Yes, cannabis has been legal for medical use in the UK since 2018. It is only suitable for certain conditions and must be prescribed by a qualified medical professional.
It’s not just CBD oil
CBD and THC dominant medical cannabis treatment plans are available at Releaf for suitable patients in the UK. If you have not been responding to conventional treatment approaches for your health condition, and are wondering if medical cannabis flower or prescribed cannabis oils may be an available option for you to try, fill out our free online eligibility checker today.
Am I eligible?Understanding the differences between medical cannabis oil and CBD oil can help you make informed choices about your healthcare options.
Am I eligible?Medical Cannabis | CBD Oil | |
|---|---|---|
Medical Use | ||
Clinical Support | ||
Medical Supervision | ||
THC Content | ||
Range of Cannaboids | ||
Customisation and Dosage | ||
Consistent Quality Control |
Medical Cannabis Facts
Here you will find key facts and figures about medical cannabis in the UK.
29.6 million
adults, may be [eligible for medical cannabis] in the UK
Over 46%
of UK adults with a condition treatable with [medical cannabis] live with significant discomfort.
80%
improvement in sleep quality was noted using cannabis oil in a randomised, [controlled trial].
84%
of those who have tried [cannabis-based products] for pain management say they are effective.
"These alternative treatments make all the difference - it means I can function and focus on my health"
Daisy, Releaf Patient
15th April 2024
Excellent
Trustpilot Excellent Rating
FAQs
Unfortunately, medical cannabis is still an area with a lot of taboo and suspicion surrounding it. At Releaf, we want to try and break these barriers down and educate the world that it can be an incredibly effective medical treatment.
Visit our help centreYes, cannabis has been legal for medical use in the UK since 2018. It is only suitable for certain conditions and must be prescribed by a qualified medical professional.
All initial consultations are conducted online via a video call. This means you won’t need to go to a GP surgery or hospital for it, and it can be arranged at a time convenient to you.
No, there’s no commitment and you can cancel whenever you like.
CBD oil v Cannabis oil
You may be asking, ‘what’s the difference between prescribed cannabis oil and the CBD oil you can buy on the high street?’. And the answer is, mainly, the inclusion of THC.
In the UK, CBD oils sold over the counter in stores like Holland & Barrett are not legally allowed to contain more than 1mg of THC per product container. This is because THC is a psychoactive compound and while it can offer therapeutic benefits, it does have a potential for misuse if not used appropriately.
Unlike CBD oils, prescribed cannabis oils can contain the entire cannabis plant’s chemical profile, including varying levels of THC - because medical cannabis treatment plans are overseen for safety and efficacy monitoring by qualified healthcare professionals.
Depending on the health condition being treated, cannabis oils may be prescribed in THC dominant or CBD dominant formulations, or in balanced ratios of CBD and THC concentrations.
In the UK, cannabis oils are only legally accessible when they have been prescribed by a registered specialist doctor, and dispensed from a legal, legitimate pharmacy. However, because of their lower strength and concentration, CBD oils can be purchased over the counter in pharmacies and high-street retailers.
THC vs CBD
CBD and THC are both phytocannabinoids. They are naturally occurring chemical compounds found in cannabis, and our bodies produce a similar class of compounds called endocannabinoids.
When THC and CBD enter the body, they can mimic endocannabinoids and influence the signals they typically initiate, and the biological responses they typically trigger.
THC, or delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, is the psychoactive compound that induces the ‘high’ commonly associated with cannabis use. But, when applied appropriately, THC can promote relaxation and act as a sedative, which may help to improve sleep quality. THC is also known to interact with pain perception and appetite, which can prove useful for patients with chronic pain or eating disorders.
CBD, on the other hand, does not have psychoactive qualities, and it is generally very well tolerated. Research suggests CBD, or cannabidiol, can promote a calming effect, and often settles anxiety. Evidence also shows CBD can have a calming effect on inflammation, epilepsy, and pain - but often at much higher doses and concentrations than is available on the British high-street.