What Does Slovenia’s New Cannabis Law Mean for CBD?
On the day of the 2025 Marihuana March in Ljubljana, Slovenia took a decisive step toward cannabis reform. Members of parliament from the ruling coalition, including Gibanje Svoboda and Levica, formally submitted a bill to regulate cannabis for medical and scientific purposes. The timing was no coincidence—this legislative proposal directly responds to the results of the 2024 consultative referendum, where 66.71% of voters supported medical use and 51.57% backed limited personal use. But beyond broader cannabis reform, the proposal also raises critical questions about what the new Slovenia Cannabis Law means for CBD—its legal status, market potential, and future role in the country’s wellness and pharmaceutical sectors.
The move signals a shift from prohibition to structured regulation. Unlike previous efforts, this bill doesn’t just legalize—it outlines a clear, accountable framework for cannabis cultivation, production, and oversight. It also introduces the country’s first comprehensive model for CBD regulation in Slovenia in 2025, aimed at aligning with EU standards while enabling growth for the domestic industry.
In this blog, we break down what the new law proposes, how it will impact the CBD sector, and what’s next for Slovenia’s evolving cannabis landscape.
What Does the New Law Propose?
The newly proposed legislation outlines a comprehensive framework for the cultivation, processing, and distribution of cannabis strictly for medical and scientific purposes. It focuses on regulating the entire supply chain—from grower licensing to product standards—within a tightly controlled legal environment.
The bill applies specifically to Cannabis sativa L. and aims to establish a system that ensures medical-grade quality while aligning with European best practices. Cultivation will only be permitted under license and within quantities defined by an annual strategic plan, prepared using healthcare and prescription data provided by the National Institute of Public Health.
Oversight will be divided among key public institutions:
- JAZMP (Agency for Medicinal Products and Medical Devices) will issue and revoke licenses for cultivation, manufacturing, import, export, and distribution of cannabis for medical and scientific use.
- The Ministry of Health will handle licenses specifically related to scientific production and distribution.
- NIJZ (National Institute of Public Health) will support planning by providing data on cannabinoid prescriptions, disease prevalence, and medical cannabis use.
Cannabis intended for medicinal products—including magistral and galenic preparations—must meet the same legal and quality standards as other active pharmaceutical ingredients, in line with the Medicines Act and Pharmacy Services Act.
Producers may subcontract the initial phases of production, such as cultivation, drying, and storage, to qualified third parties, such as farms or companies that comply with Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP). This approach broadens access to the sector and supports the development of a regulated domestic cannabis industry.
No More Monopoly: A Free Market Approach
One of the most notable changes in the proposed legislation is the rejection of a state-controlled monopoly model for cannabis production. Early drafts of the policy considered the creation of a single public agency that would serve as the sole buyer, importer, and wholesaler of medical cannabis. In that system, licensed growers would have been required to sell their entire harvest to this agency.
The final version takes a different route. It supports market openness and economic competitiveness. The new law allows multiple licensed Slovenian companies to grow, process, and trade medical cannabis. This shift encourages broader participation from the private sector, reduces regulatory delays, and lowers the risk of supply shortages.
This move also supports the long-term economic strategy. With growing demand for medical cannabis across the EU, Slovenia now has a real opportunity to become a trusted exporter of high-quality, pharmaceutical-grade cannabis. For hemp growers, biotech firms, and CBD extractors, this opens access to a legal, scalable, and international market.
Medicinal Cannabis: Standards & Regulations
To ensure safety and pharmaceutical integrity, the proposed law introduces strict cultivation and production standards for medical cannabis. All cannabis intended for medical use must be grown indoors, under controlled conditions, and following Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP). This requirement is designed to guarantee product consistency, prevent contamination, and align with standards used for active pharmaceutical ingredients.
Beyond cultivation, the law mandates that every step in the production and distribution chain follows the same principles applied to medicinal substances. This includes drying, storing, processing, and packaging. The aim is to ensure that cannabis-based medicines meet the same rigorous quality benchmarks as other regulated therapeutic products.
The law also reclassifies the legal status of cannabis components. While THC remains a controlled substance, it is permitted when used in strictly defined medical or scientific contexts. Extracts, resins, and raw cannabis plants intended for medical use will be removed from the list of prohibited drugs. However, any handling of THC outside these defined uses will continue to fall under drug control legislation.
Impact on the CBD and Other Cannabinoids Industry
One of the key outcomes of CBD regulation in Slovenia in 2025 is the legal clarity it provides for cannabinoids such as CBD, CBDA, and CBG. These compounds, already common in wellness and therapeutic products, will now be regulated under a clear framework tailored for medical-grade cannabis production.
For the CBD sector, this creates immediate benefits:
- Legitimacy: Companies operating in extraction, formulation, or product development can work under officially recognized licenses, reducing legal ambiguity.
- Consistency: Clear guidelines for cultivation and extraction ensure consistent cannabinoid profiles and product quality.
- Compliance: Producers can align operations with EU regulations more easily, facilitating cross-border sales and exports.
