Medical Cannabis
Explore UK-focused medical cannabis articles, including legal updates, patient experiences, treatment options, and the latest research within the British cannabis landscape.
A cautionary tale: Why patients need to carry proof of prescription
Knowing you are legally allowed to carry the cannabis you have on you because it was prescribed by a doctor and dispensed by a pharmacy is a great feeling. Especially when compared to living with the constant fear of criminal consequences when you haven't got those prescription papers.
Rhodes to recovery: Greek study suggests medical cannabis can improve patient's quality of life
Recently, a team of researchers in Greece published the latest evidence that suggests medical cannabis can improve health related quality of life for patients living with various chronic diseases. These findings build on other studies from around the world, such as those conducted in the UK, and in Australia, which have also discovered a correlation between cannabis-based treatments and an improvement in quality of life.
Women in cannabis: celebrating inspirational voices at Product Earth
Two weeks ago, the cannabis community shone a special spotlight on some of the industry’s most influential and inspirational women at Product Earth - the UK’s largest natural medicine experience.
Highflying prescriptions: What it's like to take cannabis on a plane
Recently, I've been able to experience what it's like to fly internationally and domestically with a legal cannabis prescription. For the first time in my life, I'm not confined to travel to only those destinations where I can access cannabis, so I can now stay symptom-free and enjoy the duration of my trips.
From taboo to treatment: Patients reflect on 5 years of legal cannabis
Patients in the United Kingdom were elated when the Home Office announced the legalisation of medical cannabis on November 1st 2018. Approximately 20,000 patients are prescribed legal cannabis-based medicinal products, mostly flowers, five years later. I spoke to six patients to find out how they feel about the law and what real-world impact it has had on their day-to-day lives.
10 hidden dangers of street cannabis
The same varieties of cannabis plants exist in both the legal medical market and the illicit street market; the differences are in how the plants are grown and the quality assurances the provider can give due to how cultivation, processing and packaging are overseen and regulated.
How should you carry your medical cannabis prescription?
Medicinal cannabis is available for prescription in the UK through private clinics, but there are stringent rules around what constitutes legally carrying cannabis on you. In this article, I will explain the law on possessing prescription medicines and examine some problems patients have encountered when presenting their prescriptions to a police officer.
Respecting science: Correcting cannabis nomenclature
The cannabis industry was left unregulated for the best part of 50 years. A result of this has been the dissemination of incorrect cannabis terminology that, unfortunately, still plagues the industry today. Now that products are legally regulated for medicinal purposes and industry experts and professionals can share their knowledge without fear of arrest and imprisonment, the proper language for cannabis constituents is starting to reach the mainstream public.
Itching for a new treatment? Cannabinoids show potential in psoriasis management
Psoriasis is a chronic, autoimmune skin condition that affects an estimated 2.1 million people in the UK, and August marks its month of awareness. This extremely prevalent dermatological issue is currently incurable, and subjects patients to uncomfortable red, itchy patches of skin that can crack and bleed, which can be very painful.
No grow for UK patients: Where in the world can patients grow their own?
Medical cannabis is an area of policy that almost 70 nations worldwide have taken steps to legalise and regulate. A result of this is a variation in law influenced by policymakers and local culture. How companies operate and dispense medicinal cannabis products and how patients are governed can look very different.
Breaking barriers: Ukraine medical cannabis bill draft wins majority vote
Medical cannabis is very likely coming to Ukraine. The Ukrainian Parliament has voted to pass the first reading of the medical cannabis bill with a majority. Cannabis policy reform advocates welcomed the move worldwide and seems like an obvious step in the right direction to many following the global change on medical cannabis policy.
Blunt's EDM urges government to grant GPs cannabis prescription rights
On Monday the 3rd of July an Early Day Motion was submitted by MP Crispin Blunt, calling on the government to allow general practitioners the right to prescribe cannabis-based medications. This motion aims to open up prescription rights to the 36,000 General Practitioners that are currently practising in the UK in the hope of making medical cannabis more accessible.
Release of the Releaf "Say No To Pain Report"
Here at Releaf, we are thrilled to announce the release of our first market research report that investigates the awareness and prevalence of medical cannabis in the UK, and analyses the public perceptions and societal stigmas that surround this powerful plant.
Social etiquette: Staying safe with medical cannabis
As societal perceptions evolve and legal frameworks adapt, it's essential for patients to stay informed about their rights and responsibilities. This guide aims to shed light on the nuances of public consumption, interaction with law enforcement, and maintaining discretion and respect in various settings. With a focus on education and awareness, we explore practical advice for those legally prescribed cannabis for medicinal purposes.
Stumped by legalisation: cannabis in cricket
With the start of the second test series for the 2023 Ashes taking place this week, we thought we’d have a look into cannabis in the field of cricket and discuss a dilemma many athletes may face: choosing between their profession, and their prescription.
The evolution of cannabis culture in the UK
Cannabis has undergone somewhat of a rebranding process in the last decade, shifting away from the much debunked ‘gateway drug’ image towards a more beneficial health and lifestyle commodity. The legalisation of medical cannabis worldwide is largely the driving force behind this growing trend.
A guide on finding for the right medicinal cannabis dose
Recreational cannabis consumers are told not to consume cannabis daily, but this isn't an easy option for patients with chronic health conditions. Accessing cannabis through a legal prescription and with the guidance of a doctor experienced in prescribing medicinal cannabis for your specific health issue will ensure you receive the best dosage advice.
Budding Connections: Exploring Men's Evolving Relationship with Cannabis in the UK
There are many burning questions about cannabis use and its impact on its largest consumer group, men. For Men's Health Week, we take a deep dive into some of the decisive factors that have contributed to the UK's cannabis culture and how this has influenced men's interactions with the herb on a medical, spiritual and physical level.
Friends in high places: Releaf joins the cannabis industry council
Here at Releaf we are delighted to announce that we have joined the ranks of one of the UK's leading membership organisations for the cannabis industry: The Cannabis Industry Council (CIC).
My cannabis journey: Nigel Burt
At forty five years old, Nigel Burt is waiting for his 23rd operation. This time to remove another section of bowel that is causing him daily discomfort and pain that he is only able to control by using medical cannabis. As a graphic designer Nigel has won awards for his work which has seen him in VR and 3D development with Samsung, Panasonic, Vodafone, Product Earth, Jordan F1, and Williams F1.
Doubled in less than a decade: the number of medical cannabis patients in the US
A new study published in The American Journal of Preventive Medicine revealed that the number of patients using medical cannabis in the US has doubled between 2013 and 2020.
1.8 million Brits buy backstreet cannabis for medicinal purposes
It has been almost five years since the medical use of cannabis was legalised in the UK, but recent data suggests that as many as 1.8 million people are still sourcing cannabis illegally in order to alleviate the symptoms of their health conditions.
How to get medical cannabis in the UK
Medicinal cannabis can provide excellent benefits for people suffering from many different conditions. Cannabis is a legitimate treatment for people who have found that other front-line medications have not worked for them. Medicinal cannabis is a topic that is not discussed very often in the UK, so many people will not know whether they can get it or not. In this article, we will answer your questions about how to get medical cannabis in the UK.
Is medical cannabis legal in the UK?
Medicinal cannabis can provide people suffering from a wide variety of conditions with the relief they need that they have not been able to get before. Despite this, many people do not know whether or not medicinal cannabis is actually legal, and many people around the country will just assume that it is illegal due to the stigma that surrounds it. In this article, we will answer questions about the legality of medicinal cannabis in the United Kingdom, as well as how you can get medical cannabis if you feel like you need it.