BlogHow to get medical cannabis in the UK

How to get medical cannabis in the UK

11 min read

Lucy MacKinnon

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.

Contents

Can you get medical cannabis in the UK?

Yes, you sure can. While public awareness of the UK medicinal cannabis card is still lacking, you can get medical cannabis in the United Kingdom. 

In fact, you can get medical cannabis on a subscription basis from Releaf. There are not many people in the UK that are benefiting from using medicinal cannabis, simply because they are not aware that it is even an option.

How to get medical cannabis in the UK

There are many avenues for patients interested in receiving a medicinal cannabis prescription. One of the key factors that needs to be kept in mind is that only certain doctors are qualified and registered to prescribe medicinal cannabis.  

With Releaf, it is simple to get a medical cannabis prescription and begin your treatment. You simply need to complete a phone consultation with one of our doctors, and if you meet the criteria set out, they will then prescribe you the cannabis treatment option that will best treat your condition.

Each and every different condition will be treated best by using a different type of medicinal cannabis strain or product option. Our doctors will prescribe you the cannabis that they feel will treat your condition best, and this will be what you receive when you set up your subscription.

Is medical cannabis legal in the UK?

You may be wondering about the legality of medicinal cannabis. Cannabis that is taken for a medical purpose that has been prescribed to treat a condition is completely legal. When you get a subscription with Releaf, you will be provided with a medicinal cannabis card. This card displays all the information required to validate your legal possession and administration of medicinal cannabis. The card has a QR code printed onto it, which when scanned, can provide proof of your Releaf subscription and your legality for the usage of medicinal cannabis. 

What conditions can medical cannabis be prescribed for in the UK?

There is a wide range of conditions that can be effectively treated by medical cannabis. Below is a table of some of the main conditions that can be helped by cannabis.

Conditions Helped By Medicinal Cannabis

Examples of Specific Conditions

Sleep Disorders

Insomnia, Sleep apnoea, Narcolepsy, Shift work disorder

Psychiatric Disorders

Anxiety, depression, PTSD, Schizophrenia, Bipolar disorder, Eating disorders

Neurological Disorders

Epilepsy, Attention deficit disorder, Parkinson's, Motor neurone disease

Cancers

Breast cancer, Testicular cancer, Lung Cancer, Colon cancer, Skin cancer, Prostate cancer

Pain

Migraines, Back pain, Pain after surgery, Pain from injuries, Joint pain, Orchialgia

Gastroenterological

GERD, IBS, Food poisoning, Bloating, Constipation, Excessive gas

Can anyone in the UK get medical cannabis on a prescription?

To get a prescription for medicinal cannabis in the UK, you first need to have a consultation with a specialist doctor. During this consultation, the doctor will determine whether medicinal cannabis is a suitable treatment for your particular condition. 

You will only be able to get a prescription for medicinal cannabis if this consultation is successful. You will not be given a prescription if your condition does not warrant being treated with cannabis. Due to the nature of the medication, this is necessary in order to ensure the medication only goes to those that need it.

Who qualifies for medical cannabis in the UK?

Medicinal cannabis is only available for certain people in the UK. If you are suffering from one of the conditions listed in the table above, and if you have had little to no success with other treatment options for your condition, then you may wish to consider having a consultation. 

You can also be referred to Releaf for a consultation. If you are referred, then chances are you will qualify for medical cannabis.

Is it safe to purchase medical cannabis online?

When you purchase a Releaf subscription, you can rest assured that you are going to be getting the highest quality of service possible. Our prescription is completely safe and legal, our aim is simply to provide people with a treatment option that will provide the relief they are looking for. 

The pharmacy that we use is world-leading and fully regulated. The medical cannabis that we provide to our subscribers is completely GDP and GMP-certified. The clinic used also has the highest rating from the Care Quality Commission – outstanding. This rating exemplifies the standards to which we work and assures that our service is entirely safe and trustworthy.

Where can you get a medical cannabis prescription online?

There is a wide range of options for UK patients to receive a prescription through an online medicinal cannabis provider, one of them being Releaf. Releaf subscribers not only receive cannabis, but are also provided with high-quality products such as a container, puck, Flowersticks, and a vaporiser.

What is the process for getting medical cannabis at Releaf?

To get a prescription for medicinal cannabis from Releaf you will first need to complete a consultation with one of our doctors. 

If you are successful in your consultation, you will be able to select a cannabis subscription that best suits your current condition. Once you have selected your subscription you will then receive a welcome package in the post, this will contain your medical cannabis card, your Releaf puck, container, Flowersticks, and vaporiser..

Releaf - Removing the Stigma from Medical Cannabis

Can you get medical cannabis in the UK?

Yes, you sure can. While public awareness of the UK medicinal cannabis card is still lacking, you can get medical cannabis in the United Kingdom. 

In fact, you can get medical cannabis on a subscription basis from Releaf. There are not many people in the UK that are benefiting from using medicinal cannabis, simply because they are not aware that it is even an option.

How to get medical cannabis in the UK

With Releaf, it is simple to get a medical cannabis prescription and begin your treatment. You simply need to complete a phone consultation with one of our doctors, and if you meet the criteria set out, they will then prescribe you the cannabis treatment option that will best treat your condition. Every different condition will be treated best by using a different type of medicinal cannabis strain or product option. Our doctors will prescribe you the cannabis that they feel will treat your condition best, and this will be what you receive when you set up your subscription.

Is medical cannabis legal in the UK?

