Is CBD Oil Legal in the UK? | Understanding the CBD Oil UK Law

Understanding the UK’s CBD Oil Legal Landscape in 2024 | CBD UK Law and Legal Status

For a number of UK residents, CBD has become part of daily life, but there is still much confusion when it comes to the UK CBD law and its legal status. The one topic we get asked  about time and time again is the question of CBD’s legality in the UK, and it looks set to continue to be a regular question. The CBD market is still managing growth globally despite a multitude of challenges, but as modern technology sees consumer purchasing habits evolve at a much faster pace than lawmakers can create legislation,. It leaves some wondering if there will be further changes to the laws, proposed legal definitions of some CBD products, or further regulatory changes or recommendations being announced. We take a look at this confusing and unclear topic in the CBD world and help to answer, ‘is CBD legal in the UK?’ and ‘what are the laws regarding CBD oil in the UK?’

As we transitioned into 2024 with a clear sense of the law relating to CBD in the UK but with knowledge and expectation of a potentially continued turbulent global view of CBD legally.  It is still necessary to exercise caution regarding the law when buying CBD products, especially if you will be travelling internationally with them.

However, as Germany partially decriminalises cannabis, the UK seems slower than ever to clearly define CBD laws.

What to expect regarding CBD laws in 2024 in the UK

As of 2024, the legal status of CBD oil and other CBD products in the UK remains consistent and unchanged from previous years, You will be happy to hear this, I am sure. There is no CBD prohibition on our radars, at least. We predict that we will start to finally see something happening with the novel food authorizations for CBD products, as they are long overdue. In fact, many CBD brands haven’t survived the wait.

We do, however, eagerly await the potential legislation writing or defining of CBD following the June 2023 court ruling that CBD flower was not a narcotic. All industry eyes will be fixed on any changes or updates on this subject, as it has the potential to affect CBD and even cannabis legislation and laws for decades to come in the UK.

UK CBD legal status in 2024

Well, here is the burning question on everyone’s minds: Is CBD oil still legal in the UK in 2023? Granted, it is not a clear or easy topic with multiple different categories of product under different regulators but we’re here to clear the haze and shed some light on the laws surrounding CBD oil in the UK.
CBD oil has certainly made its mark in the wellness world, with many shouting about its potential benefits; however, many are now left with confusion around UK CBD regulations, too. With CBD oil use rising in popularity comes a cloud of confusion regarding its legality.

From the shelves of holistic health stores to the medicine cabinets of many, the demand for CBD oil has skyrocketed. But amidst the buzz, the question remains: is CBD oil legal in the UK or am I breaking the law buying it?

So, sit back because we’re about to dive right into the murky waters of the UK legal system and supply you with the answers surrounding CBD oil legality in the UK. We’ll be exploring the ins and outs of the current laws and regulations, clearing up any confusion that may be lingering in the air.
But fear not, we won’t leave you high and dry. By the end of this article, you’ll be armed with the knowledge you need to navigate the ever-changing landscape of CBD oil legality in the UK. So sit tight, grab a cup of your favourite brew, and let’s unravel the mystery of CBD oil laws in 2023.

Is CBD Oil legal UK – CBD Oil UK legal status 2024

It never hurts to have a quick recap when it comes to CBD oil legality in the UK, and we all could do with some help demystifying those UK CBD regulations as well.

A Brief Recap of UK CBD Regulations – Is CBD oil legal in the UK?

Never before in history has a product gained such attention and pushed the boundaries of the UK legal system and structure as CBD oil has, which has left many confused and unsure if CBD oil is legal in the UK or not. It certainly has shown that innovation and consumer demand have been growing at a rapid pace, even faster than most legal systems and regulators have been able to keep pace with. The timing in which CBD oil gained notoriety was also a historic period, just before the COVID-19 pandemic and legally enforced lockdown within the UK to contain the outbreak.

Due to this period of high anxiety, increased stress, and reduced sleep, many looked for a natural way to help ease their concerns.

[icon name=”quote-left” prefix=”fas”] ‘It wasn’t very clear at first if CBD oil was legal or not, but slowly I heard more and more people were using it so I decided to give it a try thinking it must be legal if everyone else is trying it!’ [icon name=”quote-right” prefix=”fas”]

Due to the Farm Bill by the Trump administration being passed, which legalised industrial hemp production on a wider scale, the CBD oil market globally sprang into action. Before we knew it, CBD oil was everywhere. As lockdown was slowly unlocked across the UK, the use of CBD oil remained and still does remain high. Many people use it as a staple in their wellness routines for many reasons, such as pain, sleep, anxiety and more potential benefits.

