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Discover general insights on medical cannabis, including benefits, usage tips, research updates, and expert advice for safe and effective treatment.
Articles
Acne Awareness Month: Skin health and medical cannabis
Acne is estimated to affect approximately 95% of people aged between 11 and 30 years old and is the eighth most common skin disease worldwide. In the UK specifically, it’s one of the most common skin conditions, with the country in the top 10 globally for diagnoses in adolescents and young people. Our skin contains part of the endocannabinoid system, the complex cell-signalling network responsible for keeping our skin healthy by regulating important bodily processes like inflammation and oil (sebum) production.
7 min read
18.06.2026
Patrick Bawn
Decoding Cannabis: Over the limit, but not impaired? What the science shows
The UK (and many other countries) sets its drug-driving THC limit at 2 µg/L of blood, but is that a measure of impairment, or just detection? A 2026 simulator study found frequent cannabis users were no more impaired than non-users 12 to 15 hours after smoking, despite still exceeding that threshold. We decode what the research really shows, and why it is relevant for medical cannabis patients who are worried about getting behind the wheel.
8 min read
11.06.2026
Sam North
The ripple effect: medical cannabis: another tool to support patients and carers
This Carers Week, we are thinking about all the people across the UK who help care for someone in need. Proper treatment that delivers the best clinical outcomes is often about far more than a single option, but rather a range of choices that fit the patient. For an increasing number of patients in the UK, medical cannabis is another tool that helps, and when it does, the people supporting them can feel the difference too. We surveyed 1,669 Releaf patients, and their answers point to a benefit that reaches beyond the patient alone.
5 min read
16.06.2026
Sam North
Decoding Cannabis: what the first placebo-controlled cannabis migraine trial means for patients in 2026
The first randomised, placebo-controlled trial of vaporised cannabis for migraine attacks has finally been published. Researchers at UC San Diego compared THC, CBD, a balanced combination, and placebo across 247 treated migraines. The balanced ratio came out clearly ahead, with sustained benefit at 24 and 48 hours and no serious adverse events. We unpack what the trial proves, where it falls short, and how the results sit alongside Releaf's UK patient survey data on medical cannabis for migraine.
8 min read
26.05.2026
Sam North
International Nurses Day 2026: What role do medical cannabis nurses play in patient care?
International Nurses Day 2026 allows us to celebrate the incredible efforts nurses make to ensure patients feel supported throughout their treatment journey. In this article, we explore how Releaf’s medical cannabis nurses offer personalised follow-up care and practical guidance to help patients feel more confident after receiving their prescription.
9 min read
12.05.2026
Patrick Bawn
UK cannabis attitudes in 2026: YouGov data and what real patients experience
The UK remains divided on cannabis in 2026, according to new YouGov data. When compared with insights from the UK’s largest medical cannabis patient survey, a different picture begins to emerge, highlighting the gap between public perception and real patient experience.
6 min read
21.04.2026
Sam North
Stress Awareness Month 2026: 10 tips to manage stress and how medical cannabis can help
Stress can build up slowly and affect how we sleep, feel and cope day to day. For Stress Awareness Month 2026, this guide explores 10 practical ways to manage stress more effectively, while also looking at how medical cannabis may support symptom relief as part of a wider treatment approach.
11 min read
13.04.2026
Patrick Bawn
World Parkinson's Day 2026: A detailed look at medical cannabis and Parkinson’s disease
The relationship between medical cannabis and Parkinson’s disease is a growing area of clinical interest, with more and more papers exploring its potential impact on symptoms like sleep disorders, anxiety, pain and tremors. In support of World Parkinson’s Day, this guide takes a detailed look at what recent clinical research tells us about cannabis-based treatment options for Parkinson’s disease.
12 min read
15.04.2026
Patrick Bawn
91.1% of neurological patients report effective treatment: results from the UK’s largest medical cannabis survey
Results from the UK’s largest medical cannabis patient survey highlight strong effectiveness, improved quality of life, and low levels of reported side effects among neurological patients. Based on 494 respondents, the findings offer a detailed, real-world view of how prescribed treatment is working across a range of neurological conditions in the UK.
8 min read
07.04.2026
Sam North
World Health Day 2026: what WHO says about medical cannabis and science-led care
World Health Day 2026 focuses on trust in science and evidence-led care. This guide explains how WHO medical cannabis policy has evolved, what its 2018 review found, and how those changes shape UK law and patient access today. It also covers what this means in practice if you are considering treatment through a regulated clinical pathway.
6 min read
07.04.2026
Sam North
Why Releaf is the most trusted medical cannabis clinic in the UK in 2026
Releaf is the most trusted medical cannabis clinic in the UK based on Trustpilot data, with over 7,025 reviews and a 4.8 rating. This 2026 update explains how Releaf compares to other major UK medical cannabis clinics, including Alternaleaf, Mamedica, Curaleaf, CB1 Medical, and why Releaf has been the most trusted medical cannabis clinic in the UK for more than 18 months (based on Trustpilot reviews).
7 min read
01.05.2026
Sam North
Medical cannabis for anxiety and mental health: is the evidence being misinterpreted?
