What about the legality of CBD in Ireland?

Cannabis is a not well-known plant in Ireland. However, there is nevertheless a lot of talk about it.

You may have heard a lot of buzz around CBD in recent years. But what about the legality of CBD in Ireland?

We often wrongly call the cultivated hemp (or cannabis sativa, its scientific name) and all derivatives of this plant ‘cannabis’.

However, certain chemicals in cannabis, cannabinoids, are used for medical reasons because they have many virtues, but without the psychoactive setbacks of cannabis. This is the case with CBD.

But even though it is used more and more, there is still very little known about CBD in Ireland and is, therefore, the subject of many prejudices and concerns. Today we will clarify all that!

Besides, you can now legally and easily find a selection of CBD weed online at the best European CBD online stores!

CBD laws and CBD in general in Ireland – what you need to know

As Ireland and the U.K. used to have relatively vague legislation surrounding cannabis, they are still quite reluctant to talk about it. However, this is not the case for other European countries.

Today, most of them recognize that CBD is harmless and authorize the marketing of products that contain it.

This is, for example, the case in Italy, Greece, Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Croatia, the Czech Republic, and Estonia. In contrast, CBD is illegal in Slovakia!

The THC level authorized by the E.U. to market products with cannabis is set at 0.2%. But there are disparities depending on the country.

For example, Austria and Luxembourg allow CBD products with a THC level of up to 0.3%, Italy with a rate of up to 0.6%, and Switzerland with 1%.

Therefore, it is essential to educate yourself about these different levels when ordering products containing CBD from other countries to avoid any problems.

If you’re wondering about the legality of CBD in Ireland, typically, in the event of a conflict, E.U. law (i.e. less than 0.2% THC) takes precedence.

Note that Europe has the second-largest market for CBD products globally and that the Irish market is opening up to greater commercialization and distribution of CBD.

What exactly is CBD? – a cannabinoid

One of the 100 cannabinoids found in cultivated hemp is called CBD. In other words, it is a molecule that is extracted from the cannabis plant.

It is important to note that this substance is not a psychotropic drug.

That is to say that its consumption does NOT cause harmful physical or psychological effects (alteration of perceptions, modification of mood or thoughts, hallucination etc.).

Its use has dramatically popularized CBD as a vape liquid in electronic cigarettes. But it exists in many other forms. The best known are oil and cosmetics, and they can even be found in the form of cookies and sausages!

When it comes to the legality of CBD in Ireland, the substance is legal, but its production and use are strictly regulated by law.

CBD and THC: how to tell the difference? – an important distinction

It is essential to differentiate between these two substances because one is allowed when the other is not.

THC is the psychoactive molecule of cannabis. It is very addictive and is responsible for the effects engendered by the consumption of marijuana (intense euphoria, laughter, drowsiness, sadness, paranoia).

Consuming THC regularly causes a lot of damage to the body, both to your mental and physical health. Some of this damage, in particular the destruction of neurons, is unfortunately irreversible.

CBD (cannabidiol) is another molecule in cannabis and is neither a mind-altering drug nor a narcotic. Its consumption does not cause any of the unpleasant effects mentioned above and does not cause any addiction.

Only specific certified varieties of cannabis are authorized for cultivation in Europe.

CBD is known for its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and relaxing properties. It is found in drugs subject to a doctor’s prescription or over the counter.

You should know that there are very many varieties of cannabis, and inevitably, their natural composition varies, in particular their THC and CBD levels.

In Ireland, illegal cannabis has a high THC level (around 20%), while authorized cannabis, from which CBD is extracted, contains less than 0.2% THC.

The legality of CBD in Ireland – what do you need to know?

In 2020, the MILDECA (Interministerial Mission for the Fight against Drugs and Addictive Behaviors) published an update on cannabidiol legislation. Here is what it states:

• A limited number of varieties of hemp are authorized for exploitation and marketing, namely nine in all. All of these strains have a THC level of less than 0.2%.

• When a product containing CBD is over the counter and can be obtained without a prescription, it should not have any trace of THC in it.

• Not all manufacturers and sellers of CBD products are permitted to tout the therapeutic benefits of their goods; only drug manufacturers benefiting from a specific authorization can do so.

To sum up, CBD is legal in Ireland, including over the counter, but only when the products contain less than 0.2% THC. The promotion, cultivation, sale, and consumption of cannabis with a higher THC level is strictly prohibited.  

Where can I find products with CBD? – available to buy

You should know that CBD is not a drug, even if it is sometimes used as an active principle in some of them. Therefore, a doctor cannot prescribe CBD as such in Ireland.

However, today, CBD is considered a food supplement and can sometimes be reimbursed by health insurance or mutual funds.

Get in touch with Justbob.shop to select and order the best CBD products online!

Once again, be sure to check the legality of CBD in Ireland when buying any products.