than isolated CBD.
CBD extracts rich in Cannabinol (CBN) are supposedly producing a more sedating effects
CBD extract rich in Cannabigerol (CBG) are supposedly producing a more clarifying and focused effect
CBD extracts rich in Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) are supposedly producing an appetite decreasing effect
Hemp varieties rich in terpene myrcene are said to produce a much more sedating effect than others, even though the cannabinoid content is similar. Mango, the fruit which contains a lot of myrcene is said to potentiate effect of THC if eaten before THC consumption.
Hemp varieties rich in terpene limonene are said to produce a more stimulating effect
Hemp varieties rich in linalool are said to produce a more relaxing effect. Linalool is also the most common terpene in lavender. Lavender is being praised for its relaxing effects!
Black pepper is rich in terpene Beta-caryophyllene. Black pepper is commonly used as a co-ingredient to cannabis preparations with THC. The calming effects of beta-caryophyllene can supposedly greatly diminish the negative effects THC has on anxiety.

Types of CBD products that produce the entourage effect

Different types and forms of CBD produce different effects which is also noticeable with the entourage effect. The experience is usually the best with an unprocessed plant but there are other options.

The first option would be to eat the raw plant. But in practice, it is not a viable or convenient way of consumption to most users.
A more convenient option may be why we offer the option of purchasing the CBD drops formulated with full-spectrum Raw CBD extract, which is available for purchase on our site?

This kind of extract contains all the compounds from flavonoids, heavier oils, waxes, lots of terpenes, and many cannabinoids still in acid form. (inactive form)

While some users prefer Raw CBD extracts, many prefer a little more refined version. Our full spectrum Premium CBD oils offer the same amount of beneficial substances, while some of not so important components are removed. With the removal of chlorophyll and waxes, the CBD oil has a milder taste and less sediment. We believe that chlorophyll is healthy, but not when its intake is counted in drops. As the added value of chlorophyll is minuscule, and when its impact on the taste does not appeal to most, we rather remove it from our flagship product. This full-spectrum extract is also decarboxylated. This means that the cannabinoids are converted from their acid form into their active form. The decarboxylation is done slowly, under vacuum, and at a low temperature so no precious substances are lost in the process!
Then there are the more recently popularized CBD products such as gummies or wax. We can still talk about the entourage effect with them but there is not yet any concrete data regarding the specific effects it may produce.

Painting with just one color has its limits. But with a palette of different colors we can produce unlimited hues. The same can be seen when different cannabinoids and their effects are combined!

Broad-spectrum entourage effect

The main problem for CBD users who want to consume full-spectrum CBD extracts is the THC content in them. Although the amount of THC is below 0.2%, so below the legal limit, we completely understand their concern. First, some people can be really sensitive to THC so they can have a negative reaction to full-spectrum CBD products. Especially if they are not used to them and start with a dosage higher than they should. Second, even though the amount of THC is almost negligible it can still show on a drug test. Many athletes or those whose jobs demand regular drug testings, just cannot afford the risk. For this kind of CBD users, we have developed Broad Spectrum THC-Free CBD drops. Some compounds are indeed lost during the THC removal process, but the product still offers a wide spectrum of beneficial substances.

For those who want to experience the effects of CBD and only CBD, we offer formulations with CBD isolate as well. But unless we introduce additional cannabinoids or terpenes into the formulation, the entourage effect will not manifest.

How To Get The CBD Entourage Effect

CBD products can be formulated with many different hemp extracts. Here you can find out how the entourage effect can be manifested from the raw extracts to the isolated cannabinoids.

If we are talking about the entourage effect, a refined form of CBD is definitely not what you are looking for as we are dealing with one component. You should focus on the full-spectrum products (which provide most if not all of the compounds found in the plant) or whole plant CBD which also includes the wax and other material found in the plant. The two are very similar with the latter essentially being the less refined version.

