It wasn’t so long ago that CBD was still something of a taboo subject, but now it is very much mainstream. The health benefits and therapeutic properties of CBD means that everyone, from professional athletes to busy moms are now beginning to take advantage of this wonderful product. However, there are still some countries that have a draconian view of CBD and make illogical connections with illegal drugs. It is important that you know which countries these are because if you travel to a country which has banned CBD and you have it in your possession, you could potentially be in big trouble.To help everyone stay on the right side of international law,here’s our guide to the countries in each continent which legalized CBD and buy.
1. Asia
Asia is well known for its strict drug laws, particularly when it comes to bringing drugs into the continent or smuggling them between countries. In many countries in Asia, being caught with drugs in your possession can mean a life sentence without parole or even death. You should not even consider taking CBD to Japa, Russia, or Singapore, or to many countries in SouthEast Asia. China, ironically, is one of the major CBD producers on the planet, and yet it is illegal for everyday people to use, buy or sell CBD within the country.
As of May 2021, here is the list and the specific rules of each country in Asia where CBD is permitted.
India
There is actually a popular type of cannabis called bhang that is totally legal to buy, and so it makes sense that you can also buy CBD oils. They are totally legal to purchase in the country and are also legal to bring in without any provision of a medical condition or prescription.
South Korea
While CBD is a commonly used ingredient in many Korean topical treatments, using it for recreational purposes is not allowed. You can, however, bring it into the country if you have a specific medical condition which requires its use.
Thailand
You are permitted to bring CBD into Thailand only on the provision that you have an FDA Thailand permit. This will allow you to have a personal supply of CBD to last you no more than thirty days.
2. Europe
In contrast to Asia, the majority of European countries have far looser regulations when it comes to CBD. The vast majority will allow you to bring in oils, tinctures and newly developed nano oils for medical purposes, while others will allow CBD products regardless of whether you have a medical need or not. If you don’t know what these products are, you can search online, starting with this neat article on nano CBD which can tell you everything you need to know.
Here are some of the main countries in Europe which permit CBD:
The UK
The UK is still somewhat behind the rest of the western world when it comes to the legalization of marijuana and so you are only allowed to bring CBD products into the country if they do not contain any THC. In addition, the products must have been tested and deemed safe for human consumption.
Germany
All CBD products are allowed to be brought into Germany as long as they have a THC content of less than 0.2%.
France
France has legalized CBD products but with various provisions. The most significant is that like the UK, any CBD products sold in France or brought into the country must be totally free of THC.
The Netherlands
CBD products are legal in The Netherlands, but in the country of marijuana coffee shops, it is perhaps a little surprising that you can only bring products with THC levels of less than 0.05%.
3. North America
As with Europe, many countries in North America have relatively lax CBD laws. These are:
The United States
In the US, there are only three states where CBD is completely illegal, these being Idaho, Iowa, and South Dakota. In all the other 47 states, CBD is legal in some form or another, but you will need to check the specific state laws to find out the local regulations.
Canada
Canada legally permits the use of CBD for both recreational and medical use. You can also buy live resin Canada.
The Rest…
In Costa Rica and Jamaica, CBD is decriminalized but it is still illegal. In all other countries in North America, CBD is totally prohibited.
4. Africa
There is essentially no CBD market on the African continent so it is not easy to find out the specific laws of each country as many have not made any yet. Indeed, even laws governing marijuana use are sketchy in many countries in Africa so it may be best to err on the side of caution when it comes to bringing CBD oil into the continent.
South Africa is the sole country in Africa to have clear laws regarding CBD. As of 2019, people are legally permitted to ingest no more than 20mg of CBD products per day as long as they contain no more than 0.001% of THC and no more than 0.0075% of CBD in total.
5. Australia
Australia, like the US, has different CBD laws governing different states. Since 2020, however, the use of medicinal CBD is legal nationwide as on the condition that it doesn’t contain more than 2% of any other cannabinoid such as THC. You can only buy or import CBD into Australia with a medical prescription.
6. Central and South America
As with many African countries, the CBD laws in many countries in Central and South America are far from clear. There are some countries, however, which have legalized CBD to some extent:
Mexico
CBD products can be taken in and out of Mexico as long as they are 100 % hemp-derived.
Colombia
CBD products are legal as long as the dry weight product contains less than 1%.
Brazil
Brazil is one of the biggest global markets for CBD, and you are allowed to bring it into the country as long as its THC content is less than 0.2%.
As you can see, the laws governing the use, purchase and importation of CBD products vary significantly from country to country. Before you travel anywhere, you should always research the most up to date information to ensure that you don’t break the law and bring in any illegal substances.
