International Epilepsy Day 2026: medical cannabis access in the UK

How has epilepsy influenced medical cannabis policy in the UK?

Epilepsy did not just shape patient advocacy in the UK. It reshaped drug policy. A series of high-profile cases involving children with severe, treatment-resistant seizures being forced to seek medical cannabis treatment overseas forced a national reckoning and played a major role in the huge 2018 shift in policy to permit specialist prescribing of medical cannabis. 

After months of parliamentary debate and petitioning, just two medical cannabis products for epilepsy were originally approved by the NHS, one of which was specifically designed to help reduce epileptic seizures - Epidyolex.

Since then, medical cannabis treatment for epilepsy has become a more than welcome addition to the clinical toolkit, offering new possibilities for patients who had exhausted conventional options and standing alongside established therapies as part of a broader, more personalised approach to seizure management.

While NHS prescribing of medical cannabis remains limited to three specific health issues, one of them being treatment-resistant epilepsy, the number of prescriptions issued through the NHS remains exceptionally low compared with the scale of clinical need across the UK.

That said, specialist clinics like us here at Releaf now assess patients for medical cannabis treatment for seizure management on a case-by-case basis within the UK’s evolving regulatory framework. International Epilepsy Day 2026 is therefore not only about awareness. It is a moment to examine how treatment pathways have changed, how access continues to develop, and what the next chapter of epilepsy care in the UK may look like.

What is epilepsy, and why is seizure control still a challenge?

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterised by recurrent seizures, caused by sudden bursts of electrical activity in the brain. It is not a single disorder but a spectrum of conditions, with different causes, seizure types, and levels of severity. No two people experience epilepsy in exactly the same way, which is why treatment plans must reflect the individual, not just the diagnosis.

Seizures themselves vary significantly. 

• Focal seizures begin in one specific area of the brain and may cause sensory changes, involuntary movements, or altered awareness. 

• Generalised seizures involve widespread electrical activity and can lead to loss of consciousness and convulsions. 

• Absence seizures are brief but frequent lapses in awareness, often seen in children. 

• Tonic-clonic seizures, the most widely recognised type, involve loss of consciousness and strong muscle contractions.

Despite advances in anti-epileptic medications, more than 30% of people with epilepsy continue to experience seizures that are difficult to control. This treatment-resistant epilepsy is one of the key reasons alternative therapeutic pathways, including medical cannabis treatment for epilepsy, have entered clinical discussion in recent years.

 

Beyond the clinical definitions, the impact of epilepsy is profound. It affects education, employment, mental health, independence, and family life. The unpredictability of seizures can shape daily routines and long-term decisions, which is why progress in treatment options continues to matter so deeply.

How do cannabinoids interact with epilepsy seizure pathways?

Researchers believe part of the explanation lies in the endocannabinoid system, or ECS, a regulatory network involved in modulating brain activity, inflammation, and neuronal signalling.

Seizures happen when electrical signals in the brain misfire. For some people with epilepsy, ongoing inflammation in brain tissue may make those signals even harder to stabilise. The endocannabinoid system is involved in regulating both electrical activity and inflammatory responses, which is one reason researchers began looking at cannabinoids as a potential option for treatment-resistant epilepsy.

Phytocannabinoids and the ECS

Cannabis produces cannabinoids (or, to be more precise, phytocannabinoids). Just like our own endocannabinoids, which make up one part of the ECS and interact with ECS receptors, these phytocannabinoids also can bind to ECS receptors (among other systems in the body). 

One study, titled "The Interplay between the Endocannabinoid System, Epilepsy and Cannabinoids", showed that epilepsy has been associated with ECS dysfunction and, in particular, neuroinflammation.

In particular, cannabidiol (CBD) has shown huge potential as an anticonvulsant in specific (and somewhat rare) types of epilepsy. High-profile cases involving children with severe, treatment-resistant epilepsy brought intense public attention to the issue. Families spoke openly about the difference cannabis-based medicines had made abroad and the consequences when access was denied at home. That pressure helped accelerate the 2018 change in UK law that permitted specialist prescribing of medical cannabis (more on this in the next section).

THC is not typically considered as strong an anticonvulsant as CBD, but that is not the whole story. For some people with epilepsy, seizure control is only part of the challenge. 

Sleep disruption, chronic pain, anxiety, and low mood often sit alongside the condition. Research suggests THC may help address some of these broader issues or secondary symptoms by influencing inflammation, pain pathways, and sleep regulation, which can have a hugely positive impact on overall quality of life.

If you are new to medical cannabis and some of the related terms, feel free to head to our medical cannabis glossary.

Epilepsy and the medical cannabis revolution in the UK

After a series of high-profile cases of children with severe epilepsy being denied access to medical cannabis treatment despite its proven effectiveness, with some being forced to travel abroad to access it, the UK government finally began discussing the possibility of legalising medical cannabis.

After months of parliamentary debate and petitioning, just two medical cannabis for epilepsy treatment options were originally approved by the NHS, one of which was specifically designed to help reduce epileptic seizures - Epidyolex.

The impact of grassroots advocacy and the tireless work of patient groups and families with epileptic children really can't be overstated here. Without their efforts, it's difficult to imagine that we would be where we are today and that patients suffering from not just epilepsy but a range of conditions would have legal access to medical cannabis products in the UK.

The efficacy of medical cannabis in epilepsy treatment

While the potential that medical cannabis holds for certain epilepsy patients in reducing seizures and helping with secondary symptoms is very encouraging, it is important to be clear that it is rarely a universal treatment solution. As with most medical cannabis applications, it should always be prescribed under ongoing specialist supervision and as part of a holistic treatment plan. 

