After a smoke shop that sells CBD was raided by police last week, a police detective told Plymouth Live that any substance which has any level of THC in it is an illegal substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
While this is not quite correct – CBD products must contain less than 1mg of THC per container – it does highlight the fact that most full-spectrum CBD products in the UK have more THC than is permitted by law and are, therefore, illegal.
Arrests
Two people were arrested following the raid in Plymouth for supplying Class B drugs from their city centre smoke shop ‘Holy Smoke’.
Police found a “substantial quantity of suspected cannabis” and a number of bottles of e-liquid (or vape juice) apparently containing 90%THC.
A residential property was also searched, leading to a four-figure sum of cash seizure, along with cultivation equipment including grow lamps, tents, trays and fertiliser.
Police statement
Leading the police investigation is Detective Con Pablo
“Under current law, any substance which has any level of THC in it is an illegal substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
“… the issue is not so much what is on the packaging but rather what the substance contains, ie any THC.
“A proportion of THC under the frequently mentioned 0.2 limit may justify an application for a licence to use the items in a commercial production sense – eg for the production of hemp fibre – but that is wholly different from saying you can possess or sell it as it has THC of under 0.2 percent.”
Although worrying, he’s not quite right. Later in the article, we’ll explain in greater detail the points he’s missed.
“We don’t look at percentages”
Holy Smoke became a target after reporting a crime themselves; the theft of some small bell jars containing ‘CBD flower’ or ‘hemp flower’.
The police found the jars on some youths, obviously became suspicious and decided to test this supposedly legal product. The test came back positive for THC.
Speaking to Plymouth Live, Inspector Robin Loveridge, neighbourhood inspector for the city centre, said:
“It came back as positive for THC – we don’t look at percentages with regard to cannabis. In effect, it is a class B drug and our view was we have to investigate this as the suspected selling of a class B drug.”
Exempt products
The Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 actually states that cannabis-derived products can ‘exempt’ from the law providing they contain less than 1mg of THC/CBN per unit. The 0.2% THC limit only applies to farmers growing hemp plants under licence.
This could theoretically make selling CBD flower as tea or in small quantities legal, as we discuss here. Although it seems this case in Plymouth is based on a lot more than CBD flower.
So, while it is untrue that all products with any trace of THC are illegal, it is true that any singular product with more than 1mg of THC does fall
Is your CBD product legal?
Now we know the correct laws – unlike the police officer quoted above – let’s do some maths.
The standard size of a bottle of CBD oil is 10ml. And 1mg (milligram) is equal to 0.001 ml (milliliters).
That would mean, for a 10ml bottle of CBD oil to be legal, it must have less than 0.01% THC. For a 30ml bottle, it must have less than 0.003%.
It is clear then most full spectrum, CBD products in the UK are technically illegal. They generally have 0.05-0.2% THC.
There are more and more ‘broad-spectrum’ products on the market however, and those made with isolate are also legal.
What does this mean for the industry? Will these outdated laws be enforced anytime soon? We don’t know.
However, it doesn’t look like it’s going to be an easy ride for CBD in the UK.
If anything, this exciting new cannabis industry based around a non-psychotropic compound – CBD – is highlighting the clear need for new rules and regulations as the current laws are awkward, unspecific and quite frankly confusing.
Let’s hope common sense prevails.
The Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 DOES NOT state that cannabis-derived products can be legal providing they contain less than 1mg of THC/CBN per unit.
It says they can be legal if they contain less than 1mg of “any controlled drug” per unit.
THC and CBN are controlled drugs but so is cannabis itself. This is why any form of cannabis flower, even if it has zero THC or CBN, is still illegal.
Don’t be fooled by unscrupulous websites or retailers, they are telling you porkies. If you’re buying ‘CBD buds’ or ‘hemp flowers’ they are just as as illegal as THC-rich products from any illegal dealer.
Thanks for your comment Peter – and for the correction!
I know we’ve been over this before, but please can you explain why your trade association Cannapro certifies companies that sell hemp tea, which is made from hemp flower?
You’ve previously told me that your distinction between ‘hemp tea’ and ‘hemp flower’ is an arbitrary one based on being “balanced” and “sensible”.
However, as you’re a leading proponent of access to cannabis in the UK, it surprises me you won’t use the same argument for CBD flower being legal as you use for CBD tea. Especially considering the popularity of flower and its effectiveness.
Your recent talk at the Hemp & CBD expo also concerned me. You said shops selling flower are “wrong”, “stealing your business”, and “should be stopped”. However, I assume you don’t include the CannaPro-certified businesses selling flower (as tea) in this group?
