Is CBD Flower Legal In The UK?

By
Beliebis
Updated:
A close up of a woman holding CBD Flower in her hands

Contents

Reading time: 6 minutes

The popularity of CBD products has recently surged in the UK, with more and more people using them to help with various health and wellness issues.ย 

Some forms of CBD products are legal in the UK, but not all of them.ย 

CBD flower is one of the products that is becoming very popular, but what exactly is it? How can you use it? And is it legal in the UK?ย 

We have put together this helpful guide with everything you need to know about CBD flower and the law surrounding it.ย 

Keep reading to find out more.

What Is CBD Flower?

CBD flower is the buds of the industrial hemp plant, a low tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) variety of cannabis.

Take a long at our blog: What is the difference between cannabis, hemp and marijuana? for more on the varieties of cannabis.

CBD flower should only hhttps://beliebis.co.uk/what-is-the-difference-between-cannabis-hemp-and-marijuana/ave trace amounts of THC, the part of cannabis that makes you โ€˜highโ€™.ย 

However, it is very high in CBD or cannabidiol.ย 

CBD flowers are dried and then used in various ways. They can be smoked or cooked, or you can extract oil from them.ย 

These extracted oils can then be administered directly into the mouth using a tincture or inhaled using a vape.ย 

Other methods include being applied to the skin (topicals) or put inside a capsule to be swallowed and ingested.ย 

There are different varieties of cannabis plants. Some plants have been bred specifically to contain lower amounts of THC and higher amounts of CBD. The buds of these plants will be particularly potent with cannabidiol.ย 

CBD Flower in a jar being held in front of hemp plants
Is CBD Flower Legal In The UK? 1

Is CBD Legal In The UK?

Some CBD products are legal to produce, buy and sell in the UK, but only if they meet specific requirements.ย 

The essential requirement is that the CBD products contain no more than 1mg of THC or other controlled substances.ย 

The products must also be produced from the stalks, seeds or fibre of the cannabis plant. CBD flower is still legally a controlled substance even if it is from hemp and certified low in THC.

The issue with these regulations is that the flowers and leaves contain the most cannabinoids, so you must process a lot of stalks, seeds and fibres to harvest enough CBD to produce quality products!ย 

Not to mention the most valuable part of the plant is being intentionally destroyed and wasted once cropped by the farmer.ย 

Is CBD Flower Legal In The Uk?

Despite its health benefits and low levels of THC, CBD flowers are not legal in the UK.ย 

Even though the buds tend to contain less than 0.2% THC, they are not on the list of acceptable parts of the plant, so they are not permitted to produce CBD products.ย 

This outdated law is unfortunate as a lot of CBD is going to waste in the flowers.ย 

UK farmers and the agricultural industry are also falling behind our European and American friends in developing this versatile crop and its economic benefits.ย 

There is currently some confusion around the legality of CBD flower. Some people feel it should be legal due to the low levels of THC. However, this isnโ€™t the case, and CBD flower is not permitted to be bought, sold or processed.ย 

What Happens If You Are Caught In Possession Of CBD Flower?

In the UK, drugs are categorised into classes. These classes are used to determine the legal ramifications of their use, purchase, and possession.ย 

Heroin and cocaine are Class A drugs, meaning that crimes connected to those drugs carry a higher sentence.ย 

Cannabis is still a Class B drug in the UK.

Whilst the punishment may not be so severe, there will still be legal consequences if you are caught with cannabis flowers in your possession.ย 

The punishment will be the same regardless of how much THC is in the CBD flower because the flower itself is an illegal substance. The consequences could range from a caution to a hefty fine or a prison sentence of up to five years.ย 

Whilst CBD flowers may have some valuable health benefits; it is best to stick to legal CBD products and avoid the risk of prosecution.ย 

A criminal record, particularly one linked to drugs, could cause significant issues for you. You might not be eligible for specific jobs or prevent you from being approved for loans, credit, and housing, to name a few.ย 

CBD Flower in a jar next to a bottle of cbd oil
Is CBD Flower Legal In The UK? 2

Will The CBD Flower Be Legalised In The UK?

CBD hemp flower is legal in certain states in America, but there is no sign of this happening in the UK.ย 

The regulations surrounding cannabis and CBD seem to be getting stricter in the UK as opposed to the more open-minded approach that the United States is adopting.ย 

If you are wondering if cannabis will ever be legal in the UK, read our article to learn more!

If you see high-quality CBD flowers being sold in the UK, this is still illegal and part of a black market, no matter how fancy the website!ย 

Certain doctors and pharmacies might be able to prescribe CBD flowers. Still, they would need to be licensed or risk facing severe prosecution.ย 

There is much demand for CBD flowers on the black market due to the potential health benefits, and some people are willing to take on the risk of legal action.ย 

However, we highly recommend using legal CBD products registered with the Food Standards Agency, like ours here at Beliebis.

What Are The Legal Alternatives To CBD Flower?

If you want to experience the benefits of CBD without taking on the risk of using illegal CBD flowers, there are some great alternative products you can try.ย 

CBD oil is one of the most popular CBD products available.ย 

You can administer the CBD oil yourself using a dropper or choose a capsule-style product instead that can be swallowed like a typical tablet.ย 

You can also get a range of CBD products that you apply to your skin. This includes massage oil, cream, and muscle balm.ย 

CBD products also come in edible forms like softgels and gummies.

Edibles are easy to eat or swallow at any time of day and more inconspicuous than using a dropper when you are out and about. It can take a little longer for the CBD to kick in this way, but it is incredibly convenient.

You can also get CBD spray that you apply directly under the tongue for a quick dose of CBD. This method delivers the CBD into your bloodstream much quicker than edibles and are often deliciously flavoured too!

Some companies are experimenting with putting CBD isolate into soft and alcoholic drinks, especially CBD cocktails!ย 

How Do I Know What Product Is Right For Me?

If you are interested in trying CBD, it is best to start small by purchasing a low-dose product first. Start with around 5mg per serving and work up to 10mg over two weeks, taking 2-3 servings per day.

This will allow you to see how CBD affects you before increasing the dosage.ย 

It is good to keep in mind that the UK Food Standards Agency recommends no more than 70mg CBD per day for the average adult.

When choosing a CBD product, look for brands that offer lab testing results. This will ensure that the product contains the correct levels of CBD and legal levels of THC.ย 

Beliebis products are carefully researched and developed. They are all tested in third-party laboratories to ensure they are safe and reliable.ย 

We offer a wide range of CBD products from oils to sprays, skincare to edible gummies.ย 

You can check out their full range of CBD products here.

If you are new to CBD products and are unsure which product you prefer, you could try one our saver-bundles.ย 

This allows you to try several different products and benefit from savings. You can see the full range of Beliebis saver bundlesย here.

Summary

Despite the potential health benefits of CBD flower due to the high levels of CBD contained in the bud, they are illegal in the UK.ย 

There is some confusion around this as the CBD flower only contains trace amounts of THC, the compound in cannabis that gives you a high.

Other parts of the cannabis plant, such as the stalks and stems can be legally processed in the UK to extract CBD, which is used to make various products.ย 

CBD products include oil, sprays, skincare, softgels, capsules and edible gummies.ย 

The different products take various amounts of time for the CBD to kick in.ย 

Whichever product you choose, make sure you start with a low dose and build your way up.ย 

This method will give your body a chance to get used to the effects of CBD!

Slow spinning light green polygon shapes in background of web-pageSlow spinning light green polygon shapes in background of web-pageLight green blob shape in background of web-page
menuchevron-down