Italy 2025 CBD Ban: What’s Legal and What’s Not
In a sweeping and controversial move, the Italian government has enacted an Italy CBD ban in 2025, reclassifying cannabidiol as a narcotic and effectively outlawing all non-prescription CBD products. The ban, introduced via emergency decree, applies to oral CBD compositions and industrial hemp flowers, regardless of THC content.
This follows a ruling by the Lazio Regional Administrative Court, which upheld the government’s authority to restrict CBD sales and limit its use exclusively to pharmaceutical channels. As a result, the sale and possession of CBD oil and related extracts are now criminalized unless prescribed by a medical professional, sharply diverging from trends across the EU.
Italy’s hemp sector, long fueled by demand for light cannabis, is now facing an existential crisis. With over 20,000 full-time jobs and billions in economic value at stake, industry advocates and legal experts are calling the decision disproportionate and damaging.
At the EU level, Italy’s stance may soon face formal scrutiny. The government’s unilateral action on CBD regulation has triggered concerns about legal consistency across member states and could prompt an investigation into possible violations of EU trade and health policy.
What the Law Says: CBD Now a Narcotic
The 2025 crackdown on CBD in Italy was implemented through a decree-law passed under the government’s “Security Bill,” allowing immediate enforcement without full parliamentary review. The decree bans CBD oil and all other oral formulations derived from cannabis, including those from hemp flowers, leaves, and stalks.
Crucially, the law classifies CBD as a narcotic substance, placing it under the same restrictions as high-THC cannabis. Only prescription-based pharmaceutical use is permitted, effectively eliminating over-the-counter access to CBD products throughout the country.
This legal position was solidified in April 2025, when the Lazio court CBD ruling rejected an industry appeal and upheld the government’s authority to enforce the ban. The ruling confirmed that the CBD restrictions apply broadly, even to previously unregulated extracts, making this one of the strictest interpretations of cannabinoid control within the EU.
The Economic Fallout: A Billion-Euro Sector at Risk
Italy’s decision to restrict CBD has sent shockwaves through its thriving industrial hemp industry. The ban directly targets hemp flower and CBD-based products, which form the backbone of what was once considered one of Europe’s most promising cannabis sectors.
According to a recent study by MPG Consulting, the light cannabis market in Italy had a direct economic impact of nearly one billion euros, with another billion euros in indirect effects. The industry also supported over 22,000 full-time jobs, now at risk due to the blanket ban on non-pharmaceutical CBD products.
Producers, retailers, and advocacy groups like Canapa Sativa Italia have condemned the move, warning that it not only stifles legal enterprise but also strengthens the black market. Small farmers and entrepreneurs are particularly vulnerable, as the industry provided a rare opportunity for rural development and sustainable agriculture.
Clashing with the EU?
Italy’s harsh stance on CBD has placed it at odds with the broader European approach. While most EU member states allow the sale of low-THC hemp-derived products, Italy’s classification of CBD as a narcotic introduces a clear conflict with CBD regulation in the EU.
The European Commission has already taken note. Following complaints by industry groups and consumer advocates, the Commission has formally requested clarification from the Italian government. This move has triggered a 90-day evaluation period under EU law, during which Italy must justify the compatibility of its restrictions with the Union’s internal market principles.
Legal experts warn that such national divergence could undermine harmonized cannabis regulation across Europe and open the door to future challenges before EU courts. If unresolved, the Italian ban may become a test case for the limits of national control over cannabinoid classification within the EU framework.
Recommendation: What Can Businesses Do?
Despite the regulatory crackdown, there are still lawful ways for CBD brands to maintain a presence in Italy. One viable strategy is to register CBD oil drops as cosmetic products, limiting their use to topical (external) application. While this restricts any medical or wellness claims, it allows companies to remain compliant with EU cosmetic regulations and continue operating within the Italian market.
For many businesses, cosmetic registration of CBD formulations offers a practical and legally sound alternative until clearer pharmaceutical or wellness pathways become available.
Summary: What Italy’s CBD Ban Means
Italy 2025 CBD ban/crackdown marks one of the strictest regulatory shifts in Europe. By reclassifying CBD as a narcotic and banning oral and flower-based hemp products outside of prescription use, the government has put the country’s once-thriving hemp sector at risk. With legal and economic backlash building and pressure mounting from the EU, the situation continues to evolve.
Key Takeaways:
- CBD is classified as a narcotic under the 2025 decree law
- All oral and hemp flower products are banned, unless prescribed
- The Lazio court upheld the government’s CBD restrictions
- 22,000+ jobs and €2 billion in economic value now at risk
- Italy’s law contradicts EU norms, triggering official review
To learn more about the current legal status of CBD and how importing rules have changed, read our full guides on CBD legality in Italy and importing CBD into Italy.
While Italy tightens its grip on CBD, Slovenia is moving in the opposite direction. In 2025, the Slovenian government introduced a comprehensive cannabis reform focused on medical and scientific use, creating clear pathways for licensed cultivation, cannabinoid production, and private-label CBD growth. To understand how Slovenia’s evolving legislation may open new doors for the CBD industry, read the full breakdown here:
👉 What Does Slovenia’s New Cannabis Law Mean for CBD?
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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.