To get the best entourage experience, an unprocessed cannabis plant should be consumed. Ideally, with the vaporization of cannabis flower. Vaporized cannabinoids and terpenes show the best bioavailability!

As mentioned above there is also the broad spectrum CBD, where the components of THC have been removed along with some of the combined effects. But for many it presents the perfect balance of benefits without the side effects.

Manufacturing Full-Spectrum extracts

At Essentia Pura, we are not denying the entourage effect. We are also not presenting it as a fact, as plenty more research needs to be done in regard. But we believe in whole plant medicine! I think everyone agrees that lemonade, rich in all kinds of nutrients and vitamins is healthier than vitamin C alone.

And we project the same vision into cannabis. We want to capture the whole essence of the plant, without disturbing its original chemical composition. In this process, supercritical carbon dioxide is our best ally. We use this ultimate extraction technology to extract all the goodness from the plant world, and deliver it in the purest form to our customers.

We are one of the leading full-spectrum CBD manufacturers in Europe, proudly offering full-spectrum CO2 hemp extracts in all kinds of different formulations.

Do you share the same idea when it comes to CBD extracts? we invite you to get in touch with us and experience the difference of superiority of full spectrum CO2 extracts.

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10 minute read

Is CBD legal in Croatia?

Updated January 15, 2024

Written by

Mag. Valentin Mis, LL.M.

CBD Legal

Legally reviewed by

Valentin Mis

Author

Furthermore, to ensure the most recent and relevant data, the content is consistently evaluated against current scientific literature and expert recommendations.

CBD products are without any doubt gaining in popularity across the European Union. You can see this with the amount of news coverage CBD is receiving, or if you count the number of CBD stores that are present in your community.

This surge of CBD products also means a great deal of uncertainty for some people. On the one hand, governments cannot keep up with the quick industry development, so the drug laws often put CBD in a weird mixed status, causing reluctance among some entrepreneurs. On the other hand, people who are not quite familiar with CBD are wary of the products they might consider drugs and they do not know what to expect. Still, public opinion is shifting fast.

We, at Essentia Pura, want to set the record straight. This is why we are writing a series of articles covering all aspects of CBD, from its legality in member states of the EU to possible health benefits of CBD oil, as well as keeping up with rapid market innovation.

In this article, we will explain if CBD oil is legal in Croatia. Whether you are thinking about starting a cannabis-related company in Croatia, just want to buy some CBD oil in the country, or you are taking your summer vacation on the Croatian coast, this article will try to answer your questions about the CBD status in the country. By the end of this article you will learn:

Is CBD oil legal in Croatia?
The regulations of cannabis in Croatia?
Is the use of cannabis permitted in Croatia?
Can you use medical cannabis in Croatia?
How to start your own CBD business in Croatia?
How and where to buy CBD in Croatia?
Can I bring CBD products to Croatia?

If you are interested in any of these topics, please read on.

What is CBD oil

If you are just trying to get some information about CBD law you might be wondering what exactly CBD is? CBD stands for cannabidiol, which is a part of the cannabis plant. It is gaining in popularity, as scientists are learning about its many possible health effects. At the same time, as we will see, it is possible to avoid any unwanted side effects of drugs.

We think that most of you are familiar with cannabis. Nonetheless, cannabis plants still have a bad reputation in the law all around the world and we would like to briefly discuss this.

Cannabis is often put in the same basket as other drugs. But things are more complicated

First, cannabis consists of many different compounds called cannabinoids. CBD is one of them but by no means the only one important. There are 144 different cannabinoids in cannabis, each one of them contributing something unique to it.

Another thing that you should know is that there is more than one type of cannabis plant. Broadly speaking we must discuss the difference between marijuana and hemp.

Marijuana

Marijuana is the type of cannabis plant, largely responsible for the bad reputation. This is because it contains THC, which causes you to “feel high” if you use it. This can impair your psychomotor functions and is therefore prohibited by the law.

