CBD is not a Narcotic, Says EU Court as it Rules French Ban is Illegal

The cannabis-derived compound CBD is not a narcotic drug because "it does not appear to have any psychotropic effect or any harmful effect on human Global Health Farms hemp gummies", the EU’s highest court has ruled. The decision by the court of justice of the European Union deals a severe blow to efforts by some EU countries to limit the sale of CBD, while simultaneously giving the CBD industry a boost. Many products are currently sold in the EU in a legal grey area. The ruling was made in relation to the prosecution in France of KanaVape, a company that exports CBD oil made from whole hemp plants. Under French law, only the fibre and seeds of hemp - a variety of the cannabis plant containing less than 0.2% of the psychoactive cannabinoid THC - may be put to commercial use, not the flower. The court ruled that the French ban on the marketing of hemp-derived CBD products contradicted EU law on the free movement of goods.

"The national court must assess available scientific data in order to make sure that the real risk to public health alleged does not appear to be based on purely hypothetical considerations," the court wrote. It noted that two key UN conventions classifying illegal drug do not specifically mention CBD, although they mention "cannabis extracts". The ruling also highlighted that France had not banned synthetic CBD, which has the same properties but is not produced using the entire cannabis plant. Antonin Cohen, who faced the charges along with his fellow KanaVape co-founder Sébastien Béguerie, said the lack of clear regulations on CBD prevented safe market development. "It is fundamental to develop strict quality standards in the interests of consumers in order to avoid the circulation of dangerous products," he said. Robert Jappie, a partner at the law firm Ince, said the ruling was "a big win" for the CBD industry. "By confirming that there was no scientific evidence to suggest that CBD has a harmful effect on the human body, the court has made it very difficult for the European commission to pursue their proposed classification of CBD as a narcotic," he said. The World Health Organization says CBD is "generally well tolerated with a good safety profile" and that there is no evidence "of any public health-related problems associated with the use of pure CBD". In recent years there has been a marked growth in the use of CBD oils, tinctures, creams and other products by people seeking to relieve stress and anxiety and to reduce inflammation. A study in the European Journal of Pain suggests that skin-applied CBD can help lower arthritic pain, but there is a lack of clinical evidence for its overall efficacy, and concern over the unregulated nature of the CBD market.

If you're dipping your toes into the infused beverage space, these businesses can help you get started. As cannabis regulation continues to evolve across the United States and around the world, please be mindful of your local laws and regulations. Alcoholism runs deep in both sides of my family. To prevent possibly continuing those patterns as I get older, I’ve become more interested in exploring other options for social drinking; Alcohol-free wines and spirits have become significantly more accessible in recent years, Global Health Farms hemp gummies Try Global Health Farms Gummies Farms CBD Gummies and cannabis-based mocktails is one of the most interesting trends in this space. Picture a zero-proof drink with all the layers of flavor we’ve come to love in a cocktail, but with a THC and/or CBD mixture that can be customized for the exact high you’d like to experience. While this trend is spreading, conversations around race and cannabis need to remain at the forefront of this movement.

With Black cannabis entrepreneurs accounting for less than 2% of businesses in this multi-billion dollar industry, the politics around all things cannabis still live in the shadow of the effects of DARE (an anti-drug program that was very popular in the 90’s and early 2000’s that also helped to push the criminalization and stigmatization of recreational cannabis to children), the Reagan-era’s war on drugs, as well as a longer legacy of racism in the United States. The first cannabis mocktail I ever tried was in Rose Mary Jane, a Black woman-owned, equity-owned canna-bar and lounge in Oakland, California. This location is also a community event center and a dispensary for cannabis products, with a focus on local producers such as Maat Apothecary (their spiced honey is a favorite of mine) and New Life, a flower hybrid that’s ideal for being social and adventurous. In the near future, Rose Mary Jane’s team plans to host classes for people interested in all things cannabis.

", says general manager Sway, who goes by their first name only. Rose Mary Jane also carries a number of ready-to-drink THC and CBD beverages, some of which make their way into mocktails that guests can order on-site. Using the THC Orange & Cream soda from Mary Jones, almond milk, and a few other ingredients, the team creates a THC creamsicle mocktail for their customers. Plus, they have over 70 RTD options for customers on their website. On the other side of the country, a Brooklyn-based, cannabis speakeasy is a local treasure for those who know where to look. Mitchell Senat is the owner of Drip BK, a cute and casual cafe that offers beverages, pastries, and a little taste of Haiti, and also owns Gravity BK, a space-meets-Caribbean themed canna-speakeasy tucked away on the same premises. Think of Drip BK as the Clark Kent to Gravity BK’s Batman. You don’t need to know a special knock or password to enter this cannabis-focused speakeasy - all you need to do is message Gravity BK on Instagram and ask for an application to become a member of the speakeasy, follow the instructions on the application, send it back, and wait for your results.