CBD (Cannabidiol) or Cannabis as most people know it, is often referred to as a ‘Super Food’ with elements attributed to our overall health and wellbeing. It’s been around for 1000’s of years and eaten and smoked by millions. So, we think it’s time to sit back, relax and enjoy this marvellous natural product in one of our hand-crafted beverages.
With annual sales of £1.9 billion a year, Gin is currently the spirit of choice for many people. So, we thought what better way to capitalise on the benefits associated with CBD than to add it to the Nations favourite spirit and let you experience for yourself the feeling of calmness and self-confidence as you chill out, relax and socialise to your hearts content.
Having your Gin & Tonic or Gin Cocktail infused with CBD is exciting and we think adds a little more spice to your nights out than a wedge of lemon or stuffed olive. So, the next time you are at the bar and about to order your Gin, just ask for a ‘Strange CBD and Ice’ they’ll know what you mean.
The seeds of the cannabis plant are one of the most nutritious foods currently known to man. They are one of only a handful of substances that man can sustain off indefinitely with no other food and provide a complete amino acid profile.
CBD is one of the 104 chemical compounds known as cannabinoids, which are found in the cannabis or marijuana plant, Cannabis sativa.
THC is the main psychoactive cannabinoid that is found in cannabis, and is what causes the sensation of getting “high”, that is often associated with marijuana.
There is a great deal of confusion around Hemp Oil (which in turn contains cannabidiol, also known as CBD) and UK law, with a lot of people assuming that it is illegal. However, that is not the case. CBD is legal in the UK. This is because CBD is not a controlled substance and therefore there are fewer stringent restrictions over its use.
However, and because of the small amount of naturally occurring THC (a controlled substance) found in the cultivation of the hemp plant (seeds), the ‘Exempt Product’ criteria under the ‘Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001’ must be met. In this respect, Regulation 2 of the Regulations sets out the test. In particular Part (c) states: “No one component part of the product or preparation contains more than one milligram of the controlled drug”.
What this effectively means is that it is possible to sell a product containing THC in the UK, but the amount of THC allowed in each product must be so limited as to be negligible upon testing. The current Home Office guidance issued recently (November 2018) advises that Part (c) be interpreted to mean 1 milligram of controlled substance per container. This means that, provided all the other requirements are met, any container of CBD oil may contain up to 1 milligram of THC (or any other banned cannabinoid).
Therefore, any non-alcoholic or alcoholic beverage claiming to contain CBD should have a certified ‘Certificate of Analysis’ that can be used to evidence that the container (bottle, tin-can etc.) in which the beverage is being sold, contains no more than 1 milligram of THC. Any drinks company selling CBD-infused drinks that cannot demonstrate (via a certified Certificate of Analysis and other documentation) that the level of THC does not exceed 1 milligram is not likely to be selling a UK compliant product because these products will not benefit from the exemption contained in the ‘Exempt Product’ criteria under the ‘Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001’.
Please note that this literature is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be relied upon as legal advice by anyone.
