CBD Oil In Italy - Cannabis Dispenseries

Buying CBD in Italy can get confusing. In this buyer’s guide, we’ll clarify the laws concerning purchasing CBD, reveal some of the best CBD brands available in Italy, and provide insights and tips on where you can purchase your CBD fix. A Guide to CBD Oil in Italy (Update February 2022) CBD, also known as Cannabidiol, is the topic of many testimonials by women and men alike who claim it has many health benefits. Although Italy was one of Europe’s cannabis hubs. New laws threaten the CBD market & local stores, while many brands continue to operate online.

Is CBD legal in Italy & Where to Buy it

Dr. Emma F. Stone is passionate about plant medicine and the potential it holds in transforming the current medical paradigm. She has written extensively for Leafly, Weedmaps, Flowertown, Psychedelic Science Review, and contributed to industry reports and fact sheets detailing cannabis medicine, dosage, and delivery methods for diverse conditions. She’s currently working on a book exploring plant medicine and its uses.

Here are our key findings

CBD is available in Italy, but its legality is somewhat ambiguous.
In May 2019, Italy’s Supreme Court of Cassation prohibited the sale of cannabis derivatives, including hemp leaves, flowers, resin, and oil. This new ruling, however, excluded products that are free of narcotic effects. There was no direction regarding acceptable levels of THC in CBD products.
Italian CBD consumers generally have no trouble purchasing hemp-derived CBD products that contain 0.2% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or less. Since the law is unclear, it’s best to refrain from buying CBD products with higher THC concentrations.
CBD products derived from industrial hemp, including oils, tinctures, and capsules, are available from specialty Italian stores and online.
CBD edibles and beverages are currently prohibited under theNovel Food Regulation, which extends throughout Europe.

Italians have enthusiastically embraced CBD. The year 2016 marked a major turning point in Italy’s cannabis history when the sale of products derived from industrial hemp became legal. Thanks to leeway built into the law, Italians were soon enjoying their version of CBD, known as ‘cannabis light’ which contained up to 0.6% THC. The cannabis light movement swept Italy by storm, generating an estimated 40 million euro in revenue, with shops popping up all over Rome–the Eternal City.

Since then, however, political turmoil and inconclusive legal changes have seen the ‘cannabis light’ market wither. Italians still enjoy and purchase CBD products, but there’s currently no clear consensus about what constitutes a legally acceptable quantity of THC. To play it safe, many Italian CBD retailers and consumers stick with products containing 0.2% THC or less.

This Leafreport guide will explore the range of high-quality CBD brands that are currently available in Italy, or can be shipped there. We’ll also unpack some of the complexities surrounding Italian CBD law, and provide pointers on shopping in the Italian CBD market.

Is CBD oil legal in Italy?

CBD currently occupies a gray zone under Italian law. The past few years have seen Italian legislation moving back-and-forth with respect to CBD, resulting in a climate of legal ambiguity.

In 2016, law 242 ruled that industrial hemp or “light cannabis” as it is popularly known, was legal on the condition that the THC content was less than 0.2%. In accordance with this law, it was further elaborated that there was an acceptable threshold of THC concentration: if the total THC content is more than 0.2% but no more than 0.6%, there would be no liability borne by the grower.

This tolerance saw the rapid growth of the “cannabis light” market in Italy, with CBD products widely available over the counter until 2019. However, the inauguration of a more conservative government was linked to legislative attitudes towards CBD. In May 2019, the Italian Supreme Court of Cassation banned the sale of cannabis derivatives, including hemp leaves, flowers, resin, and oil. This law overshadowed the CBD market, but it didn’t explicitly categorize CBD as illegal as it excluded products that didn’t cause narcotic effects. There was no ruling, however, on what percentage of THC was permitted in CBD products.

A decree published on 28 October 2020 established that oral CBD requires further in-depth, technical and scientific studies, which must be carried out by the National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità) and National Council of Health (Consiglio Superiore di Sanità). Despite the rapid succession of legal changes, Italians can still order CBD online and purchase the CBD products in person. Many Italians choose to play it safe by ensuring that the products they buy fall beneath the 0.2% threshold, and refraining from buying products with higher THC concentrations of up to 0.6%.

CBD edibles are explicitly illegal in Italy. The European Commission added cannabinoids to the EU Novel Food Catalogue in January 2018. This EU rule considers CBD a novel food due to the lack of history regarding use as food before 1997.

