Is weed legal in England and the UK? Unfortunately, no. Cannabis is classified by the government as a Class B substance, ranking it alongside ketamine and codeine and making it illegal to consume, purchase, sell, germinate, or grow anywhere within the UK. Keep reading to discover the current legal status of cannabis and how these laws and regulations apply to personal use or the purchase of cannabis seeds.
UK Marijuana Laws
Throughout the last century, the UK government has enacted several pieces of legislation to restrict the usage and growth of cannabis, ultimately making it unlawful in the country. Cannabis was prohibited in 1928, as was its medicinal use in 1971. Additionally, the cultivation of cannabis plants was also deemed illegal in the UK in 1964.
Jump to today and UK weed laws are still pretty strict. In 2007, the UK government reclassified cannabis as a Class B substance, so it remains illegal to possess, cultivate, or distribute anywhere in the country. This includes the use of cannabis for recreational purposes, and smoking cannabis on your own property is also illegal.
In 2018, taking into account the therapeutic benefits of cannabis for people undergoing chemotherapy, as well as those suffering from multiple sclerosis and epilepsy, medical cannabis was legalized in the UK. However, it’s actually not available for very many patients, as it's quite a challenge to get a prescription.
It's also legal to grow industrial hemp varieties that are low in THC, provided that a person or company has a license allowing it.
What About Medical Cannabis?
Medical cannabis is legal in the UK as of November 2018, but the heavy restrictions make it hard to obtain. Primary care doctors are prohibited from prescribing cannabis; it can only be done by a limited number of specialists.
It is believed by some sources that approximately 1.8 million individuals in the UK count on cannabis for medicinal purposes. However, current regulations have created obstacles for the majority of patients to obtain medical marijuana via a prescription.
Patients must have a qualifying condition and should have tried two other medications or treatments before being eligible for a prescription. Private clinics are typically the main source of the latter, as NHS prescriptions are very uncommon. Patients may find it difficult to get a private prescription, as it requires extensive paperwork before even securing an appointment.
Additionally, medical marijuana is solely accessible in pharmaceutical or synthetic variations. Patients can be prescribed Nabilone, a synthetic cannabinoid for treating neuropathic pain. Another option is Sativex, which is obtainable in the UK but comes with a high price tag.
Busted with Weed: What's Going to Happen?
Even with the risk of severe punishment, cannabis continues to be a highly sought-after substance in the UK, where it is believed that a staggering 7.5 million individuals have experimented with cannabis. 2.6 million people also admit to using cannabis frequently, leading to an underground market that could potentially generate between £2.57 billion to £6 billion annually.
So what happens if you get caught with weed without a prescription? If the police catch you with only a very small amount of cannabis – less than an ounce, usually – they can issue you a warning or fine. Many police forces will turn a blind eye to personal use, and there is a fairly lenient ‘three strikes policy’ for personal use. However, being caught with any amount of cannabis could still result in a punishment as harsh as a prison sentence of up to 5 years, and conviction of producing and supplying carries a sentence of up to 14 years.
Legality of Cannabis Seeds in the UK
It may come as a surprise, but it is perfectly legal to purchase, possess, or sell cannabis seeds. Some shops in the UK even offer seeds for sale without any restrictions. Additionally, sending and receiving cannabis seeds through the mail is allowed, as well as purchasing them from online shops and seed banks.
The issue arises when it comes to the actual germination of these seeds, as cultivating cannabis is illegal. If it is evident that you are purchasing seeds with the intention of growing and selling marijuana, you could potentially face legal consequences. However, it is completely legal to simply purchase marijuana seeds as a collector's item.
When Will Cannabis Be Legalized?
Both the medical and recreational use of marijuana are steadily becoming more socially acceptable in the UK, but legislation has yet to catch up. As of now, there are no plans to legalize or decriminalize cannabis in the UK. At the moment, it is legal to buy CBD products, while only a limited number of individuals have access to medical marijuana. Hopefully, with new regulations and the development of cannabis-derived medications, more patients in need will eventually be able to receive them. And considering the unpredictability of British politics, who knows what will happen over the next 5-10 years?
Buy Cannabis Seeds Safely Online
With the UK laws on cannabis seeds in mind, you’re probably wondering: what’s the best way to purchase seeds? Especially if you’re looking to be discreet with your purchase, it’s safest to go with an online seed provider. Herbies is a reputable online shop selling cannabis seeds and providing stealthy shipping to make sure you don’t attract any unwanted attention. All our orders are shipped in discreet brown envelopes with no mention of Herbies. We also offer a “stealth” option, where seeds are removed from the original seed bank’s packaging and placed in a ziplock bag to be disguised as a random item. Now that’s confidential!
Choose Herbies to Purchase Cannabis Seeds!
Growing weed in England is tricky due to its classification as a Class B drug. Even if you’re growing cannabis plants for personal use, it may not look that way to police if you get caught. However, the legal loophole surrounding the purchase and possession of cannabis seeds can definitely be to your advantage if you’re interested in simply collecting weed strains. What you do with them is up to you.
FAQ
Are cannabis seeds legal in the UK?
The legal status of cannabis seeds in the UK indeed creates a unique situation. The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 classifies cannabis as a Class B controlled substance, which includes the plant and its derivatives. This classification means that the cultivation, possession, and use of cannabis are strictly regulated and generally illegal without appropriate licenses from the Home Office.
However, the act does not explicitly address the legality of cannabis seeds. As a result, cannabis seeds themselves are not classified as a controlled substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act. This has led to a legal grey area where the sale, purchase, and possession of cannabis seeds are legal, provided they are not germinated or cultivated.
What is the legal amount of weed for personal use in the UK?
Cannabis remains classified as a Class B drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. This means that possessing any amount of cannabis is illegal and can result in severe penalties for the offender. However, the enforcement of these laws can vary. Typically, if someone is found in possession of a small amount (generally considered to be less than one ounce or 28 grams) for personal use, they might receive a warning or an on-the-spot fine rather than facing prosecution.
Is it legal to order weed seeds through the mail?
It is legal to purchase and possess cannabis seeds in the UK, and this legality extends to ordering them through the mail. Cannabis seeds can be legally bought and sold as long as they are not germinated or cultivated without the proper license from the Home Office. The seeds are typically sold for collection or souvenir purposes only. If someone is caught with cannabis seeds, the possession is legal as long as there is no intent to grow them.
Herbies Head Shop expressly refuses to support the use, production, or supply of illegal substances. For more details read our Legal Disclaimer.
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