With president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the Justice and Development Party (AKP), the Turkish conservative government is trying to revive industrial hemp, focusing on cultivating fibres for industrial use and not for extracting cannabinoids. The current government shows a clear inclination towards the cultivation and use of hemp for industrial and medical purposes, but has taken a stance against the extraction of cannabinoids.
Further development is expected in medical cannabis regulation, as the former minister of agriculture declared that with the passing of Law No. 7442/2023 a new era in hemp begins, a statement several media sources reported as a clear intention by the government to develop the legal framework of medical cannabis.
We continue to be sceptical that the recreational cannabis ban will be lifted anytime soon, as the government is still highly reluctant to do so.
Is CBD Legal in Turkey? An In-Depth Look at the Complex Laws
Turkey has a complicated history with cannabis laws While the country has made some progress by allowing limited medical cannabis use and hemp cultivation, recreational use remains strictly prohibited This confusing legal landscape has left many wondering – is CBD oil legal in Turkey?
The short answer is maybe. Technically, CBD oil is neither legal nor illegal according to Turkish narcotics laws. However, any product containing traces of THC is considered illegal. This creates a gray area for CBD, which is usually derived from low-THC hemp but can contain small amounts of THC.
In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at Turkey’s cannabis laws, including
- The legal status of CBD oil
- Rules for hemp cultivation
- Penalties for cannabis possession
- Allowances for medical cannabis
- Advice for travelers and consumers
Let’s start at the beginning and break down Turkey’s complex relationship with cannabis and CBD.
A Brief History of Cannabis Laws in Turkey
For centuries, cannabis grew freely across the Anatolian plains. Turkish farmers harvested hemp for textiles and ingestible oil. Sufi mystics smoked hashish as part of spiritual rituals. Cannabis products were an accepted part of everyday life.
In the early 20th century, attitudes began to shift. In 1927, Turkey banned the recreational use of cannabis under pressure from the International Opium Convention. Over the next few decades, laws continued to tighten.
In 2016, the government legalized controlled hemp cultivation in 19 provinces. This was primarily for medical and scientific research purposes. There was also an economic motivation – reviving the country’s once-thriving hemp industry.
Despite this progress, Turkish laws remain among the strictest worldwide regarding recreational cannabis. Possession of any amount is punishable by prison time.
This severe approach has also impacted CBD regulation. Let’s look at the legal status of CBD oil in Turkey.
Is CBD Oil Legal in Turkey?
The short answer is CBD oil is neither legal nor illegal according to Turkish narcotics laws.
Turkey’s narcotics regulations are governed by Law No. 2313 on the Control of Narcotics. This law does not explicitly mention CBD or hemp. However, it uses broad language to define “cannabis” as any plant of the genus Cannabis.
By extension, CBD oil could potentially fall under the cannabis definition and be considered illegal. However, CBD products are not expressly mentioned as being illegal.
This creates confusion and a legal gray area. In practice, Turkish authorities seem to tolerate CBD products that contain 0% THC. Any product with detectable THC would likely be considered illegal.
For CBD sellers and consumers, it is essential to ensure any CBD oil does not contain THC. Independent lab testing can verify the THC content before importing or purchasing CBD products in Turkey.
Rules for Hemp Cultivation in Turkey
Over the past decade, Turkey has slowly reopened hemp cultivation. In 2016, the government legalized hemp farming for medical and scientific purposes in 19 provinces.
The Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock issues licenses allowing hemp cultivation. Farmers require a permit specifying the land area and hemp varieties allowed. Unlicensed hemp growing remains illegal and can result in stiff penalties.
While these licensing rules have allowed Turkey to rebuild a domestic hemp farming industry, there are still limitations:
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Only fiber, seed, and stalk cultivation is permitted. Flowering cannabis is still banned.
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Only government-approved varieties can be planted. High CBD hemp strains likely would not qualify.
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Cultivators can only sell to government-approved institutions for research. Sales to private CBD companies are prohibited.
