8 minute read

Is CBD Legal in Belgium?

Updated January 15, 2024

Written by

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.

Belgium might be called the heart of the European Union, as the most important decision-makers of the EU are in Brussels, the capital of Belgium. Naturally, this means that Belgium is among the first ones to implement the EU regulations, whatever the subject may be. Obviously, this is also true when it comes to CBD regulation.

CBD products are a fast-growing industry and as it often happens, regulation cannot quite keep up with the development of new products. The change in the CBD industry is so rapid that even when regulation tries to catch up it is often too late, or out of date and it can cause more harm than good. Such is, unfortunately, the case of Belgium and, perhaps, of the whole European Union. We, at Essentia Pura, believe that regulation of CBD products is needed, as it offers certainty to businesses and protects consumers from exaggerated health claims.

In this article, we will take a closer look at how Belgium regulates the CBD industry. By the end of this article you will know:

What is CBD?
What is the regulation of cannabis in Belgium?
How is CBD regulated in Belgium?
Where can you buy CBD in Belgium?
Can you legally sell CBD in Belgium?

CBD in Belgium

To start the article properly, we have to explain what CBD is.

CBD is short for cannabidiol, which is one of 113 known cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. So far we know that it is a part of the cannabis plant. The second important thing to learn is that CBD is associated with all kinds of possible health benefits.

We are sure all of you are at least somewhat familiar with cannabis, but we wish to explain a couple of things about the plant anyway. For starters, there are at least two major types of cannabis, and they differ significantly in their effects, as well as by their treatment in Belgian law.

Cannabis in Belgium

Marijuana is without a doubt the most well-known cannabis plant. It is usually included in the drug policy of a country, which is due to THC. THC is another part of cannabis, this one is responsible for the intoxicating feeling you get from using cannabis. As it affects your psychomotor functions, governments usually restrict its use and treat drug use as a public health issue.

Legally speaking, cannabis is not legal for personal use in Belgium although recreational cannabis use is decriminalized. Possession of cannabis products is tolerated if you have less than 3 grams of cannabis in your personal possession. This means that without any aggravating circumstances you should only be fined and not persecuted.

Furthermore, cannabis cultivation for personal use is also tolerated. This means that you can grow one (female) cannabis plant. Since the reform of the laws in Belgium in 2003, the cultivation of cannabis surged. It is now estimated that most of the cannabis consumed in Belgium is homegrown.

However, growing larger amounts of cannabis is illegal in Belgium and you can have major troubles because of it. Likewise, selling or distributing cannabis is considered illegal in Belgium.

As we mentioned cannabis consumption is growing in Belgium. Some of the interesting phenomena in the cannabis community are the so-called cannabis social clubs. These social clubs cultivate and harvest cannabis together. So far they were a couple of legal proceedings against these cannabis social clubs, but for the last couple of years, these cannabis social clubs are tolerated and operate without police interference.

Medical cannabis

As more and more scientists reach the conclusion that cannabis might come in handy for medical use, it is only natural to ask if medicinal cannabis is legal in Belgium?

According to a royal decree the prescription drug Sativex can be used to treat patients with multiple sclerosis. Other drugs based on cannabis are still not used in Belgium. Nonetheless, more and more people are calling for medicinal cannabis to be legalized, so we are hopeful that medical cannabis has a bright future in Belgium.

Wholesale CBD Products

Get a hold of our top-quality, market-proven CBD products that are ready to sell. Reach out to us today.

Wholesale CBD products

Hemp in Belgium

Hemp plants are the second type of cannabis in Belgium. The main difference between hemp flowers and marijuana is its THC content. Hemp does not contain THC, or if it does, THC content in hemp is insignificant. Essentially this means that if you use hemp you retain all the benefits of CBD while your psychomotor functions are not affected.

Cultivation of hemp plants is legal in Belgium, even for commercial purposes. We stress, however, that hemp must contain less than 0.2 % THC and that you must be granted a special permit by the Belgian government before you start plowing your fields.

CBD Regulation in Belgium

All of this might be quite confusing. So what is the legal status of CBD in Belgium? Well like most use of cannabis in Belgium, CBD products are in a grey area.

The current state of affairs is such that CBD oil for external personal use is legally sold in pharmacies around Belgium. On the other hand, CBD oil cannot be sold as a medicinal cannabis product or as a food supplement according to the laws in Belgium. This is due to the infamous Novel foods regulation, CBD food supplements are considered to be novel foods and require authorization before they can enter the market. The Belgian authorities have not granted such authorization. This practice meant that a lot of CBD stores around Belgium were raided by the police who then confiscated their products for lab analysis. The analysis of the products can take months, causing a lot of frustration and disruption to the business model of CBD entrepreneurs.

Where does this leave the Belgian CBD oil industry and the whole Belgian cannabis industry?

Unfortunately, not in a good place. Belgium had once been considered a great country for the CBD industry, akin to Switzerland. Nowadays, however, other European countries are quickly developing its cannabis market, while Belgians deal with new drug law that stifles innovation and restricts the use of cannabis.

But just because CBD products cannot be labeled as food supplements does not mean that CBD is not legal in Belgium. Hemp-produced CBD products are permitted, as we said above CBD for external use is available, on top of that you can buy dried hemp that is also rich in CBD and you can actually smoke them.

So things are not as bad as they look at first glance.

Buying CBD Oil in Belgium

You can buy CBD oil for external use in pharmacies all across Belgium. In addition to that, you can get Sativex if you have a prescription from your doctor, but other than that buying CBD oil products in Belgium is difficult. You can however buy dried cannabis hemp.

Thanks to the freedom of movement of goods you can now import CBD oil and similar products from other European countries. As CBD is not considered part of narcotic substances according to the EU law any restriction on cross-border sales is problematic. This means you have an incredible variety of online stores you can choose from. Nonetheless, we suggest you are careful and read the review of the store and avoid any stores that promise you over the top things. Furthermore, we suggest you search for products without THC or with less than 0.2 % THC, as anything more than that can land you in trouble with the authorities.

