CBD oil, derived from plants of the cannabis genus, is rapidly gaining popularity in the UK. Statistics from the Cannabis Trade Association UK show that the number of CBD consumers increased from 125,000 in 2017 to 250,000 in 2018.
This meteoric increase in popularity can be attributed to the fact that CBD can potentially treat a wide range of health conditions and disorders including depression, anxiety, pain, Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, diabetes, and even cancer.
However, many people are still apprehensive about using CBD oil products as they aren’t sure if CBD is legal owing to the fact that it sometimes comes from cannabis.
Is CBD legal?
Cannabis was outlawed in the UK in 1928 after an international drug conference in Geneva where Egyptian delegates succeeded in convincing members that it was as dangerous as opium and was a threat to society.
While cannabis use as a recreational substance still remains illegal in the UK, there has been a significant increase in interest in CBD oil and related products. In 2016, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the body mandated with licensing medicines in the UK, formally recognized the use of products that contain cannabidiol (CBD) for medicinal purposes.
In announcing their decision, MHRA stated that those wishing to sell medicinal CBD products must obtain a product license or marketing authorization before they can be legally supplied, advertised, or sold in the UK. They further stated that licensed medicinal products must meet quality, efficacy, and safety standards to safeguard public health.
What does all this mean? Is CBD legal in the UK?
Is CBD legal in the UK? Technically, CBD is legal in the UK and is not considered a controlled substance. It is legal to possess and consume. You are allowed to freely distribute it provided you have a proper license.
It’s worth noting, however, that any CBD oil that has THC values of over 0.2 percent is considered medical marijuana and is impossible to obtain legally.
Is It Legal to Ship CBD Oil into the UK?
You can also find CBD oil in other countries such as the Netherlands, Belgium, Romania, Italy, Spain, Austria, and Denmark. However, you are prohibited from buying CBD oil in another country and bring it to the UK with you unless you’ve been licensed to possess medicinal CBD oil.
Is It Legal to Operate a CBD Oil Vape Store in the UK?
The law governing the operation of CBD vape stores in the UK is still murky. While store owners claim the business is legal, police have issued warrants in a number of occasions to seize products. However, there are no records of arrests made for violations under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
In Conclusion
The answer is, yes, CBD is legal in the UK, but only if THC values are below 0.2 percent. While the MHRA has recognized CBD as medicine, it has to be properly licensed for it to be promoted and sold as such.
