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CBD in Malta Everything You Need to Know

Updated January 15, 2024

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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.

News from the end of 2021 suggests that even recreational cannabis is legal in Malta now, but the truth is much different. Things are still in the early stages, and ground realities differ.

It appears that all has been decided, and CBD has been legalized in all the EU countries. However, that is far from true. When it comes to CBD, EU nations failed to have a united approach. It is because many governments have been wary about legalizing CBD despite its proven safety.

Perhaps the problem is in past experiences. Cannabis extracts have been illegal for so many decades that changing the legal framework surrounding them requires time and effort. However, it also seems that there is low awareness about CBD in Malta and thus fewer efforts to legalize it.

The issue is that even if the EU legalizes any substance, it is up to the member states to implement those laws and norms. Moreover, member states may not observe all the EU recommendations, as they might use other local laws like a substance posing a health threat, or so on.

Many nations legalized CBD almost a decade ago when it comes to the EU. However, with time, laws became more mature. And in 2021, the EU finally came up with a robust recommendation making CBD a novel food. This would regulate the market and provide better quality and safer products to consumers.

Additionally, in 2020, the EU court has ruled that all other EU member states are bound to accept CBD as legal if it has been legally produced and sold in other member states.

So, don’t all the EU-wide laws and rulings make CBD legal in Malta? Well, not essentially, and things are more complex.

CBD in Malta: Everything You Need to Know

To keep it straight, CBD is not entirely legal in Malta due to the different approaches of the Maltese government. It has failed to comply with various EU norms.

It does not mean that EU norms do not apply to the nation. But, nonetheless, selling or using CBD may still get one into legal trouble. Of course, one may escape persecution by fighting a court case, but that will be a significant headache.

It is difficult to believe that someone may get into trouble for selling or buying CBD oil in a nation that has been trying to become the first EU state to legalize recreational marijuana.

Yes, it has already taken some steps in this direction. But, then, the latest reports show that things on the ground differ, and many laws are still on paper and not implemented on the ground.

A Brief History of Malta Cannabis Laws

Malta is a small nation and has a conservative approach toward the CBD. The CBD legalization movement has never been very strong in the country. Population-based surveys show that no more than one-fourth of the population has some understanding of CBD, which is relatively low.

So, buying CBD has always been a hassle in the tiny nation. Though it is legal to buy CBD in Malta, the process is still so complicated that it is almost impossible to complete the process. In Malta, buying legal CBD is more complex than medical marijuana in many nations.

In Malta, one cannot just go to the pharmacy and buy CBD. Of course, online platforms sell CBD, but that is not legal in the nation. In Malta, buying CBD still needs a doctor’s prescription.

However, it is not as simple as getting a prescription, and there is a complex procedure. Thus, one needs to request a drug control card from a doctor, which tells the ministry of health that a person is planning to use psychoactive agents, though CBD is not a psychotropic drug.

After that, one also has to apply for a medical cannabis permit, which may take months. In fact, experience shows that getting medical cannabis permit is very complex and almost impossible.

However, if you get all these documents, a drug control card, and medical cannabis permit, you can get CBD from the pharmacy. But unfortunately, you cannot buy CBD from online platforms.

Adding to the complications is the news that Malta, in December 2021, became the first EU nation to legalize recreational marijuana. However, ground reports suggest that the law is still to be implemented despite being passed by the local parliament and a decree signed by the president.

Is CBD Oil Illegal in Malta

Yes, it is legal, but not wholly. Thus, buying it from some shop or online platform or importing it can still get you in trouble. For example, there is a report of the arrest of a doctor for giving CBD to his patients to relieve backache.

There is contradicting information regarding the legality of CBD oil in Malta. On one side, it is claiming to be the first nation to legalize recreational marijuana, making possessing 7 grams of it legal. However, ground reports still suggest that people are being arrested or penalized even for CBD oil

So, what do we make out of this contradicting information? Perhaps, we can confidently say that Malta is on the verge of the biggest change in its history. Soon, CBD products would be completely legal in the nation, including CBD oil.

