Is CBD legal in Lithuania in 2025?

The CBD market continues to expand across Europe, and Lithuania is cautiously moving forward with its approach. Despite broader EU rulings that support the legality of cannabidiol (CBD) derived from industrial hemp, Lithuania’s regulatory environment still leaves businesses and consumers asking: Is CBD legal in Lithuania, or does it remain in a complex legal grey area?

Although the European Court of Justice has ruled that CBD is not a narcotic when legally produced in the EU, Lithuania maintains a conservative stance on cannabis-related products. The import, sale, and marketing of CBD—especially when intended for ingestion—are subject to strict regulation. Products such as CBD oils, capsules, and edibles fall under the EU’s Novel Food Regulation and must be approved by Lithuanian authorities like the State Food and Veterinary Service (VMVT) or the State Medicines Control Agency (VVKT).

At Essentia Pura, our goal is to provide clear, up-to-date guidance for anyone navigating the European CBD industry. This article breaks down the legal framework for CBD in Lithuania as of 2025—covering everything from product classifications to market access and business rules.

By the end of this article, you’ll understand:

• Is CBD legal in Lithuania?
• What are the regulations for selling or importing CBD products?
• Can consumers freely buy and use CBD oil?
• What are the legal THC limits and hemp farming conditions?
• How does Lithuania compare to Latvia, Estonia, and the rest of the EU?
• Are travelers allowed to bring CBD into Lithuania?

Whether you’re a consumer or a business aiming to enter the Lithuanian market, this guide will help you make informed, compliant decisions in 2025.

Understanding CBD

To grasp the legal and commercial framework for CBD in Lithuania, it's essential to start with the basics. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive compound naturally found in the Cannabis sativa L. plant. Unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD does not cause intoxication, making it more acceptable in regulatory systems across Europe. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized CBD as generally safe and well-tolerated in humans, but national governments still apply different rules depending on product classification and local health laws.

In Lithuania, CBD is typically extracted from industrial hemp—a variety of cannabis legally defined as containing no more than 0.2% THC. This threshold aligns with EU standards. However, the legality of a CBD product in Lithuania depends heavily on how it is categorized. CBD may be classified as a novel food, cosmetic, or medicinal product, with oversight provided by the State Food and Veterinary Service (VMVT) or the State Medicines Control Agency (VVKT). These agencies play a key role in determining whether a product can be marketed and under what conditions.

Recreational Cannabis

Recreational cannabis remains illegal in Lithuania. The possession, sale, and cultivation of marijuana with high THC content are criminal offenses under national narcotics law. Small-scale possession (up to 5 grams) is considered an administrative violation and typically results in a fine. Possession of larger amounts or evidence of intent to distribute can lead to criminal prosecution and imprisonment.

As of 2025, there are no government-backed legislative efforts to legalize or decriminalize recreational cannabis in Lithuania. Despite some civil society initiatives and broader EU discussions, Lithuania retains a conservative approach to cannabis policy, emphasizing public health and compliance with international drug control treaties.

Medical Cannabis

Medical cannabis is legal in Lithuania but remains highly restricted. Only a few cannabis-based medicinal products—such as Sativex—are approved for use. These medications are strictly prescription-only and are typically limited to treating severe conditions such as multiple sclerosis. Patients must obtain a prescription from a licensed physician and collect their medication from an authorized pharmacy.

Whole-plant cannabis products, such as dried flowers or full-spectrum oils, are not legally available for therapeutic use in Lithuania. All cannabis-based medicines must be registered with the VVKT before they can be prescribed. Because of these limitations, access to medical cannabis in Lithuania is significantly more restricted than in more progressive EU states like Germany or the Netherlands.

Hemp vs. Marijuana

Understanding the legal distinction between hemp and marijuana is essential when navigating Lithuania’s cannabis laws. In Lithuania, hemp is defined as Cannabis sativa L. containing no more than 0.2% THC, consistent with European Union standards. Any plant exceeding that threshold is classified as marijuana and treated as a controlled narcotic substance under Lithuanian criminal law.

