Finland's stance on plant-extract wellness makes no sense
Finland's position on the internal use of plant-extract wellness products has long been illogical and confusing. While Finnish consumers have been able to order hemp-derived wellness products for internal use from other European countries under EU free trade agreements, this hemp-derived extract has not been permitted to be sold in Finland as a dietary supplement.
Finland has been acting against an EU Court of Justice ruling for six years. In 2020, the European Court of Justice ruled in the so-called Kanavape case (C-663/18) that hemp-derived plant extract cannot be considered a narcotic and is not, in principle, harmful to health. The court stated that EU member states cannot prohibit the sale of plant extract legally produced in another member state without evidence of a genuine health risk.
No such evidence exists. Blank& has also requested that Finnish authorities provide research evidence proving the harms of plant extract — evidence that would justify Finland's stance — but no such information has been provided to us. Through our contact with the working group that was planning a legislative change, our understanding was further confirmed: Finland's policy has relied heavily on individuals' personal attitudes and outdated ideas about what hemp extract actually is.
Plant extract and THC come from the same plant — but they are very different compounds
Hemp extract and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) are easy to mix up when people talk about cannabis-derived ingredients. Both are derived from hemp, but they affect the body in completely different ways.
While THC intoxicates, plant extract calms and reduces inflammation. Around the world, hemp-derived wellness products are used as part of everyday wellbeing — for example to support sleep, focus, and stress management.
The THC content in Blank& products, for example, is carefully verified by the producer who cultivates the hemp and produces the plant extract. In EU cosmetics, a THC content of up to 0.2% is permitted — in Blank& products, the level is in practice 0.01% or below.
Plant extract has been an approved ingredient in EU cosmetics since 2021.
Plant extract is a versatile ingredient — both in skincare and wellness products
In the majority of EU countries, people can purchase hemp extract oil for internal use as part of their wellness routine. Here is what research and user experience suggest:
plant extract may support chronic pain management and general comfort
plant extract may ease PMS symptoms
plant extract supports sleep — disrupted sleep, which is a common symptom of perimenopause, improves for many with regular use
many people use plant extract for calming down and improving focus — it can help with stress and anxiety
On the skin, hemp extract soothes, balances, and effectively repairs minor damage. Its anti-inflammatory properties make it particularly beneficial for eczema and acne-prone skin.
Plant extract helps with:
calming irritated and stressed skin
reducing itching and redness, for example after shaving or waxing
repairing minor skin damage
balancing sebum production, which supports the care of acne-prone skin
maintaining a youthful appearance
