Everything you need to know about medical cannabis in the UK
What are the qualifying medical conditions for obtaining a medicinal cannabis prescription in the UK? What is the most accessible route for patients seeking alternative treatments? We’re here to answer your questions.
Despite the legalisation of medical cannabis in the UK five years ago, many eligible patients remain unaware of their rights to access this form of treatment. Despite advocates doing all they can to promote the therapeutic benefits, there are still many hurdles faced by both patients and legislators.
As of Spring 2024, MPs in the UK are still divided on the use of medical cannabis, with some pushing for observational trials while others insist on randomised controlled trials. This has a knock-on effect on the NHS, which in turn then faces challenges in prescribing medical cannabis due to limited trials. Political parties differ in their approach to medical cannabis legislation, with some advocating for reform, while several MPs who do not fully understand its history and therapeutic properties continue to heavily stigmatise cannabis, despite the UK being the world’s biggest producer and exporter of legal medical cannabis.
However, the ever-growing evidence of successful schemes in other European countries could have the potential to improve access for patients in the UK
A brief history of cannabis as medicine
Across centuries and cultures, cannabis has been valued for its medicinal properties, with historical roots in ancient civilisations. From Ancient Greece to China and India, cannabis was used to alleviate various ailments and incorporated into traditional healing practices for over 4,000 years.
Was cannabis previously used as medicine in the UK?
Cannabis had a brief history as a widely embraced medicine in the UK in the 19th century. After being introduced by a British surgeon, extracts of the cannabis plant were sold in pharmacies and hospitals for medical uses starting in the 1840s. During this time, cannabis was viewed as a wonder drug, used to treat everything from menstrual cramps to delirium treatments, with Queen Victoria even cited to have been prescribed it in tincture form.
When was cannabis made illegal in the UK?
Cannabis became restricted in the UK through the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1928. Its popularity surged for recreational use during the mainstream counter-culture movement of the 1960s. In 1968 the Home Office conducted a study into the effects of cannabis, titled the Wootton Report. The report concluded: “There is no evidence that this activity is causing violent crime or aggression, anti-social behaviour, or is producing in otherwise normal people conditions of dependence or psychosis requiring medical treatment.” Despite this, cannabis was fully outlawed in the UK in 1971, following the USA’s lead during the “war on drugs”.
Cannabis was briefly reclassified in 2004 from a class B drug to class C, but was reclassified back to class B in 2008 due to particular illicit “skunk” strains that were available at the time.
Is medical cannabis legal in the UK?
Medical cannabis was legalised in the UK on November 1st, 2018. This legislation allows specialist doctors registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) to prescribe medical cannabis through private clinics.
Most medicinal cannabis products have still not been granted a licence for use in the UK, meaning that doctors wishing to prescribe it need to apply for specialist funding or request their NHS trust to fund them directly.
We work closely with Cantourage, the UK’s leading medical cannabis clinic, who provide specialist advice, consultations and treatment for chronic medical conditions.
Can I get a private cannabis prescription in the UK?
The answer is yes – but certain criteria must be met.
Private cannabis prescriptions are now available in the UK under updated regulations since 2018. Specialist doctors recognised by the General Medical Council, with expertise in specific medical conditions, can prescribe Cannabis-Based Medicinal Products (CBMP). General practitioners are not authorised to prescribe CBMPs but can refer patients to a private specialist if they believe it would be beneficial.
It is worth noting that patients must meet the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) criteria to fulfill the Home Office’s prerequisites before specialist doctors can issue cannabis product prescriptions. However, NICE has not yet approved NHS specialists to prescribe cannabis products unless under exceptional circumstances. NHS conditions eligible for prescription include severe forms of epilepsy responsive to cannabinoids, chemotherapy-induced vomiting or nausea, and muscle stiffness or spasticity from multiple sclerosis (MS).
