18 Interesting CBD Statistics In The UK

It is not an overstatement to say that the UK CBD (cannabidiol) market has just taken off. This is actually based on current CBD statistics in the UK.

The CBD sector has grown quickly across the globe as a result of demand and interest from the public, changing government regulations and rising general knowledge of CBD oil.

This is particularly true in the UK.

In a later section of this article, we will look at some frightening figures that demonstrate how rapidly the UK CBD market has expanded over the past few years.

How Is The UK Market For CBD Products Growing?

Statistics on CBD sales clearly demonstrate a dramatic increase in demand for CBD from UK consumers over the past few years. This demand has resulted in a notable expansion of the CBD market in the UK.

Numerous indicators point to a growth in demand particularly in the coming years.

According to the studies we discuss below, consumption patterns of CBD vary across classes, ages, and industries in the British market.

The UK CBD market also offers a great selection of highly lucrative products.

Although CBD is generally accepted by UK customers for its advantages and health benefits, certain stigmas and false information still exist.

The legal status of CBD is one of the main areas of confusion in this area.

So let’s examine CBD’s legal standing in the UK in more detail.

The UK Has Legalised CBD?

CBD on its own is recognised as legal under UK legislation. It is not regarded as a controlled or restricted substance, although its sale and manufacture are closely regulated.

In the UK, only licenced businesses are permitted to manufacture and/or market CBD products. These products must also abide by stringent requirements, such as:

• THC percentage in CBD must be less than 0.2%.
• A type of industrial hemp that has been approved by the EU and has a low THC content (EU-grown hemp) must also be used to generate CBD.

These limitations highlight the value of purchasing CBD products from a reputable source and serve to protect the consumer.

CBD Statistics In The UK

The Centre for Medicinal Cannabis (CMC), situated in the UK, published the findings of a thorough CBD market analysis in 2019.

There are a number of figures in its paper, “CBD in the UK: Towards a responsible, innovative and high-quality cannabidiol sector,” which are based on market research and individual questionnaires.

These statistics offer unique information about consumer behaviour, market trends, and CBD industry purity.

Let’s examine the outcomes in more detail.

UK CBD Statistics: Consumer Trends

The CBD user: How many individuals use CBD? Why do individuals use CBD?

These responses can be found in the following demographics of CBD oil users:

1. Adults In The UK Who Use CBD Range From 8% To 11%

Between 8 and 11% of the adult population in the UK (about four to six million people), according to independent studies by YouGov and Dynata in 2019, have used a CBD product in the previous year.

2. 15% Of People Aged 25 To 29 Use CBD

A 2019 Cowen & Co. consumer survey discovered that people of all ages use CBD.

Although this number was higher among younger age groups, 15% of 25-29-year-olds reported using a CBD product in the previous year, compared to 7% of 55-64-year-olds and 8% of those 65 and over.

3. Women Are More Likely Than Men To Use CBD

According to the survey, CBD statistics show that women were more likely than men to use CBD, with 13% of women reporting doing so in the previous year compared to 9% of men.

4. The most crucial consideration when purchasing CBD is product content and production process.

Participants in the 2019 YouGov study were asked what factors they considered while selecting a CBD product.

They discovered that 26% of respondents, the greatest percentage, stated they valued clear product labelling regarding the ingredients and how the CBD was made the most.

15% of respondents ranked consumption recommendations as the second most important factor.

5. Supporting Local Businesses Is Crucial

Consumers believe that CBD that is sourced locally is crucial, according to the same study. According to 11% of respondents, the most crucial aspect affecting their decision was whether a CBD product was made from hemp farmed in the British Isles. However, the issue here that CBD products cannot be legally manufactured in the UK from the UK-grown hemp and almost all of them are imported or manufactured from the imported hemp biomass.

This outperformed the cost by 10% and the brand by just 7%.

