Medical Cannabis Oil
Medical cannabis oil is a prescription-only medicine in the UK, taken sublingually (under the tongue), where it is held for 60 to 90 seconds to absorb into the bloodstream.
CQC-registered clinic
Regulated by the Care Quality Commission
GMC-registered specialists
Every prescriber is on the GMC register
UK pharmacy dispensing
Dispensed by a regulated UK pharmacy
Eligibility guarantee
Refund if treatment isn’t suitable
The basics
What medical cannabis oil is
Medical cannabis oil is a legal cannabis-based medication made by combining an extract from the cannabis sativa L. plant with a carrier oil. Depending on the formulation you are prescribed, that extract may contain THC, CBD, other minor cannabinoids, terpenes, and other naturally occurring plant compounds. The exact cannabinoid profile and concentration are prescribed based on your medical history, health needs and goals, previous treatments, and other individualised factors.
Once your medical cannabis oil prescription has been confirmed and purchased, it is then dispensed by a pharmacy and sent by tracked delivery direct to your nominated drop-off point. The prescription label will show the exact formulation you have been prescribed, along with dosing directions.
Releaf medical cannabis oil is different to the CBD that you may have seen being sold over-the-counter in health shops, pharmacies, and online. CBD oil products are marketed as food items or supplements, and must legally contain no more than 1 mg of THC per container. Medical cannabis oil can legally contain higher levels of THC at the concentration prescribed by your specialist.
At Releaf, your treatment is overseen by over 50 specialists, GPs, and nurses who make up our world-class clinical team. To learn more about medical cannabis oil, head to our full CBD vs medical cannabis oil explainer.
Format
Oil
Method of administration
Sublingually or Oral
Typical onset
15-45 min (taken under the tongue) OR upto 2 hours (if swallowed directly)
Typical duration
4-8 hours
Cannabinoid profile
Chosen by your clinician to be THC-dominant, CBD-dominant or balanced
Descriptive only — for comparison, not a recommendation.
How it's used
Taken as drops under the tongue
Medical cannabis oil is prescribed to be taken sublingually, allowing the oil to absorb through the tissues beneath the tongue before the remainder is swallowed.
Measure your dose
Use the included dropper to measure the exact amount printed on your personal prescription label. Never try to estimate your dose by eye.
Use the included dropper to measure the exact amount printed on your personal prescription label. Never try to estimate your dose by eye.
Place under tongue
Place the measured dose of oil directly under your tongue and hold there for 60 to 90 seconds, then swallow any remaining oil.
Place the measured dose of oil directly under your tongue and hold there for 60 to 90 seconds, then swallow any remaining oil.
Allow time
Avoid taking another dose until your advised timing interval has passed. Sublingual and orally taken oil generally has a slower onset than inhaled formats.
Avoid taking another dose until your advised timing interval has passed. Sublingual and orally taken oil generally has a slower onset than inhaled formats.
Track the effects
Keep a journal where you note how each dose has affected your symptoms to discuss with your clinician during your follow-up appointments.
Keep a journal where you note how each dose has affected your symptoms to discuss with your clinician during your follow-up appointments.
Longer duration
Oil is absorbed more gradually than inhaled formats, which can lead to a longer efficacy duration. Your specialist may consider prescribing you medical cannabis oil if you have chronic/consistent symptoms and need a longer-lasting treatment option.
Oil is absorbed more gradually than inhaled formats, which can lead to a longer efficacy duration. Your specialist may consider prescribing you medical cannabis oil if you have chronic/consistent symptoms and need a longer-lasting treatment option.
Where inhalation is unsuitable
If you cannot inhale medication, have a health reason which prevents you from doing so, or simply prefer not to, your prescribing specialist may consider oil as an alternative format within your medical cannabis treatment plan.
If you cannot inhale medication, have a health reason which prevents you from doing so, or simply prefer not to, your prescribing specialist may consider oil as an alternative format within your medical cannabis treatment plan.
Prior treatment history
Before any prescribing decisions are made, your specialist will review your diagnosis, previous treatments, any current medications you are taking, and how you have responded to previous care.
Before any prescribing decisions are made, your specialist will review your diagnosis, previous treatments, any current medications you are taking, and how you have responded to previous care.
Benefits & considerations
Longer duration
Oil may suit symptoms that affect your sleep or return overnight, as its effects may last longer than inhaled formats
Oil may suit symptoms that affect your sleep or return overnight, as its effects may last longer than inhaled formats
No inhalation
Oil requires no vaporisation, which may suit you if inhaled forms of medical cannabis are not appropriate for your health needs.
Oil requires no vaporisation, which may suit you if inhaled forms of medical cannabis are not appropriate for your health needs.
Simple to carry
The bottle and dropper are small, easy to carry, with no extra dosing equipment required.
The bottle and dropper are small, easy to carry, with no extra dosing equipment required.
Potential benefits
Longer duration
Oil may suit symptoms that affect your sleep or return overnight, as its effects may last longer than inhaled formats
Oil may suit symptoms that affect your sleep or return overnight, as its effects may last longer than inhaled formats
No inhalation
Oil requires no vaporisation, which may suit you if inhaled forms of medical cannabis are not appropriate for your health needs.
Oil requires no vaporisation, which may suit you if inhaled forms of medical cannabis are not appropriate for your health needs.
Simple to carry
The bottle and dropper are small, easy to carry, with no extra dosing equipment required.
The bottle and dropper are small, easy to carry, with no extra dosing equipment required.
Considerations
Slower onset
How quickly you feel the effects of the oil depends on how it is taken. Sublingually taken oil (under the tongue) takes between 15 and 45 minutes to be felt, while orally ingested oil takes between 30 and 120 minutes.
Sublingually taken oil (under the tongue) takes between 15 and 45 minutes to be felt, while orally ingested oil takes between 30 and 120 minutes.
Less immediate
As the effects take time to be fully felt and build gradually, oil may not be the most suitable format for patients suffering from acute flare-ups.
As the effects take time to be fully felt and build gradually, oil may not be the most suitable format for patients suffering from acute flare-ups.
Taste and texture
Some patients struggle with the taste and texture of medical cannabis oil. Releaf patients have access to a wide range of options, including flavoured oils.
Some patients struggle with the taste and texture of medical cannabis oil. Releaf patients have access to a wide range of options, including flavoured oils.
Join our growing community of over 260,000 people
Whether you’re new to cannabis-based medicines, switching from another medical cannabis clinic, or self-medicating, we’ll put you back in control of your health.
Condition Peripheral Neuropathy
Subscriber 2 years
Condition Anxiety & Depression
Subscriber 2 years
Condition Depression
Subscriber 2 years
Condition Chronic Pain
Subscriber 3 years
FAQs
