218: CBD: Is the regulatory system working?

The use of cannabidiol, or CBD, in food and drink is booming in the UK. 

CBD-infused drinks, ice cream, functional snack bars - you name it - have helped the sector to astronomical growth in recent years. 

In 2021, the sector saw sales worth £690m. But with that growth have come some questions. 

In this episode of the Table Talk podcast, Stefan Gates is joined by two experts who can tackle some of the most pressing issues around CBD. 

Clinical lecturer, Dr Mikael Sodergren, explains how the supplement works, and addresses some of the "mystique" and "anecdotal claims" that surround it.

Lawyer, Sarah Ellson, sets out the dos and don'ts when making claims about products containing CBD, and addresses the surprisingly complicated question of whether or not it's legal to produce it in the UK.

Sarah also raises significant questions about whether the regulatory system is working.

Dr Mikael Sodergren, Imperial College, London

Mikael Sodergren MBChB, DIC, PhD, FRCS is a Senior Clinical Lecturer at Imperial College London and Consultant Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgeon at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. 

He leads the Medical Cannabis Research Group - a research programme which evaluates and develops novel therapies targeting the endocannabinoid system through a framework of in vitro, in vivo and clinical translational activities.

Sarah Ellson, Partner, Field Fisher

Sarah is a partner at law firm Fieldfisher where she co-leads the firm’s regulatory group and specialises in healthcare and life sciences regulation. 

She acts for numerous regulators but also for a diverse range of private providers in the cannabis, pharmaceutical, optical, pharmacy and wider healthcare sectors and particularly supports new clients looking to enter or expand in the English/UK market.  

She has worked with many businesses involved with cannabis products, on supply chain and transactional due diligence as well as licensing and compliance.