Cannabidiol (CBD) (INN) is one of at least 113 active cannabinoids identified in cannabis. It is a major phytocannabinoid, accounting for up to 40% of the plant’s extract. CBD is considered to have a wide scope of potential medical applications – due to clinical reports showing the lack of side effects, particularly a lack of psychoactivity (as is typically associated with ∆9-THC), and non-interference with several psychomotor learning and psychological functions. – Wikipedia
With the health benefits of CBD far outstripping those of any synthetic, patented equivalent, it comes as know so surprise that the UK are now to regulate the sale of the product by placing under the pharmaceutical regulations umbrella.
UKCSC reports:
Today news swept across the internet and social media that Cannabidiol (CBD), the non-psychoactive cannabinoid, is going to be scheduled as a medicine.
A number of CBD companies have received letters from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) notifying them that they will have to cease selling CBD Products on November 1st 2016.
Many patients across the UK have now been struck with worry that the only legal access to cannabis products, and their only source of relief from a variety of ailments, is going to be taken away from them. They wonder, will this make them a criminal if they continue to buy these products off-licence?
Craig Swiftson, a Social Media Marketing Consultant said “This is terrible. I need to know if it is going to be legal to access. It is currently the only thing keeping my mother off of Amyltryptaline for her Fibromyalgia” a condition that affects around 30,000 people in the UK. Amyltriptaline has a number of unpleasant and unwanted side effects that CBD just doesn’t have.
Another CBD user, Linda Ferguson, is equally concerned by this news, telling us, “Me and my friend are treating her dog (who has neuro problems and fits) with CBD. This dog is a new dog since being treated with CBD oil bought from Holland & Barrett mixed with coconut and hemp oil. The Vet is too expensive.”
Because we all know dogs just want to get high…on non-psychoactive CBD. Bloody hypochondriacs.
Taken by shock, there has been a real wonder among patients and activists as to what has instigated this turn of events in what seemed to be a thriving and ever-growing CBD industry in the UK. Could all of this suddenly come to an end? Are the lives of patients about to become more stressful, restricted, and tougher all round? CBD is non-psychoactive and has no recorded negative health effects, so why is it being removed from the market place, when study after study shows its efficacy?
So what does all this really mean for those using CBD oil?
Well, it’s not necessarily an end to your supply, however, it will most likely result in higher prices, no choice on supplier and quantity will be restricted.
It may also mean unless the use of CBD oil is medically recognised by the mainstream you may not be able to get a prescription.
So, while patients have been claiming “CBD is my medicine” and “I want CBD on prescription” they might have just got what they wished for…they just didn’t realise it might come at a cost. CBD could become more expensive to order overseas, and, if CBD does become a prescription drug, it might not be available for their condition. For that, clinical trials may need to be carried out which could take years.
It might not be that bad though…it might be as simple as sellers having to abide by rules about the claims they make about the CBD products they sell. They might just have to have all products tested.
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