Is CBD Legal in Spain?
Introducción
If you are thinking about trying cannabidiol products, it is normal to wonder whether CBD is legal in Spain and under what conditions you can buy or use it. Although cannabidiol (CBD) has gained popularity for its potential benefits, the legality of CBD in Spain still causes confusion, especially because the laws are not always easy to interpret. Can you buy the products even if they contain THC? Can you get CBD oils or edibles? Below you will find the answers that will help you make informed decisions with peace of mind.
España y la normativa europea: ¿Cómo afecta la regulación de la Unión Europea?
As a member of the European Union, Spain follows EU guidelines on products derived from hemp and cannabidiol (CBD). European regulations establish that CBD products are legal to market provided their tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content does not exceed 0.3%. This regulation, in force since 1 January 2023 following the adoption of the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), has harmonised THC limits across the EU (EIHA, 2021).
However, although Spain complies with these European provisions, it also maintains specific regulations governing the production, marketing and consumption of CBD products within its territory. It is therefore important to be aware of both the EU guidelines and the particularities of Spanish legislation to avoid confusion or non-compliance.
¿Es legal usar CBD en España?
The use of cannabidiol (CBD) in Spain is legal under certain conditions. Current regulations allow CBD products to be marketed exclusively for topical, aromatic or collector use. This includes oils, creams, CBD flowers and CBD hash, provided they are intended for external use or collecting and contain less than 0.2% THC. Their sale as products for human consumption is not permitted.
It is important to note that the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS) is the authority responsible for ensuring that these products meet quality and safety standards. Although some users look for alternatives to ingest CBD in the form of sublingual oils or capsules, these products are not authorised for sale or use in Spain.
CBD use can be classified into three main categories: medicinal, recreational and cosmetic. Medicinal use is restricted to products approved by the AEMPS and can only be prescribed in very specific cases, under the strict supervision and guidance of medical professionals.
On the other hand, recreational use of cannabis, involving products with a high THC content, remains illegal in Spain. However, as CBD is not psychoactive, it can be used freely under the conditions mentioned above. These products include oils, creams and ointments made with cannabidiol, intended to relieve muscle discomfort, moisturise the skin or soothe irritation.
The AEMPS only authorises the sale of CBD products for topical use, that is, those applied directly to the skin. These products are widely used in wellness and cosmetics for their potential soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, among others.
CBD oils and creams are marketed as natural alternatives with which some users have found relief in various areas, and whose effects have long been the subject of study. Relatively recent European regulations allowing the cultivation and sale of CBD hemp varieties have led to these topical uses being studied even further, bringing science ever closer to unravelling the potential of CBD.
No existen disposiciones específicas que prohíban el uso de productos tópicos de CBD en espacios públicos. Dado que estos productos no contienen propiedades psicoactivas, su aplicación tópica no está regulada de la misma manera que el consumo de cannabis o THC. Sin embargo, es recomendable utilizar estos productos de manera discreta para evitar malentendidos, dado que la percepción pública sobre el CBD aún puede generar confusión. Recuerda, en todo caso, qué otras formas de consumo como fumar o consumir están prohibidos tanto en espacios públicos como privados.
Although topical CBD products can be bought in specialist shops and online, the sale of products for ingestion, such as sublingual oils, gummies or CBD infusions, is still prohibited in Spain.
Some online shops offer these products from other European Union countries, but their sale on Spanish territory remains a grey area that could lead to penalties if current regulations are not complied with.
Aunque la legislación europea permite esta comercialización entre países miembros, la importación de productos comestibles de CBD sigue siendo un área gris en la normativa española.
It is therefore advisable to make sure that importers guarantee that the products meet the required standards and that the THC concentration is within the permitted limits. If you are thinking of trying CBD products, the most sensible option would be to look for a Spanish producer and distributor who knows and applies the country’s regulations.
¿Es legal comprar CBD en España?
CBD para uso cosmético: ¿Qué productos son legales?