Most member states of the European Union prohibit the personal use of marijuana, Croatia is no different. Under the Criminal code and Drug Abuse Prevention Act amendment of 2013 cultivation, possession, and use of marijuana are prohibited. You should note that cannabis is considered a part of light drugs, possession of a small amount of marijuana for recreational purposes is considered a misdemeanor and not a criminal offense.

This means that you will only get a fine and no jail time. Still, due to its high THC content, cannabis is still illegal in Croatia, and if you grow or sell larger amounts of cannabis or other drugs that are obviously not for personal use. If you are caught you can be prosecuted and jailed for three years or more. We urge you not to do anything criminal or against the law.

There is some indication of change, against the backdrop of public pressure, a bill had been introduced in the Croatian parliament which would decriminalize recreational use of cannabis and even enable personal cultivation.

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Medical marijuana

Recreational use is illegal under Croatian laws. However, there is more and more talk about medical cannabis in the news. This is a type of cannabis that is used for treating multiple sclerosis or other diseases.

There is good news on that front. Since 2015 medical cannabis has been legal in Croatia for treating certain diseases. This means that if you have a prescription from your doctor, you can buy a limited amount –up to 7. 5 grams of medical cannabis per month. You should also note that the law limits the validity of the Croatian prescription for cannabis to 30 days.

Hemp

The second type of cannabis is hemp, sometimes known as industrial hemp. It has been in use around the world for centuries now. Until the second half of the twentieth-century hemp was a common sight in the countryside. It was used for textile, food, even construction. This different usage of hemp is reflected in the law.

So how exactly is hemp different? The most important part is that it contains virtually no THC, so it does not get you high. The usual threshold of THC content is 0. 2 %. At the moment hemp teachers this threshold it is no longer part of the drugs regime. This makes it legal to cultivate and use hemp in Croatia.

Before you plow your field to start growing any amount of your own hemp, you should be aware that you need to register with Croatian authorities, which must grant you a permit. If you do not have the appropriate licenses you can get a fine from the Croatian authorities.

Back to CBD

We hope you now have a better understanding of cannabis. But how do scientists create CBD oil from merely a component?

We should emphasize that CBD is isolated from cannabis in such a way that you preserve its possible medical benefits, but you do not have any other side effects, such as psycho-motor function impairment, commonly associated with drugs.

In the next step, the isolated CBD is attached to oil or another carrier, in this way scientists produce CBD oil or similar CBD products.

If you want to learn more, read our article on CBD extraction.

So why do people use CBD? Scientists have been doing extensive research on cannabis and a lot of promising articles have been published. These articles are linking CBD to various possible health benefits. If you want to learn more about this research, you can read our in-depth article here.

So according to all of this, is CBD oil legal in Croatia? Yes, but only under certain conditions. For example, it must be produced from hemp, so this means that CBD oil must not contain more than 0. 2% THC. If you do not stay within limits it is likely that you would even face a fine from the authorities.

Buying and selling CBD in Croatia

We want to provide you with a couple of tips on how and where to buy or sell CBD products in Croatia.

Especially if you would like to start your own CBD business you should note a couple of things.

Buying CBD

CBD products are readily available for personal use in stores around the country, as well as in numerous online shops. As we mentioned earlier, if you want to use CBD to alleviate health issues you need to get a prescription from your doctor, only with a valid prescription can you purchase medical CBD products in licensed pharmacies.

However, if you are buying CBD for personal relaxation purposes or as a food supplement then you can freely buy it in stores or online. E-commerce enables you to purchase a wider variety of products from out of the country, especially Europe.

Selling CBD

If you are setting up your own CBD oil company in Croatia you have to of course strictly follow all the regulations about cannabis cultivation and production.

There are a couple of things to consider. You should first decide whether you want to fork as an affiliate or agent for some firm, so help distribute their CBD oils or you want to forge your own path from the start. There are benefits to both, in the former a big part of the business is secure, whereas in the latter you are your own boss.

