Is CBD Legal In Mexico?
We are all familiar with the tint-ish yellow portrayal of Mexico in movies and TV shows. There’s no doubt that Mexico is generally known for its established drug cartels, but that does not mean that everyone is getting high on drugs there.
But did you know this rapidly growing manufacturing hub is one of the most lenient ones when it comes to cannabis use?
Yes, hemp-derived CBD products are completely legal in Mexico as long as they don’t have more than 0.1% THC in them. Millions of Mexicans actually use CBD and other cannabis-derived products to improve dealing with pain, anxiety, stress, and sleep-related issues.
For some, it’s a pain relief miracle, while for others it’s a simple tool for relaxation and chilling out after a long and hectic day. So while staying in Mexico for vacation or business, you can easily buy CBD oil from trusted brands.
Let’s take a more in-depth look at CBD laws in Mexico so that you can plan your visit effectively.
What exactly is CBD?
There are mainly two types of cannabis plants, i.e., hemp and marijuana. These plants have hundreds of naturally healing and therapeutic compounds known as cannabinoids. CBD is one of the most major, popular, studied, and widely used cannabinoids found in mature cannabis plants.
Unlike the other major cannabinoids, THC, CBD is non-psychoactive and completely intoxicating in nature. Hemp plants have a high CBD concentration and only trace amounts of THC in them.
That’s why the majority of all the legally sold CBD products are actually made from industrial hemp plants instead of marijuana plants. There are marijuana-derived CBD products as well, but due to the higher THC content in them, they are mostly kept restricted for medical use.
CBD is scientifically proven to provide relief against pain, anxiety, stress, sleep, appetite, skin issues, and other crucial health issues. It’s quite popular among chronic pain patients who want a non-addictive tool for managing their discomfort and inflammation.
Other than this, CBD topicals are also widely used for their localized relief. Its anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties are good for nourishing the skin and providing relief from acne, dryness, redness, rashes, and other such issues.
CBD creams can also provide relief from pain caused by injuries or muscle exertion. Well, enough about its positive effects. Now let’s take an in-depth look at CBD rules in Mexico.
Can I use CBD in Mexico legally?
Yes, you can legally buy and consume CBD products in Mexico. Mexico is one of the early adopters of CBD legalization globally. Unlike the USA, CBD is classified and advertised as a dietary supplement category and can be added to cosmetics, foods, and drinks.
How have cannabis laws evolved in Mexico?
When cannabis was first decriminalized in 2009, authorities made it legal for people to carry it in small amounts for personal use. Anyone found with more than 5 grams was either fined or asked for rehab.
Then in 2015, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of growing cannabis for personal use. Then in 2017, President Nieto passed a bill to legalize the use of low THC cannabis for medical use. This included products like CBD oils, capsules, and more.
This movie brought tremendous strides in the Mexican medical cannabis industry. Millions of chronic pain, epilepsy, chemotherapy, and neurological disorder patients shifted from health-damaging prescription medications to naturally healing and therapeutic cannabis products.
In 2018, the Supreme Court ruled that it’s against the constitutional rights of people to stop them from using cannabis for recreational purposes.
This did not become a law immediately, and technically people still could get arrested, but now they got the right to get the charges waived by challenging the arrest in court. Hence authorities stopped arresting people for cannabis possession, as they could now simply state the court ruling and walk out free.
Finally, in 2021, it became legal for recreational use as per the permit issued by COFEPRIS. The Supreme Court decriminalized recreational cannabis use on June 29, 29129.
Then President Andres Obrador made it legal by signing a bill that allowed people over the age of 18 to carry up to 28 grams of cannabis for personal use. Plus, as per this bill, people can now grow up to six marijuana plants within the boundaries of their personal properties.
Can I travel to Mexico with CBD?
Technically, yes, you can travel to Mexico with products like CBD gummies, creams, oils, and more. But they must not have more than 0.1% THC in them. As long as you are traveling with very low or nil THC amount CBD products, authorities won’t trouble you.
You can also buy CBD within Mexico as well through various offline retail stores. Some local brands are also selling CBD products online now and can deliver them to your doorstep with minimal shipping fees.
Still, most people in Mexico buy CBD from US-based CBD brands, who have taken permits from COFEPRIS for shipping their products from American warehouses to Mexican doorsteps.
COFEPRIS is Mexico's federal agency for tackling and managing sanitary risks. It overlooks all the imports and exports of cannabis products, including CBD. As per its 2021 ruling, at least 31 kinds of cannabis products are legal in Mexico now.
The Final Thoughts
To sum it up, yes, CBD is legal in Mexico, but it cannot have more than 0.1% THC in it. It first was legalized for only medical use in 2017, but as of June 2021, it’s now legal for non-medical use as well.
Mexico has taken further steps by decriminalizing marijuana as well. People can now carry up to 28 grams of cannabis for personal use and also grow up to 6 plants by getting permission from the country’s sanitary risk department, COFEPRIS.
You can now easily buy CBD products in Mexico from both offline stores and online sites. If you are planning to travel with CBD to Mexico for the USA, make sure to buy the products from reputable and well-tested brands like Colorado Botanicals.
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