Cannabis strains UK: Access to medical cannabis strains with Releaf

Medical cannabis strains, along with a wide range of other cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs), have been completely legal treatment options in the UK since November 2018. 

During that time, many other countries have also jumped onto the medical cannabis train and introduced similar frameworks for patients. This marks a major shift from the previous 120 years, when cannabis was first outlawed. 

Before the 1890s (and even up to the mid-1920s) it was not uncommon to find cannabis extracts in pharmacies up and down the British Isles, but once the global prohibition movement gathered pace, cannabis was rapidly pushed out of medicine. By the mid-20th century, it had been grouped with hemp under blanket bans (influenced by political pressure, commercial competition thanks to hemp’s ability to outcompete cotton, and racist narratives that painted the plant and the people who used it in the worst possible light). 

For decades, the therapeutic potential of cannabis strains was not only totally ignored, it was actively demonised. It is only in the last two to three decades that the picture has started to shift at all in the UK. With greater scientific evidence, larger patient interest in alternative/complementary/natural treatment options, and international reform reshaping the conversation. 

Today, patients have legal access to prescribed UK medical cannabis strains through specialist doctors, supported by regulated supply chains that prioritise consistency, safety, and patient care.

But what does that actually look like? 

What UK medical cannabis strains are available?

In the UK, only specialists listed on the GMC specialist register are allowed to prescribe cannabis strains, meaning you can’t just go to your local GP and ask for a prescription. 

The strain options available for prescription are categorised by their cannabinoid profile (usually the levels of THC and CBD, but minor cannabinoid dominant options such as CBG and CBN are slowly becoming more available). 

That means most UK medical cannabis strains fall into one of three groups: THC-dominant, CBD-dominant, or balanced strains. 

These categories are more useful in clinical practice than the older split of Indica and Sativa. Those labels came from how the plants looked, not how they worked - and actually, there is no true genetic split between Sativa vs Indica. 

What matters more is what’s in the source plant, the mix of cannabinoids and terpenes. 

Terpenes give cannabis its smell and flavour, but what most people don’t realise is that those same compounds also affect how a strain ‘feels’. Some terpenes will offer up a more calming effect, others bring more clarity or focus. That’s why two strains with the same THC level can act very differently. 

You may also see the term cultivar pop up in medical contexts. It’s more precise, but most patients still use the term strain, so that’s what we’ll use here.

THC-dominant medical cannabis strains

Strains with higher natural levels of THC tend to have stronger effects on both body and mind. They’re often prescribed for things like chronic pain, poor sleep, and certain mental health, gastroenterological, and neurological issues, as well as playing a supportive role for women’s health issues and in cancer care. 

That said, it is important to keep front of mind that every patient responds differently to THC. 

Some only need a small amount to see the results they're hoping for. Others require more to achieve the same results, but it has to be introduced slowly and carefully. And then some patients will find cannabis strains high in THC simply don’t suit them at all. 

That’s where the other strain options available on prescription come in to fill the gap. 

CBD-dominant medical cannabis strains

CBD-dominant cannabis strains contain lower levels of THC, but rarely zero. A small amount of THC can go a long way when it comes to treatment outcomes, and with pure CBD hemp strains still being illegal for recreational consumption here in the UK, the market for THC-free cannabis strains just isn’t there right now.

But the options available for legal CBD-dominant medical cannabis strains have exploded over the past 2 years. 

CBD doesn’t have the same intoxicating effects as THC, but it is still classed as psychoactive due to its ability to influence mood and behaviour. It has been shown to help with anxiety, epilepsy, and inflammation, among a wide range of other therapeutic applications.

Balanced THC and CBD medical cannabis strains

Balanced strains contain roughly equal parts THC and CBD. These are often prescribed for patients dealing with overlapping symptoms, such as pain with sleep disruption, or anxiety linked to physical discomfort.

The presence of CBD in these strains has been proven to mediate the psychoactive effects of THC. Patients often describe the experience as more ‘stable’. Doctors may recommend a balanced strain when a patient needs the broad-spectrum benefits of cannabis, but with a lower chance of any side effects.

Terpenes play a particularly useful role here. A balanced strain high in linalool or myrcene may be better for evening use, while those with limonene or beta-caryophyllene might suit the daytime. 

Matching patients to the right strain is not just about ratios, but also about how the body responds to the full chemical fingerprint of the plant. Medical cannabis is a very individualised treatment options, meaning that what works well for one patient may not 

Accessing medical cannabis strains in the UK with Releaf 

Releaf supports reliable access to medical cannabis strains in the UK through our world-class clinical team, our one-of-a-kind ‘built-from-the-ground-up’ Patient Dashboard, partnerships with trusted suppliers like Glass Pharms®, and flexible membership and payment options. 

For patients who rely on consistency, clarity, and continuity of care, these systems are designed to make treatment easier to access and manage.

Membership benefits, supply chain, and flexible payments

Patients can choose between a Releaf+ membership or a pay-as-you-go model. 

• Releaf+ offers a full care package that includes unlimited follow-up appointments, free repeat prescriptions, member pricing, and free delivery. It is well-suited to patients who value continuity and want fewer interruptions in care.
• The pay-as-you-go route is available for those who want more flexibility. 

Reliable access is just as dependent on supply as it is on service. Releaf was the first UK medical cannabis clinic to offer strains from Glass Pharms® (the UK’s first domestic cultivator producing high-quality flower through a continuous harvest model). This reduces the likelihood of shortages and helps patients stay on the same strain when it is working for them.

Beyond Glass Pharms®, Releaf also works with a range of trusted domestic and international suppliers. This network ensures the formulary remains diverse, with new strains added regularly to support evolving patient needs and clinical decisions.

Want to learn more?

Releaf’s medical cannabis eligibility checker is free, fast, and takes under 20 seconds to complete. It’s a quick and simple step that could lead to better symptom control and a more stable, supportive treatment journey.