Unlicensed Medicinal Cannabis Products in the UK

In the United Kingdom, medical cannabis can only be prescribed by a specialist doctor under certain circumstances. The products are unlicensed and therefore have not been tested for safety and efficacy in the same way that licensed products have. Here are some unlicensed medicinal cannabis products available in the UK: 1. Bedrocan: This product is a whole-plant medicinal cannabis product that is grown in a controlled environment to ensure consistency. It comes in various forms including Bedrocan, Bediol, Bedica, Bedrolite, and Bedica oil. 2. Sativex: Although technically this is a licensed cannabis-based medicine in the UK, it is usually only prescribed to treat muscle stiffness and spasms in people with multiple sclerosis. However, it is unlicensed for other conditions. 3. Epidiolex: This is a CBD-based medicine used for the treatment of seizures in certain rare forms of epilepsy, but it’s unlicensed for other conditions. 4. Canemes: This is a synthetic cannabis-based medicine used to alleviate the symptoms of multiple sclerosis and to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy. 5. THC:CBD spray: This is another whole-plant medicinal cannabis product that is used to treat a variety of conditions. It is a mouth spray that contains both THC and CBD. 6. CBD oil: Although technically not a prescribed product, CBD oil is widely available in the UK and is often used for medicinal purposes. However, the concentration of CBD in these products can vary greatly, and they are not regulated in the same way as prescribed medicines. Remember, these cannabis products should only be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional. Over-the-counter CBD products are not recommended as a substitute for prescribed medication.

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In the United Kingdom, medical cannabis products are unlicensed and can only be prescribed by a specialist doctor under certain circumstances 12. The unlicensed medicinal cannabis products available in the UK include:

  1. Bedrocan: This is a whole-plant medicinal cannabis product that is grown in a controlled environment to ensure consistency. It comes in various forms including Bedrocan, Bediol, Bedica, Bedrolite, and Bedica oil 1.
  2. Sativex: Although technically this is a licensed cannabis-based medicine in the UK, it is usually only prescribed to treat muscle stiffness and spasms in people with multiple sclerosis. However, it is unlicensed for other conditions 13.
  3. Epidiolex: This is a CBD-based medicine used for the treatment of seizures in certain rare forms of epilepsy, but it’s unlicensed for other conditions 1.
  4. Canemes: This is a synthetic cannabis-based medicine used to alleviate the symptoms of multiple sclerosis and to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy 1.
  5. THC:CBD spray: This is another whole-plant medicinal cannabis product that is used to treat a variety of conditions. It is a mouth spray that contains both THC and CBD 1.
  6. CBD oil: Although technically not a prescribed product, CBD oil is widely available in the UK and is often used for medicinal purposes. However, the concentration of CBD in these products can vary greatly, and they are not regulated in the same way as prescribed medicines 12.

It’s important to note that these cannabis products should only be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional. Over-the-counter CBD products are not recommended as a substitute for prescribed medication 2.

Other unlicensed medicinal cannabis products available in the UK:

  1. Nabiximols: This is a cannabis-based medicine that contains both THC and CBD. It is used to treat spasticity and neuropathic pain in adults with multiple sclerosis 1.
  2. Tilray: This is a whole-plant medicinal cannabis product that is available in various forms, including capsules, oils, and dried flowers. It is used to treat a variety of conditions, including chronic pain, anxiety, and depression 2.
  3. Bedrolite: This is a whole-plant medicinal cannabis product that is grown in a controlled environment to ensure consistency. It is used to treat a variety of conditions, including chronic pain, anxiety, and depression 1.

It’s important to note that these cannabis products should only be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional. Over-the-counter CBD products are not recommended as a substitute for prescribed medication 2.

Learn more:

1. commonslibrary.parliament.uk2. spice-spotlight.scot3. gov.uk4. lyphe.com

Natural relief for stress, pain, depression, anxiety, and insomnia with medicinal cannabis.

Medicinal cannabis is a term used to describe cannabis-based products that are used to alleviate symptoms of various medical conditions 1. It is important to note that there is a difference between medicinal and non-medicinal cannabis. Non-medicinal cannabis is the form that people use to get high, while medicinal cannabis is prescribed to relieve symptoms of a medical condition 2.

In the UK, specific cannabis-based products are available on prescription as medicinal cannabis. However, very few people in England are likely to get a prescription for medical cannabis. Currently, it is only likely to be prescribed for the following conditions 1:

  • Children and adults with rare, severe forms of epilepsy.
  • Adults with vomiting or nausea caused by chemotherapy.
  • People with muscle stiffness and spasms caused by multiple sclerosis (MS).

