Buying cannabidiol in pharmacies
Cannabidiol is an active substance that is extracted from hemp. Now perfectly legal under certain conditions, CBD is sold freely in France and other countries in the European Union. However, CBD’s proximity to THC, its cousin responsible for the psychotropic effects of cannabis, can cause confusion. Is cannabidiol available in pharmacies? How easy is it to obtain these products in physical pharmacies and do you need a prescription? You will find all the answers you need in this article!
Is cannabidiol available in pharmacies?
Yes, pharmacies sell CBD...
You can usually find cannabidiol products in pharmacies throughout France. Selling and consuming CBD is now legal as long as the products do not contain more than 0.2% THC (the psychotropic compound in cannabis). Therefore, you can go to your usual pharmacist and ask for CBD oil, CBD flower infusions, or even sweets. Pharmacists are healthcare professionals who must give the best advice to their customers and comply with a code of ethics, which entails providing high-quality CBD products. They may also give dosage recommendations, with regard to maximum doses, etc.
...under certain conditions
Pharmacies must comply with certain rules in order to sell CBD:
- physical pharmacies must have a State licence to prove the legality of the business;
- cannabidiol products sold in pharmacies must comply with French legislation, for example, they must have a THC content less than 0.2% derived from hemp from authorised crops and products must be made only from the fibres and seeds of the plant;
- pharmacies cannot advertise the medical or therapeutic properties of CBD as studies are still needed to definitively prove these benefits.
What about buying CBD online?
Not all physical establishments sell CBD in-store. You can buy cannabidiol from online pharmacies for easier access to products. As online pharmacies do not need to prove the legality of their business (except for prescription drugs), it is easier for them to sell cannabidiol. However, the purchase may also be less secure as many online pharmacies are not really pharmacies. You should pay particular attention to the reliability of the seller to ensure the quality of the CBD. You can trust The CBD Farm: we sell products made from organic hemp for premium-quality cannabidiol with full spectrum effects for optimal results.
Which hemp products can be found in pharmacies?
Hemp extracts are increasingly available in pharmacies, with CBD appealing to a wider audience than previously. CBD sellers have diversified their ranges since the legalisation of cannabidiol, which has also had an impact on the products available in pharmacies. Specifically, you can find:
- CBD oils with different cannabinoid concentrations (between 5% and 40%);
- CBD crystals, also known as isolate;
- cosmetics and skin care products containing CBD to be applied to the face or body;
- sweets, and CBD capsules.
And as more and more studies and clinical trials are conducted to prove the benefits of CBD, product ranges will continue to develop both online and in pharmacies!
Is CBD a medicine?
CBD is a food additive
But, be aware: just because you can find cannabidiol in pharmacies does not mean it is a medicine! According to French law, it is simply a food additive that should not be used as a substitute for medication. The benefits of CBD are reported regularly, particularly in relation to stress and sleep, but these benefits are still theoretical: the anxiolytic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective benefits have not yet been confirmed by the scientific community and are not yet recognised by healthcare authorities. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recognises the therapeutic potential of CBD, but further studies are underway to officially confirm this.
Exceptions
There are exceptions, however, as there are medicines that contain cannabidiol as the active substance. These legal cannabis treatments have been authorised in France by the French National Agency for the Safety of Medicines (Agence Nationale de Sécurité du Médicament). For example, Epidyolex is a drug prescribed to treat severe forms of epilepsy in children, while Sativex is a treatment which alleviates the symptoms of multiple sclerosis. However, these two products are significantly different from the typical CBD products available in pharmacies as they are prescription-only. You can only find them in specialised cannabidiol shops and in physical pharmacies.
Should you buy cannabidiol in pharmacies or online?
If you are unsure whether to buy cannabidiol from a physical pharmacy or an online pharmacy, here are the advantages of both options:
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Purchasing CBD in physical pharmacies |
Purchasing CBD from an online shop |
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So it all depends on your purchasing habits, the urgency and availability of products in the shop. Either way, you should look for quality CBD suppliers. To assess the product’s quality, you need to consider the origin of the hemp, the plant’s cultivation method, the CBD content, and the production method. This will allow you to take cannabidiol safely and enjoy the benefits of CBD without the undesirable side effects!
Is it really safe to buy cannabidiol in pharmacies?
Even if pharmacies sell CBD, they may not have enough variety, which limits your choice. In addition, pharmacists and order pickers may lack experience and knowledge on this compound, which they often consider a simple food supplement. In most cases, you can easily turn to an online pharmacy! Simply choose a shop that complies with French and European legislation: you can read product descriptions and the package leaflet to ensure that the CBD product complies with legal requirements. You can also ask for a certificate of analysis to ensure that the product is absolutely pure, with no chemical additives or additions.
CBD in pharmacies: how much does it cost?
Price of CBD oil in pharmacies
The most common form of CBD is cannabidiol oil: you can use it by placing a few drops under your tongue or by adding oil to your recipes. Depending on the CBD oil you choose, you can expect to pay between €20 and €150 in pharmacies. Most pharmacies only carry oils with a very low CBD concentration (between 5% and 10% cannabidiol). If you need a higher concentration, look at online sellers instead.
Prices for CBD cosmetics and crystals
Cannabidiol cosmetics allow for topical and precise application and come in the form of creams to relieve muscle pain and sometimes tendonitis. However, these products are not yet widely available in physical pharmacies. A CBD gel or cream usually costs between €20 and €30, but this depends on individual pharmacies. CBD crystals (which have a similar use to CBD oil) are products that contain up to 99% of this hemp compound. The price in pharmacies varies between €20 and €40.
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MARCHEIX Pascale February 26th 2023Bonjour,
Je fais une cure de CBD dosée à 75 mg sous forme d’ampoule. Pourriez SVP me conseiller pour l’achat d’huile. Cure essentiellement contre l’arthrose et le bien dormir. Par avance merci.
Miranda E February 28th 2023
Le Cbd gold
Anna January 20th 2023J'ai pu notamment voir les nombreux bienfaits du cbd gold
cbd et fertilité
BOB January 19th 2023Super article ! Je me pose des questions quant au rapport entre cbd et fertilité qu'en pensez-vous ?
Miranda E January 23rd 2023
Du cbd en pharmacie ?
Jerome December 22nd 2022Je n'ai jamais essayé d'en acheter en pharmacie, j'ai mon vendeur de cbd gold habituel !