Between March and June 2020, only 18 people in England got a medical cannabis prescription. This shows how rare these prescriptions are. They are mainly for severe epilepsy, cancer treatment side effects, and MS-related muscle spasms12.
Some cannabis-based products can be bought online. In the UK, these may not be legal and could have harmful ingredients. CBD oil and hemp oil are considered food supplements in the country. But, their quality and health benefits are not checked3. Three very little people benefit from medical cannabis on the NHS. It’s only given in special cases. For instance, Epidyolex helps with rare types of epilepsy. And Nabiximols (Sativex) is for adults with MS-related muscle issues1.
Products tagged as ‘medical cannabis’ don’t have THC, the part that makes you ‘high’. This means products like Epidyolex don’t have that effect3. But, remember, it’s not easy to legally have medical cannabis without a prescription. The UK is strict about this. And it’s not legal for fun use1.
Key Takeaways
- Very few people in England are likely to get an NHS prescription for medical cannabis1.
- Medical cannabis is prescribed for rare epilepsy, chemotherapy-induced nausea, and muscle spasms caused by multiple sclerosis2.
- Only specialist hospital doctors can prescribe cannabis-based medicines on the NHS1.
- CBD oil and hemp oil can be legally purchased in the UK as food supplements but with no guaranteed quality or health benefits3.
- The UK government does not intend to legalise the recreational use of cannabis1.
The Legal Status of Medicinal Cannabis in the UK
In the UK, rules for legal medicinal cannabis are strict but have some flexibility for medical use. Some cannabis products have been reclassified. Yet, cannabis is still seen as a Class B drug by the law from 1971.
Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
The Act of 1971 is key to how cannabis is controlled. Because of this law, it’s illegal to have, sell, make, bring, or send cannabis without a special licence. Everyone must be very careful to avoid breaking the law. The government is firm on this and does not plan to make cannabis legal for fun1.
Cannabis-Based Medicines and Their Regulation
There are special rules for using cannabis in medicines in the UK. These medicines are called cannabis-based products for medicinal use. They are in a different category (Schedule 2), making them prescription only.
To be prescribed, these products must be developed for certain health needs. For example, Epidyolex is used for rare types of epilepsy. Nabilone helps adults with symptoms from cancer treatments1. These rules show how the UK carefully manages access to medical cannabis.
Also, growing cannabis with low THC levels for certain uses is allowed. This includes making hemp fibre or oil seeds with the right permissions. This shows a clear pathway for legal growing without abuse.
Only specialist doctors can give out cannabis medicines. They follow strict rules to ensure the medicines are used correctly. Since November 2018, with new laws, these doctors can more easily prescribe cannabis products. This change was made because of strong calls, especially from families of ill children4.
Qualifying Conditions for Medicinal Cannabis Prescriptions
In the UK, patients need specific conditions to get medicinal cannabis. They can get it for rare types of epilepsy, muscle issues from MS, and sickness from chemo. This shows how careful doctors are when giving out these medicines1.
Severe Forms of Epilepsy
Some patients with hard-to-treat epilepsy are now getting cannabis-based medicines. These include Epidyolex, a CBD drug. It helps both kids and adults with severe epilepsy like Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. This option is making a big difference for these hard cases1.
Multiple Sclerosis
For those suffering from MS, especially muscle stiffness and spasms, there’s Nabiximols. This cannabis medicine, known as Sativex, steps in when others don’t work. It’s used to make life better for MS patients in the UK. The access to this legal cannabis product has significantly improved their lives1.
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting
Chemo can make people really sick, and sometimes the usual drugs can’t help much. That’s when medications like Nabilone, which is like THC, come in. It’s another area where cannabis medicines are truly needed. They ensure no one is left without a possible solution1.
Getting these cannabis prescriptions isn’t easy. Only expert doctors can decide who really needs them. Before turning to cannabis goods, patients must have tried everything else. This approach aims to use these special medicines wisely and where they can truly make a difference5.
How to Obtain a Prescription for Medicinal Cannabis
In the UK, getting a prescription for medical marijuana UK is a detailed process. It requires a special consultation with a doctor who knows about this field. Your usual doctor can’t give you this prescription. Only doctors from hospitals who are experts in this area can.