Custom Formulation With Private Label

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

Private label CBD products

Selling CBD Oil in Belgium

If you want to sell CBD oil in your own store you have to be careful not to label your products as food supplements. If you do you can be subject to a police raid and your products can be confiscated. Even without labeling your products as food supplements, lots of business report issues with the authorities.

In any case, we recommend that you structure your business around clear, consumer-friendly information about CBD oil that is in line with scientific research. 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 only work with accredited buyers and dealers of CBD products. Your supplier should show you that CBD oil product contains less than 0.2% of THC and is extracted from hemp. Check that they follow other legal guidelines issued by the 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 the law. 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 CBD products, as well as any legal questions about cannabis regulations in Belgium, do not hesitate to contact us. Our staff will get back to you as soon as possible.

Conclusion

So is CBD legal in Belgium?

The legal situation of CBD is complex, it is currently in a grey area. Let us quickly go through the most important points:

CBD is a component of cannabis.
Cannabis is legal for personal use and is growing in popularity.
Cannabis social clubs are a common thing in Belgium
Hemp can be grown for commercial purposes.
Medical cannabis is legal, although it can be accessed only if you have a prescription and is only used to treat multiple sclerosis.
CBD oil is legal only for external use and cannot be sold as food supplements.
CBD products sold in pharmacies/medical marijuana must get approval by a federal agency for medicines and health products (famhp).¹
CBD products with THC below 0.2% and intended to be sold as food additives are regulated by federal public service, health, food chain safety, and the environment. This agency, though, does not consider CBD products with low THC as narcotics. Still, it classifies them as “dangerous plants” products per the Royal Decree of 31 August 2021, thus disallowing CBD foodstuff to market.²
However, hemp seeds and products with THC within permissible amounts are allowed for sale, but they must be supported by a certificate of analysis.² This means that one can sell CBD products nationwide with specific documents. However, these products must meet specific criteria.
According to a Royal decree, you can buy and use dried hemp flowers.

Hopefully, this answered most of your questions regarding Belgian cannabis law, if you have any other questions, please contact us.

If you are interested in the legal status of CBD in other countries you can read our articles about:

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The Rising Trend of CBD Edibles: CBD Gummies

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.

The most popular CBD product remains CBD oil in the form of CBD drops. While the bottle and pipette might look archaic, CBD drops are the most convenient and effective solution for those who seek CBD benefits. It is also the first product which was made CBD consumption available. And if something works, why fix it?

But we always try to find new and creative ways to spice up our cuisine and so is with CBD. As shown in one of the previous blogs on the most innovative CBD products, CBD already made itself available in almost every form imaginable. And why reinvent the wheel, when we can just incorporate CBD into the recipe we desire.

This is what happened with CBD gummies. A hundred-year-old formulation by a German confectioner named Hans Riegel just got reinvented. First, the sweet jellies were popularised with infused THC in the legal states and countries. Now sweets are available in the non-intoxicated CBD variant all around the world.

A Novel (& Delicious) Method of Consuming CBD Oil

CBD just got available in everyone’s sweetest childhood memory! It is not just the CBD gummy bears, the cannabidiol is available in every jelly form possible. CBD gummies are found in shapes of cubes, spheres, animals, fruits, hearts, hats, stars, and rainbows,.. We can taste CBD gummies in various flavours and they can taste sweet, sour, tart, juicy,.. The CBD gummy can be also available sugar-free, gluten-free, THC-free and vegan.

Essentia Pura CBD gummies come in 4 different tasty fruit flavors!

The shapes, flavours and colour are limitless and provide for an exciting CBD experience. But most importantly, CBD gummies have a precise CBD content. This enables the user to have an accurate amount of CBD intake with every serving.

Benefits of CBD gummies

The practical solution of having the desired dose of CBD intake with every gummy is what makes them worth it. CBD gummies come in various strengths, but whether we have a 10mg CBD gummies we can:

Consume a CBD gummy in the morning to take on a new task with more enthusiasm
Take two 10mg CBD gummies when we want a Sunday to be what it is supposed to be
And take 3 of them to ease out after a long day and enjoy the well earned rest

All in all, CBD gummies seem to be the perfect treat for us on many occasions! But with all the great things they offer, there can be some risks involved.

Precautions to take with CBD gummies

Like with every CBD product, there is always a risk the product might not contain what it claims to. Even when purchasing from a reputable company, make sure to start slow and take just 1 gummy first, or even better, half of it.

The CBD content might not be accurate and off the charts. CBD No-THC gummies could contain higher concentrations of THC than declared. Solvent residues or other chemicals can be leftover in the gummies from CBD extraction which may lead to undesired side effects.

Drug interactions apply and can happen with CBD gummies in case we are already on certain medications.

Legality of CBD Edibles

The legality of CBD edibles is still uncertain in the European Union. Most of the EU member states have taken the Novel Food Catalogue seriously and are not allowing CBD in any form as a food or food ingredient.

CBD drops can still be marketed as cosmetics or aromatics. Edibles, such as CBD gummies, are a bit more conflicting. It is tougher for the gummies to be marketed as technical products, products for external use or collector’s items.

Anyhow, since CBD is not an illicit substance, there no law breaching when doing business with gummies or consuming them.

Most consumers already took CBD to their hearts and believe in the safety of it. We can all just hope for the quickest Novel Food process for CBD and the other beneficial cannabinoids.

*Since gummies are a form of CBD candy, they are very attractive for children. Because of this, especially where THC consumption is legal, cannabis infused gummies like hemp gummy bears are prohibited. The situation is similar to the ban of nicotine e-juices, where the sweet flavours attracted the younger population. Use and store CBD gummies responsibly, so they will not share the same fate!

Whitelabel CBD gummies from Essentia Pura are packed in a childproof container which also prevents sunlight degradation!

Typical CBD Dosage & Duration of CBD Gummies

How many CBD gummies should you eat is mostly dependent on the CBD concentration of the gummies. If the CBD candy is formulated with CBD isolate, the CBD isolate gummies should be pretty safe with any dosage.

For Cannabidiol, there is no official dosage, but the World Health Organisation assigns CBD a very good safety profile. Food Safety Agency in the UK recommends a daily intake of 70mg CBD for a healthy adult. In Canada, where Cannabis is fully legalized there is no upper limit of daily CBD intake.

