Is CBD legal in Denmark & Where to Buy it

Here are our key findings

• CBD was legalized in Denmark in 2018 following an amendment to the law allowing for cannabis products containing 0.2% THC or less.
• CBD products can be purchased over the counter in Denmark, provided they contain 0.2% THC or less, and are not classified as medicines.
• Medicinal CBD products are available from pharmacies with a prescription.
• Edible items containing CBD are legal on the condition that they comply with Danish food supplement regulations.
• Cosmetic CBD products are legal on the condition that they comply with the law governing cosmetic products.

Like many European countries, CBD products in Denmark are currently subject to a patchwork of regulations and rules. CBD only became available in Denmark in July 2018. Changes to the Executive Order on Euphoriant Substances saw cannabis products containing 0.2% THC or less removed from the wording. CBD became legal, however, its multilayered status as a cosmetic product, food product, and medicine, means it is subject to a number of different laws and is overseen by a number of distinct Danish regulatory bodies.

The good news is, however, that for the most part it’s fairly straightforward to purchase CBD in Denmark. CBD products that contain 0.2% THC or less, and are not designated as medicines, are available over the counter. Danish shoppers can also turn to online shopping to broaden their horizons.

In this Leafreport guide focused on Denmark, we’ll explore some of the highest quality CBD brands available. We’ll also share our list of all CBD companies currently shipping to the region, and clarify the most critical laws to be aware of when buying CBD. Finally, we’ll offer some invaluable advice on shopping for CBD in store, or online.

Is CBD oil legal in Denmark?

On the 1st July 2018, the Danish Health Ministry made amendments to the executive order on Euphoriant Substances. This change introduced a  limit of 0.2% THC or less, making it possible for CBD products with this threshold of THC or less to be sold legally.

However, this designation did not change the status of CBD products. That means that products containing CBD can still be classified as medicinal products if they make medicinal or therapeutic claims, or are packaged as a medicinal product. Products that contain CBD have to be assessed by the Danish Medicines Agency to determine if they are medicinal products using specific criteria. These criteria include whether the product contains psychoactive substances (CBD and THC); and if the product is designed to treat a disease or health condition. Under Danish law, medicines can only be sold with permission from the Danish Medicines Agency, and medicine that contains CBD requires a prescription. This means that although products containing 0.2% THC or less are legal, in instances where they are classified as medicines, they can only be accessed from a pharmacy with a prescription.

If the Danish Medicines Agency rules that a CBD product should be designated as an edible product or a cosmetic, it is still subject to strict regulations. Food supplements or products containing CBD must be added to the Danish Food and Veterinary Association database, to ensure the product complies with the Association’s guidelines. Cosmetic products are also subject to stringent rules. CBD cosmetics are only legal if the CBD is synthetic and does not fall under the cannabis definition of the UN Convention on Narcotic Drugs, which rules out pretty much all CBD cosmetic products.

The Danish Medicines Agency places the burden of legality on the manufacturer rather than the consumer, which means that if you’ve obtained a non-regulation CBD product, you’re unlikely to experience any serious repercussions. Danish consumers who choose to import CBD products from the United States should opt for broad-spectrum or isolate CBD products, as full-spectrum products can contain up to 0.3% THC which exceeds legal limits.

The best CBD products in Denmark

An impressive range of North American and European CBD brands currently ship to Denmark. Danish shoppers who aren’t inspired by the products available in Danish CBD stores or pharmacies can send their Danish krone further afield to access more variety.

We’ve compiled a full list of CBD companies available in Denmark using our unique Leaf Report rating system. Below, you’ll find our pick of the top five brands currently shipping to Denmark. Each brand is detailed comprehensively below.

Firstly, here’s a brief description of the five categories we evaluate.

Leafreport’s scoring categories

Our rating system calculates scores according to the five central criteria listed below. We add the scores across the categories to arrive at a total score out of 100.

• Transparency, Accuracy & Reputation checks for third-party purity and potency testing, the results of these tests, and the ease with which consumers can access these results. We also evaluate the brand’s reputation, customer reviews, and whether information about hemp cultivation and manufacturing processes is readily available.
• Hemp quality analyzes if the ingredients used in the CBD formulations are non-GMO, USDA organic certified, or derived from sustainable sources. We’re particularly interested in learning about where the brand cultivates its hemp, and how it is processed.
• Product variety explores if the brand offers an array of different products and delivery formats. We also check if there are variants such as different concentrations or flavors available.
• Customer experience assesses how easy it is for customers to navigate the brand’s website, ask and receive answers to questions, make a purchase, and learn about specific products and CBD in general.
• Price and discounts analyze value for money. We’ve averaged the price per milligram of CBD across all CBD brands, so we can compare the brand’s price point against the wider industry. We also verify if the brand offers any special discounts.

