Key takeaways:
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It's legal to buy and sell CBD gummies in the UK if they contain no more than 1mg of THC, a controlled cannabinoid, per container/product.
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THC is the compound in cannabis that gives cannabis products their psychoactive properties.
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CBD is non-psychoactive and non-addictive and isn’t a controlled substance.
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The vast majority of CBD products are registered as novel foods (food supplements) with the UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA).
What are CBD gummies?
CBD gummies are sweet-like jellies, usually fruit-flavoured or with added botanicals, that contain CBD (cannabidiol). Along with drinks, capsules and CBD oil, they’re one of a number of ingestible CBD products designed to make daily CBD dosing easy.
Many people choose to take CBD daily, and CBD gummies are a popular way to take it. Research suggests that CBD use may have benefits, including helping to:
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Promote a sense of relaxation and calm
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Reduce anxiety
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Support better sleep
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Relieve chronic pain
What are CBD edibles?
The term ‘CBD edibles’ is an all-encompassing term for CBD products you can eat or drink, including chocolates, cookies, cakes, teas, coffees and flavoured waters infused with CBD. CBD gummies are a type of CBD edible.
Difference between CBD gummies and CBD edibles
CBD gummies and CBD edibles are often used to describe the same product. However, CBD gummies are chewy sweets, while CBD edibles can describe anything from flavoured CBD drinks and oil to CBD capsules and baked goods.
However, there are some products which are often referred to as ‘edibles’ that contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and are designed to get you high.
Make sure you check the label of any edible products you plan to consume to check you’re taking what you think you’re taking.
Is CBD legal in the UK?
In the UK, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has given CBD Novel Food Status. This means that it’s legal to buy and sell CBD gummies and other CBD products in the UK. But they must have non-detectable THC levels or contain no more than 1mg of controlled cannabinoids per container/product.
There are some additional requirements that CBD gummies and other products must adhere to to be legally sold in the UK:
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CBD products need approval from the FSA and can only be sold as a food supplement, and follow food supplement rules on safety
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They should be listed on the FSA Novel Foods Register
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Each product needs to be clearly labelled with the concentration of CBD and made from compliant hemp extract
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Brands can make no medical claims if their product isn’t registered as a medicine (the use of medical language is prohibited)
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Products should be third-party lab tested for strength and purity
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Brands should have a Certificate of Analysis (CoA), and batch numbers should be printed on packaging
What makes CBD gummies legal or illegal?
There are strict laws governing the buying and selling of CBD products, including CBD gummies, in the UK. These cover the THC level of the product and how its use is registered (as a food supplement or a controlled drug).
THC content limits in the UK
CBD is one of over 200 compounds called cannabinoids, extracted from the cannabis plant. It’s non-psychoactive, and it won’t give you a high, and for this reason, CBD is not a controlled substance. Instead, CBD gummies and other CBD products are sold as food supplements.
Another type of cannabinoid extracted from the cannabis plant is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the compound responsible for the psychoactive effects of using cannabis and cannabis products. Therefore, THC is a controlled substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
Because both CBD and THC come from the cannabis plant, yet they have different regulations, it’s easy to get confused. However, CBD products are made using CBD extracted in such a way that they have non-detectable THC levels or contain only trace amounts of THC.
Limits vary around the world, but UK products must contain no more than 1mg of controlled cannabinoids per container/product. This means that CBD products are very unlikely to get you high.
Brands must undergo independent third-party lab testing as part of their cannabinoid content verification.
THC levels in different types of CBD
CBD products must have non-detectable THC levels or only trace amounts of THC. But the type of CBD a product contains can mean that THC levels differ. There are three main types of CBD:
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Full-spectrum CBD contains all of the cannabinoids found in the hemp plant, including compounds called terpenes and flavonoids, as well as very low levels of THC.
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Broad-spectrum CBD contains most of the cannabinoids found in the hemp plant, including terpenes and flavonoids, with the THC removed during processing.
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CBD isolate is the purest form of CBD, usually containing the highest dosage of CBD, with no THC. If you’re looking to take a CBD product with zero THC, choose CBD isolate products. At Goodrays, all our CBD products are made using CBD isolate.
Novel food regulations
Each CBD product legally sold in the UK has been assessed as legal by the FSA and has a validated application on the FSA Novel Foods Register.
Some CBD products are included on the register as ‘awaiting evidence’ status. This means that their application is progressing, and the company is required to provide additional information and risk assessment studies within a suitable timeframe to achieve validated status.
Licensing requirements
CBD products containing trace amounts of controlled cannabinoids such as THC are technically controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
However, products that contain no more than 1mg of controlled cannabinoids per container/product are considered exempt and can be sold legally without a Home Office licence.
CBD products must still have a validated application on the FSA Novel Foods Register.
