Key takeaways:
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CBD is a type of cannabinoid that occurs naturally in the hemp plant, a relative of the cannabis plant
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CBD is non-intoxicating and non-psychoactive
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CBD products are generally considered halal, or permissible under Islamic law
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Some broad-spectrum CBD products may contain very low levels of THC - these products don’t have any intoxicating effects, but they may be considered haram, or forbidden
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Some edible CBD products may contain gelatine and are therefore haram
Halal and haram in Islamic law
Halal is an Islamic term that means lawful or permissible, for example, in terms of food, actions or speech, that guides Muslims to live according to the will of Allah. Haram is the opposite, and means unlawful or forbidden and governs food, actions and speech considered sinful in the Quran, the Holy Book of Islam.
Meat derived from cattle, sheep, goats and domestic birds is considered halal, as long as the animal has been slaughtered according to halal law.
Improperly slaughtered meat and all meat derived from pigs (including all pork products such as gelatine) are deemed haram. Alcohol and all other intoxicants are also deemed haram. It’s forbidden to consume foods and other edible products that contain haram substances.
Is CBD considered halal?
CBD, or cannabidiol, doesn’t have intoxicating or psychoactive effects, and can therefore be seen as halal, or a permitted substance under Islamic law. However, it may depend on the type of CBD used.
Any substance that has intoxicating effects does not have halal status according to Islamic principles. This means that cannabis products, which cause intoxication, are deemed haram, or unlawful.
Is CBD intoxicating under Islamic law?
CBD is extracted from the hemp plant, a type of cannabis plant grown from seeds that contain zero or trace amounts of THC, or tetrahydrocannabidiol.
THC is the intoxicating component of cannabis that causes a high and can be addictive. CBD products have no THC content (or they contain trace or undetectable levels of THC) and are therefore non-intoxicating. They do not have a psychoactive effect and are not addictive, and as such, are halal.
However, the law may be interpreted differently depending on the type of CBD product being used. CBD is available as full-spectrum, broad-spectrum and CBD isolate.
In the UK, all CBD products must contain less than 0.2% THC, which makes them non-intoxicating. Some CBD products contain zero or undetectable levels of CBD and are therefore considered halal, but other CBD products contain detectable or trace amounts of THC (still at 0.2% or below). Therefore, these products may be deemed haram.
CBD gummies may also contain pork gelatine, and some CBD products contain alcohol, both of which would deem them haram.
Full-spectrum
Full-spectrum CBD contains all of the different compounds found in the hemp plant, including other cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids, as well as low levels of THC. In the UK, CBD products must have a THC content of 0.2% or less - a level of THC that won’t cause an intoxicating effect.
However, full-spectrum CBD products may cause a buildup of THC in the body if they’re used regularly, so it could be interpreted that CBD products that contain full-spectrum CBD are not halal.
Broad-spectrum
Broad-spectrum CBD products contain most of the different compounds found in the cannabis plant, including other cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids, but the THC has been removed. Therefore, broad-spectrum CBD products are considered halal and permissible under Islamic principles.
CBD isolate
CBD isolate is a pure CBD product, extracted from the hemp plant, and contains no traceable levels of THC. Under Islamic law, CBD isolate products are permissible and halal.
CBD oil
CBD oils contain CBD suspended in an oil, usually coconut oil and are designed to be used under the tongue, where they enter the bloodstream directly.
They’re generally faster-acting than other CBD products, such as CBD gummies and drinks that need to pass through the digestive system before entering the bloodstream.
CBD oils tend to be free from gelatine and other haram substances, but check to see if it contains traces of alcohol from the manufacturing process.
CBD drinks
CBD drinks are normally soft drinks, made from still or sparkling water with CBD and other botanicals and plant-based ingredients, and most are considered halal. However, some CBD drinks may also contain alcohol, making them haram.
CBD gummies
CBD gummies are chewy “sweets” that contain CBD. They’re easy to dose and can be consumed on the go. However, some may contain pork gelatine or gelatine made from non-halal beef.
CBD vapes
While most Islamic scholars agree that smoking is haram due to the harmful and addictive nature of cigarettes (smoking cannabis is deemed haram due to the psychoactive effects of THC), opinion is divided on smoking alternatives such as patches and vapes, as they contain nicotine.
CBD vapes are available without nicotine, and therefore, vaping using a nicotine-free CBD vape is halal. Make sure the vape liquid you use is free from THC and alcohol (some vape tinctures contain trace levels of alcohol).
When CBD may be haram or makruh
CBD products may be deemed haram and therefore forbidden by Islamic law if they contain full-spectrum CBD that still has its THC content present, albeit at very low, usually non-intoxicating levels. They’re also forbidden if they contain pork gelatine, pork flavouring, non-halal beef gelatine or flavouring or alcohol.