6. Open Access To CBD Is favoured By 65% Of UK Citizens

Additionally, 65% of respondents to the Cowen & Co. survey believed CBD should be sold at pharmacies or high-end retail establishments: 34% are in favour of CBD products continuing to be sold as a dietary supplement in high street shops and supermarkets, while 31% are in favour of CBD products continuing to be offered over the counter at pharmacies.

However, only 5% of participants believed that CBD should not be sold in the UK until more research had been done, while 17% said that it should only be prescribed to patients.

7. People Mostly Use CBD To Improve Their Mood, Sleep, Manage Pain, And Combat Anxiety

According to a Dynata survey from 2019, users of CBD most frequently mentioned improving their general health and wellness, followed by better sleep, pain relief, and reduced anxiety.

The following are the justifications provided by survey respondents for consuming CBD:

• CBD might enhance their well-being and health: 54%
• CBD might help sleep: 54%
• CBD might be used for anxiety and relaxation: 42%
• CBD might be used for pain management: 54%

It is very important that CBD is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The UK CBD Statistics in this blog post is designed for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. Do not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your doctor.

8. Of All Individuals, 24% Prefer Using Natural Treatments Like CBD To Maintain Their Mental Health

Because they don’t trust pharmaceutical medications for anxiety and depression and worry that the anti-anxiety and antidepressant side effects may be too severe for their symptoms, 11.3 million UK individuals would pick holistic treatments to address their mental health. That is around 18% of the entire population in the UK.

9. Over Anti-Depressants, 50% Of Millennials Would Want To Take CBD Oil

This is excellent news for the CBD market but unsettling for how antidepressants and other prescription drugs are seen.

It appears that individuals prefer natural cures to anything that fundamentally alters how your body and mind function.

The difficult-to-manage side effects of antidepressants may be a contributing factor to this.

This might also be a hint that the advantages of CBD oil are being exaggerated before science has established its efficacy as a therapeutic option.

UK CBD Statistics: Market Trends

We are discovering more about customer behaviour and CBD market trends as the CBD market expands and changes. Both authorities and enterprises in the industry need to know this information.

The CMC conducted market research into the many aspects influencing the CBD industry’s explosive growth as part of their 2019 report.

By examining the developments that contributed to the expansion of the market, they tried to identify the driving causes behind this increase.

Let’s look at what they discovered.

UK CBD Statistics: Market Trends

We are discovering more about customer behaviour and CBD market trends as the CBD market expands and changes. Both authorities and enterprises in the industry need to know this information.

The CMC (Centre for Medical Cannabis) conducted market research into the many aspects influencing the CBD industry’s explosive growth as part of its 2019 report.

By examining the developments that contributed to the expansion of the market, they tried to identify the driving causes behind this increase.

10. In 2019, The UK CBD Market Was Valued at £300M

How much is the CBD industry worth? is a common query.

According to CMC‘s analysis, the UK CBD market has 1.3 million users and a total worth of £300M in 2019.

In the UK, the markets for vitamin D and vitamin C had a combined value of £145 million and £119 million, respectively.

11. The UK CBD Market Grew By Up To Six Times More Than Anticipated Between 2018 And 2019

According to estimates, the UK CBD market was three to six times bigger in 2019 than was anticipated.

For instance, the Brightfield report estimated that the industry would generate £100 million, but the real amount was £300 million.

Compared to the actual number of 1.3 million consumers, CTA had estimated that the market would have 250,000 users.

12. By 2025, The UK’s CBD Market Is Anticipated To Be Worth £1 Billion

According to the most recent forecasts, the sector will rise to a staggering one billion pounds by 2025.

However, if past projections are any indication, it might be considerably higher!

13. 70% Of CBD Users In Britain Report Regular Use

About 70% of UK CBD consumers, according to the CMC, buy CBD oil, tinctures, or capsules in a way that suggests they are using these products more frequently and at higher “therapeutic levels.”

14. On Average, British CBD Consumers Spend £25 Per Month On CBD Products

In the UK, the typical CBD consumer spends about £25 per month on CBD products.

