As Previously Stated in the Freedom of Information Request Reference 39625, the Misuse

Peter Jones

Reference: T7961/16

28 July 2016

Dear Mr Jones

Thank you for your email of 17 July 2016 requesting further clarification from the Home Office, Drugs and Firearms Licensing Unit (DFLU) of the UK’s position on Cannabis Sativa L.

As previously stated in the Freedom of Information request reference 39625, The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (the 1971 Act) defines ‘cannabis’ as any plant of the genus Cannabis or any part of the plant (with certain exemptions), subsequently this includes Cannabis Sativa L.

Furthermore, as per the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 or its associated Regulations (2001), it is not lawful to supply, sell, consume or possess any genus of Cannabis Sativa including Cannabis Sativa L.

With reference to your query about the legislation that allows the sale of food products made from 100% Cannabis Sativa L the Misuse of Drugs (Designation) Order 2001 restricts the licit use of cannabis to possession for research or “other special purposes”. Home Office policy with regard to “other special purposes” provides that licences may be issued for the cultivation of cannabis plants with a low THC content for the production of hemp fibre for industrial purposes or the obtaining of seeds which are then pressed for their oil. For both of these uses, there needs to be a defined commercial end use and the Home Office only licences plants grown from approved seed types with a THC content not exceeding 0.2%. Therefore, to ensure lawful cultivation, possession or supply a Home Office controlled drugs licence is required.

For legislation on the sale of food products DFLU is unable to advise you about this, as this falls outside our remit. As previously stated you may wish to contact The Food Standards Agency to seek further guidance on this matter.

Yours sincerely

R Ali

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