Is CBD Legal in Sweden?
David ReichUpdated:Key points at a glance:
Is CBD legal in Sweden? Pure CBD is not classified as a narcotic. However, if a product contains THC, even in trace amounts, it is considered a narcotic. The import, possession, purchase and use of such products are punishable. CBD-containing foods are not authorised. THC-free CBD isolate may be permissible as a cosmetic or other type of product. Health-related or medical claims may bring a product under medicines legislation. When travelling, a zero-tolerance approach to THC applies, and there is also a zero limit for THC when driving.
Which products contain CBD but no THC?
First, a brief overview of products that contain CBD but are free from THC. THC is legally much more sensitive in many countries. Here are some of the most common categories:
- CBD oils and tinctures: These liquids are usually placed under the tongue to support rapid absorption.
- CBD capsules and tablets: A convenient way of taking CBD, similar to food supplements.
- CBD edibles: This includes gummy sweets, chocolate, drinks and other foods that contain CBD.
- CBD vape products: These products are used for inhaling CBD vapour, such as e-liquids and vape pens.
- CBD skincare products: Creams, ointments, lotions and balms that are applied to the skin for local use.
Short summary: CBD as a pure substance is not classed as a narcotic in Sweden. However, any CBD preparation that contains THC – even in trace amounts – is classified as a narcotic (Supreme Court 2019). Sales with medical claims fall under medicines legislation. Products containing CBD are not approved as foods in Sweden. For travellers this means: strict zero‑tolerance for THC when importing, possessing and using products. (domstol.se, riksdagen.se, livsmedelsverket.se)
Is CBD legal in Sweden? Quick overview
- THC in CBD products: Any detectable THC in a CBD product is enough for it to be classed as a narcotic – import, possession, purchase and use can all be punishable. HD B 177‑19, Narkotikastrafflag.
- THC‑free CBD isolates: Not classified as narcotics. If marketed or used as a medicine, the Läkemedelslag (Medicines Act) applies (authorisation requirements, advertising restrictions). (riksdagen.se)
- Food status: The Swedish Food Agency states that CBD oil and products containing CBD may not be sold as food in Sweden. Only seed products such as hemp protein or hemp seed oil are permitted. Livsmedelsverket.
- Travel/import: Narcotics may only be imported with official permission. Separate rules apply to medicines containing CBD (for example, prescribed preparations carried for personal use). Lag (1992:860) om kontroll av narkotika, Tullverket: Resa med läkemedel.
- Driving: Zero limit for illegal drugs in the blood. An exception applies only to certain prescribed narcotic medicines. Trafikbrottslag 4 §.
CBD law in Sweden is strict: CBD itself is legal, but any CBD product with detectable THC is treated as a narcotic, and CBD is not allowed in foods. The main safer exception is THC‑free CBD isolate, which may still be regulated as a medicine or cosmetic.
What CBD activities are allowed in Sweden? (Short overview)
| Activity | Status | Key notes/sources |
|---|---|---|
| Importing CBD oil/gummies/foods | Not permitted if THC is detectable; in addition, foods containing CBD are not marketable in Sweden. | HD 2019; Lag 1992:860 (import); Livsmedelsverket. |
| Importing prescribed CBD medicines | Possible under certain conditions (personal use, documentation); specific quantity limits/Schengen form may apply to narcotic medicines. | Tullverket; 1177.se. |
| Buying CBD oil in Sweden | Not permitted as a food; products with medical claims are prohibited without marketing authorisation. | Livsmedelsverket; Läkemedelsverket/föreskrifter; Authority practice. |
| Possession/use of CBD products with THC traces | Criminal offence (narcotic). Even traces are sufficient. | HD 2019; Narkotikastrafflag. |
| THC‑free CBD isolate (without health claims) | Not a narcotic; depending on intended use, products may be allowed for example as cosmetics or other goods – great care is needed to ensure they are THC‑free. | CJEU C‑663/18; Läkemedelslag. |
| Driving after using CBD | If THC is detectable, “drug driving” rules may apply (zero limit); exemption only for certain prescribed medicines. | Trafikbrottslag 4 §; Government bill. |
How Sweden classifies CBD in law
- Narcotics law: The law on narcotics offences (Narkotikastrafflag) makes possession (innehav), use (bruk), import (införsel), sale and transport punishable.