Role of the Specialist Hospital Doctor
Specialist doctors from hospitals play a big part in deciding if you should get medical cannabis. They look at a lot of things to see if it would help you. In England, not many people can get medical cannabis from the NHS. Mostly, it’s for severe cases, like special types of epilepsy or if you’re feeling really sick from chemotherapy1. Some medicines, like Epidyolex, help kids with certain types of epilepsy. And Nabilone can make you feel less sick from chemo1.
Referral Process
To look into getting medical cannabis, you should first see a specialist. They’ll check your health and what’s been used to treat you before. If other medicines didn’t work or are not good choices, then they might suggest medical cannabis. The health group NICE recommends some cannabis-based medicines for very severe conditions3. For example, Epidyolex can help with some types of epilepsy in children. Sativex can be tried if other treatments for MS don’t help1.
Getting medical cannabis in the UK means working with the right doctors and going through tests and checks. The BPNA suggests Epidyolex as a top choice for children with serious epilepsy3. A prescription is only given if it’s the best option and other treatments didn’t do well.
Specific Medicinal Cannabis Products Available on Prescription
The UK has given the green light to specific cannabis medicines for patients with certain conditions. Epidyolex helps with severe epilepsy, Nabilone with nausea from chemotherapy, and Nabiximols (Sativex) for muscle spasms in multiple sclerosis.
Epidyolex for Epilepsy
For those with hard-to-treat epilepsies, like Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet syndromes, Epidyolex is key1. It’s made of a pure form of CBD. This medicine is backed by the UK’s NICE and the BPNA for severe epilepsy cases3.
Nabilone for Chemotherapy Patients
Nabilone is crucial for easing nausea and vomiting in adult chemotherapy patients. It comes in capsules that act like THC. If standard treatments fail, Nabilone steps in as a vital option3.
Nabiximols (Sativex) for MS
For MS patients with severe muscle tightness, Nabiximols is a game-changer1. This THC:CBD spray is approved in the UK. It significantly eases the stiffness and spasms linked to MS3.
Can You Buy Medicinal Cannabis in the UK?
Buying medicinal cannabis in the UK is tricky. Only certain cannabis products are allowed to treat specific health issues. These include problems like vomiting from certain treatments, muscle stiffness due to MS, and some types of epilepsy1.
What about CBD oil UK or hemp oil UK? They can be bought as food supplements. But, their quality and benefits are not guaranteed. These products usually don’t have THC, the part that makes you high. As long as they are sold properly, they are legal1.
Getting unlicensed cannabis items is harder. Only a few people got these from March to June 2020 in England2. Mamedica offers to help with proper cannabis treatments for as cheap as £5 a day. But, you need a prescription for this2.
Most cannabis products sold online probably have THC. This makes them illegal and possibly dangerous to use1.
“Cannabis-based medicine can only be prescribed by a specialist hospital doctor in limited cases, and most people are unlikely to get an NHS prescription”1.
So, buying medicinal cannabis in the UK is not easy, especially for products with THC. Always check that any CBD or hemp oil you buy follows the rules. This way, you can avoid trouble and stay safe.
Risks and Side Effects of Medicinal Cannabis
Just like any medicine, medicinal cannabis has potential side effects. It’s crucial to know these before using it for health reasons.
Potential Side Effects
Using medicinal cannabis may lead to several side effects. These include less appetite, diarrhoea, changes in mood, feeling dizzy, and getting high. The impact can change from one person to the next. For example, Epidyolex products for illnesses like Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet syndrome can cause these issues1.
Psychosis and Dependency
Products with THC might raise the chance of mental illnesses like psychosis and addiction, especially with regular use1. Research shows that using these products a lot can badly affect mental well-being. It may even cause a condition called cannabis psychosis1. Also, being dependent on cannabis is a hazard. Doctors need to watch out for this and give close attention to patients using it1.
Interactions with Other Medications
CBD and THC might change how other drugs work or raise their side effects when used together3. That’s why doctors often need to keep an eye on patients who are using both medicinal cannabis and other drugs. NICE guidelines support trying a THC:CBD spray for adults with multiple sclerosis. This shows the importance of using THC and CBD carefully3.
