Is CBD Legal?

Is CBD legal is a question asked by many considering a purchase of CBD oil or other CBD formats.

The simple answer to that is yes, providing the following conditions are met.

CBD is legal in the UK and most European countries. Provided it is derived from hemp it is also legal throughout the USA and many other countries around the world.

If you’re thinking about trying CBD products you may want to ask “Is CBD Legal” and safe to use in the UK. CBD products must meet certain standards in order to be legally bought and sold in the UK. Read on as we answer the question, is CBD legal in UK.

All the CBD products offered on this site by our recommended suppliers are fully legal and fully compliant with all legislation

CBD legalisation in the UK

CBD is legal in the UK, however the CBD oil UK law states that the product has to meet certain criteria to be lawfully available for human consumption. Many CBD products on the high street aren’t always properly authorised. So, when you’re looking to buy CBD oil, spray or capsules it’s best to buy them from trusted websites, pharmacies or stores to make sure these products are safe for consumption. If in doubt speak to your doctor or a pharmacist, and make sure to always read the label before taking CBD products.

CBD oil must not contain any trace of THC to be legally sold in the UK. It’s the THC that’s present in the cannabis plant, that CBD is extracted from, that gets you high. Although taken from the same plant, CBD oil should have a minimal, if any, amount of THC in it in order to be legal. You can find out more about how CBD oil is made here.

What are the UK regulations for CBD oil?

CBD product have to follow certain regulations when being produced and sold within the UK. This form of quality control applies to manufacturers and the processes they use to create the CBD products they sell and supply. However, with more and more vape and CBD shops springing up on the high street it can be hard to know who is adhering to UK regulations. It’s always best to do your research, speak to a pharmacist or doctor before you try CBD products for yourself.

CBD as a novel food

CBD was announced as a novel food in January 2019 and added to the Novel Foods catalogue. Although the catalogue doesn’t have a legal status is allows authorities to make decisions about novel foods, their safety and their legality. CBD is a food supplement and should be taken as one. Remember to speak to a doctor before taking CBD if you’re already on medication. Also, food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet.

What is a novel food?

Novel foods are foods which have not been available to the UK or EU public before May 1997. They’re relatively new and so don’t have a ‘history of consumption’, so the Foods Standards Agency has a responsibility to ensure they’re safe to eat or drink. Each new food must undergo a safety assessment and authorisation before it can be legally marketed in the UK. CBD will have gone through this process and continues to be regulated while it has novel food status.

Novel foods include:

• New foods such as probiotic bacteria in yoghurts
• Foods eaten around the world but not in the UK or EU, like chia seeds
• Foods made in new ways or by new processes such as UVC treated milk