Once we know the active convent of the CBD candy, the following factors are to be considered when determining the right dosage:

The persons sex, age and body weight
What is subject’s tolerance and response to CBD
Interactions with foods and other drugs

If however, the CBD gummies are made from broad-spectrum or full-spectrum hemp extracts, the other compounds must be taken into consideration. Be especially wary of the D9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) levels, which if too high, can produce undesirable intoxicating effects

Manufacturing CBD-infused Gummies & Food

As CBD is still not fully accepted as a food ingredient by authorities, we opted for the safer route. At Essentia Pura, our main drive is full-spectrum CBD, but for CBD infused food we chose THC-free. The CBD no-THC gummies are manufactured with isolated cannabidiol. This offers the safest delivery of CBD for every person of every age.

Essentia Pura White label CBD gummies are made with pectin instead of gelatin, which makes them vegan CBD candies. They are available in 4 different natural flavours:

Raspberry
Lemon-Lime
Mango
Strawberry

The White label CBD candies do not contain any of the following allergens: Milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, wheat and are completely gluten-free.

The White label CBD gummies are available in concentrations of 10mg and 25mg per serving.

The plastic packaging is opaque, which provides UV protection preventing the degradation of CBD. The non-transparent packaging also prevents the kids to be tempted by the sweets, for whom there is also a child-resistant lid.

Whether you would like to buy the CBD candies in bulk or just order a sample of our CBD sweet jellies to try, send us an e-mail or complete our contact form.

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11 minute read

Top 5 CBD Dropshipping Suppliers in Europe [2023 update]

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.

What do CBD products and dropshipping have in common? To start, they are both fairly new to the average consumer in Europe. But more importantly, they gained their popularity with the rise of online shopping. With CBD oil products rapidly rising in prominence and becoming a multi billion dollar market in the world, with a great outlook, a lot of people are trying to find their place in this upwards trend. We at Essentia Pura will try our best to explain the possibility that CBD dropshipping offers in this exciting industry.

What is CBD dropshipping

As with any topic, we believe it is best to start with the basics. So, what is CBD and what is dropshipping and is there a good enough market for CBD dropshipping?

CBD (cannabidiol) is a non-psychoactive substance derived from the cannabis plant with great health potential. CBD started trending in recent years as a legal cannabis-derived ingredient in various products. Thanks to the internet, CBD hype grew rapidly, and thanks to e-commerce it was made readily available to everyone. At the same time the rapidly growing e-commerce industry also rediscovered dropshipping.

Dropshipping is a retail business model where the retailer offers products to consumers, but the product moves directly from the wholesaler or manufacturer to the final consumer, without being handled or stored by the retailer, thus significantly reducing your operating costs.

This service was already known in the previous century, mostly via telephone and mail orders. In the era of online shopping, dropshipping has resurged. With companies such as e-bay, Amazon, AliExpress, and Shopify getting involved, dropshipping has exploded.

Having someone else do the shipping and packaging, without keeping stock, saves a lot of time and energy!

Dropshipping, the e-commerce model that is redefining the industry, and CBD, the ultimate wellness product. Don’t they seem like the perfect combination? If you are interested in finding out how dropshipping and CBD oil products fit together and if dropshipping is the right strategy for your business, read below!

Selling CBD Products From Home

The main advantage of dropshipping is its simplicity. From the comfort of your home, you can run your business without most of the hassle.

How to start a CBD dropshipping business

If you are interested in trying out CBD dropshipping there are some things to consider.

The first step is carefully researching the market you want to enter, this means researching if there is proper demand for CBD oil and who your main competitors are. It is always recommended to check the legal status of CBD oil in your preferred market. The legal status is important as it can effect how you can market your CBD dropshipping business.

The next step is choosing the product, in best case scenario, this should be a product you identified as interesting during your market research. Now you have to choose the supplier who offers the product you are interested in. The only thing that is left is finding consumers to purchase the product from you and get it shipped from your supplier to your consumer. Without any costs involved in manufacturing, storing, and logistics, you become the armchair middleman and collect your markup.

Market-Ready CBD products

Launch your CBD brand hassle-free by leveraging our white label CBD products. Shift your focus to strategic marketing.

White Label solution

All of this seems pretty easy, and we will help you even further with the list of trusted European dropshippers. The only thing you have to do is to find buyers and generate traffic.

Building your brand starts with choosing a brand name, a logo, and establishing a website. Increasing your online presence can be done with blogs, posts on social media like Facebook, and through influencers from Youtube and Instagram. You can also rank your website on search engines and pay for Google Ads to increase your visibility in the market.

Increasing your online presence with digital marketing is an art of its own. And if that is your thing, dropshipping is the way! You can fully focus on your brand, from the design to customer support, while your dropshipping partner will take care of the rest.

If venturing into CBD business, dropshipping is the tool of the trade!

Pros of CBD dropshipping

So far dropshipping looks like the ideal business model to get involved in CBD sales. Let’s explore some of the upsides and benefits it offers.

Low setting up costs

The website and brand design are the biggest costs involved before you are fully operational. If you have the skills required to do it yourself, or if you perhaps already have an up and running online store, you are almost covered! As explained above, you will not bear any packaging or storage costs, which can be significant as they include labor costs for packaging and rental costs for storage.

No stock

As you are shipping everything from your CBD dropshipping company, you do not have to stock your inventory yourself, again significantly reducing costs and freeing your time to pursue business development.

No Inventory

No inventory means you do not have to worry about CBD products being unsold or expiring. In addition to that you also do not have to deal with the transport logistics and have far greater flexibility to transition to different suppliers if you so choose.

Scalability

If you see that your sales are increasing and you project the increase to continue, you do not have to expand your personnel, production or storage, but can only pour the extra profits into further marketing activities to expand your reach and grow your business.

Custom Formulations Private Label Solution

With a smooth product development process we can create private-label CBD products specific to your needs. Feel free to give us a call and share your idea with us without hesitation.