R+R Medicinals

R+R subjects its products to third-party testing for potency and purity. These documents can be found on the website or accessed by scanning the QR code on the packaging. Each document contains a complete cannabinoid profile, with notes on additional testing that checks for contaminants such as pesticides, heavy metals and residual solvents.

R+R Medicinals holds USDA Organic certification, an accolade that is quite rare in the industry. However, the actual certificate is not present on its website. The brand uses a gentle, cold CO2 extraction process to extract CBD from its hemp plants, without damaging any other beneficial phytocompounds.

R&R Medicinals’ offerings include CBD tinctures, soft gels, gummies, creams, dog chews, and a THC-free line of products. Tinctures are available in fresh mint or unflavored.

R+R Medicinals is known for the thorough information it supplies on its products. The brand boasts serious curb appeal with its attractive, rustic packaging. There are plentiful resources available on the R+R Medicinals website, empowering consumers to learn more about CBD. Customers can reach out to representatives with questions via the live chat feature, or send a text message.

The brand’s pricing averages from $0.03 to $0.09 per milligram of CBD, placing R+R Medicinals in the bargain grade ranking for most of its products. This is particularly impressive as the brand cultivates organic hemp and uses a superior CO2 extraction method. There are also discounts available for customers who sign up for auto-shipments, refer friends, are regular buyers, or are veterans.

R+R Medicinals was created in Colorado in 2017 and ships its products globally, including Denmark. The company is owned by veterans and minorities, although there is very little information about the team supplied on the website. R+ R’s hemp farms and extraction facilities achieved USDA Organic Certification in late 2019, with all its hemp grown outdoors. The brand is also dedicated to supporting the local Colorado economy. All manufacturing processes take place in the state. Transparency is also high on R+R’s list of priorities, ensuring customers can see that products meet potency and purity standards. When Leafreport ordered a selection of R+R products, the corresponding lab reports indicated that all products met purity and potency standards. R+R Medicinals also subjects its hemp to a three-step filtration process, ensuring that any plant particulate is removed from the oil resulting in a clean, pure, bioavailable product.

If there are any drawbacks associated with R+R Medicinals at present, it’s that the product range is compact. There is one tincture flavor on offer and just one variant of topical. While the main delivery methods are all covered, customers who appreciate variety may be deterred by the limited options.

Medterra CBD

Medterra has been operating since 2017 and has earned much praise in the CBD community. The brand has a very good reputation with customer reviews that are generally very favorable. Medterra subjects all of their products to third-party testing by independent labs.

Medterra pride themselves on using non-GMO industrial hemp that is grown according to strict standards on hemp farms in Kentucky. Although their hemp isn’t organic, it’s cultivated without glyphosate. The CBD is extracted using CO2 extraction method, which is known for being safe and clean.

Medterra offers a wide variety of products, including isolate, broad-spectrum and full spectrum formulations, though many of their products are manufactured using CBD isolate. This is good news for Danish consumers who are restricted to buying products that contain 0.2% THC or less.

Medterra offers a comprehensive FAQ page and a variety of ways that customers can reach out and ask questions. When Leafreport contacted customer care with a question regarding third-party tests, the representative responded swiftly.

Medterra products are priced reasonably, with most products averaging $0.04 to $0.28 per milligram of CBD. Those who purchase bundles can save 12 to 19% on their purchase.

Medterra was founded in 2017 by current CEO, Jay Hartenbach. The brand is currently based in Irvine, California, and ships all over the globe, including Denmark. Medterra is currently guided by a medical advisory board that consists of educated, credentialed experts including a medical doctor, pharmacist, dermatologist, and two veterinarians. That same level of credentialed expertise also underpins the hemp they produce to create CBD: all Medterra CBD is cultivated in Kentucky and farmed in strict accordance with the state’s Hemp Pilot Program. This designation means that Medterra farms and growing practices have been evaluated by regulatory bodies and meet specific standards, including the avoidance of glyphosate. Medterra is also certified by the U.S. Hemp Authority, an initiative designed to ensure hemp farms meet high standards, self-regulate, and cultivate plants that are grown free of harmful herbicides.

