I’ve Heard About the Benefits of CBD Oil, But Is CBD Legal in the UK?
Do a little research into CBD and you’ll find details of a staggering range of reported benefits for the mind and body. The issue that many people have with this natural extract is that it’s derived from the cannabis plant and so, they end up wondering whether it’s legal in the United Kingdom.
Well, that’s something we’ll be answering in this blog, however, rather than simply giving a yes or no response, we’ll first take a look at cannabidiol, its origins and how, unlike, cannabis, CBD oil does not get you high.
So, if you’re sitting comfortably, let’s begin.
What Exactly Is Cannabidiol?
The acronym CBD stands for CannaBiDiol, which is just one of many chemical compounds, known collectively as cannabinoids. These compounds are found naturally in the hemp plant (Cannabis sativa), with the main types used in CBD oil being Cannabis sativa and Cannabis Indica, with other lesser-known species like Cannabis Ruderalis also sometimes grown commercially.
There are also many sub-species of both Cannabis Sativa & Cannabis Indica including Hemp, which is commercially grown for its fibre, oil and seeds. It is believed all cannabis plants originated from the Cannabis Sativa species, which is indigenous to Central Asia, in the areas of Southern Siberia and Mongolia. It’s something that’s been used medicinally since the beginning or recorded time and beyond.
A History Spanning Thousands of Years
Cannabis has a very long, colourful and sometimes controversial history dating back many thousands of years, when it was first thought to have been grown and used as a herbal medicine. In the UK, the general consensus is that cannabis should be avoided, due to it still being an illegal drug. This is the driving reason why so many in the UK are often unsure about the legality of CBD oil .
CBD Does Not Include THC & Will Not Get You High
THC is the ingredient responsible for the “high” users experience when they smoke or ingest the drug.
Why do mention that? Well, it’s because the process of turning cannabis plant matter into CBD products can remove all but a statistically negligible amount of THC. Regardless of how much of it you consume, you’re not going to get high. It even help you a sleep better if you go over your ideal dose, but that’s about the extent of it.
So, to confuse cannabis with CBD is an obvious error when you know the truth.
CBD for Health Use
CBD is sold as a Food Supplement in the UK. In recent years been something of a surge in people using CBD products to support their health. Anecdotally speaking, there are thousands of accounts of CBD helping to improve the symptoms of a wide variety of physical and mental conditions. Although, as yet this hasn’t been recognised by mainstream medicine.
The positive medical benefits associated with CBD have been fully documented, but many doctors in the UK remain cautious, preferring to prescribe CBD only in special cases for specific conditions until further research is published. These include children and adults with rare forms of epilepsy and for adults who suffer from symptoms of nausea due to chemotherapy treatment
That hasn’t stopped millions in the UK from buying it privately.
Backing from WHO
Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation has thrown its weight behind the supporters of CBD by announcing the substance can help relieve symptoms relating to Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, MS, pain, anxiety, and depression.
Is CBD Legal In the UK – Absolutely!
So, in answer to the question in the title of the piece – yes, CBD is 100% legal to buy and use in the United Kingdom providing the product has derived from an industrial hemp strain and it does not contain more than 0.2% THC. Companies that sell CBD products in the UK are not permitted to make unsubstantiated claims relating to the medical benefits of their products. However, many individuals who have used and are currently using CBD have reported major benefits.
CBD is mainly taken as an oil in the form of a tincture, however, due to its growing popularity, it’s now available in a range of different forms, such as balms, sprays, cbd gummies, creams, vapes and capsules (all of which can be found in our online store – so you get to enjoy the benefits your way. It will not get you high, as all it offers is a completely natural way to help your body to become more balanced in how it works.
If you haven’t tried it before for any reason, it’s something we recommend doing at some point. It may take a short while to find your ideal dose, but for most, it only takes a couple of tries to get the health support.
Just be sure to check with your GP if you’re unsure or you’re taking any medication that might be influenced by the use of CBD, as it’s better to be safe than sorry.
