Norway vs. CBD and THC – legal status 2022

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One common question is whether you can ship, buy and possess CBD products abroad, in Norway. This is an interesting question due to the fact that although Norway is a European country, it is not part of the European Union. Therefore, the hemp law concerning CBD does not apply in Norway. So, can you possess or buy products containing CBD and THC in Norway or order them to that country? Read on to learn the answer to that question according to the latest 2022 legal status. 

Legality of CBD in Norway

CBD in Norway is fully legal[1] and you can purchase or possess products containing this phytonutrient (cannabinoid) in that country. However, for a CBD product to be legal, it must meet certain guidelines that are extremely important. Ignorance of law excuses no one and does not protect you from the consequences of not following its principles. This is also the case with Norway and its regulations on hemp products. 

For a CBD product in Norway to be legal to use without any legal consequences, it must contain 0.00% THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). So, no full spectrum product, meaning one that contains the full range of cannabinoids, is an option when it comes to using CBD products in Norway. Although Norway is a European country and many people may think that similar laws apply there as in other countries, like Poland, Norway is not a member of the European Union. The EU legislation doesn’t apply to Norway. This is also the case with hemp and hemp products.

Legality of THC in Norway

THC in Norway is an illegal substance[2]. Products containing even trace amounts of this phytonutrient are banned, and the possession, sale or use of such products may carry certain legal consequences. To purchase legal CBD oil in this country, it must be a broad-spectrum product or a product based on a CBD isolate. Full spectrum CBD oils are not an option here, due to the presence of prohibited THC. 

If you want to buy legal CBD oil in Norway, you need to pay special attention to the phytonutrient content, and carefully study the test report of the product. This will help you avoid trouble or legal consequences.

Medical marijuana in Norway 

Marijuana is illegal in many countries and cannot be used there. However, the case is different for medical marijuana. 

In Norway, marijuana is illegal. It contains a lot of THC, which is not allowed in any product in this country, so marijuana itself cannot be used legally by Norwegians as well as by those visiting or residing in their country. Even a small amount of marijuana is considered illegal. There are no quantities there that are admissible for personal use. Possession of even insignificant amounts of marijuana in Norway can result in a fine – but only for a first offence. When a person becomes a “repeat offender” and is caught in possession of this illegal variety of cannabis for the next time, or if somebody possesses larger amounts of marijuana, they can even be sentenced to prison! This is a very serious offence that leads to having a criminal record. 

Punishment for possessing marijuana

As for young people with a first-time criminal record, they can avoid court proceedings. How to do that? By agreeing to regular drug testing. The maximum penalty you can get for marijuana possession in Norway[3] is 21 years in prison. It applies to cases where the offender possessed massive amounts of marijuana and the offence itself was very serious. A person can be sentenced to between 3 and 15 years in prison for possessing more than 80 kg of marijuana. Below that amount, but from 1 kg upwards, the penalty can be 10 years. And possessing up to one kilogram is punishable by 2 years in prison. 

There was a very slight relaxation of the law in 2020. It was decided that prison sentences could be served on probation, but only if the convict reported to a specialized counselling centre. It will also entail the deletion of the sentence from the official criminal record, but only after 3 years. 

Accidents and THC 

What if someone is in an accident and doctors detect THC in their system during testing? In this case, such a person will not be punished.[4] The same applies to other investigations not related to marijuana itself. However, if you are caught with marijuana in Norway, you will face legal consequences. 

Medical marijuana is still illegal in Norway[5] and cannot be used officially. Norway has not followed the lead of other countries in Europe, including Poland, and did not legalize marijuana for medical purposes. Medical marijuana in Norway is treated the same as any other type of illegal cannabis that contains THC. Treating yourself with this plant in Norway can bring very serious legal consequences for the person who will possess this type of product.

References

1. https://hemppedia.org/pl/czy-cbd-jest-legalne-w-moim-kraju/
2. https://cannabis-spot.pl/produkty-cbd-ktore-sa-legalne-w-polsce-i-europie/
3. https://www.cannabisnews.pl/legalnosc/legalnosc-marihuany-w-norwegii/
4. https://krytykapolityczna.pl/narkopolityka/globalnenarko/norwegia-dekryminalizacja-reforma-narkotyki/
5. https://www.polityka.pl/tygodnikpolityka/nauka/1752662,1,gdzie-w-europie-medyczna-marihuana-jest-legalna.read