How to decide if medical cannabis is right for your condition

Medical cannabis in the UK

On the 1st of November 2018, the UK government introduced new legislation that rescheduled cannabis-based medicines in the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. As a result, specialist doctors have since been permitted to prescribe medical cannabis where certain criteria are met.

While cannabis-based medicines can technically be prescribed through the NHS, this has only occurred in a handful of cases. This is due to the cost of this class of medications in addition to restrictive recommendations issued by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE). As a result, the vast majority of patients (which is now thought to exceed 40,000) have received their medical cannabis prescriptions through private medical cannabis clinics like Releaf.

Medical cannabis and persistent stigma

Despite the legality of medical cannabis, stigma around the use of these products persists. Medical cannabis patients may experience this through interactions with healthcare professionals, police, and even loved ones who do not understand their use of medical cannabis. However, stigma can also be internalised, which can prevent patients from seeking help or more information about medical cannabis. 

There is a common misconception that patients seek out a medical cannabis prescription to legitimise their recreational cannabis use. However, evidence tells us that this is simply not the case. In fact, 82% of Releaf patients had never tried cannabis before receiving a prescription for cannabis medicines.

A significant contributor to the ongoing stigma around medical cannabis is a lack of education among the general population. According to our ‘Say no to pain’ report, published in June 2023, a third (34.77%) of people in the UK may still be unaware that medical cannabis is legal. 

Still, even patients who are aware of medical cannabis can find it difficult to know whether it could be a suitable option for their condition - and weighing up the pros and cons can seem daunting. 

Am I eligible for medical cannabis treatment?

While NICE only recommends the use of cannabis-based medicines for three conditions (spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, and severe treatment-resistant epilepsy), there are many more eligible conditions. In fact, according to our findings, around half of the UK population may have a diagnosis for which medical cannabis can be considered. Take a look at all eligible conditions on our Conditions page.

Specialist doctors can prescribe cannabis-based medicines for these conditions when:

1. There is evidence of their potential benefit; and
2. The patient has tried two or more conventional treatments without success (due to lack of efficacy or tolerability).
3. The patient has no history of psychotic disorders such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.

How do we determine your suitability for medical cannabis treatment?

Your eligibility for medical cannabis treatment is determined through a multi-step process. Before booking a consultation, you can use our eligibility checker to see if your condition can be treated with medical cannabis. 

During your consultation, we will request access to your summary care record. This allows our doctors to get a clear picture of your medical history, including your diagnosis and any previous treatments you have tried. 

Then, you will be able to schedule a 30-minute video consultation with a UK-registered doctor who is specifically chosen from our specialists depending on your condition. This allows the doctor to gather more information to determine the best course of action and gives you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have. 

If your doctor finds you to be eligible for medical cannabis treatment, you will receive a prescription and tailored treatment plan (99% of our consultations result in a medical cannabis prescription!). 

Should I enquire about medical cannabis treatment?

If you’ve found yourself wondering, “Is medical cannabis legal in the UK?”, or “Could medical cannabis be an option for me?”, then it might be time to enquire about your eligibility for treatment. However, we understand that many patients are put off due to worries about how their friends and family, employers, and even strangers would react to their use of cannabis medicines. 

Other things you may want to consider when deciding if medical cannabis is right for you include:

• The cost of treatment: At Releaf medical cannabis clinic, our subscription plan is designed to make medical cannabis treatment as affordable and accessible as possible. 

• Impact on everyday life: When becoming a medical cannabis treatment, you may need to consider factors such as how the medication could impact things like driving and medicating in public.

• Potential adjustment periods: When initially starting medical cannabis treatment, it can take time to determine the best treatment plan for you. Your doctor will work with you to find the best medication for your condition and symptoms.

The benefits of getting a medical cannabis prescription

Going ahead with medical cannabis treatment can be daunting. But at Releaf, we have seen first-hand the difference that this treatment can make to people’s lives. Take, for example, Maxim’s story - one of our patients who has received a medical cannabis prescription for chronic pain:

“I haven’t really had the ability to mitigate pain management effectively over the last two or three years, and now, I feel lost for words. Medical cannabis really has made a significant change.”

Final thoughts

If you’ve been wondering whether medical cannabis is right for you - there’s only one way to find out. It is important to speak with a qualified and knowledgeable healthcare professional who will be able to give you the best advice regarding medical cannabis treatment. Learn more about getting a medical cannabis prescription today.