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New Patient

New Patient

A guide for new medical cannabis patients, covering frequently asked questions, treatment tips, product options, and everything needed to start confidently.

Articles

Decoding Cannabis: Over the limit, but not impaired? What the science shows

The UK (and many other countries) sets its drug-driving THC limit at 2 µg/L of blood, but is that a measure of impairment, or just detection? A 2026 simulator study found frequent cannabis users were no more impaired than non-users 12 to 15 hours after smoking, despite still exceeding that threshold. We decode what the research really shows, and why it is relevant for medical cannabis patients who are worried about getting behind the wheel.

8 min read
11.06.2026
Sam North

How to read prescription instructions and medication labels

Prescription labels can be confusing, especially when they include abbreviations like OD or PRN. This guide outlines common instructions to help you take medication correctly and understand the key terms on your prescription.

15 min read
27.03.2026
Emily Ledger

Travel Tuesday: Navigating US travel as a medical cannabis patient

The United States is a patchwork of legislation, with each state permitted to make its own laws on certain issues. While the US is often considered to be more progressive when it comes to cannabis policy, differences between state and federal-level laws can make things less straightforward than you might expect. So, we’re covering what you need to know when travelling to the US as a medical cannabis patient.

11 min read
17.03.2026
Emily Ledger

How UK medical cannabis delivery works (and why delays sometimes happen) in 2026

Medical cannabis delivery in the UK follows strict legal safeguards. Most prescriptions arrive within 2 to 5 working days, but compliance rules and courier regulations can occasionally extend timelines. Here’s how the process works, why licensed couriers are required, and what happens if a delivery is missed.

6 min read
14.05.2026
Sam North

How regular follow-ups 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.

6 min read
12.05.2026
Sam North

A break-down of Releaf's prescription process

Here at Releaf, we have taken what some private medical cannabis clinics make into a bureaucratic maze and turned it into a smooth, efficient process that gets the vast majority of new eligible patients from eligibility check to prescription delivery in just five to seven working days.

8 min read
27.03.2025
Sam North

How to refer a friend to Releaf

With medical cannabis finally becoming a mainstream talking point throughout both the UK public and Parliament (the most recent debate happened just last month), the weight of a century’s worth of stigma and misinformation is slowly beginning to lift.

8 min read
20.03.2025
Sam North

Can I get a weekend medical cannabis appointment?

Since opening our doors back in February of 2024, we have worked tirelessly to put together a truly world-class clinical team made up of over 25 highly trained doctors, supported by a unit of nurses, prescribing pharmacists, and patient support staff. They’re here to support you every day of the week.

4 min read
13.03.2025
Sam North

What to expect in your first six months as a UK medical cannabis patient

The first six months of any new treatment regime come with a mix of queries, adjustments, milestones, and sometimes, a couple of small roadblocks. But for most patients just starting down the path towards better health with UK medical cannabis (where the treatment option has been so heavily stigmatised for far too long) the learning curve can feel a bit steeper. We’ll cover it all to make sure you feel comfortable and confident during your first few months as a Releaf medical cannabis patient.

7 min read
13.05.2026
Sam North

Who you might meet at Releaf

Welcome to Releaf, the most trusted medical cannabis clinic in the UK based on Trustpilot reviews. Congratulations on taking the first step towards better health.

5 min read
27.02.2025
Sam North

Is my medical cannabis Indica or Sativa?

Starting medical cannabis treatment can feel like learning a new language. Not only is it fairly different to your standard pharmaceuticals, which most of us have grown up around and almost inherently understand, but medical cannabis treatment comes with its own terminology that can feel overwhelming at first.

8 min read
20.02.2025
Sam North

Top tips for vaping cannabis

For patients just starting cannabis-based treatment, the idea of vaping their prescribed medical cannabis flower may seem intimidating, overwhelming, or even slightly weird. Fair enough - we know that vaping is a pretty new concept for most patients.

5 min read
13.02.2025
Sam North

How to request a travel certificate for medical cannabis

The last thing that any of us want when travelling is extra stress. Everyone should have the freedom to feel safe and secure when travelling, no matter what their medical needs may be. Unfortunately, though, this isn't always seamless for medical cannabis patients.

