Cannabis Law

The Government is currently considering relaxing the current restrictions on extracting CBD from cannabis plants which will see a vast increase in British farmers and businesses entering the hemp/CBD industry. In February 2020, the UK's Food Standards Agency (FSA) issued Guidance confirming that it would introduce a staggered enforcement scheme in relation to businesses supplying CBD food products in the UK. The FSA has given manufacturers of CBD-containing products until 31 March 2021 to submit authorisation applications. This will bring dramatic changes to the CBD industry in the UK. In addition, there is a steady policy move towards legalising cannabis for recreational use in line with Canada, eleven states in the USA, South Africa, Uruguay and Georgia.

This new title covers the following:

• An historical overview of cannabis regulation globally and in the UK
• The statutory framework and case law regulating cannabis in the UK
• The cannabis licensing regime
• Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) controlled drugs regulations and licences
• Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Trading Standards considerations
• Importing and exporting cannabis-based products
• The criminal law framework and sanctions for possessing, supplying, cultivating
• Planning law aspects
• Human Rights & Judicial Reviews of challenged decisions
• The impacts of Brexit
• A practical guide to making applications for cannabis licensing
• Consideration of future reforms including the licensing of recreational cannabis