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Glossary

Acceptance Criteria

Acceptance Criteria are a set of requirements that must be met in order to be eligible for a specific treatment plan.

In the UK, patients are deemed eligible for medical cannabis treatments if they meet the appropriate acceptance criteria.

 

What defines acceptance criteria in the UK?

 

Acceptance criteria involve regulatory approval, patient eligibility, and product quality, as established by UK health authorities like the MHRA and NICE.

For patients seeking medical cannabis treatment, these criteria include having a suitable health condition that is known to positively benefit from cannabis-based medicines, and having a clinical need that has been previously unmet by licensed or conventional pharmaceutical options. 

 

Does the NHS and private cannabis clinics have different acceptance criteria for medical cannabis in the UK?

 

Yes. While both follow the guidelines set by health authorities, such as the MHRA and NICE, their approach has certain differences. Through the NHS, medical cannabis is only prescribed for two rare forms of epilepsy, muscle spasticity caused by multiple sclerosis, and nausea caused by cancer treatments.

Private cannabis clinics, like Releaf, have a broader range of acceptance criteria. Specialists that are registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) and working in a private clinic have the authority to prescribe medical cannabis for a much wider range of conditions. It is up to the discretion of the specialist to determine if medical cannabis is the best course of treatment for their patient.

 

What is the easiest way to find out if you are eligible for medical cannabis in the UK?

 

If you are suffering from a condition that you think may be helped by medical cannabis, head to our fast and free medical cannabis eligibility checker. It takes less than one minute to complete.

If you would like to learn more about medical cannabis in the UK, Releaf is here to help. In addition to this medical cannabis glossary, we have an extensive blog and education hub to explore, both filled with resources that UK medical cannabis patients, prescribers, and educators have been asking for.