CBD Oil UK, what is it?

Before looking at the CBD oil laws in the UK, let’s have a quick reminder of what CBD actually is and what it is not. CBD oil is the oil that is processed (by a few different methods) from the hemp plant, which is a cousin of the marijuana plant, both of which stem (pun intended) from the cannabis sativa plant. Think of it as hemp going left, marijuana going right at the junction of genetic composition.

CBD oil is non-psychoactive (it won’t make you feel spacey) when it is derived from hemp, from which all legal CBD oil is generally processed. Marijuana, on the other hand, has been bred over time to produce a high concentration of THC, which is the cannabinoid that makes you ‘high‘. CBD, on the other hand, actually has the reverse effect and can bring you back down to earth, as well as having well-known health benefits for humans.

These health benefits are from the CBD oil travelling through the endocannabinoid system we each have in our bodies (yes, we all have a special system just to process cannabinoids, cool, right?), which has now been discovered to have a relationship with our central nervous system. No wonder so many are curious about the legality of CBD oil in the UK with these potential benefits.

CBD oil is best taken sublingually, under the tongue, because of its delicate natural composition; taking it via this method avoids the first pass effect, which in pharmacology terms is where the stomach or liver breaks down a large amount of the compound before it can be effective in our bodies. Natural compounds are more delicate on average than chemical compounds, so they end up with a reduced bioavailability due to this process if not taken sublingually, which gets the CBD oil straight into our bloodstreams where it can get to work.

The important difference between CBD and THC

Let’s break it down simply:

1. [icon name=”cannabis” prefix=”fas”] CBD oil isn’t going to get you high, in fact, it can help bring you back down from a high. THC is the psychoactive cannabinoid that is responsible for making you high or giving you a spacey feeling when consumed or inhaled.
2. [icon name=”cannabis” prefix=”fas”] CBD oil is not psychoactive, whereas THC oil is psychoactive.
3. [icon name=”cannabis” prefix=”fas”] CBD oil is legal in the UK. THC oil is illegal in the UK.
4. [icon name=”cannabis” prefix=”fas”] CBD oil comes from the hemp strain from the cannabis plant family. THC oil comes from the marijuana strain from the cannabis plant family.

They are totally different cannabinoids. But it does not mean the law will always be this way, as CBD oil legality in the UK and beyond are constantly changing.

Is CBD Oil Legal UK – The CBD Oil Market in the UK

Due to the perfect conditions under which CBD oil hit the marketplace, the CBD market has been very buoyant for many years. But this opened the door to many fake CBD companies that were selling, and some that still are very inferior CBD formulas. The first wave of CBD oil tinctures were mainly made from a very pure CBD isolate, which has been over-processed to leave only the CBD cannabinoid and has removed all other cannabinoids in the process. We now know, thanks to science, that CBD isolate is not very effective, as CBD needs some of the other cannabinoids in smaller amounts to be its most beneficial; this is called the entourage effect.

Full-spectrum CBD gained popularity, which has all of the cannabinoids in it, but quickly brands using full spectrum CBD ended up being outside of the legal requirements and had more than 0.2% THC content as it is very hard to control the levels in a natural CBD oil. Broad-spectrum CBD oil is widely considered the safest and most effective CBD oil type, which has all of the cannabinoids of full-spectrum CBD but has had the THC cannabinoid removed almost completely. We here at The London Dispensary only use broad-spectrum CBD oil in our products.

Laws around CBD Oil (cannabinol oil), Hemp Oil and Cannabis Oil in the UK

In the UK, laws around CBD oil, hemp oil, and cannabis oil are quite strict and regulated. CBD oil, which is derived from the hemp plant, is legal in the UK as long as it contains less than 0.2% THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). This is the psychoactive compound found in cannabis that is responsible for the “high” sensation. Hemp oil, which is extracted from the seeds of the hemp plant, is also legal and widely available. However, cannabis oil, which is derived from the cannabis plant and contains higher levels of THC, is illegal in the UK. It is classified as a Class B drug and possession, production, and distribution of cannabis oil is a criminal offence.

The UK government has also approved certain medical cannabis products for use in specific medical conditions, but these are tightly regulated and can only be prescribed by a specialist doctor. Overall, the laws around CBD oil, hemp oil, and cannabis oil in the UK aim to control and monitor the use of these products to ensure public safety and prevent misuse.

