What is the Best CBD Oil in the UK?
The Best CBD Oil in the UK is Bud & Tender CBD Oil as voted for by HerbReviews, CBD4Beginners, UKCSC, High&Polite, YourHealthyLiving, MensHealth, CBDUnboxed, TheIndependent, Kushtopia and CBDIncubator.
Each independent review voting Bud & Tender as the Best CBD Oil in the UK was unbiased and based solely on the merit of the product.
What’s the Criteria to Define the Best CBD Oil in the UK?
Firstly, for a CBD oil to even be considered as the best, it must be legal, safe and approved for sale in the UK. This is before the judging criteria can move on to taste, effectiveness and ingredients.
- Does the product comply with UK legislation?
- Does the product comply with the UK Food Standards Agency?
- Is it safe to consume?
- How does it naturally taste?
- How effective is it?
- What are the ingredients?
Does the Best CBD Oil comply with UK Legislation?
The Best CBD Oil would need to comply with all UK legislation in relation to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and the Misuse of Drugs Regulation 2001.
CBD comes from the cannabis plant. Some people like to call it hemp, however the true botanical name for the hemp plant is actually cannabis sativa L (C. sativa L.).
Due to C. sativa L. being a Class B controlled drug, any CBD product for sale must be very careful to ensure it adheres to UK legislation in order to remain fully legal.
CBD is one of over 114 different natural cannabinoids produced by the plant and interestingly there are only 12 cannabinoids that are classified as controlled drugs in the UK.
The controlled cannabinoids as per the Amendments to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 are:
- Trans-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol-C5
- Cis-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol-C5
- Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol-C4
- Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol-C3 (THCV)
- Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol-C1
- Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol
- Cannabinol-C1
- Cannabinol-C2
- Cannabinol-C3
- Cannabinol-C4
- Cannabinol-C5
- Cannabinol methyl ether-C5
These controlled cannabinoids can be simplified as Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) and Cannabinol (CBN).
It is important to note that any cannabinoid that is a cannabinol derivative is also classified as controlled.
Now that we know which cannabinoids are controlled, we can take a look at the MDR 2001 to see how much, if any, is allowed in a CBD product.
In order for the best CBD oil to be classed as exempt from being controlled, it must adhere to the Misuse of Drugs Regulation 2001.
The MDR 2001 essentially states that no controlled cannabinoids are allowed to be present if the product is for human consumption.
How Can We Check if The Best CBD Oil UK is Free from Controlled Cannabinoids?
To check if a CBD oil is free from controlled cannabinoids like THC, we have to look at the potency section of a Certificate of Analysis (CoA).
The CoA is a lab report that shows us various analytics of the oil. It should be third party tested by an ISO 17025 certified laboratory to ensure compliance.
CoA for Bud & Tender Premium 10% CBD Oil.
We can see on the above Certificate of Analysis that multiple tests have been completed, including: Potency, Terpenes, Heavy metals, Mycotoxins, Pesticides, Residual Solvents, Pathogenic Microbiology, Microbiology and Flavonoids.
The potency part of a lab report (CoA) will tell us the amount of CBD present along with other cannabinoids.
In this potency analysis section we can see the presence of cannabidiol (CBD), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabidivarin (CBDV) and cannabicitran (CBT).
The controlled cannabinoids that have been tested for are:
- Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabivarinic acid (THCVA)
- Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA)
- Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV)
- Cannabinol (CBN)
- Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol acetate ester (D9 THCO)
- Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (D9 THC),
- Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol acetate ester (D8 THCO)
- Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (D8 THC)
- Delta-10 tetrahydrocannabinol (D10 THC)
- Cannabinolic acid (CBNA)
- Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabivarin (D8 THCV)
The potency test shows that there are no controlled cannabinoids present in this batch of Bud & Tender premium 10% CBD oil.
This means that the best CBD oil in the UK from Bud & Tender meets the criteria as an exempt product under the MDA 1971 and the MDA 2001.
Bud & Tender is legal for you to buy, enjoy and maintain your health with.
If we look at lab reports from other CBD oils available on the UK market, we see a high percentage of them do not meet the criteria for an exempt product.
Products will not meet the exempt criteria if they contain controlled cannabinoids.
CoA with CBN
The Adact cannabinoid potency profile shows the presence of cannabinol (CBN), which is a controlled cannabinoid. Cannabinol at 0.08% in a 10ml bottle means there is 8mg of cannabinol present.
CoA with THC, THCV and CBN
The Eurofins cannabinoid potency profile shows the presence of the controlled cannabinoids D9 THC, THCV and CBN. Combined this would total 7.5mg of controlled cannabinoids in a 10ml bottle.
