I am a freelance journalist and I would like to know TfL's stance on CBD? It is classified as legal and can be purchased in many forms on every high street up and down the country. I understand TfL operate a random drug test policy. If an employee was taking CBD (due to its many benefits) what would be the consequences, if any, as under current UK legalisation, there should be a minimal trace of THC.

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TfL Ref: FOI-0037-2021

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 7^th April 2020 asking for information about staff use of CBD oil.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.

Specifically you asked:

“I am a freelance journalist and I would like to know TfL's stance on CBD? It is classified as legal and can be purchased in many forms on every high street up and down the country. I understand TfL operate a random drug test policy. If an employee was taking CBD (due to its many benefits) what would be the consequences, if any, as under current UK legalisation, there should be a minimal trace of THC.”

I can confirm that we hold the information you require.

The safety of employees and customers is of paramount importance. A major factor in this respect is the ability of those who work for us to carry out their jobs safely, effectively and to the best of their ability. As part of this, employees working for TfL are subject to the TfL drug and alcohol policy. Employees who had been using CBD products could test positive during a drug and alcohol test because some products may have levels of THC which would result in a positive test. The use of these products would not provide a valid reason to excuse any positive result. CBD products have been regulated by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to ensure they meet with UK regulations. Because of health and safety concerns, the FSA set a deadline of 31^st March 2021 for the CBD industry to provide safety advice to consumers. TfL will review further developments and FSA advice on CBD products as it is developed.

If this is not the information you are looking for please do not hesitate to contact me.

On a more general matter, please note that the Government has announced a series of measures to tackle the Coronavirus. It is essential for London, and in particular for all critical workers, that we continue to provide a safe transport network that enables them to make the journeys they need to.

In current circumstances, we are not able to answer FOI requests readily and we ask that you please do not make a request to us at present.

Answering FOI requests will require the use of limited resources and the attention of staff who could be supporting other essential activity. In any event, please note that our response time will be affected by the current situation.

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.

Yours sincerely,

David Wells

FOI Case Officer

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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