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5 min read
Sam North
Why don’t we let patients choose their cannabis medicine from a menu?
It’s a question that new patients sometimes ask, and it’s worth unpacking.
At first glance, the idea can sound somewhat appealing - being able to pick a medical cannabis flower/oil option from a long list of choices. But medical treatment (conventional and otherwise) doesn't work that way, and for good reason.
#When we go to a doctor, we don’t expect to choose our antibiotics or painkillers from a list of options. The doctor has gone through years, often decades, of training and has the expertise needed when it comes to making the best decision for our health. Medical cannabis treatment is no different.
At Releaf, we have assembled a truly world-class clinical team. Before making any decision regarding which medical cannabis product to recommend, our team of specialists considers your medical history, the condition/symptoms being treated, and a range of other factors.
In this blog, we’ll explain why Releaf doesn't offer patients access to a medical cannabis menu, and how our personalised model works to keep your health journey and safety the number one priority.
With medical cannabis treatment, no two patients react in exactly the same way. Your condition, symptoms, medical history, and even your unique response to cannabinoids and terpenes all influence what will work best for you.
Our team of prescribing specialists come from varied and complementary backgrounds. Some are experts in pain management, others in neurology, palliative care, substance misuse, psychiatry, and mental health, and all have a deep understanding of medical cannabis and how it works in the body. This diversity allows them to bring a wealth of insight to every patient’s case, with our Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) holding meetings daily to discuss each and every patient in detail.
Their expertise means you’re in safe hands.
While there are private medical cannabis clinics in the UK that do offer patients a ‘menu’ of options to choose from, this approach is not in line with Releaf's values.
Choosing the right treatment requires know-how, not guesswork. Offering a menu shifts the attention away from health and more towards the recreational side of the equation. At Releaf, we keep the focus where it belongs - that is, your safety, health, and overall treatment success.
That's not to say that you have zero input. On the contrary, our specialists are here to help you, and if you have experience with certain cannabis products in the past, or need changes to your current treatment plan, we will always take this into account and work with you to find the best solution.
Responsible, patient-focused healthcare is at the centre of everything we do. Our personalised approach to each patient’s treatment is the best way to achieve positive health outcomes.
At Releaf, we believe that your treatment should be a partnership. While our prescribing specialists lead with their expertise, your preferences and experiences are important in shaping your care. If you’ve had success with certain cannabis products in the past that did - or did not - work well for you, or you have specific goals for your treatment, we want to hear about them.
During consultations, we take the time to understand your perspective - how your treatment has been progressing, your preferred method of administration, previous reactions to cannabis, or concerns about certain side effects. This information plays a key role in fine-tuning your personalised treatment plan.
If, at any point, you’re not getting on with your current prescription or if your symptoms change, we’re here to help. Our Patient Support Team is available to assist you with any questions or concerns, and our specialists will make adjustments to your treatment plan if needed.
Medical cannabis treatment should always be about improving your health, not navigating confusing menus or making choices without clinical insight. With the medical cannabis industry in such a state of flux right now, we aim to bring clarity, safety, and expertise to our patients every day.
Allowing our specialist doctors to do the job they've been trained for is just one of the ways we maintain our commitment to high-quality, responsible medical cannabis care. While we may not offer a menu of options to browse, we provide something far better - personalised, expertly designed treatment plans with a clear vision to improve your quality of life.
To learn more, feel free to browse the rest of our New Patient blog series - you'll find all the more pressing medical cannabis questions answered in detail.
And while you're here, why not check out our medical cannabis eligibility checker?
It takes under 30 seconds to complete and will give you a much fuller understanding of whether a UK medical cannabis prescription may be right for you.
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.
Get comprehensive care, convenience, and confidence with an all-in-one treatment plan.
Am I eligible?Sam North, a seasoned writer with over five years' experience and expertise in medicinal cannabis, brings clarity to complex concepts, focusing on education and informed use.
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.
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