Anti-drug vigilantes smash up CBD food supplement shop

The vigilantes appear to have confused CBD, a legal substance derived from hemp, with cannabis

CBD is derived from hemp, a plant that's related to marijuana (SWNS.com)

In what appears to be a case of mistaken identity, confused anti-drug vigilantes have trashed a shop selling cannabidiol products and tagged “STOP THE DRUGS” across its windows.

The manager of No.1 CBD LTD in Blackpool was horrified to turn up to work one morning this week and find her store with broken windows and covered in spray paint.

The vandals had emblazoned the words “stop drugs” in big red capitals across the glass shop front.

Store manager Joanne Thompson, 52, said: "I was phoned by a friend in the morning to tell me what had happened and I thought they were joking.

"I couldn't believe it when I turned up.

"They had also super-glued the lock and smashed our windows."

She thinks the business has been targeted by vandals who mistakenly believe CBD is an illegal drug.

"It's just mindless because it is totally legal, and government approved."

CBD is a component of the drug cannabis, but it does not cause a high itself and is legal in the UK.

Since 2018, it has been legal to possess, buy, and sell CBD without a license - as long as it is not marketed as having medical benefits.

There are also strict restrictions over its THC content - the principal psychoactive component of cannabis.

Confused vigilantes have trashed a shop selling CBD products (SWNS.com)

CBD, which comes from the hemp plant, a cousin of the cannabis plant, is thought to help treat conditions like pain, insomnia, and anxiety.

The World Health Organisation have said that: "To date, there is no evidence of public health related problems associated with the use of pure CBD."

"It's a supplement, they sell it in Holland and Barrett," said Ms Thompson "so why have they just targeted us?”

She says she had to pay £100 for a locksmith to replace the super-glued door lock.

"It could be £600 or £700 for a new window too.”

"It's just down to ignorance."