- Leading Supreme Court decision (2019): The Supreme Court decided that CBD oil containing THC (even when derived from legally grown industrial hemp) is a “beredning” (preparation) under the international conventions, and therefore a narcotic. (domstol.se)
- Definition of “cannabis”/industrial hemp: The implementing regulation to the narcotics rules excludes industrial hemp plants (EU‑listed varieties, subject to agricultural conditions) – but this exemption does not cover preparations that contain THC. Förordning (1992:1554).
- Medicines law: Products with CBD can be classified as medicines based on how they are presented (for example, health or therapeutic claims) or how they work. Sale without authorisation is prohibited. Authorities have repeatedly banned the sale of CBD oils for this reason. Läkemedelslag; example decisions.
- Food supervision: The Swedish Food Agency states that products containing CBD (for example “CBD oil”) may not be sold as food in Sweden. Seeds and seed‑derived products with defined THC limits are allowed. Hampa – Cannabis sativa.
- Hemp tea/hemp leaves: Water infusions made from hemp leaves can be classed as a narcotic preparation (narkotisk beredning) if they contain THC. This can apply in particular where there are ready‑to‑consume portions, solutions or mixtures. Authority guidance.
EU law and CBD: how it affects Sweden
In 2020, the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled in case C‑663/18 (“Kanavape”) that CBD is not a drug under the UN conventions and that Member States may not prohibit the marketing of lawfully manufactured CBD without a compelling and proportionate public health justification.
In practice, Sweden still treats any preparation containing THC as a narcotic and applies its national medicines and food law alongside this EU case law. (curia.europa.eu, domstol.se)
Can you bring CBD to Sweden? Travel and import rules
Rule of thumb: Do not carry CBD products that could contain THC – not even “trace amounts”. This clearly includes “full‑spectrum” oils, CBD gummies, hemp tea and hemp flowers. (domstol.se)
- Importing narcotics: Import of narcotics is only allowed with official authorisation. Breaches are punishable. Lag (1992:860) 3 §.
- Carrying medicines (personal use): If you are carrying a prescribed CBD‑containing medicine, the rules on travelling with medicines apply. These include quantity limits (different for arrivals from inside and outside the EEA) and documentation such as a prescription or pharmacy label. Information: Tullverket, 1177.se.
- Postal delivery/online orders to Sweden: Having CBD products sent by post counts as importation. Parcels that contain preparations with THC risk confiscation and criminal proceedings. Lag (1992:860).
Practical tip for frequent flyers
- If you nevertheless decide to carry a CBD product, ensure it is CBD isolate with 0.00% THC and no medical claims. Carry a printed certificate of analysis (CoA) showing batch number, method and detection limits – ideally also in English or Swedish. Note: a CoA does not guarantee that authorities will accept the product, but it can be useful if questions arise. (domstol.se)
- Medicines containing CBD (prescribed): Carry the original packaging with name label, prescription/copy and, where applicable, a Schengen certificate. Tullverket.
For CBD travel rules in Sweden, the safest approach is to avoid bringing consumer CBD products. Only prescribed CBD medicines and, in some cases, clearly THC‑free CBD isolate with documentation fit within the current Swedish framework.
Buying, possessing and using CBD in Sweden
- Purchase: CBD‑containing foods are not permitted. Authorities regularly prohibit the sale of CBD oils, especially where they are marketed with health or medical claims. Livsmedelsverket; Läkemedelsverket.
- Possession/use: If a CBD product contains THC, it is treated as a narcotic. Possession and use can be criminal offences. Depending on the seriousness, penalties can include lengthy prison sentences. Narkotikastrafflag; Folkhälsomyndigheten.
