General
Discover general insights on medical cannabis, including benefits, usage tips, research updates, and expert advice for safe and effective treatment.
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 5,411 reviews and a 4.7 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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Men’s Health Month 2025: what the UK’s largest cannabis study reveals about men’s health
This Men’s Health Month, Releaf's study of active UK medical cannabis patients (the largest to date) shows how men are using treatment to improve their quality of life, reduce chronic pain, support their mental and general wellbeing, and move beyond outdated stigma. The data reflects a wider shift toward openness, ownership, and long-term health management among men seeking more stable and effective support.
Releaf expands to Germany to improve European medical cannabis access
Releaf has officially launched in Germany, marking its first international expansion and a major milestone in its mission to build Europe’s most trusted cannabis access platform. The move signals a bold step towards improving access to safe, evidence-based medical cannabis treatment across the continent.
Inside the clinic: UK medical cannabis specialist doctors discuss CBG
CBG is attracting attention as one of the most versatile minor cannabinoids in medical cannabis. This blog brings together reflections from Releaf’s UK medical cannabis specialists on what early research and clinical experience suggest about its potential in patient care.
NHS access to medical cannabis could add over £13 billion in the UK economy over 10 years
A new report has found that rolling out access to medical cannabis on the NHS could unlock an estimated £13.3 billion for the UK economy over the next decades, in addition to helping thousands of people get back to work. The report comes as medical cannabis patient numbers saw a significant increase between 2023 and 2024, with almost all patients accessing the medications through private clinics.
New best practice guidelines for prescribing UK medical cannabis released
The Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society (MCCS) has released new prescribing guidelines for cannabis-based medicines following the CQC’s report on sector standards. Here’s what the update means for clinicians, patients, and the future of regulated medical cannabis care in the UK.
Decoding cannabis: Can UK medical cannabis help with depression this World Mental Health Day?
To mark World Mental Health Day 2025, we continue our Decoding Cannabis blog series by exploring a major 2024 review of 156 studies on medical cannabis and depression. The evidence suggests that balanced THC and CBD prescriptions may help support mood and emotional well-being, while THC-heavy options can sometimes worsen symptoms. The findings highlight cannabis’s emerging role in UK mental health care
How medical cannabis may be of benefit to breast cancer patients
Medical cannabis is not a cure for breast cancer, but growing evidence suggests it may help relieve treatment-related symptoms such as pain, nausea and anxiety. This guide explores current research, the role of clinical oversight, and how Releaf provides safe access to personalised cannabis-based care for breast cancer patients in the UK.
Releaf at PAUSE Live for menopause awareness month
October is Menopause Awareness Month, and PAUSE Live - the UK’s largest menopause and women’s health event - is coming back for its third edition. This year, Releaf are proud to be attending the event for the second year in a row. Read on to learn more about this year’s event, our presence, and the potential of medical cannabis for menopause and women’s health symptoms.
Decoding Cannabis: First placebo-controlled study of cannabis for migraine (THC/CBD)
The first randomised controlled trial of cannabis for migraine compared THC, CBD, THC with CBD, and placebo. Results showed that THC and CBD combined offered the strongest benefits, while THC alone provided partial relief and CBD alone had a limited effect. We explain the findings, what they mean for patients, safety considerations, and how this all affects medical cannabis access in the UK.
Cannabis strains UK: Access to medical cannabis strains with Releaf
When people look up cannabis strains, they often find a jumble of terms. In medical care, it’s a bit more focused. Here’s what patients in the UK can expect: THC-dominant, CBD-dominant, and balanced strains, plus terpene profiles that shape effects. Here, Releaf makes patient access simple and reliable.