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14 min read
Sam North
Welcome back to our New Patient blog series, where we answer all the most often-asked questions about medical cannabis in the UK.
To mark our 16th instalment, we thought we would run through all the previously answered questions in one easy-to-read list. Think of this blog as your ‘cheat sheet’ to the most pressing questions new medical cannabis patients usually have.
While both medical and recreational cannabis come from the same plant, Cannabis sativa L., they differ in a few important ways:
That will depend on which cannabis-based medicine you are prescribed, as well as the dose you take, your individual tolerance to cannabinoids, and the route of administration.
The psychoactive effects of cannabis come from a compound called delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Some medical cannabis treatment options do contain THC, the compound responsible for the 'high.'
However, unlike recreational weed, most cannabis-based medicines are not intended to produce intoxicating effects. While the euphoria associated with THC can help alleviate symptoms for certain patients, it is not the primary goal of incorporating medical cannabis into a treatment plan.
The main difference between THC and CBD is their psychoactive properties and the therapeutic effects they can provide. While both compounds are cannabinoids, and both have been shown to offer patients a range of therapeutic benefits, THC produces the 'high' feeling, while CBD does not.
Below is a brief list of some of the positive effects each cannabinoid offers patients.
Yes, the ever-growing body of research suggests that medical cannabis is a safe and effective treatment option for a wide range of medical conditions.
Cannabinoids (like THC and CBD) interact with the body through the endocannabinoid system (ECS).
The ECS is the largest neurotransmitter system in our bodies. It is made up of:
Its main role is to maintain homeostasis (balance) within the body, regulating many physiological processes such as sleep, mood, appetite, pain sensation, and more.
CBD is one of the many cannabinoids produced by Cannabis sativa L. plants. CBD products that contain less than 0.2% THC or 1 mg of THC per container are legal for 'over-the-counter' sale in the UK and are classed as Novel Foods.
Medical cannabis products can contain higher levels of THC (plus CBD). They can be legally obtained through a prescription for specific medical conditions. This prescription must be written by a specialist listed on the General Medical Council's specialist register.
Terpenes are organic compounds produced throughout the plant kingdom. On top of being the main aromatic component of plants, they also play a role in the defence mechanism against herbivores and plant pathogens, as well as attracting pollinators.
The entourage effect is a widely accepted theory that states that the different compounds produced by cannabis plants, including terpenes and cannabinoids, work together synergistically to produce a more significant therapeutic outcome than any of them would on their own.
This theory supports the idea that whole-plant medicine may offer better therapeutic outcomes than isolated compounds (such as THC or CBD alone).
No, there is no law restricting the prescription of medical cannabis to certain age groups.
That said, no UK-based private medical cannabis clinics will currently provide prescriptions for patients under 18. If you (or a loved one) are under 18 and think that medical cannabis could be helpful, it’s important to discuss your options with your GP.
Medical cannabis treatment options have been shown to offer patients a very favourable safety profile with a wide range of therapeutic benefits. But as with any medical intervention, it's important to consider the potential side effects of medical cannabis.
The potential side effects of THC and CBD differ slightly.
Common side effects of medical cannabis containing THC may include:
Common side effects of CBD can include:
These side effects are mostly mild and can usually be managed effectively by adjusting dosage and administration methods. Reach out to your prescribing specialist if you have any concerns or experience any side effects while using medical cannabis.
Although medical cannabis offers patients suffering from a wide range of conditions a safe and effective treatment option, it's important to consider any potential long-term effects. These include:
Your prescribing specialist will work with you to find the right treatment plan for your needs. It's essential to follow the recommended dosage and attend the required follow-up consultations to ensure your treatment plant is working effectively and safely for you.
At Releaf, we have worked tirelessly over the past year and a half to ensure our triage process is as streamlined as possible.
