Is CBD legal in Lithuania?

With the growing popularity of cannabis products worldwide, "is CBD legal in Lithuania" is one of the most frequently asked questions. Today, hemp products can be seen almost everywhere: many physical and online stores offer their products. It seems, just take and choose.

And yet, CBD, or cannabidiol, has been illegal in Lithuania for a long time. Is CBD legal in Lithuania as it is now? We answer!

Note: This and other articles on Hemp's blog are for informational purposes only. According to the directive of the European Commission, cannabidiol is classified as a 'new food', therefore CBD products should not be used as a food supplement in Lithuania.

The article discusses the history of CBD in Lithuania and Europe, how CBD differs from THC, and the benefits of CBD for the human body.

Legality of CBD in Lithuania

Over the past few years, the popularity of CBD has taken Europe and the world by surprise. The increasing availability of hemp products has shown great prospects for global economic growth. However, the somewhat more complicated and late availability of CBD in European markets, including Lithuania, was mainly determined by the number of countries that make up the Old Continent. In 44 countries (of which only 28 are members of the European Union), it is basically impossible to have a standard set of laws and regulations.

In the absence of common legislation, EU member states can create an individual legal framework, taking into account the principle of free movement of goods.

After extremely long discussions, Lithuania took the step to legalize CBD at the end of 2021. What has changed?

Exactly in 2021. The government made a decision to allow the production of products from various parts of fibrous hemp (not only from seeds, as was the case before, but also from leaves, fibers, flowers). This move paved the way for CBD oil and other valuable CBD products in Lithuania.

The short answer to the question "Is CBD legal in Lithuania?" is YES.

With the growing popularity of CBD, online shopping has made it easier for retailers to enter a market that would otherwise have been difficult to successfully storm. Today, cannabidiol products are widely available to healthy people suffering from various problems throughout Lithuania.

Legality of CBD products in the European Union

2021 In February, the European Union made an important legislative change regarding cannabidiol (CBD). It has been officially recognized as an INCI ingredient specifically for use in skin care products. This was a pivotal moment that essentially legalized the use of non-synthetic CBD in consumer cosmetics across the European market.

2022, further regulation of CBD has faced some difficulties. Although CBD has been recognized as a potential "new food", the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has suspended 19 applications to add cannabidiol to the food list. However, this was not a negative indicator of CBD's safety; on the contrary, it showed EFSA's willingness to evaluate everything very carefully, which is very welcome. It has put the process on hold to gather more detailed data on potentially negative long-term effects, meaning it is working diligently to complete the approval process in a way that benefits all stakeholders, including consumers.

2023, a new set of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) rules came into force, further clarifying the EU's approach to hemp and CBD. The CAP is the basis of EU agricultural standards and has been updated to reflect the growing importance of hemp in the European Union. One of the most important updates is the change in the permitted THC content of imported fiber hemp, which has now been increased from 0.2% to 0.3%.

This revision returns the THC limit for hemp imports to the pre-1999 level. previous level, signaling a softer attitude towards cannabis and its imports.

In addition, the new CAP sets out the conditions for granting agricultural grants for the cultivation of hemp. EU farmers can now claim these payments if the THC content of the hemp they grow does not exceed 0.3%. This provision aims to balance the economic incentives for growing cannabis and protect against potential abuse for drug production. Importantly, some member states, such as Italy and the Czech Republic, may allow higher levels of THC, while others may apply stricter limits, thus highlighting the flexibility of EU policy.

Together, these updates show that CBD and hemp regulation in the European Union is becoming more focused on harnessing the benefits of this plant.

Growing fiber hemp in Lithuania

The Seimas of Lithuania approved the amendments to the Law on Fiber Hemp, which paves the way for wider cultivation of hemp in the country. From 2023 January 1 hemp with a THC content of no more than 0.3% has been allowed to grow, and hemp can be grown as a catch crop. Until then, only hemp varieties with up to 0.2% THC were allowed to be grown.This amendment also gave the right to research and study centers to grow hemp fiber in controlled environments, not only for breeding purposes, but also for various scientific experiments. The amendment to the law provides for fines for violating the requirements for the production and supply to the market of cannabis products exceeding the 0.2% THC limit. According to the State Plant Breeding Service under the Ministry of Agriculture, there are 82 hemp varieties registered in the EU, while only two hemp varieties were included in the Lithuanian national list of plant varieties until then: "Austa SK" (included in 2018) and Alive SK (included in 2021) These varieties do not accumulate more than 0.2% THC in Lithuanian climate conditions. 78 MPs voted for the changes, 16 against, and 13 abstained.

Where to buy legal CBD products in Lithuania

Wondering where you can buy legal and safe CBD products in Lithuania? Online stores are usually the best choice, because there you can find user reviews and laboratory test results that help you understand the quality and benefits of each product. If you prefer shopping in person, physical stores are a great option; they usually carry a variety of CBD brands under one roof. Drug stores are another reliable source, but the prices of the products in such places are usually higher than in other places and the brands are unknown. CBD products can also often be found in specialty health food and wellness stores such as LIVIN. Each location has unique advantages, so choose according to your needs.

