CBD has gone from being seen as a substance linked to marijuana and getting intoxicated to a compound with many benefits, thanks to an increasing number of studies and anecdotal evidence proving its usefulness. Its popularity now transcends demographics, with everyone from students trying to get through university to your elderly neighbor using it. But is CBD legal in the UK?
While knowledge of the compound is growing, there is still a stigma attached to it, and many people still aren’t sure whether it is legal or not to use CBD products in the UK. Especially since the ever-changing laws surrounding it can be complex. Different countries have various laws regulating CBD. It can be confusing to figure out whether you can use it without breaking the law. Let’s dive into the legalities of CBD in the United Kingdom.
Is CBD Legal in the UK?
The short answer is yes, CBD is legal in the UK. However, the matter is a bit more complicated than a simple yes or no. CBD is highly regulated in the UK, and products need to meet a long list of requirements to stay legally compliant.
Current CBD Laws in the UK
Currently, CBD oil and other CBD products are legal in the UK as it is not intoxicating, which means it cannot get you ‘high’, unlike marijuana. However, there are many laws and regulations that need to be followed to toe the line:
- CBD products must contain less than 1 mg of THC per finished product.
- The CBD must come from a strain of industrial hemp that the UK has approved.
- Industrial hemp can only be cultivated by people who have a Home Office licence.
- CBD sourced from other countries where growing CBD is legal can be sold in the UK.
- It is illegal to sell CBD flowers and buds in the UK, even if the level of THC is within legal limits.
- Only CBD products that have been validated/approved for a novel food application are allowed to be sold in the UK.
- CBD cosmetic products require a Cosmetic Product Safety Report (CPSR).
- Sellers that are not licensed medical distributors, need to sell CBD products as nutritional supplements.
- Food Supplement Regulations 2003 states that all CBD products must be correctly labelled
Take a look at CBD Certificate Of Analysis And How To Read One
Source of the CBD
Firstly, we need to look at where the CBD is sourced from. Usually, the CBD oil found in CBD products in the UK is extracted from Cannabis sativa, also known as industrial hemp. Industrial hemp is a multi-use crop that has recently been legalised in most countries, which has led to an increase in research and knowledge on the plant. Early research has shown evidence that hemp and products derived from hemp have numerous health benefits. Thanks to these studies and many anecdotal claims on the benefits of hemp/CBD, the popularity of the plant and its compounds has grown, leading to many laws and regulations changing.
CBD is only legal in the UK if it is derived from a strain of industrial hemp approved in the UK, as industrial hemp is better regulated and more sustainable.
Since becoming legal, the CBD extracted from industrial hemp has been used to make food, supplements and many other products.
CBD Flower and Bud
Although they are sold openly, the sale of CBD flower and bud is illegal in the UK. What is known as CBD flower and CBD buds are, in fact, terms that refer to hemp flower and bud. Many retailers that sell CBD flower and bud claim that it is legal due to its low level of THC. However, this is false. They fall under the ‘cannabis’ category, which means they are classified as a controlled substance and fall under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
Under the industrial hemp licence, only hemp fibre and seeds can be used for commercial purposes. The rest of the plant has to be destroyed on-site.
Also, take a look at Are CBD Capsules the Same as CBD Oil?
Novel Food Regulation
In EU member states, any product containing CBD is now classified as a “novel food”. This means that any manufacturer that plans on adding CBD to food or drinks needs to apply to the European Commission for premarket authorisation.
What Is a Novel Food?
According to the European Commission: “Novel Food is defined as food that had not been consumed to a significant degree by humans in the EU before 15 May 1997, when the first Regulation on novel food came into force.”
CBD Novel Foods include products such as CBD gummies, capsules, drinks and more.
There is one exception, however. According to the Food Standards Agency, CBD food or drinks that contain CBD, which comes from hemp and cold-pressed oils, are not novel foods as there is evidence that it was consumed before May 1997.
Why Is There a Novel Food Regulation?
The Novel Food Regulation EU 2015/2283 was developed to standardise laws across Europe, so that all member states have the same laws and confusion can be avoided.
The EU has a list of novel foods kept in a searchable database which includes things such as:
- Cannabidiol
- Cannabinoids
- Apricot Kernel
- Chia seeds
If you are buying a CBD product, you need to ensure that it is correctly authorised.
Travelling With CBD
Since CBD is legal in the UK, you should be able to take it with you on domestic flights. However, to stay on the safe side, contact your airline before doing so. If you are travelling internationally, check the laws of the country you are going to, along with getting the airline to confirm it is ok to travel with CBD.
Explore “Can CBD Oil Help You Lose Weight?“
How Do You Know if the CBD Product You Want to Use Is Legal?
As can be seen from above, CBD is legal in the UK, as long as it meets all legal requirements. However, with regulations constantly changing and an increasing number of dodgy CBD products appearing on the market, finding CBD brands and products that are 100% legal can be a bit tricky.
The good news is, all Canndid products are entirely legal. When buying from Canndid, you can be assured you are getting top-quality CBD products that meet all rules and regulations. The CBD we use in our products is extracted from industrial hemp. It contains only trace amounts of THC, which are within legal limits. All our products contain less than 1 mg THC. We keep up to date with all rules and regulations to ensure we comply at all times.
Here at Canndid, we go even one step further. Not only do we test all our products at our internal lab to ensure content and quality, but we also send them out for third-party lab testing to confirm that they comply with UK guidelines. We do this to meet all legal requirements and assure you that you are getting the best quality CBD products available.
You may also like to read: CBD Dosage: How much CBD should I take?
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