The second thing to consider is if you want to sell your CBD product in person or if you want to take the e-commerce route. Usually, the e-commerce option allows you to market your CBD oil products to a wider audience. You also do not need to rent out a store, some storage space should be enough, and as the year 2020 has taught us, e-commerce is more resilient to shocks to the economy.

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 show you CBD oil that does not contain THC and is extracted from cannabis plants with less than 0.2% THC.

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 cannabis regulations in Croatia or other EU member states contact us at our email address.

Private label custom formulations

Retail-ready formulas not your type? Reach out and develop your own custom formulation.

White label CBD cosmetics

Conclusion

So is CBD legal? Let’s quickly review the Croatian cannabis laws.

High THC cannabis is illegal.
Medical CBD has been legal in Croatia since 2015.¹
Possession of a small amount is only punishable with a fine.
Cultivating and selling larger amounts is a criminal offense.
Low THC cannabis (not more than 0. 2% THC)- hemp is, generally speaking, legal and free to possess, grow, and use.
Before you start growing your own hemp you need to obtain a permit.
Selling and buying CBD products in Croatia is legal, as long as CBD is extracted from industrial hemp or if you sell registered and approved medicinal products.

In fact, there is even a cannabis museum in Croatia’s capital, where one can learn about the rich history of cannabis. One may also buy CBD products that are either THC-free or with THC below 0.2% in the museum.²

Finally, a word of caution, even though CBD is legal to sell and buy in Croatia if it meets specific standards, Croatian and EU-wide laws are constantly changing. Thus, checking the latest regulations before embarking on any business initiative is always a good idea.

Further, it is also worth knowing that although EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) considers CBD a Novel Food, getting Novel Food approval is still challenging. EFSA says that though they recognize CBD as safe, there is a significant data gap. Therefore, keeping a close eye on EU-wide or EFSA guidelines and any nation’s national guidelines is always good.^3,4

That said, we still believe that public opinion is changing in Croatia, and CBD products have a bright future. Therefore, we do not foresee any problems with the CBD business in the nation in the near future.

If you want to learn more about cannabis laws in a different country, you can read our articles about these countries in Europe:

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9 minute read

Is CBD legal in Japan?

Updated January 15, 2024

Written by

Mag. Valentin Mis, LL.M.

CBD Legal

Furthermore, to ensure the most recent and relevant data, the content is consistently evaluated against current scientific literature and expert recommendations.

CBD has taken the world by storm and Japan is no exception. It is hard to miss the numerous articles and advertisements for innovative CBD products. The spike in demand is commonly attributed to an increasing amount of promising scientific research done on CBD.

While this certainly means that it is a great opportunity to dive into the CBD business, there are still a lot of things to watch out for. For starters, you need to fully understand what CBD is and what it can do. Broad-spectrum CBD oil, full-spectrum oil, all of this terminology can be confusing. There is a large amount of misinformation about CBD, ranging all the way from misrepresenting scientific data to outright wishful thinking.

This is why we at Essentia Pura want to set the record straight. We want to explain the origins of CBD and the legal status of CBD oil.

In this article, you will learn:

What is CBD?
Basic information about the cannabis plant.
History of CBD in Japan.
Difference between marijuana and hemp and their regulation.
The legal status of CBD oil in Japan.
Is CBD oil legal for military personnel in Japan?
How to launch your CBD product on the Japanese market.
How and where to buy CBD oil and other products in Japan.

If you are interested in any of these topics, please read the article in full.

What is CBD

CBD, otherwise known as cannabidiol is a part of the cannabis plant. What makes it interesting is that, unlike the famous THC, it does not affect your psycho-motor functions. In other words, it does not make you feel high, at the same time it retains some of the possible health benefits.

If you are not that familiar with CBD terminology, you might not understand the above. This is why we will try to break it down for you.

