Medical cannabis for cancer pain: latest UK research and patient access guide

Of course, beyond the fear of pain is the actual pain, which can have a massive impact on the quality of life of cancer patients. This is why there has been, and still is, a lot of research being conducted into treatments for cancer pain management. A part of that research has focused on cannabinoids (a group of compounds produced by Cannabis sativa L. plants) and how they might be able to help cancer patients improve their quality of life.

Although research into medical cannabis for cancer pain is still relatively young, several studies have suggested that they may help reduce pain and improve quality of life. Early findings point to potential mechanisms that include reducing inflammatory mediators and influencing pain pathways in the central nervous system.

Although research into cannabinoids for cancer pain is still relatively young, several studies have suggested that they may help reduce pain and improve quality of life. You can read more about this wider context in our guide on Medical cannabis and cancer: an updated guide for UK patients

What are cannabinoids, and how do they relate to cancer pain?

Cannabinoids are a family of active compounds that interact with the body’s own endocannabinoid system. There are two main types. 

• Endocannabinoids are made naturally by the body and help regulate processes such as pain, mood, sleep, and appetite. 
• Phytocannabinoids are produced by cannabis and hemp plants. The best known are THC and CBD. 
• Both can influence how we perceive pain and how the body responds to it.

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) includes receptors CB1 and CB2, signalling molecules (our endocannabinoids), and enzymes that build and then break those molecules down. 

CB1 receptors are found throughout the central nervous system, where they can modulate the release of neurotransmitters involved in pain pathways. CB2 receptors are found in high concentrations in immune cells and peripheral tissues, where they can influence inflammation. By engaging these receptors, cannabinoids may help reduce pain signals, ease inflammation, and support symptoms that often travel with cancer pain, such as sleep disturbance, low appetite, and nausea.

Researchers have been studying medical cannabis for cancer pain for several decades. Findings are mixed, which is common for symptom research, but a 2025 systematic review  suggested that cannabinoids may help some patients when conventional treatments do not provide enough relief. The evidence base continues to grow, with studies assessing pain intensity, quality of life, sleep, appetite, and opioid use.

The potential role of THC and CBD in cancer pain reduction

THC is the primary psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis plants, but it does a lot more than just change perception. It can act as an analgesic by dampening pain signalling in the central nervous system and may also help with appetite and nausea, which often affect people undergoing cancer treatment. Some trials in cancer populations report improvements in pain scores or related symptoms, though not all studies agree.

CBD is non-intoxicating, but still counted as psychoactive due to its ability to change how we feel. It does not bind strongly to CB1 or CB2 but can modulate the ECS and other receptor systems linked to pain and inflammation. Early evidence suggests CBD may help some patients with anxiety and sleep, which can indirectly improve pain control. 

CBD has also been shown to reduce the intoxicating effects of THC when the two are taken together. This balancing effect is one reason why researchers are so interested in THC:CBD combinations, as they may provide therapeutic benefit while improving tolerability.

Next, we will look at how cancer pain is usually managed in the UK and where medical cannabis may fit within a broader care plan.

How is cancer pain usually managed in the UK?

Cancer pain care starts with a clear assessment and a simple aim: reduce pain, protect function, and keep side effects low. 

Doctors often first prescribe non-opioid medicines such as paracetamol or NSAIDs. If the pain is moderate or severe, opioids like morphine or oxycodone may be offered, or if nerve pain is the issue at hand, certain antidepressants and anticonvulsants are sometimes prescribed. Bone pain may call for radiotherapy or bone-strengthening drugs. 

All the above clearly shows that cancer pain is not once single thing, and must be handled as such.

These tools help many people, but not everyone gets enough relief. Opioids can cause constipation, nausea, and sedation, and the longer they are prescribed, the higher the chances of reliance (even addiction) builds, and even when a medication does help for a period of time, some patients still report significant pain returning unless the dose is upped. 

This is where medical cannabis treatment for pain can enter the picture. 

In the UK, it is prescribed as an add-on to standard care, not a replacement. Patients need to have first tried at least two conventional treatment options before they can be considered for medical cannabis treatment in the UK. 

That said, new research is pointing to medical cannabis potentially being able to reduce opioid usage in cancer sufferers.

Integrative approaches to cancer pain management

Medical cannabis usually works best when it is part of a wider, holistic cancer management plan. 

