Between European agreements, contradictory national and European laws, but above all changes in French legislation in recent times, it's not easy to see clearly the status of cannabis flowers. So, is CBD flower banned or not? We explain.
Reminder: what is a CBD flower?
First of all, it's worth recalling exactly what a CBD flower is. And yes, it's not to be confused with cannabis flowers, which are categorized as a drug, even though both products come from the same plant: hemp. There are two varieties of hemp: cannabis sativa and cannabis indica.
The major difference between a traditional cannabis flower and a CBD flower lies in the content of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the plant's active euphoric molecule. THC produces a sensation of extreme fatigue, hunger and a "stoned" effect. It's worth noting that CBD flowers also contain THC, but in minimal quantities.
Between product authorization and banning
The situation regarding the appearance of CBD flower has always been rather complex. For a long time, those involved in the CBD trade were operating in a state of legal limbo when it came to the substance. Since its slow democratization in the 2010s, no law has explicitly prohibited the use of cannabidiol. Nor has there been any legislation prohibiting the cultivation of hemp in France.
With the growing appeal of CBD to health professionals and consumers alike, legal news has been turbulent in recent years. A new twist comes at the end of 2021: the government issues an emergency decree banning the possession, sale and consumption of CBD leaves and flowers.
Nevertheless, the text is the subject of debate. According to some industry professionals, it is clearly contrary to the European text following the Kanavape case handed down by the Court of Justice of the European Union in 2018, which brought greater clarity to CBD. As a result, the ban on the marketing of CBD is prohibited in the UK. European laws also stipulate the free movement of goods within the territory and also recall the difference between THC and CBD, which has no psychotropic effect and no harmful effect on health.
Thanks to the mobilization of hemp professionals and with the support of European judges, the Conseil d'Etat overturned the last jurisdiction. The sale of CBD flowers and leaves has therefore been officially legal in the UK since December 29, 2022.
The current situation: is CBD flower banned?
in the UK, all cannabis-derived products are legal on one essential condition: their THC content must remain below 0.3% (although potent CBD flowers are also available). Since the law banning CBD flowers in the UK was revised, this product is now legal. However, the CBD flowers you buy must be certified by an independent laboratory as having the correct THC content. Similarly, the buds you buy must come from an authorized cannabis sativa L. variety.
Conclusion
The law regarding CBD flower is very changeable, sometimes unclear, but it is quite legal to hold, to this day, a CBD flower. It's important, however, to buy your product from a retailer who guarantees legal products in the UK , such as CBDSol, where you'll find CBD flowers from as little as €1 a gram.