Best CBD products in Italy

A wide range of high-quality CBD brands from both Europe and the United States currently ship to Italy, so consumers have access to diverse products.

We’ve collated a list of some of the leading CBD brands available to Italian consumers. Each brand is ranked according to our comprehensive Leafreport rating system, with in-depth detail about the strengths and weaknesses of each brand also supplied.

Here’s the breakdown of our scoring categories, and our pick of the best CBD brands in Italy.

Leafreport’s scoring categories

The Leafreport scoring system is standardized and calculated using our database, which collates third-party lab test results, prices, additional ingredients, extract types, and other relevant data. We add all of these up to find an overall score out of 100 points.

A Guide to CBD Oil in Italy (Update February 2022)

CBD, also known as Cannabidiol, is the topic of many testimonials by women and men alike who claim it has many health benefits. Although research studies around cannabinoids are increasing and anecdotal evidence is mounting, there are still questions surrounding the effectiveness of CBD oil as a food supplement product in Italy.

There is also confusion regarding the status of CBD in many countries in Europe, one of which is Italy. Many people are curious to know whether it is okay to use CBD oil food supplements in Italy as part of their health food diet. People travelling to Italy from other countries are especially interested to know if they can carry CBD oil into Italy without any issue.

Rules around Cannabidiol are constantly changing in both Italy and the EU and this has led to controversy over the use of the food supplement especially for both diet and medicinal purposes. Malta for one has just legalised recreational Cannabis under new laws which means that CBD is also a prominent food supplement on the market there now.

Where to Buy CBD Oil in Italy?

Purchasing CBD oil in Italy can be done through Dr. Hemp Me CBD, a European leader in Cannabidiol supplements. All order can be made through our E-Commerce store which provides customers with an easy-to-use shop, a wide range of products and even blog articles for people to read through and learn more about CBD.

Delivery to Italy is between 1 and 3 business days once orders are placed before 2.30pm Monday to Friday. CBD retailers like us who operate solely online, offer comprehensive knowledge of the industry and eliminate the need for customers to visit a physical store. All questions can be asked through email or our instant chat service which is available on the website.

Take a look at the top products we have to offer CBD enthusiasts in Italy:

#1 Olio di CBD	10% \| 20% \| 30%	Buy Now
#2 Dolci CBD	Ampio Spettro \| 15mg per dolce	Buy Now
#3 Capsule di CBD	Spettro completo \| 25mg per capsula	Buy Now
#4 CBD per animali domestici	2.5% \| 5% \| 10%	Buy Now
#5 Crema di CBD	200ml \| 250mg CBD	Buy Now

What is a CBD Oil Food Supplement?

CBD, a short form for Cannabidiol, is one of the most active ingredients of the Cannabis Sativa plant which is also known as hemp. After delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD is the second most active ingredient in marijuana. It has been proven that CBD does not have a toxic effect as is present in THC.

Therefore, CBD does not make people ‘high’ rather it is claimed that it has focus type effect. People who use CBD from the cannabis plant as a dietary supplement, just like any other health vitamin, use it as a source of minerals and nutrients to fuel their body and mind.

There are thousands of products derived from hemp like vapes, creams, and even Gummies but CBD oil is the most popular. You must know that there is a difference between hemp seed oil and CBD oil. That is, hemp seed oil does not have any of the cannabinoids which are present in CBD oil. Hemp seed oil is used as a carrier oil for CBD oil products, which means it simply houses the Cannabidiol so that the user can drop it under their tongue.

The chemical components in CBD oil vary greatly depending on the process of extraction and the cannabinoids present in the plant. CBD is actually seen as a safe alternative to medical cannabis with none of the side effects that are associated with the latter. The continued research studies on CBD have increased the buzz around it over the past few years as a health food supplement for both humans and pets.

What Benefits come from taking CBD Supplements?

The benefits linked to CBD use are extensive though most of the claimed benefits have not been proven scientifically. However, due to the increased interest in natural, holistic medicine, CBD has been embraced by many and the government of Italy is not left out. The additional absence of side-effects in the use of CBD, unlike THC, has also made it more accepted.

In case you didn’t know, CBD as a cannabinoid works in reaction to receptors in the human brain which are part of the body’s Endocannabinoid System. According to researchers, this system, the ECS, works to regulate certain bodily functions related to our emotions, stress response, pain levels and even our reproductive systems.

