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Name tag

Lucy MacKinnon

Education

Joint Honours Degree in Journalism and Media and Communications.

Experience

Junior Journalist at Orange Fox Media, creating content for vaping publications, media partnerships, and blogs. Journalist at The Cannavist, securing the UK's first commercial cannabis publication deal with WHSmiths and Easons in Ireland. Published numerous articles covering different aspects of the cannabis industry and interviewed experts. Collaborated on official media partnerships, including the Europe CBD Expo official show guide.

Written For

Vapouround, Evade Magazine, StudyInn.

Lucy is a respected journalist and content writer within the medical cannabis sector. Passionate about removing the stigma that surrounds cannabis-based treatments, and improving patient outcomes, Lucy is dedicated to creating high quality content that educates, informs, and raises awareness of medical cannabis in the UK. During her time at Releaf Lucy has spearheaded our 2023 market research report, Say No To Pain, which, as the UK’s largest study of attitudes towards medical cannabis, provided invaluable insight into the current medical cannabis climate in the UK. She has also been a large contributor to our blog and education section, and as well as producing medical cannabis patient travel guides, Lucy has helped to create one of the largest medical cannabis glossaries available online. Lucy started her content career in the vaping industry as a junior journalist and quickly segued into cannabis journalism in 2019. Lucy has previously written for The Cannavist, the UK’s first cannabis-based publication sold in high-street retailers such as W H Smiths and Easons in Ireland, has collaborated on official media partnerships including the Europe CBD Expo show guide, and has conducted in-depth interviews industry members, healthcare professionals, and patients alike.

Releaf articles

A summary of the statistics: Perceptions and awareness of medical cannabis in the UK

In November 2018, medical cannabis and cannabis-derived medicines were legalised as prescription only medicines in the UK. This means they can now be prescribed by specialist doctors to patients who have a condition that is known to respond to cannabis, if they have been unable to find success with conventional or licensed approaches.

Medical cannabis and public transport: what you need to know

This week we continue our ‘what you need to know’ series, outlining medical cannabis patient’s rights when it comes to travelling on public transport. From possession of CBPMs, to administering them on buses, trains, and trams, this blog gives an overview of UK legislation and public transport policies, to help you stay safe.

Experts, insights, and experiences: Medical cannabis and mental health

Mental Health Awareness Week 2026 highlights growing pressure on mental health services across the UK. As more people search for effective treatment options, medical cannabis is gaining attention as a prescribed alternative. This article brings together clinician insight and real patient experiences, alongside the latest UK evidence, to explain how it fits into modern mental health care.

Update on Ukraine: legalising medical cannabis, one by law at a time

Ukraine’s President signed off on Law 3528-IX, also known as The Medical Cannabis Law, back in February. This kickstarted the legalisation of medical cannabis, designed to offer relief to those suffering from conditions like chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the continued war with Russia. Here we take a look at some of the updates and amendments that have been made to accommodate for the legalisation of medical cannabis in Ukraine.

The Continental Cannabis Guide: Medical cannabis-friendly countries

For some patients, medical cannabis really is a lifeline and is therefore a necessary component in the holiday of a lifetime. So that you don’t have to choose between your health and a holiday, we’ve put together this guide that explains which countries currently have medical cannabis policies in place.

5 common medical cannabis myths and misconceptions debunked

It has now been almost six years since the legalisation of medical cannabis came into effect in the UK, but still, prevalent misconceptions/myths about these treatments options persist today. Because these are often fuelled by stigmatisations or a lack of knowledge on the subject, we think debunking these common medical cannabis misconceptions can play an important role in improving the current education and awareness of cannabis-based options in the UK. And so, that’s exactly what we’ve done!

Medical cannabis on holiday: The basics

Here at Releaf we understand that holidays should be about relaxation, but travelling with medical cannabis sounds like a stressful voyage. We’re doing what we can to absorb that stress so that you can soak up the sun, and so, we’ve designed a series of articles to cover the subject: medical cannabis on holiday. 

