Medical cannabis
Medical cannabis refers to the medicinal application of cannabis or its compounds, which was legalised in the UK in November 2018 so long as it is prescribed by a specialist who is registered with the General Medical Council.
The term medical cannabis is used to describe the medicinal use of cannabis components, which can come in flower, oil, edible, capsule, or topical form.
Cannabis is legal in the UK if it has been approved as a medicine and has been prescribed by an accredited specialist. Medical cannabis has a range of proven natural benefits and can be taken to provide relief from a wide variety of medical conditions, including chronic pain, anxiety, sleep disorders and gastrointestinal problems.
How can I get a prescription for medical cannabis in the UK?
In the UK, there are two options for patients to explore.
The first is through the NHS. The NHS has been, up until this point, very reluctant to offer patients medical cannabis as a treatment option. The National Health Service will only offer patients suffering from severe epilepsy, nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy, or muscle spasicity as a result of multiple sclerosis access to medicinal cannabis. But, even those who fall within these categories have struggled to get access to medical cannabis on the NHS due to strict guidelines and regulations.
The second option is to go through a private cannabis clinic, such as Releaf. Specialists working with private medical cannabis companies have the legal right to offer patients medical cannabis as a treatment option for a much wider range of conditions.
What conditions are commonly treated with medical cannabis in the UK?
In the UK, medical cannabis is commonly prescribed for conditions like chronic pain, anxiety, depression, epilepsy, MS, PTSD, inflammatory bowel diseases - the list is very extensive. In fact, medical cannabis can be offered to patients suffering from almost any health condition, as long as they have first tried at least two conventional approaches unsuccessfully, and the prescribing specialist believes that cannabis could be beneficial for their specific case.
Are there different forms of medical cannabis available in the UK?
Yes, medical cannabis is available in various forms, including oils, capsules, sprays, topicals, and dried flower for vaporisation. Your prescribing specialist will recommend the best form based on your condition and needs.
Will medical cannabis help with your health issues?
The best way to find out is to head over to our free and easy eligibility checker. It takes less than 30 seconds to complete, and once done you will have a much better understanding of your options for accessing medical cannabis treatment in the UK.
Is medical cannabis safe?
Like any medication, there are potential side effects to consider when taking medical cannabis. That said, the side effects and risks relating to cannabis-based therapy options are considered to be low and well tolerated by most patients. Your specialist will discuss any potential side effects and how to manage them with you before prescribing medical cannabis.
To find out more about medical cannabis, click here
If you would like to learn more about medical cannabis in the UK, Releaf is here to help.