Taking CBD seems to be almost as common as taking a vitamin or mineral supplement everyday, for the purpose of an intake of extra nutrients. The difference between CBD oil and a capsule of calcium or Vitamin D for example is that it goes through absorption in the gums under the tongue rather than through the digestive system. This process allows the CBD to be absorbed into the blood quickly and release the hemp plant’s benefits using a CBD vitamin diet.

As shown by the production of a drug, Epidiolex, made using CBD and used in the USA, it can be used to treat a seizure disorder caused by Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome. While CBD has been approved for the treatment of epilepsy there in both adults and children above the age of two, it must be used as a last resort. Regardless of the amount of health claims by men and women, we cannot fully discuss the use of CBD and potential medical benefits due to its current muddled status.

What is the Status of CBD Oil in Italy?

Yes, CBD oil is permitted in Italy. Since CBD oil is one of the derivatives of the cannabis plant, it is essential to give a brief insight into the history of the of cannabis in Italy. The status of cannabis has been a back and forth issue in Italy since the 90s.

While cannabis was tagged “soft drug” in 1990 and carried non-criminal penalties, it was re-classified as a “hard drug” in 2006. In 2013 cannabis was approved and made available to people for industrial purposes only.

With the approved status of CBD, the government authorised the cultivation of hemp but with rules attached. To increase the quantity of CBD oil produced in the country due to its potential health benefits, the government eventually authorised the cultivation of hemp by the general public in 2016 which resulted in the “green gold rush”. The cultivation and production of industrial hemp is allowed as long as the THC content is 0.6% or less.

When CBD was first permitted, its THC component could not be more than 0.2% but it has since been increased to 0.6%. It is not permitted to use CBD oil with more than 0.6% THC even if it is for medical reasons unless there is specific and direct instruction from a doctor. Nevertheless, you can get CBD without the doctor’s prescription in Italy as long as the hemp content is below 0.2% in both online stores and pharmacies.

The Verdict on CBD Products in Italy

Unlike most European countries, Italy is more relaxed regarding the use of CBD oil, however the government is seeking to regulate the use of CBD products which includes CBD oils and more. However, when you think about the current status of CBD oils in Italy, you must keep in mind that as long as it does not have a “toxic effect”, then it is perfectly ok.

CBD Laws in Italy: Where to Buy CBD Oils [2021 Buyer’s Guide]

No trend passes through Italy unnoticed — from fashion and art to food, beauty, and wellness products.

CBD quickly became one of Italians’ favorite hypes. Being a country with abundant cannabis history, it didn’t take a long time before Italy turned into one of the leading hemp and CBD suppliers.

However, the country’s turbulent political history and a shaky economy lead to less than favorable CBD laws after years of prime success in the cannabis industry.

Now, more than ever, Italian citizens are reaching for supplements to help get them through these stressful times — with CBD at the top of the list for many.

In this guide, we’ll break down the confusing cannabis laws in Italy and take a look at your options for buying high-quality CBD online in 2021.

Summary: Buying CBD in Italy

CBD in Italy is in a legal grey area
You can buy CBD with 0.2% THC online
CBD edibles and beverages are not allowed under the Italian law and the Novel Food Regulation
You can use a mail forwarding service to purchase CBD from foreign brands
Possession and cultivation of small amounts of cannabis is decriminalized

Best CBD Oils in Italy

Nordic Oil Full-Spectrum CBD Oil (Europe)

€0.08 – €0.09

Endoca CBD Oils

€0.08 – €0.09

Hemp Bombs CBD Oil

$0.07 – $0.17

Reakiro CBD Oil

€0.07 – €0.08

Amma Life CBD Oil

$0.06 – $0.13

Hempura Broad-Spectrum Refined Extract

£0.06 – £0.08

How to Buy CBD Products in Italy in 2021

Italy has some of the most complex CBD laws in Europe, but things are not as terrible as they seem. In practice, you’re still allowed to shop for CBD — with some restrictions.

When buying CBD in Italy, online stores should be your first choice. Retailers that operate online offer a broader range of products at reduced prices.

Since CBD in Italy is in a legal grey area, it would be best to shop for products that are closest to the legal lean. In other words, avoid buying CBD with a THC concentration above 0.2% — despite the tolerance to higher THC concentrations from the 2016 law.

As long as you focus on purchasing CBD that’s considered legal and free from psychoactive effects (< 0.2% THC), you shouldn’t have any issues with the authorities.

