Regulatory Snapshot: Poland

The information in these snapshots was compiled with the help of MM411, which has partners across the globe to create accessible education that is reflective of the regulatory framework within the global region that is specially curated for cannabis professionals. We would like to extend thanks Cannabis Poland for their valuable contribution on the regulations in Poland.

Image | adobe.stock/vlukas

In Poland, cannabis is classified in two ways: fibrous (e.g. hemp), with THC below 0.3% and non-fibrous, with THC above 0.3%. Non-fibrous cannabis is prohibited from being produced, imported, or sold for recreational purposes, but research institutions are allowed to grow non-fibrous cannabis for the preparation of prescription drugs. Medical cannabis may be prescribed by a doctor and distributed by a pharmacy.(1) Recent regulations set in November of 2024 prevent private clinics from offering remote consultations for cannabis prescriptions, meaning that only national health physicians can provide remote consultation and prescriptions to patients who have previously had an in-person consultation. This has caused prescriptions for medical cannabis to significantly decrease, from 68,000 in October of 2024 to 28,000 in December of 2024.(2)

Farmers can apply for a license to grow fibrous cannabis for research and development as well as commercial purposes such as textiles, food, or building material. Within the country, there are no specific regulations for the production and sale of non-intoxicating cannabinoids such as CBD; however, in the European Union (EU), to which Poland belongs, the cannabinoid is considered a novel food. A novel food is a food that has not been consumed significantly in the EU before 15 May 1997 and falls under one of the following categories:

• Newly developed or innovative food such as plant-based meat alternatives, edible insects, or lab-grown meat.
• Food produced using new processes such as nanotechnology or novel fermentation methods.
• Food traditionally eaten outside the EU such as chia seeds, noni fruit, or baobab.
• Engineered or synthetic food ingredients such as artificial nutrients or synthetic proteins.

Regulations require novel foods to be authorized prior to being marketed, evaluated for safety prior to approval, and listed on the EU List of Novel Foods upon approval. The European Food Safety Authority has not yet authorized any CBD products, but of course, that has not prevented their sale. Manufacturers must ensure their products contain less than 0.3% THC as to not be considered a controlled substance, but CBD in isolate form is often considered safer to sell from a legal perspective.

References

1. Starzyńska, A.; Gondek, U. Cannabis law and legislation in Poland. CMS. June, 18, 2024. https://cms.law/en/int/expert-guides/cms-expert-guide-to-a-legal-roadmap-to-cannabis/poland (accessed 2025-02-14).
2. Stevens, B. Poland eyes CBD ban as its medical cannabis crackdown sees prescription numbers plummet. Business of Cannabis. January 22, 2025. https://businessofcannabis.com/poland-eyes-cbd-ban-as-its-medical-cannabis-crackdown-sees-prescription-numbers-plummet/ (accessed 2025-02-14).

How to Cite this Article

Regulatory Snapshots: Poland. Cannabis Science and Technology, 2025, 8(1), 26.