Overall, the hemp cultivation system aims to revive the country’s textile and grain production, not enable CBD oil manufacturing. Private Turkish citizens have little opportunity to legally grow hemp for CBD extraction.
Penalties for Cannabis Law Violations
Turkey has strict penalties for violating cannabis laws:
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Illegal possession or use of cannabis is punishable by 2-5 years in prison.
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Selling cannabis can lead to prison sentences of 5-10 years or more. Trafficking over 250 grams carries a minimum 20 year sentence.
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Illegally growing cannabis can result in 8-20 years imprisonment depending on the amount.
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Possession of cannabis seeds is punishable by 1-3 years in prison.
Despite recent medical cannabis allowances, recreational cannabis remains illegal with harsh penalties. CBD’s questionable legal status means possession could potentially be punished as a narcotics crime.
Medical Cannabis in Turkey
In 2016, Turkey legalized some medical cannabis products for patients with qualifying conditions.
The Ministry of Health administers the medical cannabis program. Doctors can prescribe approved products like Sativex spray for patients with chronic pain, PTSD, cancer, and other severe health conditions.
However, the medical cannabis program remains limited. The first domestic production facility opened only in 2021. Patient access and insurance coverage are still challenged. Most doctors remain hesitant to prescribe cannabis with ingrained cultural taboos.
For visitors to Turkey, it is essential not to bring any medical cannabis without approval from Turkish health authorities. While medical use is available for citizens, importing unauthorized products could lead to stiff penalties.
Guidance for Travelers and Consumers
Given Turkey’s strict anti-cannabis stance, what does this mean for travelers hoping to use CBD products?
The safest approach is avoiding any form of cannabis when visiting Turkey. Penalties for possession are severe. Banned substances may include:
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Marijuana and hashish
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CBD oils and tinctures
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Hemp seeds
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THC vape cartridges
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Prescription medical cannabis without Turkish approval
If you must use CBD, the product should be:
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Independently lab tested with 0% THC
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In original sealed packaging showing 0% THC
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Not flown into the country, but purchased domestically
To avoid potential issues, use discretion when possessing CBD products. Consumers and patients may also wish to consult local legal experts for updated guidance.
The Future of Cannabis Laws in Turkey
While limited medical cannabis and hemp cultivation are now permitted, will Turkey ever allow recreational use?
The country remains socially conservative on drug policies. However, if other nations continue relaxing cannabis laws, Turkey may feel pressure to follow suit, especially for economic and tourism reasons. Its flourishing medical cannabis system could also pave the way for further reform.
For now, full recreational legalization seems unlikely in the near future. Yet incremental steps could continue toward a more progressive approach aligned with global trends.
The Complex Reality of CBD in Turkey
Turkey’s complicated history with cannabis has created a legal gray zone for CBD regulation. While not expressly illegal, CBD’s status remains uncertain. For consumers, the safest options are domestic hemp-derived products with 0% THC content.
There are also strict penalties for cannabis possession or use. However, the country has made moderate progress by expanding medical cannabis access and allowing limited hemp cultivation. Additional reforms may come with time, but full adult-use legalization still seems far off.
For those considering CBD use in Turkey, being aware and respectful of cultural attitudes is just as important as following the letter of the law. While challenges remain, the future could see this Eurasian country become a more cannabis-friendly destination.
Finished products containing CBD and extracts
Unlike many countries, where the stance of law enforcement authorities can differ from that of the government, meaning that possessing cannabis for personal use or in CBD shops is tolerated, Turkish laws are strictly enforced. Under the Criminal Code, the penalty is up to two years in prison for illegal possession, with a treatment programme for first-time offenders, and up to ten years for illegal sale and trafficking.
At the beginning of 2019, president Erdoğan and minister of agriculture Bekir Pakdemirli announced that the country would relaunch the cultivation of industrial hemp on a large scale and allow new sites for legal cultivation. Turkey intends for hemp to be grown chiefly for industrial use, including in the automotive, paper and textile industries, as well as for pharmaceutical purposes, and by increasing domestic cultivation, eventually cutting down on hemp imports.