Hemp cultivation is legal in Lithuania but only under strict regulatory oversight. Private or home cultivation of cannabis plants is prohibited, regardless of THC levels. To legally grow hemp, farmers must:

• Use EU-certified hemp seeds
• Register their crop with the State Plant Service (Valstybinė augalininkystės tarnyba)
• Submit data as part of the national Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reporting system

Historically used for textiles and agriculture, hemp in Lithuania is increasingly seen as a raw material for cosmetics, industrial oils, and non-ingestible wellness products. However, any hemp-derived product intended for consumption—such as CBD oil, gummies, or capsules—faces closer scrutiny and must meet both EU and national safety standards.

How CBD Products Are Made

CBD (cannabidiol) is a naturally occurring, non-psychoactive compound extracted from industrial hemp using CO₂ or ethanol-based methods. After extraction, the CBD is diluted with a carrier oil, such as MCT or hemp seed oil, to create CBD oil and related products.

In Lithuania, the legality of CBD products depends on their classification and compliance with both national and EU regulations:

• Food supplements: CBD is classified as a novel food under EU Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. As of 2025, no CBD food supplements are authorized in Lithuania, making CBD oils, gummies, or capsules intended for ingestion unauthorized for sale.
• Cosmetics: CBD may be legally used in topical products like creams or balms, but these must comply with EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009 and be registered via the Cosmetic Products Notification Portal (CPNP) before being placed on the market.

All legal CBD products must be derived from EU-certified hemp, contain no more than 0.2% THC, and meet strict standards for labeling, safety, and intended use.

CBD regulation

As of 2025, Lithuania permits the use of CBD under specific and tightly regulated conditions. While the country aligns with broader European Union directives, its national enforcement is particularly cautious regarding CBD in food, supplements, and therapeutic products.

Classification of CBD Products

The legal status of CBD in Lithuania depends on its classification:

1. Food Supplements

CBD is classified as a novel food under EU Regulation (EU) 2015/2283, which requires authorization from the European Commission. In Lithuania, enforcement falls under the State Food and Veterinary Service (VMVT).

📌 As of 2025, no CBD ingestible products have been officially approved as novel foods, meaning CBD oils, capsules, or gummies marketed for oral use remain unauthorized in Lithuania.

2. Medicinal Products

CBD products making therapeutic or health-related claims are considered medicinal products and must be authorized by the State Medicines Control Agency (VVKT). Only a limited number of cannabinoid-based drugs—like Sativex—are permitted, and these are strictly prescription-only.

3. Cosmetic Products

CBD is allowed in cosmetics if it complies with:

• EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009
• Must be registered via the Cosmetic Products Notification Portal (CPNP)

Cosmetic CBD products must:

• Contain no more than 0.2% THC
• Be free of synthetic cannabinoids
• Be manufactured and labeled according to EU cosmetics safety standards

4. Technical/External Use Products

Some CBD oils are legally sold in Lithuania as technical hemp extracts or aroma oils, explicitly labeled “not for internal use”. This legal workaround is allowed so long as:

• It is not marketed as suitable for ingestion or therapeutic benefit
• The product makes no medical claims

Hemp & THC Limits

THC Threshold: All CBD products in Lithuania must be derived from industrial hemp containing ≤0.2% THC. Any product exceeding this limit is treated as a narcotic substance and is prohibited.

• Hemp Cultivation: Hemp cultivation is permitted using EU-certified hemp seeds, but requires:
  • Compliance with CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) controls and environmental regulations.
  • Registration with the State Plant Service (Valstybinė augalininkystės tarnyba)

Business Considerations

To operate a CBD business in Lithuania, companies must:

• Source responsibly: Use only EU-approved hemp varieties and validated supply chains.
• Avoid ingestibles unless approved under EU novel food regulations.
• Label accurately: Include full product information, origin, and purpose; do not suggest any therapeutic use unless authorized.
• Comply with THC limits: Batch-level lab testing must confirm the THC level does not exceed 0.2%.
• Prepare for inspections: Expect regular oversight from VMVT and VVKT, particularly for imported or wellness-branded products.

