Legal
Explore the complex world of cannabis laws and regulations with Releaf. Keep updated with the latest legal changes affecting cannabis use.
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.
UK Government appeals for medical cannabis evidence
The UK government has launched a new review into medical cannabis laws, asking patients, families, and healthcare professionals to share their experiences. With Releaf patients already contributing to research efforts with our survey results due for release in November, this marks a crucial step in shaping access to cannabis-based medicines.
Travel Tuesday: Taking medical cannabis to Spain
From Madrid to Barcelona, to Malaga and Seville, the Spanish mainland has an abundance of dreamy destinations for you to explore and unwind in. And while contacting the embassy, airline, or local authorities isn’t likely to be part of your regular routine when it comes to planning a much-needed getaway - if you’d like to take your medical cannabis prescription with you - it’s likely to become a reality. This blog will cover the basics of what you need to know when travelling to Spain with medical cannabis.
Real patient voices: Managing medical cannabis and work
This blog is the ninth in our Real Patient Voices series, spotlighting the stories of Releaf patients across the UK. In this edition, we explore how medical cannabis can be used while working, and how patients like Daisy, Lisa, and Ryan maintain employment, productivity, stigma, and self-advocacy with prescribed cannabis treatments.
Reaching 5.5 million with one message: Releaf - Let’s Rethink Healthcare
We’ve recently launched our Let’s Rethink Healthcare campaign in motorway service stations and shopping centre washroom facilities nationwide. In just a four-week period, 5.5 million people will see our adverts and discover medical cannabis is not only legal here in the UK, but accessible too.
CBD vs THC law in the UK: What’s legal, and what’s not
What’s legal, and what isn’t, when it comes to CBD vs THC in the UK? This guide breaks down the legal status of both cannabinoids, explains why THC requires a prescription, and outlines how medical cannabis works for those who qualify. If over-the-counter CBD isn’t enough, there may be a clinically guided, THC containing alternative available.
Medical cannabis, the DVLA and prescribed medicines
Despite medical cannabis being legal in the UK for almost six years, there is still confusion— and mixed messages—around the rights and responsibilities of patients when it comes to driving with their prescription.
Behind the blue line: Educating police on medical cannabis rights in the UK
What happens if you’re stopped by police while using prescribed cannabis? Six years since legalisation, confusion still reigns - so we decided to do something about it. Find out how Releaf is helping educate law enforcement, one conversation at a time. Because medical cannabis patients deserve clarity, dignity, and protection.
FAQ: Is it illegal to smoke medical cannabis in the UK?
In the UK, it is always illegal to smoke cannabis. While medical cannabis can be prescribed to suitable patients in the UK through private healthcare clinics like Releaf, it is only prescribed with the intention, and with strict instructions, of being vaped - not smoked.
The UK medical cannabis conversations that mattered most for 2025 (so far)
What mattered most for UK medical cannabis patients in 2025? In this midyear review, we spotlight one Releaf blog per month, covering legality, absorption, stigma, stop and search, and more. Each post is written to inform and empower patients navigating a changing clinical and legal landscape.
Safe, trusted, and built for you: why UK patients choose Releaf for medical cannabis
With almost 2,000 verified Trustpilot reviews and an average score of 4.7, Releaf is the most trusted medical cannabis clinic in the UK. We provide regulated prescriptions, consistent access to high-quality medication, and a UK-based clinical and support team that actually cares. With unlimited clinical support, personalised treatment, and our custom-built patient platform, we are changing what safe, effective cannabis care looks like in the UK.
A tale of two tolerances: Is Texas really banning THC?
You may have heard of the Texas THC ban - a new initiative introduced by lawmakers concerned about public health. But, while the State seeks to ‘ban THC’ and criminalise even trace amounts of THC in over the counter products, they’re simultaneously proposing to widen access to medical marijuana products, by altering the Texas Compassionate Use Program parameters.
Royal Rumours: Medical cannabis fit for a king?
Rumours are circulating that King Charles III may be using medical cannabis to ease cancer symptoms—but is there any truth behind the tabloid headlines? In this blog, we unpack the claims, explore the monarch’s long-standing support for alternative therapies, and explain how medical cannabis is legally accessed in the UK today.
Experts Explain: Not what the doctor ordered. Why smoking medical cannabis is harmful
At Releaf, we’re keen to share our Expert’s insights, especially those that explain the benefits of vaping medical cannabis, and why the UK medical cannabis law is the way it is - and that’s exactly what we’re doing in this blog.
Decriminalising cannabis: What Sadiq Khan’s proposal could mean for medical cannabis patients
While Sir Sadiq Khan’s proposal for cannabis decriminalisation could change the future of cannabis policing, in the present day patients still need clarity, and ultimately, protection. At Releaf we’re proud to stand beside them, offering legitimacy, safety, and support - but as we look ahead, we won’t forget the complex history that’s brought us to this point.
What the public wants to know about medical cannabis
Despite being legalised in 2018, public education around medical cannabis in the UK remains relatively under-developed. As a result, many prospective patients will find that they need to actively seek out information for themselves. For this reason, we here at Releaf are on a mission to make that this information is as simple to access as possible. Over the last few years, we have published a wide range of educational resources to give patients the answers they need. In this article, we’re taking a look at some of the top queries and answering the questions the public really wants to know about medical cannabis. So, let’s dive in!
What is HHC: Is it legal or prescribed in the UK?
HHC is a synthetic cannabinoid with growing online hype but no clinical backing. In this guide, we explain what HHC is, how it’s made, what it does in the body, and why it’s not a safe substitute for medical cannabis, especially under UK law.
Seized cannabis repurposed for research in Thai/UK operation
Following a joint Thai/UK customs operation, over two tonnes of confiscated cannabis are being redirected to medical research. It's an unusual yet symbolic shift in how governments are choosing to handle cannabis: not as mere contraband, but as a potential public health asset.
Synthetic cannabis - what is it exactly, and is it dangerous?
Synthetic cannabis has nothing in common with real cannabis, despite the name. It’s an unregulated, dangerous class of drugs with unpredictable and often severe effects. In this blog, we break down the science, the history, and the human cost of synthetic cannabinoids like Spice and Black Mamba
UK Police say the smell of cannabis no longer constitutes grounds for stop and search
Last week, Avon and Somerset Police announced they have trained their frontline officers to no longer use the smell of cannabis as grounds for stop and searches, following IOPC guidance, and ISoPP recommendations.
Accessing medical cannabis in Northern Ireland
Patients across the UK are facing significant challenges when it comes to healthcare, from long waiting lists, to an increasing prevalence of mental health issues and complex, chronic conditions. This blog aims to answer some common questions about accessing medical cannabis treatment in Northern Ireland and walk you through it step-by-step.
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.
MPs show greater support for medical cannabis than the British public
A recent YouGov poll found greater support for prescription cannabis among MPs than the general public, challenging the common assumption that public opinion is more progressive than political sentiment. We take a closer look at the potential factors behind these figures.
Can medical cannabis patients grow their own plants in the UK?
Medical cannabis has been a legal treatment option in the UK since November 1, 2018, but it has only become more 'popular' in the past year or so.