If you're a CBD consumer in the UK, you may be wondering if it's safe to take CBD oil before driving. After all, you don't want to break the law or put yourself and others in danger on the road. In this article, we'll answer some common questions about CBD and driving in the UK, including whether it's legal to drive after consuming CBD oil, whether you can drive safely on CBD, and more.
Is it legal to drive after taking CBD oil?
The short answer is yes, it's perfectly legal to drive after taking CBD oil in the UK, as long as the product contains less than 0.2% THC. THC is the psychoactive compound in cannabis that can impair your driving abilities and is illegal to drive with in your system. However, most CBD oils contain only trace amounts of THC and are unlikely to affect your driving abilities. This also includes all of Nordic Oil's products.
Can you drive on CBD oil?
CBD itself is not known to impair driving abilities, and some people even report feeling more alert and focused after consuming CBD oil. The influence of CBD is not at all comparable to the influence alcohol has on humans. Alcohol can affect your reaction times, motor control and vision, hence why drinking and driving is an absolute no-go.
CBD products in general do not impair driving performance as they react to the body in a very different way to alcohol. However, it is worth noting that, especially for newcomers, your body may react sensitively to CBD. This could leave you feeling a little bit drowsy in the beginning, but these effects usually subside after a couple of hours and can be seen as an indication that you most likely took too much cannabidiol (CBD).
Is it illegal to drive after having CBD oil?
As mentioned above, it's perfectly legal to drive after having CBD oil as long as the product contains less than 0.2% THC. However, if you're caught driving with illegal drugs in your system, including THC, you could face a drug-driving charge.
Is it safe to drive after consuming CBD oil?
A study conducted at Maastricht University in the Netherlands showed that consumers of cannabis should avoid driving for at least four hours after consuming cannabis; the detrimental impact of THC on a person’s driving ability is well-documented.
In this study, 26 healthy participants underwent driving tests after consuming THC, CBD, a mix of THC/CBD and a placebo. After four hours it was determined that lane weaving in participants subsided significantly when the participants had taken only CBD or the placebo.
This study is not conclusive as to whether or not huge amounts of CBD could have an impact on driving. When CBD is consumed in the recommended amount and if you choose a quality product, your driving performance will most likely not be impaired at any point.
If you are still a newbie in the CBD world, it is still worth taking care when it comes to driving. As CBD is a strong regulator, your body might react to it if your initial dose is too high. That includes but is not limited to drowsiness, lightheadedness and dry mouth. In this case, you should wait until the effects subside before driving a car.
How much CBD can you take and drive?
There is no specific legal limit on how much CBD you can take and drive, but it's important to use common sense and not take excessive amounts. It's recommended to start with a low dose and wait a few hours to see how it affects you before driving.
Will CBD show up on a drug test in the UK?
This question cannot be answered with a simple yes or no. Several factors impact the answer to this question, for example:
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the amount of THC in the CBD product
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the ratio of CBD and THC
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the drug test being used to detect drug levels
Laws and regulations limit the legal amount of THC to CBD products to 0.2% which will never be enough to cause a “high”. However, that does not mean that a drug test cannot produce a positive result. All full spectrum products include all sorts of cannabinoids including trace amounts of THC.
In our case, our THC amounts are entirely non-detectable which means they contain less than 0.03% THC. Our gentle CO2 extraction process ensures that all cannabinoids remain intact while we are able to remove almost 100% of THC.
If you consume full spectrum CBD as instructed, it will be very unlikely that a test will come back positive.
For those consumers who have to undergo regular drug tests, we recommend seeking an isolate as an alternative. Isolates contain only CBD and no other cannabinoids or THC.
Read more about CBD and drug testing in our dedicated guide.
What does UK law say about CBD and driving?
UK law allows the use of CBD as a food supplement and recognizes it as a legal product as long as it contains less than 0.2% THC. CBD products must also meet certain safety and quality standards set by the UK Food Standards Agency.
Are CBD oils and other products legal in the UK?
Yes, most CBD oils and other products are legal in the UK as long as they contain less than 0.2% THC and meet certain safety and quality standards. However, it's important to do your research and choose reputable CBD brands to ensure that you're getting a high-quality and legal product.
Can CBD be considered an illegal substance?
CBD itself is not considered an illegal substance in the UK as long as it meets certain standards. However, CBD products that contain more than 0.2% THC are considered illegal and could result in a drug-driving charge.
Is CBD considered a food supplement?
Yes, CBD is often marketed and sold as a food supplement in the UK. However, it's important to note that the UK Food Standards Agency has issued some guidance on the safe use of CBD as a food supplement, including a maximum recommended daily dose of 70mg.
Is roadside drug screening for CBD oil legal in the UK?
The police in the UK are authorized to carry out roadside drug screening to detect the presence of illegal drugs in drivers' systems. However, these tests are designed to detect THC, not CBD, and it's highly unlikely that a roadside drug screening would detect CBD in your system.
Wrap up
In conclusion, it's legal to drive after taking CBD oil in the UK as long as the product contains less than 0.2% THC and you feel comfortable and alert enough to drive safely. It's important to choose high-quality CBD products and use them responsibly to avoid any potential legal or safety issues. If you have any concerns about taking CBD and driving, it's always a good idea to speak with your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional for advice.