CBD has become the new big thing in health and wellness. It has grown from relative obscurity to a regular sight on the shelves of pharmacies and health stores. It seems people from all walks of life are interested in CBD, or have tried it and even recommended it to others. With all this demand, could it interest you as a new business? Why not consider to become a CBD distributor in the UK?
With at least one million CBD users in the UK, and a market thought to be worth £300 million, the time is right to enter CBD distribution. CBD is now being used for health, fitness, muscle recovery, better sleep, anxiety, and pain relief in the hope that its supposed therapeutic properties may provide relief in a completely natural way.
Becoming a CBD distributor in UK is much easier than it sounds, but certain steps need to be taken. Here at Canndid, we know all about what it takes to become a successful CBD distributor and can provide all the help and the CBD products you need to sell. Here is a straightforward guide that answers your question “how do I become a CBD distributor“. This guide covers everything you need to know to set you on your next business venture.
The Basics to become a CBD Oil Distributor in UK
There are some basics to get to grips with before deciding to become a CBD distributor in the UK. Consider these first before anything else. That way, you’ll have the foundations in place and setting up should be more streamlined. One thing you won’t have to worry about is a licence. Do you need a licence to sell CBD oil in the UK? No, because CBD is a novel food and not a medicine. People who grow the hemp need a licence, but not a product distributor. Just make sure your company abides by the regular business regulations. These are the basics if you plan to become a reputable CBD oil distributor UK:
Know the Law
It’s vital to understand the current laws around CBD and how it is sold. Be aware that these laws can change, so keep up to date with any new legislation that has the potential to alter your business plans.
Any product you sell must contain no more than 1 mg of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) per product. It should also be produced from hemp that contains less than 2% THC under UK laws. At this level, there should be no psychoactive effects after consuming the product.
Lastly, understand the regulations around marketing products. CBD is not considered to be a medicine, therefore no medical claims can be made about CBD to become a CBD product wholesaler.
Novel Foods Certification
CBD was listed as a novel food in 2019, so any product currently being sold must have this certification. It is essential your products comply with the current legislation. One way to have confidence in your products is to source them from a reputable company like Canndid that has done all the certification and legal leg work for you.
Ensure Customer Safety
This should be straightforward if you source products from a reputable supplier. However, the emphasis is on you as a business owner to ensure the products you sell are safe to consume and pose no risks to customers. CBD oil for distribution must be completely safe and undergo third-party laboratory testing to confirm the CBD and THC levels.
Research the Market
Knowing what people want is key to becoming a CBD distributor. Top of the list for most first-time consumers will be CBD oil, but CBD capsules, CBD tinctures and edibles are becoming popular. The increasing popularity of CBD means different types of products, and ways to take CBD, are continually being made available. Decide which market you want to operate in. Do you want to attract new customers looking for simple, but high-quality CBD oil, or do you want to attract seasoned consumers on the lookout for something niche?
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Next Steps to become a CBD distributor
Once you have understood the legalities of how to become a CBD oil distributor in the UK, and researched the market, it’s time to make the leap and start setting up the business.
Business Plan
First, write a business plan. This is essential, especially if you’re looking for financial support to establish the venture. A solid business plan should cover aims, objectives and business strategy, plus forecasts for sales, marketing and finances. It gives you a track to follow and gives investors confidence that you know what you are doing. It also helps you fine-tune the business and gives you a reference point to return to if plans need refining. There are plenty of online guides to help anyone prepare a business plan.
Start the Business
With a business plan and funding in place, it’s time to get started. There are several steps but this is exciting as you are about to become a CBD distributor in the UK.
- Choose a name: Treat the business seriously by picking a name that reflects the quality and properties of your products. Make sure it will stand the test of time.
- Register the business: Make the business legal by registering at gov.uk. You will probably set up as a sole trader but there are options to register as a limited company or a partnership.
- Open a bank account: with a name registered, it’s time to open a business bank account. You can’t operate without one and banks are on hand with plenty of advice.
- Check the regulations: You may think you’ve already done this but alongside abiding by the rules on selling CBD, you must follow the rules that apply to everyone in business. Check the rules regarding importing and exporting goods, selling online and data protection.
Establish the Brand
Next, you need to establish your brand. Whether you choose to sell in a physical store or just online, you’ll need a website. This helps the business to run smoothly, get the product information out there and attract new customers.
Make sure that the imagery for the company and the brand instils confidence and professionalism. It’s best to avoid any imagery that links CBD to cannabis and that could confuse the product with medicine. Remember, these are wellness products and customers want to have confidence that your products will work for them in a positive way. Being professional about your business generates trust and confidence, not just in the products but in the company.
Choose the Right Products
The main and obvious CBD product you need as a distributor is CBD oil. This comes in a variety of strengths, volumes and even carrier oils. You will need a ‘go-to’ product to attract new users and perhaps some alternatives for people looking for higher strength options or new tastes. But don’t be restricted by being a CBD oil distributor. There are plenty of other products that can entice customers, everything from CBD teas and CBD coffees to protein bars and CBD pouches. The most important thing is to source from a company with high quality, lab-tested products.
One thing to look for is that the products contain organic CBD. This means the hemp plants are far less likely to contain any contaminants from the soil, like heavy metals, and won’t be affected by pesticides. This is a confidence boost for customers who look to your products in the hope of improving their health. Widen your customer base by ensuring the products you sell are also vegan and cruelty-free.
Wholesale or White Label?
Companies that can provide products to new distributors may have two options – wholesale or white label. Both have their benefits and could help you start trading very quickly. What are these options:
- Wholesale: Your business buys branded products in bulk at a trade price and these are sold by you in-store or online. Be aware that other companies may also be selling the same products so you could be entering a potentially busy market.
- White label: Your business buys unlabelled, unbranded goods that have the same quality and composition as the branded ones. These are then labelled and marked up in your own company branding and logos so it appears you are selling a completely unique product.
With both these options, the company you source from has the responsibility for ensuring the products are trustworthy and have been laboratory tested. It makes life a lot easier for you.
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Join Trade Organisations
Nothing says professional like an official badge, and joining a trade organisation can boost your business profile and standing. Plus, being affiliated with an organisation like the Cannabis Trades Association (CTA) enables you to call on their expertise regarding business regulations, social media, online sales, labelling and packaging, and general industry compliance. It also links you to a network of professional sellers and manufacturers who could help you on your CBD oil distribution journey.
Key Takeaways
The CBD oil market is growing every day and is already a major player in health and wellness. As scientific research continues, CBD could become even more important and, potentially, recommended by medical professionals for a raft of medical conditions. It makes sense then to get ahead and become a CBD oil distributor in the UK.
Once you have followed the basic guide, you could be selling quality products sooner than you think. To make life even simpler, go straight to Canndid who can advise you on getting started with their premium, tested products in both wholesale and white-label options. If this is something you’ve been considering, contact the Canndid team now before others beat you to it.
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