CBD – Novel food, rich prospects, old problems?

Introduction

Cannabis, Cannabis sativa L., is the most widely used illicit drug in Europe, and probably globally, owing to its psychoactive cannabinoids, the principle one being THC, tetrahydrocannabinol. But cannabis is also gaining prominence as a botanical on the European food market. CBD, cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive cannabinoid is not scheduled as a controlled drug, has limited prescribing by specialist medical practitioners for a small range of clinical applications, and is widely available in retail outlets and on the internet. Is it safe? Is it legal? Does it contain THC? The Food Standards Agency, FSA, has adopted a pragmatic approach to the regulation of CBD. Businesses in the UK must submit, and have fully validated, novel food authorisation applications for their CBD products by 31 March 2021. After this date, only products for which the FSA has a valid application will be allowed to remain on the market. We present here an overview of psychoactivity, nomenclature, structures, regulation, and analysis. If you are confused about CBD, THC, THCA, CBG, 11-COOH-Δ9-THC, THC-COOH, THC-carboxylic acid, or Carboxy-THC come along to hear our views and discuss this highly salient topic.