Yes, CBD is legal in Bermuda but with stringent requirements.In the Misuse of Drugs (Hemp) Amendment Act 2019, hemp-derived CBD products are allowed as long as their total amount of THC is less than 1%. Topical CBD (creams and lotions) do not need a prescription. But cannabis products that are to be used internally, such as oils, capsules, and edibles, must include a valid Certificate of Analysis in an accredited laboratory upon import. Leisure cannabis is still illegal. Medical Cannabis is legalized under a prescription of a licensed physician.
Key Takeaways
- Bermuda legalizes CBD as long as it does not exceed 1% THC.
- Topical CBD (creams, lotions, salves) does not need any prescription or certification.
- Internal CBD (oils, capsules) must be imported with a Certificate of Analysis that has been verified in the lab.
- Decriminalization of recreational cannabis is not legal but rather decriminalization of up to 7 grams of the drug.l
- Since 2016, medical cannabis is legal, and available by prescription of a licensed Bermudian physician.
- Hemp products that include cannabinoids are not included in hemp definitions and subject to import restrictions.
- In 2022, the UK vetoed the Bermuda Cannabis Licensing Bill on the basis of the UN treaty requirements.
- The Progressive Labour Party (2025 platform) of Bermuda promised to revisit the cannabis laws.
What Is CBD and Why Does It Matter in Bermuda?
CBD or cannabidiol is a non-psychoactive compound of the cannabis plant. CBD does not cause intoxication as compared to THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). It has been widely used around the world in the control of pain, anxiety, sleep disorders and inflammation.
Bermuda is in a complex legal situation. Being a British Overseas Territory, it is not allowed to enact laws that are inconsistent with the international law of the United Kingdom namely the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (1961) and the Convention on Psychotropic Substances (1971). This has influenced all the cannabis and CBD laws on the island.
Learning about the CBD regulations in Bermuda is important to three groups of people, namely residents of the area interested in wellness products, tourists who come to the island with the purpose of buying those products, and companies, which are interested in importing or retailing hemp-based products. To gain further international perspectives on the subject of CBD regulations, websites such as CBD Legality can offer specific country-based legal information.
Is CBD Legal in Bermuda? The Definitive Legal Answer
In Bermuda, CBD was officially legalized in the Misuse of Drugs (Hemp) Amendment Act 2019. This law established a legal difference between hemp and cannabis in the first act of regulating Bermuda.
According to the legislation, hemp refers to plant cannabis sativa, or any of its part, the THC content of which is no more than 1 per cent. This definition includes CBD products that are produced out of such plants, assuming that they have THC thresholds.
Legal CBD Products in Bermuda (2026)
| Product Type | Legal Status | Prescription Required | Certificate of Analysis Required |
| CBD Topicals (creams, lotions, salves) | Legal | No | No |
| CBD Oil (internal use) | Legal | No | Yes — at import |
| CBD Capsules | Legal | No | Yes — at import |
| CBD Edibles / Gummies | Restricted | No | Subject to customs interpretation |
| Medical Cannabis Products | Legal | Yes | Yes |
| Recreational Cannabis | Illegal | N/A | N/A |
Notable edibles exception: The Bermuda Customs guidance has already indicated that food products that have cannabinoids, such as gummies and infused beverages, do not fall under the definition of hemp, even when the content of THC is less than 1%. According to The Royal Gazette in April 2024, this classification has not only confused retailers but also consumers. Guidance on this category has been revised and re-issued more than once by Customs; always check the status before importing edible CBD products.
Bermuda Cannabis Laws: A Clear Breakdown
The various legal categories used in Bermuda with regard to cannabis and CBD are confused by many. The differences are important in a legal perspective.
Decriminalization vs. Legalization
In 2017, the Misuse of Drugs (Decriminalisation of Cannabis) Amendment Act decriminalised possession of less than 7 grams of cannabis. It is decriminalization not legalization. The use, cultivation, sale and importation of cannabis outside the medical systems are criminalized by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1972.
According to the fact sheet of the Bermuda Government itself, it is clear: The Misuse of Drugs (Decriminalisation of Cannabis) Amendment Act 2017 does not legalise the use of cannabis in Bermuda.
Medical Cannabis
In November 2016, the Supreme Court of Bermuda decided in favour of using medical cannabis. Cannabis can be imported by patients with a prescription of a licensed Bermudian physician to use as a form of medicine. In March 2020, the import limit was reduced to 2,000 grams per year, which is 20 times higher than the former 1 gram per year, which enabled patients to have much more access than previously.
