A Guide to CBD Oil in Portugal

When CBD entered the healthcare industry, it became instantly popular. Now thousands of people across the world use it in different ways to improve their health. But the laws around it are not clear in every country and Portugal is one of them. So if you're Portuguese and interested in CBD, keep reading. In this guide to CBD in Portugal, we will take a look at the history of CBD in this country, its current legal status, and where you can buy it from to reap its benefits.

What Is CBD?

Before we jump into our guide to CBD in Portugal, we need to tell you what CBD even is. CBD or cannabidiol is one of more than 100 naturally occurring phytocannabinoids in the cannabis plant.

Many confuse it with the intoxicating phytocannabinoid THC and think it creates a euphoric state in the user. But CBD is non-psychoactive and the products on the market are derived from a variety of hemp with low levels of THC that aren’t enough to get you high.

In fact, CBD is under study for its potential health benefits and it’s showing promise in pain management and sleep improvement among other things. The way CBD does these things is by interacting with our endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system creates homeostasis in the body by affecting our mood, pain, sleep, and many other things. When CBD enters the body, it is helped connect to the CB1 receptor with small amounts of THC, 0.2% & Terpenes like Beta-caryophyllene within the CB2 receptors in ECS. That way it regulates our bodily functions and brings back balance.

A Brief History of CBD in Portugal 

Cannabis first entered Portugal in the 2nd century BC and was cultivated further in the 8th century. Later in the 15th century, Portuguese colonizers came across it in Africa and India where they learned of its further applications. They started using it to make tea, cords, nets, sails, and clothes among other things. In the 16th century, they even brought the plant back to their new colonies in South America. Slowly, the economy of Portugal became dependent on the crop. Even after a damaging war with Spain, King John IV commanded the formation of the Royal Linen and Hemp Factory to raise hemp production and restore the wrecked ships. People continued to use cannabis in food and medicine until 1971. After that, Portugal signed the UN’s Convention on Psychotropic Substances and cannabis became illegal. 

A few years ago, the Portuguese parliament received two proposals. One was from the Peoples Animal Nature party (PAN) and the other from the Left Committee. PAN's proposal suggested that people should be able to possess up to 75 grams of cannabis and each household should be able to grow six plants. The second proposal gave a roadmap for the cultivation and distribution of the plant that would have presented a challenge for the black market and provided cannabis at a more affordable price to those who needed it. The parliament rejected both proposals.

Is CBD Legal in Portugal?

The short answer is yes. CBD is legal in Portugal for medicinal uses with a prescription and you shouldn’t get into any legal trouble for possessing CBD products with less than 0.2% THC in them.

But in truth, the legal status of cannabidiol in Portugal is a bit more complicated. Back in 2001, Portugal passed a law that decriminalized the possession and use of all drugs, including cannabis. Today, if authorities catch you with a small quantity of drug (enough for less than 10 days of personal use), the Commission for Dissuasion of Drug Addiction will need to examine you. This committee of legal and medical experts and social workers determines if you need treatment and whether there will be administrative penalties.

CBD itself was completely legal until 2018. Then, following the EU’s novel food law, Portugal banned CBD as a food product. Also in 2018, medical cannabis became legal and people could purchase it from pharmacies with a licensed doctor’s prescription.

Some of the conditions that make a patient eligible for a prescription include having nausea from chemotherapy, chronic pain, post-traumatic stress disorder, epilepsy, and more.

So while many believe that CBD products fall in the category of medical cannabis and you need a prescription to buy them, possessing products with less than 0.2% THC shouldn’t be problematic. But if you want to be extra cautious and stay on the safe side after reading this guide to CBD in Portugal, you can buy your product with a prescription or opt for CBD products that don’t contain THC, like broad spectrum CBD oils.

Is Hemp Cultivation Legal in Portugal?

Cultivating a cannabis plant for personal use, be it hemp or marijuana, is not legal in Portugal.

The distinction between hemp and marijuana is crucial when it comes to the industrial cultivation of the plant. Marijuana has a higher THC content and only plants with less than 0.2% THC can be legally cultivated. And hemp fits this profile.

Companies that want to grow hemp in Portugal must first apply for a permit from the ministry of agriculture. They should also be ready for unannounced inspections throughout the year.

What Is the Legal Status of CBD in Europe?

To help you understand our guide to CBD in Portugal completely, we also need to take a look at the laws surrounding CBD in Europe. The European Commission (EC) classifies CBD as a novel food (food that hadn’t been consumed in the EU before May 15th, 1997). CBD is legal in Europe as long as it meets the following criteria:

• It's extracted from certain strains of hemp that have 0.2% THC or less
• The THC content is not extractable from the final product
• The product is not marketed as medicine

Where Can I Buy CBD in Portugal?

If you’re in Portugal, you can buy CBD products in person or online. Buying from reputable e-commerce stores like Full Circle Hemp is the more popular way in Portugal and across Europe. But even then you’ll need a physician’s prescription and authorisation to purchase CBD products with THC and import them into the country as medical cannabis.

If you want to avoid this hassle, you can choose a CBD product that’s free of THC. Online CBD shops offer a wide variety of CBD formulations you can choose from. You can get CBD in the shape of oils, pastes, capsules, gummies, vapes, balms, and even coffee and tea.

Although when it comes to purchasing CBD online, there are some factors you need to keep in mind to make sure you’re getting a safe and high-quality product.

Tips on Choosing the Right CBD Store in Portugal 

The most important part of our guide to CBD in Portugal is knowing which supplier to buy from. The list of online European CBD shops is endless, but not all of them provide high-quality products. Buying from some of these suppliers can even be dangerous. So to choose the right company to buy from, look for these factors.

• Third-party Lab reports: Make sure the company’s products are third-party lab-tested so they don’t contain any impurities or harmful substances.
• Hemp cultivation: Find a company that grows its hemp according to organic farming practices and extracts its products from them. This way you'll get a clean and pesticide-free product.
• Standards: Look for brands that manufacture their products in ISO-certified facilities following the Good Manufacturing Standards (GMP) guidelines.
• Claims: Steer clear of companies that claim they can fix all your health problems overnight with their products. Any claim made should be scientifically-backed and proven.
• Customer reviews: Reading verified customer reviews is the best way to know if a brand delivers on its promise. So check out what people are saying about the brand on social media and third-party websites.

What Is the Future of CBD in Portugal?

While buying CBD in Portugal is currently challenging, the future of this substance seems promising. With the growing market and the increasing demand, two companies in Portugal have teamed up with Canadian companies to provide the supply. The Portuguese company, Holigen, plans to cultivate over 500,000 kilograms of medicinal cannabis per year. The Gaia Pharma has also teamed up with the Canadian firm, Aurora Cannabis Inc. to produce CBD products. With this increase in investment and people’s interest in CBD, the future laws of the country may lower the constrictions. So this useful substance may become available to the public in the near future without the need for a prescription.

Get the Best CBD in Portugal Now

Our guide to CBD in Portugal would not be complete if we didn’t introduce you to a trusted brand to buy from. So meet Full Circle Hemp, the leading CBD supplier in Ireland that ships its products all across Europe including Portugal. We at Full Circle Hemp have been providing a range of high-quality CBD products since 2016. We grow our hemp according to the Organic Guidelines of Europe and America. All of our products are third-party lab-tested and conform to the EU’s regulations. With us, you can get the best CBD oil in Portugal, try out CBD gummies, and even add CBD to your skincare routine. So order your CBD today!

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