Whether CBD is haram determines if Muslims are able to use the cannabinoid or not, affecting nearly 2 billion people worldwide. Fortunately, CBD is not usually considered haram (forbidden) since it is not intoxicating. Since CBD comes from Cannabis sativa, though, some Muslim scholars believe CBD to be haram instead of halal (permissible).
In the end, it all comes down to context — the “how” and the “why” of your CBD use. We’ll cover all the details — including whether full-spectrum CBD is haram — over the course of this comprehensive guide.
What Is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a naturally occurring cannabinoid found abundantly in certain breeds of Cannabis sativa. Often offering impressive medicinal benefits, CBD is nonetheless non-intoxicating and only very rarely has side effects beyond sleepiness and mild digestive discomfort. Millions of people around the world have started using CBD because it’s very helpful in daily life and doesn’t get you high.
Is CBD a Natural Ingredient?
Yes, CBD is a fully natural ingredient, meaning it is not man-made in any way. While synthetic ingredients aren’t inherently haram, each man-made ingredient must be judged individually while natural ingredients are generally considered products of God (with many notable exceptions such as pork and shellfish). By default, then, CBD is halal and not haram due to its natural origins.
Is CBD the Same as Marijuana?
No, CBD is not the same as the illegal drug marijuana, a critical distinction in the religious views and even laws of many Islamic countries. Most intoxicating drugs, including marijuana, are considered haram because of their effects on the mind — and, from the religious view — the soul. Even alcohol is illegal in the majority of Muslim countries. So, the fact that CBD is separate from marijuana is of critical importance when judging the acceptability of the cannabinoid from a Muslim perspective.
Understanding the Islamic Perspective
Muslim cultures generally have a loosely agreed-upon set of rules regarding proper conduct that originates from the Quran and Sunnah. These rules often involve food and are sometimes enshrined as actual laws. The purpose of these laws is to divide daily activities into one of two categories: “halal” or acceptable and “haram” or forbidden.
Overall, haram laws are designed to keep the minds and souls of believers clean and pure for paradise. Ingesting forbidden foods or other substances, including intoxicants, is believed to dirty a person spiritually, requiring purification and eventually barring that soul from salvation. Even if not made into outright laws, classifications of “haram” and “halal” are of great social importance in Islamic countries.
Is CBD Haram or Halal?
Among Muslims, CBD is generally considered to be halal or acceptable but is sometimes viewed as forbidden or haram. Most Muslim scholars contend that since CBD does not intoxicate the mind as THC does, it is not a forbidden or unacceptable substance. The counterargument is that CBD comes from the same plant as THC, and there are often traces of THC in CBD products.
This divide on CBD has made itself apparent in the laws of Muslim countries. Saudi Arabia, for instance, has banned CBD altogether. In Turkey, however, CBD with up to 0.2% THC is perfectly legal.
For Muslims living in Western countries, the best practice would be to speak with your imam about CBD. Most Muslim leaders now have a very tolerant perspective on the cannabinoid, but hearing from your community leader on the subject may be the best course of action.
Factors That Determine if CBD Is Halal or Haram
As you decide whether or not CBD is haram or halal to you, there are a few important factors to consider:
Source of CBD
In most cases, the distinction between “marijuana-derived” and “hemp-derived” CBD is irrelevant — what matters is the THC remaining in the final product. Some Muslim scholars contend that if CBD is taken from a cannabis plant with more than 0.3% THC, however, it is haram.
Here we encounter an issue, however — all cannabis plants contain at least some THC, and the only other way to make CBD is to synthesize it. Perhaps the fact that both approaches present problems is part of why countries like Saudi Arabia have taken hardline approaches on hemp.
Presence of THC
Some Muslim thought leaders contend that if even the slightest amount of THC is present in a CBD product, it is no longer halal. This issue is easily overcome with CBD isolate or broad-spectrum CBD, both of which contain 0% THC.
Intended Use
If your intended use of CBD is purely medicinal and you aren’t seeking THC intoxication, most Muslim authorities agree that CBD is halal. Even if CBD contains a small amount of THC, it is generally permissible if you aren’t using it to get high. Your CBD use becomes even more halal if it’s at the advice of a doctor.
Additives & Ingredients
Many types of synthetic and natural additives are considered haram because they violate Islamic doctrine. Always check every single ingredient in a CBD product to determine if it is fully halal. Some CBD brands have made this process easier by certifying as halal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about whether CBD products are haram below:
Is CBD oil with 0.3% THC halal?
Is CBD oil halal if it only contains 0.3% THC? Most Muslim scholars would agree that it is, and 0.3% is the maximum amount of THC that full-spectrum CBD oil can contain. Whether it’s CBD capsules, CBD gummies, or any other kind of CBD, you’re generally good to go if it’s hemp-derived and low-THC.
Can Muslims use CBD for anxiety or pain relief?
Whether CBD is halal or haram for anxiety and pain relief depends on the type of CBD you’re using and your intended effect. Intoxication makes you forget about pain and anxiety, but it’s forbidden in Islam. If your goal is relief from pain or anxiety without getting high — and you use the right CBD product — using CBD for these reasons is generally halal.
Is vaping CBD haram?
Vaping CBD is generally not haram, but it might be perceived as a forbidden act in Islamic cultures. Smoking and vaping are usually considered harmful to your health and are sometimes therefore banned among Muslims. As long as you’re vaping CBD for legitimate reasons and it contains less than 0.3% THC, however, there’s at least a compelling argument that vaping CBD could be halal.
Are there halal-certified CBD brands?
Yes, there are CBD brands that have gone the extra mile to make sure their products are certified as halal. From using a halal carrier oil to making sure our THC-free products come exclusively from the hemp plant, Colorado Botanicals has worked tirelessly to craft CBD products that are accessible to individuals of the Muslim faith.
Our CBD tinctures and other CBD-infused products have officially been deemed haram, so shop Colorado Botanicals with total confidence in our adherence to Islamic doctrine. The potential health benefits of CBD are too massive to overlook, and as a religion of peace and mercy, not all CBD products need be considered haram under Islam.
Summary: Is CBD Halal?
Islamic law is complex and constantly up for interpretation. In most areas of the world, however, Muslims have become more moderate in all things — even accepting the cannabis plant in ways previous generations would never have considered.
Today’s younger, more moderate Muslims understand that God knows our hearts. To them, it’s clear that He knows whether we’re choosing CBD to get high and wallow in worldliness or overcome pain and come closer to Paradise.
If you’re concerned about whether CBD is considered halal in your community, the first step is speaking up. Ask your imam whether CBD is halal or haram — potentially even in public. Who knows which other faithful souls might want to ask the same question?
And, if CBD ends up being problematic somehow, remember that you can rely on halal CBD brands. Pure CBD could never be considered a haram intoxicant, making you free to consume CBD in a godly and faithful way.