See private label

Cons of CBD dropshipping

As any business activity, CBD dropshipping is not always smooth sailing. These are some of the disadvantages you might encounter along the way:

Long delivery times

As you are not keeping your own inventory, it can take longer to dispatch the order after it was paid, which can lead to customer dissatisfaction. Always carefully consider the terms and conditions of your suppliers, as you grow you might even have some power to influence their delivery times.

Quality control

The orders are not fulfilled by you so you cannot know whether the shipped product was defective. This is why you should always carefully research your suppliers and only deal with properly certified companies that can back up their claims with lab confirmed quality control certificates.

No bulk discounts

Selling large quantities does not result in better prices as with purchasing the same amounts wholesale, however you must be aware that your final operating costs are still lower, so this might even work out in your favor.

Refunds are costly

If the customers are not satisfied with the delivered CBD products and these are returned you may have to cover the costs involved.

Most of the cons above vary depending on the terms you agreed with your CBD drop shipping partner, which you may not be able to influence at the start.

Every CBD dropshipping company has its own dropshipping system, which one is the most suitable for your CBD business?

If you have the skills and resources, you can do the brand and package design yourself. Otherwise, hiring a professional might be feasible!

Who in Europe can help you with dropshipping CBD products

Choose wisely when selecting your CBD dropshipper. The price of CBD products is important, but it is not the only thing that counts. Do not overlook the quality of the CBD products, how they are produced and what packaging is used. Be especially cautious on the dropshipping terms and conditions so you do not get caught up in legal trouble, if you want to reorient your business!

1 Cibdol

The Dutch CBD manufacturer Cibdol is one of the leaders in the European market. They use hemp of the highest quality as they take care of their product from the seeds onwards. This is why they regularly test the soil the hemp grows in and only work with trusted and proven suppliers. FUrthermore they produce their CBD products in state of the art Swiss laboratories, with a special process aimed at eliminating impurities in their products and thus setting a high bar in quality control. The quality of the product is ensured by a independent third party lab.

Their sales and customer service team is always at your disposal to support you and help you to optimize and grow your business.

If you are ready to start your CBD adventure, try and contact them to set the terms of your cooperation!

2 Global Cannabinoids

This US-based CBD company from Nevada is one of the biggest global distributors of CBD products. Partnered with US hemp farmers and processors, their supply chain reaches wholesalers and retailers to all parts of the world.

Their CBD range will satisfy most CBD consumer’s needs, but what stands out is their unique dropshipping program. In addition to standard dropshipping order fulfillment, they will, in a matter of weeks, set you up with everything you need to start your CBD business! From website design to logo and label design and label print.

They offer 1 on 1 consulting on branding and even take care of credit card payment processing.

Check out their website https://www.cbdstartup.io/ for more information about their plans and pricings. With the basic subscription, your CBD store can be up and running in just a week!

The subscription plans are not cheap, but considering the value, it is a viable option for those without an existing CBD business.

3 The Real CBD

The Real CBD is a family-owned business from Spain. The Spanish hemp, CO2 extraction, and their passion for CBD are making the customers happy since 2017. With +4 years of experience in the (wholesale) hemp industry, they strive to provide you support, insights, and tips to get your own CBD platform off the ground.

Their dropshipping program is simple, free and available for Europe, the UK, Canada, Mexico and The United States. If you have a webshop ready, contact the sales team at info@therealcbd.com, to receive their dropshipping package.

The Real CBD can supply:

Organic full-spectrum CBD oils
CBD products for pets and animals
Water-soluble CBD Powder
CBD topicals/beauty products
CBP Vape products
CBD supplements
CBD candy

Your profit margin is based on the volume of sales, and you can cancel anytime at no charge!

4 Reakiro

The Polish CBD Powerhouse is one of the biggest players in the region. Reakiro, a HACCP/GMP certified manufacturer and supplier of full-spectrum CBD oils, creams and capsules is offering their dropshipping program at no startup costs!

This dropshipping program a classic one, but Reakiro’s CBD product range and prices are not to pass. Fill the form here to apply, and get access to 50% discounts, free shipping and no MOQs, and to never worry again about:

Managing or paying for a warehouse
Packing and shipping your orders
Continually ordering products and managing stock level
Paying sales tax, import duties, customs fees, etc.

5 JM-Wholesale

If you are from the UK and looking for a drop shipping partner, JM-Wholesale might be just the one for you! Founded in 2017, JM-Wholesale is now UK’s largest wholesaler within the vaping, CBD, and smoking categories. With them, you will have access to an impressive diversity of CBD products by leading CBD brands, which can be dropshipped to 180 countries around the world.

JM’s advanced dropshipping program is a fully integrated and fully automated dropshipping solution. You can now upload CBD products, sync inventory & route orders with their drop shipping system to virtually any online store, marketplace, or e-commerce platform. (Woocommerce, Shopify, Weebly,.)

They provide world-class fulfilment of any scale, 24/7 support, and they even help you create a website for your new business.

All you need to do is focus on marketing and growing your business!

The Premium package obviously costs more. but considering the fees are smaller, the returns are way higher if the volume of sales is there.

Working With CBD Dropshippers

Dropshipping CBD has never been easier, as there are plenty of CBD suppliers to choose from! The choice might not be an easy one.

If you are new to the e-commerce world, we suggest the following CBD drop shipping tips :

Start with a free program or the least expensive subscription plan.
Choose a well established CBD brand before starting your private label.
Begin with one product to get the feel of things and diversify later.
Always order a sample to see its quality, from content to packaging.
Make sure the parcel will have only your details and not from your CBD drop shipping partner. You do not want to lose customers this way!
Focus on the marketing aspects on what will drive the business and what will increase traffic.
Try to get the most out of the free consulting your CBD dropshipping partner offers. Knowledge is gold!

If you are already operating in the online sales, but new to the CBD world, make sure your CBD dropshipper should:

Provide you with full and correct company information, do not fall for frauds and scams. Check the authenticity through reviews and details and publicly available company reports.
Be transparent and responsive in communication.
Provide you with quality-controlled products backed up by lab reports and certificates.
Ensure product traceability with batch id and lot numbers.
Set terms on delivery times, order insurance and product returns.

