Is the UK a Dark Horse in the race to regulate cannabis?

Cannabis Trade Association (CTA) spokesman has been quoted as saying that “New Cannabis Laws And Regulations will be set into stone across the EU within 2 years.

Is the UK a dark horse in the race to build a legal cannabis industry?  With over 500,000 regular users of every cannabinoid (minus THC) without a single new line of legislation being written, it could be a positive signal.

In the UK, the use of cannabis as medicine has been headline news in recent weeks.  Billy, Britain’s very own Charlotte Figi has stretched the headlines, bent the home office and garnered the passion of the people.

CiiTECH is a UK / Israeli collaboration, registered and operating out of the UK marketing proprietary Israeli developed CBD products. Provacan CBD, our flagship range is based on years of medical cannabis knowledge and expertise in Israel.

CiiTECH is a full member of the Cannabis Trades Association which represents responsible and ethical companies operating within the law.  It has announced a new system of regulation for cannabis products, developed in conjunction with two government departments which it is hoped will become law within two years.

The Cannabis Products Directive

The Cannabis Products Directive (CPD) is a framework for regulation and licensing of all cannabis and cannabinoid products.  It is an initiative of the Cannabis Trades Association (CTA) developed in conjunction with the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

This week the CPD has been translated and submitted to all 28 member states of the EU by the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA).

It is anticipated that with the sponsorship of two government agencies, the FSA and MHRA, the CPD will become UK law within the next two years and will relieve the Home Office of the burden of the cannabis regulation and licensing process, placing it in expert hands.

The CPD will establish an independent regulatory body covering all parts of the cannabis supply chain from seeds and genetics through to end products.  Its first chief executive, Ms. Fiona Pengilly, a highly experienced administrator, has already been appointed.

The structure of the CPD is based on the TPD (Tobacco Products Directive), successful EU legislation which came into force on 19 May 2014 and became applicable in the EU Member States on 20 May 2016. The plan to implement the CPD into legislation is based on the similar path taken with gas regulation by CORGI which becomes the Gas Safe Register, part of the Health and Safety Executive.

The CPD consists of five parts:

  • Part 1. Food supplements and edibles
  • Part 2. Vapes and inhaled products
  • Part 3. Topicals, balms, and cosmetics
  • Part 4. Cannabis for medical use
  • Part 5. Grow at home

CTA members who sell CBD and hemp products are already working in accordance with parts 1 – 3. Parts 4 and 5 will be introduced in accordance with legislation.

Growers, producers, manufacturers, and sellers will all have to be registered as well each individual product. Approved laboratories will conduct testing and all registrants will be subject to regular inspection.

Each product will have a Cannabis Product Information File (CPIF) and an assigned ‘Responsible Person’ who will ensure that the product remains compliant and updates the CPIF.

Consumers will know that products have been produced and tested in accordance with regulations and will be assured of quality and safety.

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