{"id":16891,"date":"2020-02-01T01:17:28","date_gmt":"2020-02-01T01:17:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dailycbd.com\/en\/?post_type=crb_country&p=16891"},"modified":"2022-04-13T09:32:41","modified_gmt":"2022-04-13T09:32:41","slug":"netherlands","status":"publish","type":"crb_country","link":"https:\/\/dailycbd.com\/en\/netherlands\/","title":{"rendered":"Netherlands"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Netherlands has a reputation as an extremely\npro-cannabis country, which is a myth \u2014 the Netherlands didn\u2019t want to anger\nother neighboring countries by legalizing cannabis or disappoint its citizens\nby banning it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Holland did was set a common ground for everyone\n\u2014 if you possess cannabis for personal use, you won\u2019t be prosecuted, but you\ncan\u2019t grow or produce it without the right licenses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where does this\nput CBD laws? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may think that if the government tolerates\nmarijuana in coffee shops, then CBD would be treated in the friendliest\npossible way \u2014 well, not really. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As odd as it may sound, CBD falls under the <\/strong>Opium Act<\/strong><\/a> as a derivative of hemp, and its production is prohibited. However, the cannabinoid is not explicitly banned. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can purchase it legally, but you\u2019ll have to abide\nby the law. Read this guide to understand the legal CBD frame in the\nNetherlands, where you can buy it, and how to recognize high-quality products\nwhen shopping for CBD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Summary: Buying CBD in the\nNetherlands<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
  1. Cannabis for personal use is decriminalized in the Netherlands<\/li>
  2. Recreational use of marijuana is tolerated and available in coffee shops since 1976<\/li>
  3. Growing hemp with less than 0.2% THC is legal in the Netherlands since 1999 \u2014 but only for fiber and seeds <\/li>
  4. Hemp-derived CBD is a subject of the Opium Act \u2014 hemp is on the List II of soft drugs \u2014 but it\u2019s tolerated<\/li>
  5. CBD products with 0.05% THC are legal over the counter<\/li>
  6. As of July 2019, CBD vape oil is banned<\/a> <\/li>
  7. Processing hemp for CBD is prohibited in the Netherlands under the Opium Act<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Best CBD Oil in the Netherlands:<\/h2>\n\n\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t
    Number<\/th>\r\n\r\n\t\t\tProduct<\/th>\r\n\r\n\t\t\tTotal CBD<\/th>\r\n\r\n\t\t\tPotency<\/th>\r\n\r\n\t\t\tCost per mg CBD<\/th>\r\n\r\n\t\t\tLink<\/th>\r\n\t\t<\/tr>\r\n\t<\/thead>\r\n\r\n\t
    \r\n\t\t\t\t\t

    1<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/td>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t

    		\r\n\t\t\t\t\t
    \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
    Nordic Oil Full-Spectrum CBD Oil (Europe)<\/h5>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/td>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t
    		\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

    500 \u2013 2000 mg<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t

    		\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

    50 \u2013 200 mg\/mL<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t

    		\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

    \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u20ac0.08 \u2013 \u20ac0.09<\/strong>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t

    		\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGet a Deal<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\r\n\t\t\t<\/tr>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t
    \r\n\t\t\t\t\t

    2<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/td>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t

    		\r\n\t\t\t\t\t
    \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
    Hempura Full-Spectrum Original Extract<\/h5>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/td>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t
    		\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

    250 \u2013 1000 mg<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t

    		\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

    25 \u2013 100 mg\/mL<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t

    		\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

    \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u00a30.06 \u2013 \u00a30.08<\/strong>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t

    		\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGet a Deal<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\r\n\t\t\t<\/tr>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t
    \r\n\t\t\t\t\t

    3<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/td>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t

    		\r\n\t\t\t\t\t
    \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
    Formula Swiss CBD Oil<\/h5>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/td>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t
    		\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

    300 \u2013 2500 mg<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t

    		\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

    30 \u2013 250 mg\/mL<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t

    		\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

    \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u20ac0.06 \u2013 \u20ac0.08<\/strong>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t