This legal framework also positions Slovenia as a more attractive hub for clinical research, innovation, and private-label development in the CBD space.
Importantly, the law also distinguishes non-psychoactive cannabinoids from THC. This separation helps protect and expand the market for CBD wellness products, nutraceuticals, and topical applications, while keeping recreational THC strictly controlled.
For white-label CBD brands, contract manufacturers, and pharmaceutical developers, this shift means fewer risks, more transparency, and increased demand for certified cannabinoid products. In a region where regulations have long been vague or restrictive, Slovenia’s move offers a scalable, compliant path forward.
What About Personal Use?
While the 2025 legislation focuses primarily on medical and scientific cannabis, the question of personal use remains a key part of the broader reform conversation. During the June 2024 referendum, 51.57% of voters supported the idea of legalizing cannabis for limited personal use. Though a slim majority, it sent a clear message to policymakers that public attitudes are shifting.
At this stage, the government has not yet submitted a separate bill addressing personal use. However, coalition leaders have confirmed that regulation of recreational or personal cannabis consumption will follow within the current mandate. The development of this second legislative step is already underway, and policymakers are reportedly studying international best practices, including frameworks adopted in Germany, the Czech Republic, and parts of North America.
While exact details remain under discussion, future measures may include:
- Decriminalization of small-scale possession
- Clear possession limits
- Rules for home cultivation
- Licensing or oversight of non-medical use in designated areas
For now, personal cannabis use remains prohibited under Slovenia’s existing drug laws. But with momentum building and precedent set by the medical framework, reform advocates are optimistic. The legal landscape will continue to evolve in a balanced, evidence-based direction.
Referendum & Public Sentiment
The foundation for Slovenia’s new cannabis law was laid during the national consultative referendum held in June 2024. Although non-binding, the results were politically significant and acted as a clear signal for legislative action.
Two key questions were posed to voters:
- Should cannabis be allowed for medical use?
Result: 66.71% voted YES - Should cannabis be allowed for limited personal use?
Result: 51.57% voted YES
While turnout reached only 41.43%, the strong majority in favor of medical use gave the government a clear mandate. It justified efforts to create a controlled and medically focused cannabis framework. Support for personal use was more divided, but the majority still leaned toward reform, prompting future legislative discussions.
The Marihuana March, held annually in Ljubljana, took place this year alongside the introduction of the cannabis bill. It played a symbolic role. Organized by student and civil society groups, the event highlighted public frustration with outdated drug laws and the lasting harm caused by prohibition.
The initiative received support from several political parties, including Gibanje Svoboda, Levica, Piratska stranka, and Zeleni Slovenije. Alongside industry voices and patient advocates, they’ve helped shape a reform-driven political environment—one that supports transparency, harm reduction, and broader economic opportunity.
What This Means for the Slovenian CBD Industry
The 2025 legislation is more than a regulatory milestone. It lays the foundation for long-term growth in Slovenia’s CBD and medical cannabis sectors. By replacing uncertainty with structure, the law opens the door to new opportunities for licensed cultivation, extraction, clinical research, and product development.
For hemp producers and cannabinoid extractors, this creates a clear path to operate under a fully compliant, EU-aligned system. It also helps businesses build supply chains that are traceable, quality-assured, and export-ready. These are key requirements for reaching pharmaceutical buyers and wellness distributors.
The law encourages innovation as well. With non-THC cannabinoids like CBDA, CBG, and others differentiated from controlled substances, companies can invest with more confidence in new formulations, delivery methods, and therapeutic applications. And all without the legal risks that previously held them back.
The end of the monopoly plan also leads to a more dynamic and competitive landscape. Licensed companies will grow, process, and trade medical cannabis in open-market conditions. This shift is a major step toward attracting foreign investment.
For private-label and white-label CBD brands, this environment brings both growth and legal certainty. With clear production standards and access to compliant sourcing partners, Slovenia is well-positioned to become a preferred manufacturing base for cannabinoid-based wellness products across the EU.
Final Thoughts
Slovenia’s 2025 cannabis legislation marks a major step from fragmented policy to structured regulation. CBD regulation in Slovenia in 2025 plays a key role in this shift. It offers long-awaited clarity to producers, researchers, and private-label brands in the cannabinoid space. The law focuses on medical and scientific use and creates a clear, enforceable system for cultivation, production, and oversight. It also sets the stage for upcoming personal use reform.
For the CBD sector, the impact is significant. The law brings legal clarity to cannabinoids like CBD, CBDA, and CBG. It separates them from psychoactive substances and sets standards aligned with EU pharmaceutical and wellness regulations. At the same time, it removes monopoly risks and promotes a competitive, innovation-driven market.
Domestic growers, extractors, white-label brands, and export-focused manufacturers now have a rare chance. Slovenia’s legal system finally allows them to grow legally, trade transparently, and scale sustainably.
The outcome depends on the next steps. These include policy implementation, industry involvement, and the promised legislation for personal use. But one thing is clear: Slovenia is no longer reacting to cannabis reform. It’s now helping lead it.
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