Most people in Italy are reporting no problems with their order as long as they’re using THC-free extracts (such as CBD isolates or broad-spectrum THC-free extracts).

Is CBD Legal in Italy?

CBD in Italy is hanging in legal limbo.

Until mid-2019, all CBD products were available over-the-counter.

After the change of the government and the arrival of more conservative leaders, cannabis became a subject of many fierce debates. Consequently, in May 2019, Italy’s Supreme Court of Cassation prohibited the sale of cannabis derivatives, including hemp leaves, flowers, resin, and oil.

Before the ban, CBD products with THC concentrations between 0.2% and 0.6% were entirely legal and available in local and online stores.

The new law caused many uncertainties regarding CBD’s legality. Although it says that products derived from Cannabis sativa L. are illegal under the Italian drug control law, it excludes products that are free of narcotic effects. However, it is still unknown what products are considered unable to produce “narcotic effects,” as there is no new THC limit.

CBD is stuck in the legal grey area, stretched between the old and new regulations.

Only medical CBD is legal without any disruptions, and you can purchase it from a pharmacy with a doctor’s prescription.

NOTE: CBD edibles are prohibited under the Novel Food Regulation — an EU rule that considers CBD a novel food due to the lack of history of its use as food before 1997.

Cannabis Laws in Italy Prior to May 2019

In 2016, the Italian government allowed the cultivation of hemp with less than 0.2% without a license. Popularly known as cannabis light, the low-THC hemp variety made a boom in Italy’s cannabis industry, and slowly, the legal THC limit went up to 0.6%.

Shortly after the introduction of the loose laws, Italy experienced a thriving period known as the green gold rush.

The law didn’t clarify whether CBD flowers are legal or not. The use of hemp leaves and flowers for edible products was prohibited, but there was no further explanation about the legality of raw CBD flowers.

Thanks to this loophole in the law, the hype around cannabis light escalated, and hundreds of new businesses emerged in the Italian CBD market.

You could indulge in various CBD products with THC levels as high as 0.6%, and shop from thousands of local and foreign brands.

The CBD market was challenging to regulate. While many companies operate with integrity, some retailers jumped into the market, hoping to make a quick buck at the expense of quality and safety. This forced authorities to react with stricter legal changes in 2019.

Although the strict laws overshadowed CBD, cultivating, and possessing cannabis for personal use in small amounts is decriminalized and subjected to minor fines. The law doesn’t specify what a small quantity is.

What’s the Difference Between Hemp & Marijuana?

Although both plants belong to the Cannabis sativa species, hemp and marijuana differentiate in several ways, including their chemical properties and legal status.

One of the main compounds of cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol, popularly known as THC, controversial for the psychoactive high it produces in marijuana users.

THC is present in both cannabis plants, but its concentration in hemp is minimal — therefore, hemp won’t get you high.

In marijuana, THC can go as high as 30%.

Many countries around the world unfairly treat hemp as marijuana — even Italy has done so after signing the narcotic drugs convention. However, today’s Italian law differentiates between hemp and marijuana.

1. Marijuana Laws in Italy

Marijuana in Italy is legal for medical purposes and decriminalized for recreational use. As a member state of the European Union, Italy respects the imposed THC limit of 0.2% — according to the EU, any cannabis plant that has more THC than this is considered marijuana.

However, Italy has tolerated a limit of 0.6%, and plants with THC concentrations varying between 0.2% and 0.6% are known as cannabis light.

2. Hemp Laws in Italy

Italy has a centuries-long cannabis tradition, and hemp continues to be a significant crop. Hemp with 0.2% THC is legal for cultivation, but only certain varieties approved by the government are permitted.

Buying CBD Online in Italy

Italians love CBD, and you can notice that by the number of stores that have popped up in the last few years.

However, many retailers focused on selling hemp flowers to satisfy the high demand for cannabis light, and the choice of CBD products was narrow compared to the online options.

Most online retailers will offer you a great deal. Unlike brick-and-mortar stores, online stores don’t have overhead expenses, which allows them to sell CBD at reduced prices and ship their products for free or over a symbolic amount.

Besides saving money, you can save lots of time and nerves. When shopping online, you avoid the parking hassles, the costs for gas, and the crowds. Online stores are available 24/7, meaning you can shop whenever it’s convenient for you.

If you want to learn more about the product before you buy it, or you need advice, you should be able to contact your retailer through a live chat or an email address. Responsible brands offer customer support, and if it takes your seller days to respond to you, it’s best to find another.