5 min read
12.06.2026
Sam North

Navigating Releaf's New Patient Dashboard

We recently launched our brand new, built-from-the-ground-up Releaf Patient Dashboard. We have invested over £2 million into this bespoke piece of tech, and it's been a long time in the making.

12 min read
08.06.2026
Sam North

How often should I see my doctor?

Medical cannabis treatment is quite an individual process, which means there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of how often you should see your doctor. Each and every patient we see here at Releaf responds at least slightly differently to their treatment protocol. This is the main reason our world-class clinical team takes such a personalised approach to each patient's care and why it is essential that all patients see their doctor regularly.

4 min read
13.05.2026
Sam North

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
19.02.2025
Sam North

What you need to know about medical cannabis delivery

Here at Releaf, we understand that getting your medication quickly, safely, discreetly, and tracked from dispatch to delivery is one of the most important aspects of every patient's medical cannabis treatment journey.

4 min read
14.05.2026
Sam North

Medical cannabis accessories in the UK (2026): vapes, grinders, dosing caps

Medical cannabis flower can feel confusing at first, especially if you are new to vaporising. This 2026 guide breaks down the key medical cannabis accessories UK patients commonly use, including dry herb vaporisers, dosing capsules, and grinders for better preparation and more consistent dosing. You will also learn why these tools matter, what to avoid, and how the right setup can make your routine simpler and more reliable.

5 min read
16.01.2026
Sam North

Medical cannabis titration What new patients need to know

Finding the right dose of THC and CBD (and other cannabinoids) isn't always as straightforward as some patients would like it to be. Everyone reacts at least slightly differently to medical cannabis flower and oil options, and finding the most effective dose can involve some trial and error.

4 min read
05.12.2024
Sam North

What's in medical cannabis oil?

At Releaf, we prescribe two main formulations of cannabis-based medicines to our patients - medical cannabis flower and medical cannabis oil. Most people have a fair understanding of medical cannabis flower, but medical cannabis oil is still somewhat of an enigma to many.

4 min read
19.02.2025
Sam North

What are the most common side effects of medical cannabis?

While cannabis-based treatment options have been shown to offer patients a very favourable safety profile with a wide range of therapeutic benefits - like almost all medical options, there are side effects to consider.

7 min read
22.11.2024
Sam North

How does cannabis oil work in the body?

Here at Releaf, medical cannabis oil is the second most commonly prescribed cannabis-based medication, right after medical cannabis flower - so to continue our 'New Patient' blog series, we are focusing on all things medical cannabis oil.

7 min read
14.11.2024
Sam North

How to clean a grinder

Medical cannabis flower is the most commonly prescribed cannabis-based medication here in the UK. But unlike most treatment options, both traditional and alternative, it is not delivered to patients in a fully 'ready-to-administer' form.

4 min read
05.11.2024
Sam North

How strong is medical cannabis flower?

When we discuss the 'strength' (or potency) of a given medical cannabis cultivar, it is easy to fall into the trap of simply looking at the THC levels. This is only one part of the picture - but a crucial one, nonetheless.

5 min read
17.06.2025
Sam North

How to take medical cannabis oil

Today, we continue our 'New Patient' blog series in the same vein, but this time, we'll give a brief (but in-depth) overview of how medical cannabis is taken and why sublingual administration is the most commonly prescribed method.

4 min read
22.10.2024
Sam North

What health records do I need for medical cannabis?

Welcome back to our 'New Patient' blog series, where we cover all the frequently asked questions, along with treatment tips and product options for new patients interested in UK medical cannabis.

3 min read
15.10.2024
Sam North

What happens after my initial consultation?

Welcome back to our 'New Patient' series, where we answer all the more frequently asked questions that prospective (and newly signed up) Releaf patients often have. In today's write-up, we explain what happens directly after you have your initial consultation with one of the specialist doctors that make up our [world-class clinical team](https://releaf.co.uk/medical-cannabis-doctors-uk).

4 min read
13.05.2026
Sam North

How to use the Flowerstick Home Fill System

With a large proportion of Releaf patients choosing the Omura Vaporiser to "heat, not burn" their prescribed medical cannabis flower options, we thought it was about time to quickly discuss how to use the Flowerstick Home Fill System.

3 min read
17.09.2024
Sam North

When I join Releaf, will my GP find out?

