The UK Home Office has published a letter accepting a recommended THC limit of 50 micrograms (0.05 milligrams) for CBD products.
The letter was written in response to recommendations from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), first published in December 2021. One of these recommendations was to limit the amount of controlled phytocannabinoids (like delta-9 THC) in CBD products to 50 micrograms (µg) “per unit of consumption.”
To put this into perspective, one standard THC unit is defined as 5 milligrams (mg) of THC, a dose that can produce mild psychoactive effects. The accepted limit of 50µg ensures that CBD products remain non-psychoactive while providing the potential health benefits associated with CBD.
It’s important that the government accepting this recommendation doesn’t make it a law yet. But it does show that the UK is getting close to setting out a clear framework for regulating CBD products.
The news was welcomed by the Association for the Cannabinoid Industry (ACI), a group of CBD and cannabis businesses that has been advocating for updated regulations. The introduction of clear guidelines not only ensures consumer safety but also offers assurance to CBD companies operating in the UK market.
It’s important to note that different CBD products may have varying serving sizes, so the legislation will consider these differences to create a fair and comprehensive framework.
Currently, CBD products are allowed to be sold in the UK, but only if they’re registered with the Food Standards Agency (FSA).
The news comes not long after the UK FSA revised its recommended daily dosage of CBD from 70 mg to only 10 mg, causing confusion and a scare among retailers of CBD products like Holland & Barrett.
Gleb is a freelance writer from Vancouver, Canada specializing in CBD and cannabis. He’s read thousands of studies on CBD and other supplements, helping him translate complex science into plain language. Gleb has tried and reviewed dozens of CBD brands and products, written third-party testing reports, and knows the CBD industry inside and out. When not writing, he likes to kickbox, travel, and tell everyone how awesome intermittent fasting is.
