Are CBD Drinks Legal in the UK? 2026 Guide
Yes, CBD drinks can be sold legally in the UK, but only when the product and the business behind it meet the relevant food and controlled-drug rules. The important point is that ‘CBD is legal’ is not a blanket guarantee that every CBD drink on the market is compliant.
This guide explains the position in plain English, what the Food Standards Agency (FSA) public list means and what to check before you buy. It is general information, not legal advice.
Is CBD itself legal in the UK?
Pure CBD is not a controlled drug in the UK. However, CBD extracts made from cannabis or hemp can contain trace amounts of controlled cannabinoids, including THC. The legal position of a finished drink therefore depends on its composition, how it was made and whether it meets the applicable requirements.
The Home Office explains that a consumer product may qualify as an exempt product only if it satisfies all parts of the statutory test, including strict limits on controlled substances. The often-repeated claim that a CBD drink is legal simply because it contains less than 0.2% THC is misleading: that figure relates to certain cultivation rules and is not the general limit for finished consumer products.
Why are CBD drinks treated as novel foods?
CBD extracts and isolates used in food and drink are treated as novel foods in Great Britain. A novel food needs authorisation before it can be legally placed on the market. During the transition to the authorisation system, the FSA created a public list of products linked to applications that were allowed to remain on sale while their applications progressed.
You can search the FSA public list of CBD food products. Presence on the list is not the same as final authorisation or an FSA endorsement, but it is an important check when assessing a product currently sold in Great Britain.
How much CBD does the FSA recommend?
The FSA’s current precautionary advice is that healthy adults should limit CBD from food and drink to 10mg a day. One INTUNE can contains 10mg CBD, so one can reaches that daily amount. The advice applies to total CBD consumed across all foods, drinks and supplements that day.
The FSA also advises that children and people who are pregnant, breastfeeding or trying to conceive should avoid CBD. If you take medication, are immunosuppressed or have liver disease, speak to a medical professional before using CBD.
What should you check before buying a CBD drink?
- CBD per serving: look for a clear milligram amount, not only the total CBD in a multipack.
- The FSA public list: check the product or the relevant application details.
- Controlled-cannabinoid testing: reputable producers should be able to support their product specifications with appropriate laboratory evidence.
- A full ingredients list: this helps you identify allergens and understand what you are drinking.
- Sensible directions and warnings: beware of products making sweeping medical promises.
Can a legal CBD drink get you high?
CBD is not intoxicating in the way THC is. A compliant CBD drink should not be designed to make you feel high. If you want the fuller comparison, read CBD vs THC: what are the differences? and Does CBD get you high?.
What about driving?
CBD itself is not intoxicating, but individual responses can differ. Do not drive if you feel sleepy, dizzy or otherwise impaired. Be especially cautious if you take medication, and never assume every CBD product has the same composition or quality controls.
The bottom line
CBD drinks can be legal in the UK when they meet novel-food requirements and the rules governing controlled cannabinoids. Choose products with transparent labelling, check the FSA public list and stay within the FSA’s 10mg-a-day advice.
INTUNE sparkling drinks contain 10mg of water-soluble CBD per can and are alcohol-free, vegan and made in the UK. Explore the INTUNE CBD drinks mixed pack, or read our guide to how much CBD is in a drink.
Sources checked September 2026: Food Standards Agency CBD guidance, the FSA CBD public list and Home Office cannabinoid guidance.