UK CBD Laws 2026: What’s Changed and What Still Applies

The UK CBD regulatory landscape has continued to develop since the FSA’s novel food framework was introduced in 2019. This guide sets out what the law currently requires of CBD brands and what that means for consumers buying CBD products in 2026.

The Core Framework: What Hasn’t Changed

The foundations of UK CBD regulation remain stable. CBD itself is not a controlled substance. It is legal to sell and consume CBD products in the UK provided they meet the following criteria:

• No more than 1mg of controlled cannabinoids (THC, CBN) per product container — the practical enforcement threshold
• Ingestible products must have a valid FSA novel food authorisation application
• No unlicensed medicinal claims (no “treats”, “cures”, or “prevents” language)
• Advertising must comply with ASA and CAP Code rules, which prohibit health claims and targeting of under-18s

FSA Novel Food: Where It Stands in 2026

The Food Standards Agency’s novel food process has been ongoing since January 2019. Brands were required to submit valid applications to remain on the market. The FSA continues to process applications and has been moving through risk assessments with approved toxicology consultants.

Products from brands without a valid application — or brands removed from the FSA list — are operating outside the permitted framework. Retailers and online platforms are expected to delist non-compliant products.

You can verify any brand’s status on the FSA CBD products public list.

Advertising Restrictions: The Practical Reality

The ASA has consistently upheld complaints against CBD brands making health, therapeutic or medicinal claims in advertising. This covers:

• Claims that CBD helps with anxiety, sleep, pain or inflammation
• Before-and-after testimonials implying therapeutic effect
• Social media posts from brands or influencers making health claims
• Search ads using health-related copy

Brands can describe their products and state CBD content. They cannot claim therapeutic outcomes without MHRA-licensed medicine status — which no consumer CBD product currently holds.

THC: No Change to the Enforcement Position

There is still no statutory percentage limit for THC in CBD products written into UK law. The 1mg-per-container threshold is a Trading Standards enforcement position, not a formal legal limit. For practical purposes, any product with a verifiable COA showing THC content well within this threshold is considered compliant.

The absence of a formalised percentage limit has been an ongoing discussion point in the industry. As of 2026, no legislative change has been enacted.

CBD Flower: Still a Grey Area

CBD hemp flower — sold for smoking or vaporising — remains in a legally ambiguous position. It is derived from hemp, but its appearance and use can make it indistinguishable from controlled cannabis. Prosecution risk exists, and enforcement has been inconsistent across regions. The FSA novel food framework does not cover smokeable products. CannabisDeals UK does not list CBD flower products.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

CBD regulation is a reserved matter at Westminster level, but food standards enforcement varies by devolved administration. Food Standards Scotland applies the novel food framework separately from the FSA. The practical rules for consumers are the same across the UK.

What This Means for Buyers in 2026

For consumers, the key due diligence steps remain unchanged: verify FSA novel food status, check the COA, and avoid products making therapeutic claims. Compliant brands are easy to identify — they’re transparent about their applications and publish up-to-date lab reports.

Use our CBD comparison tool to browse products from brands operating within the regulatory framework.