Can CBD oil be bought legally in the UK?

The short answer is yes, you can buy CBD oil legally in the UK. Each country has its own criteria but in the UK, CBD oil is legal as long as it contains less than 0.2% THC. Different countries will have their own rules and regulations and if you are planning to use CBD oil abroad, it is important that you become familiar with the regulations associated with the country you are travelling to.

There is still a great deal of confusion when it comes to CBD oil and a number of people still wonder whether it is in fact legal in the UK to purchase the oil. The confusion exists because of the link between CBD and cannabis. People are aware that cannabis is illegal and therefore make the assumption that the same must be true about CBD as they are loosely aware that CBD comes from the cannabis plant. This article will attempt to explain the difference and hence hopefully alleviate the confusion in the minds of people. 

Cannabis is often associated with illegal activity and getting high but what is now being accepted is that cannabis can in fact have a positive impact on many illnesses and anecdotal evidence is in fact backed up by scientific research to show that, certain chronic and acute conditions can derive benefit from its use.

The cannabis plant has in excess of 100 chemicals. The chemical which we associate with the “high” that is experienced from smoking or ingesting cannabis is known as THC or to give it its full name, Tetrahydrocannabinol. This chemical is not the same as another chemical, CBD or Cannabidiol. The two chemicals are however very similar and for those who understand a bit about chemistry, their atoms are the same but they differ in that the atoms are arranged in a different way. In the UK, CBD is legal and THC is not. As CBD and THC are derived from the same plant, care has to be taken to isolate the CBD as only trace amounts of THC are allowed to be present in the final product.

CBD oil is made by first extracting the CBD from the plant. There are a number of ways of doing this and different manufacturers will choose one method over another for preference, purity or cost. The CBD is then mixed with a carrier oil and the resulting product is known as CBD oil.

People the length and breadth of the UK and all over the world are using CBD oil and are finding it to be beneficial for a number of  medical and non-medical conditions. It has been shown to benefit the following conditions (the list is not exhaustive by any means):

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Stress
• Chronic pain
• Insomnia
• Arthritis
• Seizures
• Inflammation
• Nausea
• Digestive issues
• Headaches and migraines

In fact CBD can benefit conditions throughout the body, but how does it work to do that?

We have what is known as an endocannabinoid system within our bodies. This is a lesser known system when compared with our respiratory, nervous, cardiovascular systems and so on. Our endocannabinoid system is responsible for keeping our bodies in check or in balance. You may hear this balance referred to as “homeostasis”. Homeostasis is the state of constancy in the body despite outside influences of for example temperature, trauma, fear etc. And in order that we remain healthy, this homeostasis has to be maintained. Our bodies contain cannabinoid receptors and those cannabinoid receptors look for cannabinoids to fit the receptors. We naturally produce our own cannabinoids known as endocannabinoids which fit the receptors but it is the case that when we are not producing or using enough of the endocannabinoids, the body will lose its homeostasis and that is when illness and pain can be felt. CBD is a cannabinoid and there is discussion as to whether the CBD, being a cannabinoid, attaches directly to the receptors or whether in fact it pushes the body to use more of its own cannabinoids to attach to the receptors.

We are all different and we will therefore need differing amounts of CBD. It is very much the case of working out the dosage that best fits and suits you. The recommendation would be to start with a small dose and work your way from there. CBD oil comes in different strengths and it makes sense to use the smallest dose that you need and the lesser strength as that will keep the cost in check for you.

With many people shunning prescription medications, CBD oil is often their first port of call and in using the oil or other preparations, some people have managed to come off their prescription medications entirely and others have reduced the amount that they are taking quite dramatically. CBD is a safe product and it is generally very well tolerated. A lot of the reported side effects are as a result of people taking too high a dose and not from the product itself. If it is going to work properly for you, you will have to find your own dosage and just because your friend or relative is perhaps the same size and shape as you, it does not mean that your dose will be the same.

There are a number of CBD-related products for you to choose from and it is important that you find yourself a reliable and trusted stockist. CBD Oils UK prides on being such a company and you will find quality CBD oils and a range of other CBD products too. In addition to using the oil, for some conditions, people find it beneficial to use the CBD oil topically too.

Remember that not all CBD products are equal and if you think that you have found an absolute bargain product which is very much cheaper than alternatives elsewhere, there may be a reason for that and not all reasons are valid reasons.

The editorial unit

The material contained in this article is of the nature of general comment only and does not give advice on any particular matter. Recipients should not act on the basis of this article’s information without taking appropriate professional advice.