Can you use your CBD products in the workplace? We take a look at what the potential issues are and what the legality is for using CBD at work in the UK.
Using CBD in the Workplace, UK – Is It Legal?
What CBD products could you use at work?
In the UK, and around the world, it is undoubtedly proving a challenging time. We’ve already seen it with the rise of pressures both social and psychological, and not everyone worries about the same thing but many of us certainly worry. The pandemic was a crossroads for many, so it comes as no surprise that CBD started to boom during the past few years.
The rise of CBD popularity
Even though CBD has been legal since 2018, it was only during the days of lockdowns that CBD started to become more of a household name in the UK. With many well-known brands and retailers starting to sell CBD products, more people began to grow curious. Especially during the pandemic when times were certainly hard, many wanted something to help alleviate their problems.
Now we don’t make any health claims about CBD as it is still a fairly new product that has yet to undergo key research, but many studies are underway with promising results. CBD has been largely accepted as having a good safety profile which is why it was made legal for use in the first place. But many started to use CBD in the hopes of some benefit. It’s important to note that CBD is not a medically approved product in the UK and is only available as a novel food supplement, vape or cosmetic. Yet during the pandemic, users of CBD grew so much that the market forecast for the previous year at £536 million, was instead £690 million in annual sales.
With more and more people trying CBD and adopting it into their lifestyles, of course with the return to workplaces, many began to question it. Is it legal to use CBD in your workplace?
Using CBD in the workplace in the UK
We used CBD for a great many things, it’s a highly versatile natural compound, but predominantly it can be great for seeing benefits in your daily life. Part of your CBD regime may include using your chosen CBD method multiple times in the day, so our 9-to-5 jobs can obviously cause a problem.
In the UK, CBD products are legal to use so you shouldn’t really have any problems. These are no different than if you were taking dietary supplements or using your nicotine vape on a break. For CBD products to be legal in the UK they must contain no more than 0.2% of THC which is the compound that creates a high and is psychoactive. So, make sure that your products are UK legal and contain little to no THC. CBD Isolate is a great way of ensuring there is no THC in your CBD. But like other supplements, CBD can have side effects which could impact your work such as drowsiness.
If you are on the fence about using your CBD products at your workplace you can always speak with your line manager or Human Resources team to check their policies. Certain roles may not allow you to use products like CBD for health and safety reasons. Make sure to use common sense also; if your workplace doesn’t allow vaping or doesn’t have a vape/smoking zone, then you probably can’t take your CBD vape with you.
The dos and don’ts of using CBD in the workplace in the UK
These are things you should certainly do if you are looking to use CBD in your workplace.
DO make sure that your CBD products are from a trustworthy source and a reliable brand. Ensuring the products you buy are high quality, and actually contain the amount of CBD they list, is important to make sure you don’t have issues. If the CBD you use is stronger than expected you may notice stronger effects.
DO take care to use CBD products that are legal in the UK and contain little to no THC. Although workplace drug testing is not common in the UK, some companies and job roles require drug tests and if your CBD contains THC, it is likely to test positive. Legal products contain only very little THC that should not register on these tests unless taken in very high amounts.
DO speak with your supervisors or HR team about CBD usage if you think it could be an issue. It’s better to be safe than sorry and many times a simple discussion is all that is needed to clear up any worry.
DON’T take CBD products not fit for your workplace. As mentioned before, if your workplace doesn’t allow vaping then just because your vape contains CBD does not make it exempt.
DON’T buy CBD products if you are unsure of their validity and safety. It’s best to buy them from the brand themselves as they should list third-party lab reports on their website that clearly show the testing for THC and confirm the amount of CBD present.
What CBD products you might want to take to work
One of the best types of CBD products you can take with you to work is CBD oral drops. CBD oil drops are designed to be taken sublingually and allow for quick and easy use. Most often people take it in the morning and evening but it can be used throughout the day for topping up. Simply popping a drop or two under your tongue whilst on a break or even when you’re making a coffee, is a discrete and easy way to top up on CBD.
If your workplace does allow vaping, then CBD disposable vape pens are a great option. Simply pop one in your bag or pocket before you leave in the morning and enjoy it on your breaks. It’s important to not vape in your office/work building without permission from your colleagues and workplace. Some companies allow vaping indoors, but it is still polite to ask those around you, otherwise, your workplace is likely to have a smoking/vaping area you can use.
In summary
CBD is legal in the UK, so you are able to purchase and use CBD products without worrying about breaking the law. It is not a controlled substance, and it is therefore not a crime to use it. Products from outside of the UK that contain more than 0.2% of THC however are not legal and should not be used in the UK.
For those contemplating using CBD in their workplace, although it is legal to use, workplaces may have their own rules regarding it due to health and safety. It’s best to double-check with your manager or HR team to be safe but generally, it is treated much like any other supplement.