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Prequalified specialist doctors in the private sector can prescribe cannabis products to private patients - if certain requirements are met.</span></p>\n<p><!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:image {\"id\":18579,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} --><!-- /wp:paragraph 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in the UK?</span></h4>\n<p><!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The answer is yes – but certain criteria must be met.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Private cannabis prescriptions are now available in the UK under updated regulations since 2018. Specialist doctors recognised by the General Medical Council, with expertise in specific medical conditions, can prescribe Cannabis-Based Medicinal Products (CBMP). General practitioners are not authorised to prescribe CBMPs but can refer patients to a private specialist if they believe it would be beneficial.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is worth noting that patients must meet the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) criteria to fulfill the Home Office’s prerequisites before specialist doctors can issue cannabis product prescriptions. However, NICE has not yet approved NHS specialists to prescribe cannabis products unless under exceptional circumstances. NHS conditions eligible for prescription include severe forms of epilepsy responsive to cannabinoids, chemotherapy-induced vomiting or nausea, and muscle stiffness or spasticity from multiple sclerosis (MS). </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For legal private cannabis prescriptions, private medical cannabis clinics and dispensaries in the UK offer a broader scope of conditions. Prequalified specialist doctors in the private sector can prescribe cannabis products to private patients – if certain requirements are met.</span></p>\n<p><!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:image {\"id\":18579,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} --><!-- /wp:paragraph --></p>\t\t\t\t\t</div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t</div>\n\t\t","editSettings":{"defaultEditRoute":"content","panel":{"activeTab":"content","activeSection":"section_editor"}}}]}](https://www.cinvcorp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/man-eyeglasses-holding-his-painful-neck-sitting-sofa-home-caucasian-guy-suffering-from-neckache-due-incorrect-posture-joint-inflammation-frustrated-mature-male-severe-pain-1-scaled.jpg)
What are the requirements for a private medical cannabis prescription in the UK?
Patients commonly prescribed cannabis-based medicines often experience a range of conditions, including anorexia, anxiety, arthritis, asthma, autism, back problems, cancer, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, chronic pain, inflammation, regional pain syndrome, colitis, Crohn’s disease, depression, diverticulitis, dystonia, epilepsy/seizure management, fibromyalgia, gout, migraines, menopause, neuropathic pain, neuropathies, palliative care, Parkinson’s disease, polymyalgia rheumatica, PTSD, rheumatoid arthritis, sleep disorders, spasticity, tremors.
If you are curious about whether or not you are eligible for a medical cannabis prescription, it’s important that you speak to a qualified professional, such as your doctor or a medical cannabis clinic for more information.
How do I speak to my Doctor about cannabis?
To access cannabis-based medicine via the NHS, a prescription from a specialist hospital doctor or under a specialist’s supervision is required. However, a very limited number of prescriptions have actually been issued via the NHS to date, due to the strict criteria that must be met, therefore many in the UK opt for private routes.
We suggest starting by finding a clinic that suits you and your needs. When you contact a medical cannabis clinic, they’ll request access to your medical records to confirm your eligibility for a cannabis prescription and develop a tailored plan for you.
To streamline the process, reach out to your GP ahead of time to obtain your Summary Care Record (SCR). This comprehensive record includes your existing medications, allergies, adverse reactions, and personal information. During the assessment, you will discuss prior treatments, reasons for their lack of effectiveness, symptoms associated with your condition, and how your condition affects your daily life.
Patients new to medical cannabis should always do their research and have questions ready so they can best understand cannabis as a treatment and also understand the law, available medicines, and usage. Specialist doctors who prescribe cannabis will have prior expertise in prescribing appropriate cannabis-based products.
Patients with previous cannabis exposure should openly communicate their history to enable their Doctors to suggest the most suitable strains based on symptoms.
Summary
It is crucial to keep in mind that each patient’s unique needs and circumstances are taken into account. Consulting with a specialised physician who prescribes cannabis-based medicinal products offers the best approach to determine the potential for prescription in addressing a particular condition or specific set of symptoms.
Do not allow the existing stigma associated with medical cannabis to hinder you from accessing appropriate and effective treatment options.
