Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a chemical compound that’s found in the cannabis plant. Typically extracted from hemp, it’s gaining popularity in the UK and other parts of the world because of its therapeutic effects, which range from increasing one’s sense of calm to relieving symptoms of certain medical conditions.CBD can be bought as an isolate or as CBD oil. It can also be infused in a wide variety of products such as vape e-liquid, food like lollipops and gum, and drinks.
Navigating the intricate landscape of CBD legality in the UK is an important aspect of the CBD wholesale journey. It's vital to understand these laws and regulations when considering the buying or selling of CBD products.
In the UK, CBD is legal, but it is subject to certain stipulations to ensure public safety and regulatory compliance. For a CBD product to be considered lawful, it must be extracted from an approved industrial-grade hemp strain that's been sanctioned by the European Union. This specific requirement is put in place to control the THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) content in the hemp plant and hence, the CBD derived from it. Therefore, to maintain legality within the UK, CBD products must contain no more than 0.2% THC content.
Furthermore, the extracted CBD itself should be tested in official labs, demonstrating that it contains no detectable levels of THC. It's the guarantee of these lab results that ensures the products don't elicit any psychoactive effects in users.
A special note to bear in mind is that while the general sale of CBD is legal, it's currently prohibited to sell CBD products as medicines without obtaining the proper licensing. This process involves rigorous assessments and can only be authorised by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). However, in specific cases, some doctors in the UK can already prescribe CBD-based medications to their patients.
These laws and guidelines ensure that the CBD market operates within a safe, controlled framework, offering consumers high-quality, compliant products. By observing these rules, JM Wholesale remains a trusted partner in the CBD wholesale industry. Our products adhere to these regulations, providing you with a reliable and lawful CBD supply for your business ventures.
According to CBD regulations, you don’t need a license currently as long as you’re not selling it as a medical product. However, the EU has a Novel Foods legislation, which requires sellers of novel foods to apply for a license from the EU and register their products. CBD products like oils, capsules, foods, and drinks are considered novel food. This isn’t enforced in the UK yet, though, and there are ongoing deliberations.
The short answer is yes, all our products are Novel Food Compliant. Getting approval is a long process that can take up to a year. Most of our manufacturers have already submitted the extensive documentation required for certification, and are only waiting for approval. The work has been done, and our customers can rest assured that all the products we carry have been evaluated against strict compliance regulations in preparation for the Food Standards Agency’s Novel Foods legislation.
Any food item with CBD extract needs to pass through the FSA. Hemp and hemp-related products fall outside of the scope of the Novel Food Regulation, as evidence can be found on their use before May 1997. Non-consumable items such as vape liquids, cosmetics, and products that make medicinal claims also do not need FSA approval.
It’s also worth noting that anything claiming to be a medicine will require a licence from the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
JM Wholesale is a proud member and a partner of the European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA). Being a part of EIHA allows us to stay abreast of the latest news and regulatory developments in the rapidly evolving world of hemp, and participate in the creation and advocating of policies that will shape the industry.
For all of our CBD products, we have COA’s (certificate of analysis) which is a lab report on the chemical make-up (e.g. contents) to indicate all levels of cannabinoids and they are in accordance with laws in that particular county, for example in the UK it would be the misuse of drugs act.
All of our laboratory reports are available on our website.
When marketing CBD in the UK, it is crucial to understand the relevant regulations and guidelines to ensure compliance and success in this growing market.
As mentioned, CBD products cannot be sold as medicine in the UK unless a license is obtained, which can be a strict and lengthy process. Consequently, many companies choose to market their CBD products as nutritional supplements. However, it is important to note that these products must not make any medical claims or suggest that they can treat, diagnose, or prevent specific health conditions.
The CBD content of a product must be clearly stated on the packaging. This includes the amount of CBD per serving and the total amount of CBD in the product. In addition to CBD content, other important information such as ingredients, manufacturer details, and expiration date must also be displayed. This ensures transparency and helps consumers make informed choices when purchasing CBD products.
In the UK, CBD products must also adhere to the Novel Food Regulations, which were introduced by the European Union and continue to be enforced in the UK post-Brexit. Under these regulations, CBD products must receive authorization from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) before they can be marketed. To secure this authorization, companies need to provide evidence of the product's safety, quality, and efficacy.
