Are THC Vapes Legal in The UK?

Legality of THC

No but that doesn’t mean you can’t get vapes with THC in them. This is despite the fact that THC is a controlled substance under the Drug Misuse Act. One can legally and readily buy vapes that contain THC in the UK. So, how is that possible?

Well, the explanation is simple: UK law prohibits THC use, but legal vapes have very low THC amounts. Under The Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 (1), if a vape or other CBD products contain THC less than 1 mg per container, then those products are legal.

There is a reason why this exception exists. Firstly, it is vital to understand that THC is safe and even good for health at lower dosages. All its health harms occur at much higher dosages.

Secondly, THC vapes are not for experiencing a high or euphoria. In the UK, substances containing THC should not encourage people to use THC to experience a high. However, THC vapes just have a relaxing effect.

Thirdly, one cannot extract THC from vapes. This is also an important clause in the UK law. Any THC-containing product should not contain THC in the form that is readily extractable. However, in THC vapes, THC is mixed in a cocktail of cannabinoids, making it impossible to extract.

Finally, authorities also understand that removing THC completely from full-spectrum cannabis extract is not realistic in some cases.

So, based on all of the above reasons, THC vapes have been given a green light. They are readily sold since there is no way one can abuse THC using these vape juices or pens. Since authorities have that kind of confidence, it says a lot about the safety of THC vapes.

Of course, there is much more to THC vapes than merely THC.

We repeatedly say that THC vapes are about full-spectrum cannabis extract. A full spectrum means that the most abundant cannabinoid in these vape pens is the major cannabinoid, that is, cannabidiol or CBD. So, yes, THC vape pens have all the benefits of CBD.

But there is a reason why these pens are called THC vapes. Each container or THC vape pen contains about 1000 mcg or 1 mg of THC. This is enough to experience “the entourage effect.” Moreover,  science thinks that this amount is enough to influence the endocannabinoid system. All this means that THC vapes are potent, and they have a range of health benefits.

Yet, another reason for interest in THC vapes is other cannabinoids that are very close to THC in their structure, though they act a bit differently. Thus, THC vape pens have THCA, delta-8 THC THCVA. All these also contribute to its health effects. Of course, it also has numerous other cannabinoids that are related to CBD.

How does THC vape compare to CBD vape?

Once people understand that THC vaping is legal, they immediately want to know how it compares to CBD vapes. Well, THC vape is generally regarded as a stronger option. Of course, stronger means greater health benefits. It does not mean that a THC vape pen would cause euphoria.

When it comes to safety, a general recommendation is that beginners should prefer CBD isolate. However, in practice, THC vapes are also quite safe. After all, THC vapes have a proven safety profile. So, if one can tolerate CBD well, one can also tolerate full-spectrum cannabis extract.

For those who have got used to CBD and are looking for something more potent, it might be a great idea to give THC vaping a try. Of course, have to fear as THC vapes are not just legal. They also undergo extensive testing before reaching consumers.

Thus, for example, all vapes sold by reputed platforms would undergo stringent checking by regulatory bodies. They would be tested in different labs for their safety and the content of various cannabinoids. In fact, sellers can readily provide you with detailed analysis reports about what THC vape pens contain.

The Bottom Line

THC vape pens are legal in the UK. They contain small and legally permitted amounts of THC, along with good amounts of other cannabinoids. They are called THC vapes so that users know that the vape pen contains THC. However, they have many other beneficial organic compounds, making them an excellent choice for vaping.

References

  1. The Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 [Internet]. King’s Printer of Acts of Parliament; [cited 2024 Jul 16]. Available from: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2001/3998/regulation/2/made