UK: CBD and cannabis regulation, May 2022

Cannabis is a controlled Class B drug in the UK under the Misuse of Drugs (MDR) Act 1971 and Schedule 1 of Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001. It is defined as any plant of the genus Cannabis or any part of the plant and it does not include seeds, mature stalks, and fibre made from mature stalks.

In the immediate future, the government could set a limit for THC levels in cannabinoid products at 50 micrograms per single serving, as recommended by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD). The UK is also expected to finalise a transition towards a fully legal CBD-containing edibles market.

This report offers a comprehensive overview of the regulatory framework for hemp, CBD and cannabis in the UK, covering everything from cultivation and processing to extracts and finished products, import/export and the medical and recreational cannabis regimes.