CBD regulations in Europe and the United States: what are the differences?

Although CBD has become far more widespread in recent years, the rules governing it differ from one continent to another, and even from one country to the next. Here is an overview of the rules that apply to CBD in Europe and in the United States, and of the differences between them.

CBD legislation in Europe

In Europe, consuming CBD is permitted provided the THC content does not exceed 0.2%. Only Croatia and Slovenia still prohibit the possession, sale and consumption of CBD on their territory. That means no fewer than 27 member countries currently allow the sale and consumption of CBD products. One condition does apply, however: the varieties on offer must be certified by the European Union, even if they are not necessarily grown on European soil.

There are only two exceptions at present: Switzerland, which allows CBD with a THC content of up to 1%, and Italy, which permits up to 0.6%. Germany and Belgium, for their part, have authorised CBD for medical use.

CBD legislation in the United States

What makes the United States complicated is that the law differs across the country’s 50 states. At federal level, certain products are illegal (chewing gum, foods, drinks and so on), yet several states have nonetheless passed laws authorising them. Depending on where you happen to be when you are carrying CBD, you may therefore be entirely within your rights, or simply breaking the law.

The same goes for labelling, which varies from state to state, making certain products unfit for retail sale. In short, before any trip to the United States, it is worth finding out about the rules in force and understanding that even where a CBD-based product is made in a given state, buying it, consuming it, possessing it, using it or reselling it may still be prohibited there.