If you’ve ever been to a reputable high street store, you may have noticed a growing number of CBD products on shelves. CBD is an extract from the hemp plant that is believed to have benefits for a wide range of health issues.
It can be taken in an oil form or a droplet, and also as balms, patches, creams and oral sprays. There are even gummies and edibles that have been infused with CBD.
Legality
As a Class B drug, cannabis (and products containing THC) are illegal in the UK. This is because cannabis (or its compounds) is considered a control substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
Therefore, it is not legal for companies to manufacture, sell or distribute CBD Oil UK unless they hold a Home Office licence. The government has issued a factsheet explaining these rules and recommends that marketers seek specialist legal advice before taking steps to bring a CBD product to market.
The UK has a growing number of chemists and health shops selling a variety of CBD oils, creams, edibles, and gummies. But many of these products contain trace levels of THC, the psychoactive agent in cannabis that can get you “high” when used alone or in combination with other substances.
This is why the government has announced plans to change the law to monitor THC levels in consumer CBD products. It will now require businesses to ensure they have a limit of no more than 50 micrograms of THC in their products.
Safety
CBD oil and other products containing hemp, which are derived from cannabis plants with less than 0.3% THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) by weight. These can be found in various forms on the UK market, including oils for oral use, creams and topical gels.
It’s important to check the label and to be aware that a product may contain more or less CBD than indicated on its label, which can lead to overdose. It’s also possible that a product could contain unknown components that are not listed on the label.
If you’re unsure whether or not a product contains CBD, contact the manufacturer to find out. Alternatively, you can check with the UK Food Standards Agency’s novel foods guidance, which can help you find out more about the status of a product.
Benefits
CBD is a non-psychoactive component of cannabis and has been marketed in a variety of forms including oils, extracts, capsules, patches, vapes and topical preparations. It has been suggested that it may help reduce pain, anxiety and stress, but it is not yet clear how much of the molecule is needed to achieve these effects or what form of product is most effective.
However, there is evidence that CBD may reduce seizures in people with some types of epilepsy, such as Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, which typically don’t respond to antiseizure medications. The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the CBD-containing medication Epidiolex, which is used to treat these conditions.
A recent study reported that CBD may improve anxiety and insomnia. It also suggests that ongoing use of CBD is safe and may improve sleep quality. Although there are few randomized controlled trials (RCTs), real-world evidence from countries with robust regulatory frameworks could fill a critical need for patients and healthcare professionals to understand the use, safety and effectiveness of CBD-based treatments.
Where to buy
CBD is a plant compound, derived from hemp plants with less than 0.3% THC. It’s been shown to help reduce anxiety and pain, as well as improve sleep, mood and metabolism.
In the UK, consumers can buy a variety of CBD products at chemists and health shops ranging from oils and tinctures to balms and chocolates. They’re also available in the form of gummies and other candy-like products, which are convenient and fun to take.
However, as part of a post-Brexit departure from EU rules, the government will soon introduce new regulations that will stop CBD products with trace levels of THC from being sold on the shelves. It’s also said to have ordered drug advisers to recommend a maximum acceptable level of 50 micrograms of THC in any product, a figure that industry representatives say is too low and would harm UK farmers and producers. CBD Shop UK