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has repeatedly called for larger, comparative trials to strengthen the evidence base. Thankfully, that research is slowly starting to emerge, and the results have been quite positive, which lines up with the anecdotal evidence that we hear every day from Releaf patients. 

What does the clinical research say about medical cannabis for epilepsy?

 

I's not as simple as replacing traditional medication with CBD or another cannabinoid. But the progress that has been made so far is encouraging, and with medical cannabis slowly becoming a legal reality not just here but globally, the access that researchers are afforded to this plant will only increase, and with it, our understanding of its potential.

Patient testimonials: real-life impacts of cannabis on epilepsy

When it comes to epilepsy patients who have their lives changed by medical cannabis treatment, we can't overlook the cases of Billy Caldwell and Alfie Dingley,

Billy’s mother, Charlotte Caldwell, sought medical cannabis treatment abroad after her son’s severe, daily seizures became unmanageable. Following positive results with CBD oil overseas, the family returned to the UK only to have his prescribed medication confiscated at the airport. Within days of the seizure medication being seized, Billy’s life-threatening seizures returned. Public pressure and widespread media attention followed, ultimately contributing to the emergency review that led to the 2018 policy change permitting specialist prescribing of medical cannabis.

Alfie Dingley’s case followed a similar path. Alfie, who lives with a rare form of epilepsy, had experienced a dramatic reduction in seizures while using cannabis oil abroad. His family campaigned for access in the UK, and after sustained advocacy, he became one of the first children to receive a special licence for medical cannabis treatment. Together, these cases brought national attention to the gap between emerging clinical evidence and UK law.

From uncontrolled seizures to daily function: a Releaf patient perspective on medical cannabis

Sonia, a Releaf patient living in Plymouth, describes how treatment-resistant epilepsy once left her unable to work and frequently hospitalised. “I was neglecting myself in the hospital and still having fits. I need to function. I need to be able to go to work. My mental health matters too.”

Before starting medical cannabis with Releaf, she says the conventional prescriptions she was given “were just not good. After effects. I couldn’t work.” 

Since beginning treatment, she describes a significant shift in stability. “Since being on what I call healthy medication, I’ve not had one aura. Not one. I needed something that would let me still get up and be me: Go to work, earn a crust every week, feed my kids myself - not rely on anyone else.”

She is direct about what that has meant for her: “The only way I can do that with epilepsy is medical cannabis. I’m a lot more sprightly. A lot more happy. I’ve got no worries in the background. When epilepsy isn’t controlled, there’s a lot of what ifs. Now it’s dealt with. Not a problem.”

FAQS on epilepsy and medical cannabis in the UK

Can medical cannabis legally be prescribed for epilepsy in the UK?

Yes, medical cannabis for epilepsy has been a fully legal treatment option since 2018. It must be prescribed by a specialist doctor, and only after the patient has treid at least two conventional treatment options. 

NHS prescribing remains extremely limited and only for specific syndromes (Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome). That said, specialists working with private medical cannabis clinics can assess patients and prescribe a broader range of products for a much wider range of health concerns, where clinically appropriate.

Can medical cannabis interact with anti-epileptic medication?

It can, yes, but that doesnt mean it will for all patients. Cannabidiol (CBD) is metabolised by liver enzymes that also process many commonly prescribed anti-epileptic drugs. This means careful monitoring is essential, especially for medications such as clobazam or valproate. 

This only further underpins the need for ongoing and carefully monitored clinical oversight. 

Does medical cannabis for epilepsy cause psychoactive effects?

Most prescriptions for epilepsy are CBD-dominant, and CBD does not produce intoxicating effects.

Some patients may benefit from a medical cannabis product that also contains a certain level of THC. In certain cases, THC may be included to support sleep, pain, or anxiety/depression symptoms that sit alongside epilepsy.

Are CBD vapes recommended for epilepsy?

Vaporised CBD may offer epilepsy patients a way to manage their condition, but as with all things medical cannabis, there is no 'one-size-fits-all' solution. Talk to your Releaf prescribing specialist about your treatment options.

What is the best medical cannabis product for epilepsy?

There is no one ‘best’ medical cannabis product for epilepsy, or any condition for that matter.

The strongest evidence that is currently available focuses mostly on oral or sublingually administered CBD-dominant oil options, but what works for one patient may not be the best option for another. 

Epilepsy is highly individual. Treatment must be too.

Wrapping up: International Epilepsy Day 2026 and the future of epilepsy care

International Epilepsy Day is an important reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by those living with epilepsy and their families, as well as the constant need for research and innovation in treatment options. As we continue to learn more about the possibilities of medical cannabis, it's clear that this plant has a potentially crucial role to play in improving the lives of epilepsy patients.

But while progress has been made, there is still much work to be done regarding legal access here in the UK, and further research globally. We need to continue advocating for the recognition and acceptance of medical cannabis as a viable treatment option for epilepsy and other health conditions. Together, we can make a difference in improving the quality of life for those living with epilepsy.

If you are living with epilepsy and conventional routes have not delivered adequate seizure control, you may wish to understand whether you meet current eligibility criteria.You can check in under 20 seconds using our cost and obligation-free medical cannabis eligibility checker, which provides immediate guidance on whether specialist assessment with one of the specialists who make up our world-class clinical team may be appropriate for you.

Epilepsy helped reshape drug policy here in the UK. The next chapter is already being shaped by data, clinical oversight, and informed patients asking better questions. We are here to support all of that. 

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