Is CBD legal in the UK in 2021?

CBD is still relatively new for many individuals. It is derived from the cannabis plant, and is sometimes confused with its sibling THC, which is banned in the United Kingdom and is the component of the plant that causes you to become “high”. 

With a little more information, you'll be able to learn more about CBD and its legal status in the United Kingdom. 

In order for CBD to be legally produced and sold in the United Kingdom, there are certain rules to follow:

1: Importing CBD

There are no rigorous restrictions for importing CBD into the UK as long as it contains less than 0.2% THC. 

The Misuse of Drugs Act of 1971 makes THC a prohibited drug.

CBD is allowed in the UK if it is generated from an industrial hemp strain that has been authorized by the government.

2: Producing CBD

The UK Home Office requires CBD manufacturers to get a growing license.

3: Selling CBD 

You must be a certified medical distributor or sell CBD as a nutritional supplement, provided THC is not detected by the authorities. 

According to the Food Supplement Regulations of 2003, CBD products must be appropriately labeled: there should be no medical claims, and should include CBD content, manufacturer data, and ingredients.

Regulations depend on the product category:

CBD cosmetics require a Cosmetic Product Safety Report.


CBD Vape Products must adhere to non-nicotine e-liquid rules.

CBD flowers and buds of hemp are illegal to sell even if the THC concentration is less than 0.2 percent. The flower and bud are functionally classified as "cannabis," and as such are subject to the Misuse of Drug Act, along with other prohibited drugs.


CBD Food Products/Supplements require a validated submission or a premarket authorized novel food application. 

Any producer who wants to include CBD in food or drinks must submit an online application to the European Commission. 

CBD was added to the Novel Foods catalog in January 2019 and was declared as a novel food. 

Novel foods are foods that were not accessible to the general public in the United Kingdom or the European Union prior to May 1997. Because they're new and have no 'history of consumption,' the Food Standards Agency is responsible for ensuring they're safe to consume or drink. 

Novel CBD Foods include the following: CBD oils, pills, sprays, gummies, mints, snacks, and sweets containing CBD, teas, coffee, beer, soft drinks, and other CBD-infused beverages.

So before a new food may be lawfully marketed in the UK, it must undergo a safety evaluation and authorization.

Medical CBD should only be prescribed by specialist doctors. 

In 2016, CBD was classified as medication by the UK's Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), if it satisfies a stringent set of "safety, quality, and efficiency requirements."

Those seeking CBD for medicinal purposes must apply for a license through a temporary approval panel. The panel will assess each case on its merits to determine if certain requirements have been satisfied.

To prescribe CBD oil, a specialized doctor must demonstrate extraordinary clinical conditions. They would have to show that there is no alternative legal medical substance that can suit the patient's unique needs.

It appears to be a fine idea, but we must be realistic about what this implies in practice and how to determine whether or not it’s in the patient’s best interest. 

In the United Kingdom, CBD is presently found in two legal products: Sativex, which is used to treat multiple sclerosis, and Epidiolex, which is used to treat juvenile epilepsy.

4: Travelling with CBD

Because CBD is legal in the UK, you should be allowed to carry it on domestic flights inside the country; nevertheless, it's advisable to check with your airline beforehand.

If you're flying, make sure you read the hand baggage and luggage guidelines. Because CBD oil is a liquid, it will be subject to the 100ml liquid restriction for carry-on luggage. 

If you're going abroad, make sure to check the CBD rules of the country you'll be visiting, as well as the terms and conditions of the airline you'll be flying with.

Because CBD oil regulations vary by country, it's best to avoid flying with any possibly illegal substance, even if it's a non-psychoactive product like CBD. 

Conclusion

CBD is legal in the United Kingdom. However, it is subject to a slew of rules and regulations. the product must fulfill specific conditions before it can be legally sold for human use. 


As more vape and CBD businesses open on the high street, it might be difficult to tell who is following UK legislation. 


So before purchasing CBD oil, spray, or pills, it's preferable to do some research, consult with a pharmacist or doctor, or buy from reputable websites and stores to ensure that the CBD products are safe to consume.


But not to worry, all our CBD oils and vape products have gone through the necessary checks and balances so they are allowed to be sold to you!