Makruh is an Islamic term that describes a product (or action) that’s disliked and not encouraged, but that isn’t haram. CBD products may be deemed makruh if they contain nicotine, such as a CBD vape.
Views of scholars
The question of whether CBD is halal is one of debate among Muslim scholars, and Islamic law can be interpreted differently by various scholars and leaders.
Most permit CBD products that contain trace levels of otherwise haram THC, as they have no intoxicating effect, while others call for further research to determine a definitive CBD halal status.
Here are some views on the subject:
Scholar: Islam Q&A (Sunni fiqh‑based response)
View: Halal. CBD itself is non-intoxicating; permissible if it contains no THC or only trace non-intoxicating amounts.
URL: https://islamqa.info/en/answers/271543/is-cbd-halal
Scholar: Darul Ifta Birmingham (Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah)
View: Halal with conditions. Pure CBD without THC is permissible under Islamic law.
URL: https://daruliftabirmingham.co.uk/home/is-cbd-oil-halal/
Scholar: Islamiqate (summary of contemporary scholars)
View: Conditionally halal. Permissible, especially for medical use under the principle of darurah (necessity).
URL: https://www.islamiqate.com/6697/can-muslims-use-cbd-oil-for-medical-purposes
If you’re in doubt, speak to a trusted Islamic authority before consuming CBD, and if you do use it, stick to CBD isolate products that are also cruelty-free and vegan-friendly.
Why CBD is different from cannabis
CBD is a type of compound called a cannabinoid, extracted from the hemp plant, a close relative of the cannabis plant. Hemp plants are bred to contain very low levels or zero THC.
THC is another cannabinoid and is the component responsible for the psychoactive effects and addictive nature of cannabis. Since CBD contains zero or trace levels of THC, it doesn’t have any intoxicating effects and isn’t addictive.
Halal compliance checklist
If you’re keen to try CBD and you’re following halal Islamic principles, here are some things to remember:
1. Check THC levels
Check the THC level of the CBD product you intend to use. Look for products that contain CBD isolate or that state they have undetectable levels of THC or are completely free from THC. If you’re unsure, choose products that contain CBD isolate as they’ll be free from THC.
2. Check ingredients for gelatine and additives
Some edible CBD products, such as CBD gummies, are made using pork gelatin or flavourings, or gelatin made from non-halal beef products. Look for gummies that are cruelty-free and vegan-friendly to ensure they’re free from haram animal products. Also, check that the CBD product is free from alcohol.
3. Check the extraction method
Some CBD products, such as CBD tinctures and vaping liquids, are made using CBD that’s undergone an extraction process using alcohol during manufacturing.
These products are unlikely to contain alcohol at detectable levels, but to ensure your CBD is halal, opt for products made using CO₂ extraction methods using pressurised carbon dioxide to separate the cannabinoids from the plant material, rather than ethanol (alcohol) extraction methods.
4. Certifications and lab reports
Reputable, trustworthy CBD brands use third-party testing to ensure the purity of their product and the provenance of their ingredients, and will display these on their website.
5. Use trusted retailers only
Speak to friends and trusted peers to see if they have halal CBD recommendations, and always buy from a reputable brand that’s clear about the ingredients they use, how they’re extracted and manufactured and where they’re third-party tested.
CBD and medical necessity in Islam
Evidence exists that CBD has some health benefits, and some people use CBD products to help manage anxiety, poor sleep and chronic pain. In some cases, CBD products can be prescribed to manage some forms of epilepsy.
The Islamic principle of Darurah, or medical necessity, states that in some cases, otherwise forbidden or haram substances can be permitted if it’s the only viable option to preserve health or life or alleviate severe suffering.
CBD could be permitted if previously deemed haram, to help manage conditions such as epilepsy, chronic pain or severe anxiety in some cases.
More information and research
If you’re considering using CBD, this article from Healthline is a comprehensive guide to the health benefits (and limitations) of CBD.
FAQs
Are CBD drinks halal?
Most CBD drinks are halal, but check that they’re free from THC and alcohol.
Are CBD gummies halal?
CBD gummies can be halal or haram - some contain pork gelatine or non-halal beef gelatine.
Is CBD oil halal?
CBD oil is most likely to be halal as it’s generally made using vegan, plant-based oils, but check that it’s free from alcohol.
References
Halal Monitoring Committee. (2025, June 24). What is Halal? The Meaning of Halal Explained In Reference to Food. https://halalhmc.org/resources/definition-of-halal/
Islam » Knowledge of Halal & Haram. (n.d.). https://www.islam.org.uk/food-health/knowledge-of-halal-haram/
Vape. (2023, November 8). Navigating the Islamic Dietary Guidelines: Is CBD oil halal? Mister Vape. https://mistervape.co.uk/blogs/news/navigating-the-islamic-dietary-guidelines-is-cbd-oil-halal
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking other medications.
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