Even though medical cannabis has been a full legal treatment option here in the UK since 1 November 2018, there is still a level of stigma surrounding it. It is anything but a surprise that some patients are worried about how their decision to pursue a medical cannabis prescription may affect their relationship with their general practitioner (GP).

4 min read
10.09.2024
Sam North

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

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
19.02.2025
Sam North

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
13.05.2026
Sam North

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.

6 min read
30.09.2025
Sam North

15 FAQs for medical cannabis beginners

To mark our 16th instalment, we thought we would run through all the previously answered questions in one easy-to-read list. Think of this blog as your ‘cheat sheet’ to the most pressing questions new medical cannabis patients usually have.

14 min read
14.05.2026
Sam North

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

How long does medical cannabis take to work?

People who are considering adding medical cannabis to their treatment routine usually have a few pressing questions, which is more than understandable.

5 min read
22.11.2024
Sam North

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

What's in the Releaf Starter Kit?

Starting medical cannabis treatment can be somewhat overwhelming, especially for new patients who have very little experience with cannabis-based treatment products. And that's totally understandable. It's not just the medication itself that can be foreign to new patients, but also how it is administered.

4 min read
02.07.2024
Sam North

What is the triage process for medical cannabis?

At Releaf, we have streamlined the triage process to ensure our patients receive the highest quality care and treatment in the shortest possible time, including prescription delivery.

3 min read
25.06.2024
Sam North

How does Releaf deliver patients their prescribed medication?

Here at Releaf, we are constantly improving our processes and medical cannabis delivery service to ensure that our patients receive their prescribed medication in a timely and efficient manner, and for good reason. This isn't any old online shopping order they're waiting on. It's their medication - something that is vital to their health and wellbeing.

3 min read
22.11.2024
Sam North

What are the potential long term effects of medical cannabis use?

While many of the currently available clinical studies focusing on medical cannabis have shown positive results and a high safety profile, there are still lingering concerns about the potential long-term effects of its administration.

5 min read
11.06.2024
Sam North

Is there an age limit to medical cannabis?

In the UK, people of any age are eligible to receive a prescription for cannabis-based medicines, but there is a little more to the story...

3 min read
04.06.2025
Sam North

Exploring the role of terpenes in medical cannabis treatments

Taking the first steps into the world of medical cannabis can be slightly overwhelming. With so many new terms to get your head around, the learning curve can feel steep. Don't worry, though - here in our continued "New Patient" guide, we've got you covered.

4 min read
14.05.2024
Sam North

What is the endocannabinoid system?

Welcome back to our New Patient blog series, where we cover all the basics of cannabis-based therapy. In this instalment, we are running head first into the intricacies of the endocannabinoid system, or ECS.

3 min read
19.11.2024
Sam North

CBD vs THC: What’s the difference, and is medical cannabis right for you?

CBD and THC come from the same plant, but they work in different ways and serve different roles in treatment. This guide walks through how each interacts with the body, what they’re prescribed for, and how medical cannabis is accessed in the UK. If you’re exploring alternatives to conventional medication, this is a clear, evidence-based place to start.

11 min read
09.05.2025
Sam North

Is medical cannabis safe?

In today's continuation of our New Patient series, we'll take a quick but deep look at a burning question on the minds of many - "Is medical cannabis safe?" Yes, medical cannabis is safe, but let's dig a little deeper and see what the science has to say.

4 min read
02.12.2024
Sam North

What is the difference between THC and CBD?

Next up in our new patient series, we are going to take a brief but in-depth look at how the cannabinoids that dominate the cannabis-based medicine scene, THC and CBD, differ from one another, and how they can also work in harmony to provide relief for a range of medical conditions.

8 min read
22.11.2024
Sam North

Will medical cannabis get me 'high'?

Next up in our "New Patients" series, we explore the very first question that pops into almost all prospective patients' minds - "Will cannabis-based treatment options get me ‘high’?"

3 min read
01.05.2025
Sam North

What to know before starting medical cannabis treatment with Releaf

Starting medical cannabis treatment can feel daunting. This guide explains how treatment works in the UK, what information you need to provide, and what happens next, helping you understand the process clearly before your first consultation with Releaf.

12 min read
30.01.2026
Sam North