Pouches without tobacco and nicotine have become common across Europe, and some of them contain CBD from hemp. Below you will find out what the pouch is made of, what effect you can expect and which rules apply to the product. If you are looking for the products, you will find our full range in the CBD snus category.
At a glance
- CBD pouches are portions without tobacco or nicotine, where plant fibres carry CBD from hemp.
- CBD is not intoxicating. The WHO has concluded that it has no potential for abuse or dependence.
- There is no nicotine, so there is no nicotine kick and the experience differs from regular snus.
- Rules for nicotine pouches generally apply only to products that contain nicotine.
- A lab report should show the CBD content and whether the product contains THC.
What are CBD pouches?
CBD pouches, often called CBD snus, look just like white nicotine pouches. Instead of tobacco, the filling consists of plant fibres, and instead of nicotine it contains cannabidiol, CBD. CBD is one of more than a hundred cannabinoids in hemp and is extracted from approved industrial hemp. To learn more about CBD itself, read our beginner’s guide to CBD.
The format is the same as for nicotine pouches: a white pouch in a round can, often in slim or mini sizes. The difference lies in what the pouch contains and in the absence of both tobacco and nicotine.
What is inside a pouch?
Ingredients vary between brands, but most pouches share roughly the same basic components:
- Plant fibres that form the filling and give the pouch its shape.
- CBD as isolate or broad spectrum extract, stated in milligrams per pouch.
- Water and humectants that keep the pouch soft.
- Flavourings and sweeteners for aromas such as mint, fruit or liquorice.
- Salt or pH regulators that affect how the pouch feels in the mouth.
The amount of CBD differs a lot between products. That is why it is worth checking how many milligrams each pouch contains and making sure there is an up-to-date lab report showing the contents.
Water-soluble CBD and release
CBD is fat-soluble, while saliva and the lining of the mouth are water-based. As a result, the body does not absorb CBD very efficiently from a basic pouch. Several manufacturers therefore use water-soluble CBD, where the extract is broken down into very small droplets that mix more easily with saliva. Others bind the CBD to the fibres so that it is released more evenly. We explain how the body absorbs CBD in different ways in our article on CBD bioavailability.
What effect do CBD pouches have?
Many people who look up the effects of CBD pouches want to know whether they give a kick like nicotine. They do not. Nicotine is a stimulant that acts quickly, while CBD is not intoxicating. The WHO reviewed CBD in 2018 and concluded that it has no potential for abuse or dependence. A CBD pouch therefore gives neither a high nor a nicotine kick.
Research on CBD is growing, but it mainly concerns medicines with high doses, not pouches. CBD pouches are not medicines, and we make no claims that they treat, relieve or prevent any disease. What many people appreciate instead is keeping the habit of having something under the lip without tobacco or nicotine, and that the aromas come through clearly without the character of tobacco.
CBD pouches, nicotine pouches and nicotine-free pouches
Traditional snus contains tobacco and nicotine, while white nicotine pouches contain nicotine but no tobacco. Nicotine-free pouches contain neither and usually consist only of fibres and flavouring. CBD pouches are a type of nicotine-free pouch that also contains CBD. Both can be a way to keep the ritual, but neither contains anything that replaces the effect of nicotine.
Rules in Europe
Many European countries have introduced specific rules for nicotine pouches, covering things like age limits, nicotine content and labelling. These rules are generally tied to nicotine, so pouches without nicotine usually fall outside them. Rules on THC in CBD products, on the other hand, vary between countries: some accept trace amounts, while others, such as Sweden, allow none. That is why all our pouches are free from THC. Products marketed with claims that they cure or relieve disease may also be treated as medicines, so CBD pouches should be sold without such claims.
Safety and side effects
The WHO describes CBD as generally well tolerated. Side effects such as fatigue and stomach upset have been reported in studies of medicines with high doses, and CBD may interact with some medicines because it is broken down by the same enzymes in the liver. If you take medication, are pregnant or are breastfeeding, talk to a doctor before using CBD. Store the can in a dry, cool place out of reach of children.
What to look for
- An up-to-date lab report from an independent laboratory showing that the product is free from THC.
- How many milligrams of CBD each pouch contains.
- Whether the CBD is water-soluble, which affects how it is released.
- Format and size, such as slim or mini.
- Aroma and whether the pouch is sweetened.
We sell CBD pouches from Voon and Cannadips. All of them are free from nicotine, tobacco and THC, and you will find them in our CBD snus category.
Do CBD pouches give you a kick?
No. CBD pouches contain no nicotine, and CBD is not intoxicating. You get neither a high nor a nicotine kick from a CBD pouch.
Do CBD pouches contain nicotine or tobacco?
No. CBD pouches consist of plant fibres, CBD, water and flavouring. They contain neither tobacco nor nicotine.
Are CBD pouches legal in Europe?
CBD pouches are sold in many European countries, but the rules on THC in CBD products differ. Pouches without nicotine usually fall outside the rules for nicotine pouches.
What is the difference between CBD pouches and nicotine-free pouches?
Both are free from tobacco and nicotine. CBD pouches are nicotine-free pouches that also contain a stated amount of CBD from hemp.
Can CBD pouches cause a positive drug test?
Drug tests look for THC, not CBD. A product that is free from THC should not cause a positive result, so choose pouches with an up-to-date lab report.
CBD pouches are not a medicine. If you take medication, are pregnant or are breastfeeding, you should consult a doctor. How you use our products is your own responsibility.
Sources
- World Health Organization (2018). Cannabidiol (CBD) Critical Review Report. Expert Committee on Drug Dependence, 40th meeting.
- World Health Organization (2018). Q&A: WHO Expert Committee on Drug Dependence review of cannabis.
- Swedish Medical Products Agency (Läkemedelsverket). Cannabidiol (CBD).