The average monthly cost for consumers who buy oil, tinctures, or capsules with a presumed systematic use and greater “therapeutic doses” is about £55 (plus tax).

15. Customers Favour Purchasing CBD Products Online

The majority of CBD products were purchased online, according to a different study finding.

Despite the fact that there are many pharmacies and supermarkets that sell CBD products, surveys showed that consumers rarely make in-store purchases.

16. One Of The Biggest In Europe Is The UK’s CBD Market

The UK has one of Europe’s largest CBD sectors, according to the CMC.

The raw material for the product, hemp, is imported from the continent or abroad, therefore they also point out that the sector is entirely focused on processing.

UK CBD Statistics: Product Quality

The organisation used PhytoVista and other recognised laboratories to conduct the testing on more than 30 CBD products that are sold in the UK as part of the CMC study.

They aimed to evaluate the goods’ composition, purity, and quality in the UK CBD market.

Critical information about the calibre of products being marketed on the UK market is obtained through independent testing.

17. Only 38% Of CBD Products Had Labels That Were Accurate

Only 11 out of the 29 items examined by the CMC, or 38% of the sample size, had CBD labels that were accurate (i.e. within 10% of their indicated CBD concentration as legally accepted deviation).

A further 38% of these goods contained less CBD than 50% of what was stated in them. One of these products included absolutely no CBD at all.

18. 45% Of CBD Products Tested Positive For More THC Than Permitted

More than 45% of the items tested positive for THC, which is beyond the legal limit for CBD products sold in the UK, in the same sample testing.

One item additionally revealed a high ethanol content of 3.8%, classifying it as an alcoholic beverage and rendering it inappropriate for sale to the general public.

These numbers emphasise the need for caution while purchasing any CBD products. In the CBD sector, incorrect labelling and subpar quality control are sadly all too typical.

What’s Next For The UK CBD Industry

UK CBD statistics highlight a number of trends and give us a glimpse into the sector’s future.

The data clearly show that the UK CBD market is at a record high.

In the British market, there is a rising demand for CBD products. Additionally, customers are more eager than ever to sample these items.

Users are also willing to spend a lot of money on CBD products as an investment in their health.

The following are potential future developments in the UK CBD market:

• In the upcoming years, there will be an exponential rise in both the market’s size and the number of CBD users in the UK.
• A wider variety of products, intense rivalry in the market, and an increase in product imports and exports.
• Potential growth in the creation of synthetic CBD. However, there are still a lot of unanswered questions regarding the efficacy and dependability of this production process, necessitating more study.
• As more people opt for organic products, the market for organic CBD is likely to grow.
• A growing number of consumers will also look for less refined, raw CBD products that offer an entourage effect.

 

As the UK government pays more attention to CBD policy, positive developments are also anticipated in law and general policy.

A more regulated and safe CBD business, which will provide more protection to the consumer, is expected to be the result of changes to UK law.

South Africa, New Zealand, and the Channel Islands have each implemented new regulations for their respective CBD businesses. These nations use CBD for a variety of products and objectives.

This might be a sign of things to come for the UK’s CBD market in terms of new products and legal changes.

Last Thoughts On UK CBD Statistics

More information than ever is available regarding the CBD market thanks to recent studies on CBD. They demonstrate the UK’s CBD market’s phenomenal expansion.

Protecting consumers will be more crucial than ever as the industry expands. It is essential that customers are well-informed about CBD, its applications, dangers, and advantages.

Accurate information for consumers will be the responsibility of both politicians and CBD companies and manufacturers.

In order to avoid fraudand ensure that they purchase the finest product for them, it is also crucial for consumers to educate themselves.

Reference

McDonald, P. (2022) 18 fascinating CBD statistics UK [updated 2022], Evopure. Available at: https://www.evopure.co.uk/cbd-statistics-uk/ (Accessed: November 10, 2022).