Medical Cannabis
Explore UK-focused medical cannabis articles, including legal updates, patient experiences, treatment options, and the latest research within the British cannabis landscape.
Setting new standards: Releaf becomes a GMC designated body
Releaf is proud to announce that we are now a GMC designated body—one of the first medical cannabis clinics in the UK to achieve this prestigious status. This major milestone means we can directly oversee the professional standards of our prescribing doctors, ensuring our patients receive safe, regulated, and consistently high-quality care. It’s not just a badge of honour—it’s a commitment to clinical excellence and leadership in the medical cannabis industry.
Decoding Cannabis: What the science says about menopause and medical cannabis
A 2022 study of over 250 women revealed how medical cannabis is already being used to manage menopause symptoms - from sleep and anxiety to libido and mood. In this Decoding Cannabis instalment, we unpack the findings and ask what’s next for research, safety, and access.
Brain fog: Can medical cannabis help?
Brain fog is a common symptom of a number of health conditions; however, it can also be associated with lifestyle factors, hormones, and some medications. In this article, we’re exploring the causes of brain fog, recommended ways of tackling its symptoms, and whether medical cannabis could be helpful.
Motivated Mondays: Why the start of the week is popular for healthcare
Are Mondays really the worst day for healthcare appointments—or the best? While some research claims early-week consultations are more likely to be missed, Releaf’s latest data tells a different story. From booking patterns to attendance rates and prescription orders, we explore why Mondays might just be the most proactive day in medical cannabis care.
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.
Decoding Cannabis: Medical cannabis for fibromyalgia, a real-world study review
Medical cannabis may not be a cure for fibromyalgia, but for many UK patients, it’s helping reduce pain, improve sleep, and ease reliance on conventional meds. This real-world study shows how cannabis could reshape chronic pain treatment.
UK music festivals recognise medical cannabis
While a lack of clear guidance has often led to unnecessary stress for medical cannabis patients, particularly when arranging travel plans or attending public events such as music festivals, things seem to be slowly improving. Several UK music festivals have provided medical cannabis guidance in the run-up to this year’s events. We’re taking a closer look at these considerations and how they represent a significant step in the wider acceptance of medical cannabis.
The largest-ever study on medical cannabis for cancer: The results revealed
Cancer reshapes lives in an instant, and for many, conventional treatments come with overwhelming side effects. In the largest study of its kind, researchers analysed over 10,000 pieces of scientific evidence to answer a vital question: can medical cannabis play a meaningful role in cancer care? From managing relentless pain and nausea to supporting sleep and emotional wellbeing, here’s what the science says - and where we go from here.
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.
Medical cannabis and bowel cancer: What you need to know
April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month - a month dedicated to raising awareness around this common type of cancer and providing support and resources to those affected. Around 120 people are diagnosed with the condition - which includes both colon and rectal cancers - every day in the UK. In honour of this important awareness campaign, we’re taking a closer look at the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer, conventional treatments, and how medical cannabis could be helpful for some patients.
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.
The science behind stress: what’s really going on in your body?
Stress isn’t just a feeling - it’s a full-body chain reaction and one that shouldn't be ignored (especially when it becomes chronic). This write-up explains what stress really is, how it affects the brain and body, and how UK medical cannabis may help regulate the system when chronic stress takes hold.
Decoding Cannabis: Introducing our new series on medical cannabis research
Each and every week, our new ‘Decoding Cannabis’ series will take a recent piece of medical cannabis research - be it a clinical trial, observational study, registry report, etc. - and unpack it in a way that’s relevant and easily understandable to UK medical cannabis patients.
A beginner’s guide to tolerance breaks
Medical cannabis treatment is becoming increasingly accepted and sought after in the UK as a growing number of patients search for safe and effective alternatives to conventional therapies. With an ever-growing patient base, education and support are key - including when it comes to taking a tolerance break from medical cannabis. So, let’s take a look at what you need to know as a current or future medical cannabis patient.
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.
Medical cannabis and me: Real patient voices
Every month, we have the luxury of sitting down with real Releaf patients to hear their stories, from their struggles to their successes, to their experiences with medical cannabis
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.
How regular follow-up appointments improve Releaf patient care
At Releaf, patient care and safety are at the core of everything we do. We don’t just hand you a UK medical cannabis prescription, send you on your way, and wish you well - we stay with you, check in regularly, and listen.
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.