If there are any drawbacks associated with Medterra’s product offering, it’s that not all lab results are immediately available on the brand’s website. When Leafreport made a purchase, we had to reach out to customer service to receive the certificates of analysis for the corresponding products.

Root Wellness

All Root Wellness products are tested twice by third-party labs. The test results for every single product are on their website, linked to each product and located under the “additional information” tab.

Root Wellness uses CBD from organic hemp that is free of additives and pesticides. According to the website, the hemp is sourced directly from top-tier farms across the country.

Root Wellness offers just a handful of products at present: several variants of tincture (full and broad spectrum in different flavors), gummies, a muscle balm, and soft gels. Nonetheless, all the main delivery methods are covered. The brand also has a unique product offering: raw full-spectrum CBD tincture.

It would be great to see Root Wellness create its own webpage that enables customers to interact with customer representatives and learn more about the brand and its processes. At present, however, the intermediary platform the brand sells from is efficient and functional.

Root Wellness products average in price from $0.05 – $0.2 per milligram of CBD, which is very reasonable, considering the quality of the CBD used in its products.

Root Wellness represents one of the more enigmatic presences in the CBD industry. The brand is quickly developing a strong following from satisfied customers, yet has no real presence on the Internet.  Root doesn’t yet offer a ton of products. At present, it seems the company is more focused on creating an offering based on quality that upholds principles of sustainability and environmental awareness. The brand has integrated the idea of environmental stewardship into its products, using soy ink to print information on packages where possible and ensuring all packaging is recyclable. Root has also partnered with One Tree Planted so that each purchase sees a tree is planted somewhere in the world. This initiative helped inspire the brand name “Root”.

If there’s one drawback associated with Root Wellness at present, it’s that the lack of information about the founders and the brand in general could be a deterrent for some consumers. It doesn’t make sense that a brand that is quickly attracting positive reviews and a strong customer base doesn’t create a dedicated website clearly outlining its ethos. It’s also a concern that there’s no clear information about how to contact the brand with questions or enquiries.

NatureCan

Naturecan publishes most third-party test results for potency on its website. However, when Leafreport placed an order, the lab results for two products had to be requested from customer service. Not all the products we received were tested for purity, so there is room for improvement.

On the Naturecan website, the brand states that it crafts CBD products from premium quality, certified organic broad-spectrum distillate that is pesticide free and non-GMO. The brand sources its hemp from organic farms in Oregon.

Naturecan offers an incredibly diverse selection of products in a range of formats including tinctures, softgel capsules, edibles, topicals, pet chews, e-liquids, and beauty items. Some of the quirkier items include chilli heat muscle balm and CBD-infused chamomile shampoo.

Naturecan’s website is rich in resources and information for customers. The brand offers plentiful insights into its growing and manufacturing processes. There are numerous ways that customers can reach out with questions, and a straightforward FAQ page. Naturecan offers a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.

On the US site, Naturecan products have an average price point of $.14 per milligram of CBD. This is slightly higher than the average price per milligram of CBD, however it’s comparable to other organic, GMP-compliant CBD.

Naturecan is a UK-based CBD brand. There’s an extensive team behind the brand, which no doubt has helped the company to extend its global reach. Naturecan currently ships to countries all over the world, including Denmark. The brand prides itself on participating in diverse global sustainability initiatives, including contributions to the World Land Trust, carbon reduction projects, and reforestation projects. Naturecan’s CBD oil has been independently tested by Labdoor, a company that helps customers to make informed buying choices by verifying the accuracy of label claims and testing supplements for harmful ingredients. Naturecan’s oil received an A+ rating, with non-detectable levels of THC (<0.01%) and zero heavy metal (lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury) or microbial (yeast, mold, coliforms and E. coli) contamination.

One area that Naturecan could improve on is ensuring all lab test results are easily accessible for customers browsing the website. At present, there is no centralized testing hub available and third-party results are linked to each product description.

Penguin CBD

Penguin CBD carries out third-party lab testing on its products, however, the traceability from the product to the lab test is ambiguous. Only one lab report is provided for each product on the lab results tab. This may indicate that the brand makes very small batches, or not all lab reports are posted on the website.

