Legal cannabis facing high street crackdown

CANNABIS products sold on the high street are to face tighter restrictions amid concerns about the levels of chemicals they contain that create a ‘high’ for users.

The popularity of products containing the cannabis extract cannabidiol – or CBD – has exploded, with stores such as Boots and Holland & Barrett selling them.

But there is unease about their varying levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – the psychoactive compound that gives a ‘high’.

Ministers are also worried the widespread sale of CBD products is giving the misleading impression that the Government is softening its approach towards the

Class B drug. Policing Minister Kit Malthouse wants to ensure high street CBD products contain no more than ‘an unavoidable trace level’ of THC and other psychoactive compounds, collectively termed ‘controlled cannabinoids’.

Advocates claim CBD alleviates ailments from aches to anxiety, although hard evidence is scant. The Mail on Sunday told last year how Jacob Hooy oil, sold by Holland & Barrett, contained more than 12 times the legal THC limit.

Writing to scientists on the Government’s

Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), Mr Malthouse said: ‘The Government is minded to amend the regulations to permit CBD products that contain no more than a defined trace percentage of certain controlled cannabinoids.’

He has asked the ACMD to help set a legal cap on the percentage of THC and other controlled cannabinoids in CBD products. At the moment, they can contain up to 1mg of controlled cannabinoids per pack regardless of pack size.

A Government source said: ‘The Minister wants a level playing field so there is no confusion about what is and isn’t legal.’