CBD in the UK: A “Controversial, Expensive and arduous” Process, But Necessary to “Clean Up the Industry”, Says ACI

A ACI – Association for the Cannabinoid Industry, which represents several of the big players in the CBD (cannabidiol) industry in the UK, says that limiting the sale of CBD only to companies with a permit issued by the FSA – Food Standards Agency, is “a controversial, expensive and arduous process”. However, it serves to “clean up” the industry, which “desperately needs it”. The statements were exclusively given to Cannareporter by ACI's Director of Innovation, Leila Simpson, who warned of consumers' distrust of products containing CBD.

“British people love CBD – we are the second largest market in the world after the United States of America (US), already surpassing the combined vitamin C and vitamin D markets evaluated in 2021 in 690 million pounds. However, this is the tip of the iceberg, as in a survey in late 2019, we found that 48% of the UK population would buy CBD, if it were in a more regulated environment”.

Consumer distrust largely reflects industry standards up to this point. “Although there are many CBD companies genuinely working with excellent standards (and I am pleased to represent some of them at ACI), the truth is that there are products without any standard or quality guarantee”, warns Leila Simpson.

In 2019, The Times, in partnership with ACI, published an article about CBD existing on the shelves of the second largest pharmacy chain in the country and concluded, among others, that:

• 11 of the 29 products contained controlled substances;
• 11 of 29 had less than 50% of the CBD advertised on the label;
• A CBD product on sale for £90 contained 0% CBD;

Leila Simpson says that this is a worrying situation, especially when it comes to products that are then ingested by consumers: “When we think about the final consumer and why they will be consuming CBD, this is an extremely worrying situation and a loss for the consumer. sector due to recurrent errors. This study was repeated in 2020 with very similar results, as at the time there was no incentive for players sector to change”.

The ACI now hopes that the FSA's "Novel Foods" process will help ensure that CBD for sale in the UK is truly what it says on the label. “It is expected that there are at least plans to generate robust security data that is verified by the FSA. All of this will allow the industry to reach its potential and the future of CBD in the UK is about to change dramatically.”

The CBD industry in the UK is now “with bated breath” awaiting the publication of the list of companies allowed to sell CBD. It is estimated that over 80% of CBD brands will be banned from the UK market in the coming weeks.