Buying CBD products for cosmetic use is permitted in Spain. You can purchase oils, creams and other derivatives that comply with current regulations and contain less than 0.2% THC. These products must be properly labelled, including information on their origin, CBD concentration and conditions of use.
Can CBD flowers and hash be sold and/or bought?
Yes, but with some nuances. In Spain, the sale of CBD flowers and hash is permitted provided they are offered as collector items or for aromatic use, and not as products for human consumption. This means they cannot be promoted or sold for smoking, vaping or ingestion. They must also contain less than 0.2% THC and be correctly labelled, including warnings about their use and composition. Although their appearance may raise doubts, marketing these products is legal if all these conditions are met.
Diferencias clave entre CBD y thc
Normatividad sobre el cultivo de cáñamo industrial
The cultivation of industrial hemp, from which CBD is extracted, is legal in Spain, but it is subject to strict regulations. It can only be grown using hemp varieties certified by the European Union with a THC content below 0.2% (until 2023) and 0.3% under the new current regulations (EIHA, 2021). This cultivation is mainly aimed at obtaining fibres, seeds and other non-psychoactive derivatives.
¿Qué requisitos legales debe cumplir el cultivo de CBD?
Growing cannabis for commercial CBD extraction requires authorisation from the AEMPS. Growers must comply with strict regulations to ensure that THC levels remain below the permitted limit. In addition, plantations must be registered and supervised by the relevant authorities to prevent diversion into illicit activities.
Interacción Posición de las autoridades frente al autocuidado
Home growing of CBD for personal consumption is also a grey area in Spanish legislation. Although growing cannabis at home for personal use has been decriminalised, it is important to stress that this is not the same as it being legalised or regulated. Anyone who decides to grow hemp to extract CBD is advised to do so within the limits and with the legal authorisations.
Conclusion: what is the legal status of CBD in Spain?
Now that you know the regulations on CBD in Spain, you may still be wondering how to make sure the products you buy comply with current regulations. The best way to do this is to choose distributors with proper certifications, laboratory analyses and a recognised track record in the Spanish market. Buying products from reliable sources not only guarantees that they are within the legal THC limits, but also gives you the peace of mind of knowing that you are buying safe, quality products.
An excellent option is Gorilla Grillz: we are a brand with more than 300 points of sale across Spain, offering CBD products that strictly comply with Spanish legislation.
Our experience in selling CBD in Spain and our commitment to transparency in the composition of our products allow us to guarantee that all of them are properly regulated and meet the required standards.
If you are looking for peace of mind and confidence when buying CBD, choosing established, trustworthy distributors is key, and Gorilla Grillz is without doubt the best decision.
David Vázquez
Head Ecommerce Sector CBD desde hace más de 10 años
Referencias
- EIHA – European Industrial Hemp Association (Diciembre 2 de 2021). The new Common Agricultural Policy has been adopted and the maximum THC level on the field has been restored to 0.3%. https://eiha.org
- S&F Abogados. 2021. What is the difference between CBD and THC?. https:// soferabogados.com/diferencias-entre-thc-y-cbd/
- Terrazas, I (s.f.) Is the sale of CBD legal in Spain?. Mariscal Abogados. Recuperado el 30 de marzo de 2025 de https://www.mariscal-abogados.com/is-the-sale-of-cbd-legal-in-spain
SOUTHERN PHARMA SPAIN S.L. assumes no liability for the use by third parties of the content of the website and may exercise all civil or criminal actions that apply in case of infringement of these rights by the user. It is absolutely forbidden to use the website or any of its elements for illicit purposes. The benefits and properties of CBD that could be read on the website www.gorillagrillz.com, in no case are attributed to the products sold on the website. CBD products are not medicines and should not replace treatments with these. What you can read on our website are not official medical statements but references to preclinical studies. If you have any doubts, you can consult with a health professional. We remind you that in Spain CBD products are for topical use. All products have THC<0.2% analytics in accordance with Royal Decree 1729/1999.
