Medical Cannabis

Medical Cannabis

Explore UK-focused medical cannabis articles, including legal updates, patient experiences, treatment options, and the latest research within the British cannabis landscape.

Ease the Transition: How medical cannabis can help during the menopause

Menopause is a natural process characterised by the end of a woman’s menstrual cycles. It is associated with a number of symptoms that can cause significant disruption to everyday life. Yet, despite perimenopause and postmenopause affecting approximately 13 million people in the UK, there remains a distinct lack of awareness and education about menopause, as well as access to effective therapies.

9 min read
07.05.2024
Emily Ledger

What is the difference between medical cannabis and CBD?

CBD is a cannabinoid sourced from cannabis and hemp plants. CBD products that contain less than 1 mg of THC (the psychoactive cannabinoid) per container are legal for over-the-counter sale. Prescribed cannabis-based medicines can contain the same levels of CBD but are legally allowed to contain higher levels of THC.

3 min read
07.05.2024
Sam North

5 common medical cannabis myths and misconceptions debunked

It has now been almost six years since the legalisation of medical cannabis came into effect in the UK, but still, prevalent misconceptions/myths about these treatments options persist today. Because these are often fuelled by stigmatisations or a lack of knowledge on the subject, we think debunking these common medical cannabis misconceptions can play an important role in improving the current education and awareness of cannabis-based options in the UK. And so, that’s exactly what we’ve done!

7 min read
02.05.2024
Lucy MacKinnon

What is the endocannabinoid system?

Welcome back to our New Patient blog series, where we cover all the basics of cannabis-based therapy. In this instalment, we are running head first into the intricacies of the endocannabinoid system, or ECS.

3 min read
30.04.2024
Sam North

The complexities of medical cannabis clinical trials

Successful clinical trials are paramount in advancing modern medicines and care. They ensure efficacy and safety, raise the profile and awareness of these new treatment options, and ultimately, if their findings are positive, improve access to the therapy being trialled.

9 min read
29.04.2024
Lucy MacKinnon

Multiple sclerosis week: Exploring cannabis-based treatments for MS

This week is Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Week, where we shine a spotlight on this chronic disease that affects more than 130,000 people in the UK (and millions worldwide), and see how the change to UK medical cannabis laws is opening up new treatment options.

11 min read
26.04.2024
Sam North

How medical cannabis may help endometriosis patients

Endometriosis is estimated to affect around 10% of those with a womb between puberty and menopause, but still, effective treatments, and research into the condition itself, are severely lacking. This can, understandably, be extremely frustrating for those affected.

9 min read
25.04.2024
Lucy MacKinnon

Medical cannabis and renting: What you need to know

Cannabis was legalised in the UK in 2018, opening the door for thousands (if not millions) of patients who could benefit from these diverse medications. Yet, more than five years on, guidance and education on the subject remain limited, particularly when it comes to legal aspects of medical cannabis use, including patient rights when it comes to renting.

10 min read
24.04.2024
Emily Ledger

Is medical cannabis safe?

In today's continuation of our New Patient series, we'll take a quick but deep look at a burning question on the minds of many - "Is medical cannabis safe?" Yes, medical cannabis is safe, but let's dig a little deeper and see what the science has to say.

3 min read
23.04.2024
Sam North

Eco-friendly aspects of the medical cannabis industry

Earth Day (22 April) is an annual celebration of our natural environment — and more important than ever amid the global climate crisis. How can those entering the emerging medical cannabis industry ensure they adopt eco-friendly practices from the off?

9 min read
22.04.2024
Sarah Sinclair

The ins and outs of prescribed cannabis oil

We are living through what can only really be described as a health-care revolution. Cannabis, long seen by the UK 'powers that be' as nothing more than a recreational drug, now has the spotlight squarely aimed at its medicinal and therapeutic properties.

13 min read
19.04.2024
Sam North

10 top tips for the first month of medical cannabis

We know that starting a new healthcare treatment plan, especially one that has only recently been made available, can feel daunting. When patients first consider trying medical cannabis, many aren’t quite sure of what to expect or know who to turn to for answers to their questions.

14 min read
18.04.2024
Lucy MacKinnon

What is the difference between THC and CBD?

Next up in our new patient series, we are going to take a brief but in-depth look at how the cannabinoids that dominate the cannabis-based medicine scene, THC and CBD, differ from one another, and how they can also work in harmony to provide relief for a range of medical conditions.

8 min read
16.04.2024
Sam North

Trust your gut: IBS and medical cannabis

Cannabis has been used as a therapeutic for thousands of years, with evidence of its use in the treatment of gastrointestinal issues dating back centuries. Anecdotal evidence suggests that medical cannabis may be useful in the treatment of Intestinal Bowel Syndrome (IBS), and a growing body of clinical and observational evidence appears to support this potential.

9 min read
10.04.2024
Emily Ledger

Will medical cannabis get me 'high'?

Next up in our "New Patients" series, we explore the very first question that pops into almost all prospective patients' minds - "Will cannabis-based treatment options get me ‘high’?"

3 min read
09.04.2024
Sam North

Are you medicating with Dispenseree?

With millions of people thought to be self-medicating with cannabis in the UK, websites like Dispenseree have become increasingly popular despite their illegality. But there are numerous risks when it comes to buying cannabis online, especially when it's for medicinal use.

8 min read
08.04.2024
Sarah Sinclair

The World Health Organisation's involvement in medical cannabis

World Health Day is upon us once more, and with it comes the opportunity to reflect on how the World Health Organisation (WHO) has helped shape recent global medical cannabis policies, changed public perception towards this intriguing plant, and continues to lead the way in promoting health and well-being for all.

8 min read
05.04.2024
Sam North

Medical cannabis and employment: what you need to know

This article explores the rights medical cannabis patients have in their workplace, focusing on their legal rights under the Equality Act 2010. Advocate for fair treatment and inclusive atmospheres in the workplace confidently, using this guide as a base on how to navigate employment policies and legislations as a UK-based medical cannabis patient.

11 min read
04.04.2024
Lucy MacKinnon

Sativa vs Indica: What’s the Difference, Effects & Benefits

The terms indica and sativa are widely used when talking about different types of medical cannabis, with each previously thought to have its own distinct therapeutic effects. But with little evidence to support this, experts are calling for a new, science-backed approach to classify products more accurately.

12 min read
01.04.2024
Sarah Sinclair

Attending UK music festivals with medical cannabis

Medical cannabis has now been legal in the UK for over five years. Yet, there remains significant uncertainty around the rules and regulations for using cannabis-based medicines in public spaces. As summer slowly approaches, we’re taking a look at the guidelines for attending UK music festivals with a medical cannabis prescription.

8 min read
29.03.2024
Emily Ledger