Medical Cannabis

Medical Cannabis

Explore UK-focused medical cannabis articles, including legal updates, patient experiences, treatment options, and the latest research within the British cannabis landscape.

What is a cannabinoid?

Starting any new treatment option can be slightly daunting, but this is especially true when it comes to medical cannabis. Thanks to the more than century-long campaign of cannabis prohibition and stigmatisation, there is still an undercurrent of misinformation and misunderstanding around this fascinating plant and its potential therapeutic benefits - even though it has been a legal treatment option here in the UK for almost six years.

5 min read
03.09.2024
Sam North

Medical cannabis: modern treatments for migraines

Because they affect around one in seven people, Migraine Awareness Week is a crucial initiative to spotlight the significant impact migraines have on millions of lives worldwide. With conventional treatments not always able to provide adequate relief, medical cannabis has emerged as a promising alternative.

7 min read
02.09.2024
Sarah Sinclair

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

How do I access my medical cannabis consultation?

Becoming a Releaf medical cannabis patient and accessing your medical cannabis consultations is easy, and the entire process can be done from the comfort of your own home.

3 min read
28.08.2024
Sam North

Exploring the benefits of medical cannabis for different types of pain

Pain is an extremely complex symptom that can be linked to a wide range of sources and conditions. But while most people experience pain as an occasional and temporary disruption, many experience it as a more significant burden that significantly affects their quality of life. This may be due to the development of certain medical conditions which can be associated with different types of pain.

10 min read
28.08.2024
Emily Ledger

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.

10 min read
23.08.2024
Sarah Sinclair

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

Fighting Fibromyalgia: finding comfort with medical cannabis

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition which can be hard to diagnose and hard to treat. But in many patients— and supported by a growing evidence base— medical cannabis is showing promise for symptom management and improving quality of life. We take a closer look at the research and hear from those with first-hand experience.

8 min read
21.08.2024
Sarah Sinclair

What should I look for in a product, so I know it’s safe?

The UK medical cannabis sector is one of the safest and most highly regulated in the world. This is thanks to the strict procedures and guidelines put in place by regulatory bodies such as the Medicines and Healthcare product Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the Quality Care Commission (CQC), and NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). These organisations ensure that the medical cannabis products available to UK patients are safe, effective, and high quality.

4 min read
20.08.2024
Sam North

Exploring the benefits of medical cannabis for gastroenterological conditions

Conditions that affect the gastrointestinal tract - often called gastroenterological conditions - can greatly affect an individual’s health and quality of life. Yet, despite being relatively common in the Western population, effective management of these conditions and their symptoms is often elusive. However, in recent years, emerging evidence has indicated that medical cannabis may have a role to play in reducing the burden of some of the most common gastroenterological conditions.

10 min read
19.08.2024
Emily Ledger

Exploring different diets for different health conditions

Diet has been linked to a huge number of health conditions, many of which represent a significant risk of morbidity. Yet, while many of us may make a conscious effort to eat a relatively healthy diet, we may overlook how different diets can benefit or exacerbate certain existing health conditions.

6 min read
16.08.2024
Emily Ledger

Going below the surface: Psoriasis and medical cannabis treatments

Every August, the National Psoriasis Foundation hosts Psoriasis Action Month - a time dedicated to raising awareness around this common disease and providing advice and support to those affected. Despite affecting an estimated 125 million people worldwide, the impact of psoriasis is still not widely understood.

6 min read
14.08.2024
Emily Ledger

What should I do if my medication isn't working for me?

Medical cannabis treatment and finding the perfect combination of cultivar (or oil) and dosage sizing is, at least in some respect, an individualised process. Some patients find the level of symptom management they are hoping for straight away, but for others, it can take a little bit of experimentation to find the balance that works best for them.

3 min read
13.08.2024
Sam North

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
08.08.2024
Lucy MacKinnon

What is a terpene profile?

Cannabis is an incredibly complex plant that contains thousands of active compounds. While the most well-known compounds may be cannabinoids - and of these, CBD and THC enjoy the most coverage - another class of compounds contribute significantly to the potential benefits of this incredible plant: Terpenes.

6 min read
07.08.2024
Emily Ledger

How to store medical cannabis properly

Storing most medications correctly is essential to not only the shelf life but also the overall efficacy. This is (debatably) even more important when it comes to dried medical cannabis flower, as it is an organic product, unlike most conventional pharmaceuticals.

5 min read
06.08.2024
Sam North

Can I use medical cannabis in public?

Although medical cannabis has been legal in the UK for almost six years—and around 35,000 patients now hold prescriptions—there is still a lot of confusion around its legality and what you can and cannot do when using your medication in day to day life. Here we take a look at the things you may need to consider when it comes to consuming your medication in public.

9 min read
05.08.2024
Sarah Sinclair

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

Everything you need to know about medical cannabis and arthritis

The cannabis plant has been used as a therapeutic aid for thousands of years. Despite an almost global ban on the plant throughout the 20th century, more and more countries are once again acknowledging the medicinal potential of this versatile plant. Cannabis-based medicines can now be prescribed in the UK for a wide range of conditions, including arthritis. 

7 min read
31.07.2024
Emily Ledger

Sciatica and medical cannabis: A promising path for pain relief?

Up to 40% of the population are thought to be affected by sciatica, which can cause a number of debilitating symptoms. But where other treatments have failed, medical cannabis may hold promise for reducing pain and improving patients’ overall wellbeing.

8 min read
29.07.2024
Sarah Sinclair

How medical cannabis can play a role in palliative care

Decisions surrounding palliative care are something that almost all of us will face at some point in our lives, whether for ourselves or for someone we care deeply about. But before that time comes, it's a subject that is often avoided or at least slightly misunderstood.

10 min read
26.07.2024
Sam North

Schizophrenia Awareness Day: Understanding the exclusions in medical cannabis treatments

Every year, the 25th of July commemorates National Schizophrenia Awareness Day - an event established by mental health charity, Rethink Mental Health. The day aims to shine a spotlight on the everyday challenges faced by the millions of people living with schizophrenia and the stigma and discrimination that still remain around this diagnosis.

6 min read
24.07.2024
Emily Ledger