There is currently no legal production and distribution of CBD products, either for food or cosmetics, as there is literally no legal basis for it. The 2016 Regulation on Hemp Farming and Control and the 1990 Decision on Hemp Cultivation and Control did not stipulate any specific rules on the use of hemp in food products.
Although the use of hemp in food is not directly mentioned in the Turkish hemp regulations, hemp seeds are defined by the 2016 Regulation on Hemp Farming and Control as “the plant part which can be used as food or feedstock as a result of hemp cultivation”. Understanding the definition suggests that the production and distribution of hemp seed oil without any trace of THC could be interpreted as legal.
Producers of any product related to the food industry are required to abide by Law No. 5996/2010 on Veterinary Services, Plant Health, Food and Feed, ensuring the absence of unsafe materials, considering factors such as potential health effects on consumers, contamination and deterioration; and they must be appropriately labelled or identified, ensuring that the labelling, advertising and presentation do not mislead the consumer.
The Ministry of Agriculture has the authority to impose restrictions or withdraw unsafe food or feed from the market, and regulations regarding additives, compound feeds and other aspects are established by the ministry to ensure compliance with safety standards.
Several CBD product distributors say they ship their products to Turkey. The national authorities have not responded to our request for additional information on the use of CBD and hemp oil in products for end consumers.
There is currently no legal production or distribution of CBD cosmetic products allowed in Turkey.
Since hemp cultivation is only permitted for producing fibre and not for extracting cannabinoids, we believe that cosmetic products containing CBD are not allowed, even if they don’t have any trace of THC. In December 2020, the General Directorate of Public Health imposed a fine on Sephora Cosmetics, a CBD cosmetic producer, for its product Bybi CBD Booster Hemp Oil because it contained traces of THC.
Under Decision No. 2149/2020, the importing of vaping and related products, as well as components, spare parts and e-liquids, both with and without nicotine, is permitted only with a prior pharmaceutical licence from the Ministry of Health.
Turkey has taken a negative position on vaping products in general, with president Erdoğan declaring e-cigarettes “bizarre” and “addictive”, and the current government led by the AKP sharing the same stance towards vaping products.
Under the 2016 Regulation on Hemp Farming and Control, hemp cultivation for the purpose of flower production is prohibited, and flowers must be destroyed after cultivation under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture. In addition, according to the Tobacco and Alcohol Market Regulatory Authority Decision No. 6896/2012, it is forbidden to smoke or add cannabis-derived additives to tobacco or raw materials obtained from tobacco or chopped tobacco.
Since hemp cultivation is only allowed for producing fibre and not for extracting cannabinoids, we believe that pet food containing CBD is not allowed, even if it has no trace of THC.
Is CBD legal in Turkey?
FAQ
Can I bring CBD into Turkey?
Is CBD legal to fly internationally?
Can I pack CBD oil in my checked luggage?
Which countries don’t allow CBD?
Is CBD oil legal in Turkey?
Still, CBD oil that is entirely free of THC is now available within Turkey and can be consumed legally and safely. 3. Is it Legal to Send Cannabis Seeds to Turkey?
Are CBD products legal in the UK?
The answer is yes. According to the UK government, CBD products containing even a trace of THC are illegal. For this reason, in the UK, only CBD products containing 0% THC are legal.
Are CBD products illegal in Denmark?
Danish officials interpret the law in such a way that CBD items sold over the counter or online are likely to be illegal even if they contain less than 0.2 % THC. As a result, each of these products will need to be analyzed individually.
Are CBD products legal in China?
Yes, all CBD products with 0.3% THC or less are legal in China. For safety measures, don’t bring any CBD foods such as gummies or other edibles. CBD products are widely available online. It’s currently the best way to buy CBD in China. Chinese retailers can’t sell CBD oil locally because it can’t be used as a health supplement or food additives.