Illegal substances found in 72 per cent of CBD products

Illegal psychoactive substances have been found in nearly three-quarters of cannabidiol (CBD) products sold in Britain.

Kent Scientific Services (KSS) found that 72 per cent of samples tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the banned psychoactive chemical in cannabis.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “Anyone using CBD products containing controlled content such as THC could be committing a range of offences including possession of a controlled drug”.

Criminal offence

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has allowed over 12,000 CBD products to be marketed as ‘novel food’ in England and Wales while they are still being assessed for safety.

The FSA’s statement warns that consumers should “think carefully before consuming CBD products because we don’t know a lot about them”.

The products are derived from the cannabis sativa plant and sold in pharmacies and health shops as a claimed treatment for conditions ranging from insomnia to eye disease.

‘Little valid research’

there is very little scientifically valid research into most of these products

A recent review by experts from Oregon Health and Science University concluded that the evidence for using any cannabis products to treat chronic pain was insufficient.

Lead author of the review, Professor Marian McDonagh, said: “Unfortunately, there is very little scientifically valid research into most of these products.”