Is It Legal to Grow CBD Plants in UK?

One of the most common questions that vapers or weed enthusiasts tend to ask around is whether it legal to grow CBD plants in the UK. This is a million-dollar question if you want to stay out of trouble as much as possible. Moreover knowing the CBD law UK are also essential because they help you to keep yourself out of legal battles in the end. Therefore to ensure that your business and dealing are clear and there is nothing fishy going under the rug, answering questions like this is highly important.

What is CBD?

One of the most commonly found and actively prevalent ingredients in cannabis is cannabidiol which is also known as CBD. CBD is also a component of medical marijuana and is directly derived from the hemp plant.

CBD is all the market is currently talking about. It is organic and also does not come with a lot of restrictions. You might also have seen it across print media and in billboard marketing. With CBD being at the centre of affairs in the vaping industry. There is not a single shadow of doubt regarding its market value and the promise of better revenue generation, if you decide to set foot in this industry. This is why people are starting to discuss the legal status of CBD in the market these days.

What is the Main Difference Between Hemp and Marijuana?

You might have heard about these two drugs one is hemp and the second one is marijuana. But let us explore the things that make them different from one another and how at the end of the day these plants are related to CBD.

In terms of origin hemp and marijuana, both share the same set of origin - cannabis plants. That is why it is possible to grow CBD from both of these plants. And the final product also does not showcase a lot of difference between the CBD which is produced from these plants.

The standout difference between hemp and marijuana is the THC content. If the level of THC is 0.3% or below then the compound is hemp while if the THC level is above 0.3% then the compound is marijuana.

Because of the high level of THC, marijuana is an illegal drug to grow. That is why if you are growing it or if you are planning to grow it then you are ultimately breaking the law.

But one can wonder if that is the case with hemp or is it different. Because the level of THC is considered to be low in the case of hemp. Let us explore that in detail:

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Is it Legal to Grow Hemp Plants?

Despite the low amount of THC, hemp is still banned for cultivation as documented by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1979. According to this law, no one is allowed to grow or contain possession of this plant unless and until they have a government-issued license. In case a person is found in possession of this plant without having the license then they are entitled to end up in prison for 14 years.

What is the Process of Growing Industrial Hemp?

Companies who are working in the UK need to obtain a license before growing industrial hemp. This license is also known as a Controlled Drug Domestic License. This is something that is required to grow and possess Low-THC cannabis. But these permits only allow you to harvest and plant fibre and seeds of this plant. Even with the possession of this permit, the industrialists are unable to harvest those hemp flowers which contain a high level of CBD and also do not allow the extraction of CBD from the plant. Hence, the license is not allowing you to extract or make CBD from the plants.

It is considered a bizarre and outdated law in front of various people. They often say that this is something that just is not making any sort of sense. All this permit is really allowing you to do is get registered as official hemp-growing personnel with little to no control over extracting weed from the plant. It is more like just growing a useless plant in your backyard.

How to Get an Industrial CBD Growing License in the UK

In case even after reading all of this that we have established in the aforementioned context, you still are in search of growing hemp in your backyard, then you have to do the following government regulations:

• Check and fill out a form which ensures that there is no criminal offence against your name in any capacity. That form is termed as Disclosure and Barring Service.
• You are entitled to pay an application fee of £580 in case of a new application form and you are required to pay £326 for the renewal of the application. Moreover, if you are opting for a compliance visit as well then you have to pay a whopping sum of £1371.
• Submit the application form online and make sure that you have checked the entire list.

These are the things that you have to fill in the form:

• Personal information and the contact details
• Plot details such as location, size, etc.
• Type of seeds you intend to plant with the specific variety listed and the THC content.
• Verification that this particular seed is an approved type.
• Get your hands on the license and then all you have to do is wait for 4 to 6 weeks and you will see whether the license is approved or not.

Is It Worth It to Grow CBD?

Well, as it has been established earlier growing CBD is directly linked to growing hemp. Hemp is the plant from which CBD is extracted. For business purposes, this one is sure to deliver on all fronts because the hemp growing process is simple and does not require that large of capital for investment. But the main issue is that the law is not allowing to grow it. So maybe better luck in the future!

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