CBD is the latest health craze to hit the high street, claiming to help everything from chronic pain and inflammation to anxiety. The naturally occurring compound is extracted from the cannabis plant and can be found in a variety of products, including oils, capsules, muscle gels, sweets and even sexual lubricants. Despite the hype, there are some concerns about the quality of some of the products available and whether they’re legal.
The CBD market in the UK has exploded, with products now readily available in Holland & Barrett and Boots, but the choice can be overwhelming. Research by the Centre for Medicinal Cannabis (CMC) suggests that the total annual market could be worth nearly one billion pounds within five years. But there are also worries that some of the products on sale may not be what they claim to be, with a recent report in The Times suggesting that many of the popular CBD oil products on the market contain significantly less than is labelled.
However, this isn’t necessarily a concern for those who are purchasing products that claim to have medicinal benefits. CBD is legally sold in the UK, as long as it contains only trace amounts of the psychoactive component tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. Products containing CBD that are sold as having medicinal properties must be licensed by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency.
For those who are interested in the medical benefits of CBD, there are a number of well-established brands that produce products that can be bought in the UK. One such company is Blessed CBD, an award-winning brand that’s been featured in the Observer, Reader’s Digest and Herald Scotland. It’s careful about where it sources its hemp, and carefully crafts its CBD using a supercritical CO2 extraction process that’s considered the gold standard in the industry.
Another reputable CBD brand that UK residents can consider is Vibes CBD, which creates products such as CBD oil tinctures and CBD edible gummies. It’s cautious about how it sources its hemp, and uses third-party lab testing to ensure that it produces a product that’s safe, potent and effective.
Both brands’ products are available to buy online, and both offer first-time buyer discounts and monthly specials that are worth checking out. However, it’s important to remember that the legal status of CBD in the UK is still changing. From 1st April 2021, CBD products for consumption cannot be sold unless they have been authorised by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Authority. This can take up to a year to complete. However, consumable CBD products that have been on the market before this date and are linked to a validated application will be allowed to continue to be sold. CBD UK