You can purchase a range of CBD edibles online and offline in the United Kingdom.
5 Legal Types of CBD Edibles to Try in the UK
Are all of them legal?
The short answer: Yes, with some caveats.
But you may also come across cannabis edibles — which differ from CBD edibles.
Let’s explore the laws around CBD edibles and cannabis edibles in the UK. We’ll also discuss four important FAQs about edibles.
Jump To:
Are Edibles Legal in the UK?
CBD (cannabidiol) edibles come in different forms, like chocolates, gummies, and baked goods.
However, the legality of these CBD edibles depends on the prevailing laws and the composition of these products.
A. UK Laws Around CBD Edibles
Edibles are legal in the UK, but they must comply with the legal requirements for CBD products.
What are these requirements?
To be legal in the UK, CBD edibles:
- Must be marketed and sold as a food supplement (Novel Food) and not as medicines.
- Must contain no controlled cannabinoids (like THC) in the finished product.
- Should NOT become a source for extracting THC or any other controlled cannabinoid.
Wait, what’s THC?
THC (or tetrahydrocannabinol) is the psychoactive cannabinoid in Cannabis sativa or other cannabis plant variants.
Unlike CBD, THC gives you an intoxicating high (think: marijuana) and can be highly addictive.
Now:
You may come across brands claiming that CBD products can contain up to 0.2% THC.
However, this is a misrepresentation of the law in the UK.
As per UK law, the 0.2% limit is for the amount of THC present in the cannabis or hemp plant during cultivation.
It DOESN’T apply to finished edibles or any other CBD product, like oils and capsules.
Bottom line: Only finished CBD edibles with 0.0% THC are legal in the UK.
B. CBD vs Cannabis Edibles
Look:
Cannabis and CBD edibles are different.
What’s the difference?
CBD edibles usually contain cannabidiol (as the primary cannabinoid) derived from a low-THC hemp plant. The final product may have little or no THC.
The ones that contain small amounts of THC are called full spectrum CBD edibles.
The catch?
Full spectrum CBD edibles are illegal in the UK since THC is a controlled substance.
On the other hand, broad spectrum CBD and CBD isolate edibles are THC-free.
What about cannabis edibles?
Cannabis edibles is an umbrella term for all edibles infused with THC-rich cannabis extract or oil.
It can also include a cannabis based product (edible) made from synthetic cannabinoids.Want examples?
Cannabis edibles (or THC edibles) could be any regular food like a cookie, brownie, or beverage infused with cannabis extract.
Unlike CBD edibles, they are largely unregulated products used for recreational purposes.
Their high THC content can have a strong intoxicating or psychoactive effect, making them highly addictive.
Making or buying these edibles is illegal in the UK.
| Note: Medical cannabis is legal in the UK, but only a specialist can prescribe it for medicinal use or treatment for certain conditions. |
What edibles can you try legally in the UK?
Back to contents
5 Legal Types of CBD Edibles to Try in the UK
Here are some popular CBD edibles that are legal in the UK:
1. CBD Gummy Bears
Gummies are the most popular and loved form of CBD edibles. They’re delicious chewy treats that often come in fruity flavours.
But that’s not all.
Besides CBD, they may have other added nutrients like essential vitamins and minerals, making them a potent food supplement.
Want a healthy, delicious CBD gummy?
You’ll love these:
2. CBD Capsules
CBD capsules are pills usually containing CBD oil. They are a quick and discrete way of consuming CBD.
They make up for their lack in taste with reliability.
What do we mean?
With a precise amount of CBD in each capsule, you can take the guesswork out of your CBD dose.
Looking for some CBD capsules?
Try our favourites:
3. CBD Baked Goods & Sweets
Love a decadent cookie or chocolate?
Go for CBD chocolate or baked goods like CBD cookies.
These mouth-watering treats offer an indulgent way to incorporate CBD into your routine.
We recommend:
4. DIY CBD Snacks (Brownies, Pasta, Drinks, & More)
Wondering if you can make CBD snacks at home?
Absolutely!
You can make your own CBD edible — be it CBD drinks, CBD mints, or sweets like CBD cookies or brownies.
All you need is a recipe and a bottle of your trusty edible CBD oil.
What’s a good CBD oil to buy?
| Side Note: CBD snacks and edibles aren’t regular food items. Since they contain CBD and other vitamins, they must be consumed as per their recommended dosage. |
Next, let’s look at the benefits of consuming CBD edibles.
