Industry
Stay updated with the latest trends, news, and developments in the UK medical cannabis industry, from regulations to market growth and innovations.
Patient voices: Stress awareness special - Releaf medical cannabis patient's real stories
Welcome to our second instalment of ‘Medical cannabis and me: Real patient voices’ our new blog series that shares real patient voices, their insights, and accounts of their experiences, with medical cannabis.
Why patients are turning away from traditional healthcare options
With 57% of UK medicines in short supply and 110M unnecessary prescriptions issued yearly, Releaf offers a trusted alternative with medical cannabis care.
Decoding Cannabis: Why thousands are replacing opioids with cannabis for pain relief
Opioids have long been the default for managing most chronic pain issues. Albeit powerful at targeting pain, many would argue they have been overly prescribed, and they are often alarmingly hard to come off. Yet quietly, another option has been slowly but surely making inroads in chronic pain treatment: medical cannabis.
Earth Day special: Is cannabis natural?
Is medical cannabis natural? This Earth Day, explore the origins, environmental impact, and sustainability of cannabis-based medicines. Learn how plant-based treatments like medical cannabis fit into the natural vs synthetic medicine debate—and why they may be better for the planet.
Decoding Cannabis: The science behind oral CBD absorption and bioavailability
In 2025, CBD oil is readily available in the UK - but how much of it is actually absorbed by the body when you take it orally? In this first instalment of our new blog series, ‘Decoding Cannabis’, we dissect a recent lab study that looks into one of the biggest issues with orally administered CBD oil - low rates of absorption.
THC talk: How much THC is too much?
Medical cannabis has been legally available and accessible in the UK since 2018. But, unlike CBD products that are available over the counter, here in the UK there is no limit for THC content in prescribed cannabis based treatments. This begs the question: how much THC is too much? And, why does this matter for patients, clinicians, and the future of cannabis-based medicine?
Inside SOMAÍ: How premium cannabis-based medicines are made
SOMAÍ Pharmacetuicals are industry leaders in the medical cannabis space, and it’s clear to see why. With their manufacturing facilities upholding the highest standards of cleanliness and strict quality controls, SOMAÍ’s innovative cannabis-based medicines range provides symptomatic relief to thousands of individuals all around the world, including Releaf patients here in the UK.
Flintshire County Council discuss protection for Welsh medical cannabis patients
Last week, Flintshire County Council became the first Welsh authority to announce they will protect those using medical cannabis from discrimination.
No prescription? No problem. Here’s what you’ll find in the Releaf CBD shop
The Releaf CBD store is open to anyone with an email address, a registered UK phone number, and a delivery address, and offers UK residents a new way to access the best CBD products - no UK medical cannabis prescription needed.
Healthcare history in the making: Releaf integrate with NHS Spine
Releaf has integrated with NHS Spine, allowing patients in England to instantly share their medical records via NHS login, streamlining the sign-up process for medical cannabis treatment. This milestone not only improves patient access and continuity of care but also helps normalise cannabis-based medicines within mainstream healthcare systems.
Experts Explain: Medical cannabis advertising and promotion in the UK
This week, we sat down with Releaf’s Chief Legal and Compliance Officer Rupa Shah to discuss her expert insights on the challenges, regulations, and future of medical cannabis marketing in the UK.
A different approach to healthcare: Releaf’s patient centred care
Here in the UK, the NHS means so much to us. It’s the backbone of healthcare, providing free, universal access to desperately needed care. But, it cannot be denied that the NHS is under enormous strain and pressure right now.
How Releaf’s approach to UK medical cannabis branding sets a new standard
Releaf clinicians can prescribe from a carefully curated range of medical cannabis flower and medical cannabis oil products. While Releaf does not have control over the branding of a portion of the medicines we source from international medical cannabis suppliers, we have worked tirelessly to make sure that our branding, packaging, and external product selection aligns with UK medical standards.
The Impact of Smoking on Chronic Health Conditions: Why Quitting Matters
These days, we are all well aware of the health implications of smoking tobacco. As a result, smoking rates have been consistently on the decline in recent decades. But for many, quitting smoking is easier said than done - and for those with chronic health conditions, this could pose an even more pressing concern. In honour of No Smoking Day 2025, we’re taking a closer look at how smoking impacts chronic conditions such as chronic pain, neurological disorders, and mental health.
Experts Explain: Investing in innovative technologies: Releaf’s custom-built platform.
At Releaf, we’re here to help those with life-affecting illnesses, and in an industry where outdated systems often slow down patient care, we knew we needed to take a different approach.
How Brits feel about online healthcare services
Accelerated by the pandemic, an increasing number of healthcare providers are now offering online services, whether through their booking systems or virtual appointments. But how do patients really feel about digital healthcare? We take a look.
Expert Insights: GP’s perspective on medical cannabis prescribing in the UK
In the UK, there's still a lot of confusion centred around medical cannabis. Many are unsure of what conditions medical cannabis can be used to treat, where these treatments can be accessed, and what kind of healthcare professionals are allowed to prescribe them. With misinformation and misunderstanding perpetuating the narrative we’re here to address these issues, and answer these questions with expert insights.
Is my medical cannabis Indica or Sativa?
Starting medical cannabis treatment can feel like learning a new language. Not only is it fairly different to your standard pharmaceuticals, which most of us have grown up around and almost inherently understand, but medical cannabis treatment comes with its own terminology that can feel overwhelming at first.
Nursing a healthier future: How nurses are integral to medical cannabis treatment plans.
If you’re a Releaf patient, you may have already met Kim during one of your follow up consultations - but, if you’ve not yet had this pleasure, we’re pleased to introduce you to Kim Kaye, our Head of Nursing.
Want to contribute to medical cannabis research in the UK?
When research papers say things like ‘1 in 5 MS patients have used cannabis to manage their symptoms’, have you ever wondered who these people actually are, or what their lives are like? Well, if you’re thinking of becoming a Releaf medical cannabis patient, you could be one of these people in the very near future!
Safer Internet Day: How Releaf keep online users safe
At Releaf, we know how critical online safety is. We’ve implemented numerous procedures and protocols to ensure our patients remain safe, and their privacy is protected and secure, throughout every step of their journey. What better time to give a recap of these processes than Safer Internet Day?
Releaf medical cannabis: why a varied formulary is essential
Every patient is unique, and so are their medical needs. As a medical cannabis clinic, having a varied formulary allows us to cater to a large cohort of patients, from those with chronic pain or insomnia, to those with anxiety and depression, or MS and Parkinson’s, and offer them each unique, individualised treatment plans.
NHS investment in cannabis-based research
Medical cannabis was legalised in the UK in 2018 following high-profile campaigns by patients and advocates, primarily concerning the use of cannabis-based medicines in the treatment of refractory epilepsy. Over six years on, only a handful of patients have received an NHS prescription for medical cannabis. But could the completion of long-awaited NHS-backed medical cannabis clinical trials help improve access to these medicines in the future?
How to request a travel certificate for medical cannabis
The last thing that any of us want when travelling is extra stress. Everyone should have the freedom to feel safe and secure when travelling, no matter what their medical needs may be. Unfortunately, though, this isn't always seamless for medical cannabis patients.