Cannabis

Cannabis is so famous, that you without a doubt know something about it. Throughout time, the regulation and treatment of the plant went through various stages. In some parts of the world, it was and still is celebrated for its beneficial effects on human health, in other parts it has been prohibited and its uses were made illegal.

On top of that, you should know that there are different types of cannabis plants. The most famous two are marijuana and hemp, and they differ significantly in the chemical aspect as well as in the legal aspect. We will take a closer look at both, but let’s first describe the history of cannabis in Japan.

Cannabis has been an important plant in Japan for thousands of years. Findings of cannabis seeds and woven fibers date back to 10.000 BCE. There is no historic evidence of smoking cannabis in Japan, but there are some signs that the plant had been used for medical use. On top of that, it has tremendous symbolic value in Japan and it was used for building shrines.

The main law dealing with cannabis is the Cannabis Control Act, passed in 1948 – under the occupation of the United States. The second major piece of legislation is the Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act. The laws prescribe harsh treatment of cannabis and consequently difficult conditions for CBD use. All of this presents a big barrier to enter the Japanese CBD market and makes it difficult to produce competitive CBD oil and other products in Japan.

Marijuana

Marijuana is certainly the most famous of the two. It receives much more attention than hemp, due to its high level of THC, which causes users to feel intoxicated and impairs their normal abilities. It is currently illegal. Possession, use, and sale of marijuana are punished with up to 10 years in prison and a hefty fine. We advise you to strictly follow the law, or you might find yourself in big trouble.

Despite the effort of some groups and growing evidence of its benefits, Japan does not have a medical cannabis program. Unfortunately, this means that patients cannot legally purchase medical cannabis to alleviate their health issues. Hopefully, this will soon change.

Hemp

The second type of cannabis is hemp, sometimes it is called industrial hemp, as it is usually used for industrial means – you can find it in the food industry, textile industry, and elsewhere. Hemp does not contain THC, which makes it interesting if you want to benefit from the possible health effects of cannabis. It is also legal under Japanese laws, albeit with some restrictions, that are a bit stricter than it is usually outside of Japan.

For example, if you want to grow hemp you need to obtain a permit from the authorities. There are different permits, depending on THC content in your product, it is much easier if your hemp has low THC content. You should take care that your THC content is virtually zero, as Japan is strict on the matter of THC. So we advise you to carefully plan and choose your hemp seeds.

Back to CBD

So CBD is a part of the cannabis plant that does not make you feel high and might have some health benefits. But how do scientists get CBD from the plant into oil or other products?

In short, scientists extract CBD from the plant so that they isolate it from other cannabinoids. Most importantly, they separate it from the psychoactive substances (THC). They can then use the extracted substance to make CBD infused cannabis oil or other products. If you want an in-depth, scientific look at CBD, please read our article here.

CBD laws in Japan

Generally speaking, CBD products are legal in Japan, but you have to be careful in what way you sell them and how you extract the CBD from the plant. Unlike most countries in the western world, Japanese laws strictly regulate CBD products and their uses. However, the laws do not strictly differentiate between various types of cannabis. The Cannabis Control Act regulates which parts of cannabis you can use to make CBD oils and other products. These products must be THC free.

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The strict regulation of CBD products is both a blessing and a curse. It can be hard to navigate the regulatory world of CBD oil, which makes it harder to launch your product in Japan. On the other hand, when you are dealing with your business partners you can trust that their products meet rigorous standards.

Despite the strict regulatory regime, the CBD market is expanding, and quality CBD products can be found in health food stores in big cities such as Tokyo and at major transportation hubs, like Haneda airport.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the provisions of the laws.

CBD oils sold in Japan must be THC free, as even small amounts of THC are illegal in Japan and are heavily punished.

Furthermore, CBD oils and similar products can only be marketed as food supplements or food products on the Japanese market. Any mentioning of CBD health benefits is not allowed. There is some hope that this might change, as the public opinion regarding new products seems to be changing fast.

