Cannabis has been legalized for medical use in many countries around the world, including Argentina, Australia, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Lebanon, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malta and Mexico. In Asia, countries such as Japan, South Korea and Singapore have a more restrictive attitude towards CBD. Thailand is one of the few countries that have legalized CBD in some of its provinces. India's stance on CBD and THC is unclear as hemp is considered a sacred plant of the god Shiva and is ritually burned for religious purposes.
Hong Kong has also legalized CBD but has banned the export of any product containing THC. CBD per se is only legal with a THC content of 1%. South American countries are beginning to recognize the medical benefits of CBD oil and this is reflected in their current medical cannabis laws. In some countries certain CBD products are legal while others are banned.
In Denmark and other EU countries it is legal to buy CBD oil if it contains less than 0.2% THC. Because THC is psychoactive and restricted in most countries cannabis-derived CBD products with high levels of THC are still illegal in most parts of the world. CBD cosmetics are already popular in South Korea, Japan and China. These countries are developing a competitive market for CBD cosmetics making the region a potential leader in CBD trade.
Most Latin American countries consider CBD to be a drug (some treat it as a narcotic) while others have paved the way for its legal use with strict rules. It is not possible to travel to Denmark with CBD as prescriptions from other countries are not valid there. Exporting CBD to countries such as Russia, Singapore and Japan can lead to heavy fines and prison terms. The EU regulations on CBD are clearer than those of other countries but it can still be difficult to travel between countries with CBD oil.
The number of countries that have approved the medical use of CBD (and other cannabinoids) is increasing but much research remains to be done.
