Day: July 22, 2021

Last updated: October 2026. Hemp is having a revival in Ireland. You will find hemp seeds in supermarkets, hemp seed oil in health food shops, CBD oil online and in pharmacies, and hemp-based materials in eco-building projects. But the word “hemp” covers very different products with very different rules. This guide explains the whole picture: what hemp is, the main types of hemp product, what is legal, and where to buy CBD oil in Ireland. The short answer What is hemp? Hemp is the name for varieties of Cannabis sativa grown for industrial uses: fibre from the stalks, and food and oil from the seeds. Approved hemp varieties are bred to contain very little THC, the compound that causes a high, and are listed in the EU Common Catalogue of Varieties. Hemp has been grown for thousands of years and was once common on Irish farms, mainly for rope and coarse cloth. The main types of hemp product Product Made from Contains CBD? Where to buy Hemp seeds / hemp hearts Seeds Little or none Supermarkets, health food shops Hemp seed oil Cold-pressed seeds Little or none Supermarkets, health food shops Hemp protein powder Pressed seeds Little or none Health food shops, online CBD oil Hemp extract in a carrier oil Yes, stated in mg Online, pharmacies, health shops CBD gummies and capsules Hemp extract Yes, stated in mg Online, pharmacies Hemp and CBD cosmetics Seed oil or extract Sometimes Pharmacies, online Hemp fibre and hempcrete Stalks No Specialist suppliers Hemp seeds and hemp seed oil Hemp seeds have a mild, nutty flavour. Hulled seeds, sold as hemp hearts, can be sprinkled on porridge, salads or yoghurt. They are a source of protein and contain omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Cold-pressed hemp seed oil is green and nutty, best used cold in dressings. Hemp seed foods are ordinary foods under EU law, with strict limits on THC traces. They are not CBD supplements: if a “hemp oil” does not state its CBD content in mg, it is almost certainly hemp seed oil. Read more in CO2-extracted vs cold-pressed CBD oil. CBD oil and other CBD supplements CBD (cannabidiol) is made mainly in the flowers and leaves of the hemp plant. To make CBD oil, it is extracted, tested and blended into a carrier oil at a set strength. CBD does not cause a high, and it is sold in Ireland as a food supplement. CBD foods fall under the EU novel food rules, and they cannot be sold with health claims. Common CBD products include: What is legal in Ireland? For the detail, read is CBD oil legal in Ireland? The 2026 rules explained. Where can I buy CBD oil in Ireland? You can buy CBD oil online from Irish CBD companies, and in some pharmacies and health food shops. Online, you can compare strengths and read the lab report before you pay; in a shop, you can ask questions face to face. Whichever you choose, check: Our full guide to where to buy CBD oil in Ireland compares the options and explains how to compare prices by cost per mg. You can also browse our CBD shop. We are a Dublin-based company, selling CBD since 2018, with every batch lab tested, and we deliver across Ireland and Northern Ireland. How to use hemp foods at home Choosing your first CBD product If you are new to CBD, start simple. The 10% CBD oil is the usual starting point: 5 drops under the tongue once a day, held for 60 to 90 seconds. If you would rather not taste it, try gummies or capsules. Keep the same amount for a week or two before changing anything, and speak to your GP or pharmacist first if you take any medication. Our dosing guide explains more. A short history of hemp in Ireland Hemp was grown in Ireland for centuries, valued for strong fibre used in rope, sailcloth and coarse fabric. Flax, used for linen, became the dominant Irish fibre crop, especially in Ulster, and hemp faded from farms in the twentieth century as synthetic fibres arrived and drug laws were tightened. Licensed industrial hemp has returned on a small scale in recent decades, while CBD products, made mainly from hemp grown elsewhere in the EU, have become widely available. Hemp beyond food: materials and the environment Hemp stalks produce strong fibres and a woody core called hurd. These are used in textiles, insulation, animal bedding, bioplastics and hempcrete, a lightweight building material made from hemp hurd and lime. Hemp grows quickly and tends to smother weeds, which is why it attracts interest as a rotation crop and a low-carbon material, though processing capacity in Ireland is still limited. Frequently asked questions Is hemp legal in Ireland? Hemp foods made from seeds, such as hemp seed oil and hemp protein, are legal ordinary foods. CBD supplements are widely sold but fall under EU novel food rules, and any product containing THC is treated as a controlled drug. Growing hemp needs a licence. Where can I buy CBD oil in Ireland? Online from Irish CBD companies, and in some pharmacies and health food shops. Whichever you choose, check the lab report. See our full guide to where to buy CBD oil in Ireland. What is the difference between hemp oil and CBD oil? Hemp seed oil is pressed from the seeds and contains little or no CBD. CBD oil is a hemp extract containing a stated amount of CBD, mixed into a carrier oil. Can you eat hemp seeds in Ireland? Yes. Hulled hemp seeds (hemp hearts), hemp seed oil and hemp protein powder are sold in supermarkets and health food shops as ordinary foods. Does hemp get you high? No. Industrial hemp and hemp foods do not cause a high. Approved hemp varieties are very low in THC, and hemp seed foods have strict EU limits on THC traces. Can I grow hemp in my garden in Ireland? No. Growing any