Is CBD dropshipping profitable

We believe that with the right CBD dropshipping company, your CBD sales have tremendous potential to be profitable, as your operating costs are low and your risk is small. You should prepare a sound business plan and maintain a good grip on your other expenses while maintaining focus on customer acquisition. It is a well-known fact that loyal customers will be your biggest asset and your path to scaling your business! Nevertheless, you should always keep in mind that a dropshipping business is only successful if itis backed by a professional company providing you with reliable supply and quality-assured products.

Essentia Pura Is One Of The leading CBD manufacturers and suppliers in Europe. We do not offer Dropshipping, as we do not have a B2C brand and we specialize in White Label and Private Label CBD Products for your CBD business. So in case you are looking for what we believe are the Highest-Quality CBD Products At Great Wholesale Prices labelled under your brand, Do Not Hesitate To Contact Us! Use The Contact Form Here Or Send Us An Inquiry At Info@Essentiapura.Com

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9 minute read

Is CBD legal in Sweden?

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.

Sweden is often thought of as a very open-minded and liberal country. In this article, we want to explore if this is also true for its regulation of CBD products.

As you might know, CBD products have enormous growth potential and are already a fast-growing market in the western world. There are different explanations on why this is the case, but we believe it is based on recent scientific discoveries that are showing a possible link of CBD use to health benefits. Although the jury is still out on this one and the benefits are not conclusively proven yet, we think this is already showing in consumer behaviour and investment opportunities.

All rapidly expanding markets pose all sorts of questions. But, when it comes to products that people consume for their health benefits or for relaxing effects on their body, it is especially important to be certain that these products are of the highest possible quality.

This is usually where governmental regulation comes in, but because governmental apparatus can be slow, this regulation is often not up to date. Unfortunately, this means that it does not meet the needs of consumers and companies. We at Essentia Pura want to explain the often difficult legal language in layman terms, so you can make informed decisions when it comes to CBD oil and related products.

In this article we will:

Explain what CBD is.
Tell you the possible use of CBD.
Explain is CBD oil legal in Sweden.
Explain the conditions under which CBD can be used in Sweden.
Give you some tips on where to buy CBD.
Give you some advice on how to start your own CBD business.

What is CBD

For some of you, CBD might be just another new acronym or another trend on social media that you cannot quite keep up with. So what exactly is CBD?

Well, CBD is short for cannabidiol, which is one of 113 known cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. This is still a lot to take in, isn’t it?

The first thing to note is, that CBD has something to do with the cannabis plant. In fact, you should think about it as a component of the cannabis plant. Each cannabinoid found in the plant has its own effect, making the plant an interesting botanical phenomenon. We know that many of you view cannabis in the same basket as other dangerous drugs, but we wish to change this view at least a little bit.

CBD Wholesale products Made in Europe

Get a hold of our top-quality, market-proven CBD products that are ready to sell. Reach out to us today.

CBD Wholesale products

Cannabis in Sweden

To understand CBD laws, we have to take a closer look at the cannabis plant. There are at least two major types of cannabis plants: industrial hemp and marijuana. The law usually distinguishes between them and the difference is crucial for CBD oil.

Marijuana in Sweden

People usually know marijuana for its intoxicating effect. The “high feeling” that you get from using marijuana is an effect of another one of those cannabinoids – THC. Because THC impairs your psychomotor functions it is considered a narcotic substance. Consequently, it is included in the narcotics regulation in Sweden.

Marijuana is therefore not legal in Sweden. According to the law, it is illegal to be under the influence of any illegal drug in Sweden, this effectively means that even recreational use of marijuana is not permitted.

It goes almost without saying that the cultivation and sale of narcotic drugs are also prohibited.

Medical cannabis

You might ask yourself if you can use marijuana for your health condition? After all, a growing number of European countries allow marijuana as a medicine.

Unfortunately, Sweden is not among them. On the contrary, a woman claiming that she used marijuana only to alleviate the effects of her illness was punished even harder. Apparently, the court considered that she lacked the motivation to stop using the drug.

Although there were some changes in 2017 and cannabis for medicine is allowed now, we do not see a clear path for medical cannabis rich in THC to break through in Sweden. We will of course keep a close eye on this and let you know if anything changes.

Industrial hemp

The second important type of cannabis is industrial hemp. Unlike marijuana, hemp has virtually no THC but is nonetheless very rich in CBD. We have to stress that virtually no THC does not mean that its THC content is zero, there is still a very small amount of THC present in hemp.

However, this means that you can retain the health benefits of CBD and not have any of the “side effects” of THC use.

Do the laws recognise this distinction? Yes, it does. Hemp has been used in Sweden for centuries, which means that there is also a historical and cultural reason to regulate it more leniently than marijuana.

CBD oil in Sweden

The logical conclusion would be that CBD extracted from industrial hemp is legal, while CBD extracted from marijuana is not legal in Sweden. Unfortunately, Swedish laws are a bit more complicated than that.

Swedish supreme court ruled in 2019 that CBD oil and other products are not legal in Sweden if they contain THC¹. This means that if any trace of THC content is present in CBD oil, this product is immediately treated as a narcotic drug. We can say that this recent ruling by the supreme court is both a curse and a blessing.

It is a blessing because it finally clears up the regulatory situation of CBD and gives companies some form of security. On the other hand, it is a curse, because the threshold for cannabidiol products to be considered part of the narcotics is incredibly high. For example, the amount of THC usually allowed in hemp across Europe is 0,2%, the zero percent limit that is in force in Sweden is much harsher.

With differences in regulation across the European Union, we must ask ourselves what happens if you buy CBD oil in Italy and bring it to Sweden? Are you then persecuted as if you would be in possession of narcotics, even though the product is legal in Italy?

A recent ruling of the European Court of Justice might shed some light on this. Following the reasoning of the court, you should be fine because freedom of movement of goods is a fundamental principle of the EU. Moreover, the EU removed CBD from the list of narcotics, so Swedish harsh treatment of CBD is under increasing pressure. Nonetheless, we will have to wait and see what happens in the future.

You should think about the Swedish legal case, as well as the EU one, as the Court asking the regulators to set clear rules about this popular substance.