    		\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGet a Deal<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\r\n\t\t\t<\/tr>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t
    \r\n\t\t\t\t\t

    4<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/td>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t

    		\r\n\t\t\t\t\t
    \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
    Amma Life CBD Oil<\/h5>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/td>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t
    		\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

    400 \u2013 2500 mg<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t

    		\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

    40 – 250 mg\/mL<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t

    		\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

    \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u00a30.05 – \u00a30.07<\/strong>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t

    		\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGet a Deal<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\r\n\t\t\t<\/tr>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t
    \r\n\t\t\t\t\t

    5<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/td>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t

    		\r\n\t\t\t\t\t
    \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
    Bluebird Botanicals Hemp CBD Oil<\/h5>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/td>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t
    		\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

    83.3 \u2013 2000 mg<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t

    		\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

    8.33 mg\/mL<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t

    		\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

    \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t$0.07 \u2013 $0.14<\/strong>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t

    		\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGet a Deal<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\r\n\t\t\t<\/tr>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t
    \r\n\t\t\t\t\t

    6<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/td>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t

    		\r\n\t\t\t\t\t
    \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
    Endoca CBD Oils<\/h5>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/td>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t
    		\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

    300 \u2013 1500 mg<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t

    		\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

    30 \u2013 150 mg\/mL<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t

    		\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

    \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u20ac0.08 \u2013 \u20ac0.09<\/strong>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t

    		\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGet a Deal<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\r\n\t\t\t<\/tr>\r\n\t\t\t<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\n\n\n