Recreational Cannabis
Recreational cannabis is still totally illegal. The UK-appointed Governor blocked the Cannabis Licensing Act 2022 that would have created a regulated adult-use market, upon the directive of the UK government. According to the statement of the Governor, the UN Conventions allow the legislation of cannabis and cannabis products to be used in the case of medicinal and scientific purposes. The legislation of cannabis in other cases is not allowed under the Conventions.
Can You Bring CBD into Bermuda? Import Rules for Tourists
This is among the most commonly posed questions- and the answer must be accurate.
Bermuda does not allow you to import CBD products without fulfilling the import requirements. Although CBD may be completely legal in your country of residence (United States, United Kingdom, Canada, or any other country), Bermuda customs enforces its regulations at the border. Individuals who are used to the stringent regulations on CBD in countries such as Dubai can have a clearer picture of the import laws in Bermuda by comparing the two with other limited areas. As an example, laws in the UAE are much more stringent on CBD – see this in-depth guide to the CBD legality in Dubai.
Import Rules for CBD Products
- Hemp products can be imported without an import licence, as long as the content of THC does not exceed 1%.
- A certified Certificate of Analysis of an accredited laboratory is needed in case of CBD products to be used internally. The certificate should indicate the delta-9 THC concentration in particular.
- Goods which are discovered to contain more than the 1% THC content are liable to seizure and destruction. The importer can be prosecuted, fined or jailed- irrespective of whether it is legal in the country of purchase.
- Food and edibles with cannabinoids are not covered by the hemp definition under the Bermudian law, and are also subjected to further scrutiny.
- The real-life tip: always bring your Certificate of Analysis of any CBD oil or capsule. Do not expect that a product that is legal in the United States or the United Kingdom is cleared to enter into Bermuda without documentation.
Where Can You Buy CBD in Bermuda?
Bermuda has legal CBD products that are sold by licensed retailers. With the 2019 amendment of hemp, the island has since formed a small market of compliant CBD products.
Bermuda has allowed pharmacies to stock CBD products. According to a response posted by Bermuda Tourism to one of the questions posed by the public, it is possible to obtain CBD legally in Bermuda pharmacies even when it is limited to bring it in.
One of the most renowned retailers of CBD in the island is Uplift Bermuda, which has stores in Hamilton and offers various hemp-based products such as oils, pre-rolls, and topicals. In April 2024, the business was temporarily uncertain with Customs guidance threatening to limit its product range, though this was resolved when the guidance was revoked to be revised.
Bermuda Cannabis Reform: What Has Changed and What Is Coming
The policy of cannabis in Bermuda has been gradually shifting to liberalisation, although the rate has left many activists frustrated.
Timeline of Key Legal Developments
2016: Supreme Court decides in favour of medical cannabis use.
2017: Cannabis possession of 7 grams or less is decriminalized by the Misuse of Drugs (Decriminalisation of Cannabis) Amendment Act.
2019: The Misuse of Drugs (Hemp) Amendment Act establishes a legal framework of hemp and CBD products with a THC content less than 1%.
2020: The import limit of medical cannabis increased to 2,000 grams per year (previously 1 gram).
2022: The legislature passes the Cannabis Licensing Act, which would have created a regulated adult-use and commercial market, but is vetoed by the Governor on UK direction, on the grounds of incompatibility with the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (1961).
2025: Progressive Labour Party policy promises to consider and revise cannabis-related advice, laws and controls to create a balance between the boundaries of the British system and safe, responsible adult use of cannabis. Joshua Santucci-Smith, the director of policy at the Bermuda Cannabis Association, urged a medical approach based on health that is similar to the one adopted by Jersey and Guernsey – UK jurisdictions who have managed to develop compliant medical cannabis programmes.
2026: Bermuda cannabis reform is in progress. There has not been any new legislation so far. The legal route is medical cannabis and legal CBD products.
The UK Obstacle
The case of Bermuda is special. Since it is a British Overseas Territory, any legislation of its legislature must be Royal Assented by the Governor appointed by the UK. The UK vetoed the 2022 bill on the grounds that it contained the adult-use retail sales, commercial cultivation and cannabis lounges, which the UK believes to be inconsistent with the 1961 Single Convention. It can be decriminalised to own small quantities of cannabis to use at home, as the official statement of the Governor proved: It is not the same as legalising cannabis, such as selling it in stores and cafes.
The way ahead, as the experts are now indicating, is a medical-framework policy, as in Jersey and Guernsey, to reform within the lines of the international treaties, and not to seek to evade them.