State supervision of CBD products in Lithuania

In Lithuania, the regulation and supervision of CBD products is carried out by several state institutions, including the State Food and Veterinary Service (VMVT), the State Consumer Rights Service (VVTAT) and the National Public Health Center (NVSC). These organizations regularly conduct tests on CBD products to verify their composition, claims, and proper notification, among other factors. Therefore, it is recommended to choose CBD products sold by Lithuanian companies, since these companies are subject to strict rules and high security requirements, in contrast to foreign companies, which can easily bypass the supervision procedures for CBD products carried out by Lithuanian authorities.

The future of CBD in Lithuania

We believe that the trajectory of CBD in Lithuania is on the verge of major changes, which are greatly influenced by the trends of the countries of the European Union, which tend towards the complete legalization of cannabidiol. In countries such as the USA and Germany, where CBD is fully legalized, there is a lot of evidence for the benefits of CBD for human health, as well as the safety of this substance. These data contribute to changes in perception and regulation across the EU. We are convinced that in the near future CBD will be widely used as a health product in Lithuania, but will also be used in treatment, food supplements and other sectors. The impetus is obvious, and the future possibilities of CBD in Lithuania are wide.

How is CBD different from THC?

Regarding whether CBD is legal in Lithuania, it is very important to note that, according to European Union law, the cultivation, cultivation and sale of fiber hemp is allowed in many countries if the amount of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is extremely low (e.g., 0.2 percent) From 2021 this procedure also applies in Lithuania.

These strict THC concentration requirements are because tetrahydrocannabinol, one of the many cannabinoids found in the hemp plant, is the only psychoactive component of cannabis. THC can cause strong hallucinogenic effects and is therefore undesirable for many people.

CBD or cannabidiol is also extracted from the hemp plant, but using cannabidiol oil, capsules and other products does not produce the intoxicating effect. In contrast, the use of CBD has completely different, but no less surprising, properties.

The benefits of CBD for the human body

To fully understand the benefits of CBD to the body, it is important to consider our body's endocannabinoid system - a complex system of enzymes, neurotransmitters, and receptors that play an important role in the development of our central nervous system. This system helps regulate a variety of functions, including pain, motor control, memory, appetite, inflammation, and more.

Actively conducting scientific research analyzing the effects of CBD in these specific areas is increasingly revealing the benefits of cannabidiol for health, well-being and aesthetics. Below are 4 benefits of using CBD.

1. Helps with neurological disorders

Practice has shown that CBD can be useful for patients who are resistant to anti-epileptic drugs. In epilepsy, there is a certain neurological threshold in the brain, which when triggered by certain environmental stimuli, causes the patient to have a seizure. CBD can help delay this neurological threshold and prevent most seizures even when conventional epilepsy control drugs are not effective.

Other studies show that CBD is effective in alleviating and successfully controlling the symptoms of multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. This is due to the unique neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory properties of cannabidiol. However, more research is needed: for now, many experts assume that many of these symptoms can be alleviated by non-pure CBD (e.g., CBD tincture), but a combination of CBD and other cannabinoids (e.g., full-spectrum CBD oil).

2. CBD helps relieve pain

Once in the body, cannabidiol interacts positively with neurotransmitters in the central nervous system (eg, serotonin). In this way, CBD can effectively reduce chronic pain related to a variety of factors, such as inflammation, arthritis, or nerve damage.

USA, California in 2021 persons who participated in the study (69 percent participants) indicated that regular use of CBD oil and other cannabidiol products significantly reduced pain, and most participants were able to significantly reduce the doses of pain-relieving medications thanks to cannabidiol.

3. Cannabidiol helps overcome anxiety disorders

For people diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, the thought of connecting with others in a social environment can be so unbearable that they choose isolation, avoiding contact. Often, medications and drugs for anxiety disorders help to relieve anxiety, but have negative side effects: digestive disorders, drowsiness, nausea and other unpleasant health problems.

In this case, CBD oil is a good alternative: CBD oil has been shown to help relax and reduce anxiety, which helps people who feels tension in social situations: communicating with a larger group of people, giving a public speech, etc.i.e

4. CBD can improve the condition of the skin and hair

Cannabidiol products soothe skin inflammations, relieve acne symptoms, moisturize, nourish the skin, and are therefore very useful in patients with atopic dermatitis (psoriasis), who complain of tired, dry skin on the face and body.

Not only that, CBD oil can reduce hair loss, strengthen hair follicles and promote hair growth. Another advantage is that cannabidiol can normalize the amount of sebum produced by the scalp. It reduces problems like dandruff and dry scalp.

Cannabidiol can be an effective product in combating emotional problems, achieving better physical well-being, and nurturing the condition of skin and hair. In order to achieve the best result, the most important thing is to pay attention to the composition of the product, the reputation of the seller and always choose only certified, tested, legal CBD products in Lithuania. Also, if you have a chronic medical condition, it's a good idea to check with your doctor before trying CBD for the first time. He will provide guidance on choosing safe cannabidiol levels, usage, and potential contraindications.