Penguin uses CBD grown in Oregon. The brand’s FAQ page states that its CBD is derived from 100% organic hemp that is subjected to a CO2 extraction process to derive the CBD.

Penguin offers just a handful of products, including CBD oil, gummies, capsules, cream, and cat treats. Some of these delivery methods include variants, such as melatonin-infused capsules to support sleep.

Penguin’s website is a delight. The interface is visually engaging and super straightforward to navigate. Each product is clearly described, with notes on dosing and an ingredient list supplied. Customers can reach out to Penguin representatives and receive advice or information by webform or email, as there is currently no phone number or live chat.

Penguin’s pricing is higher than comparable brands, ranging from $0.15 to $0.31 per milligram of CBD. This places the brand in Leafreport’s ‘pricey’ grade. However, the brand offers a discount for military and veterans. Consumers can also save by buying bundles.

Penguin CBD is fast developing a reputation for high-quality products. This relative newcomer to the CBD market is based in New York and ships worldwide. Penguin products are formulated using organic CBD cultivated in Oregon to create broad-spectrum and CBD isolate products, free from THC. Broad spectrum products are ideal for Danish consumers who are looking to reap the benefits of the entourage effect without detectable levels of THC (Danish law currently stipulates that all products contain 0.2% THC or less). From an aesthetic perspective, Penguin products fulfil the niche for trendy CBD items that are attractively packaged.

When it comes to customer satisfaction, the brand offers a thirty-day full refund on all unopened products. While this represents a great start, there’s no information supplied on refunds or returns for products that don’t meet customer expectations. It would also be great to see some more background on the founders of the brand, and the farms where the hemp is cultivated.

CBD brands that ship to Denmark

Danish consumers who wish to purchase CBD products from North America and Europe can choose from a wide array of companies. We’ve compiled a total list of all the CBD brands that are currently shipping to the Scandinavian nation.

If you’re interested in learning more about these brands or accessing independent reviews of their products, take a look at the Leafreport brand search tool.

• Alpinols
• CBDfx
• Chronic Candy
• Cibdol
• Elevate CBD
• Hempland USA
• Hemp Meds
• Irwin Naturals
• Lazaros Naturals
• Max CBD
• Medterra CBD
• Nordic Oil
• Penguin CBD
• Phenopen
• PureKana
• Pure Elix Wellness
• Reakiro
• Root Wellness
• R+R Medicinals
• Smile CBD
• Smilyn
• VerifiedCBD

Where can I purchase CBD in Denmark?

Denmark has been a late starter when it comes to CBD. Unlike other European nations, Denmark doesn’t have many specialized CBD stores. That being said, shopfronts are beginning to spring up in Copenhagen and other large cities. Some of the more prominent CBD storefronts include Udonno Store and Sana Nord. These stores sell a range of innovative products, including raw CBD-infused hemp powder that can be added to juices and smoothies.

Shopping in physical stores boasts a range of benefits. Shoppers can receive advice and guidance from assistants, peruse a range of products and delivery methods, and in the more reputable shops, feel assured that they are purchasing products that are aligned with government regulations.

However, online shopping is also accompanied by advantages. Online shoppers have a wider array of products to choose from; prices are often more competitive, and there’s no rush or pressure to buy. Online shopping means you can take your time doing research and compare and contrast prices and product reviews.

Regardless of whether you purchase CBD products online or in store, it’s vital to check the quality and purity of products you’re interested in. As the CBD market is still in its infancy, there’s currently a lack of standardized regulations to protect consumers. Third-party lab testing represents a way that companies can demonstrate transparency to consumers.

Potency tests assess whether the product contains cannabinoid levels within an acceptable 10% variance. Purity tests check for contaminants such as heavy metals, microbes, or pesticide residue. Many companies opt to conduct potency tests but not all conduct purity tests. It’s also advisable to take the time to find out about the company’s reputation, customer satisfaction, and how the hemp is cultivated. CBD derived from certified USDA organic hemp is best.

Summary

Like many European nations, Denmark is currently in the process of opening its market to CBD. This process has resulted in legal changes that are sometimes confusing for consumers to understand. The most important rules to remember are that CBD products must contain 0.2% THC or less, and that medicinal CBD products are only legally available with a prescription.

If you’re visiting Denmark, make sure you browse the country’s emerging CBD scene, as many stores hold a range of unique, innovative products. Happy CBD shopping!