Not only that, the nation has already ratified the law legalizing recreational marijuana possession and even growing a few plants of it.

However, the problem remains due to some loopholes and deficiencies in the legal system. These deficiencies have still to be addressed. Nevertheless, it is quite likely that things will change considerably in the coming few months. By the end of 2022, not only CBD oil but even recreational marijuana would be legal to buy, possess, and use in the nation.

Malta is a unique case in many ways. By 2023, CBD status in the nation still remains a bit unclear. Of course, medical CBD or cannabis is legal, but those are different from commonly used CBD products.^1,2

It has already become one of the nations where recreational cannabis is legal. One can possess seven grams of cannabis and even grow up to four plants. This has become possible as drug policy is not controlled by the EU.^3,4 However, this has not eased the life of those in the CBD business. It is neither a medicine nor a recreational drug. Therefore, legal bodies are unclear about governing laws. Moreover, knowing the content of THC by looking at the products is not possible. Hence, CBD products are still in a grey zone, and they are not illegal nor completely legal. Therefore, always consult a legal advisor before doing CBD business in Malta.⁵

Can I Take CBD Oil to Malta

There is still some confusion regarding the legality of CBD oil in Malta despite significant changes in the legal structure. Theoretically, it is legal to take CBD to Malta if the product is of EU origin or was legally purchased in another EU nation.

Moreover, the latest changes suggest that even recreational marijuana will become legal in the nation.

However, a word of caution, reports like an arrest of a doctor for dispensing CBD products to his patients suggest that ground realities differ. Despite the legal orders, implementation of these legal changes still remains an issue.

Nevertheless, it would be safe to say that Malta is on the verge of significant change, and CBD oil, perhaps even recreational marijuana, would be completely legal to possess and use in the nation by the end of 2022.

If you are interested in starting your CBD business in Malta, we can help you out with it.

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How CBD & Immune Systems Interact

Updated January 15, 2024

Written by

dr. Preet Sal SB

CBD Health Benefits

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

The human immune system is quite complex, and it saves the body from invaders like bacteria, viruses, and fungi. It also helps in tissue repair and may also help eliminate toxic substances from the body.

It is quite a complex system containing specialized organs, cells, and proteins. The human system is continually growing and upgrading. It is created in the bone marrow, may mature in various organs, travel through a dedicated highway called the lymphatic system, and quickly acts where needed most.

If some threat is detected, it initiates a defensive response in many ways. It may attack and kill the invading microprobe, create proteins that kill the invading microorganisms, and more. It also releases messenger proteins to get support from various organs. Thus, it plays a vital role in inflammation and tissue regeneration.

The immune system contains two parts: the innate immune system with which a person is born and the adaptive immune system that develops throughout life. Both these immune systems share information with each other and work together to protect the human body.

Some organs that play a vital role in its development are bone marrow, lymph nodes, adenoids, spleen, thymus, and tonsils.

Although primarily protective, it is also prone to errors. For example, sometimes, it may hyper-react, causing allergic reactions and damage to the body. Similarly, it may also sometimes initiate inflammation responses that do more harm than good. Thus, a need to tweak and modulate human immunity.

CBD has many health effects, and many of its benefits are due to its influence on the immune system.

CBD and immunity

How CBD & Immune Systems Interact

Considering that the immune system is quite complex, it isn’t easy to understand how it interacts with immunity. Nonetheless, science is still trying to understand how it may help the human immune system.

CBD is not a nutrient, but it can modulate various receptors, enzyme systems, and organs and thus ultimately change the immune responses.

Perhaps the most important way it acts is due to its effect on the endocannabinoid system. It appears that CBD is structurally close to intrinsic endocannabinoids, and thus it may affect endocannabinoid receptors present throughout the human body.

Before discovering the endocannabinoid system, researchers were genuinely struggling to explain how CBD may affect the immune system. Medical researchers could see that CBD can alter immune responses, but they could not explain how it works. Unlike another compound in cannabis, THC, CBD does not have potent mind-altering properties.

