Is CBD Legal in Turkey?

CBD is not sold as an over-the-counter consumer product in Turkey. The Ministry of Health (Saglik Bakanligi) and its medicines regulator, the Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency (TITCK), classify cannabidiol-containing preparations as controlled medicines. There is no over-the-counter market and no general retail channel for hemp-derived CBD oils, gummies, cosmetics, or vapes — under the framework adopted in 2025-2026, cannabis-derived products may be sold only through licensed pharmacies. Selling CBD products outside this system is treated as unlicensed pharmaceutical distribution and can be charged under the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Preparations Law (Law No. 1262) as well as Penal Code Article 188 where THC is present.

Since 2016, Turkey has permitted the prescription import of Sativex (nabiximols) through a Ministry of Health regulation on the medical use of cannabis-based products published in the Official Gazette on 13 October 2016. Specialist physicians, typically neurologists and oncologists, can prescribe Sativex for multiple sclerosis spasticity and for limited oncology indications. Each prescription requires individual approval from the Ministry of Health.

The framework changed significantly in 2025-2026. A health omnibus law passed by Parliament in July 2025 and published in the Official Gazette on 24 July 2025 authorizes the sale of low-THC (below 0.3%) cannabis-derived products in licensed pharmacies with a doctor's prescription, tracked through a central electronic monitoring system. Implementing rules — the Regulation on Cannabis Cultivation and Control and the Regulation on Products Derived from Cannabis, published on 31 January 2026 — assign cultivation oversight to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and give TITCK authority to license cannabis-derived medicinal products, health and support products, and personal care products. Travelers should not assume EU-style CBD rules apply. Bringing CBD oils, vapes, or edibles into Turkey without a Turkish prescription risks seizure at customs and prosecution if any THC is detected.

Last reviewed: August 6, 2026.

This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Verify current law with qualified counsel before making compliance decisions.