Regretfully, to date, things are not getting better in Sweden. In fact, by 2023, they have gotten worse. It is now almost impossible to sell CBD products that are even THC-free in Sweden.

The problem in Sweden has been with the Medical Product Agency. This agency is responsible for deciding what product is considered a medicine and what is a food supplement. This agency is also responsible for approving medical drugs.

Medical Product Agency in Sweden decided that any CBD product must get their approval as a medicine. It means without the authorization of the agency, it is not possible to sell CBD products. However, proving that CBD product is medicine can be highly challenging. It means that even THC-free CBD products are almost impossible to sell legally in Sweden.^2,3 This decision by Medical Product Agency to classify THC-free CBD products as medicine led to some companies filing legal proceedings against the agency. However, the law court has ruled in favor of the Medical Product Agency. Thus, almost closing the Swedish market for CBD products.⁴

Where to buy CBD oil in Sweden?

If you are thinking about buying CBD oil in Sweden you used to have plenty of options. It was readily available across plenty of health and food stores. The court ruling changed this. Now there are fewer CBD oil products on offer, but there is still some choice.

You can still find CBD oil in some health food stores, but we advise you to check if they have any THC content.

How to sell CBD oil in Sweden?

If you are thinking of setting up a CBD oil shop in Sweden, this is a bit more tricky. But do not be discouraged, setting up your own company is possible!

As we explained above CBD oil containing THC is not legal according to the laws. Furthermore, if your CBD oil is THC-free you still have to go through a rigorous approval process before you can sell it. You have to register your products at the Swedish medical agency. We advise you to talk to a local legal expert that will take you through this process.

Nonetheless, there are some decisions you can make before you get the approval for your CBD oil. First of all, you should choose your supplier of hemp or CBD – this is important because the authorities will want to test the products. Choosing your supplier is crucial and you should thoroughly check them.

We at Essentia Pura specialise in the bulk sale of CBD products and are compliance-oriented. If you want to know more, please visit our website or just contact us at our email address. Our staff will get back to you shortly to try and work out an optimal path for your new business.

Then, you should decide if you want to have an in-person store, or if you only want to sell your CBD oil products online. This means taking a clear look at the costs of each option and analysing foot traffic for the in-person store and just generally testing the market around you.

Private label custom formulations

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

Private label CBD cosmetics

Future of CBD market in Sweden

As a result of the 2019 supreme court ruling, a lot has changed in the Swedish CBD oil market. Although CBD oil with THC is not allowed, we are hopeful that the Swedish medical agency will put forward new regulations that will allow CBD oils containing small amounts of THC. Such a change in the laws could bring new demand for CBD oil in the country. Above all, it would bring the laws closer to those of other countries in Europe and regulate the substance in a clear way. We hope that in the years to come, the CBD industry will continue to grow in countries around the world.

Conclusion

So is CBD oil legal in Sweden? Let us quickly review what we learned.

CBD is a component of the cannabis plant.
Marijuana is not legal and is considered a drug.
The use of marijuana is prohibited.
Medical marijuana is not yet popular in the country.
Hemp is legal and is getting more popular.
CBD oil containing no THC is legal to buy and use.
If you wish to sell the substance you have to register the product with the Swedish medical agency
You cannot sell CBD products without registering with the Swedish medical agency, even if it is THC-free.

We hope this answered most of your questions regarding the use of CBD in Sweden. If you wish an answer to a different question, do not hesitate to contact us online. Our staff will take the time to answer all of your questions and view your email as soon as possible.

If you are interested in the regulation of CBD in other countries, you are welcome to read our articles covering:

Home

What Are Terpenes? Types, Benefits & Effects

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.

Would you imagine living without smell? These days, the idea doesn’t sound so incredible, as due to the global COVID19 pandemic, many of us experienced what a world without smell is like. The food, for example, becomes pretty bland. But most importantly, we lose one of our important senses! It’s kinda scary to think that our house can catch fire and we would just ignore the smoke because we cannot detect it with our noses.

Now, the spring is knocking on the door, and we just cannot wait to experience nature in its full bloom through our noses. And who is responsible for all these exciting scents the natural world provides? The terpenes! They are the building blocks of aromas and they make smelling an adventure! Terpenes are found in plants, from their roots to their fruits, as well as in different kinds of animals.

Plants and animals emit terpenes for various reasons.

The terpenes are around us all the time! Walking through a pine forest, we just deeply inhale and absorb the most abundant terpene found in nature, Pinene. In the morning we smell the coffee brewing. The pleasant Coffees’ aroma is mostly attributed to the terpenes cafestol and kahweol which are present in coffee as esters of fatty acids. And I think most of us have experienced what happens when we try to throw the green smelly bug (Nezara viridula) out of the window. The poor thing being in danger activates its defense mechanism and releases the bisabolene-type sesquiterpenes. These terpenes produce an unpleasant smell for us and other potential predators!

What are terpenes in cannabis?

And so would cannabis, without its terpenes, lose a big component. For the cannabis plant, terpenes are existential. Many plants might use terpenes to attract insects, who unknowingly act as pollinators of the plant which is vital for plant reproduction. In the cannabis plant, the terpenes act as a defense mechanism. The terpenes in cannabis are mostly functioning as repellents. The strong smell emitted by terpenes makes the cannabis flower unappealing for insects and other animals. The terpenes also protect the cannabis flower from being damaged by UV light, other external factors, and diseases spread by fungi and bacteria.

The terpenes in cannabis are concentrated in its flower. The flower is the most important part of the plant and needs to be protected the most! In the flower, the seeds are produced, which are crucial for reproduction. Terpenes are formed in the flower’s trichomes (meaning “hair” in Greek).

In these trichomes, most cannabinoids and terpenes are formed and found. The cannabis plant might just be the most hybridized plant on earth. And considering it was mostly bred to produce the highest concentrations of cannabinoids, the terpene concentration also soared. As a result of this targeted breeding to maximize the cannabinoid and terpene content, the cannabis plant became one of, if not the most aromatic plant in the world!

The cannabis plant is covered in trichomes, which are mostly concentrated in its flower, especially around the calyx (seedpod). In the trichomes, most cannabinoids and terpenes are produced.

