Accessing medical cannabis in Northern Ireland

Healthcare in Northern Ireland

The healthcare system in Northern Ireland is facing some huge challenges. Both the length of waiting lists and the average waiting time for a first appointment in Northern Ireland are reported to be the worst in the UK, with more than 300,000 people waiting for a first consultant-led outpatient appointment. 

While Covid has without a doubt exacerbated the situation, even before the pandemic in 2019, the number of people waiting over a year for a consultant-led outpatient appointment was 100 times greater in Northern Ireland than it was in England. The number of GP practices in Northern Ireland has also been declining since 2014, while the number of patients per practice increased by 14% in that time. 

Mental health issues, including anxiety and insomnia, are one of the greatest challenges facing the country, affecting around one in five people — the highest prevalence of mental health problems in the UK. To make matters worse,  one in five people also living with chronic pain, and it’s reported conventional medicines only helping to reduce pain levels by around 30%.

So, it’s clear that conventional healthcare systems are not meeting the needs of many patients in Northern Ireland, and there’s a real need for accessible alternative solutions and a more personalised approach to healthcare: something Releaf’s medical cannabis treatment allows for. 

Medical cannabis in Northern Ireland: FAQs

Is medical cannabis legal in Northern Ireland?

Yes, medical cannabis is legal in Northern Ireland. In November 2018, medical cannabis was reclassified as a Schedule 2 controlled drug under the UK’s Misuse of Drugs Act 2001, allowing it to be prescribed by specialist doctors to eligible patients.

Who is eligible for medical cannabis in Northern Ireland?

Medical cannabis is prescribed on a case-by-case basis. It is usually recommended for long-term medical conditions which haven’t been effectively managed by two or more conventional treatments. 

Which conditions is medical cannabis prescribed for?

Some of the conditions which medical cannabis is typically prescribed for include: 

• Chronic pain from conditions such as arthritis, migraines, or fibromyalgia
• Cancer associated symptoms or side effects from treatment, such as anxiety, depression, or loss of appetite and nausea from chemotherapy
• Gastrointestinal issues, like IBS, IBD, and Crohn’s disease.
• Neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s and epilepsy
• Mental health problems like OCD, PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

Is medical cannabis available on the NHS in Northern Ireland? 

A few licensed cannabis-based medicines have been approved for prescription on the NHS in certain conditions. These include: Sativex, for use in the treatment of spasticity in Multiple Sclerosis; Epidyolex, for use in the treatment of seizures in children with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, Dravet syndrome, and tuberous sclerosis complex; and Nabilone as a treatment for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in adults.

Unlicensed cannabis medicines, like medical cannabis flower and prescribed cannabis oil, are not routinely obtained through the NHS in Northern Ireland.

Where can I get medical cannabis?

As the majority of cannabis-based medicines prescribed in Northern Ireland are unlicensed they are usually accessed through private clinics like Releaf. Releaf operates a telemedicine service so it can treat patients throughout the UK, regardless of what other healthcare provision is available in their local area.

All appointments are held virtually and medication is delivered using DPDs tracked service, so patients never have to travel to see a specialist doctor or collect their prescription from a pharmacy. 

How to access a medical cannabis prescription in Northern Ireland: step-by-step

So once you’ve decided that medical cannabis treatment is something you wish to explore, what happens next? We’ve outlined the next steps with Releaf to give you some idea of what to expect. 

Sign-up and eligibility checker 

You can use Releaf’s free eligibility checker to help determine whether a prescription may be appropriate based on your condition and medical history. You’ll also be asked to provide a copy of your Summary of Care records from your GP, or use the NHS login tool to grant us automatic access to your health records.  

Initial consultation and MDT review

Once it has been determined that you are a suitable candidate you will be invited to schedule your initial consultation with one of Releaf’s specialist doctors. You can choose a 30-minute time slot for your video consultation with a doctor who is specialised in your condition at a day and time that suits you. 

If your doctor feels medical cannabis is suitable they will suggest a treatment plan based on your condition and lifestyle. This decision will then be reviewed by a team of prescribing clinicians in one of Releaf’s daily multi-disciplinary team (MDT) reviews and issued for dispensing.

How will I receive my medication?

Once you’ve ordered and paid for your prescription, it will then be sent to the pharmacy, where it will be dispensed and delivered directly to your door within two to five working days of ordering in discreet, odorless packaging.  

Releaf offers a choice of payment and subscription options, including the flexible subscription service: Releaf + which covers the costs of any future consultations, medication postage, and prescription fees. 

Will I receive ongoing care?

You will need to see a clinician at least four times a year for ongoing appointments to ensure your prescription continues to meet your needs. During these appointments your doctor will review your progress and may adjust the product or dose depending on how you have got on. Releaf offers tailored monthly packages based on your prescription.

Find out more 

It is important to remember that medical cannabis is a personalised treatment and everyone’s experience is different. To find out more about accessing the treatment in Northern Ireland please visit the FAQs page and for ongoing support, including questions and concerns, contact the patient support team here.

To find out if these treatments may be suitable for you, assess your eligibility today.