Peter, I have lots of respect for what you do and you clearly know a lot more than most people in the industry. However, I do not understand why you are so against pushing the sale of the most effective CBD product around.
Also, if products with more than 1mg THC per unit are considered illegal, why are you certifying companies that are selling illegal products?
On the cannabis flowers/cannabis tea issue, as I explained before Jack, it’s a judgement call. ‘Tea’ has been on sake for decades without any enforcement action taken against it or people selling it but selling cannabis buds and pretending that they’re legal is just going too far.
I understand that others may not agree with my judgement but that’s what it is.
However, I do feel very strongly that those selling buds/flowers and claiming they are legal are cheating both their customers and other legitimate CBD businesses. If you want to be an illegal cannabis dealer, fair enough. After all, unless you GYO, what are we going to do with you? But conning innocent customers that your product is legal is unforgivable in my view.
As you say, it’s your judgment call. It’s not the law.
Your certified companies selling tea are just as illegal as those selling flower – because they are the same thing!
If you feel so strongly about these ‘cheaters’, why do you condone all those selling tea and all those selling products with more than 1mg THC, who are also flouting the law and misleading customers?
It’s irrational.
I understand you are trying to protect your certified companies, but this competitive and divisive mindset is unnecessary.
P.S. Have you tried any hemp flower? Give Pineapple Express from HempHash a go. It’s phenomenal 😉
I don’t think it’s irrational Jack, as I’ve explained it’s a considered judgement based on a long history of ‘tea’ being sold without any intervention.
We’re not in the business of protecting businesses if they’re breaking the law. We’re trying to guide and support businesses and we have refused to certify at least a dozen that are selling flowers.
I repeat, these businesses selling flowers are conning their customers and cheating legitimate CBD companies. They endanger the future of the entire market just like the other businesses that are making outrageous medical claims.
pineapple from hemphash is lovely
So in your first comment they’re definitely illegal, then it’s your opinion and a judgement call and you understand why people disagree? If it is simply your opinion and a judgement call then why the voracity of your previous comment stating that it is illegal and any sellers are by default unscrupulous?
Also, hemp tea is precisely the same substance with no change at all to the compounds and existence of minute amounts of THC being present. The separation from the stalk etc argument i don’t think is valid as I’m pretty sure that it relates to the flower part being separated and removed, leaving the stalk/fibre/seeds behind and available for sale and not the other way around. Maybe it would be an idea for you guys and the CTA to actually embrace the fact that it is tea simply without the tea bag and actually help to get some real clarity on the legal status so that people who choose this form of CBD can be re assured that the people with influence are actually helping them. Industrial hemp is treated differently from a legal standpoint to illegal ‘cannabis’ (yes I am aware that hemp is called cannabis saliva l) from seed to harvest and from harvest to import/export and extraction. I need different licences to grow hemp/illegal cannabis, different import licences for hemp/illegal cannabis and if I extract an oil from hemp I can sell it on the high street in Holland and Barrett whereas if I extract an oil from illegal THC strength cannabis and sell it I am guilty of a crime under the misuse of drugs act 1971. To treat it the same as THC rich cannabis when In flower form but not in any other form is something pro cannabis groups should be campaigning to remove and Surely should not be using their energy and resources to campaign against companies who disagree with this highly illogical position and are trying to provide people with as many options as possible. Also, how could this be about protecting your businesses profits? If someone wants to purchase an oil based product they have plenty of choice and they will find an oil no problem. Many of the people who purchase CBD rich flowers do not use oils and have introduced CBD into their daily regime precisely because it is available in its natural state in the form of flowers. Seems odd that the CTA and Cannapro would be in the business of telling people how they should be allowed to consume a legal substance whilst at the same time campaigning for the legalisation of THC heavy cannabis. It would be amazing if you re assessed your position and helped people to have the freedom to choose to consume this wonderful compound in its most natural state especially seeing as it is legal in your eyes when it is in any other form be it an oil/vape liquid or edible etc.
Cannabis flowers are illegal. There is no doubt about it. if you or others want to fool yourselves, go ahead, I’ve provided you with facts , it’s up to you what you do with them.
I don’t know whether you’re deliberately missing the point or if you really can’t understand what I’ve written in simple English but the ‘judgement call’ remnark was in respect of hemp tea. If it’s made from flowers/leaves it is also illegal but it’s been on widespread sale for decades
This is my last comment on this thread. Sadly it’s a characteristic of commenters on cannabis-related websites that constructive efforts at providing information are sooner or later met with anonymous and aggressive trolls hiding behind pathetic fake names. It’s really boring.
