FAQ

FAQ

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

Taking medical cannabis on holiday? Here’s what you need to know

With the summer holidays fast approaching, many of you will be either looking at, or looking forward to, getting away for a much-needed break. But, for those who are prescribed medical cannabis, you may be wondering what protocols are involved when travelling internationally with cannabis-based medicines - but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!

10 min read
13.06.2024
Lucy MacKinnon

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
04.06.2024
Sam North

Is there an age limit to medical cannabis?

In the UK, people of any age are eligible to receive a prescription for cannabis-based medicines, but there is a little more to the story...

3 min read
30.05.2024
Sam North

Medical cannabis and public transport: what you need to know

This week we continue our ‘what you need to know’ series, outlining medical cannabis patient’s rights when it comes to travelling on public transport. From possession of CBPMs, to administering them on buses, trains, and trams, this blog gives an overview of UK legislation and public transport policies, to help you stay safe.

7 min read
23.05.2024
Lucy MacKinnon

How do dry herb vaporisers work?

For thousands of years, the main method of cannabis consumption has been smoking. But in recent years, as medical cannabis has become more prominent and consumers are generally looking for healthier alternatives, the dry herb vaporiser has been on the rise. So, how do they work? And importantly, are dry herb vaporisers worth it?

6 min read
22.05.2024
Emily Ledger

Exploring the role of terpenes in medical cannabis treatments

Taking the first steps into the world of medical cannabis can be slightly overwhelming. With so many new terms to get your head around, the learning curve can feel steep. Don't worry, though - here in our continued "New Patient" guide, we've got you covered.

4 min read
14.05.2024
Sam North

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.

3 min read
07.05.2024
Sam North

What is the endocannabinoid system?

Welcome back to our New Patient blog series, where we cover all the basics of cannabis-based therapy. In this instalment, we are running head first into the intricacies of the endocannabinoid system, or ECS.

3 min read
30.04.2024
Sam North

Medical cannabis and renting: What you need to know

Cannabis was legalised in the UK in 2018, opening the door for thousands (if not millions) of patients who could benefit from these diverse medications. Yet, more than five years on, guidance and education on the subject remain limited, particularly when it comes to legal aspects of medical cannabis use, including patient rights when it comes to renting.

10 min read
24.04.2024
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.

3 min read
23.04.2024
Sam North

What is the difference between THC and CBD?

Next up in our new patient series, we are going to take a brief but in-depth look at how the cannabinoids that dominate the cannabis-based medicine scene, THC and CBD, differ from one another, and how they can also work in harmony to provide relief for a range of medical conditions.

8 min read
16.04.2024
Sam North

Will medical cannabis get me 'high'?

Next up in our "New Patients" series, we explore the very first question that pops into almost all prospective patients' minds - "Will cannabis-based treatment options get me ‘high’?"

3 min read
09.04.2024
Sam North

Medical cannabis and employment: what you need to know

This article explores the rights medical cannabis patients have in their workplace, focusing on their legal rights under the Equality Act 2010. Advocate for fair treatment and inclusive atmospheres in the workplace confidently, using this guide as a base on how to navigate employment policies and legislations as a UK-based medical cannabis patient.

11 min read
04.04.2024
Lucy MacKinnon

Sativa vs Indica: What’s the Difference, Effects & Benefits

The terms indica and sativa are widely used when talking about different types of medical cannabis, with each previously thought to have its own distinct therapeutic effects. But with little evidence to support this, experts are calling for a new, science-backed approach to classify products more accurately.

12 min read
01.04.2024
Sarah Sinclair

Can I donate blood as a medical cannabis patient in the UK?

Donating blood is one of the most selfless acts we can undertake, but only about 7% of adults give blood (in England). While it is an extremely safe procedure and one that can potentially save someone's life, there are certain criteria that prospective donors must meet.

10 min read
19.03.2024
Sam North

How does medical cannabis affect the body

To launch our New Patient blog series, we're beginning with a beginner's guide that explores the effects of medical cannabis on the body.

5 min read
07.03.2024
Sam North

What is prescribed cannabis oil?

In today's article, we are going to put a spotlight on all the medical cannabis oil options that are now legally prescribable here in the UK and take a close look at how they may be able to aid patients in managing symptoms relating to a huge range of health conditions.

15 min read
04.03.2024
Sam North

What is the entourage effect?

The entourage effect is a well-known theory in medical cannabis and CBD landscapes. This theory suggests that when cannabis compounds are consumed together, they compliment each other's individual characteristics, and work together synergistically to have the most enhanced effect, or beneficial result, on the body.

9 min read
26.01.2024
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
18.01.2024
Editorial Team

Can I get medical cannabis from my GP?

No, GPs are currently unable to prescribe cannabis-based products for medicine in the UK. Only specialist doctors registered with the General Medical Council can legally prescribe, and only through a private clinic.

8 min read
15.01.2024
Editorial Team

What are medical cannabinoids?

If you’re new to the world of medical cannabis, the wide range of content and information that centres around cannabinoids, and their concentrations within your medicine, can make it feel like you’re trying to decipher another language.

12 min read
04.01.2024
Lucy MacKinnon

What does cannabis smell like, and what causes its aroma?

The question ‘what does cannabis smell like?’ is extremely complex to answer. This is because cannabis is a broad, colloquial term, that covers an entire family of different cannabis plants that all slightly vary from one another - including their scent. 

10 min read
24.11.2023
Lucy MacKinnon