The UK’s Legal Minefield Around CBD Hemp Flower

The UK’s Legal Minefield Around CBD Hemp Flower



The emergence of scientific research around the therapeutic potential of cannabis compounds like CBD has caused a marked increase in international public interest with regards to natural medicine. This has led to sweeping medical and recreational legalization of cannabis and its beneficial components in countless localities around the world. However, one country where cannabis laws remain notably strict is the UK, despite growing support for its legalization among voters.

What are cannabis laws like in the UK?

The UK has some of the most stringent cannabis laws in Europe. Possession of even a small amount of controlled substances like THC — or products containing more than the legally allowed amount of THC — can lead to a prison sentence, and dealing is punishable by a sentence of up to life in prison.

However, there is growing pressure on the government to relax these laws, with campaigners arguing that cannabis should be decriminalized for both recreational and medicinal use. A recent poll by YouGov found that 52% of Brits now support the legalization of cannabis, with just 17% opposed. While some progress has been made on non-psychoactive cannabis compounds like CBD, the UK still lags significantly behind other largely anglo-saxon countries like Canada and the United States.

It’s worth noting that THC isn’t entirely banned in the UK. Products principally derived from non-psychoactive varieties of cannabis (e.g. industrial hemp) are allowed to contain trace amounts of THC, but can contain no more than 0.2% THC and less than 1mg of THC per product.

There is also a wide gamut of secondary regulations of products containing THC within the UK, which must be strictly adhered to by local product manufacturers. For example, HempHash, an e-commerce retailer based in Gloucester, ensures their products are independently lab-tested and can produce certificates of analysis verifying their selection complies with all existing cannabis laws and regulations.

In this post, we go over the complexities around CBD hemp flower within the UK; including whether it’s legal to consume, purchase and grow across the country.

The UK’s Legal Landscape Around CBD

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a substance derived from cannabis. It’s a non-psychoactive compound currently being studied for a wide range of potential medicinal and therapeutic applications. CBD has been shown to play a role in the management of symptoms associated with a variety of neurophysiological conditions including anxiety, mood, pain and inflammatory disorders.

CBD oil is derived from cannabis plants, but contains very low levels of THC, which is considered a controlled substance due to its psychoactive effects. CBD oil does not produce the same effects as marijuana and is therefore not considered to be a drug in the UK.

CBD laws in the UK can be confusing to newer consumers, as it is considered legal to possess CBD products but not to produce or sell them independently without a license. This means that people who want to buy CBD products like tinctures, gummies or topicals need to either purchase them online or obtain them from countries where it is legal to produce and sell CBD products.

Where Does That Leave CBD Hemp Flower?

The legality of CBD hemp flower is considered a gray area within the UK’s legal cannabis industry. While it’s technically illegal to sell and possess CBD hemp flower, there have yet to be any specific restrictions that govern its sale or use when it’s marketed in compliance with current novel foods authorization guidelines (e.g. as tea leaves).

Outside of novel foods, there is little to no ambiguity in current UK laws and regulations vis a vis CBD hemp flower. CBD hemp flower is derived from the cannabis plant, which is currently classified as a Class B drug in the UK. This means that it’s illegal to cultivate, possess or supply flower within the UK without a license. They are defined as “cannabis” under the UK’s Misuse of Drugs Act of 1971, regardless of the amount of THC. If you are caught illegally in possession of CBD hemp flower, you can serve up to five years in prison, depending on the amount of flower in your possession.

Time and increased cannabis activism may change UK laws around THC and cannabis in general in the future. For now, unless you own or run a duly-licensed cannabis business, it’s best to steer clear of all CBD hemp flower products outside of those in full compliance with novel foods authorization guidelines.

The emergence of scientific research around the therapeutic potential of cannabis compounds like CBD has caused a marked increase in international public interest with regards to natural medicine. This has led to sweeping medical and recreational legalization of cannabis and its beneficial components in countless localities around the world. However, one country where cannabis laws remain notably strict is the UK, despite growing support for its legalization among voters.

What are cannabis laws like in the UK?

The UK has some of the most stringent cannabis laws in Europe. Possession of even a small amount of controlled substances like THC — or products containing more than the legally allowed amount of THC — can lead to a prison sentence, and dealing is punishable by a sentence of up to life in prison.

However, there is growing pressure on the government to relax these laws, with campaigners arguing that cannabis should be decriminalized for both recreational and medicinal use. A recent poll by YouGov found that 52% of Brits now support the legalization of cannabis, with just 17% opposed. While some progress has been made on non-psychoactive cannabis compounds like CBD, the UK still lags significantly behind other largely anglo-saxon countries like Canada and the United States.

It’s worth noting that THC isn’t entirely banned in the UK. Products principally derived from non-psychoactive varieties of cannabis (e.g. industrial hemp) are allowed to contain trace amounts of THC, but can contain no more than 0.2% THC and less than 1mg of THC per product.

There is also a wide gamut of secondary regulations of products containing THC within the UK, which must be strictly adhered to by local product manufacturers. For example, HempHash, an e-commerce retailer based in Gloucester, ensures their products are independently lab-tested and can produce certificates of analysis verifying their selection complies with all existing cannabis laws and regulations.

In this post, we go over the complexities around CBD hemp flower within the UK; including whether it’s legal to consume, purchase and grow across the country.

The UK’s Legal Landscape Around CBD

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a substance derived from cannabis. It’s a non-psychoactive compound currently being studied for a wide range of potential medicinal and therapeutic applications. CBD has been shown to play a role in the management of symptoms associated with a variety of neurophysiological conditions including anxiety, mood, pain and inflammatory disorders.

CBD oil is derived from cannabis plants, but contains very low levels of THC, which is considered a controlled substance due to its psychoactive effects. CBD oil does not produce the same effects as marijuana and is therefore not considered to be a drug in the UK.

CBD laws in the UK can be confusing to newer consumers, as it is considered legal to possess CBD products but not to produce or sell them independently without a license. This means that people who want to buy CBD products like tinctures, gummies or topicals need to either purchase them online or obtain them from countries where it is legal to produce and sell CBD products.

Where Does That Leave CBD Hemp Flower?

The legality of CBD hemp flower is considered a gray area within the UK’s legal cannabis industry. While it’s technically illegal to sell and possess CBD hemp flower, there have yet to be any specific restrictions that govern its sale or use when it’s marketed in compliance with current novel foods authorization guidelines (e.g. as tea leaves).

Outside of novel foods, there is little to no ambiguity in current UK laws and regulations vis a vis CBD hemp flower. CBD hemp flower is derived from the cannabis plant, which is currently classified as a Class B drug in the UK. This means that it’s illegal to cultivate, possess or supply flower within the UK without a license. They are defined as “cannabis” under the UK’s Misuse of Drugs Act of 1971, regardless of the amount of THC. If you are caught illegally in possession of CBD hemp flower, you can serve up to five years in prison, depending on the amount of flower in your possession.

Time and increased cannabis activism may change UK laws around THC and cannabis in general in the future. For now, unless you own or run a duly-licensed cannabis business, it’s best to steer clear of all CBD hemp flower products outside of those in full compliance with novel foods authorization guidelines.



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