CBD gummies are one of the most popular ways to take CBD in the UK. Each gummy contains a set amount of cannabidiol, so you know how much you are taking without measuring drops. This guide explains the different types of CBD gummies, what the strengths on the label mean, how to choose a product, and what UK law and Food Standards Agency (FSA) advice say about CBD as a food.
At a glance
- The mg on the jar is the total for the whole jar, not per gummy.
- Divide the total by the number of gummies to get the mg per gummy.
- The FSA advises healthy adults to limit CBD from food to 10mg per day.
- Legal CBD gummies in the UK contain no more than 1mg THC per container.
- CBD gummies are food, not medicine, and do not make you feel high.
Contents
What are CBD gummies?
CBD gummies are chewable sweets made with an extract of the hemp plant that contains cannabidiol (CBD). CBD is one of many compounds called cannabinoids. Unlike THC, CBD is not intoxicating, so CBD gummies sold legally in the UK do not make you feel "high".
In the UK, CBD gummies are sold as food or food supplements. They are not medicines, and no CBD food product may claim to treat, prevent or cure any condition. People mainly choose gummies for practical reasons:
- Fixed amount per piece: the CBD content per gummy is printed on the label.
- Taste: fruit flavours cover the earthy taste that many people notice in CBD oil.
- Convenience: a jar of gummies is easy to carry and needs no dropper.
Types of CBD gummies: full spectrum, broad spectrum and CBD isolate
The CBD extract inside a gummy can be made in different ways. The label usually tells you which type of extract the product contains.
Full spectrum CBD gummies
Full spectrum extracts keep a wide range of the natural compounds found in hemp, such as other cannabinoids and terpenes. They can contain traces of THC. In the UK, the amount of controlled cannabinoids such as THC in a finished product is strictly limited (see the legal section below).
Broad spectrum CBD gummies
Broad spectrum extracts also keep several hemp compounds, but the THC is removed as far as technically possible.
CBD isolate gummies
CBD isolate is CBD on its own, purified to a crystalline powder. Gummies made with isolate contain CBD without other hemp compounds. If you want to learn more about this form, read our guide What is CBD Isolate?
Sugar, gelatine and sugar free CBD gummies
CBD gummies differ in more than their CBD extract. Most classic gummies are made with corn syrup, sugar and gelatine, which means they are not vegetarian. If you want to avoid sugar, there are sugar free CBD gummies sweetened with maltitol. Maltitol is a sugar alcohol and can have a laxative effect if you eat a lot of it. Always check the ingredients list for allergens, colourings and sweeteners, especially if you have dietary requirements.
CBD gummy strengths explained: jar total vs. mg per gummy
The most common source of confusion with CBD gummies is the strength on the label. A jar labelled "1000mg" does not mean that one gummy contains 1000mg of CBD. The number on the front is the total amount of CBD in the whole jar.
To work out how much CBD is in one gummy, divide the total CBD by the number of gummies in the jar:
- 250mg jar with 10 gummies = about 25mg CBD per gummy
- 1000mg jar with 40 gummies = about 25mg CBD per gummy
- 1000mg jar with 60 gummies = about 16mg CBD per gummy
- 2000mg jar with 40 gummies = about 50mg CBD per gummy
This means that two jars with very different totals can contain gummies of the same strength. The larger jar simply contains more pieces. The table shows a few examples from our range, based on the information on each product page.
| Product | Jar sizes | CBD per gummy (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Sour Worms | 250mg (15 gummies), 1000mg (60 gummies) | 16mg |
| Worms | 250mg (10 gummies), 1000mg (40 gummies) | 25mg |
| Watermelon Rings | 250mg (10 gummies), 1000mg (40 gummies) | 25mg |
| Strawberry Banana Rings | 250mg, 500mg, 1000mg (10, 20, 40 gummies) | 25mg |
| Extra Strength Peach | 2000mg (40 gummies) | 50mg |
FSA advice on CBD gummies: the 10mg per day guideline
FSA guideline
In October 2023, the Food Standards Agency updated its precautionary advice on CBD. The FSA recommends that healthy adults limit their consumption of CBD from food to 10mg per day. This is a recommendation, not a ban, and it applies to all CBD food products together, not to each product separately.
