What is CBD ?
First of all, it is important to remember what CBD is. It is a molecule called cannabinoid present in cannabis, but also in hemp. That is to say that you can find it in our CBD flowers, our CBD resins as well as in all our available products on our shop.
This molecule, naturally present in cannabis has interesting properties from a medicinal point of view. Indeed, in our body we have two types of receptors called CB1 and CB2 which are located respectively in the brain and in our organs, as well as in the rest of our body including the immune system. When consuming CBD, this molecule will bind to these receptors and its beneficial action can then begin for the greatest happiness of consumers.
Rest assured, CBD does not provide any psychotropic effect, since it is another molecule that is also very well known in popular culture, THC otherwise known as, tetrahydrocannabinol.
Many consumers turn to CBD after having seen or heard scientific announcements on the subject and wish to relieve their ailments and thus improve their daily lives. Obviously, there are still studies to be conducted on this miracle molecule in order to establish a correct and updated list of beneficial effects on health and to reassure consumers wishing to launch.
But is it legal in France as well as in the whole world? We will see this in the lines to come.
CBD in France
In France CBD is considered legal under certain conditions. As you can guess, THC is illegal and is considered a narcotic. For many years debates have taken place to clarify the path of CBD in France in which we can find the camp that is for and against.
Indeed, Article 2 of the decree of August 22, 1990 states that CBD must meet various criteria to be considered a legal product. Of course, the main criterion is the THC content, which must not exceed 0.2%, which means that no psychotropic effect will be felt by the consumer.
However, for some time now, the government seems to be embracing the idea that CBD could be used in the fight against certain symptoms of diseases, such as Parkinson's Disease or Multiple Sclerosis . The government has also approved a CBD-based treatment for cancer that should be in place next year if the COVID-19 epidemic has stopped by then. This treatment seems to be a glimmer of hope for patients who are in great physical and psychological pain.
But recently, France was in the headlines concerning CBD and the law that is being introduced on it. You've probably heard about it in the media or on the web, but the European Union (EU) has ruled the ban on CBD in France illegal.
Seen like this, it's quite vague and difficult to understand, but what you need to know is that CBD is in a legal limbo in France. In addition to the law of 1990, CBD is legal in some forms and illegal in others. This legal vagueness poses a problem for consumers, sellers but also for the European Union.
The European Union has therefore judged illegal the ban that France instituted on CBD by judging that CBD was in no way harmful to the health of consumers and had no psychotropic effect. Obviously, France has put forward the safety of its population in front of a molecule that remains quite unknown from a scientific point of view, but as CBD is not harmful, this assumption is not valid.
Let's hope that this announcement can change the vision of CBD in France, although it begins to be known in the right direction and that concerns seem to fly away, it is nevertheless necessary to wait for the state to become aware of it and return on its steps.
CBD in Europe
Europe currently has 28 countries and the subject of CBD seems to affect all countries without exception. We will see together where the CBD is in the neighboring countries of our France.
It should be noted that France seems to be behind in many areas including that of CBD and is a "dunce" in Europe. If we take the example of a neighboring country, smaller, but well ahead on several topics, as Switzerland, CBD is legal since 2011 if it does not exceed 1% THC. Yes, 2011!
In other countries, the situation is also mostly more developed than in France, without ridiculing it from a legal point of view. Of course, we will not talk about the Netherlands, which, in the eyes of all, are well positioned on the subject for several years. But let's take the example of another bordering country, Germany, which in 2017 allowed CBD consumption from a medical point of view. In this country, CBD must not exceed 0.2% THC as in most European countries, except some like Switzerland..
France plays the wrong role on CBD?
As we have seen, in Europe, CBD seems to have progressed well with different countries having authorized it for therapeutic uses like Germany, or Switzerland.
But what is most striking is that when we look at the list of countries that have authorized its therapeutic use, we realize that France is behind and seems to be the Gallic irreducible to the invasion of CBD.
For example, England authorized its therapeutic use in 2018, but Belgium also authorized its use in 2019 considering CBD as a smoking tobacco. If we explore other bordering countries, Italy and Spain have also allowed its therapeutic use.
All this suggests that France has a lot of catching up to do on the subject of CBD, but let's give it time, the situation will eventually unblock itself.
CBD in Asia
In this region of the world rich in culture and landscape, CBD has already made progress, but it has not been able to impose itself in all countries. Many countries have allowed it to be used therapeutically while respecting the 0.2% THC content, but on the other side, many countries seem to be reluctant to its use and do not seem to want to change their minds on the issue.
CBD in China
If we take as an example, China which is, let's remember, the largest country in the world, CBD is well accepted there and even seems to be ahead of Europe since many Chinese companies manufacture CBD. Yes, companies of real size that manufacture CBD. Some consider China to be the new empire of medical cannabis
CBD in Thailand
Thailand has also decided on the issue of CBD, as it is allowed for tourists and locals under certain conditions. For example, CBD must be used for medical purposes so as not to confuse its use with recreational cannabis. But before that, Thailand had the same image as France by formally rejecting the use of CBD, as it did not differentiate between CBD and THC, which are the two main molecules present in cannabis.
CBD in Japan
As for the Land of the Rising SunIn Japan, CBD is also authorized after multiple rejections. In 2016, CBD is officially legalized and allowed for consumption and companies are also allowed to produce CBD. What you need to know is that unlike many countries, advertisements promoting CBD products, are allowed. This is a real progress to highlight the benefits of this molecule and improve its popular image.
In these Asian countries, which have a great interest in human beauty, CBD is often used in the form of balm and cosmetics.
CBD in the land of Uncle Sam and its neighbors
Uncle Sam's homeland still has a lot to teach us. Divided into several states, more precisely, into 50 states that each have their own laws, the United States seems to be well ahead of the game, but the situation varies greatly from one state to another.
First of all, it may come as a surprise, but CBD was banned before! Certainly, in some states, cannabis was already legalized, but that's not what we're interested in. We are currently talking about the hemp flower from which CBD is extracted.
Former President Donald Trump will surely have made one of his best decisions during his entire presidential term, as in 2018 he allows industrial use of cannabis containing low THC content. This allows local residents and growers to revive their business and bring the American CBD trade back from the ashes.
In the history of CBD in the United States, it has been subject to several bans and approvals, sowing doubt in some minds. For example, in the 1920s, CBD was demonized throughout America because of the lack of knowledge about the molecule. Then, in 1937, the Marijuana Art positioned CBD as a state controlled product in the US. Again, in 1970, the use of CBD was prohibited, also for therapeutic purposes.
CBD in Canada
In Canada, CBD is allowed, just like cannabis. This country seems to be ahead of its time with regards to these two subjects, but especially with regards to cannabis, which still has a high THC content that can be harmful to the consumer.
However, to purchase CBD products, you must be 21 years old or you will not be able to make the purchase. The Canadian government seems to make a difference between THC and CBD, which helps a lot in the differentiation of products.
But when you consider that the country legalized cannabis in 2018, it doesn't surprise us that CBD is legal there.
What you need to know
What we need to understand here is that even in a country that seems ahead of its time technologically speaking, the issue of CBD manages to make it doubtful. That's how complex the federal and governmental laws are, and the big question around CBD was whether it was harmful to health.
Fortunately, today, the question of CBD is mostly decided and current studies show no harmful effect on the health of consumers, but progress remains to be made, especially in France which seems to be behind the rest of Europe.
But hope never dies and we know that one day, the issue of CBD will take another turn!
In the meantime, feel free to visit our shop or our blog articles to learn more about the subject!
