Hemp-derived CBD in the UK: what to know before you buy
CBD is everywhere in the UK, but the rules behind it are more specific than most people realise. Here's the plain-English version, with links to the official sources so you can check for yourself.
CBD itself isn't a controlled drug
CBD (cannabidiol) isn't controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. THC and some other cannabinoids are. That's why the THC content of a CBD product matters so much.
The "0.2% THC" myth
You'll often hear that UK CBD products just need to be under 0.2% THC. That figure comes from rules on growing industrial hemp, not from finished products. For products, the Home Office uses the "exempt product" test in the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001. Among other conditions, no one component part may contain more than 1mg of a controlled cannabinoid like THC. The Home Office says that 1mg is measured per container (for example per bottle), not per dose. Source: Home Office drug licensing factsheet.
Food and drink: the FSA "novel food" rules
CBD you eat or drink — gummies, oils, drinks — counts as a novel food. In England and Wales, the Food Standards Agency keeps a public list of CBD food products linked to applications going through its process. The FSA also advises healthy adults to limit CBD from food to 10mg a day. It says some groups should avoid CBD altogether, including under-18s, people who are pregnant, breastfeeding or trying to conceive, and anyone taking regular medication. Source: FSA guidance on CBD.
Vapes
CBD vapes aren't food, so the novel food list doesn't cover them. The THC rules above still apply, and you should be 18+ to buy.
No health claims, by law
In the UK, only licensed medicines can claim to treat, cure or prevent a condition. If a CBD shop promises to fix your sleep, anxiety or pain, that's a red flag, not a selling point. You won't see those claims from us.
What to check before you buy
- A lab report (COA) from an independent lab, matched to the batch, showing cannabinoids including THC. Here are ours, and here's how to read one.
- Clear labelling of how much CBD is in the whole product.
- Who made it. We grow on our own farms in Colombia and make our products ourselves — read our story.
Rules change, and this isn't legal advice. If in doubt, check the official guidance linked above.
General info only — not medical or legal advice. For adults 18+.