Medical cannabis is a plant-based medicine which is extracted from the cannabis plant.
Medical cannabis contains various active compounds known as cannabinoids. These include tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), and other compounds called turpenes and flavonoids. THC and CBD stimulate the CB1 and CB2 receptors in the endocannabinoid system, within the human body, and can benefit patients by easing pain, reducing nausea, alleviating anxiety, improving appetite and sleep patterns.
Medical cannabis offers a personalised approach to treatment, allowing patients to choose specific strengths and delivery methods, and potentially reducing their reliance on other pain medications that might be ineffective or causing unwanted side effects.
Medical cannabis differs significantly from over-the-counter CBD products.
Medical cannabis contains controlled amounts of THC and CBD, both components are necessary for the relief of multiple medical conditions. Over-the-counter CBD products cannot legally contain more than 0.3% THC. While there is some evidence supporting the use of CBD alone for conditions such as anxiety, incorporating THC appears to be more beneficial for most conditions.
Medical cannabis can only be prescribed by Specialist Consultants who are registered with the General Medical Council and it is regulated by the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency); the organisation responsible for ensuring the safety, quality, and effectiveness of medicines in the UK.
In parallel, over-the-counter CBD products can be purchased without a prescription. They are not medicinal products and they are regulated by the FSA (Food Standards Agency). Studies have shown that over-the-counter CBD products are often mislabelled, with 69% not containing the amount of CBD claimed, and some products have even failed laboratory testing for heavy metals, yeast, and mould.
Medical cannabis is effective in managing symptoms for a wide range of conditions, including pain conditions, gastrointestinal issues, neurological conditions and aiding with palliative care.
For a full list of the conditions that we can help with, please visit our medical conditions pages.
The beneficial effects of medical cannabis will vary between individuals and according to the medication they are prescribed. It can take a few months for some patients to find the right care plan and improvements may be seen in unexpected ways. The process involves finding the right concentration, dosage and timing of administering the medicine to suit every individual’s needs, and at CB1 Medical we will support you to find a regimen that works best for you.
Cannabis medicines contain varying concentrations of CBD and THC. Taking high concentrations of THC daily for a chronic condition does have the potential to become addictive, however this risk is comparatively very low when compared to the addictive properties of opioid-based pain medications.
Medical cannabis is generally very safe, but as is the case with almost all pain medications it can give some people stomach upsets, diarrhoea, dizziness and tiredness. Our Consultants will start you on a low dose and increase it gradually so that any potential side effects are minimised. Careful screening of your medical history before commencing treatment will also help to minimise the risk of unwanted side effects.
Medical cannabis is a plant-based medicine which is extracted from the cannabis plant.
Medical cannabis contains various active compounds known as cannabinoids. These include tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), and other compounds called turpenes and flavonoids. THC and CBD stimulate the CB1 and CB2 receptors in the endocannabinoid system, within the human body, and can benefit patients by easing pain, reducing nausea, alleviating anxiety, improving appetite and sleep patterns.
Medical cannabis offers a personalised approach to treatment, allowing patients to choose specific strengths and delivery methods, and potentially reducing their reliance on other pain medications that might be ineffective or causing unwanted side effects.
Medical cannabis differs significantly from over-the-counter CBD products.
Medical cannabis contains controlled amounts of THC and CBD, both components are necessary for the relief of multiple medical conditions. Over-the-counter CBD products cannot legally contain more than 0.3% THC. While there is some evidence supporting the use of CBD alone for conditions such as anxiety, incorporating THC appears to be more beneficial for most conditions.
Medical cannabis can only be prescribed by Specialist Consultants who are registered with the General Medical Council and it is regulated by the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency); the organisation responsible for ensuring the safety, quality, and effectiveness of medicines in the UK.
In parallel, over-the-counter CBD products can be purchased without a prescription. They are not medicinal products and they are regulated by the FSA (Food Standards Agency). Studies have shown that over-the-counter CBD products are often mislabelled, with 69% not containing the amount of CBD claimed, and some products have even failed laboratory testing for heavy metals, yeast, and mould.
