Hemp oil and CBD oil come from the same plant but are completely different products. Hemp oil (hempseed oil) is pressed from the seeds, contains essentially no CBD and is a legal food. CBD oil is an extract from hemp's flowers and leaves containing cannabidiol, classified as a non-authorised "novel food" in the EU. The mix-up is common because both are colloquially called "hemp oil".
The difference, line by line
| Hemp oil (seed oil) | CBD oil | |
|---|---|---|
| Raw material | Hemp seeds | Flower and leaves |
| Production | Cold pressing | Extraction (CO₂ or ethanol) |
| Main content | Polyunsaturated fats (omega 3 & 6) | Cannabidiol (CBD) |
| CBD content | Trace amounts | High |
| Taste | Nutty, green | Depends on carrier oil & extract |
| Legal status in EU | Food (established use) | Non-authorised novel food |
| Common use | Food — dressing, cold use | Sold as drops/supplement |
Why are they mixed up?
Both are often sold under the name "hemp oil". But the plant part is what determines the product and how it is regulated: seed versus flower/leaf.
Hempseed oil counts as a regular food. The seeds are essentially free of cannabinoids and have long historical food use. See Sweden's Food Agency Kontrollwiki, article 664. Read more in what is hemp oil — and learn why it shouldn't be used for frying in can you fry in hemp oil.
CBD oil is an extract that falls under the EU novel food rules, Regulation (EU) 2015/2283, and is currently not authorised as a food in the EU. If the product also contains THC, Swedish narcotics legislation may apply (cf. Supreme Court B 177-19). See our guides can you buy CBD/hemp in Sweden, is CBD legal in Sweden and full spectrum, broad spectrum or isolate.
FAQ
Are hemp oil and CBD oil the same thing?
No. Hemp oil is pressed from the seeds and is a food; CBD oil is a flower extract with cannabidiol classified as a non-authorised novel food in the EU.
Does hemp oil contain CBD?
Only trace amounts. The cannabinoids sit in the flower and leaves, not in the seeds.
Is hemp oil legal in Sweden?
Yes, hempseed oil is an established food.
Is CBD oil legal in Sweden?
CBD oil is not authorised as a food in the EU (novel food), and products containing THC may fall under narcotics legislation.