Laws & Regulations

Many are curious: will the UK move beyond its current medical cannabis laws and join the select few nations that have nationally legalized recreational cannabis? Let's delve into the factors at play and explore the current positions from across the political spectrum, as well as the viewpoints of influential individuals who hold the power to enact change.

While we have seen some enormous changes in the past five years regarding the legality of medical cannabis here in the UK, recreational cannabis remains strictly prohibited. The penalties for being caught with or supplying recreational cannabis can be severe, including fines and even potential jail time, or both. With more than a handful of countries now legalising the use of recreational cannabis, and many looking at the plant as a potential revenue stream, it begs the question – why is recreational cannabis still illegal in the UK?

The cannabis sativa L. plant has a fascinating and deep-rooted history here in the United Kingdom. A profoundly important and versatile plant in terms of both medicinal application and use in the industrial sector, it has been utilised for various purposes throughout the ages. Without hemp, our country's past would have been quite different indeed.

It is possible to obtain a commercial medical cannabis cultivation licence in the UK, but it is not a straightforward process. Companies looking to produce cannabis-based medicinal products need to seek authorisation from two regulatory bodies – the MHRA and the Home Office. The burgeoning medical cannabis cultivation market has forced some changes to the overall process of applying for these licences.

When most people hear the word ‘cannabis’ in the UK, their first instinct is to think of recreational cannabis. But, thanks to changes in the law regarding medical cannabis back in 2018, and the rise of ‘over the counter’ CBD options, there are now many other products with the word cannabis in them that enjoy vastly different legal statuses. 

As interest in medical cannabis spreads around the UK, it’s understandable that accessing reliable information about its legal status has become a bit of a minefield. In this article, we will offer accurate and up-to-date information on UK cannabis classification, so that you can feel more confident in assessing your own position with regard to making a distinction between medical cannabis, and the cannabis that we associate with illegal substances.

Cannabis edibles are legal for ‘over-the-counter’ sale in the UK as long as they don’t contain more than 0.2% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. Edibles that do have more than 0.2% THC are still illegal in the UK unless they are prescribed through the medical cannabis scheme introduced in 2018.

Hemp tea is made from the flowers or leaves of the hemp plant. Hemp is closely related to cannabis, but has a much lower THC content. THC is the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, but thanks to the extremely low THC levels in hemp, ingesting hemp products produces zero intoxicating effects. 

While CBD use is on the rise in the United Kingdom, with trendy coffee shops even offering to add a few drops to your flat white for a small extra charge, there is still some confusion surrounding its legal status in the UK. This is perhaps particularly true when it comes in the form of CBD edibles, with many wondering if it’s a prohibited substance. Let's dive in and find out what the law does and does not allow when it comes to CBD products.

CBD (cannabidiol) is one of the main phytocannabinoids found in medical cannabis. It is widely used in the wellness and beauty industries and is gaining more recognition as a complement to traditional pharmaceutical medicines. Overall, CBD itself is legal throughout the UK. There are, however, nuances to this legality that are advisable to understand. Let’s dive into the world of CBD legality here in the UK, and see what there is to know before starting your CBD journey.

In the UK, it is a legal requirement to drive only when you are in a suitable condition to do so, which means being mentally alert and physically capable of controlling the vehicle at all times. However, many don't know that medical cannabis patients are permitted to drive so long as, they are not impaired, they can prove their medication has been prescribed to them, and they are following the directions given by both their doctor, and medication manufacturer. The Cannabis Industry Council state patients are not breaching the law by driving with over 2μg/L of THC in their blood so long as these three criteria are met.