Buying CBD

If you're wondering how to legally buy CBD oil in Lithuania, the answer depends on the classification and intended use of the product. While CBD itself is not banned, only specific categories of CBD products are legally available—and even then, under strict conditions.

CBD products sold as cosmetics or technical hemp extracts (such as aroma oils labeled “not for consumption”) are permitted for retail sale. These products may be found in select physical shops or purchased online. However, due to limited local availability, many Lithuanian consumers turn to EU-based online retailers who ship compliant, third-party-tested products.

⚠️ Important consumer notes:

• CBD oils or edibles intended for ingestion are unauthorized unless they’ve been approved as a Novel Food under EU Regulation (EU) 2015/2283.
• As of 2025, no CBD food supplement or ingestible oil has received approval for sale in Lithuania.
• Customs authorities may seize imported CBD items labeled for oral use that don’t comply with EU food safety or Lithuanian labeling standards.
• All CBD products must contain ≤ 0.2% THC to be legal under both EU and Lithuanian law.

Consumers should:

• Avoid purchasing from websites that make therapeutic or health claims, which violates both EU and Lithuanian advertising rules.
• Choose trusted EU-based vendors that provide:
  • Verified Certificates of Analysis (COAs)
  • Clear THC content disclosure
  • Legal labeling with non-ingestible use, if applicable

Selling CBD

Starting a CBD business in Lithuania requires strict adherence to both EU and local regulations, with oversight from the State Food and Veterinary Service (VMVT) and the State Medicines Control Agency (VVKT) depending on product classification.

✅ You may legally sell:

• CBD cosmetics: Only if registered through the EU Cosmetic Products Notification Portal (CPNP) and compliant with Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009
• Technical/external-use CBD: Products like aroma oils, massage balms, or topicals that are not intended for ingestion and make no medical claims

🚫 You may not legally sell:

• CBD oils, gummies, or capsules for oral consumption unless they have Novel Food approval under EU Regulation 2015/2283
• CBD medicinal products, unless they are officially approved and registered with VVKT (Lithuanian Medicines Agency)

Business must-haves:

• Products must be derived from EU-certified hemp
• Labeling must be clear, accurate, and in Lithuanian
• No medical claims can be made unless the product is registered as a medicine
• Businesses should be prepared for inspection by the VMVT for food/cosmetic controls and VVKT for medicinal products

Other Baltic Countries comparison

While Lithuania's CBD regulations remain cautious, they are relatively balanced compared to its Baltic neighbors.

🇱🇻 Latvia

Latvia maintains one of the strictest interpretations of CBD law in the region. Ingestible CBD products, including oils and gummies, are not authorized unless they receive EU Novel Food approval—which has not yet occurred. Most legal CBD sales are limited to cosmetics or technical products, and products marketed for oral use are often seized at customs. Retail availability is minimal, and national regulators like the Food and Veterinary Service (PVD) enforce compliance actively.

🇪🇪 Estonia

Estonia allows CBD products with less visible enforcement, but the law remains conservative. Ingestible CBD is still considered a novel food, and no CBD products have received approval as of 2025. However, some businesses sell aroma oils or cosmetics with CBD under a looser interpretation, provided they do not make therapeutic claims. The Estonian Agriculture and Food Board (PRIA) and the State Agency of Medicines (Ravimiamet) oversee compliance.

Conclusion: Is CBD Legal in Lithuania?

About us

At Essentia Pura, we specialize in manufacturing high-quality white-label and private-label CBD products, helping businesses launch their own unique CBD brands. With cutting-edge hemp extraction methods and a commitment to compliance and quality, we support companies in the nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Whether you’re looking for ready-to-market formulations or custom solutions, we’re here to help you succeed in the growing CBD market.

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