• Physiotherapy and gentle movement help keep the body strong and mobile.
• Cognitive behavioural therapy can lower distress and improve coping with pain.
• Acupuncture, massage, relaxation techniques, or TENS may bring added relief.

In the UK, prescribed medical cannabis is a plant-based option when other treatments are not enough. The practical path is stepwise: optimise standard medicines, add adjuvants like medical cannabis, and implement non-drug strategies.

What forms of medical cannabis are used for cancer pain?

There are two main routes to prescribed cannabis in the UK, though their availability differs sharply. On the NHS, only a handful of prescriptions have ever been issued, limited to licensed synthetic cannabinoid medicines such as dronabinol, nabilone, and nabiximols. These options are not offered for cancer pain, only for the side effects of chemotherapy.

The other route is through private medical cannabis clinics. like Releaf. Specialists working with these clinics have the legal ability to prescribe a wider range of products, including medical cannabis flower, oils, tinctures, capsules, THC vapes, edibles, and even topical creams. Each form has different strengths and limitations.

• Inhaled options (flower or vapes) offer rapid relief (between 2 to 15 minutes), which can help with sudden flares of pain.
• Oils and capsules take longer to work when taken orally (60 to 90 minutes) but provide steadier relief through the day or night.
• Sublingual administered oil (under the tongue) sits in between, offering relatively quick onset (15 to 30 minutes) with moderate duration.
• Topicals such as creams are used more for localised discomfort and inflammation, though evidence in cancer pain is limited.

Suitability depends on patient goals, co-existing conditions, and tolerance. Fast onset can be useful for breakthrough pain, while slower, steadier products may suit those seeking consistent background relief.

Real-world data from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry has reported on thousands of patients prescribed different product types between 2022 and 2025. The findings show that results differ depending on the product, but they also suggest that cannabis can be used safely and with flexibility in a clinical setting, provided the treatment is carefully matched to each patient’s needs.

What does the research say about cannabinoids and cancer pain?

Cannabinoids have been studied for cancer pain for more than two decades, and the picture is slowly becoming clearer. Clinical trials using products such as nabiximols (a THC:CBD spray), dronabinol, and cannabis oils show mixed results overall. Some studies report meaningful improvements in pain relief, appetite, or sleep, while others do not find a difference from placebo.

Systematic reviews take these differences into account. A 2022 review of cannabinoids for adult cancer pain judged the evidence to be low certainty, but it still found signals that cannabinoids can ease pain for some patients, particularly when added to conventional medicines. Another review of both cancer and non-cancer pain concluded that cannabinoids may improve sleep and quality of life, and that they are generally well tolerated when carefully prescribed.

The 2025 meta-analysis we have mentioned throughout this article adds weight to this view. It showed that cannabinoids can reduce symptom burden for some patients (especially in areas like sleep, appetite, and overall wellbeing), and that they can be used safely in clinical settings when monitored. The main limitation is that many trials are small or short, so stronger studies are still needed before definitive guidance can be made.

Dosing and prescription considerations

Dosing medical cannabis for cancer pain is never one-size-fits-all. In the UK, private clinics individualise prescriptions to each patient. Specialists look at symptoms, medical history, and current medicines before choosing a product and starting dose.

The guiding principle is titration, or “start low, go slow”. This means beginning with a small amount of oil, flower, or other product, then gradually increasing under medical supervision until benefits appear or side effects become limiting. Because product strengths vary, and patient responses differ, there is no universal dose for medical cannabis prescription for cancer pain.

CBD oil for cancer pain dosage is particularly variable. Some patients may respond to modest doses, while others need higher amounts, especially if CBD is used alongside THC. In clinical trials, including a 2024 randomised study of THC:CBD extracts in cancer pain, side effects like drowsiness and dizziness were linked to higher doses, reinforcing the need for careful titration and monitoring.

The safest approach is a stepwise one: set clear goals for pain relief and quality of life, titrate slowly, and adjust only with specialist oversight.

What does the research say about cannabinoids and cancer pain?

Cannabinoids have been studied for cancer pain for more than two decades, and the picture is slowly becoming clearer. Clinical trials using products such as nabiximols (a THC:CBD spray), dronabinol, and cannabis oils show mixed results overall. Some studies report meaningful improvements in pain relief, appetite, or sleep, while others do not find a difference from placebo.