Potential Benefits of Terpenes

The aromatic properties of cannabis are not there to just make the whole experience more exciting. We know that cannabinoids, which are almost exclusively found in the cannabis plant, are mostly praised for their therapeutic potential. But what about terpenes, which are widely spread all over the plant kingdom?

It is merely 200 years ago that we transitioned from plant-based medicine to pharmaceuticals. Throughout human history, to treat health issues, man relied mostly on infusions, tinctures, and ointments from botanical sources. In most cases in whole-plant medicine, the aromatic component of the botanical is carried into our system. If and how much value do terpenes add to plant-based medicine is hard to say. But in the case of cannabis, it is believed the effect is pretty significant!

The Entourage effect

For the cannabis entourage effect to manifest at its fullest, the cannabinoid compounds are not enough. Monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, which structurally very similar to cannabinoids, play an important role in the entourage effect!

Terpenes can potentiate the effects of cannabinoids, they can limit cannabinoid activity

Myrcene, the most common terpene found in cannabis, takes the sedative effects of CBD to another level. While Limonene can diminish the negative side effects of THC related to anxiety.

Terpenes can produce an effect on their own, while the effects of combined terpenes can be pronounced.

Α-pinene, which is found to have great anti-inflammatory action, has a much stronger effect when combined with terpenes linalool and 1-octanol.

Some terpenes even influence the endocannabinoid system directly!

The terpene Β-caryophyllene is actually considered a phytocannabinoid since it has a strong affinity to the CB2 cannabinoid receptor. It has strong antiviral and antibacterial effects and is found in a lot of plants other than cannabis.

Terpene benefits

Following this recent study, we can check all the positive effects of terpenes. Although we still cannot say for sure, what concentration of terpenes and which method of delivery is required for the desired effect to be achieved in humans.

A look at other studies confirming terpene benefits:

beta-pinene and limonene, known to have antibacterial properties, help to prevent infections like herpes

A-pinene with its anticonvulsant activity reduces seizures, and it can also provide stroke prevention.

falcarinol is a terpene that acts similar to CBD and is a covalent cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist. Together, they show great potential as a cure for acne.

Beta elemene together with cannabinoids shows promising results in treating nervous system dysfunctions such as multiple sclerosis. It can solve problems associated with retinal issues in the eye and reduces the progression of atherosclerosis.

Limonene and Elemene are already clinically proven for cancer treatment. Following the link, we can also see the potential of other terpenes and how they stop tumor growth.

Throughout human history, the interest in terpenes was always present in cooking and aromatherapy.

How terpenes affect the body

As seen above, terpenes are magnificent plant substances, that can help us in many ways. But how do we take the most advantage out of terpenes? We must take a closer look at the consumption of these delicate compounds.

Smoking and Vaporising

Absorbing terpenes through our lungs provides the highest bioavailability, meaning their intake is most effective. Although with smoking, a lot of terpenes are destroyed by the heat of combustion before they can reach our system. With vaporization, the terpene delivery from cannabis is the best route of administration. Inhaling the vapor, we can really taste the terpenes, and their effect is also pronounced.

By varying our vaporizing temperature, we can tailor in which direction the effects will flow. By upping the temperature to 200°C, sedative terpenes myrcene (167°C) and linalool (198°C) will be emitted into the vapor, leading to more relaxing effects. Staying below 170°C, our experience will be more energizing as only terpenes such as pinene (156°C) will be vaporized

Oral consumption

Oral administration is not as effective, especially if we eat terpenes. Before terpenes enter into our bloodstream through the peroral route, they are subject to digestion. They are affected by liver metabolism, enzymatic degradation, and other physiological factors. There’s is a very little amount of terpenes that actually makes it into our system this way.

A better delivery method, if we use tinctures or paste products, is to dose terpene-rich products sublingually or buccally. Dosing terpenes under the tongue allows them to bypass the metabolic process of digestion and terpenes are absorbed directly.

Topical application

The application of terpenes on the skin is very popular with essential oils used in massages. The relaxing experience is much more enjoyable with the inhalation of pleasant aromas, and our skin also benefits from terpene absorption. Compared to cannabinoids, which hardly penetrate the skin, terpenes can even reach the bloodstream. This is especially the case with hydrophilic (water-soluble) terpenes.

As our skin has huge amounts of water in it, hydrophobic substances such as cannabinoids have a hard time getting through. Some terpenes are also hydrophobic, but those which are water-soluble are more likely to be absorbed into the skin, faster and in higher concentrations. They can even act as carriers and help substances like CBD penetrate further!

And not to mention the natural scents the terpenes can provide, when formulated into skincare items!

Are terpenes safe?

In the amounts found in nature, terpenes should be very safe. Nobody should expect a negative reaction, when they are, for example, peeling an orange. Even though the orange skin is rich in terpene limonene, our fingers shouldn’t be hurt by that amount of limonene. (unless we are allergic to it.) But when concentrated, limonene in the pure form becomes very powerful, and can even act as a solvent to extract CBD!

Some terpenes are even more aggressive and can melt materials like epoxy if they fall o the lab’s floor. So we can only imagine what would happen if a pure terpene, undiluted, comes into contact with our skin. Even essential oils are in some cases dangerous and must be diluted before they are applied to the skin.

Cannabis flower has a natural presence of terpenes in a concentration of 1-5% of total weight. And so should cannabis products contain a similar concentration of terpenes and not go beyond 10%. Especially with vaping products, a terpene content higher than 10%, shows alarming airway and lung irritations.

Types Of Terpenes

There are more than 20000 of these fragrant substances. Terpenes, which are unsaturated hydrocarbons produced mostly by plants, can also be modified, mostly by oxidation. Then they become terpenoids, and together with terpenes, their unique count quickly jumps over 50000.

**Various Herbs and their terpene profiles**

In the cannabis plant, there are more than 400 unique terpenes identified. But here we will only list the 10 most common ones:

Myrcene: this monoterpene is the most common terpene found in cannabis. Praised for its relaxing, sedating, and pain-relieving effects, myrcene has also great neuroprotective properties.

