Is CBN legal in Cyprus?

Formal status

CBN is classified as a Novel Food across the EU on the same basis as CBD - hemp extracts concentrated in cannabinoids fall within Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 - and no CBN ingestible holds Union list authorisation anywhere in the EU.

Cyprus has published no position on CBN specifically. The December 2016 Pharmaceutical Council decision is worded around cannabidiol, and the Addictions Authority's public alerts sweep in semi-synthetic cannabinoids without addressing naturally-occurring CBN. There is no Cypriot instrument bringing CBN into the medicines regime by name.

That silence does not help this product. Our capsules and spray also contain CBD, so the finished item is caught by the Cypriot medicines classification at product level regardless of how CBN is characterised.

Do we sell here?

Yes, for now: Sleep spray, Sleep capsules.

Cyprus has never published a position on CBN specifically - the rules there are written around CBD. In practice that makes no difference to us: our capsules and spray contain both, so the Cypriot requirement that CBD products hold a medicines authorisation catches the whole product whatever CBN's status.

We ship to Cyprus on the same basis as our CBD position - enforcement there has been directed at shops and importers inside the country, not at established European sellers delivering to customers. We are not treating the silence on CBN as permission. We are treating it as silence, and we review it weekly.

Outlook

Nothing suggests Cyprus would treat CBN more permissively than CBD if it addressed the question directly. The Addictions Authority's product-form lists - oils, capsules, edibles - are broad enough to capture a CBN sleep product in practice even though CBN is not named.

Watch for the first Cypriot statement naming CBN, which would replace inference with a stated position. Note also that an EU-level Novel Food authorisation for CBD would not automatically carry CBN with it; CBN has been assessed by no EU regulator.

Timeline

April 2023

Police raid shops in Latsia and central Nicosia over unlicensed CBD, THC and HHC products, with seized goods sent to the Health Ministry for laboratory testing. Pharmaceutical Services and the police drug squad separately confirm that CBD products may be distributed only through licensed pharmacies.

Cyprus Mail

January 2025

Joint Police and Health Ministry operation raids shops in Nicosia and Paphos, seizing 244 packages of suspected CBD product and 43 of suspected THC product. The stated basis is that CBD products are medicinal products requiring a valid circulation licence; owners face trial and possible permanent closure of the business.

Cyprus Mail

February 2025

Police, the National Cannabis Control Authority and Pharmaceutical Services report a nationwide crackdown: over 1,450 cannabis-based items totalling 29 kg seized, and 2,142 illegal preparations identified during 2024, roughly 1,800 of them containing CBD or THC. Targets are commercial retail premises, with criminal charges against shop owners.

Cyprus Mail

June 2026

Customs Department and the drug squad seize 1,440 cannabis lollipops at a Limassol transport company's premises, from three containers arriving from Greece, alongside suspected counterfeit goods. Detection followed random inspection of a consignment mis-declared as personal items.

Cyprus Mail

July 2026

Customs officers and police intercept two packages at Larnaca airport arriving from another EU member state, containing 24 kg across 1,600 cannabis-based products including tea, coffee, chewing gum, jelly and electronic cigarettes, declared as souvenirs. The consignment was destined for retail sale in Cyprus; the intended recipient and a shop employee were arrested.

Cyprus Mail