Furthermore, marketing efforts for CBD products in the UK should be mindful of advertising regulations. For instance, companies must not target minors, and advertising materials should be free from any misleading or unsubstantiated claims. Social media advertising may also be subject to certain restrictions, so it is essential to stay up-to-date with platform-specific guidelines.
Lastly, it is important to consider public perception and consumer attitudes when marketing CBD in the UK. While CBD products have become more widely accepted in recent years, there may still be some stigma or misconceptions associated with cannabis-derived products. To overcome this, companies should focus on educating consumers about the potential benefits of CBD, emphasizing the non-psychoactive nature of the compound, and differentiating their products from those containing THC, the psychoactive component in cannabis.
In short, marketing CBD in the UK requires a thorough understanding of the regulatory landscape and a commitment to transparency, compliance, and consumer education. By adhering to these principles, companies can successfully navigate the growing CBD market and establish a strong presence as a CBD retailer.
JM Wholesale supply wholesale CBD to a variety of businesses ranging from:
Get in touch via phone or email, and complete our registration form online. Once the account is set up, we offer support via phone, WhatsApp and email.
Our experienced team will offer you help and advice on what products to start off with and what direction you can go in
We also have the option of becoming a drop-shipping customer, this way you can have the full range of products on your website without taking the risk and investing so much money in stock,
The economic allure of the CBD market in the UK is undoubtedly compelling, particularly from the vantage point of a CBD store proprietor seeking to capitalise on the thriving wholesale CBD sector. With the current market valuation of approximately £300 million, and a projected trajectory that expects this figure to more than triple over the next five years, the CBD landscape in the UK offers a fertile ground for substantial revenue generation and business growth.
Drilling down into the financial dynamics of the CBD industry, profit margins can typically range from 40% to 60%. These figures, of course, are subject to fluctuations based on a myriad of factors. Key amongst these are the specific brands stocked in your inventory, the market positioning of these brands, and the comprehensive understanding of your customer base's preferences.
In the wholesale CBD sector, an array of product categories exist, each offering unique opportunities for profit. From CBD vape liquids and edibles, to tinctures and oils, and onto the growing field of CBD-infused skincare and wellness products, the scope for generating revenue is vast. However, it's crucial to navigate these waters with a keen understanding of market trends, customer preferences, and regulatory landscape.
One particularly profitable segment within this panorama is the raw CBD market. This involves purchasing wholesale CBD isolates or broad-spectrum CBD in bulk, which provides a cost-effective base for creating a unique, proprietary line of CBD products. By processing raw CBD into finished products, you can create offerings tailored to the specific needs and preferences of your customer base. Such personalised products not only drive customer loyalty but also enhance profit margins, as they can often command higher retail prices.
It is currently prohibited for companies selling products containing CBD to advertise on Google, as cannabidiol is listed under unapproved pharmaceuticals and supplements for its ad platform. CBD brands need to rely on search engine optimisation to appear high up in search engine results.
Though CBD isn’t mentioned specifically, Facebook representatives point to their community standards, under the regulated goods section, as the listed restrictions against CBD advertising. Posts can be made about CBD products on a Facebook business page, but they can’t be promoted as a paid advertisement.
Twitter allows CBD products to be advertised on their platform, however they must be approved and authorised, with relevant lab-testing certifications available. Learn more here.
Rules for CBD on YouTube are almost identical to rules for CBD on Google. This is because Google's ads network extends to and includes YouTube.
The CBD market is currently worth £300 million in the UK. This figure is expected to more than triple in the next five years, which equates to a £1 billion market in CBD by 2025. The number of CBD oil users doubled from 125,000 to 250,000 between 2017 and 2018. Based on these figures, yes it’s definitely a smart move to invest in CBD.
It is legal to dropship CBD in the EU. We are one of the UK’s most respected wholesalers of CBD products and have one of the best dropshipping platforms on the market, making us perfectly placed to help you launch and develop your CBD business.
The CBD extraction itself can last up to two years, but the expiration date of a specific CBD product depends on its ingredients as a whole. To prolong your product’s shelf life, it has to be kept away from heat, light, and air. For this reason, most CBD products have dark packaging, such as tinted bottles for oils, and they should be placed in cool, dark environments like closets or drawers.