Veganuary - is medical cannabis oil vegan?
5 min read
Emily Ledger
As we progress into the New Year, thousands of people around the country (and the world) are embracing lifestyle changes, from cutting back on their alcohol intake for Dry January to setting targets for improving their mental health. Others will be trying their hand at a plant-based diet for Veganuary - but where does this leave medical cannabis patients? In other words, is medical cannabis oil vegan?
Contents
What is Veganuary?
Veganuary is a non-profit organisation launched in 2014 to encourage people worldwide to try a vegan lifestyle for the month of January - and hopefully beyond. Millions of people have taken part in Veganuary since its launch, with many converting to a vegan diet full-time with the organisation's support.
Veganism is on the rise in many countries around the world. In 2024, there were estimated to be around 2.5 million vegans in the UK - that’s about 4.7% of the adult population! According to current research, this was an increase of 1.1 million vegans from the previous year, and the population is only expected to keep growing.
While vegan alternatives such as plant-based milk, cheese, and “meat” products are becoming increasingly available, it can be easy to overlook the other necessities in our lives, including our medications. But, did you know, many conventional medications may either contain animal products or have been tested on animals before being made available to humans?
Conventional medicines and veganism
The philosophy of veganism aims to reject the use of products that contribute to animal harm or exploitation, whether that be for food, clothing, or any other purpose. While many people will find it relatively easy to avoid animal-based food products such as meat, dairy, and honey, there are some cases in which following the vegan philosophy may not be practicable - namely, when it comes to taking conventional medicines.
That’s because many medications contain ingredients derived from, or tested on, animals. For example, gelatin may be used to create capsules and tablets or to thicken liquid medications. Other animal products that may feature in some medications include shellac, cochineal/carmine, and stearic acid.
But what about seemingly plant-based medicines like medical cannabis?
What is medical cannabis?
Cannabis-based medicines were legalised in the UK in November 2018. Since then, a range of medical cannabis products have been available for the treatment of a wide range of conditions. The vast majority of medical cannabis prescriptions in the UK are granted by medical cannabis clinics like Releaf, as access through the NHS remains extremely limited.
There are several types of medical cannabis products but medical cannabis flower and medical cannabis oils are the two most prescribed products in the UK.
Are medical cannabis oils vegan?
Cannabis derivatives have entered the mainstream with a vast array of commercial products now featuring ingredients such as hemp seed oil or cannabidiol (CBD). In many cases, these are developed as vegan cannabis products as manufacturers aim to cater to a wider consumer audience. But can the same be said of medical cannabis oils and other medicinal cannabis products? Is cannabis oil vegan?
Well, the good news is that, despite some medical cannabis products undergoing animal testing and even containing animal derivatives, it is possible to source vegan cannabis-based medicines.
Many medical cannabis oils contain only a handful of ingredients. This may include CBD and THC extracts, alongside a plant-based carrier oil. However, if you are interested in following a strictly vegan lifestyle, you should clarify the ingredients in each medical cannabis oil formulation. Your prescribing doctor will be able to help you determine whether your prescribed products are suitable.
Manufacturing medical cannabis oils
Medical cannabis oils can be produced in a number of ways; however, the most common is through a process called supercritical CO2 extraction. This process involves passing plant matter through pressurised chambers at a precise temperature to separate specific parts of the plant’s chemical profile, including cannabinoids and terpenes.
Other extraction methods used in the manufacture of cannabis oils include solvent extraction and non-solvent extraction.
Vegan medical cannabis oil at Releaf
At Releaf medical cannabis clinic, we offer a range of vegan-friendly medical cannabis oil products.
In October 2024, we partnered with SOMAI Pharmaceuticals, a European GMP-certified medical cannabis manufacturer to offer our patients high-quality medical cannabis oils that are suitable for vegans.
A number of our other medical cannabis oil products are also vegan-friendly; your prescribing doctor will be able to identify a suitable product or products for you.
Final thoughts
It is estimated that 25 million people took part in Veganuary in 2024. With such a significant trend towards embracing a plant-based diet and lifestyle, consumers and patients alike are increasingly conscious of what is in the products they use every day. While many conventional medications contain animal-derived products, many medical cannabis oils are vegan-friendly.
If you’d like to learn more about how to get a medical cannabis prescription, our team is always on hand to help. Find out if you could be eligible for medical cannabis treatment today.
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It is important to seek medical advice before starting any new treatments. The patient advisors at Releaf are available to provide expert advice and support. Alternatively, click here to book a consultation with one of our specialist doctors.
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Emily, an accomplished content writer with a specialisation in cannabis and alternative health, leverages her five years in the sector to enhance education and diminish stigma around medicinal cannabis use.
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