The FSA bases this advice on long-term exposure. In its consumer guidance, the FSA explains that the more CBD a person consumes over a lifetime, the higher the risk of long-term adverse effects. The FSA also points out that some products on the market contain more than 10mg of CBD per serving, and it asks consumers to check labels and consider their total daily intake.
As a precaution, the FSA does not recommend CBD for these groups unless under medical direction:
- children and young people under 18
- people who take any medication
- people who are trying to conceive, are pregnant or are breastfeeding
Many CBD gummies contain more than 10mg of CBD per piece. If you want to stay within the FSA guideline, look at the mg per gummy rather than the jar total, and choose a product with a low amount per piece. You can read the full guidance on the FSA CBD consumer advice page.
How to choose CBD gummies in the UK
With the label information above, choosing CBD gummies becomes a matter of a few clear questions:
- How much CBD is in one gummy? Check the mg per gummy and compare it with the FSA guideline of 10mg per day.
- Which extract type do you prefer? Full spectrum, broad spectrum or CBD isolate.
- Which ingredients suit you? Check for sugar, gelatine, sweeteners, colourings and allergens.
- Is there a lab report? A certificate of analysis (COA) from an independent laboratory shows the measured CBD content and checks for THC.
- What is the price per gummy? Larger jars usually cost less per piece. On our product pages, we show the price per gummy for each jar size.
Flavour is the final choice. You can compare all flavours and strengths in our CBD gummies collection, from Blue Raspberry Rings to Sour Bears.
Are CBD gummies legal in the UK?
Yes, CBD gummies can be sold legally in the UK if they meet two sets of rules.
Controlled cannabinoids: the 1mg rule
THC and some other cannabinoids are controlled substances under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. A CBD product can only be sold if it meets the conditions for an exempt product under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001. In practice, this means that one container must not contain more than 1mg of controlled cannabinoids such as THC.
CBD as a novel food
Since 2019, CBD extracts sold as food in the UK are classed as novel foods. In England and Wales, CBD food products must be linked to an application in the FSA novel food process to stay on the market. The FSA publishes a public list of these products. Products on this list are not yet formally authorised, but the list shows which products are moving through the process. Scotland has its own food regulator, Food Standards Scotland.
CBD gummies are not medicines. A seller may describe the product, its ingredients and its CBD content, but may not make medical claims.
Frequently asked questions about CBD gummies
Do CBD gummies make you high?
No. CBD is not intoxicating. CBD gummies sold legally in the UK must stay within the strict limit for controlled cannabinoids such as THC.
How many CBD gummies can I take per day?
Follow the instructions on the label and do not exceed them. The FSA recommends that healthy adults limit their total CBD from food to 10mg per day. Check the mg per gummy to see how this applies to the product you choose.
Can CBD gummies show up on a drug test?
Drug tests usually look for THC, not CBD. Full spectrum products can contain traces of THC, so a positive result cannot be fully ruled out. If you are tested at work or in sport, speak to the testing body before you use any CBD product.
Can I take CBD gummies with medication?
The FSA does not recommend CBD for people who take any medication, unless under medical direction. Speak to your GP or pharmacist first.
How should I store CBD gummies?
Keep the jar closed in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, and out of the reach of children. Heat can make gummies soft and sticky. Check the best-before date on the jar.
Find the right CBD gummies for you
The best CBD gummies for you depend on the CBD per piece, the ingredients and the flavour you like. Check the label, compare the mg per gummy with the FSA guideline, and choose a jar size that fits your routine.
Compare all CBD gummies
Rings, worms, bears and extra strength jars from 250mg to 2000mg, with the price per gummy on every product page.
Shop CBD gummiesThis article is for general information only and does not replace advice from a healthcare professional. CBD products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
