Is CBD Oil Legal, and in Which Countries Is it Banned?

up-to-date as of November 2023

With the growing demand for CBD, you, too, must be wondering about its legality. Firstly, CBD is a chemical compound obtained from the hemp variety of cannabis plants. Since its discovery, CBD has continually gained popularity for different wellness reasons.

Unlike CBD, its closest major compound, THC, also extracted from cannabis plants, is known for its stone effect and is the primary reason for the main question about CBD oil's legality. However, due to different jurisdiction measures, THC usage is minimised to about 0.2% in the UK. 

So, read on to learn everything you need to know about CBD oil’s legal status.

CBD oil users commend the product for its effectiveness in reducing stress and enhancing mood. Other self-reports and animal studies suggest the compound can help in reducing anxiety and improve appetite.

Due to its rising popularity as a non-addictive, natural herbal supplement, many countries have legalised CBD in its different forms. However, even in countries where CBD is legal, the compound is subjected to strict regulations to control its trade, use, and movement.

CBD Legality in Europe

Every nation in Europe has different restrictions when it comes to CBD and hemp. Fortunately, all countries in the European Union do not have an active ban on CBD. The EU's Court of Justice mandates that a member state cannot legally ban what is lawfully produced in another member state country. As a result, most European countries don't regard CBD as a narcotic, which has led to a thriving CBD market in the continent.

CBD Oil Legality in Europe

Although CBD is not illegal in Europe, most European countries have strict regulations on which form of CBD is legal and which is not legal. For example, CBD e-liquids are legal in most European countries, while CBD edibles are not allowed unless approved by the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) as a novel food.

In the countries where CBD oil is legal, the compound has a limit on the THC level. Other countries, such as the UK and Sweden, only allow CBD if it has no trace of THC.

European countries that have a ban on CBD are Albania, Andorra, and Belarus.

Here’s a table showing CBD restrictions in different European countries

CBD Oil Legality in North America

In the USA, CBD derived from cannabis is illegal, but CBD derived from hemp is legal if it has a THC level of less than 0.3%. However, CBD is not legal in all US states. Other countries, such as Canada, have also legalised CBD, but people cannot travel with CBD products on planes. Mexico is another North American country that allows people to use CBD as long as it has less than 1% THC. Other North American countries where CBD is legal include Jamaica, Panama, and Belize.

Although CBD oil is legal in the three most popular North American countries, most smaller countries in the continent still regard the compound as illegal. Countries such as Cuba, El Salvador, and Haiti have completely banned CBD and all CBD products.

Here is a table showing CBD oil legality in the different countries of North America.

 CBD Oil Legality in South America

The case for South America is similar to that of North America; most countries in the continent do not have an active ban on CBD oil. Some countries allow the use of CBD for medical use only, while others allow their people to use the compound for recreation and medical purposes.

Uruguay, for example, was the first country in the world to legalise marijuana and CBD for recreational and medical use, thus making cannabis the most widely used drug in the country.

Here is a table showing CBD oil legality in the different countries of South America

CBD Oil Legality in Africa

South Africa and Ghana are the only two African countries that explicitly allow the use of CBD. However, even with the legalisation of CBD, the compound is subject to many strict regulations, such as a daily maximum dose of 20mg.

Namibia is another African country that allows the use of CBD oil, though the regulations placed upon the compound are even more strict than those in South Africa and Ghana.

Here is a table showing CBD oil legality in the different countries of Africa

CBD Oil Legality in Asia

Few countries in Asia allow the use of CBD for recreational and medical purposes. Asian countries that have legalised CBD oil have strictly regulated its cultivation, extraction, and trade within their borders. Japan, for example, only allows CBD derived from hemp and mandates that it should be completely THC-free.

Here is a table showing CBD oil legality in the different countries of Asia

CBD Oil Legality in the Middle East

At the moment, only a few countries in the Middle East allow citizens to use CBD and CBD products legally.

Here is a table showing CBD oil legality in the different countries of the Middle East

CBD Oil Legality in Australia and New Zealand

CBD oil and other CBD products are legal to use in New Zealand and Australia. However, in New Zealand, CBD oil is only legal for medical use, and one needs a doctor's prescription to get the product. The THC level in Australia varies from region to region, but generally, the law requires CBD products not to exceed 1% THC.

Conclusion

Although CBD oil is still illegal in large parts of the world, governments are slowly realising its benefits and potential to boost trade. Therefore, it is expected that as time goes by, more and more countries will revise their laws to allow the use of CBD.