It would only be considered when other treatments were not suitable or had not helped. Epidyolex, Nabilone, and Nabiximols are some of the licensed cannabis-based medicinal products available with a valid prescription 3.

It is worth noting that many cannabis-based products are available to buy online, but their quality and content is not known. They may be illegal in the UK and potentially dangerous. Some products that might claim to be medical cannabis, such as CBD oil or hemp oil, are available to buy legally as food supplements from health stores. But there’s no guarantee these are of good quality or provide any health benefits 1.

1. nhs.uk2. adf.org.au3. greenbox.co.uk4. healthdirect.gov.au5. nidirect.gov.uk+1 more

In the UK, unlicensed cannabis-based products for medicinal use in humans (CBPMs), also known as ‘specials’, can be supplied by manufacturers, importers, distributors, or suppliers with a valid license 1These products are not authorized by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and are not subject to the same regulatory standards as licensed medicines 2.

Unlicensed CBPMs can only be prescribed by a specialist doctor on the General Medical Council’s Specialist Register, and only if there is a special clinical need 2The doctor must make a referral for the patient to receive the unlicensed CBPMs 3.

It is important to note that unlicensed CBPMs may not have undergone the same rigorous testing as licensed medicines, and their quality, safety, and efficacy may not be guaranteed 4. Therefore, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional before using any

1. gov.uk2. spice-spotlight.scot3. cqc.org.uk4. ukmeds.co.uk

Medical cannabis

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To get a prescription for medical cannabis in the UK, you can either go to a private clinic that specializes in treatment with cannabis or get a prescription through the NHS 123However, only people who meet very strict criteria can get a prescription from the NHS, so going the private route is a much more viable option for most people 2.

Most clinics offer virtual appointments with a specialist doctor who is legally allowed to prescribe 1Any doctor on the specialist register can prescribe for any condition if it’s thought to be in the best interests of the patient, although you may need to have tried at least two previous treatments without success 1The prescribing doctor should be on the Specialist Register of the General Medical Council 3.

The cost of getting a prescription for medical cannabis varies depending on the patient and what your doctor prescribes. The average monthly cost for flower-based products is around £200 – £300, based on the average prescription of 30g, with oil slightly more expensive 1Consultation prices can vary significantly from clinic to clinic, from £49 to around £200 – so it’s worth looking around if budget is a consideration for you 1.

It is worth noting that cannabis-based products are not authorized by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and are not subject to the same regulatory standards as licensed medicines 2. Therefore, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional before using any cannabis-based products.

1. cannabishealthnews.co.uk2. lyphe.com3. greenbox.co.uk4. cannigma.com5. gettyimages.com+2 more

In the UK, specific cannabis-based products are available on prescription as medicinal cannabis. These are only likely to benefit a very small number of patients 1. The following are some of the licensed cannabis-based medicinal products available with a valid prescription:

  1. Epidyolex: A highly purified liquid containing CBD (cannabidiol) that can be prescribed by a specialist for patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome (both rare forms of epilepsy) 1.
  2. Nabilone: A medicine, taken as a capsule, that has been developed to act in a similar way to THC (the chemical in cannabis that makes you high). It can be prescribed to adults by a specialist to help relieve vomiting or nausea caused by chemotherapy, but only when other treatments have not helped or are not suitable 1.
  3. Nabiximols (Sativex): A cannabis-based medicine that is sprayed into the mouth. It is licensed in the UK for adults with MS-related muscle spasticity that has not got better with other treatments 1.

It is worth noting that cannabis-based products are not authorized by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and are not subject to the same regulatory standards as licensed medicines 1. Therefore, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional before using any cannabis-based products.

Learn more:

1. nhs.uk2. honahlee.com.au3. gov.uk4. england.nhs.uk

In the UK, unlicensed cannabis-based products for medicinal use in humans (CBPMs), also known as ‘specials’, can be supplied by manufacturers, importers, distributors, or suppliers with a valid license 1These products are not authorized by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and are not subject to the same regulatory standards as licensed medicines 2.

Unlicensed CBPMs can only be prescribed by a specialist doctor on the General Medical Council’s Specialist Register, and only if there is a special clinical need 2The doctor must make a referral for the patient to receive the unlicensed CBPMs 3.

It is important to note that unlicensed CBPMs may not have undergone the same rigorous testing as licensed medicines, and their quality, safety, and efficacy may not be guaranteed 4. Therefore, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional before using any unlicensed CBPMs.

Learn more:

1. gov.uk2. gov.uk3. spice-spotlight.scot4. cqc.org.uk5. england.nhs.uk

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