Licensed Medicines
Licensed medicines are pharmaceutical products that have been reviewed, approved, and then granted licences by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)
Are there any licensed medical cannabis medicines in the UK?
Yes, but not many.
In the UK, Nabilone, Sativex, and Epidyolex are the only licensed cannabis-based medicines.
Can Releaf legally prescribe non-licensed medical cannabis products?
Yes, all prescribing specialists working with private medical cannabis clinics in the UK have the legal ability to prescribe patients non-licensed products if deemed necessary for their treatment.
The NHS will only offer patients prescriptions to the three licensed cannabis-based medicines mentioned above. If a patient is not responding well to these treatments, they may be referred to a private clinic for alternative options.
What are some examples of non-licensed medical cannabis products?
Non-licensed medical cannabis products can include medical cannabis flower, medical cannabis oil, and various other forms of cannabis extracts and products. Although these products have not received formal approval from the MHRA or EMA, they can be legally prescribed by specialists, as they have recognised potential therapeutic benefits. Many patients find significant relief with non-licensed products.
To find out if you are eligible for medical cannabis treatment in the UK, check out our fast and free medical cannabis eligibility checker.
If you would like to learn more about medical cannabis in the UK, Releaf is here to help. In addition to this medical cannabis glossary, we have an extensive blog and education hub to explore, both filled with resources that UK medical cannabis patients, prescribers, and educators have been asking for.