CBD is starting to gain popularity within the UK, and as more of CBD’s potential benefits are starting to come to light, the number of Brits incorporating CBD into their daily lifestyle is growing at a fast rate.
Our company founders Dom and George incorporated CBD into their daily routine during their high flying rugby careers, both playing premiership and international rugby. They used CBD to manage the symptoms caused by their physical rugby careers. Just like Dom and George, lots of our customers are adding CBD into their lifestyle with amazing results.
CBD is still a new topic for a lot of people and it can be often overlooked. CBD is from the cannabis plant and is often wrongly associated with its brother THC, which is illegal in the UK and the part of the plant that gets you ‘high’. With a bit of clarification around the topic you will understand more about CBD and its laws in the UK.
CBD Explained? (A quick explanation)
To lift the confusion surrounding CBD and its laws, it’s helpful to understand exactly what CBD is:
CBD is a compound that comes from the Sativa cannabis plant. Here are two main classifications of cannabis plants depending on their compound contents, these are called Hemp and Marijuana.
Hemp – Hemp is a variety of cannabis that contains less than 0.2% of the compound THC. This low level of the psychotropic compound THC makes hemp safe for commercial use. Hemp has many different applications, but in this context it’s harvested for the compound CBD.
Marijuana – Marijuana is a variety of cannabis that contains more than 0.2% of the compound THC. This intoxicating cannabinoid can create a euphoric effect known as being ‘high’. This classification of the Sativa cannabis plant is illegal in the UK.
The fact CBD is non intoxicating, doesn’t produce any euphoric effects and make you ‘high’ in the same way as THC are big reasons why it is legal in the UK.
If you want to find out more about what CBD is, and other topics surrounding CBD, read these:
What’s the Best Way to Use CBD
Can CBD Help you Sleep and Does it Make You Drowsy
CBD Laws in the UK 2022
Because it’s non intoxicating, it’s legal in many countries including the UK. Although, there are some strict guidelines surrounding CBD Law:
- CBD is legal in the UK as long as it contains less than 0.2% THC. As THC is a controlled substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
- CBD is legal in the UK as long as it has been derived from an industrial hemp strain that is approved by the UK.
This seems fairly simple, although once you scratch the surface there are many more details to consider.
CBD Regulations in the UK
Cannabis is a class B drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, although CBD is not listed under cannabis. This has resulted in some confusion.
This has led to people believing they can grow their own cannabis/hemp for CBD use. It’s actually illegal to grow your own cannabis/hemp in the UK and there are a few strict regulations:
- CBD producers must receive a license from the UK Home Office
- To sell CBD you need to be a licensed medical distributor or sell the product as a nutritional supplement.
- CBD products must be properly labelled in accordance with Food Supplement Regulations 2003
- CBD Cosmetics require Cosmetic Product Safety Report
- CBD Vape Products should be in line with non nicotine e liquid regulations
- The sale of CBD flowers and buds is illegal even if the THC content is below 0.2%
CBD as a Novel Food
As of February 2020, new CBD food/drink products require a Novel Food Application. Any food or drink containing CBD are considered novel foods. They require premarket authorisation, any CBD manufacturer wanting to produce CBD food or drink is required to apply.
Example of CBD Novel Foods:
- CBD Oils, capsules and sprays
- CBD Gummies, mints and sweets
- CBD Infused Drinks -teas, coffee, beer, soft drinks etc
- CBD Snacks
Is CBD Oil Legal in the UK?
CBD is legal, although there are many laws and regulations around the compound. The regulations are currently evolving and changing as CBD becomes more popular and the potential benefits come to light. This is an ever changing landscape and the legal status of CBD will develop over the time.
At fourfive we assure our customers of the safety of our products by supplying every batch certificate on our website. All of our products contain less that 0.2% THC and all products in our professional range are THC free, making them suitable for all tested professionals.
