Royal Australian Navy - 👉 Bachelor of Electronic and Communications Engineering
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Sam North is a content writer at Releaf, specialising in medical cannabis, digital health, and patient education within a UK regulatory framework. After a decade immersed in the cultivation side of the cannabis industry, Sam moved into digital in 2020. He worked across the recreational space with seed companies, CBD brands, and cannabis publications, before transitioning into the medical cannabis sector in early 2023 and joining Releaf in April of that year. Today, his work spans both content and SEO, with a focus on how the two support patient understanding and long-term organic growth. He writes and shapes educational content, research breakdowns, and patient-facing web copy, ensuring it is clear, clinically accurate, and aligned with UK compliance requirements. At Releaf, Sam’s focus is on making medical cannabis more understandable and accessible to patients, while maintaining a high standard of accuracy, compliance, and trust.
The private sector can prescribe medical cannabis for a much wider range of health issues than the NHS. There is actually no definitive list of conditions and symptoms that may qualify, as it is up to the discretion of the individual clinician.
How long does cannabis stay in your system? THC can remain detectable in saliva tests for 24-72 hours, urine tests up to 30 days, blood tests for 24 hours, and hair tests up to 90 days
Although most of the clinical research and media attention has focused on cannabinoids (such as THC and CBD), the other compounds found in the cannabis sativa L. plant, such as terpenes, are starting to gain recognition for their potential therapeutic benefits.
Medical cannabis is not a cure for autism. However, there is growing evidence that suggests THC, and medical cannabis more generally, may help in managing some symptoms associated with autism when administered in conjunction with other therapies and interventions.
There is currently no cure for dementia, but a combination of medication, physical therapy, mental stimulation, and lifestyle changes have been shown to help slow the progression of dementia and help to manage the symptoms effectively. One potential complementary treatment option that has shown promise in recent research is CBD, or cannabidiol.
Ever wonder why some CBD oils feel more calming, energising or balanced than others? The answer could lie in the terpene profile. This guide explains what terpenes are, how they shape the effects of CBD oil, and why full-spectrum or broad-spectrum extracts may offer more complete support. We cover common terpenes like myrcene, linalool and limonene, and how to choose a better-quality CBD product by checking lab reports, cannabinoid profiles and extraction methods.
Medical cannabis is finally here in the UK, and it's here to stay. With the UK government legalising medical cannabis in 2018, patients now have access to this complementary treatment option for a vast range of medical conditions, at least when it is prescribed through a private clinic. Unfortunately, since medical cannabis became a reality, securing a prescription for medical cannabis through the NHS is still extremely rare, and is only applicable for three specific conditions.
After decades of lobbying by patient advocates and healthcare professionals, on the 1st of November 2018 here in the UK, medical cannabis became legally available to patients suffering from a huge range of conditions including (but nowhere near limited to) chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, epilepsy, mental health concerns, and cancer treatment-related nausea. But with this new availability comes many questions, and these are necessary for the safe application of medical cannabis. In this article, we'll have a closer look at the pros and cons of taking medical cannabis as a complementary treatment option.
It is possible to obtain a commercial medical cannabis cultivation licence in the UK, but it is not a straightforward process. Companies looking to produce cannabis-based medicinal products need to seek authorisation from two regulatory bodies – the MHRA and the Home Office. The burgeoning medical cannabis cultivation market has forced some changes to the overall process of applying for these licences.
With the introduction of medical cannabis here in the UK, patients are now able to access cannabis based medical products (CBMPs) in the treatment of pain. And while this is great news for many, the world of CBMPs can be daunting – especially when there are so many cannabinoids at play.
From a chemical standpoint, THC and CBD are actually isomers. This means that although they have the same chemical formula, their structure differs. They are both classed as phytocannabinoids, or cannabinoids produced by the cannabis plant, but their differences in structure mean that they interact with our body’s receptors in entirely disparate ways – and this is what results in their unique therapeutic properties.
UK Medical cannabis cards give cancer patients reassurance, protection and clearer access to treatment. This guide explains how the cards work, who is eligible, and how cannabis can help with pain, chemotherapy side effects, anxiety and sleep. It also shows how Releaf’s unique medical cannabis card and Patient Dashboard support safe, trusted care for cancer patients.
Searching for a medical cannabis card for fibromyalgia in the UK can be confusing. This guide breaks down if a medical cannabis card for fibromyalgia in the UK is necessary, how it actually works, who qualifies, what it costs, and the exact steps to a UK medical cannabis card for fibromyalgia through a specialist clinic, so you know what to expect before you begin.
Certain mood disorders including depression and anxiety are on the list of conditions that can be treated with medicinal cannabis, as are a bunch of other physical and psychological issues. A medical cannabis card is an identifying document that verifies an individual’s permission to use medicinal cannabis obtained from a licensed clinic or doctor. In the UK, medical cannabis cards are issued by private clinics and are only available to those over the age of 18, who have been prescribed medical cannabis by a doctor.
Insomnia is a poorly understood and debilitating condition where sufferers find it difficult to either fall asleep, stay asleep for long periods, or get good quality sleep in general. Although there are conventional pharmaceutical treatment options available, most come with some pretty heavy side effects. Patients in the UK are increasingly looking at medical cannabis as an effective complementary treatment option to reduce the symptoms of insomnia.
Although recreational cannabis is still illegal in the UK, medical cannabis has been legally available to patients suffering from a wide range of health concerns since November 2018. However, obtaining it through the NHS is quite challenging, which is why many patients are turning to private clinics.
THC levels in UK medical cannabis range from lower-strength oils and flower to highly concentrated extracts. This guide explains what different THC percentages mean, how specialists decide on the right strength, and why safe prescribing is essential. It also looks at how the law works in practice and how Releaf supports patients.
The two most often encountered forms of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). Both of these conditions involve the breakdown of joint tissues, leading to inflammation, pain, and stiffness. Certain terpenes are showing great promise in offering arthritis patients a range of therapeutic benefits, including anti-inflammatory, anti-catabolic (slowing the breakdown of muscle tissue), analgesic, and anti-spasmodic properties.
Thanks to the sweeping changes made to the legality of medical cannabis on the 1st of November 2018 here in the UK, sufferers of nerve pain can now supplement conventional therapies with medicinal cannabis use. Some patients are reporting that medical cannabis offers a pain management solution after years of trial and error with traditional medical approaches.
THC is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis, but its role goes far beyond the classic “high” associated with recreational consumption. This guide explains how THC works in the body, the medical benefits being researched, the risks to be aware of, and what medical cannabis prescribing looks like in the UK today.
While traditional cannabis-based medicine mainly focuses on the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids (mostly THC and CBD), recent developments in the field have seen terpenes gain more recognition as a major factor in the medicinal benefits of medical cannabis.
If you are looking for a complementary pain management solution to add to your existing treatment plan, you are anything but alone. Right here in the UK, around 34% of the population (that's close to 15.5 million people) are affected by chronic pain. Chronic pain is an unwelcome passenger on the journey for many patients living with long-term medical conditions, and is a common symptom of countless diseases and illnesses.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a cripplingly painful autoimmune and inflammatory disease that affects around 1% of the population right here in the UK. The pain and inflammation caused by this condition can cause long-term damage to the joints, with symptomatic bouts or flare-ups that can range from relatively mild to dangerously severe.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the joints, causing severe pain, swelling, and mobility issues. Although it can manifest in any articulated joint, it most commonly impacts knees, hands, feet, and wrists.
"Since starting my treatment plan with Releaf, I’m genuinely shocked at how well it has worked."Chloe Durrington, Releaf patient
