What is the future of cannabis and hemp-derived drinks in Europe's zero-proof market?
Hemp-derived and cannabis-infused drinks represent one of the most complex and rapidly evolving segments of the zero-proof market, with fundamentally different regulatory situations across European countries creating a fragmented market where products legal in one jurisdiction may be prohibited in another. As of 2026, the practical reality for European consumers is that CBD-infused beverages (containing cannabidiol, the non-psychoactive compound) are available in some European markets but subject to varying restrictions; THC-containing beverages (the psychoactive compound) remain illegal for consumption or sale in virtually all European jurisdictions; and hemp-seed-based beverages (no active cannabinoids) are generally legal throughout the EU as food products.
The CBD beverage situation in Europe is actively evolving. The European Court of Justice ruled in 2020 that CBD is not a narcotic substance — a significant legal clarification that opened the door for CBD product sales in EU member states. However, CBD as a food ingredient remains subject to EU Novel Food regulation (Regulation 2015/2283), meaning that CBD beverages require Novel Food authorisation before mainstream sale in the EU. This authorisation process is underway for several CBD products, but until completed, CBD beverages occupy a legal grey zone in most EU countries — sold in some specialist retail contexts but not authorised for conventional food and drink sale.
Individual EU member states have taken divergent approaches: Germany's cannabis legalisation (implemented in stages from 2024) has created momentum for wider cannabis-derived product regulation in the EU's largest economy; the Netherlands' regulated cannabis experiment has long history; Belgium has maintained stricter positions on CBD in food and beverages compared to some northern European neighbours. Belgian consumers interested in CBD beverages should be aware that regulatory status is actively in flux.
The long-term trajectory points toward greater availability: the combination of growing consumer demand, successful regulatory frameworks in North America and some European markets, and the absence of evidence of harm from CBD beverages is building the case for formal EU Novel Food authorisation. The more plausible timeline for mainstream European CBD beverage availability is 2027–2029 depending on the speed of regulatory authorisation processes.
Surprising fact: Hemp seed beverages — which contain no cannabinoids but use hemp seeds as a protein and flavour source — are already available throughout the EU as conventional food products and represent the fastest-growing hemp-category beverage. Several European food manufacturers have launched hemp seed milks, hemp seed sparkling waters, and hemp seed kombucha that are completely legal, widely available, and growing at 60%+ annually while carrying the “hemp” brand association that consumers associate with the broader cannabis wellness category.
| Category | Active Compound | EU Legal Status (2026) | Belgium Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| CBD beverages | Cannabidiol (<0.2% THC) | Novel Food required, grey zone | Restricted, evolving |
| Hemp seed beverages | None (seed protein/oil) | Legal, conventional food | Legal, available |
| THC beverages | Tetrahydrocannabinol | Illegal throughout EU | Illegal |
| CBG/CBN beverages | Minor cannabinoids | Grey zone / Novel Food | Unclear |
zeroproof.one monitors the evolving regulatory status of cannabis and hemp drinks in Europe — providing accurate, up-to-date guidance on what's available and what's coming.