Found in: found in thyme, bay leaves and hops,

Pinene: Another monoterpene, very common in cannabis, boasts cytogenetic, gastroprotective, anxiolytic, cytoprotective, anticonvulsant, and neuroprotective effects. It is also praised for its memory-enhancing properties and is said to diminish the short-term memory loss caused by THC intoxication.

Found in: Coniferous pine Trees, Basil, Parsley

Caryophyllene: Of the major sesquiterpenes encountered in the Cannabis plant, alpha, and especially Beta-Caryophyllene are most represented. Caryiophyllenes are natural bicyclic sesquiterpenes, found in countless plants, not just cannabis, which influences our endocannabinoid system. Especially β‐caryophyllene provides anticancer and analgesic action.

Found in: rosemary, and hops, black pepper

Linalool: The soothing calming effects of lavender popular in aromatherapy and folk medicine are attributed to the monoterpene linalool.

Found in: several medicinal plants and also in purple varieties of cannabis, linalool proves to have the best anxiolytic properties.

D-Limonene: together with pinene, Limonene is the most common monoterpene found in nature. Limonene has great antibacterial activity against food-borne pathogens, that’s why lemon juice is added to preserve the food freshness! This terpene is a big component of cannabis terpene profiles and is believed to enhance the antimicrobial properties of cannabinoids.

Found in: Fruits, especially citrus, lemon-smelling herbs like lemongrass

Terpinene: are monoterpenes of which the most common in cannabis is terpinolene, are said to contain antimicrobial activity similar to limonene. Terpinenes can relieve sleep problems associated with insomnia.

Found in: Lippa genus (lilacs), eucalyptus trees, pome fruits

Humulene: this monocyclic sesquiterpene got its name from hops (Humulus lupulus). Beer brewers use the hop cones to infuse the beer with humulene, which due to its antibacterial function, acts as a preservative. Hops are also used in many sleep aid preparations due to the relaxing properties of humulene. As the cannabis plant and hops both fall under the Cannabaceae family of plants, there is also plenty of humulene in cannabis flowers.

**Terpene Profile of an aromatic hop variety. Myrcene is dominant as in the most cannabis varieties.**

Creating Full-Spectrum CBD Products

As we discovered the different types of terpenes and their benefits, below he will try to incorporate them into the CBD products.

To work with terpenes, we first need to obtain them. As the cannabis plant has such complex, unique, and unlimited terpene profiles, it looks like we have everything we need. But, it is actually an art to produce and capture these delicate substances. Let’s examine which challenges arise when we try to maximize the terpene content in our CBD products.

Genetics plays a big role in the terpene content of the cannabis flower. many of the legal industrial cannabis varieties just do not contain huge amounts of terpenes as the main focus of their cultivation are seeds and fiber.
Once we grow cannabis genetics rich in cannabinoids and terpenes, it is crucial to know when to harvest them. The flowers must be ripe, and cut in sunny and dry weather. Ideally in the late morning, as the aromatics of the plant are the highest in that time of day.
After the cannabis flowers are harvested, they must be dried in optimal conditions. This step, which involves terpene retention has the most impact on the taste and flavor of cannabis flower. The drying process of cannabis is probably the most challenging aspect of cannabis cultivation.
Now that we have terpene-rich biomass, we can proceed with the extraction. During extraction, we focus on preserving the most terpenes possible in the process!

Which extraction methods are most suitable for high terpene cannabis extracts?

CO2 extraction is the best way to extract cannabis terpenes as it can work in both super and subcritical parameters, and we can separate pure terpenes of the cannabis biomass.
Alcohol has an advantage over CO2 since it can extract fresh cannabis biomass which has a higher terpene content. The disadvantage is that during alcohol recovery, many terpenes are lost in the process.
Hydrocarbon extractions with butane and propane are great as they can also process fresh material with more terpenes. The downside is the purging process of solvents, where terpenes are lost.

Post-processing of the extracts is very important as well. During the decarboxylation and winterization process, the extract is heated. And when heated, the terpenes start escaping, especially the more volatile ones. Care and expertise must be incorporated in these methods to be assured the least amount of terpenes is lost.

In the making of CBD distillate, most of the terpenes are separated from CBD, since they have a different boiling point. The terpenes are caught in a different flask and can be reintroduced into the CBD distillate. If they are not added back, the CBD distillate loses a big component and is left without many health benefits of terpenes.

This is especially the case with CBD isolate, which is so purified that it is deprived of all the terpenes that were originally present in the crude CBD hemp extract.

Manufacturing terpene-rich CBD products

Formulating CBD products with terpenes is not difficult at all and there are several reasons why we might want to blend terpenes with CBD.

Once we know what we are trying to achieve, and what is the target content of terpenes it is mostly about the source of terpenes. Where terpenes come from and in what form is actually the most important factor.

Essentia Pura is producing all kinds of botanical extracts which are natural sources of terpenes.

While we can add synthetic isolated terpenes, we try to aim for as natural products as possible.

**Two examples of Essentia Pura Supercritical CO2 extracts and their terpene profiles. The terpene content (and profile) varies from batch to batch, but Is always rich.**

For example, we are trying to add the myrcene to CBD drops, to bring more sedative effects out of the product. We can supplement the CBD drops by adding isolated synthetic myrcene. But why not add the essential oil of a cannabis variety that is rich in myrcene? Which shouldn’t be hard to find to come by since myrcene is the most represented terpene in cannabis!

Or maybe we want to add limonene to face cream and boost its cleansing function. This can be achieved by adding synthetic limonene. But why not use a natural alternative instead, like the essential oil of let’s say lemongrass. Or just start with a cannabis variety that is rich in limonene in the first place. And with subcritical CO2 extraction retain the limonene as much as possible

This is what we pride ourselves on. To source high-quality organically grown hemp, abundant in terpenes, and preserve them as much as possible all the way to the finished product. In case a demand arises from our clients, who desire a higher content of terpenes, we always find a solution. And always a natural solution, which provides the most authentic taste and the biggest beneficial value.

If you would like to know more about how terpenes act alongside cannabinoids and bring your CBD products to the next level, do not hesitate to get in touch. Use the contact form here and get ready for a journey of limitless flavors and aromas!