Hemp vs. CBD vs. THC in Bermuda: What Is Actually Legal?
The misconception of hemp, CBD, and THC is widespread among locals and tourists. The following is a realistic breakdown.
In Bermuda, hemp is a cannabis sativa plant and its derivatives with a concentration of THC of 1 percent or less (compared to 0.3 percent, the legal limit in the United States and the United Kingdom). Bermuda has no import licence requirement to import and sell hemp.
The cannabinoid present in hemp is CBD (cannabidiol). It is non-psychoactive. CBD products are not considered illegal in Bermuda provided that they are produced using hemp that is compliant and that the amount of THC does not exceed the 1 percent mark.
The psychoactive in cannabis is THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Bermudian law considers products containing over 1% of THC to be cannabis and prohibits their use outside of the medical system.
All types of THC are covered by the definition of controlled drug in Bermuda: Delta-8 THC, Delta-9 THC, Delta-10 THC. These variants were expressly referred to in the Customs guidance. A product that is sold as hemp, but has high levels of any form of THC is still liable to seizure.
In contrast to the 1% threshold of THC in Bermuda, federal limits of 0.3% of THC in hemp laws are much more strict in the United States, but the law varies by state. Get to know the CBD laws in the US.
Is Delta-8 THC Legal in Bermuda?
No. Delta-8 THC is not legal in Bermuda unless as a part of a legitimate medical cannabis system.
According to Bermuda Customs, THC contains tetrahydrocannabinol in all its forms such as delta-8 THC, delta-9 THC, delta-10 THC, delta-11 and any other type of THC. This is a very expansive and inclusive definition that transcends the regulatory frameworks of most other jurisdictions.
This is especially important to the travellers of the United States where the delta-8 products have been popularly marketed and sold under the definition of hemp in the 2018 Farm Bill. Such products are not legal in Bermuda and must not be imported to the island.
What Tourists Need to Know Before Visiting Bermuda
- When you are travelling to Bermuda and take CBD products at home, do the following:
- Ensure that you have checked the THC content of any CBD product you are planning to carry. The total amount of THC should not be more than 1% of the product.
- Get a Certificate of Analysis of any internal-use CBD product (oils, capsules) by an accredited laboratory. This paper should indicate the exact delta-9 THC level.
- Leave edibles at home. Infused beverages and CBD gummies and other food items with cannabinoids do not qualify as hemp as per the Bermudian definition and are subject to import restrictions.
- Do not take recreational cannabis. Recreational or medical cannabis imported to your jurisdiction is not allowed in even with a medical prescription in your home country, even though it is legal there. Tourists have been prosecuted on bringing cannabis products to Bermuda and this has been reported in The Royal Gazette during several years.
- Buy CBD in the neighborhood when you require it. CBD products that are compliant are available in licensed pharmacies and specialist retailers in Hamilton.
Author Note
This paper relies on primary sources such as official Bermuda Government publications, Misuse of Drugs (Hemp) Amendment Act 2019, coverage by The Royal Gazette, and statements by the Governor of Bermuda, and legal commentary by recognised cannabis law experts. It is informational only and is not legal advice. Laws in this area are subject to change. It is recommended that the readers seek the help of a qualified Bermudian legal professional to help them in their unique situations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is CBD oil legal in Bermuda in 2026?
CBD oil can be legal in Bermuda, provided it has no more than 1% THC. Internal-use products must have a Certificate of Analysis at the time of importation, but no prescription is required.
Can I bring CBD gummies to Bermuda?
In Bermuda, CBD gummies are not explicitly permitted and can be confiscated at the ports. It is safer not to bring CBD edibles into the country.
Is medical cannabis available in Bermuda?
Yes, Bermuda has medical cannabis that is prescription-only under a license of a licensed physician. Patients have to request permission to bring cannabis products.
Will Bermuda legalise recreational cannabis?
No, recreational cannabis is illegal in Bermuda at the moment. The process of legalisation is not expected to happen soon because of UK and international prohibitions.
What happens if I bring cannabis to Bermuda illegally?
Illegal importation of cannabis into Bermuda will lead to fines, prosecution or imprisonment. The drug laws in the country are strictly followed.
Is hemp legal in Bermuda?
Yes, Bermuda has a legal status of hemp provided that it does not exceed 1% THC content. Importation of hemp products that are used internally requires a Certificate of Analysis.
6. Is hemp legal in Bermuda?
Yes. Hemp is legal provided that it has less than 1% THC.