I think it’s this contradiction that confuses people, Peter:
You say, “We’re not in the business of protecting businesses if they’re breaking the law.”
Yet you certify companies that sell hemp tea, which if “made from flowers/leaves is also illegal…”
You also certify companies selling products that contain more than 1mg THC, which, as the above article explains, are also illegal.
These are the facts as I see them.
Uggghhhh this is not good ?
i think we all know cta/hta and cannapro are just glorified protection rackets and bullies out to make money off of peoples suffering. peter reynolds and mike harlington may not be working together anymore but they are still both up to the same nonsense.
the whole industry is full of shady people just in it for the money and it’s sad. even in regulated us you have companies selling vape cartridges full of pesticides and edibles made from mouldy biomass trim.
then we got swiss companies spraying isolate on bud to spike cbd levels and uninformed head shops who know nothing about the plant just looking for a revenue stream to replace the spice and k2 they used to sell. these holy smoke people even got caught with thc vape juice labelled at 90% which unless it is pure distillate is a complete lie.. my suggestion is don’t trust anyone except yourself or trustworthy friends who grow,
lucky there are people who are doing real work like trying to breed strains that will grow and seed itself in our climate.if we can get the plant growing like nettles everywhere then we will one step further to winning this ridiculous war.
sorry for the rant but i am just sick to death of all these people preying on those that are not educated on such matters
When I first heard the allegations that Harlington was ‘running a protection racket’, I didn’t believe them.
But then I found out they were true. That is exactly the way he runs his trade association and legal advice from a number of sources confirm that the way he behaves towards members and potential members amounts to criminal offences.
This is what led me to resign from the CTA, which I had set up in the first place,. It was only after many requests from CBD businesses that we then set up CannaPro a a way of getting advice and guidanc out that isn’t tainted by Harlington’s corruption and criminality.
CannaPro doesn’t operate anything like Harlington. We don’t charge membership fees and we publish all our advice and guidance openly. Nothing takes place behind closed doors where Harlington likes to keep everything.
We do charge a one-off fee of £120 to verify, check, validate and certify that a business is compliant if they want us to but this is nothing like the thousands each month that Harlington rakes in for doing nothing at all.
So ‘bling laden’, your allegations about CannaPro are entirely false, spiteful nonsense. Clearly what you’re interested in is ‘activism’. Fair enough and good luck to you but it’s a very different thing.
CannaPro is about supporting legitimate CBD businesses without ripping them off.
What annoys me is that these groups like cannapro are in the business of promoting their own agendas, that of maintaining the status quo so that they and only they can supply the product.
Cannabis when grown for personal use should be permitted to be grown freely and by anyone and certainly not by large companies that will produce only the cheapest and poorest quality product they can get away with. I know that Cannabis cultivation is only permitted to be grown in the UK under licence and also that those licences are only granted to large companies often tobacco or big pharma companies which is wrong. Do please stop kidding yourself that Cannabis and Hemp are different plants, they are not . There is no such thing as a low THC variety All cultivars can
and will produce significant quantities of Delta 9 THC The only difference is how they are grown. Plants for fibre, seed and CBD tend to be grown close together. Plants grown for predominantly THC are planted with a wider separation. There is only C. Sativa L Variety Sativa and C Sativa. L variety Indica all others are strains produced by crossing one with the other but all are C. Sativa L. The plant commonly referred to as Ruderalis is merely a C. Sativa, L var Sativa that has adapted to allow it to survive and fruit in the reduced day length of its habitat and consequently has lower levels of THC. But even Ruderalis growing in wild stands does have higher levels of THC than is permitted under the illogical rules set by government. Personally I hate the stuff I neither grow or use it in any form and I find it somewhat illogical that the Opium Poppy (Papaver Somniferum) can be grown anywhere by anyone in the UK legally but Hemp cannot.
Not sure what you class as aggression but I certainly have not been aggressive and also have no inclination to be aggressive towards you I was simply asking some questions, which you have chosen not to answer which is a shame. Hemp tea is made from the flowers, open a tea bag and you will see that it is not just seed and stalk in there. It would be great if you addressed the other points before leaving this thread as we would be able to understand why you think that industrial hemp is only cannabis when it is in its natural form. Never mind, stay blessed Peter and all the best.
