Buying CBD in Germany: What You Need to Know [2022]

Summary: Buying CBD in Germany

1. Cultivation of hemp with less than 0.2% THC is legal
2. CBD products with less than 0.2% THC are available over the counter
3. You can shop for any type of CBD products (including CBD capsules) except for CBD edibles — these are prohibited under the Novel Food Regulation throughout Europe
4. You can buy medical CBD via a doctor’s prescription from licensed pharmacies
5. Unless intended for scientific or commercial use, CBD hemp flowers are prohibited

Best CBD Oils in Germany

Number	Product	Total CBD	Potency	Cost per mg CBD	Link
1	Nordic Oil Full-Spectrum CBD Oil (Europe)	500 – 2000 mg	50 – 200 mg/mL	€0.08 – €0.09	Get a Deal
2	Endoca CBD Oils	300 – 1500 mg	30 – 150 mg/mL	€0.08 – €0.09	Get a Deal
3	Reakiro CBD Oil	300 – 1500 mg	30 – 150 mg/mL	€0.07 – €0.08	Get a Deal
4	Hemp Bombs CBD Oil	300 – 4000 mg	10 – 133.3 mg/mL	$0.07 – $0.17	Get a Deal
5	Nature’s Script CBD Oils	300 – 4000 mg	10 – 133 mg/mL	$0.07 – $0.17	Get a Deal

How to Buy CBD Products in Germany Legally

Germany has a growing CBD market. Thanks to its friendly legal attitudes towards hemp and CBD, you can purchase CBD products in-store and online — except for CBD edibles and hemp flowers.

The limit for THC in hemp-derived CBD products is 0.2%.

CBD isolates are popular on the German market because they contain 0% THC — which is well below the legal limit for THC. Full-spectrum and broad-spectrum products are also available in Germany but make sure to check the maximum THC levels because many American CBD brands only guarantee a minimum of 0.3% — which may be over the legal limit for Germany.

It’s best to order CBD products from companies operating out of Europe. They offer the fastest shipping times and closely stick to European CBD laws.

If you live in Germany, the best brands to check out are Nordic Oil and Endoca.

A Brief History of Cannabis Laws in Germany

Cannabis history in Germany dates back to the Roman period (800 – 500 BC). Germans used hemp seeds as a staple food, and in the Middle Ages, they started using cannabis for its medicinal benefits.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, thanks to hemp fibers’ strength and moisture-resistant properties, the plant became an essential crop in Germany.

The German fleets used hemp for rope, sails, nets, uniforms, and ship flags. Shortly after its spike in popularity, hemp cultivation decreased due to a new favored textile crop — cotton. This is because hemp demanded more labor and higher costs at the time. Many textile manufacturing was replaced by cotton due to technical improvements in cotton processing.

In the 19th century, Germany introduced new materials such as sisal and jute and started importing hemp from Russia to avoid labor costs. During the World Wars, Germany’s access to cotton, jute, and sisal was blocked, and the country needed to reintroduce hemp farming — but lacked available farmland.

Germany started growing hemp again after the Second World War but fulfilled only 20% of the domestic hemp demand and had to import the rest from nearby countries like Italy.

During the 60s, hemp was grown in small quantities, and following the amendments to the Narcotics Law in 1982 in West Germany, the crop was outlawed except when used for scientific research.

After a decade of non-use, hemp became one of the most talked-about and researched crops in the 1990s — all thanks to the bestselling book The Rediscovery of the Agricultural Crop Hemp by Bröckers and Herer. However, the ban on its cultivation was still valid, and hemp was only grown for research purposes.

While most European countries legalized hemp in the 1990s after the European Union introduced its subsidies for hemp cultivation, Germany delayed the authorization and legalized the crop in 2017. The amended law on narcotics allows only EU-certified hemp varieties with less than 0.2% THC. Recreational use of marijuana is still prohibited, but patients can acquire medical cannabis via a doctor’s prescription.

What is the Difference Between Hemp and Marijuana?

Due to its similar appearance to marijuana, hemp was considered a dangerous plant for a long time. While both hemp and marijuana are cannabis plants, they differ in the cannabinoid profile they produce.

Cannabis produces over 100 cannabinoids, and the most common ones are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). THC is the primary psychoactive compound of cannabis known for producing the high associated with recreational use. Unlike THC, CBD doesn’t induce this high, and it’s mostly known for its relaxing, pain-relieving, and anti-inflammatory properties.

The primary difference between hemp and marijuana is the THC content. Hemp plants are strains of Cannabis sativa that don’t produce any more than 0.2% THC by dried weight. Marijuana plants are any Cannabis sativa plant that produces more than this 0.2% THC limit.

Is CBD & Hemp Legal in Germany?

Germany allows CBD as long as it’s derived from hemp (plants that contain less than 0.2% THC). Medical CBD with higher THC concentrations is available with a doctor’s prescription.

In 2017, the German government amended the Narcotics Law, distinguishing between cannabis for medical and non-medical use. This law includes exemptions on hemp and its derivatives, including cannabidiol.

However, Germany introduced one restriction on CBD in July 2019 — the Novel Food Regulation.

Under the European Union’s guidance, CBD is classified as a novel food due to a lack of evidence for its significant consumption before 1997. This regulation requires businesses to apply for a novel food authorization in the European Commission before selling CBD foods.

The main issue is not the authorization itself, but the time it can take to process, which can take several years. Because of this, CBD edibles are not allowed in Germany.

The rules on CBD hemp flowers are more specific, and authorities prohibit their sale over the counter because they’re unprocessed. Hemp flowers abundant in THC are only sold for scientific purposes or commercial use.

Some stores in Germany sell CBD flowers labeled “not for intoxicating purposes,” although authorities consider this illegal.

CBD Companies That Ship To Germany

Nordic Oil

4.67 / 5

Buy from Nordic Oil

Endoca

4.83 / 5

Buy from Endoca

Reakiro CBD

4.33 / 5

Buy from Reakiro CBD

Hemp Bombs

4.5 / 5

Buy from Hemp Bombs

Nature’s Script

4.17 / 5

Buy from Nature’s Script

Final Thoughts on Buying CBD in Germany

Buying CBD is legal in Germany as long as the product has less than 0.2% THC content. Unfortunately, the Novel Food Regulation prohibits the sale of CBD edibles, but you can still choose from a long list of CBD products.

Germans prefer online shopping for the more affordable prices, a larger selection of products, and the ability to read reviews of CBD products and brands before they make an order.

If you want, you can also shop for CBD at one of the local stores in your city — if you live in a place where CBD is unavailable, you can drive to the nearest major city or order CBD online.

Before committing to any retailer, ask about the company’s hemp and CBD source and independent lab analysis to ensure they’re selling you a high-quality product.