What is CBD and is it Legal in UK?

CBD is a compound found in the cannabis plant and is now very popular because of its medicinal values. Even with the great popularity, CBD is still a new concept in the UK. So, its natural that there are confusion and speculation. Unlike the THC which is responsible for making people high, CBD has many health benefits and is now used for medical purposes.

If you are thinking of using the CBD for its medicinal use, there are a few things you need to understand first. While medicinal marijuana and CBD are legal, there are still a few things that matters when it comes to laws governing it.

Here are a few essential things to know about CBD:

What is CBD?

CBD or the cannabidiol is derived from the cannabis plant like the marijuana. It is one of the many compounds found in the cannabis plant. CBD is a phytocannabinoid, which is used for treating various ailments like stress and anxiety, depression, arthritis, epilepsy, insomnia, and even cancer. CBD works by reacting with the CB1 and CB2 receptors in the human body and helps in managing pain. It is beneficial for systems like the nervous system, bones and skin.

What is the Difference Between THC and CBD?

Marijuana has always been associated with getting high and drugs usage. It wasn’t seen for medicinal purposes until a few years ago. A very little information was available and people didn’t know much about out. There are many compounds found in a cannabis plant, but THC and CBD are the two main compounds.

THC is the compound mainly responsible for getting high. It’s the presence of this very substance that make marijuana illegal in many places. CBD on the other hand doesn’t cause any high and is an effective method for treating pain. THC is illegal in the UK, but CBD is legal when its used for medicinal purposes. It is important to know that CBD and THC are two entirely separate things. CBD doesn’t cause high, but its highly beneficial for other things like stress and pain relief.

Is CBD Legal in the UK

CBD is legal in the UK. It is good news for many people who are a fan of CBD. It has now become a legal cannabinoid. It is now legal to buy them and use the freely. But, CBB is legal in the UK as long as it is used as food supplement but not as medication. There is a long way to go before proper law and guidelines can be set. It is not clear as of now if the CBD sellers need to license their products. If you are thinking for selling CBD make sure that its not specifically advertised as medicinal.

In July, 2018 a ruling by the Home Secretary said that specialist doctors can now prescribe medical cannabis. But, the availability of the cannabis-derived medicinal products is very limited, and difficult to get. It is used for treating conditions like epilepsy, or sickness from chemotherapy treatment for cancer. It is unlikely that you will be offered the compound unless you are suffering from some kind of are medical conditions.

In which Countries CBD is Legal?

CBD is legal in many countries like USA, while it is still not legal in many countries. In some countries the use of CBD is limited and may be governed by strict laws. In USA, CBD is not legal in all the states. In some states, both CBD and THC are legal while there are states where CBD is legal and THC is not.

In Europe laws are different when it comes to marijuana. In general, the CBD products are legal given that they don’t contain more than 0.2% of THC in them. You can read more about it on CBD Resource.

The Bottom-Line

If you are traveling to another country, it may be worth considering contacting your travel representative to check for any restrictions you may face in your destination country, if you plan to take CBD with you.

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About the Author: Danny White