Fact-check
Is CBD oil legal in India?
Last checked 10 October 2026
The legal status of CBD oil in India depends on the part of the cannabis plant and the licence: under the NDPS Act 1985 leaf (bhang) is outside the prohibited definition of cannabis, resin and flowering tops are controlled, and CBD oils sold online with THC from resin are not lawful.
- Classification
- Restricted (Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006)
- Decided by
- NDPS Act 1985; Ministry of AYUSH licensing; FSSAI (hemp seed standards, 2021)
- Reference
- NDPS Act 1985; AYUSH licences for hemp-leaf and seed products; FSSAI hemp seed standards of 2021; FSS supplement regulations 2022, regulation 3(5)
- Latest action
- 30 March 2022
- Last checked
- 10 October 2026
Photo: Scientist lab by The African Union Mission in Somalia (cc0). All photo credits.
FSSAI direction operationalising the FSS (Health Supplements, Nutraceuticals, Food for Special Dietary Use, Food for Special Medical Purpose, and Prebiotic and Probiotic Food) Regulations 2022
Scope. A record here does not by itself mean a product or company is unsafe or banned today. Regulatory actions can apply to one batch, one formulation, one period or one state. Always check the linked government document for the current position, and tell us if something is out of date. How we label records.
Below: Blacklisted's explanationWe organise and explain what the document says. The document above is the authority.
Key facts
- Leaf (bhang)
- Outside the definition of 'cannabis' that is prohibited under the NDPS Act 1985
- Resin and flowering tops
- Controlled
- Hemp products
- Hemp-leaf and seed products exist under AYUSH licences and FSSAI's 2021 hemp seed standards
- Online CBD oils
- Oils sold online with THC from resin are not lawful
- Supplements
- Regulation 3(5) bars psychotropic and NDPS substances from health supplements
Where the claim comes from
Searches ask whether CBD, cannabidiol and hemp oil are legal. The law does not treat the whole plant alike, which is why no one-word answer is accurate.
There is no one-word answer on CBD oil in India. Its legal status depends on the part of the cannabis plant it comes from and on the licence it is sold under. Under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act 1985, the cannabis leaf (bhang) is outside the definition of 'cannabis' that is prohibited. Resin and flowering tops are controlled.
Some hemp products are lawful with the right licence. Hemp-leaf and seed products exist under AYUSH licences, and FSSAI published hemp seed standards in 2021. But CBD oils sold online with THC from resin are not lawful.
Supplements add a further limit. FSSAI's health supplement regulations of 2022 bar psychotropic and NDPS substances from supplements (regulation 3(5)). This page is a summary, not legal advice. Check with the licensing authority or a lawyer before buying or selling any cannabis-derived product.
What this means for you
Ask what the oil is made from and who licensed it
Status turns on the plant part and the licence. A label that does not say which part was used, or a seller with no licence, is a warning sign.
Be cautious with online listings
An oil that contains THC from resin is not lawful. If in doubt, ask the licensing authority or a lawyer before buying or selling.
This is a record of official orders, not medical advice. Do not stop a prescribed medicine without asking your doctor or pharmacist.
Common questions
Is hemp oil legal in India?
Hemp-leaf and seed products exist under AYUSH licences, and FSSAI issued hemp seed standards in 2021. Legal status depends on the plant part and the licence.
Is CBD oil sold online legal?
Not if it contains THC from resin. Status depends on the part of the plant and the licence.