CBD Gummies 25mg vs. 50mg: Which Is More Popular in the Netherlands? -RCT

 

By 2026, the 25mg vs. 50mg CBD gummy debate in the Netherlands is not so much about what consumers prefer anymore, but this time it is about regulatory survivability and research ethics and pharmacological realism. As I have watched this shift occur in real-time, I have also seen how regulations around CBD in Europe evolved from light discussions in 2023 to much more of an industry standard going into 2026, with new patterns of enforcement from the EU, guidance from EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) and new regulations being implemented within the Dutch Ethics Board.

Why 50mg Gummies Are Facing Rejection in 2026

Regulatory rejections for 50mg CBD gummies throughout the EU and Germany are becoming more common than rare as of 2026. The most common reasons for these rejections are:

Safety Thresholds

Over time, EFSA has found that higher single-dose CBD formats (greater than 20mg) can pose problems with daily use or without titration.

Risk of THC Contamination

As a result of this research, the current scientific data indicates that even trace amounts of THC could leave a product not compliant with the Dutch law, thus raising concerns of increasing difficulty to maintain compliance across batches.

Novel Food Classification

All of the 50mg CBD gummies on the marked do not meet the Novel Food requirements as the levels of exposure presented in the EFSA dossiers were much lower than what the current market demand is.

Therefore, the laboratory analysts from multiple Dutch laboratories have quietly removed 50mg CBD gummies from their formal study designs, not because they work or don't work, but because they cannot pass the review process.

The Pharmacology Nobody Mentions: Biphasic CBD Effects

One of the most misunderstood aspects highlighted in EU clinical data and EFSA-linked assessments in 2026 is CBD’s biphasic pharmacology.

In plain terms:

• 25mg often sits within a range where receptor activity remains stable and predictable

• 50mg may push into receptor saturation territory, where effects can flatten, reverse, or become inconsistent

This is why multiple Dutch research teams now report cleaner outcome signals at 25mg, especially in studies involving:

• Anxiety modulation

• Neuroinflammation markers

• Sleep latency and architecture

More is not always better—sometimes it’s just noisier.

How Dutch Ethics Boards Actually Think

Contrary to popular belief, Dutch Medical Research Ethics Committees (METCs) and the CCMO do not mandate a specific CBD dose.

Instead, in 2026, they rigorously enforce one principle:

“Start Low, Go Slow.”

Protocols that begin at 25mg—with optional, justified escalation—are far more likely to be approved than those starting at 50mg. This philosophy reflects:

• Participant safety

• Audit defensibility

• Alignment with EU pharmacovigilance expectations

This alone explains why 25mg gummies dominate approved Dutch research protocols, even if higher doses exist commercially.

The Hidden Problem: Inter-Batch Variability

Another quiet but decisive factor is Certificate of Analysis (COA) data.

Based on 2026 potency reviews:

• Inter-batch variability for CBD gummies often exceeds ±10%

• The higher the labeled dose, the harder it is to stay within tolerance

• 50mg products statistically fail more often than 25mg equivalents

For labs, this variability isn’t a nuisance—it’s a study-invalidating risk.

Where Trusted Sourcing Fits In

Dutch researchers increasingly rely on suppliers who understand this landscape and build products around documentation, not hype. One such reference point frequently cited in procurement discussions is Research Chemicals Team

Not because of marketing—but because consistent COAs, traceability, and format discipline are now prerequisites, not bonuses.

Final Verdict (2026 Reality)

In the Netherlands:

• 25mg CBD gummies are more popular in approved research

• 50mg gummies are increasingly filtered out by regulation

• Popularity now follows compliance, not consumer demand

By 2026, the Dutch market has made its choice—not loudly, but decisively.