Our goal is to ensure that every Releaf patient receives the highest level of not only care once they have their prescription but also support on their journey to accessing medical cannabis. Once you have completed our fast, easy, and free medical cannabis eligibility checker, the Releaf triage process then involves the following:
If your case successfully passes the MDT review, your prescription will be sent directly to our pharmacy, Xeal Dispensary. You will receive an email and SMS notification indicating that your prescription is ready for payment. Once payment is processed, our pharmacists will begin preparing your medication, which will then be dispatched for delivery.
We deliver patients their prescribed medication via Royal Mail.
Medical cannabis deliveries are tracked from the pharmacy to the patient's doorstep, ensuring the safety and security of the medication. Patients receive immediate notifications once their prescription leaves the pharmacy, along with a tracking number to monitor their delivery through the Royal Mail tracking system.
At Releaf, we have an online shop attached to our patient portal. This shop stocks a range of medical cannabis accessories, including Releaf's medical cannabis Starter Kits. These kits contain everything needed to get started with a medical cannabis flower treatment plan straight away. Included in the Starter kit is:
For more information on each product, check out our full guide on the Releaf medical cannabis Starter Kit.
When taken orally, cannabis-based medications do have the potential to interact with other medications. The website drugs.com is the largest online drug database, and we recommend using their Drug Interaction Checker to review any potential interactions between your current medication and medical cannabis.
There are currently 28 major drug interactions and 369 moderate drug interactions that medical cannabis patients should be aware of.
Your prescribing specialist will review your medical history and any current medications you are taking to ensure that medical cannabis is a safe and suitable treatment option for you.
The time it takes for the therapeutic effects of medical cannabis to be felt depends on a range of factors, including:
Some patients will find symptomatic relief very quickly, while others may need to take their prescribed medication for longer before experiencing the full benefits. For more information, check out our full guide on "How long does medical cannabis take to work?".
Yes, in the UK, you can still drive if you are prescribed medical cannabis as long as
It is up to the patient to ensure they are fit to drive before getting behind the wheel.
The Cannabis Industry Council (CIC) states that as long as the above criteria are met, legal patients are not breaching the law by having over 2μg/L of THC in their blood, and there should be no further police action warranted.
For more information, check out our full medical cannabis and driving guide.
You are legally allowed to carry any prescribed medication, including medical cannabis - provided it remains in its original packaging with the prescription label displayed (which will include your name, dosage, and prescribing doctor/specialist). It is also advised that patients carry a copy of their prescription.
The rules for international travel vary depending on the destination country. Some countries allow patients to bring their medication with them, others do not. These laws are also changing quickly as more countries begin to legalise medical cannabis.
It is important to thoroughly research the laws and regulations of your destination country before travelling with your prescribed cannabis. If the destination country does allow patients to travel with their medical cannabis, we can provide a travel letter outlining the details of your prescription and its legitimacy for customs officials.
Check out our travel guides for more information.
Beginning the journey towards better health can be daunting, overwhelming, and even stressful - especially when adding a new treatment option like medical cannabis.
Thanks to the more than a century of prohibition and stigmatisation that we have only recently stepped away from, the information that is sometimes published regarding UK medical cannabis can be misleading, confusing, or downright false.
Hopefully, this blog has answered any questions you may have about starting medical cannabis treatment. For more info, head over to our blog, where you can find our entire backlog of 'New Patient' articles (with all of the above questions answered in even greater detail), plus so much more.
It is important to seek medical advice before starting any new treatments. The patient advisors at Releaf are available to provide expert advice and support. Alternatively, click here to book a consultation with one of our specialist doctors.
Get comprehensive care, convenience, and confidence with an all-in-one treatment plan.
Am I eligible?Sam North, a seasoned writer with over five years' experience and expertise in medicinal cannabis, brings clarity to complex concepts, focusing on education and informed use.
All of our articles are written by medical cannabis experts, guided by strict sourcing guidelines, and reference peer-reviewed studies and credible academic research. Our expert clinical team and compliance specialists provide valuable insights to ensure accuracy when required. Learn more in our editorial policy.
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