Legal framework for sale of CBD oil products within the UK.

 

The use of CBD oil as a food supplement is perfectly legal in the UK. Reassuringly, there are strict government guidelines and measures in place to ensure that stringent compliance is maintained in order to promote the safety and wellbeing of those choosing to supplement their lifestyle with innovative and novel topical and edible products containing CBD oil.

 

CBD oil is derived from a strain of cannabis plant called Cannabis Sativa, which is more commonly known as ‘Hemp’.

Hemp is the name given to types of Cannabis plants that belong in the Cannabaceae family of flowering plants with a THC content of less than 0.2% (by dry weight).

To be legally sold in the UK, CBD oil must have been produced from EU government approved, industrial hemp strains that contain no THC.

It is really important to understand the difference between different members of the Cannabaceae family of plants, Marijuana and Hemp are the most commonly used terms to differentiate between the cannabis strains that contain levels of THC that have a psychoactive quality. Marijuana is the term given to plants that contain 0.3% or more THC which will give the user a sensation of a ‘high’, while Hemp is the name given to plants with levels below 0.2% (which in the UK has to be 0%) which will give no psychoactive effects but will still contain the cannabidiols essential for use in wellbeing products.

Under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, Cannabis is included as a controlled substance under Class B; however, CBD is not included in the list of controlled substances. Even with this classification, it is not legal to grow or own your own 0.2% or less low THC cannabis (hemp) plants in the UK. Only approved holders of a government granted licence for medical or research purposes can grow Cannabaceae plant stock.

 

The products that we sell at The Hemp Hacienda are all legal for use in the UK as they all contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) at a level below 0.2% and comply with the latest legislation that all UK retailers of CBD products must label their products as ‘food supplements’ in compliance with The Food Supplement (England) Regulations 2003.