However, it may alter immune responses by modulating the working of endocannabinoid receptors present throughout the body. Now science shows that endocannabinoid receptors are not just present in the brain but also in every organ from the gut to the skin.

CBD can modulate the activity of CB1 receptors that are primarily found in the brain and CB2 receptors that are more abundant in various body organs.

However, there are other ways in which CBD may affect the immune system. For example, studies show that it can act as an antioxidant and thus help change the body’s redox balance. Now researchers think that its ability to modulate redox balance plays a critical role in its anti-inflammatory properties.

Does CBD Help Immune System Response?

CBD can alter immune responses. The immune system has many complex functions in the body. Thus, sometimes it appears to suppress immunity, while it seems to modulate immune responses in other instances.

However, one should not be worried about hearing that it may also suppress immunity. Most anti-inflammatory medications work by suppressing certain functions of immunity. Similarly, CBD also reduces some overactive parts of the immune system.

Of course, since it can suppress immunity, it is pretty good for reducing pain and inflammation. However, quite like other anti-inflammatory drugs, one should be careful using CBD when there is a high risk of catching an infection.

Nonetheless, it is more likely to modulate immune responses, as visible by its effect on various disorders. In addition, it means that it is more likely to suppress only specific immune responses selectively. Thus, it would not increase the risk of seasonal infections or make a person prone to certain diseases.

Perhaps the best way in which CBD helps the immune system is by suppressing hyperinflammatory responses. Thus, it is good for conditions like joint pains. Additionally, it may also lower systemic inflammation, and help prevent disorders caused by low-grade inflammation like heart diseases or neurodegenerative disorders.

New studies show that it may alter certain immune responses more than others. Although researchers are not sure how it happens, they think that its ability to suppress certain parts of immunity selectively may significantly help in some conditions. Thus, early experimental studies show that CBD may help prevent type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disorder.

Studies suggest that the endocannabinoid system and cannabinoid receptors are involved in the development of autoimmune disorders. It also means that suppressing specific immune responses and modulating the working of CB1 and CB2 receptors may be particularly helpful in autoimmune conditions.

CBD and immune system

List Some Ways CBD Interacts with Immunity

In this article, we have already mentioned many ways in which CBD may interact with immunity. CBD may not boost the immune system, but it may help fine-tune immune responses. Thus, it can help in many disease conditions.

The most important way in which it interacts with immunity is through its influence on the endocannabinoid system and its ability to modulate CB1 and CB2 receptors. These receptors are present in all immune organs, from bone marrow to the lymph tissues.

Some of the effects of CBD on immunity are indirect. Like it may promote the working of other internal organs and thus help normalize immunity.

There is no doubt that another significant interaction pathway is its effect on redox balance. In addition, CBD can boost the body’s antioxidant ability and thus help alter immune responses.

Further, some of its influences on immunity may likely be due to its effect on brain health. For example, it may alter immunity by reducing stress, lowering the level of stress hormones, and much more.

Benefits of CBD As an Immunosuppressant

Most people do not realize that significant overexpression of certain parts of the immune system is a significant problem. This is because the immune system often wrongly starts targeting various body parts or overreacting. This is visible in conditions like inflammatory disorders of joints or autoimmune diseases.

Consequently, there could be many benefits of the mildly suppressing immune system with the help of CBD. Moreover, unlike medications, its action is much more subtle and selective. Pharmacological immunosuppressants are highly toxic, causing suppression of even beneficial immune cells.

However, unlike medications, CBD only suppresses some overactive parts of the immune system through the endocannabinoid system. It is more like a balancing act. Thus, it would not suppress the immune system significantly, but only enough to help in a range of disease conditions.

Due to its ability to suppress immunity, CBD may help with inflammation. Therefore, it is suitable for autoimmune conditions like type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, lupus, allergies, and much more.

What is good about CBD is that it also has many other health effects. Hence, it not only helps overcome autoimmunity but may also help counter some of the autoimmunity-associated problems like spasticity, skin irritation, pain, mood swings, and much more.