To recap, CBD oil is legal in Japan, if it does not contain THC and is labeled as food or cosmetics and not a medicinal product.

Is CBD oil legal for military personnel in Japan

With CBD becoming increasingly popular all around the world, people of different professions are trying it out to help with their issues. The profession of a person usually has nothing to do with what they consume – as long as it is legal, but if you are a member of the armed forces things can get a bit trickier.

There are plenty of US military members stationed around Japan, and they, like other people, would like to buy CBD in Japan, but is this legal?

According to the information from the US Defense department use of products containing CBD is not legal for people employed in the US military, as the use of CBD might result in a false positive drug test.

Selling CBD oil

If you are thinking of starting your own CBD business, there are a number of things to consider.

You are free to sell CBD oil if you meet the following – so your product is extracted from proper parts of the cannabis and does not contain THC, it is not advertised for medical purposes but only as a food supplement.

Your product is extracted from the proper parts of the cannabis plant
Contains virtually zero THC
Not advertised for medical purposes but as a food supplement

We urge you to carefully check out your hemp supplier. As explained above you can only bring CBD products to the market if they contain virtually zero THC.

If you are looking for a trusted supplier of CBD oil, we recommend Essentia Pura. We are a young Slovenian company, specializing in the wholesale of CBD oils. We take pride in being compliance-oriented and thoroughly researching the regulatory landscape of the country of business. Please, check out our website for more details. If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact us. Our professional staff will get back to you as soon as possible.

Exporting CBD oil to Japan

Many established brands in the west would like to export their CBD oils to new markets, such as Japan. As we now know, the regulation of CBD is a bit more strict in Japan than in Europe. Exporting your CBD products from the west to Japan can be a difficult task.

You should of course follow all the regulations from the Cannabis Control Act. On top of that, you have to consider regulations of your product that differ from product to product. If you are selling food supplements the permits you need to obtain are different than if you are exporting cosmetics.

We advise you to find the local legal counsel that will guide you to the process of getting all the necessary permits for your products.

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Buying CBD in Japan

Buying CBD is possible both online and in a regular shop. We usually recommend e-commerce stores due to a wider range of CBD oil on offer, but in this case, we urge you to be careful. The strict regulation of CBD in Japan means that any product produced outside of Japan should be carefully examined. You could quickly find yourself with an illegal product.

Consumers on the Japanese market currently have a wider variety of products available than you might think. You can choose between CBD isolate products or broad-spectrum CBD.

At this moment we think it is wiser to buy CBD oil from established Japanese brands. There are a number of Japanese companies that are compliance-oriented and offer proven high-quality products. – such as Healthytokyo or MUKOOMI.

We recommend you check out some online stores and pay a visit to your local CBD shop for a taste of high-quality CBD products made in Japan.

Conclusion

Let us quickly review what we have learned in the article:

CBD oil is legal in Japan but only under strict conditions.
It can be used if you isolate CBD from hemp and if it does not contain any THC.
Nonetheless, the number of people that regularly use CBD is rising and you can freely shop for CBD online and in cities such as Tokyo.
There are a number of prominent brands, such as Healthytokyo that offer broad-spectrum CBD for you to buy.
Despite the strict regulation of CBD oil in Japan, we believe that the future of CBD oil in Japan is bright, as public opinion is shifting fast in recent years.

If you want to learn more about the regulation of CBD oil in other countries, you are welcome to read our articles about:

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The Benefits for CBD Oil for Pets

Updated February 21, 2024

Written by

Simon Šfiligoj

CBD Manufacturing

Furthermore, to ensure the most recent and relevant data, the content is consistently evaluated against current scientific literature and expert recommendations.

Did you know that Cannabidiol (CBD) can have a positive effect on your cat, dog, and all the different kinds of animals you keep at home? Mammals, birds, fish, and reptiles, have all been found to have an endocannabinoid system. This means that if you have had a positive experience with CBD, your pets can most likely have one too!

