Belgium legalizes CBD cannabis and will regulate it like tobacco

The wave of CBD cannabis has not spared Belgium. Nearly fifty stores are now selling hemp flowers and CBD products. Control operations have been carried out in these stores, and some have been temporarily closed, they were able to reopen after they have complied with regulations, such as labelling requirements on packaging or sales authorizations for certain food products.

Like French retailers, Belgian retailers base their decision on European law, which authorizes the use of the entire hemp plant, provided that the variety used contains less than 0.2% THC and is listed in the catalog of authorized varieties. Belgian law, on the other hand, mentions only products with cumulative THC and THCa levels in excess of 0.2% are banned.

Hemp-based food products are, on the other hand, prohibited in Belgium, unless otherwise exempted. The retailer must prove that the product contains less than 0.2% THC, and must obtain an exemption from the FPS Health. This applies to hemp oils, flour and edible seeds. The use of CBD in foodstuffs is therefore also restricted.

CBD cannabis considered «other smoking tobacco».»

On April 11, the Belgian government put an end to this grey area by officially classifying CBD cannabis as «other smoking tobacco».» in the words of SPF Finances, in the same way as in Switzerland.

Hemp flowers containing less than 0.2% THC are therefore legal in Belgium, and will from now on be taxed as tobacco products. Their packaging will also have to comply with tobacco product standards and «satisfy [...] the requirements for the manufacture and marketing of tobacco products»: legal and health warnings in different languages, tax sign, etc.