You may be wondering about the legality of medicinal cannabis. Cannabis that is taken for a medical purpose that has been prescribed to treat a condition is completely legal. When you get a subscription with Releaf, you will be provided with a medicinal cannabis card. This card displays all the information required to validate your legal possession and administration of medicinal cannabis. The card has a QR code printed onto it, which when scanned, can provide proof of your Releaf subscription and your legality for the usage of medicinal cannabis. 

What conditions can medical cannabis be prescribed for in the UK?

There is a wide range of conditions that can be effectively treated by medical cannabis. Below is a table of some of the main conditions that can be helped by cannabis.

Conditions Helped By Medicinal Cannabis

Examples of Specific Conditions

Sleep Disorders

Insomnia, Sleep apnoea, Narcolepsy, Shift work disorder

Psychiatric Disorders

Anxiety, depression, PTSD, Schizophrenia, Bipolar disorder, Eating disorders

Neurological Disorders

Epilepsy, Attention deficit disorder, Parkinson's, Motor neurone disease

Cancers

Breast cancer, Testicular cancer, Lung Cancer, Colon cancer, Skin cancer, Prostate cancer

Pain

Migraines, Back pain, Pain after surgery, Pain from injuries, Joint pain, Orchialgia

Gastroenterological

GERD, IBS, Food poisoning, Bloating, Constipation, Excessive gas

Can anyone in the UK get medical cannabis on a prescription?

To get a prescription for medicinal cannabis in the UK, you first need to have a consultation with a specialist doctor. During this consultation, the doctor will determine whether medicinal cannabis is a suitable treatment for your particular condition. 

You will only be able to get a prescription for medicinal cannabis if this consultation is successful. You will not be given a prescription if your condition does not warrant being treated with cannabis. Due to the nature of the medication, this is necessary in order to ensure the medication only goes to those that need it.

Who qualifies for medical cannabis in the UK?

Medicinal cannabis is only available for certain people in the UK. If you are suffering from one of the conditions listed in the table above, and if you have had little to no success with other treatment options for your condition, then you may wish to consider having a consultation. 

You can also be referred to Releaf for a consultation. If you are referred, then chances are you will qualify for medical cannabis.

Is it safe to purchase medical cannabis online?

When you purchase a Releaf subscription, you can rest assured that you are going to be getting the highest quality of service possible. Our prescription is completely safe and legal, our aim is simply to provide people with a treatment option that will provide the relief they are looking for. 

The pharmacy that we use is world-leading and fully regulated. The cannabis that we provide to our subscribers is completely GDP and GMP-certified. The clinic used also has the highest rating from the Care Quality Commission – outstanding. This rating exemplifies the standards to which we work and assures that our service is entirely safe and trustworthy.

Where can you get a medical cannabis prescription online?

The best place to get a medicinal cannabis prescription online is Releaf. Our service is second to none, and we provide the only all-in-one medicinal cannabis package here in the UK. Releaf subscribers not only receive cannabis, but are also provided with high-quality products such as a container, puck, Flowersticks, and a vaporiser.

FAQs

Can I get cannabis through the NHS?

Yes, but access to medical cannabis through the NHS is extremely limited. The NHS is currently only willing to prescribe medical cannabis for patients suffering from two rare forms of epilepsy, muscle stiffness and spasticity related to MS and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.

Even if you have been diagnosed with one of these conditions, it is ultimately up to the individual doctor's discretion whether they feel medical cannabis is the best treatment option for you, and historically, very few NHS prescriptions for medical cannabis have been written.

Can you travel with medical cannabis UK?

As long as you have been legally prescribed medical cannabis in the UK, you can travel with it within the country. Overseas travel is possible, but it is up to the laws of the destination country whether you are allowed to bring medical cannabis with you.

When travelling, always keep your prescribed medical cannabis in the original packaging, with your name and prescription information clearly labelled. You should also carry the original copy of your prescription, your Releaf medical cannabis card, and any other supporting documents (such as a travel letter).

Can you use medical cannabis in public in the UK?

While it is not against the law to use medical cannabis in public in the UK, certain restrictions and guidelines should be followed. Public sentiment towards medical cannabis is slowly shifting towards acceptance, but it is still a relatively new concept and many people may not be fully aware of the rules and regulations surrounding its use in public.

What is the process for getting medical cannabis at Releaf?

Start by heading over to our fast and free medical cannabis eligibility checker. In less than 30 seconds, you will have a clear understanding of whether you are potentially eligible for an initial consultation with one of the Releaf specialist doctors. Once the initial consultation is complete, your specialist will bring your case to our MDT, who will then review and approve your prescription if deemed appropriate.

To learn more, check out our New Patient blog series, where we answer all the questions you may have about becoming a medical cannabis patient with Releaf. We also have a full blog, education hub, FAQs section, and medical cannabis glossary to help you further understand the process and benefits of medical cannabis treatment.

Releaf - Removing the Stigma from Medical Cannabis

It is important to seek medical advice before starting any new treatments. The patient advisors at Releaf are available to provide expert advice and support. Alternatively, click here to book a consultation with one of our specialist doctors.

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Authors

With five years of journalism and healthcare content creation under her belt, Lucy strives to improve medical cannabis awareness and access in the UK by producing high quality, credible content.

Editorial Policy

All of our articles are written by medical cannabis experts, guided by strict sourcing guidelines, and reference peer-reviewed studies and credible academic research. Our expert clinical team and compliance specialists provide valuable insights to ensure accuracy when required. Learn more in our editorial policy.


Further reading

Can I vape medical cannabis with COPD?

November is National COPD Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and the prevention and treatment of chronic lung disease. In honour of this important event, we’re taking a closer look at the relationship between medical cannabis and chronic lung disease and answering the question: “Can I vape medical cannabis if I have COPD?”

Emily Ledger

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.

Sam North