What is the difference between CBD oil, Hemp oil and Cannabis Oil?

Ok, let’s have a quick run down! So, you are not left with any doubt about the CBD oil legality UK.

CBD Oil – Is CBD Oil legal in the UK?

From the hemp plant, which is a strain that has branched (pun intended) off from the cannabis sativa plant. It is legal to buy CBD oil in the UK, with studies now stating the health benefits of CBD. You can find CBD in a range of CBD products, but CBD oil remains the most popular and the most effective generally in the UK market. It is not psychoactive, so it will not get you high. It comes largely from the hemp flower, which cannot be pollinated by the males, or it will lose a lot of its potency.

Sadly, again, to the complex and sometimes illogical UK legal system, hemp grown industrially in the UK under a Home Office license cannot use the flower part of the plant and must destroy it, so the UK CBD industry has to import its CBD oil for sale in the UK rather than using our local British grown hemp. Crazy right?

Hemp Oil – Is Hemp Oil legal in the UK?

Hemp oil is legal, but it is not CBD oil; it comes from the hemp seed and is created by pressing the seeds of the hemp plant to produce an oil. It contains little to no CBD. But it does do wonders for skin and hair, being rich in good fats that moisturise! It can be a bit confusing when you see hemp-derived CBD oil, as some people think that means it is the inferior hemp seed oil, but generally, it’s not; it just makes it clear it is CBD oil from a legal source.

Cannabis Oil – Is cannabis Oil legal in the UK?

AKA THC oil or marijuana oil, this is illegal in the UK and is created from the marijuana side of the cannabis sativa family. It is psychoactive, so it’s designed and created to get you high.

Phew, ok, are you keeping up?

Understanding THC Limits in UK CBD Products

For a CBD product, be it CBD oil or CBD and lion’s mane gummies, to legally be sold in the UK it has to have under 0.2% total THC content. This is often verifiable by independent lab testing results that a brand will publish on its website to prove it meets this stipulation.

Key Changes in UK CBD Regulations – Is CBD Oil legal? 

In short, yes, CBD oil is legal in the UK; in general, all CBD is legal as long as it’s under the 0.2% THC threshold. However, it does need to follow a number of different laws, regulations, guidelines and legislation. CBD oil in the UK looks set to be a staple product for many people’s wellness routine due to its potential benefits, but this is a new and exciting area of law in the UK that is changing quickly to keep up with the fast-paced change that society is now pushing for.

We probably can thank Social Media and Influencers for this never seen before historic push that culture has had on government and the legislature to challenge and change laws and legislation.

The legal status of CBD oil in the UK falls into several different categories, and it’s important to remember that these apply only to ingested CBD products like CBD oils, CBD gummies, CBD fruit jellies, and all CBD edibles. There are different rules, laws and regulations that apply to topical CBD products, which are those that you use on your skin, such as CBD balms and CBD creams. To make it a bit more complex, CBD products in the UK that are non-contact, such as CBD candles, have separate guidelines they must follow separately from the other two categories of CBD products.

But we are sticking to the UK laws that govern CBD Oil only in this blog, but to do that, we need to take a very brief look at the overall CBD laws in the UK, which is covered in more depth in its own blog if you wanted greater detail.

Is CBD oil legal in England?

Yes, the laws regarding CBD oil in England are the same as the UK as a whole, there are no devolved elements of the UK law in regards to CBD. This makes CBD oil legal in the UK.

Is CBD oil legal in Scotland?

Yes, CBD oil is fully legal in Scotland as long as the principles below are adhered to just like England there are no devolved powers or legislation governance given to the regional government structures in the UK when it comes to CBD oil. This makes CBD oil legal in the UK as a whole.

Overall CBD Law in the UK

CBD laws in the UK state that for a CBD product to be legally sold, it must have under 0.2% THC content. This legal limit of THC is to ensure the product does not move into the category that is governed by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, which, if it did fall into that category with a THC content over 0.2% is would be in fact a criminal offence to be in procession of. But you do not need to worry, as any reputable CBD brand will have their third-party ISO-accredited laboratory reports posted on their websites for all to see and check for themselves that the CBD product falls within the legal limit of THC before purchase.

Medical Cannabis in the UK

Again, as always, when it comes to UK law, there is a bit of a grey area to note. Which is medicinal cannabis has been legal since 2018; to get via a specialist prescription but you need to fit very specific criteria.