The complexities of medical cannabis clinical trials

Successful clinical trials are paramount in advancing modern medicines and care. They ensure efficacy and safety, raise the profile and awareness of these new treatment options, and ultimately, if their findings are positive, improve access to the therapy being trialled.

How medical cannabis may help endometriosis patients

Endometriosis is estimated to affect around 10% of those with a womb between puberty and menopause, but still, effective treatments, and research into the condition itself, are severely lacking. This can, understandably, be extremely frustrating for those affected.

10 top tips for the first month of medical cannabis

We know that starting a new healthcare treatment plan, especially one that has only recently been made available, can feel daunting. When patients first consider trying medical cannabis, many aren’t quite sure of what to expect or know who to turn to for answers to their questions.

Medical cannabis and employment: what you need to know

This article explores the rights medical cannabis patients have in their workplace, focusing on their legal rights under the Equality Act 2010. Advocate for fair treatment and inclusive atmospheres in the workplace confidently, using this guide as a base on how to navigate employment policies and legislations as a UK-based medical cannabis patient.

Experts explain: How GPs play a pivotal role in ongoing medical cannabis treatments

In the UK, General Practitioners sit on the forefront and frontline of healthcare, and they are typically a person's first port of call when something arises with their health. That said, in the UK, GPs cannot issue a prescription for cannabis-based treatments to a patient who has never received them before. They can, however, assist in shared care agreements, hold follow-ups, and issue repeat prescriptions for medical cannabis. 

What to expect: your first medical cannabis consultation

At Releaf, we’re on a mission to make accessing medical cannabis treatments as easy as possible for those that need them, and one of the ways we’re doing this is by breaking down barriers, answering FAQs, and debunking myths. So today, we’re discussing what to expect at your first medical cannabis consultation with Releaf.

Eating disorders and medical cannabis

As February draws to a close each year in the UK, Eating Disorder Awareness Week is held to shine a light on the prevalence of eating disorders, and raise awareness for the struggles they cause. As a UK based medical cannabis clinic, we felt it was important to honour this important topic, and discuss the emerging potential of medical cannabis in the treatment of various eating disorders.

Release of the Releaf "Say No To Pain Report"

Here at Releaf, we are thrilled to announce the release of our first market research report that investigates the awareness and prevalence of medical cannabis in the UK, and analyses the public perceptions and societal stigmas that surround this powerful plant. 

Sinking our teeth into medical cannabis and dentistry

To celebrate National toothache day, we thought it would be appropriate to sink our teeth into the topic of dentistry in the landscape of medical cannabis, and discuss how cannabis use can affect and impact oral health.

The benefits of staying sober past January

Although Dry January drew to a close last week, the benefits of staying sober can be felt year round, and enjoying alcohol in moderation is one of the best ways to naturally boost your overall health and general wellbeing.

Talking about medical cannabis as a parent

The 27th of January, wasn’t just any Saturday, it was also Parent Mental Health Day. Parent Mental Health Day is a national day of awareness dedicated to educating the public about the importance of maintaining good mental health and taking care of your own wellbeing, whilst being a parent or caregiver. This year’s theme is ‘creating positive relationships’, and so, we thought it would be fitting to explore how to approach the subject of medical cannabis with your children.

What is the entourage effect?

The entourage effect is a well-known theory in medical cannabis and CBD landscapes. This theory suggests that when cannabis compounds are consumed together, they compliment each other's individual characteristics, and work together synergistically to have the most enhanced effect, or beneficial result, on the body.

Caring for carers for Race Against Dementia Day

This week holds special significance because Sunday was Race Against Dementia Day, a day that brings awareness to a condition that affects almost 10% of those over 65 in the UK. So, we decided to mark this day by discussing an aspect of Dementia care that is often overlooked: the carers themselves.

"Since starting my treatment plan with Releaf, I’m genuinely shocked at how well it has worked."
Chloe Durrington, Releaf patient

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