- Cosmetics with CBD isolate: CBD may be possible in cosmetics if it is THC‑free and not presented with medical claims. Check for reputable suppliers and current laboratory certificates. Even minimal THC contamination can cause issues. (lakemedelsverket.se)
How different CBD products are treated in Sweden
| Product | Typical classification in Sweden | Risk/note | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| “Full‑spectrum” CBD oil (with THC traces) | Narcotic (preparation with THC) | Import, possession and sale may be punishable. | HD notice 18.06.2019. |
| CBD isolate 0.00% THC | Not a narcotic; may be classed as a medicine or cosmetic depending on presentation. | Carry a CoA; authorities may still review the product. | CJEU C‑663/18; Läkemedelslag. |
| Hemp flowers/“CBD buds” | Generally treated as narcotics (THC risk); not recognised as food. | High risk of confiscation and criminal proceedings. | Kontrollwiki. |
| Hemp tea (leaf‑water infusion) | Can be treated as a narcotic preparation if THC is present. | Ready‑to‑use portions or solutions are particularly high‑risk. | Livsmedelsverket. |
| Foods/chewing gum containing CBD | Not marketable in Sweden. | Purchase and import are not recommended. | Livsmedelsverket. |
| CBD‑based medicines (prescribed) | Medicines. | Carriage for personal use is possible, subject to documentation and quantity rules. | Tullverket. |
| Hemp seed products (for example hemp protein, seed oil) | Permitted as foods; THC limits apply. | Applies only to seeds and seed‑derived products. | Livsmedelsverket. |
CBD and driving in Sweden
Sweden has a zero limit for illegal drugs in road traffic. Anyone who drives a motor vehicle and has a substance classified as a narcotic in their blood during or after driving may be committing a criminal offence.
The only statutory exemption is use in accordance with a medical prescription. For THC in CBD products, this can be relevant if traces are detectable in the blood. Trafikbrottslag 4 §; Government bill.
Travel checklist for CBD users in Sweden
- Avoid CBD oils, “full‑spectrum” products, flowers, hemp tea and edibles – there is a high risk of THC traces. (domstol.se, livsmedelsverket.se)
- If at all: Only consider THC‑free CBD isolate (0.00%) with no health claims. Print out the CoA (batch, method, LOD/LOQ, THC “not detectable”). (domstol.se)
- Medical use: Carry prescribed CBD medicines in the original pack with pharmacy label, prescription/copy and, where applicable, a Schengen certificate. Observe quantity rules depending on your country of departure. Tullverket.
- Fitness to drive: Do not drive if you have used any THC‑containing product; the zero limit for illegal drugs applies. (riksdagen.se)
- Documents: Carry proof of purchase, CoA and, if relevant, a medical certificate in English or Swedish.
Travellers and expats in Sweden who use CBD should plan ahead: avoid THC‑containing products, keep prescriptions and certificates close to hand, and remember that Sweden applies zero‑tolerance rules to both THC in CBD and drug driving.
Regional differences within Sweden
Laws on narcotics, food and medicines apply uniformly throughout Sweden. There may be some variation in local enforcement practice, such as how often checks are carried out, but the underlying legal position is the same nationwide.
Legal basis & primary sources (selection)
- Supreme Court: “CBD‑oljan”, B 177‑19 (18.06.2019).
- Narkotikastrafflag (1968:64): Text/sections.
- Lag (1992:860) om kontroll av narkotika: Import/trade.
- Förordning (1992:1554) om kontroll av narkotika: Definition of “cannabis”/industrial hemp exemption.
- Läkemedelslag (2015:315): Classification/marketing of medicines.
- Livsmedelsverket – Hampa/Cannabis sativa: Technical page; Kontrollwiki on hemp products: overview; guidance on hemp tea: information note. (livsmedelsverket.se, kontrollwiki.livsmedelsverket.se)
- CJEU C‑663/18 “Kanavape” (19.11.2020): Judgment (SV). (curia.europa.eu)
- Tullverket – travelling with medicines: Guidance.
- Driving/drugs: Trafikbrottslag.
FAQ – CBD legality in Sweden
Is there a 0.2–0.3% THC tolerance for CBD products in Sweden?
No. These limits relate to the classification and cultivation of industrial hemp, not to finished consumer products. In Sweden, any detectable amount of THC is enough for a preparation to be classified as a narcotic. (lagen.nu, domstol.se)
Can I take CBD bought in another country to Sweden?
Not if it may contain THC (for example “full‑spectrum” products). These are at risk of being treated as narcotics. Separate rules apply to prescribed medicines – always carry supporting documentation. (riksdagen.se, tullverket.se)
Is CBD cream or cosmetic legal in Sweden?
CBD in cosmetics may be possible if the product is THC‑free and is not presented with medical or therapeutic claims. Check the certificate of analysis. If in doubt, consider not taking it with you. (lakemedelsverket.se)
Disclaimer & support
This article does not constitute legal advice. The linked primary sources (laws, official guidance and court decisions) are decisive. For specific situations (such as flights with prescribed products or checking a product while in Sweden), it can be helpful to consult the official sources directly or seek professional legal advice.