Recent mainstream media coverage has suggested there is no evidence medical cannabis helps mental health conditions, but that conclusion depends on how the data is interpreted. This article reviews clinical research alongside UK patient outcomes across anxiety, depression, and PTSD to show what the evidence actually says and where conclusions are simply too narrow.
12 min read
19.03.2026
Sam North
95.4% of women reported effective medical cannabis treatment: Releaf survey findings for International Women’s Day 2026
In November 2025, Releaf commissioned the largest UK medical cannabis patient survey ever conducted (1,669 responses). This cohort analysis examines women treated for conditions such as endometriosis, menopause symptoms, severe period pain, and PMDD, covering reported treatment effectiveness, speed of perceived benefit, quality of life changes, daily functioning, side effects, stigma, and confidence using prescribed medication in public and when travelling.
12 min read
08.03.2026
Sam North
How UK medical cannabis delivery works (and why delays sometimes happen) in 2026
Medical cannabis delivery in the UK follows strict legal safeguards. Most prescriptions arrive within 2 to 5 working days, but compliance rules and courier regulations can occasionally extend timelines. Here’s how the process works, why licensed couriers are required, and what happens if a delivery is missed.
6 min read
14.05.2026
Sam North
Decoding Cannabis: missing data in research and what it means for you
Missing data is one of the most common reasons medical cannabis studies can look inconsistent. This Decoding Cannabis guide explains what missing data means, why it happens in real-world research, and how it can affect results without anyone doing anything misleading. You’ll also learn a simple checklist to help you spot higher-quality studies, so you can make more sense of cannabis headlines and claims.
8 min read
27.01.2026
Sam North
What the new UK police guidance on medical cannabis means for patients in 2026
New national guidance instructs UK police officers to treat people with a legal UK medical cannabis prescription as “patients first, suspects second”. This guide explains what officers may check, what patients are not required to carry, how Cancard is viewed, and how the Releaf medical cannabis card fits in, with clear, practical advice for patients.
9 min read
24.01.2026
Sam North
Releaf Protect: Immediate legal guidance for Releaf+ medical cannabis patients
Releaf Protect offers legal guidance for medical cannabis patients through a dedicated helpline for eligible Releaf+ members. It is designed to help you understand how UK law applies to your prescription and what reasonable next steps may look like if your medication is questioned at work, in public, or by authorities.
6 min read
14.01.2026
Sam North
Travel Tuesday: What to know when travelling to Portugal with medical cannabis
As a prescribed patient, it is important to be aware of the rules and regulations with travelling to Portugal with medical cannabis - as well as to any other country around the world. In our latest travel guide, we explain the steps you should take to ensure a smooth and stress-free trip to one of Europe’s most popular holiday destinations.
5 min read
13.01.2026
Emily Ledger
Self-care for the mind and body: Ideas and activities for Blue Monday and beyond
The third Monday in January has become known in the UK as “Blue Monday” - a day which is supposed to be the most depressing day of the year. But what makes this day so trying? And more importantly, what self-care tips could help us overcome it?
8 min read
12.01.2026
Emily Ledger
How Releaf’s veteran discount is helping UK veterans access legal medical cannabis treatment
Releaf has introduced a dedicated veteran discount to help UK Armed Forces veterans access legal medical cannabis treatment. The discount includes a cost-free Initial Consultation with a specialist clinician and three months of Releaf+ membership, supporting veterans with personalised, clinician-led care and ongoing support during the early stages of treatment.
4 min read
16.12.2025
Sam North
12 days till Christmas: Releaf’s opening hours and medication delivery cut-off
With the holiday season less than two weeks away, we want to make sure each and every Releaf patient is well-prepared for the slight changes to our normal operating schedule, along with the minor adjustments to medication delivery during this year's festive period.
3 min read
13.12.2025
Sam North
Why fewer than 1% of UK doctors are trained in medical cannabis and how Releaf is working to change it
Reports suggest that fewer than 1% of eligible UK specialists are trained to prescribe medical cannabis. This gap leaves many patients without informed support. This outline explains why the gap exists and how Releaf’s clinicians follow a structured, evidence-based training pathway that leads the industry. It also highlights Releaf’s wider educational work, including police workshops that improve understanding of legal patient access.
8 min read
12.12.2025
Sam North
7 years legal: 7 legal recaps - UK medical cannabis edition
This week marks seven years since [medical cannabis](https://releaf.co.uk) was legalised in the UK - a move that allowed UK patients to access cannabis-based medicines for the first time since the 1970s. In honour of this landmark, we’re recapping seven important aspects of medical cannabis in the UK, from legislation and conditions regarding its prescription to the situation in the NHS and guidelines when using these medications.
8 min read
19.12.2025
Emily Ledger
Travel Tuesday: Travelling to Greece with medical cannabis
Every year, millions of people flock to Greece. With approximately 200 flights travelling from the UK to Greece every week, planning a trip is often a walk in the park. But if you’re travelling to Greece with [medical cannabis](http://releaf.co.uk), things can get a bit more complicated. So, let’s break down all you need to know.
6 min read
02.12.2025
Emily Ledger