    A Brief History of Cannabis\nLaws in the Netherlands<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The oldest recorded use of cannabis in the Netherlands<\/a> dates back to the Neolithic period (over 2200 BC). During the medieval ages, Europeans (including the Dutch) used hemp for textiles, shoes, ropes, ship sails, and paper, and they also started discovering and recording the plant\u2019s medicinal properties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The use of hemp in the Netherlands reached its peak\nduring the Dutch Golden Age (17th century) when the country became a world\nleader in science, trade, military conquests, and art. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Dutch were great seafarers, and they had\nprospering colonies in Africa, Asia, and South America. The Dutch naval units\nneeded tons of hemp for their maritime and trade activities, making hemp one of\nthe most important crops of the 17th century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Another important use of hemp was for canvas and cloth\nused by famous painters, including Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Hals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In the 19th century, the Dutch started using cannabis as a <\/strong>medicine<\/strong><\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    At the end of the 19th century, Dutch pharmacists would sell extracts of cannabis. The medicine was then known as Extractum Cannabis Indicae<\/em> and was used for treating asthma, seizures, cramps, sleep disorders, and migraines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Although cannabis had a founding role in the prosperity of the Netherlands, the country banned the plant for diplomatic reasons. Being a member of the League of Nations, the Netherlands had to sign the International Opium Convention<\/a> <\/a>(1919), which controlled the import and export of cannabis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    During the 20th century, the Netherlands changed its\nOpium Act several times, shifting from prohibitive to tolerant cannabis laws. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Today, recreational use of cannabis is decriminalized,\nand hemp cultivation is permitted only under certain conditions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Difference Between Hemp &\nMarijuana<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Hemp and marijuana<\/a> are both cannabis plants, but they vary in one important way \u2014 THC content. Tetrahydrocannabinol<\/a> or THC is one of the many cannabinoids<\/a> found in cannabis \u2014 mainly known for its psychoactive properties. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It\u2019s essential to make a distinction between hemp and\nmarijuana \u2014 their treatment as the same plant has caused many troubles\nthroughout history. Some countries in the world still consider hemp in the same\nclassification as marijuana.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. Marijuana<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    Marijuana is a term used to describe Cannabis sativa<\/em> plants with high THC\nconcentrations. Most European countries treat any cannabis plant as marijuana\nif its THC content exceeds 0.2% (this limit can vary from one country or region\nto another). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Marijuana is mostly used for recreational purposes due\nto its high THC content (30%). Some countries have medical cannabis programs\nthat allow marijuana for medicinal purposes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    2. Hemp<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    Hemp\nis a term used to describe Cannabis\nsativa<\/em> plants with low concentrations of THC. They\u2019re primarily grown for\ntheir fiber and seeds for various textiles, materials, cordage, and food. More\nrecently hemp plants have become popular as a nutritional supplement for their\nlow THC content, and relatively high CBD concentration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Hemp\nis non-psychoactive because it contains only small traces of THC. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Is CBD Legal in the Netherlands?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The\nOpium Act restricts hemp, its extracts, and cannabinoids (THC and its isomers),\nbut it doesn\u2019t explicitly mention CBD.\nIn the Netherlands, CBD products are tolerated and available over the counter\nif their THC concentration doesn’t exceed 0.05%. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What is The Opium Act?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    In 1919, the Netherlands introduced its first Opium\nLaw (List I of the Opium Law), regulating highly addictive drugs. The law was\namended in 1928 with the addition of new drugs to List I, and a new List II. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The List I\ndrugs of the Opium law include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. Hemp oil (concentrate of plants from the Cannabis species (hemp) obtained by extraction of hemp or hashish, whether or not mixed with oil)<\/li>
    2. THC <\/li>
    3. The isomers of THC (CBD is a THC isomer)<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      List II drugs\nof the Opium law include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      1. Hashish<\/li>
      2. Hemp (all parts of the plant from the Cannabis species (hemp), of which the resin has not been extracted, except the seeds)<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        How\nare Hemp and CBD Regulated in the Netherlands? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        The cultivation of industrial hemp with less than 0.2% became legal in the Netherlands in 1999 after the European Union (EU) encouraged member states to grow hemp by giving them subsidies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Farmers are allowed to grow and process EU-certified<\/a> hemp varieties for fiber and seeds but aren\u2019t permitted to process it for CBD due to the ban on hemp extractions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        CBD made from\ndomestically grown hemp is legal only if the hemp is processed abroad and then\nsold as a final product back in the Netherlands. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Despite the prohibitionist Opium Law on hemp and\nhemp-derived oils, CBD is tolerated in the Netherlands and treated as a legal\nproduct. If you want to buy CBD, there are three rules by which you should\nabide:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        1. Your CBD must not contain more than 0.05% THC<\/strong><\/li>
        2. The CBD product you\u2019re buying shouldn\u2019t contain any health claims<\/strong><\/li>
        3. You shouldn\u2019t consume more than <\/strong>160 mg CBD<\/strong><\/a> per day<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

          The\nNovel Food Regulation & CBD Laws<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

          Under the EU Novel Food Regulation<\/a>, any food that was not consumed in significant amounts prior to May 1997 is considered a novel food<\/em>. CBD is classified as a novel food and requires EU authorization to be placed on the market. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

          The regulation is non-binding but applicable since\nJanuary 2018, meaning that member-states of the EU aren\u2019t obliged to enforce it\nbut can implement it in their national law. Several European countries decided\nto apply the regulation and ordered retailers to stop selling CBD foods. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

          The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety (NVWA) hasn\u2019t made any such changes yet. Still, the Ministry of Health said that they\u2019re working together with the food authority on further decisions<\/a> around CBD regulations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Currently, you\ncan legally buy CBD foods and food supplements with 0.05% THC.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

          Coffee\nShops Selling Cannabis <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

          During the 70s, the booming cannabis culture in the\nNetherlands among young people caused another change in the law. The government\namended the Opium Act in 1976 to regulate the sale of hard and soft drugs\n(cannabis). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

          The law which gave cannabis enthusiasts the green\nlight progressed in 1980 when the Dutch government said that it wouldn’t\nprosecute cannabis and hashish offenses (unless a person is carrying or selling\nhard drugs, or possesses more cannabis than permitted). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

          The amended law led to the opening of famous coffee shops where you can buy cannabis. The popularity of the shops exploded during the 90s, and the government brought new regulations on how the shops can operate:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n