The Legal Situation of CBD in Europe
By Space Coast Daily // August 4, 2021
From hemp, cannabidiol (CBD) is an active ingredient with recognized therapeutic virtues. It should not be confused with THC with psychotropic properties. To be legal, CBD products must meet European standards.
It is also essential to select and purchase your CBD flowers, CBD oils, and other CBD products only from the best quality CBD flowers on Justbob, it is the best way to ensure you to have legal CBD cannabis and fully enjoy the benefits of using CBD cannabis.
Understanding the difference between CBD and THC
Cannabis contains several chemicals, cannabinoids, the effects of which have been studied since the 1960s.
Two elements stand out in particular, namely THC and CBD. The first is known for its psychoactive characteristics. Affecting both the psyche and the heart, it is highly addictive and considered a prohibited drug for sale.
CBD or cannabidiol does not have any of these adverse health effects, which is why it is fully authorized as long as it does not exceed a specific THC concentration.
Contrary to popular belief, public authorities in France and Europe have not set the percentage of authorized CBD in flowers, oils, e-liquids, and other products made from cannabis plants. Instead, only the THC level is subject to very strict regulations, which may change in the years to come.
Are you one of those people who first associate the keyword cannabis with an intoxicating effect and marijuana?
Then you are actually thinking of THC. THC substance – with the long written name tetrahydrocannabinol – is responsible for the psychoactive activity of various hemp products. So if you get “high” from marijuana, you owe this state to tetrahydrocannabinol.
In the meantime, extracts containing THC have proven themselves, especially in the form of prescription drugs for serious illnesses.
In addition, another ingredient obtained from the hemp plant has been attracting a lot of attention recently. We are talking about cannabidiol, or CBD for short.
For this substance, too, users and scientific studies describe many positive effects on various ailments in everyday life, such as problems with sleep. Both of these substances are used, among other things, in the form of cannabis oils.
How can you tell tetrahydrocannabinol and CBD apart? Which products can you legally purchase?
Basic info about THC and CBD
When we talk about cannabis oil, the name does not say anything in general about which ingredients the oil contains and in what amounts, especially not how high the tetrahydrocannabinol content is.
You can sometimes find providers who sell you cannabis oil and only mean CBD oil on the Internet.
That has a simple explanation: Products with a high THC percentage are subject to the Narcotics Act. They can only be used with a particular medical prescription and kept by the pharmacist in a special lockable unit. Only products with cannabidiol are currently considered over the counter.
The reason for this lies in the intoxication and the potential addiction potential of tetrahydrocannabinol. The substance belongs to the cannabinoid family. This group of substances is found in natural form, mainly in cannabis plants.
A limited THC level
The legislation in force at the European level regulates the use as well as the production and sale of products containing cannabidiol. The European Union, like many countries around the world, considers CBD to be safe for health.
Medicinal cannabis is also used in many countries. Therefore, the limitations only concern the level of THC appearing in these products. This rate must remain low so that the products do not have psychotropic side effects harmful to health. In fact, THC cannabis remains banned both for sale and for consumption in the European Union.
In 2021, the THC level allowed in each hemp product varies between European countries. In France, for example, a limit has been set at 0.2 %, not in the final product but within the original cannabis plant.
This maximum level applies to all seeds and fibers used in the manufacture of the products. In addition, plants must also be on the list authorized by health authorities. By respecting these standards, the finished products are guaranteed without THC and perfectly healthy for the organism.
This 0.2% rate is seen as a restrictive limit for manufacturers. However, the situation could change soon since, in October 2020, the European Commission voted for an amendment increasing the legal rate of THC to 0.3%.
Included in the new standard agricultural policy of the European Union, this measure has yet to be negotiated with the various countries agricultural policy for possible application from 2023. However, if this increase in the THC rate were authorized, it would open up the market more widely to face less competition from Chinese and American manufacturers, already subject to the maximum rate of 0.3%.
Keep in mind that it is essential to comply with the legislation for your CBD products and that the THC level of 0.2% in the original plants could change in the coming years. Therefore, it is recommended that you get your supplies from shops offering completely legal products to avoid any risk.