Online shopping, however, has its downsides too.

The first and most frustrating obstacle is that customs can seize your product. The restrictions mostly fall on businesses, but don’t get surprised if the authorities take your product. When laws are hanging undefined, it’s not difficult to fall into their cobweb.

Another issue is that some brands may decide not to ship to Italy due to the conflicting rules on CBD. What you can do here is register for a mail forwarding service to get a local address in the region and use it to make online orders.

Pro Tips: How to Spot High-Quality CBD Oil

Amidst the many grey areas in Italy’s cannabis market, take caution when buying CBD.

Depending on what you’re looking for, CBD can vary in properties such as cannabinoid concentration, taste, form, and method of use. However, there are several common quality standards for CBD products.

Here’s what to consider before you spend your money on any CBD product.

1. Look for a Certificate of Analysis

Italy has a thriving cannabis industry and is known for its high-quality hemp. However, take this with a grain of salt — some businesses gladly bypass quality standards for the sake of quick cash.

Before you pay for your CBD, examine the product and ask your retailer to provide you with a Certificate of Analysis — a document that guarantees the product’s quality and safety.

2. Great Marketing Doesn’t Always Mean High-Quality

How many times have you bought something with high expectations but ended up disappointed? Ads play an important role in how brands present their products, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that they sell top-notch goods. Retailers often use a gimmick to sell their products — make sure you know your seller before you give him your trust and money.

3. Stick to CBD Products With 0.2% THC

Besides quality, you should also pay attention to the CBD’s legality when you’re shopping in Italy. The rules are messy, and the closest to entirely legal is CBD with 0.2% THC, so it’s best to refrain from buying products with higher THC concentrations.

CBD Brands That Ship To Italy

Nordic Oil

4.67 / 5

Hemp Bombs

4.5 / 5

Endoca

4.83 / 5

Reakiro CBD

4.33 / 5

Amma Life

3.83 / 5

Hempura

4 / 5

A Brief History of Cannabis Laws in Italy

Italy has grown cannabis for ages. As an agriculture-dependent country, Italy found hemp to be a highly lucrative crop.

Hemp cultivation for fiber and textile is an old tradition in Italy, and the crop was used for food, oils for lightning, traditional tablecloths, ropes and sails, clothing, and animal feed.

During the Maritime Republics, hemp was the most important crop because of its flexibility and resistance to water. The Italian fleets needed tons of fiber for ropes and sails, and Italy had the perfect soil for cannabis cultivation.

Italy quickly became one of the largest hemp producers, supplying foreign navies with high-quality hemp fiber, including the fleet of King Henry VIII.

Italy continued to produce hemp until the Second World War. The US was already fighting its war on drugs, which included cannabis. As Italy’s liberator from the war, the American power demanded Italy stop cannabis production, allegedly, to impede marijuana sales and use. However, the real reason was the expansion of an entirely new industry — artificial fibers that soon overtook the pedestal.

The period from 1945 to the 1950s was turbulent — Italy attempted to reintroduce hemp, but instead, ended up with a ban on hemp after signing the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs in 1961.

In the 1970s, then-Prime Minister Francesco Cossiga introduced the Cossiga Law to eradicate all drugs (including cannabis), and the once-vast hemp fields were eliminated.

After more than 40 years, Italy brought a new law (2016) that allows hemp cultivation without a license as long as its THC concentration does not exceed 0.2%.

Many things changed since 2016 — cannabis is once again a hot topic, and hemp and marijuana are regulated under several messy laws. Before we take a closer look at cannabis and CBD in Italy, we want to highlight the differences between hemp and marijuana briefly.

Final Thoughts on Buying CBD in Italy

CBD lives in a legal grey area in Italy.

Make sure when purchasing CBD products, it doesn’t contain more than 0.2% THC. To make sure you’re buying a quality product that adheres to the legal THC limit, always refer to the product’s Certificate of Analysis conducted by a non-bias, third-party lab.

By far, the best place to shop for CBD in Italy is online. Not only do you have access to more products at your convenience, but you’ll find the most competitive prices.

While you may not have access to CBD-infused foods and beverages due to the Novel Food Regulation, you have access to the classic forms of CBD supplementation, such as capsules, oils, and vape products. As the CBD market matures in Europe, we hope to see Italy adopt more lenient laws on CBD. We’ll keep our fingers on the pulse and update you on changes in Italian laws regarding CBD.