Final thoughts

CBD can influence the immune system in many ways. Firstly, it may directly influence the working of immune cells, alter the activity of immune organs, and may also help due to its effect on the body’s redox system. Moreover, CBD is safe for prolonged and regular use. It may suppress only overactive parts of the immune system and thus help in allergies, inflammation, and autoimmunity without posing any health threat.

If you are interested in learning more about CBD or want to help people living with immune disorders, we have many CBD products.

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What Are Some Lesser-Known CBD Health Benefits?

Updated January 15, 2024

Written by

dr. Preet Sal SB

CBD Health Benefits

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

For those skeptical about CBD and its health benefits, it is good to know that humans have traditionally used cannabis to treat health disorders for thousands of years. However, it was wrongly banned in the mid-20^th century over the worries of addiction and harm to health.

Fortunately, medical experts started realizing their mistakes by the end of the 20th century. They understood that CBD is relatively safe and suitable for health. In addition, science revealed that most harms and addictions are due to THC in cannabis, and removing THC from CBD products makes any cannabis product highly safe to consume.

Some Lesser-Known CBD Health Benefits

Those who still disbelieve in CBD need to understand that there are already few approved medical drugs based on CBD. It is good to treat resistant epilepsy in children, rare autoimmune neurological disorders, have a calming effect, and may also help with some mental health issues. Thanks to extensive clinical research into the subject, the list of its benefits is fast expanding.

In recent years, there has been increasing interest in finding natural remedies for metabolic disorders and some less common diseases. Studies show that CBD can help in the least expected way. Thus, it could be good for gut health, alter immune responses, fight infections, manage autoimmune disorders, suppress inflammation, etc.

It is impressive that CBD also appears to be good for conditions like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, substance abuse disorder, weight loss, and even more.

lesser known CBD benefits

What Are Some Well-Known Health Benefits of CBD?

Seizures

It could be regarded as one of the less unexpected benefits of CBD. But now, studies show that CBD is quite suitable for controlling seizures when used along with other treatments.

Even more striking are the findings indicating that CBD is especially good for resistant epilepsy. Moreover, these are the patients who failed to get benefits from some of the best pharmacological drugs. However, adding CBD to treatment may considerably reduce seizure rates.

Studies show that adding CBD to traditional anti-epileptic therapy in those resistant to other treatments may benefit about half the patients (49%), which is much higher than placebo. Thus the study leaves little doubt about its efficacy.

Therefore, US FDA and European Medical Agency (EMA) have even approved CBD-based medication called Epidyolex to manage this rare kind of resistant seizure disorder.

But that is not all; amazingly, it is approved for use in children. This only shows that CBD is relatively safe for use in different age groups.

Pain

It is another area of interest. People have traditionally used cannabis or marijuana to manage severe and chronic pains. Of course, CBD is different from cannabis or marijuana, but it seems to retain some of its pain-killing action. In addition, it appears that broad-spectrum CBD is more effective in pain management than CBD isolate.

When using CBD for pain, one is not expected to use it alone and instead as a part of broader therapy. Thus, it may be combined with other medications and pain killers, and it will potentiate their action.

Diabetes

Again, do not expect CBD to prevent or manage diabetes alone, as it is not a magic pill. However, it can be pretty good when used along with other efforts, lifestyle interventions, and medications.

Studies show that it can modulate metabolism and appetite and reduce insulin resistance. Thus, regular intake of CBD may help prevent diabetes in a high-risk individual. It is also beneficial for those living with mild to moderate diabetes.

Diabetes is quite a complex disorder, and CBD can help in multiple ways. For example, CBD may help lower the risk of various diabetes-associated complications. In addition, it may help both due to its mild glucose-lowering action and its ability to reduce bad cholesterol, reduce chronic inflammation, and help regulate insulin secretion.

Not only that, those living with diabetes are prone to neuropathies, and CBD may help prevent and manage nerve disorders. It may be good for preventing diabetes retinopathy, too.

Neurodegenerative diseases

Do not expect CBD to treat Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s. However, CBD can help reduce the risk of these ailments on prolonged use. It may have a role in slowing down the progress of these disease conditions. Additionally, it may also help manage some of the symptoms of neurodegenerative disorders.

