In 2025, a long list of cannabinoids are legal in Europe, but their status still varies greatly from one country to another. Whether you are a CBD consumer, interested in medical cannabis, or curious about new molecules like HHC or THCP, it is best to know the legislation before you get started.
Medical cannabis is increasingly available but still highly regulated
Medical cannabis is authorized in a majority of European countries, but only within a very specific framework. There is no question of obtaining the substance freely.. Cannabinoids for therapeutic use are dispensed by prescription, in standardized dosages, and only for certain recognized conditions.
Among the most widely used legal products, you will find:
- Epidyolex (pure CBD), prescribed for certain rare forms of epilepsy.
- Sativex, an oral spray containing THC and CBD, used notably for disorders related to multiple sclerosis.
- Marinol or Cesamet, based on synthetic THC, used to treat nausea related to chemotherapy or severe loss of appetite.
These medicines have received European or national authorization and are distributed within a strict medical framework.
In Germany, they are available in pharmacies by prescription and can even be covered by health insurance. In France, medical cannabis is still in the experimental phase, but things are evolving. Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain have already put in place more flexible systems allowing regular access to these treatments.
If you wish to use these medicines, you will need a prescription and often have to prove a very specific medical condition.
Cannabinoids, caught between tolerance and regulation
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the most popular and easiest cannabinoids to obtain. It is widely used because it does not cause any psychoactive effects. It is used to relieve stress, promote sleep, or reduce certain pains. In Europe, hemp-derived CBD containing less than 0.3% THC, like our THC edibles, is generally authorized, but the exact rules vary from one country to another.
France, for example, authorizes CBD products, as long as they are derived from approved hemp varieties and do not exceed the legal THC threshold. In Belgium, Spain, or Portugal, the legislation is similar, even if certain products, such as flowers, may be subject to local restrictions.
Conversely, some countries like Italy have recently tightened their stance. Since April 2025, hemp flowers and oils containing CBD have been reclassified as narcotics. This highly controversial decision therefore bans the free sale of many CBD products in the country.
In addition to CBD, other so-called wellness-promoting cannabinoids are also authorized, such as CBG (cannabigerol) or CBN (cannabinol). As long as they are extracted from hemp and contain little or no THC, they are generally tolerated, but as with CBD, it is best to check local legislation before buying or consuming.
Neo-cannabinoids and increasingly numerous bans
Since 2022, new cannabinoids have appeared on the European market. The best known of them is HHC (hexahydrocannabinol), which is a semi-synthetic molecule derived from CBD. Presented as a legal alternative to THC, HHC produces similar effects, namely a feeling of euphoria, relaxation, or even mental confusion. Other derivatives such as HHC-P, HHC-O, or even THCP have also been created and brought to market.
These neo-cannabinoids have flooded shops and websites by promising powerful effects with a reassuring legal gray area, but this status has been reviewed in almost all European countries.
Thus, between 2023 and 2025, the majority of member states have banned HHC and its derivatives. Germany, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Italy, and Sweden, for example, have classified these molecules as narcotics. The UN itself added HHC to the list of monitored substances in March 2025.
Some countries still leave a small margin of tolerance, such as Germany, which authorizes HHC in controlled products under certain conditions, but these cases are rare and subject to strict rules.
Recreational cannabis is authorized in a few countries
Cannabis for recreational use remains banned in most of the European Union. However, some countries are more forward-thinking than others. With these measures, countries often aim to move away from repressive logic, regulate consumption, and curb the black market.
Here are the most advanced countries in 2025:
- Malta: the first European country to legalize personal cannabis use in 2021. You can possess up to 7 g, grow 4 plants at home, and join a Cannabis Social Club.
- Germany: since April 2024, you can possess up to 25 g of cannabis in Germany in public (50 g at home), grow 3 plants, and join a non-profit club. Commercial sale is not yet authorized, but pilot projects are underway.
- Luxembourg: private cultivation and possession at home have been authorized since 2023. Sale remains banned.
- Czech Republic: a law regulating low-THC cannabis (< 1%) came into force in July 2025, with specialized shops now authorized.
The Dutch model, however, remains unique. Coffee shops can sell up to 5 g of cannabis, but cultivation remains technically illegal. Since 2023, a regulated cultivation pilot project has been testing in several cities.