We are not here to annoy or troll you and I have a decent enough grasp of the English language. We all want to understand more but the inconsistencies in the enforcement of the law and the fact that cannabis sativa l tea is legal and the exact same substance you would put into tea is according to some illegal males no sense on a logical level no matter ones grasp of the English language. Your remark regarding it being a judgement call should be a reason to question the validity of classing flower as illegal simply because it is outside of a tea bag and surely not a reason to class one as legal and the other as illegal. You also didn’t address Jack’s assertion that some of your companies sell CBD products with illegal amounts of THC present, despite the fact that he has brought this up more than once. Maybe you should ask him which companies are doing this so you can barr them if you are not in the business of protecting companies which indulge in illegal activities, you won’t see this though as I guess you haveade your point and decided we are all weed smoking degenerates with no sense, grasp of the English language or points to raise at all.
Sorry for the spelling mistakes but I am walking whilst typing and did not read through the text of the message before posting…it has nothing to do with my lack of understanding of the English language ??
it’s pretty funny to be called “spiteful” by a man who openly tells his cannapro vendors to report cbd bud sellers to the trading standards too when they are selling hemp tea and other illegal extracts.
all these companies selling tea are “illegal drug dealers” “conning their customers” just with terrible quality felina/fedora/carmagnola strains and by the letter of the law are just as guilty as anyone selling buds/flowers blah blah.
then you have people selling full spectrum concentrates that increase thc levels even if you don’t include the decarboxylated thca levels as well .you can’t have it both ways despite what peter thinks.. either you are compliant or not.
the police have got no way of working out what is really illegal or not because they just do not understand the science OR the law.
i do believe that peter is right in the fact that cbd flowers are going to cause trouble for both consumers and sellers though.
no wonder people like myself use “anonymous” names with rats like peter about
I am wondering why nobody is talking about the cultural history of smoking weed and its associations… The police (and seemingly one person in this thread who uncritically accepts their hegemonic narrative) can accept oil and vape juice and tea; but ‘the joint’ has a symbolic relationship to the law and certain groups. If people can smoke joints legally then it will change the perception of those groups that the criminalisation of cannabis has always targeted… POC, hippies, the youth. The institutional framework of Britain, beyond all the technicalities of law and economics, does not want to lose the symbolic power of “the weed smoking degenerate”, of course new forms of cannabis ( i.e. high street packaged oils) can be divorced from this idea and subsumed into white, liberal, middle-class ideals. But this hostile reaction to the idea of a legal, ‘smokable’ weed comes from a fear that it will unravel the fragile construction of the criminality of those who’s use of cannabis has been decided sits too far outside capitalist structures and culture. Tea drinking or pill popping fits within the structure of society but there is this terrible fear of the group who take themselves to a nice spot, put on some music and light up a joint, for despite this sounding like possibly the least threatening scene imaginable, it is a threat to the isolating and individualising nature of our society… Get up, go to work, come home, eat dinner, have a cuppa, possibly go to the pub and spend money on highly taxed alcohol in a regulated setting, go home, sleep, repeat. I wonder why flowers scare business men so much?
Interesting points. It’s like modern-day witch-hunts
So im confused, its illegal to sell the flower but legal to sell it in tea bags? So if it is illegal does that mean its legal for the sellers to break it up into tea bags and sell it like that????
Late to the chat….
What’s even more crazy is that CBD, as Jack points out, is deemed a novel food because it hasn’t been in common use long enough to be deemed a potential medicine. Clearly history suits the narrative of the legislators.
Strangely Epidiolex is a drug made by GW Pharmaceuticals – a UK company – and used for the treatment of severe childhood epilepsy. This is a drug agreed by FDA (US) and currently under review by the FSA. It is interesting to note that Epidiolex seems to transcend the novel food criteria as the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food stated ‘When considering the data on medicinal products, it should be noted that there will be trade-off between risks and benefits that does not apply to food.’ It’s a wonderful contradiction that exists almost within the same paragraph. It should also be noted that the yearly price in the States for Epidiolex is $32,500. A connection I wonder?
No one can doubt that a tried and tested product installs trust in the user, but similar responses to treatment have been garnered from both marijuana in the States and CBD in the UK. Why is it a processed product should be deemed better than the raw product, especially as the raw product has been deemed perfectly safe?
It clearly shows that lobbying by pharmaceutical companies and self appointed regulators have a lot to answer for for the slow rise in this tremendously effective plant.
The fact that a tea can be legal and a flower not only goes to show what an utter farce this whole legal fiasco has been. Even certain police forces are stepping back from taking action. The cost of this to the tax payer far outways a more liberal approach to what is not and what should be legal.