Is CBD Oil Legal in Mexico?

Different countries are reviewing and changing laws regarding the use of CBD and its products. If one is wondering whether it is legal to acquire or import CBD oil in Mexico, read this article to find out. This article looks into the current laws regarding cannabis products in Mexico, the legality of CBD oil in the country, and where one can purchase it.

Different governments around the globe are reforming their regulations on the use of cannabis and its products. The use of CBD is legal in most states in the US and countries like Uruguay and Canada. Laws of cannabis can vary in its use for medical, recreational, and supplementary purposes. Law reforms of cannabis lead toward the legalization of CBD and its products.

Cannabis Plant

Ubeed et al. (2022) stated that the cannabis plant is widely accepted to have multiple benefits. Cannabis plants can be categorized depending on genetic properties and chemical composition. Types of cannabis plants range from cannabis sativa to cannabis indica. All these types of plants have distinct bioactive phytochemical compositions that are beneficial.

Cannabis Compounds

As Ubeed et al. (2022) discussed, cannabis plants possess hundreds of compounds categorized as cannabinoids and non-cannabinoids. The acid in cannabis plants is used to yield cannabinoids either by heating, drying, or burning. Most known cannabinoids include delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, THC and cannabidiol, CBD. Non-cannabinoid compounds comprise flavonoids, terpenes, alkaloids, and phenols. These phytochemicals have been explored to have various health uses.

What Is CBD Oil?

Most people relate CBD with marijuana which is illegal in most countries. Cannabidiol is the second most known compound of the cannabis plant. Schilling et al. (2020) explained that the most common active compound of the plant is tetrahydrocannabinol, THC. This compound is responsible for the high and intoxicating characteristics of marijuana. CBD and THC have been studied for numerous benefits for humans and animals. However, unlike THC, CBD is not intoxicating. Kramer (2015) pointed out that CBD has been studied and used to help with conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's, and help with side effects of cancer treatments.

Types of CBD Oil

The type of CBD oil relies on the extraction method from the plant. CBD oil comes in the following compositions:

Full-spectrum CBD oil

This CBD oil has all the other naturally occurring compounds and cannabinoids in the plant. It includes THC and other cannabinoids that cause a high feeling.

Broad-spectrum CBD oil

This product contains other natural compounds, such as full-spectrum CBD oil is clear of THC. It may not cause one to get high but has an entourage effect.

Isolate CBD oil

This type of extract has refined CBD with no other compounds. This extract is mainly derived from the hemp plant's flowers, leaves, and stems. Isolate CBD oil does not make one high but feels good and calming. 

CBD Oil from Hemp and Marijuana

CBD oil can be extracted from both the marijuana and hemp species of cannabis. Schilling et al. (2020) explained that Hemp contains high amounts of CBD while marijuana contains high amounts of THC. In most countries, CBD from marijuana is illegal. Hemp-derived CBD oil with not more than the legal amount of CBD oil is mostly used for recreational, supplementary, and medicinal purposes. Laws regarding the legality of CBD vary with country. These laws are revised and updated with time. Learn more about how to buy cbd oil?

Laws and Regulations of CBD in Mexico

Guerrero & Ferrara (2021) explained the following regarding the laws of CBD in Mexico:

Medical Use 

Medical use of cannabis is allowed in the country. The growth, production, and prescription of cannabis are legal for medical and research use. These medicines are regulated and approved by the Mexico Food and Drugs Agency, similar to the US FDA. The growth of cannabis for research and medical use has to be approved by the Ministry of Agriculture. 

Industrial use

The Mexican General Health Law states that Hemp cannabis products must not have more than 1% THC. Industrial use for cosmetic and dietary supplements requires licensing and following legal requirements. It paved the way for using CBD products such as oils and gummies for retail purchases in the country.

Recreational use

Though the law does not permit the production, sale, and import of recreational cannabis, the Supreme Court considered the use of cannabis as a human right. It allowed private individuals to grow a reasonable amount of cannabis for recreational use. However, this requires one to be over 18 years old, file, and receive a permit regulated by the health secretariat, Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risk (COFEPRIS). Learn more about how to tell if cbd oil is bad?

Is CBD Oil Legal in Mexico?

COFEPRIS released several applications to companies to produce and import hemp-based CBD oil as long as they contain no more than 1% THC. Not more than 38 cannabis products were approved for use in supplements, cosmetics, and as raw materials. Montoya (2016) explained that hemp-based CBD oil is legally available for buying and using in Mexico. Since these rules are applicable inside the country, one should evaluate the country's cannabis law when entering the country with cannabis.

Where to Buy CBD Oil in Mexico

People can purchase CBD oil in retail stores and shops. One must note that these products should contain less than 1% THC. One can also order CBD products to be shipped from places like the US for companies approved by the COFEPRIS to distribute and sell CBD in the country. One must seek approval from COFEPRIS to import CBD oil products into Mexico. These products need to have a valid Certificate of Analysis. This certificate proves that the products are safe and have the approved amount of THC.

Conclusion

Prevalent use of CBD products is rising through laws and regulations that vary with country. Countries like the United States have most states legalize the farming, production, and use of CBD products. These products should specifically come from hemp plants with less THC. In Mexico, the laws regarding the use of CBD are changing. Hemp-based CBD oil is legal to use for research and medical use with approval from the Ministry of Agriculture. The Supreme Court in Mexico approved the use of CBD for recreational use in adults with permits regulated by the COFEPRIS. One has to file for a permit to import CBD Oil from countries like the US.

References

Guerrero, M., & Ferrara, M. (2021). Retrieved 24 July 2022, from https://cms.law/en/int/expert-guides/cms-expert-guide-to-a-legal-roadmap-to-cannabis/mexico.

Kramer, J. L. (2015). Medical marijuana for cancer. CA: a cancer journal for clinicians, 65(2), 109-122.

Montoya, D. (2016). Hemp as fiber and food? Regulatory developments and current issues.

Schilling, S., Melzer, R., & McCabe, P. F. (2020). Cannabis sativa. Current Biology, 30(1), R8-R9.

Ubeed, H. M. S. A., Bhuyan, D. J., Alsherbiny, M. A., Basu, A., & Vuong, Q. V. (2022). A Comprehensive Review on the Techniques for Extraction of Bioactive Compounds from Medicinal Cannabis. Molecules, 27(3).