Systematic reviews take these differences into account. A 2022 review of cannabinoids for adult cancer pain judged the evidence to be low certainty, but it still found signals that cannabinoids can ease pain for some patients, particularly when added to conventional medicines. Another review of both cancer and non-cancer pain concluded that cannabinoids may improve sleep and quality of life, and that they are generally well tolerated when carefully prescribed.

The 2025 meta-analysis we have mentioned throughout this article adds weight to this view. It showed that cannabinoids can reduce symptom burden for some patients (especially in areas like sleep, appetite, and overall wellbeing), and that they can be used safely in clinical settings when monitored. The main limitation is that many trials are small or short, so stronger studies are still needed before definitive guidance can be made.

Dosing and prescription considerations

Dosing medical cannabis for cancer pain is never one-size-fits-all. In the UK, private clinics individualise prescriptions to each patient. Specialists look at symptoms, medical history, and current medicines before choosing a product and starting dose.

The guiding principle is titration, or “start low, go slow”. This means beginning with a small amount of oil, flower, or other product, then gradually increasing under medical supervision until benefits appear or side effects become limiting. Because product strengths vary, and patient responses differ, there is no universal dose for medical cannabis prescription for cancer pain.

CBD oil for cancer pain dosage is particularly variable. Some patients may respond to modest doses, while others need higher amounts, especially if CBD is used alongside THC. In clinical trials, including a 2024 randomised study of THC:CBD extracts in cancer pain, side effects like drowsiness and dizziness were linked to higher doses, reinforcing the need for careful titration and monitoring.

The safest approach is a stepwise one: set clear goals for pain relief and quality of life, titrate slowly, and adjust only with specialist oversight.

How can patients in the UK access medical cannabis for cancer pain?

In the UK, almost all cannabis-based medicines are unlicensed but can still be prescribed by a specialist through a private medical cannabis clinic. The rules are clear: if a specialist believes it could help, they can write the prescription.

On the NHS, though, the door is totally closed for patients with cancer pain. Access is limited to severe epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and chemotherapy-induced sickness.

That’s where Releaf steps in. The process is straightforward: start with an eligibility check, book a consultation, and if the doctor agrees, you can receive a medical cannabis prescription for cancer pain. The medicine might be oil, flower, or another form, with dose and product type tailored to your needs.

Releaf goes further. Patients have full access to our purpose-built Patient Dashboard to order, track, and manage repeats in one place. Every patient is given the UK’s first free, police-supported medical cannabis card. And crucially, the medicines themselves come through both domestic and international supply chains. Releaf was the first UK clinic to provide access to domestically grown medical cannabis flower through our partnership with Glass Pharms®, alongside products from the most trusted international suppliers. This evolving supply chain ensures reliability, eco-friendliness, and fewer delays. Together, they create a high-quality, resilient supply chain that reduces delays and gives patients confidence in consistency.

The UK Medical Cannabis Registry data from 2023 to 2025 backs this up. Thousands of patients in the UK have been prescribed cannabis under specialist care, and many report real gains in pain relief, sleep, and quality of life.

With that in mind, let’s hear from some real Releaf patients…

Releaf patient experiences with medical cannabis for cancer pain and other symptoms

Hearing directly from patients shows how research translates into real life. For some people, prescribed medical cannabis for cancer pain relief has eased symptoms that standard medicines could not fully control.  These patient stories highlight how treatment can not only reduce pain, but also improve sleep, and support quality of life alongside ongoing cancer care.

Paul’s story: Living better with medical cannabis during cancer treatment

Paul was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer in 2022 and has lived with ongoing abdominal pain following major surgery. Since joining Releaf in 2024, he has found that prescribed cannabis oils and flower made a striking difference:

“Medical cannabis provides pain relief that is like no other pain relief treatment option I have taken to date.”

“Since I’ve joined Releaf, I’ve found medical cannabis works, it just removes the pain from around the operation sites.”

“With medical cannabis, I feel relief within 10 minutes. It lasts two to three hours, and the tail-off is much gentler and slower than paracetamol.”

Alongside pain relief, Paul noticed improvements in sleep and quality of life:

“It also helps me sleep, which is something I have struggled with for a long time. I wake up in the morning feeling refreshed, ready to go again.”