Additionally, even though in theory and legally the NHS can prescribe medicinal cannabis there has not yet been a prescription written by an NHS doctor. All of the prescriptions so far have been issued via the private healthcare sector. You are required to show a history of other treatments or medications you have tried for the particular diagnosis you are looking to treat, and if those methods have not been successful as a final resort, you can qualify for a medical marijuana prescription. This makes it very confusing, I imagine, to now police cannabis as legally, it is still a controlled drug in the UK. But that’s another topic!

[icon name=”quote-left” prefix=”fas”] Recently a study showed 1/3 of officers didn’t even know that you could get a prescription for the legal use of these natural substances. [icon name=”quote-right” prefix=”fas”]

Is CBD oil legal UK – What CBD Products Are Legal in the UK?

CBD oil products are pretty straightforward legality-wise in the UK compared to CBD flowers, which we have a whole separate blog on due to the complexity surrounding that CBD product.

Is CBD Oil legal UK – Regulators – Novel Food and The Food Standards Agency (FSA)

We could write multiple posts on this subject, as many will agree it has caused the FSA some challenges and exposed some issues with regulators keeping pace with the exponential pace of innovation we now see. The CBD industry is not yet apparently out of the crosshairs of the FSA, as seen with their surprise dosage recommendation change most recently, which has led to a number of CBD businesses and industry associations exploring possible legal ramifications against this somewhat confusing U-turn.

With many CBD businesses looking to collaborate with the reluctant FSA to look for a better solution than a hugely expensive and lengthy process that was inherited from the EU Food Standards Agency, which is titled the Novel Food process to authorisation, it has left a confusing and unclear message for consumers and business owners alike.

Sadly, it seems red tape and a lack of knowledge from regulators, coupled with an unprepared department post-Brexit, led to a perfect storm that still, many years on, has not been chartered clear of the rocky tides just yet.

But in a nutshell, it wasn’t a novel food, then Europe said it was, so now it is in the UK too. Many brands have spent huge amounts of money in creating dossiers that have now sat for over two years before the FSA then decided to change the goal posts with their recommended dose, which is not a law or enforceable but a recommendation and their previous 70mg per day limit still stands.

The FSA only regulates consumed CBD products, such as CBD oil and CBD edibles. It does not regulate topical CBD, vaped CBD product, or non-contact CBD products such as CBD candles.

Other CBD regulations in the UK

MHRA

CBD oil is marketed and sold as a food supplement in the UK, hence why it falls under the FSA to manage. Even though there is a large body of scientific studies and research into its benefits, it cannot be referred to as a medication or medical treatment, or else it would fall under the MHRA, which is the healthcare products regulatory agency in the UK.

There are only a couple of approved CBD/Cannabis oils used as recognised medications in the UK which are used to treat rare forms of childhood epilepsy. It does get slightly confusing due to the fact you can get medical marijuana on private prescription, but this is referred to as off-label, as it is not a first or second-line recommended medication for any condition in the UK.

Largely, this comes down to a very lengthy and hugely expensive process of clinical trials that needs to take place over a long period of time to prove that a medication is effective before being licensed as such. No one is willing to bear the cost (which can be up to £0.5billion end to end) as cannabis cannot be patented for a period of time to allow the company with the approval to recover its costs. This is how the pharmaceutical industry operates and is incentivised to continually invest in research and development.

ASA

The Advertising Standards Authority in the UK governs all public advertising and when it comes to CBD regulation, the UK ensures that CBD businesses comply and follow guidelines regarding fair, ethical, and truthful marketing and advertising practices. Making sure brands are not miss-selling the public of their product products through false or misleading information and marketing practises.

In the USA, there were some very misleading advertising campaigns by US-based CBD oil businesses in the early market days, which were embellishing the benefits of CBD oil, the UK has luckily not seen this happening to the extent the US did. But if it was to happen the ASA would be the ones to be investigating it. Most recently, they did do and publically stated Vibes CBD were performing misleading affiliate marketing activity through third parties.

Conclusion to CBD oil being legal in the UK 2023

So that brings us to the end of this article, and to recap. Yes, CBD oil is legal in the UK, but don’t go hunting on eBay or Amazon for your CBD; buy directly from a reputable CBD brand that shows their customer reviews, they show their legal entity, contact information, and, importantly, the company proudly show and display their lab reports to show that their CBD oil contains below the legal limit of THC. So you can now go and reap the benefits that CBD oil has to offer, knowing you are doing so legally!

FAQs About CBD Oil Legality in the UK