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’?"
Key takeaways
Contents
The wave of legal medical cannabis reached UK shores on the 1st of November 2018, bringing with it hope for patients who have tried conventional pharmaceutical treatment options but found little relief.
For the majority of people who have not tried cannabis before, the idea of taking it for therapeutic purposes comes with a few key questions that need answering before they can feel comfortable and confident.
One of the most often-asked questions we hear is, "Will I get high when I take medical cannabis?".
Let's find out...
The short answer is: it depends.
Some medical cannabis treatment options do contain THC, which is the part of the plant that causes the 'high'.
But, unlike recreational marijuana, most cannabis-based medicines are not designed to cause any intoxicating effects. The feeling of euphoria that can come hand in hand with THC administration does offer a degree of symptom reduction for some patients.
Still, it is not the primary aim when adding medical cannabis to a treatment plan.
Both THC and CBD are cannabinoids, but they work in very different ways.
While THC administration can cause that feeling of being 'high', CBD is totally non-intoxicating. It can help you relax, but will not impair your ability to function normally, day to day.
CBD has been shown to offer an anti-psychotic effect and reduce the psychotropic 'high' of THC.
They can be, but again, it depends on the patient's condition and the specific type of medication prescribed.
Some conditions, such as chronic pain or multiple sclerosis, may require a certain percentage of THC to be present in the medication for it to be effective.
However, for other health issues like anxiety or epilepsy, CBD-based treatment options that contain zero THC may be the better option.
The first step is to talk to your prescribing specialist about your concerns. They will be able to guide you towards the most appropriate treatment option for your specific condition.
If you are prescribed a treatment option that contains THC, your doctor will help you find the right dosage to minimise any potential intoxicating effects. Most often, you will be directed to start with an extremely small dose, gradually increasing it over time until you feel the desired therapeutic effects without the feeling of being 'high'.
Here at Releaf, we work with the best medical cannabis specialists in the UK. By focusing on tailoring individual treatment plans, our doctors ensure that our patients receive the most effective treatment options for their unique health conditions.
If you are interested in finding out if you qualify for medical cannabis treatment, and have 30 seconds to spare, check out our free eligibility checker!
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.
As of 12 August 2026, Releaf has the highest Trustpilot score, 4.8 from 9,598 reviews. Curaleaf received an overall CQC rating of ‘Good’, Alternaleaf advertises appointments for £29, while Mamedica's £200 Access Scheme is designed to potentially reduce long-term clinic costs. The right clinic for you will depend on what you value most from a clinic, but comparing the full treatment experience, rather than a single headline figure, is essential.
On the 7th July 2026, Releaf became the first medical cannabis clinic in the world to become B Corp certified. Verified by the non-profit B Lab, the certification sets in stone that Releaf is meeting the highest standard of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability, and has made a commitment to continue improving the way we serve not only our patients, but also our team, and the wider community.
We are proud to announce a new partnership between Releaf and brainstrust, the UK charity supporting people affected by a brain tumour. Together, we want to make sure that anyone living with a brain tumour has access to compassionate, expert care through the most trusted medical cannabis clinic in the UK. Here is what the partnership means and how patients currently in treatment can get in touch.