Now, before you share your favorite CBD product with your beloved pet, it’s good to take a few things into consideration, so keep on reading!

Generally, what’s good for you should be also good for your pet. But obviously, as every human is different and can have a different reaction to CBD products, so can animals have a completely different experience with CBD. As there are not enough studies to set a golden standard for CBD administration to humans, there’s even less knowledge on how CBD products work on animals. The rule of thumb is starting slow, with a really small amount of CBD, and see how the animal reacts.

If the benefits of CBD oils can be seen in humans, they can definitely have value for pets as well. First of all, you have to make sure that the CBD oil you administer to your pets is safe, so let’s explore how CBD is made and what different options are available.

What is CBD Oil? How is CBD Oil for Pets Made?

Cannabidiol, CBD in short, is the main active ingredient in the cannabis plant. Most of the CBD is concentrated in the resin glands in the cannabis flower. Therefore, to separate CBD from the plant matter, we have to strip off the resin. There are several different methods to obtain the CBD-rich cannabis resin. While some are more efficient than others in terms of yields. The CBD hemp extraction method with supercritical CO2, the one that we use at Essentia Pura facility, is proven to be the most effective in terms of safety. We do not cut any corners when it comes to the quality of our CBD oil! We are extremely confident, that our Full-Spectrum CBD oils contain no residual harmful chemicals which are leftover in solvent extractions. Your and your pet’s safety in the first step of the product manufacturing process is assured. Now let’s move to the formulation.

Full Spectrum, Broad spectrum or Isolate only?

We believe that full-spectrum CBD products are the most effective for humans. Most likely, we can project the same experience we have to the animal world. But with most positive effects, there is also a greater possibility for the manifestation of negative effects. The full-spectrum CBD oil contains trace amounts of THC! As animals share the same endocannabinoid system as we do, they can also be intoxicated by THC in the same way. With proper and careful dosing, the negative side effects from the full spectrum oils can be in most cases avoided. But if you prefer to be on the safer side, the broad spectrum CBD oil is a better option. (THC free)

Some animals are also sensitive to terpenes found in hemp. So the safest, but also most likely the least effective, is a formulation of CBD drops for pets with CBD isolate. Formulations with CBD isolate are also the safest way for young animals that are still developing and learning.

Don’t forget the carrier oils!

Carrier oils act as a base for the CBD extract to be diluted in. The final mixture provides better bioavailability and dosing accuracy. As carrier oils make the most part of CBD drops, they might be even more important than the CBD extract itself when it comes to unwanted reactions in your pets. We offer our CBD drops in three different carrier oils:

– Cold-pressed Olive oil. Probably the most praised oil in culinary. (loved by humans, but probably not all animals will find it fancy)

–Hemp seed oil. A healthy cold-pressed oil, rich in healthy fats, fats, vitamins, and minerals. (offers the whole plant experience, but has the same issue as the Olive oil above)

–MCT oil. Has a neutral taste, provides the longest shelf life, and offers the best bioavailability. (potentially the best option, but larger servings might result in digestive discomfort)

The carrier oils above are widely accepted as the best for human use. But for animals, we propose a formulation with a different carrier oil.

–Salmon fish oil.

This carrier oil has all the necessary traits of the above options while also providing smell and flavor appealing to pets. (the downsides are that this product is not vegan. Some pets might also reject the taste or have an allergic or similar reaction to it)

Salmon fish oil has many health benefits on its own! It is rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that support a healthy immune system, cardiovascular system, promotes healthy skin and coat while also improving cognitive function. Although if counted in drops, it won’t add much value. That’s why we propose CBD oil for pets to be formulated for 30ml bottles. Having a 2.5% or 5% CBD concentration in 30ml dropper bottles, the dosing of CBD becomes easier. And this way the intake of healthy wild Alaskan salmon oil is also increased!

