Mostly legal: global conventions on CBD, the harmless cannabis extract

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of many cannabinoids that can be found in cannabis – the plant from which marijuana, hashish and other drugs are extracted.

While those drugs, and the cannabis plant itself, are illegal in most parts of the world, CBD, which is non-intoxicating, is not.

International regulation takes place under the guidance of the World Health Organization (WHO) and other United Nations agencies.

A WHO committee concluded in 2017 that pure CBD “does not appear to have abuse potential or cause harm”.

Future international attitudes and states’ policies are likely to be strongly influenced by a critical review currently being carried out by a WHO expert committee.