Are CBD gummies considered a medicine?
If a CBD brand makes medical claims, it must be registered as a licensed medicine with the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and hold a Marketing Authorisation to allow the products’ legal sale in the UK.
According to the MHRA, “Authorised medicinal products must meet safety, quality and efficacy standards as part of the authorisation process in place to protect public health.”
As this is an extra compliance step and a lengthy process, many brands choose to make no medical claims (research into the benefits of CBD continues) and instead register their products with the FSA under novel food regulations.
What the law says about medical claims
If a CBD product makes any explicit medical claims, including to treat, prevent or manage a medical condition, such as epilepsy, it must not only be registered with the MHRA as a licensed medicine, but it must also only ever be provided via a prescription from a registered doctor under the Human Medicines Regulations 2012.
An example of an explicit medical claim is one provided by the makers of EPIDIOLEX, “The first and only FDA-approved prescription cannabidiol (CBD) to treat seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), Dravet syndrome, or tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) in patients 1 year of age or older”.
EPIDIOLEX is a highly purified liquid form of CBD, more highly concentrated than CBD you might buy online or in a health food shop.
It’s the only cannabis-based medicine approved and licensed for treating epilepsy in the UK, and as such is registered as a licensed medicine with the MHRA and is subject to strict standards.
Conversely, a CBD product registered as an FSA-approved novel food might use language such as “Daily support for sleep, focus, clarity and everything in between”.
Can you travel with CBD gummies?
Travelling with CBD on a plane is legal in the UK, but the rules vary around the world.
UK
You can travel with CBD on a plane when entering and exiting the UK. However, the product, for example, CBD gummies, must be in its original packaging, clearly labelled and meet the 1mg THC per container limit.
International
Exiting the UK with CBD is legal, but only if the destination country permits CBD. Always check with the foreign office or the official government or embassy website of the country you’re travelling to. Most EU countries permit CBD, but many countries in the Middle East and Africa and some in Asia, do not.
Are there age restrictions on CBD gummies?
You must be aged 18 or over to purchase CBD products, including gummies, in the UK. Some shops may use the Challenge 25 rule and ask to see ID if you look under 25. You can still purchase CBD gummies if you’re over 18 years old, get challenged and can prove your age.
Are there any risks when taking CBD gummies?
CBD gummies are generally considered safe by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and are well-tolerated by most people. Some people may experience mild diarrhoea, a dry mouth, drowsiness and a decreased appetite when they first start taking CBD. This can be minimised by starting on a low dose.
How to check if a CBD gummy product is compliant
If you’re considering using CBD gummies for the first time, or you’re trying a new brand, it’s understandable that you’d like to make sure that what you’re taking is what you think you’re taking.
What to look for on the label
Check that the product packaging states the CBD strength, for example, 25mg CBD per gummy. Also, check that there are no explicit medical claims such as “treats anxiety”. Statements such as “may help to ease feelings of anxiety and promote a sense of calm” are not explicit medical claims and can legally be used.
How to read a Certificate of Analysis
A Certificate of Analysis (CoA) is usually found on a brand's website and should include:
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CBD content (check this matches the product label)
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THC content
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Confirmation of the absence of contaminants such as heavy metals and solvents
FAQs
Are CBD gummies legal in the UK?
Yes, as long as they contain no more than 1mg of controlled cannabinoids per container/product."
What is the legal THC limit in CBD gummies in the UK?
Consumer CBD products must contain no more than 1mg of controlled cannabinoids per container/product. A common misconception is that the legal limit is 0.2% THC; this figure relates to licensed hemp cultivation, not finished consumer products
Can you buy CBD gummies over the counter in the UK?
Yes, CBD gummies are available online and in health food shops.
Are CBD gummies legal to order online in the UK?
Yes, as long as the brand has registered its product on the FSA Novel Foods Register, and it's within the THC limit, CBD gummies can be sold online.
Who regulates CBD gummies in the UK?
CBD gummies are considered a food supplement and are regulated as novel foods by the Food Standards Agency (FSA).
References
MHRA statement on products containing cannabidiol (CBD). (2025, April 14). GOV.UK. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mhra-statement-on-products-containing-cannabidiol-cbd/mhra-statement-on-products-containing-cannabidiol-cbd
CBD products linked to novel food applications. (n.d.). Food Standards Agency. https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/cbd-products-linked-to-novel-food-applications
Holland, K. (2026, February 11). CBD vs. THC: What’s the Difference? Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/cbd-vs-thc
Home Office drug licensing factsheet: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cannabis-cbd-and-other-cannabinoids-drug-licensing-factsheet
ACMD consumer CBD products report: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/acmd-advice-on-consumer-cannabidiol-cbd-products/consumer-cannabidiol-cbd-products-report-accessible-version
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking other medications.
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