“With the popularity of CBD products growing daily, their value as natural remedies to many physical and mental ailments is becoming well-known and more research on their benefits is being produced. However, there is still confusion over their legality, where, in what places and what form, as well as how you can legally obtain CBD. Read to find out whether doctors can prescribe CBD in the UK. “
Is CBD legal and able to be prescribed in the UK? CBD is legal in the UK as long as it adheres to UK food laws. There are certain conditions that CBD products must comply with in order to be sold and used in the UK. Namely, they contain less than 0.2% THC.
With the popularity of CBD products growing daily, their value as natural remedies to many physical and mental ailments is becoming well-known and more research on their benefits is being produced. However, there is still confusion over their legality, where, in what places and form, as well as how you can legally obtain CBD. Read to find out whether doctors can prescribe CBD in the UK.
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Can doctors prescribe CBD in the UK?
In the UK, doctors can legally prescribe cannabis-based products for medicinal purposes.
However you cannot get a cannabis-based prescription from your GP, you will have to be prescribed it by a specialist hospital doctor. It is worth noting that currently, only a small number of patients have access to prescriptions.
Doctors who can prescribe cannabis as a medical treatment are listed on the General Medical Council’s specialist register. There are around 80,000 people on this list.
Is CBD legal in the UK?
CBD is legal in the UK but they must be produced by an EU-approved strain of industrial hemp. CBD products in the UK are not allowed to contain more than 0.2% THC content.
Double-check where your CBD is produced, especially if buying online as the retailer may be from a country with more relaxed laws, which may make the CBD products illegal for use in the UK and psychoactive.
It is best practice to always check your CBD product, that they contain the legal amount of THC, are of good quality, have been appropriately tested for any contaminants and are from a regulated UK supplier. See our guide on where to buy CBD for more information.
Where can I buy CBD oil?
If you wish to buy CBD oil, you have two choices – either get it from an offline store, or buy the product online.
Buying online is the more popular option as you can browse through a vast range of products before deciding on the one most suitable for your needs. At the same time, online stores offer many discounts, enabling you to get your preferred product at a lower price.
It’s not free from disadvantages, though, as you can’t see the product unless you receive it in hand – so you can never be 100% sure that you will receive the exact item you ordered. Moreover, in case you have any queries about a product, it might take a long time to get them answered.
On the other hand, buying offline is advantageous as you can directly talk with the shop staff and ask for specific suggestions based on your health conditions. Additionally, you can see and hold the product before making the purchase, decreasing the chances of receiving a tampered product.
The only issue with buying offline is that you may not get too many options to choose from, and the products may be slightly more expensive than buying online.
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Things to consider when buying CBD
According to an official report by the Centre For Medicinal Cannabis, labelling inaccuracy is a significant issue in the CBD industry.
A great disparity has been observed between the advertised and actual amounts of CBD in several products from multiple CBD brands.
In other words, not all brands offer what they claim to.
When purchasing CBD oil online, always request lab reports to verify the quality of the oils being purchased.
Summing up: Can doctors prescribe CBD?
Doctors in the UK can legally prescribe CBD, although it is only by specialist doctors. CBD is legal, providing the THC content is within a certain level and the manufacturing and producing of it is within the country’s guidelines. CBD products are legal in the UK but they must be below 0.2% level of THC content and produced by an EU-approved strain of industrial hemp.
Frequently asked questions:
CBD is extensively used as a medicinal drug to relieve a variety of ailments. Such as, helping manage depression and anxiety, managing pain, and inflammation, calming Epilepsy, helping with symptoms of PTSD, alleviating cancer-related symptoms as well as treating acne, addiction, migraines, and sleep disorders.
You can take CBD oil as part of your daily routine, in order to facilitate a calmer state and an overall feeling of wellness. Take the required number of drops (depending on the dosage), up to 3 times a day, under your tongue and hold it there for a minimum of 30 seconds before swallowing.
Yes. Health food shops in the UK currently sell CBD capsules and edible products, oils, and sprays. CBD is legal in the UK but must be a 0.2% level of THC content and is produced by an EU-approved strain of industrial hemp.
CBD can range from low strength (5%, 10%), medium strength (15%) to high strength (20%, 30%, and beyond). In the UK, the most vital CBD product you can get is 50% or 5000mg.
Disclaimer: Despite the general safety of CBD products, minimal side effects can occur, especially at first use. Contact your medical professional for advice.