CoA with THC and CBN
The Phytovista cannabinoid potency profile shows the presence of the controlled cannabinoids CBN at 2mg and a whopping 14mg of total D9 THC in a 10ml bottle.
This will certainly have you smiling and maybe a bit more peckish than usual, but be careful, because you could fail a controlled drug test using a CBD oil like this with high levels of controlled cannabinoids.
Does the Best CBD Oil in the UK comply with the Food Standards Agency?
In order for a CBD oil or any edible form of CBD to continue to be sold in the UK, it must be on the Foods Standards Agency (FSA) register for novel foods.
The UK FSA is a bit like the USA's FDA approval.
Bud & Tender CBD oil is on the register for novel foods and complies with the UK Foods Standards Agency.
There are hundreds of CBD oils that do not comply with the UK Food Standards Agency and as such they cannot be in the running for the Best CBD Oil in the UK.
Is the Best CBD Oil UK Safe to Consume?
There is only one way to ensure a CBD product is safe to consume and that is to check the Certificate of Analysis (CoA).
To ensure the safety of a CBD oil, we need to check that a third party lab analysis had been completed for: Heavy Metals, Mycotoxins, Pesticides, Residual Solvents and Microbiology.
If a CBD oil doesn’t have a full panel CoA, it cannot be considered for the title of the best CBD oil in the UK.
Most CBD oils in the UK do not conduct any safety testing on their products, this is extremely sad and disappointing for the industry and consumers alike. It exposes CBD users to unnecessary health risks if they were to consume a contaminated oil.
A study conducted on 29 CBD products in the UK by The Centre for Medicinal Cannabis found that 27% (8 out of the 29) were contaminated; 7 with pesticides and 1 with heavy metals.
Why are Heavy Metals in CBD Oil a Problem?
C. sativa L. (the hemp plant) loves to collect heavy metals. It absorbs heavy metals from the soil, water and air.
These toxic elements can be passed from the plant during extraction and accumulate in an oil where they would enter a consumer’s body. This poses a serious health risk that may result in permanent injuries, including severe neurological disorders.
Why are Mycotoxins in CBD Oil a Problem?
Mycotoxins are contaminants that naturally occur in moulds and fungi and will decompose organic matter.
You can find moulds that contain mycotoxins in a variety of crops such as nuts, spices, apples and coffee beans. You could also potentially find mycotoxins in C. sativa L. flower. Its subsequent extract used in oils, edibles, tinctures or creams could then also contain mycotoxins.
Why are Pesticides in CBD Oil a Problem?
Pesticides are used in many forms of commercial farming all across the world, they are carcinogenic and mutagenic, causing serious harm to consumers.
No hemp farmer should be using pesticides, however cross farm contamination can always occur. This is why testing for pesticides in CBD products is a must.
Why are Residual Solvents in CBD Oil a Problem?
Most CBD oils are made using Co2 to extract the beneficial oils from the plant. Ethanol is also often used, if not for the extraction process, then for the filtration process.
While Co2 and ethanol don’t pose a risk in terms of health issues, some CBD extractors will use Hydrocarbons and other potentially more toxic solvents. Toxic solvents have been linked to some cancers. They are known carcinogens, reproductive hazards, and neurotoxins.
Why are Microbials in CBD Oil a Problem?
According to the World Health Organisation, 1 in 10 people worldwide will get ill from consuming a microbiologically contaminated food.
Microbiological contamination can lead to serious illness and health complications.
When choosing a CBD oil to buy, going for the cheapest option may in the long run cost you your health, is it worth being exposed to potentially health threatening side effects?
Always make sure the CBD oil you are buying has been fully lab tested and has passed a full safety assessment.
Any reputable CBD company will be able to provide you with a CoA for Heavy Metals, Mycotoxins, Pesticides, Residual Solvents and Microbials.
This means that no CBD oil can be considered for the Best CBD Oil in the UK if it doesn’t have a full panel safety test completed as shown on it’s Certificate of Analysis.
The Best CBD Oil in the UK by Bud & Tender is full panel lab tested and the CoA’s are publicly available.
How Does the Best CBD Oil Taste?
As we know taste will always be subjective, however to really judge this category fairly we must assess the natural taste of the plant that comes through in the CBD Oil.
Adding artificial flavours to an oil in order to mask the poor starting materials and bad extraction technique doesn’t really constitute to quality.
As such any CBD oil that contains flavours cannot being in the running for the The Best CBD Oil UK.
The problem with most CBD oils is that they taste very bitter, they have a some what unpleasant strong grassy and earthy flavour. This is usually the result from a combination of factors: Poor quality starting material, poor quality extraction technique and poor quality production practices.
