These days, CBD is readily available in the UK. Most people use it in the safe knowledge that it is is not addictive, not psychoactive and legal - as long as it adheres to strict industry rules & regulations regarding content and medical claims.⠀However, if you're new to CBD and considering taking it to address a particular concern, choosing the right product can be a minefield.
CBD (Cannabidiol) is a compound extracted from the plant Cannabis Sativa, which is Hemp. But Hemp isn't necessarily CBD. There are tons of products in the health and beauty aisles containing hemp ..... already confused?? So were we! Of course, many high street stores and brands capitalise on the common belief that the words CBD and Hemp are interchangeable. They're not. 
Do All Hemp Products Contain CBD (Canabidiol)?
You’ll often see products which promote 'contains Hemp', 'made from Hemp Seed Oil' or they'll show a cannabis leaf or include 'cannabis sativa seed oil' in the name or description. Cannabis sativa is the Latin name for Hemp and does not mean CBD. (CBD is short for Cannabidiol - a cannabinoid found in Cannabis).
Perhaps they’ll site them next to the CBD products, so that you’ll make a decision based on price point. All within the law of course, but as a consumer it’s very confusing.
And of course, Hemp and Hemp seed oil are long acknowledged for their beneficial properties in beauty products so ....
How Do I Know if it's CBD or Hemp?
1) Being a bit cynical - the first thing to consider is price. Compare the product with similar offerings within the store. If it looks too good to be true, then it probably isn't CBD. Genuine CBD products aren't necessarily expensive per se - but you would expect to pay more than you would be charged for a similar, standard offering.
2) The amount of CBD contained within the whole product will be shown either as a number of milligrams or as a percentage CBD. Eg: A 500mg CBD could be shown as a 5% CBD (in a 10ml bottle). If it's not shown, be wary of how much CBD is actually in the product.
By law, the total volume of liquid/cream/product has to be shown as on products. This is not the CBD content. Eg: in a 10ml sized bottle, you may see 500mg CBD /10ml.
3) Locate the Lab Reports tab on the brand's website, then search the batch numbers for each product. This is where you'll find a breakdown of the level of CBD and other components contained in the tincture/edible you're buying. This will also reassure you that the levels of THC (the psychoactive compound) are well below the legal limit of 0.2%. Conversely, if there's a Batch Number on the product, then you should be able to find the corresponding information on the company's website.
It's Not As Confusing As It Seems!
Just remember that CBD - or Cannabidiol, is extracted from Hemp, but Hemp is not necessarily CBD. Read the labels carefully and buy from a company you trust and has made Lab Reports easily available to its customers..
🙋🏼♀️🌱 I hope this helps in selecting the best product for your needs. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at marchia@organicsecrets.co.uk