Le CBD est-il légal en Allemagne ?
Short answer: yes, CBD is legal in Germany, provided products come from industrial hemp and comply with the authorised THC limits. The German CBD market is one of the most developed in Europe: oils, cosmetics, flowers, resins and e-liquids are widely available, both in shops and online. Since the Cannabis Act (Cannabisgesetz, CanG) came into force on 1 April 2024, cannabis no longer falls under Germany's narcotics law, which has eased the overall legal climate. Some categories, such as CBD foodstuffs, nevertheless remain governed by the European “Novel Food” regulation. Here is the full picture, section by section.
The legal framework for CBD in Germany
CBD (cannabidiol) is a non-psychotropic cannabinoid extracted from hemp (Cannabis sativa L.). In Germany, CBD products made from low-THC industrial hemp are authorised for sale and widely marketed. Hemp cultivation follows European rules, which cap the THC content of authorised varieties at 0.3%. For finished consumer products, German authorities require the residual THC content to remain negligible: many market players apply even stricter thresholds in practice (often 0.2%) to rule out any risk of classification as a narcotic. THC — the psychotropic molecule in cannabis — remains strictly regulated. To understand the difference between the two molecules, see our guide CBD or THC: what are the differences.
What changed with the 2024 Cannabis Act (CanG)
On 1 April 2024, Germany brought its Cannabis Act (Cannabisgesetz, CanG) into force. The law removed cannabis from the list of narcotics under the federal Narcotics Act (Betäubungsmittelgesetz) and allows adults to possess limited quantities and to grow cannabis under a regulated framework, notably through non-profit associations. The consumer part is codified in the Konsumcannabisgesetz (KCanG), available on the official site gesetze-im-internet.de. For CBD, the reform did not create a specific regime: cannabidiol, being non-psychotropic, was already not treated as a narcotic when derived from compliant hemp. It did, however, clarify the overall legal landscape. Worth noting: the federal government scheduled an evaluation of the law from autumn 2025 — so the German framework may still evolve.
CBD and “Novel Food”: the case of edible products
At European level, foodstuffs containing extracted cannabidiol fall under Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 on novel foods (“Novel Food”), available on eur-lex.europa.eu. In practice, a food or food supplement containing CBD may only be placed on the market after authorisation by the European Commission, based on a safety assessment. Several applications are under review, but no general authorisation has yet been granted for CBD as a food ingredient. Germany applies this reading strictly: its food safety authorities consider that edible CBD products require this prior authorisation. This explains why the German market focuses on other categories — raw flowers and resins, cosmetics, wellness oils — rather than CBD-infused sweets or drinks.
What about CBD flowers?
The status of CBD flowers has long been the most debated point of the German market. Historically, the sale of raw hemp flowers to private individuals was subject to diverging interpretations by authorities and courts. Since cannabis was removed from the narcotics law in April 2024, the climate has eased considerably, but practical enforcement can still vary from one Land to another and case law continues to develop. The right reflex remains the same: choose compliant products (THC < 0.3%) tested by an independent laboratory, backed by their certificates of analysis, and check the local rules in force at the time of purchase.
The European framework: the “Kanavape” ruling and free movement
The legal cornerstone of the European CBD market is the “Kanavape” ruling (case C-663/18), handed down by the Court of Justice of the European Union on 19 November 2020 and available on curia.europa.eu. The Court held that CBD extracted from the whole hemp plant is not a narcotic within the meaning of the international conventions, and that a Member State may not prohibit the marketing of CBD lawfully produced in another Member State unless it demonstrates a genuine risk to public health. This principle of free movement of goods directly benefits German consumers: they can order compliant CBD products from shops established elsewhere in the European Union. In France, by comparison, the decree of 30 December 2021 sets the THC threshold at 0.3% (text available on legifrance.gouv.fr).
Buying CBD with peace of mind
All Golden CBD products are laboratory tested, contain less than 0.3% THC and are shipped discreetly across Europe, Germany included. Before any purchase, a few simple reflexes: check the stated THC content, review the certificates of analysis, choose a seller that is transparent about the origin of its hemp, and avoid any product making therapeutic promises — CBD belongs to the world of well-being and relaxation, not medicine. Discover our flowers, our resins & hash and our best sellers.
FAQ — CBD and legality in Germany
Is CBD legal in Germany?
Yes. CBD products made from low-THC industrial hemp are authorised within the European framework, and the German market is one of the most developed on the continent. CBD foodstuffs remain subject to the European “Novel Food” authorisation.
What is the authorised THC limit?
Hemp cultivation follows the European cap of 0.3% THC. For finished products, the residual content must remain negligible; many players apply a 0.2% threshold as a precaution.
Does CBD get you high?
No. Unlike THC, CBD is not psychotropic. It does not produce a “high”.
Did the 2024 Cannabis Act change anything for CBD?
Indirectly. The CanG of 1 April 2024 removed cannabis from the narcotics law for adults, which clarified the overall legal climate. CBD, non-psychotropic and derived from compliant hemp, was already outside the scope of narcotics law.
Can you get CBD delivered in Germany?
Yes. Thanks to the principle of free movement confirmed by the CJEU “Kanavape” ruling (C-663/18), Golden CBD ships its compliant products (THC < 0.3%, laboratory tested) discreetly across Europe.
Can the rules change?
Yes. An evaluation of the Cannabis Act has been under way since autumn 2025, and the European “Novel Food” framework is evolving. Always check the local rules in force before buying.
General information, current as at the date of publication; it does not constitute legal advice. Regulations evolve: check the local rules in force. CBD is not a medicine and does not replace medical advice. Product intended for adults only.
