Industry

Industry

Stay updated with the latest trends, news, and developments in the UK medical cannabis industry, from regulations to market growth and innovations.

UK Savings Week: is medical cannabis affordable?

Much like all other treatment options in the UK, medical cannabis does come with costs. But, here at Releaf we do our best to balance bespoke, specialised care with affordable and accessible treatment plans, and our ever-growing patient numbers and reams of positive reviews on Trust Pilot, show we’re keeping the scales in check.

5 min read
12.09.2024
Lucy MacKinnon

How quickly can I start medical cannabis treatments?

If you’ve been looking to try a new treatment option to manage your symptoms or health conditions for years and have only just found out medical cannabis is a legal option in the UK, you may be eager to find out how quickly you can start medical cannabis treatments.

5 min read
29.08.2024
Lucy MacKinnon

Six monumental moments in the first six months of Releaf

We officially launched six months ago on February 1st after almost a year of hard work and preparation. We now have over 20,000 members in our community, and thought it was time to take a trip down memory lane to see how we achieved this, what we’ve learnt along the way, and what our patients have to say.

10 min read
22.08.2024
Lucy MacKinnon

What is cannabidiol? The A-B-Cs of CBD

From Morrisons to medical cannabis clinics, CBD seems to be everywhere – but, what actually is it? For National CBD Day, we explain the A-B-Cs of CBD, from its plant-based origin to its clinical applications – here’s everything you need to know about CBD.

7 min read
19.02.2025
Lucy MacKinnon

A day in the life of a medical cannabis Clinical Director

Welcome to a day in the life of a Medical Cannabis Clinical Director in the UK! We spoke to our very own Dr David Tang about his role and responsibilities as Releaf’s Clinical Director to lift the curtain on what happens behind the scenes in the UK’s fastest growing medical cannabis clinic in the UK.

8 min read
02.08.2024
Lucy MacKinnon

Why are different cannabis cultivars different prices?

In today's write-up, we will explain all the factors that can and do affect the price of medical cannabis cultivars. Here at Releaf, we want to ensure that our patients are well-informed about their medication options, including the pricing factors.

5 min read
23.07.2024
Sam North

Plastic free July: Releaf's eco-friendly packaging

In the last two decades, global plastic production has doubled, with 400 million tonnes of plastic waste now produced every year. As one of the only UK clinics to provide medical cannabis flower in eco-friendly packaging, Releaf is committed to finding more sustainable solutions this Plastic Free July and is taking steps towards a plastic-free future.

10 min read
21.02.2025
Sarah Sinclair

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
19.02.2025
Emily Ledger

Read all about it: Press coverage of our landmark UK-first partnership with Glass Pharms

One month ago, we announced our first-of-its-kind partnership with Glass Pharms® - an arrangement that aims to reduce hurdles between the prescription and receipt of medical cannabis products in the UK. One month on, we have been thrilled to see how this partnership has brought medical cannabis into the mainstream news once again.

4 min read
12.07.2024
Emily Ledger

What medications interact with medical cannabis?

All medications come with the possibility of interactions with other drugs/pharmaceuticals, and medical cannabis is no exception. Continuing on with our 'New Patient' series, we dig our teeth into the often-asked question: "What medications interact with medical cannabis?"

5 min read
09.07.2024
Sam North

Understanding the differences between CBD flower and medical cannabis cultivars

CBD flower and medical cannabis cultivars are often conflated, but while they may look and smell similar, there are significant differences when it comes to their chemical composition, intended use, regulatory status, and effects.  CBD flower is illegal in the UK, while medical cannabis flower can only be prescribed by a specialist doctor.

8 min read
16.09.2025
Sarah Sinclair

How the law changed: UK legalisation of medical cannabis

On the 1st of November 2018, legislation was introduced that was celebrated by patients, families, and advocates all over the UK. The rescheduling of cannabis meant that cannabis-based medicines could be legally prescribed for a range of conditions, marking a historic moment. But how did the law change come about? And has it lived up to the expectations of those who continue to fight for fair access to medical cannabis?

9 min read
05.06.2024
Emily Ledger

Green living: Simple eco-friendly changes for better health

As the health of our planet begins to deteriorate, the importance of adopting a greener way of life has never been more apparent. But could making some simple eco-friendly changes be just as beneficial for our own health? In the latest instalment of our Wellness Wednesdays series, we explore the health and environmental implications of adopting a more sustainable lifestyle.

9 min read
29.05.2024
Emily Ledger

Behind the scenes: The approval process for UK medicines

Have you ever read the list of side-effects for a newly-prescribed medication and wondered whether it’s really safe to consume? Rest-assured that the drug has been through a lengthy and strict approval process before making its way to your local pharmacy.

11 min read
22.01.2025
Sarah Sinclair

Medical cannabis and hayfever - friend or foe?

Longer days, lush green leaves—and a streaming nose; all sure-fire signs that spring is finally here in abundance. But is your medical cannabis prescription a help or a hindrance?

9 min read
22.11.2024
Sarah Sinclair

Update on Ukraine: legalising medical cannabis, one by law at a time

Ukraine’s President signed off on Law 3528-IX, also known as The Medical Cannabis Law, back in February. This kickstarted the legalisation of medical cannabis, designed to offer relief to those suffering from conditions like chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the continued war with Russia. Here we take a look at some of the updates and amendments that have been made to accommodate for the legalisation of medical cannabis in Ukraine.

7 min read
16.05.2024
Lucy MacKinnon

Understanding medical cannabis: A guide for Fibromyalgia patients

Fibromyalgia is an incurable chronic pain condition and one that can be pretty complicated to treat. It affects around 2 percent of the UK population, more women than men, and while it does sometimes develop in children, it is more often picked up in middle age.

9 min read
07.05.2025
Sam North

A summary of the statistics: Perceptions and awareness of medical cannabis in the UK

In November 2018, medical cannabis and cannabis-derived medicines were legalised as prescription only medicines in the UK. This means they can now be prescribed by specialist doctors to patients who have a condition that is known to respond to cannabis, if they have been unable to find success with conventional or licensed approaches.

10 min read
03.06.2024
Lucy MacKinnon