Back to contents
Benefits of CBD Based Edibles
With CBD edibles, you may enjoy all the health benefits of cannabidiol, including:
- Chronic pain management
- Improved sleep and relief from conditions like insomnia and sleep apnea.
- Anxiety, depression, and stress management (for better mental health)
- Reduced inflammation
- Better immunity
- An overall sense of wellness and calm
| Important: Some of the health benefits of CBD are still the subject of ongoing clinical trials. |
Do CBD edibles have any side effects?
Let’s find out.
Potential Side-Effects of Edibles
Here’s the deal:
According to the World Health Organization, CBD is safe and well-tolerated in regular doses.
So, any side effects you experience while consuming edibles could be from THC or very high CBD dosage (more than 100mg/day).
That being said, here are some common side effects of THC:
- Disorientation, confusion, and other psychoactive effects
- Hallucinations (may also include psychosis)
- Nausea
- Heart problems
- Anxiety and paranoia
Whereas, the side effects due to high doses of CBD include:
- Drowsiness
- Lethargy
- Loss of consciousness
- Reduced appetite
- Dry mouth
- Diarrhoea
Bottom line: THC-free CBD edibles from trusted brands (think: Love Hemp, Provacan, etc.) are safe in the right doses.
Have more questions about edibles?
4 FAQs About CBD & Cannabis Edibles
Here are answers to some other questions you may have about cannabis or CBD edibles:
1. How Long Do Legal CBD Edibles Need To Take Effect?
The onset of effects depends on many factors and could vary from person to person.
For some, it could be as early as 20 minutes, while for others, it could take up to three or four hours.
What’s more?
Edibles take longer to enter your bloodstream (via the gut) than vapes or sublingual oils. So they aren’t fast-acting.
But there’s good news!
You’d feel the effects of edibles (CBD and cannabis products) for much longer than other methods.
How much longer?
The effects of CBD edibles last between 6-8 hours. In comparison, the effects of vaping a CBD e liquid will wear off within 30-60 minutes.
Back to contents
2. Can CBD or Cannabis Edibles Get Through Customs?
The answer depends on the edibles you have and their composition.
Here’s the deal:
You can get CBD edibles through customs as long as they adhere to the UK’s laws and regulations. That means it needs to be a THC-free product (CBD isolate or broad spectrum product).
However, cannabis edibles remain illegal.
For medicinal cannabis products containing a schedule 1 substance, you’ll need to show a valid licence.
Bottom line: You can get THC-free CBD edibles through customs but not cannabis edibles.
3. Can CBD Edibles Make You Fail A Drug Test?
Yes, CBD edibles may result in a positive drug test.
The good news?
It won’t matter since CBD is legal and approved by agencies like the FSA and WADA.
But there’s a catch!
The CBD product you consume should be free from THC and other prohibited cannabinoids. In other words, your CBD edible should have broad spectrum CBD or pure CBD isolate.
Consuming a full spectrum CBD edible or THC edibles could make you fail the test since THC is a controlled substance, and agencies like WADA prohibit it.
The 2023 regulations by WADA specifically prohibit THC when the urinary concentration exceeds 150 ng/mL.
To be on the safe side, go for a CBD product from reputed brands like Love Hemp and Vitality CBD. Low-quality edibles may contain higher levels of THC than what’s mentioned on the packaging.
4. What to Look For in a CBD Edible?
When choosing a CBD edible product, we recommend checking its:
- Certificate of Analysis (COA): Visit the brand’s website to verify third-party lab testing results (lab reports) for THC and contaminants like heavy metals or pesticides.
- CBD potency: Pick a CBD strength that meets your dosage requirements.
- Other ingredients: Check the ingredient list for added nutritional benefits or potential allergens.
- User reviews: Check customer reviews to see if the brand is trustworthy and makes high quality products. You can also look for certificates of authenticity and quality to ensure they meet the food standards.
Back to contents
Buy High-Quality & Legal CBD Edibles!
The final verdict?
CBD edibles that are THC-free are legal in the UK, while full-spectrum and cannabis edibles (excluding medicinal cannabis) are not.
To buy uncontaminated and THC-free products, purchase your edibles from reputed brands.
Where can you find the best CBD edibles which are legal?
Head to GreenBox!
Discover a wide range of CBD edibles, like CBD gummy bears and capsules, from trustworthy brands in the UK. Plus, explore other CBD isolate and broad spectrum products, like a CBD bath bomb or cream.