Medical cannabis is effective in managing symptoms for a wide range of conditions, including pain conditions, gastrointestinal issues, neurological conditions and aiding with palliative care.
For a full list of the conditions that we can help with, please visit our medical conditions pages.
The beneficial effects of medical cannabis will vary between individuals and according to the medication they are prescribed. It can take a few months for some patients to find the right care plan and improvements may be seen in unexpected ways. The process involves finding the right concentration, dosage and timing of administering the medicine to suit every individual’s needs, and at CB1 Medical we will support you to find a regimen that works best for you.
Cannabis medicines contain varying concentrations of CBD and THC. Taking high concentrations of THC daily for a chronic condition does have the potential to become addictive, however this risk is comparatively very low when compared to the addictive properties of opioid-based pain medications.
Medical cannabis is generally very safe, but as is the case with almost all pain medications it can give some people stomach upsets, diarrhoea, dizziness and tiredness. Our Consultants will start you on a low dose and increase it gradually so that any potential side effects are minimised. Careful screening of your medical history before commencing treatment will also help to minimise the risk of unwanted side effects.
Getting started couldn’t be easier, simply complete our eligibility form to determine whether you are suitable for treatment.
You will be offered an initial appointment with one of our Specialist Consultants and a follow-up appointment at 3 weeks. You will then need only one check-up per year going forward.
Each consultation is charged at £50 and your initial consultation fee will be refunded if we decide that you are not suitable for treatment.
All consultations can be held remotely via a video call or simply over the phone. We can also arrange face-to-face appointments at our clinic in Leicester if required.
Our Consultants can send your prescription directly to our dedicated online dispensary, CB1 Pharmacy.
CB1 Pharmacy specialises in dispensing cannabis medicines and will therefore be the fastest way to get your medication, sending it directly to your door within 5-7 days.
Prices vary for all of our medications. Please visit our pricing guide for some example costs for typical treatment plans.
After your 3 week follow-up appointment, whenever you need to order your next prescription please complete the ‘Repeat prescriptions’ form on our website, or contact us directly and we’ll take care of the rest.
0116 273 1233 | wh.cb1enquiries@nhs.net
Yes, the use of medical cannabis within the UK was made legal on 1st November 2018.
Only a handful of patients have secured NHS prescriptions since medical cannabis was legalised in the UK.
Widespread awareness of the benefits of medical cannabis is generally still lacking and NHS practices face other barriers to prescribing, such as additional funding required to cover prescriptions. It’s likely that access to medical cannabis via the NHS will improve but progress so far has been very slow.
It is generally recommended that you refrain from driving or operating heavy machinery while taking medical cannabis, especially if you experience dizziness, lightheadedness, sleepiness, or double vision. Whilst it is legal to drive when taking cannabis medicines, no one should drive whilst impaired. CBD does not impair driving, but THC can be intoxicating and you alone are the judge of the extent of this intoxication – the law stipulates that the decision to drive rests with the driver.
It is important to note that the legal blood limit for THC is 2 micrograms per litre. THC can be detected in the blood for days after the acute effect has worn off because it is stored in fat cells and gets back into your bloodstream over several days after the dose. You can be over the legal limit even though you are having no intoxicating effects.
You are not required to carry any specific identification as a medical cannabis patient in the UK. We recommend keeping an electronic copy of your prescription on your device in case of any queries by law enforcement.
More information can be found on our resources page.
When travelling, it is important to be aware of the restrictions on bringing medical cannabis in or out of the countries you are visiting.
These medications are highly regulated and may not be legal to possess in certain countries, even with a prescription from a Consultant. Therefore, we advise that you consult the government website of your destination country before travelling with your medication.
More information can be found on our resources page.
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0116 273 1233 | wh.cb1enquiries@nhs.net