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The Future of CBD in the UK

The cannabis industry has seen its share of ups and downs in the United Kingdom. While cannabidiol (CBD) became legal in 2015, there were to be no traces of 9-delta tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in the formula.

In 2021, United Kingdom officials started allowing CBD oil sales that contain 0.3% THC or less. However, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) is now trying to reintroduce THC restrictions. How will this affect the projected £952m cannabis business?

FSA Warns Against CBD Oil

The FSA recently advised that pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and people on medicines abstain from using CBD products.

This government-run program believes that CBD companies don’t disclose enough information on their labels to be deemed safe to ingest for those who are nursing or on meds.

Furthermore, the FSA claims that labels should suggest not consuming more than 70mg of CBD. That breaks down to about 28 drops of 5% CBD. There are exceptions for people who are under medical care.

The FSA gave CBD brands in United Kingdom countries until March 31, 2021, to disclose more information on their labels or risk being pulled from the shelves.

Was CBD Oil Pulled from UK Shelves?

The FSA made this demand in February. They told CBD companies to submit applications to their Food Authorisation application portal. With little time, many CBD companies scrambled to get their applications in. Yet, 60% of the UK’s CBD novel food applications hit roadblocks.

Out of 803 applicants, only 317 have been approved by the FSA, while 486 are outstanding. Besides bottleneck caused by a tight deadline, the FSA states that many applicants are missing crucial information.

These companies have not met the deadline, and their products are not available. However, the FSA did state they will give the companies an opportunity to provide the missing information that is needed.

What is the Future for UK CBD Oil?

While there have been some setbacks for the CBD industry in the United Kingdom, the future still looks promising. CBD manufacturers are coming up with new technologies that allow lab technicians to generate synthetic solutions.

Recent technological advancements allow these manufacturers to create purer CBD while remaining within UK and FSA regulations regarding illegal cannabinoids.

Additionally, the interest in CBD products among United Kingdom residents is at an all-time high. With new products, technological advances, and the need to regulate cannabis products, legal CBD will open up so many new job opportunities for the public.

That’s why analysts project CBD sales will reach about £952m in the UK by 2024.

Is CBD Dangerous?

The FSA argues that there isn’t enough information about the long-term effects of CBD oil, especially when it comes to compromised systems, like babies or people on medications. They aren’t wrong about that.

However, the negligible amount of THC in CBD oil doesn’t promote psychoactive effects. Using CBD oil is not the same as sparking up on a bong.

As calming as both might be, CBD oil promotes focus, healthy skin, and a robust immune system. Meanwhile, high doses of THC promote mind-altering effects.

However, 0.2% THC will not cause a high. Instead, it will support other phytocannabinoids in promoting synergistic benefits known as the entourage effect. THC’s presence actually improves the overall benefits of CBD oil.

Lastly, CBD promotes balance in the system. The body feels off-balance when we are high. Therefore, CBD will hijack the receptors that THC uses to cause a high experience. As a result, CBD actually counteracts the mind-altering effects of THC!

Of course, you should always talk to a physician anytime that you make changes to your routine, especially if you are nursing, pregnant, or on medication.