UK licensed products
Medicinal cannabis products are cannabis-based medicines that are prescribed by a specialist doctor to treat certain health conditions. They are highly regulated and not widely available in the UK. Some of the conditions that may qualify for a prescription are:- Rare and severe forms of epilepsy, such as Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome¹- Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting that does not respond to other treatments¹- Muscle spasticity due to multiple sclerosis (MS) that is not relieved by other medications¹²There are currently three licensed medicinal cannabis products in the UK: Epidyolex, Nabilone, and Sativex¹. Epidyolex is a CBD oil that can reduce seizures in some patients with epilepsy¹. Nabilone is a synthetic cannabinoid that can help with chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting¹. Sativex is a cannabis-based spray that can ease muscle spasticity in MS patients¹².Other cannabis-based products, such as CBD oil or hemp oil, are not considered medicinal cannabis and are sold as food supplements. They are not licensed or regulated by the MHRA and their quality and safety are not guaranteed. They may also contain illegal amounts of THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis¹.If you are interested in getting a prescription for medicinal cannabis, you will need to consult a specialist doctor who is registered with the General Medical Council and has the necessary expertise to prescribe it. You will also need to have tried other treatments first and show that they have not worked or caused unacceptable side effects¹². The doctor will assess your condition and decide if medicinal cannabis is suitable and safe for you.Please note that medicinal cannabis is not a cure for any condition and it may not work for everyone. It may also have side effects, such as drowsiness, dizziness, mood changes, and increased appetite¹. You should always follow the doctor’s instructions and report any adverse reactions. You should also keep your prescription and proof of identity with you at all times, as medicinal cannabis is still illegal to possess or supply without a valid prescription²Medical cannabis (cannabis oil) – NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/medical-cannabis/.(2) Medical Cannabis in the UK: Eligibility, Benefits, & Risks. https://www.greenbox.co.uk/medical-cannabis-uk/.(3) Medical Cannabis UK – BRITISH CANNABIS™ – No.1 Cannabis Experts. https://britishcannabis.org/medical-cannabis-uk/.
You might be interested in exploring more about medicinal cannabis products in the UK. Speaking of medicinal cannabis, you might find it helpful to read about the regulations and eligibility criteria on the Medical Cannabis Wikipedia article. Additionally, if you are curious about the various health conditions that can be treated with medicinal cannabis, you can refer to the Medical Cannabis by Country page for more information on the subject.