Understanding CBD Products in the UK
In the UK, CBD items are getting very popular, from oils to food supplements. Legal CBD oil available in the UK must not have THC. It’s key to ensure the CBD’s safety and quality, especially with products bought over-the-counter.
Legal CBD Products
For CBD products to be legal in the UK, they must follow certain rules. This includes being free from THC, a controlled substance. Such pure CBD doesn’t get you high but offers a range of products, as long as they contain no THC3. To stay safe, always buy from well-known brands to avoid any illegal products.
Quality and Safety Concerns
The level of quality in CBD goods can differ a lot, which can be worrying. The British Paediatric Neurology Association backs Epidiolex®, a pure CBD, for certain childhood conditions, highlighting the importance of choosing top-notch items3. It’s really important for buyers to pick quality UK CBD products. Otherwise, the possible benefits might not be as good or safe.
Future of Cannabis Legislation in the UK
The future of cannabis law in the UK is a major debate. The government is clear – they won’t make using cannabis for fun legal4. They say this change doesn’t mean people can suddenly smoke cannabis without consequences. The penalties for having or selling cannabis without permission stay the same. This keeps the UK’s tough stance on the drug clear.
Government Stance on Legalisation
Yet, there are some exceptions. People can now get cannabis-based medicine if they truly need it. This shift came after a review showed that children with severe epilepsy could benefit. So, from 1 November 2018, special doctors can prescribe cannabis-based drugs. Groups like the NHS, British Paediatric Neurology Association, and Royal College of Physicians offered key advice4. They helped by sharing important clinical insights with the doctors. Still, this slight relax of the rules was solely for urgent health needs.
Ongoing Clinical Trials
There’s ongoing work to better understand the medical benefits of cannabis in the UK. The change in law now makes it easier for doctors and researchers to study it. They’re looking into how cannabis treatments can help with things like epilepsy and multiple sclerosis. However, the NHS isn’t fully offering these treatments yet. This has led some patients to seek them through private means or to use CBD oils from stores6.
The hope is that by studying medical cannabis more, it may become more widely available. This would be great news for patients who could really use it. Keeping control strict while exploring its health benefits is key for health experts and lawmakers6.
Conclusion
Understanding the laws around marijuana in the UK can be tricky. This is especially true for using it as a medicine. In 2019, only 18 people got medical marijuana through the NHS. This shows how tough it is for those who could benefit7. Access is even more difficult for NHS patients, leading to unequal treatment8. At the same time, over-the-counter CBD items are becoming more common. But, not all of these products are safe or of good quality.
Yet, more people are seeing the pros of using cannabis for health. It’s been shown to help with long-lasting pain. Some patients have even reduced their use of strong painkillers thanks to medical cannabis8. Also, most Brits are open to the idea of making cannabis completely legal, with 72% supporting it7. Future laws might change due to tests checking how well medical cannabis works and how safe it is.
Thinking about trying CBD in the UK? Here’s what you should know. CBD is sold as a nutritional aid. But, what’s inside them can be a mystery. And, there’s no promise they’ll help you. It’s vital to get advice from doctors before you start using these products for your health. As more is learned and as attitudes shift, we might see easier ways to get and use these products.
FAQ
Can you buy medicinal cannabis in the UK?
What conditions qualify for medicinal cannabis prescriptions in the UK?
What legislation governs the use of medicinal cannabis in the UK?
How can I obtain a prescription for medicinal cannabis?
What are the potential side effects of medicinal cannabis?
Are CBD products legal in the UK?
What cannabis-based medicinal products are available in the UK?
Is recreational cannabis use legal in the UK?
Can I legally buy CBD oil in the UK?
What is the government’s stance on the future of cannabis legislation in the UK?
Source Links
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/medical-cannabis/
- https://mamedica.co.uk/can-i-get-medical-cannabis-on-the-nhs/
- https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/cannabis-based-products-for-medicinal-use-cbpms/
- https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-announces-that-medicinal-cannabis-is-legal
- https://myaccessclinics.co.uk/2022/10/what-are-the-requirements-for-a-medical-cannabis-prescription/
- https://www.bna.org.uk/mediacentre/events/the-future-of-medical-cannabis-in-the-uk-increasing-access-improving-patient-wellbeing-and-supporting-innovation/
- https://lyphe.com/medical-cannabis-laws-uk/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7436434/