The European CBD Supply Chain: Where Do the Flowers Come From?

Maybe you’ve wondered where the CBD flowers you find at your favorite store come from? Behind a single label lie quite different crops, climates, production methods, and regulations. So, let me take you on a tour of the main European supply chains.

Things to remember

• Switzerland permits CBD hemp with a THC content below 1%.
• In the European Union, the agricultural reference threshold is 0.3% THC.
• Ireland, Italy, and Spain have different agricultural traditions and growing conditions, which influence their flowers.

Switzerland: A CBD Industry with Its Own Regulatory Framework

Let's start with Switzerland. Even though it is not part of the European Union, it plays a special role in the European CBD industry.

Here, the regulatory threshold is set at less than 1% THC for hemp not to be considered a narcotic. This is therefore a condition that differs significantly from the one applied in the European Union, where hemp varieties used for agricultural purposes must comply with a 0.3% THC threshold to be considered legal.

This unique characteristic has fostered the development of a full-fledged CBD hemp industry focused on flower production. Agroscope, the Swiss agricultural research institute, is working in particular on varieties intended for flower production and cannabinoid extraction.

Since 2021, hemp is no longer subject to Swiss agricultural seed legislation. Seeds and plants intended for the production of CBD hemp can therefore be produced and marketed without going through the same variety registration system as before. Plants intended for commercial sale must meet phytosanitary requirements and have a phytosanitary certificate.

Spain: Sun, Agricultural Diversity, and Production Under Constraints

In Spain, the climate may seem particularly favorable for hemp. Some regions enjoy long periods of sunshine and temperatures suitable for cultivation, but don’t forget—sunshine isn’t everything! Flower production also depends on the variety chosen, irrigation, soil, planting density, and the timing of the harvest.

For European producers, the choice of varieties remains subject to the rules governing industrial hemp. European CBD legislation stipulates that varieties used under the CAP must, among other things, comply with the 0.3% THC threshold.

Ireland : a highly regulated agricultural sector

And what about the “ Ireland ” in all of this? It has a particularly well-organized hemp industry, historically focused on agricultural uses, particularly fiber and seeds.

French law permits the cultivation of Cannabis sativa L. varieties subject to regulatory conditions, provided the THC content is 0.3 percent or less. Farmers who produce flowers and leaves must use certified seeds and be active farmers as defined by applicable regulations.

Variety selection also plays an important role. In Ireland, hemp varieties undergo official review procedures before being listed in the catalog, including agronomic and botanical evaluations conducted within a regulated framework.

And for French CBD flowers, there has been a major legal turning point. In December 2022, the Council of State overturned the blanket ban on the sale of flowers and leaves from cannabis strains containing less than 0.3% THC. It ruled that this absolute ban was not justified in light of the established risks to public health.

Today, French agriculture therefore remains closely tied to the traditional farming world, with strict regulations governing crop varieties and seeds.