C. sativa L. can be divided into 4 main taste profiles, they are fruits, florals, fuels and earths. Some may argue that there's a fifth profile called skunk, but that’s to be debated another day.
Bud & Tender CBD oil encompasses a natural fruity-floral taste and when compared to the grassy, earthy and bitter taste of other CBD oils, Bud & Tender simply tastes much better.
Except from High & Polite
Except from United Kingdom Cannabis Social Clubs
“A gorgeous fresh fruity floral taste, unlike anything else on the market.”
Except from HerbReviews
Except from CBD4Beginners
“A very fruity floral and light taste.”
Except form CBDUnboxed
Except from Kushtopia
Clearly taste is a big factor when deciding which is the best CBD oil in the UK and Bud & Tender CBD oil has been voted as the best tasting by multiple industry experts.
Expert review websites like High & Polite, HerbReviews, Kushtopia, CBDUnboxed, CBD4Beginners and the UKCSC have tried and tested hundreds of the UK’s CBD oils and they all concluded Bud & Tender is the best tasting.
In addition to industry experts, main stream media outlets seem to love the taste of Bud & Tender CBD oil too.
Evening Standard “One of the best tasting on the market with its fruity, floral flavour.”
Readers Digest “The oil itself is exceptional, with a light, floral, almost fruity flavour that sinks in and kicks in fast.”
The Mirror “A premium CBD oil, this ultra refined oil is light on the tongue and has a fruitier taste, unlike others on the market.”
The Metro “Bud & Tender, it’s much fresher than previous hemp oil products I’ve tried (which taste quite bitter).”
Manchester Evening News “A lightly textured and coloured oil with a lovely floral flavour, it will be pleasing to many when compared to the earthy taste of most CBD oils."
How Effective Is The Best CBD Oil?
The best CBD oil would have to be very effective and this is where science really comes into play.
Bud & Tender have invested vast resources into research & development in order to ensure that during the extraction and filtration phase, as much of the plant’s precious profile has been preserved as possible.
Preserving as many of the beneficial compounds from the plant as possible is important because these compounds work together in synergy and contribute to the Entourage Effect.
“Synergy is a boosting of effect. So, it would be the idea that 2 + 2, instead to equalling 4, it gives you an 8 in terms of the benefit.” - DR. Ethan Russo
Thus, the more compounds that have been preserved, the more boosting of effect that can take place and a greater entourage effect is achieved, which in turn makes for a more effective oil.
Any CBD oil in the UK that claims it is full-spectrum will always be illegal. By definition, full-spectrum contains controlled cannabinoids. This means full-spectrum cannot be in the running for the best CBD oil UK.
The only legal CBD oils in the UK would be broad-spectrum, narrow-spectrum and single-spectrum.
What is the difference between broad-spectrum, narrow-spectrum and single-spectrum CBD oil?
Broad-spectrum CBD oil contains a good variety of legal cannabinoids, terpenes (terpenoids) and flavonoids.
Narrow-spectrum CBD oil contains maybe just one or two legal cannabinoids and barely any terpenes (terpenoids) or flavonoids.
Single-spectrum CBD oil contains just CBD isolate.
Bud & Tender’s broad-spectrum CBD Oil is overall more effective for the body's endocannabinoid system than that of a single-spectrum CBD oil made from CBD isolate. A narrow spectrum CBD oil would fall somewhere in the middle.
The best CBD oil in the UK can therefor only be a true broad-spectrum oil.
What ingredients are in the UK’s Best CBD Oil?
The best CBD oil in the UK is made from 100% C. sativa L.
This can actually be broken down into two key ingredients. The first is the carrier oil, in this case it’s C. sativa seed oil and the second ingredient is the C. sativa flower extract that contains the active compounds.
A carrier oil (e.g mct oil) must be used because the cannabinoids (like CBD) are fat soluble. By binding the CBD to fat, you improve the bio-availability and ease of use. C. sativa L. extracts on their own are very sticky, this means it can get messy and potentially wasteful if they were to stick to different surfaces.
Remind me why Bud & Tender is the Best CBD Oil in the UK?
Bud & Tender CBD oil is voted as the best CBD oil by industry experts.
Bud & Tender is the first CBD oil to be approved and recommend by the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society. Bud & Tender is also endorsed by PLEA, the patient-led engagement for access to medical cannabis group.
- Bud & Tender is compliant with UK Home Office legislation.
- Bud & Tender is compliant with the UK Food Standards Agency.
- Bud & Tender is proven safe to consume with full panel lab testing.
- Bud & Tender is voted as the best tasting CBD oil by industry experts.
- Bud & Tender is the most effective CBD oil on the UK market.
Bud & Tender has been voted as both the best overall CBD oil and the best THC-free CBD oil in the UK.