Studies suggest that CBD may help in many ways. It can lower inflammation, alter immune responses, and may also help due to antioxidants. Further, it benefits due to its impact on the endocannabinoid system and modulating CB1 and CB2 receptors. Studies show that it may also influence cellular energy production, increase the production of neurotransmitters, and thus help in multiple ways.

Multiple sclerosis (MS)

MS is a chronic and a pretty common autoimmune disorder of the brain. It is highly challenging to treat. Some people do not respond to immunomodulatory therapy. Even worse, immunomodulatory drugs are highly toxic. However, CBD may help as an addon therapy by modulating immune responses¹.

But that is not all, and it appears that CBD may also help tackle some of the symptoms of MS. Thus, it may help reduce MS-associated spasticity.

CBD is so good for managing MS that EMA has already approved CBD-based medications to help those living with MS. It is a medication called Sativex.

Anxiety

Anxiety is the most common emotional disorder that affects most people sometimes in their lives. Since it is such a common health issue, people often use natural supplements to manage the condition. Studies show that CBD may be good to use in mild to moderate anxiety. It may help overcome worries and fears.

Depression

Depression is another common mood disorder. It may even coexist with anxiety. Although there are many medications to manage depression, they are highly toxic. Moreover, studies show that pharmacological drugs only work in severe depression, but they fail to help in mild to moderate cases. Therefore, studies suggest that CBD could be one of the better and more natural ways of managing depression.

Insomnia

Sleep disorders are on the rise. They are now considered an independent risk factor for various ailments. It appears that people are not only sleeping less, they also have poor sleep quality. Further, the use of gadgets is making things worse. Many people may lie in bed for long, but they do not sleep enough.

Sedative drugs may help initiate and maintain sleep, but they alter the sleep architecture. Thus, people taking sleeping pills do not wake up feeling fresh the following day. However, CBD does not alter sleep architecture and works mildly.

Inflammation and Autoimmunity

Low grade or so-called silent inflammation is among the significant cause of the chronic disorder. It appears that CBD may not only help subdue inflammation but may have a role in altering inflammatory responses. Thus, CBD may help prevent flares of autoimmune conditions, too.

Acne

Many countries now allow CBD supplement producers to claim that their product is anti-sebum and may help prevent acne. There is emerging evidence that CBD may play a vital role in managing acne. It helps both due to its ability to reduce sebum production and its anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, it is quite likely that it may help due to other mechanisms. CBD work by modulating the endocannabinoid system that is present widely in the skin.

cbd health benefits and lesser known effects

Is CBD an Anti-Inflammatory?

Yes, it works. In recent years researchers have discovered many mechanisms in which CBD may work. CBD can bind to various receptors and alter inflammatory responses. It seems that CBD is suitable for both local acute inflammation like that found in joint pains and low-grade inflammation that causes chronic disorders. It may also help in autoimmune conditions due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

Is CBD Antifungal?

CBD oil can exert potent antifungal infection in many ways. Generally, most oils have mild antifungal properties. However, new studies now suggest that CBD has direct antimicrobial properties. Thus, it may help both when used orally or applied topically.

However, it may not help in severe systemic fungal infections and is more likely to help well with some localized fungal infections. Nonetheless, there is a need for more studies to explore its role in controlling fungal infections.

Does CBD Oil Have Antibacterial Properties?

CBD has mild antibacterial properties. It works in multiple ways. It has some direct antimicrobial action. However, it may also work due to its influence on immunity, ability to reduce inflammation, and much more

To conclude, CBD is no panacea, but it can definitely help with many health conditions. People have traditionally used CBD to manage all kinds of disease conditions. Some of its benefits, like those in pain, anxiety, and seizures, are well known. However, new studies show that it may also help lower inflammation, help in autoimmune conditions, normalize metabolism, and may even help prevent and manage infectious diseases. It is pretty likely that many of its benefits are still waiting to be discovered.

Those interested in starting their CBD business or interested in creating unique CBD products for various health conditions can contact us. You can also learn more about CBD oil health benefits here or buy CBD products wholesale.