He also reduced his need for over-the-counter medicines:

“My prescribed medical cannabis has enabled me to cut down my reliance and daily usage on paracetamol by more than half.”

Louise’s story: Cancer, courage, and compassionate treatments

Louise carries the BRCA2 gene and has faced breast cancer, chemotherapy, and multiple surgeries since 2022. The side effects of treatment left her exhausted, nauseous, and struggling with anxiety. After joining Releaf in 2024, she found medical cannabis oil helped her manage these burdens:

“The first big change that I noticed was my sleep. It seemed to calm my mind and helped me sleep much better at night.”

“I used to take the antianxiety tablet Lorazepam at night to sleep, and I'm not taking those any more.”

“My medical cannabis prescription has been properly explained to me by my doctor at Releaf. I know why I've got it, where it came from, and how much to use. My medicine is prescribed for me and my particular condition, it’s not just a standard dose that’s given to everyone. It’s personal.”

For Louise, medical cannabis has been about regaining a sense of comfort and control during the most difficult stage of her illness:

“I’m happy to have found a medicine that helps without being so hard on my body, so I’m able to just get on with life. It’s a much more manageable and comfortable way to go forward into the future.”

FAQs on UK medical cannabis for cancer pain

What is the best CBD for cancer pain?

There isn’t a single “best” CBD product for cancer pain, because needs vary. Some patients respond well to CBD oil, others to capsules or combined THC:CBD products. In the UK, CBD for cancer pain is prescribed by a specialist as part of a tailored plan, taking into account symptoms, other medicines, and personal goals.

Does CBD help cancer patients with pain?

Early research and patient reports suggest that CBD can help some people manage cancer pain. It may not directly numb pain like opioids, but it can reduce inflammation and ease anxiety or sleep problems, which often makes pain easier to live with. Many patients also value that CBD is non-intoxicating, though it is still psychoactive in the sense that it changes how we feel.

What is the right CBD oil dosage for cancer pain?

There is no universal dose. In UK clinics, doctors follow the principle of “start low, go slow”. CBD oil for cancer pain is usually started at a small dose, then titrated upwards until the right balance of benefit and side effects is found. The dose depends on body weight, metabolism, and whether CBD is used alone or alongside THC.

What plant-based treatments are available for cancer pain management in the UK?

In the UK, medical cannabis is one plant-based treatment option for cancer pain management. Prescriptions can include oils, flower, vapes, or capsules, and these are accessed through private clinics, since NHS pathways do not currently cover cancer pain. Other plant-based approaches sometimes used alongside standard care for cancer symptom reduction include turmeric, ginger, curcumin, and omega-3 supplements, though the evidence for these is less robust. 

Medical cannabis is the only option available on prescription, with dosing overseen by a specialist.

Can cannabis replace traditional cancer pain management?

Cannabis is not considered a replacement for standard cancer pain medicines like opioids or NSAIDs. Instead, it is used as an adjunct when conventional options are not enough. Some patients report reducing their reliance on opioids after starting medical cannabis, but any changes must be closely supervised by a specialist.

How long does medical cannabis take to work for cancer pain?

It depends on the form. Inhaled cannabis (flower or THC vapes) can work within minutes, often used for breakthrough pain. Oils or capsules may take 30 to 90 minutes to take effect, but last longer through the day or night. Sublingually administered oil is faster acting than orally administered options, and last a little longer than inhaled options. 

What side effects should patients expect with THC and CBD?

THC can cause dizziness, dry mouth, drowsiness, or, at higher doses, anxiety or intoxication. CBD is generally well tolerated but may lead to diarrhoea, fatigue, or interactions with other medicines. Side effects are usually mild when dosing is carefully titrated and monitored by a specialist.

Can medical cannabis help with cancer pain management in the UK?

Cancer pain is complex, and no single treatment works for everyone. What is becoming clear is that medical cannabis offers a meaningful option for some patients, easing symptoms and helping them regain quality of life. Evidence is growing, patient stories are compelling, and access in the UK is improving through private clinics.

If you want to understand more about whether medical cannabis could be an option for you, try Releaf’s medical cannabis eligibility checker. It’s free, takes less than 20 seconds, and could be the first step towards better control of your symptoms.