FAQ

FAQ

Find answers to frequently asked questions about medical cannabis, along with articles covering usage, benefits, regulations, and patient insights.

Managing medication side effects: Why more patients are exploring medical cannabis

Medical cannabis has been available in the UK since the 1st of November 2018. Since then, a growing number of patients have shown interest in medical cannabis as an alternative therapy - often due to the undesirable side effects of medications such as opioids, NSAIDs, and SSRIs. Could medical cannabis offer a safe and effective alternative to these conventional treatments?

8 min read
19.02.2025
Emily Ledger

MPs show greater support for medical cannabis than the British public

A recent YouGov poll found greater support for prescription cannabis among MPs than the general public, challenging the common assumption that public opinion is more progressive than political sentiment. We take a closer look at the potential factors behind these figures.

5 min read
17.02.2025
Sarah Sinclair

Top tips for vaping cannabis

For patients just starting cannabis-based treatment, the idea of vaping their prescribed medical cannabis flower may seem intimidating, overwhelming, or even slightly weird. Fair enough - we know that vaping is a pretty new concept for most patients.

5 min read
13.02.2025
Sam North

Unlocking rights: Key housing guidance for medical cannabis patients

Medical cannabis may have been legal in the UK since 2018, but many patients have been left feeling confused about their rights when it comes to taking their medication - both in public and the comfort of their own homes. Recently, the Cannabis Industry Council published further, much-needed guidance regarding medical cannabis and housing.

5 min read
12.02.2025
Emily Ledger

Is medical cannabis safe?

In today's continuation of our New Patient series, we'll take a quick but deep look at a burning question on the minds of many - "Is medical cannabis safe?" Yes, medical cannabis is safe, but let's dig a little deeper and see what the science has to say.

4 min read
11.02.2025
Sam North

Understanding the lingo: medical cannabis terminology

Cannabis-based remedies are mentioned as far back as the Ancient Egyptians and Ancient Greeks. In fact, the earliest mention of medical cannabis is believed to date back even further to the time of the Ancient Chinese Emperor Shen Nung - known as the Father of Chinese Medicine - almost 5,000 years ago!

9 min read
07.02.2025
Emily Ledger

What are the most common side effects of medical cannabis?

While cannabis-based treatment options have been shown to offer patients a very favourable safety profile with a wide range of therapeutic benefits - like almost all medical options, there are side effects to consider.

7 min read
06.02.2025
Sam North

How strong is medical cannabis flower?

When we discuss the 'strength' (or potency) of a given medical cannabis cultivar, it is easy to fall into the trap of simply looking at the THC levels. This is only one part of the picture - but a crucial one, nonetheless.

5 min read
30.01.2025
Sam North

Medical cannabis treatment: What is an MDT?

Along with adapting to a whole new treatment option, patients just starting with medical cannabis treatment can sometimes find themselves feeling a little inundated by the terminology, acronyms, and jargon that accompany their treatment plan. One of the key terms for new patients to get their head around is MDT: Multidisciplinary Team.

5 min read
30.01.2025
Sam North

The True Potential of Hemp: What the Future Holds

From the very start of cannabis stigmatisation and prohibition, hemp was unfairly lumped into the same category as 'marijuana,' 'weed,' or even the evocative 'ganja,’

9 min read
24.01.2025
Sam North

Navigating Releaf's New Patient Portal

Last week, we launched our brand new, built-from-the-ground-up Releaf Patient Portal. We have invested over £2 million into this bespoke piece of tech, and it's been a long time in the making.

7 min read
23.01.2025
Sam North

How often should I see my doctor?

Medical cannabis treatment is quite an individual process, which means there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of how often you should see your doctor. Each and every patient we see here at Releaf responds at least slightly differently to their treatment protocol. This is the main reason our world-class clinical team takes such a personalised approach to each patient's care and why it is essential that all patients see their doctor regularly.

4 min read
19.01.2025
Sam North

Veganuary - is medical cannabis oil vegan?

As we progress into the New Year, thousands of people around the country (and the world) are embracing lifestyle changes, from cutting back on their alcohol intake for Dry January to setting targets for improving their mental health.

5 min read
15.01.2025
Emily Ledger

What is the difference between medical cannabis and CBD?

CBD is a cannabinoid sourced from cannabis and hemp plants. CBD products that contain less than 1 mg of THC (the psychoactive cannabinoid) per container are legal for over-the-counter sale. Prescribed cannabis-based medicines can contain the same levels of CBD but are legally allowed to contain higher levels of THC.

4 min read
14.01.2025
Sam North

What you need to know about medical cannabis delivery

Here at Releaf, we understand that getting your medication quickly, safely, discreetly, and tracked from dispatch to delivery is one of the most important aspects of every patient's medical cannabis treatment journey.

4 min read
09.01.2025
Sam North

What's in medical cannabis oil?

At Releaf, we prescribe two main formulations of cannabis-based medicines to our patients - medical cannabis flower and medical cannabis oil. Most people have a fair understanding of medical cannabis flower, but medical cannabis oil is still somewhat of an enigma to many.

4 min read
08.01.2025
Sam North

FAQ: Is it illegal to smoke medical cannabis in the UK?

In the UK, it is always illegal to smoke cannabis. While medical cannabis can be prescribed to suitable patients in the UK through private healthcare clinics like Releaf, it is only prescribed with the intention, and with strict instructions, of being vaped - not smoked.

5 min read
04.01.2025
Lucy MacKinnon

Through the haze: Answering UK patient’s medical cannabis questions

Are you confused about medical cannabis? Are you struggling to find information about what medical cannabis is like? Is there a particular issue that is concerning you? Releaf can help answer some of your most frequently asked questions about how to access a legal medical cannabis prescription through a registered specialist doctor.

12 min read
03.01.2025
Editorial Team