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A Guide to CBD Oil in Ireland

cbd oil ireland
Written by Brian Cusack

CBD is a term you must’ve come across at least once considering how popular it has gotten, thanks to its countless benefits and possibly no adverse side effects. But if you’re still curious as to what CBD oil is and how to obtain it in Ireland then read on!

Is CBD oil legal in Ireland? Let’s start by looking into CBD. CBD literally stands for Cannabidiol which is a compound found in the Cannabis Sativa or better known as the Hemp plant. Among more than 100 compounds (cannabinoids) extracted from the Hemp plant, CBD has proven to be quite beneficial regarding its properties and has quickly gained popularity in the field of natural medicine.

The primary way to distinguish between CBD is to divide it into full-spectrum CBD and CBD isolate. The former is the extract from the hemp plant that consists of all the oil, the wax and chlorophyll. On the other hand, CBD isolate is free of the above-mentioned things and is present in a pure powdered form. It should be kept in mind though that full-spectrum CBD is more effective as all the other substances aid CBD in producing useful results rather than CBD working alone.

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How does CBD work?

Us humans have an endocannabinoid system that is responsible for the regulation of various enzymes and receptors that are primarily responsible for our mood changes, stress levels, appetite, sleep cycle, our pain threshold and our immune system. CBD works by directly affecting this system and enabling our CB1 and CB2 receptors to aid our body in controlling various bodily functions.

Benefits of using CBD oil

CBD oil has a multitude of benefits. One can use it on a daily basis without worrying about any side effects because it is all-natural. Here are some problems for which you can utilize this wonderful oil:

Taking the appropriate dosage of CBD should be kept in mind though in order to avoid overdosing which may cause dryness in the mouth, nausea, fatigue, and irritability.

Does CBD oil make you high?

Contrary to a popular misconception, CBD oil does not make you high. CBD is often confused for a similar endocannabinoid called THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is a psychoactive compound i.e. it will make you high upon consumption. Despite both being present in the Cannabis Sativa, CBD does not carry the psychoactive properties that THC does. So rest assured, CBD is 100% safe for use.

How do I use CBD oil?

CBD comes in many different forms, some popular ones include oil, vape oil, gummies, pills, strain, etc. Despite all the other forms, CBD oil is the easiest and direct form of using CBD if you’re worried about dosage and affect. You may apply it directly over your body, add it to your food or inhale it as steam. Another useful method to allow quick absorption of CBD into your body is to use a dropper and drop the specified dosage of CBD oil under your tongue. This method will allow for the CBD to quickly get absorbed into your bloodstream.

Is CBD oil legal in Ireland?

Despite being used for medicinal purposes and having no psychoactive abilities, CBD still lies on the border of being accepted as a health product/medicine. But it is to be noted that apart from the ongoing stigma regarding the said compound, many pharmacies have started selling hemp-derived CBD products that contain THC is less than 0.2%. The recent amendments in the Irish law have permitted the use of CBD derived from hemp directly as it is considered a non-cannabis product.

The products should follow all the rules and guidelines established by the HPRA (Health Products Regulatory Authority) though, otherwise, that CBD product shall not be considered legal. An important point to be noted is that CBD oil derived from the cannabis plant is not legal in Ireland.

The Legal Landscape Of CBD Hemp Flower In Europe

Where can I get CBD oil in Ireland?

Following the legalization of hemp-derived CBD in Ireland, many stores and pharmacies have started selling CBD based products. You can get all type of products ranging from CBD oil to CBD gel.

Along with physical stores, many e-commerce websites have started distributing CBD in various forms. You can get almost any product in the form of CBD through these online stores. A plus point that the e-commerce stores have over the physical stores and pharmacies is that the former offers a wider range of CBD products, usually in full-spectrum CBD. Whereas the latter only offer CBD isolate which might be inconvenient if your preference is full-spectrum CBD.

Buying CBD oil that’s perfect for you

Now that you know what CBD oil is, what it does and where you can buy it from, it’s time to learn how to choose the right type of CBD oil for you! Look out for the following qualities when choosing CBD oil:

  • Type: CBD oil is usually extracted from hemp flowers. CBD oil comes from either isolate or full-spectrum / broad spectrum (THC free) form. Full-spectrum is known to be more beneficial than CBD isolate.
  • Concentration: High concentration CBD oils offer better results but avoid using them if you’re a first-timer.
  • Quality: You need to determine whether the CBD you’re purchasing follows the guidelines established by HPRA and EU. Whether the oil is hemp-derived or not is a very important question considering that the Irish law considers all other CBD oils illegal.
  • Cost & Quantity: Browse various sites in order to determine which price and quantity ratio suit you best.

How can I get a hemp license in Ireland?

If you’re wondering what are the necessary measures that will allow you to grow and harvest your very own hemp legally in Ireland, then you’re at the right place!

In order to obtain a special grower’s license, you must obtain a sanction from the HPRA. Only then will you be legally permitted to grow and distribute your very own hemp. Next, you’d have to carefully follow all the extraction methods defined by EU in order to extract hemp oil and other relevant substances from you cultivated hemp. If you ignore even one of these, your licence will be revoked and you will be banned from selling your CBD products in the Irish market.

Hopefully, these points were enough to give you a brief idea of CBD and what is Ireland’s take on CBD and its legality.

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About the author

Brian Cusack

For the last 3 years, I have been studying/working with CBD oil, as its mental health benefits had interested me in doing so. That interest led me to a passion, and with that passion I opened my own CBD oil company, called Dr. Hemp Me, owned in Ireland.

I attended University College Cork in Ireland, where I graduated with a master’s degree in business economics. I began working with others in the CBD oil industry, gathering information and resources to help progress the knowledge and usage of CBD oil. I am also a member of the Cannabis Trade Association, which is the biggest cannabis association in Europe. With my studies in both cannabis and business economics, I opened Dr. Hemp Me in July 2018.