CBD Oil For Dogs

To summarise, there are many options available, and its very hard to put the finger on one and say this is the best. Our friends from the animal kingdom vary in size, age, and the conditions they need to have treated. There is just no “one size fits all”. There is however more data on CBD administration to our best four-legged companions.

CBD can benefit dogs in many different ways. As we mentioned at the beginning of the article, CBD works for animals in the same way as in humans, it promotes homeostasis. Cannabidiols action can be seen in dogs’ proper function, which is reflected in their shape and behavior.

Too little scientific data is available to make any full proof claims on how the CBD impacts the animal. But the internet is swarmed with happy dog owners which used CBD to just improve their dogs’ health. Some even used CBD oil to treat epilepsy in dogs or using CBD oil for dogs with heart problems.

But dog owners have seen an improvement of dogs mobility, immune system, improvements in healthier teeth, skin, and coat. CBD helped with dogs’ pain and inflammation, loss of appetite, anxiety, and noise phobia. CBD is also showing great potential in treating dog breed anomalies!

Obviously, with this wide array of health benefits, there could also be some dangers involved. Undesirable side effects might come up if the dog is not used to CBD or has perhaps taken too much of the products. These negative reactions can be seen as dry-mouth (dehydration), low blood pressure (drowsiness), disorientation (lightheadedness), vomiting (nausea).

With proper dosing, our dog should not experience the problems above. The CBD dosage depends on the size of your pet and is as follows:

Administration of CBD to Dogs

There are several routes of administration of CBD to your dogs. The most effective would be to dose the CBD oil directly into dogs mouth, in the best scenario to rub it against dogs gums. While it sounds easy, this option can be sometimes hard to execute in practice. A more simple way would be to just mix the drops directly onto the dogs’ meal, or into his bowl of water.

After you start giving your pet CBD, it is wise to keep a journal and track progress.

The CBD Pet Market

CBD has taken the pet market by storm. From CBD dog treats to CBD-infused stuffed animal toys, the CBD pet market increased by nearly 1000% in 2020 alone. Most of these products are not yet backed by scientific research and it is hard to measure their effectiveness without trying them. But many pet owners are betting on CBD as their go-to for treating ailments of their dear pets.

Obviously, it is not wise to take CBD without asking your veterinarian for advice first. In case your pet is already undergoing treatment with other medicine, possible dangerous interactions with CBD could arise. Although veterinarians, similar to doctors and pharmacists, might often simply deny the positive effects of CBD and try to avoid this discussion. This is simply because the source of CBD comes from the Cannabis Sativa plant, which legal status is still very questionable in most parts of the world.

On the other hand, if you see the veterinary clinic filled with all kinds of different pet products with CBD, the situation might raise flags. The personnel might just be jumping on the CBD bandwagon and try to make a profit, especially if the clinic has its own brand of CBD. This judgement is mostly left to you and is mostly related to the trust you built over time with the veterinarian.

But always be sure to check the following:

-The CBD extract for pets should be derived with carbon dioxide, which leaves no harmful solvents behind

-The origin of the hemp and the carrier oil should be non-GMO and from organic sources, as there are no residuals of pesticides and chemical fertilizers in the final product

-The product should be without any artificial colour and flavours. Only natural extracts of spices and herbs or medicinal plants should be incorporated.

-3rd party lab testing, which adds another layer of credibility to the product

At Essentia Pura, the white label CBD pet products specialist, we always strive to meet the criteria above when manufacturing CBD products. We make no difference in the quality when producing CBD for human consumption, CBD for cats, CBD for horses. Quality is always our number one priority.

If made and dosed properly, CBD should have minimal side effects and could be less dangerous than traditional medicine. But you should never replace the treatment your veterinarian prescribed with CBD, especially without your veterinarian’s approval.

If you are interested in white-label CBD for pets, do not hesitate to contact us! We will help you find the perfect CBD formulation that you can share with the animal world.