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Medical cannabis or cannabis-based products for medicinal use (CBPM) is a prescription-only medication. It was legalised in 2018 to help provide alternative forms of treatment for patients suffering from chronic conditions, where traditional medicines have failed. Treatment can only be started by a specialist doctor who specialises in your condition. Medical Cannabis is regulated like any other prescribed medication and is considered an unlicensed ‘specials’ medication as they are formulated to suit an individual’s requirements.
Medical cannabis comes in a variety of different formulations, each designed for a specific purpose:
In medical cannabis, there are many naturally occurring phytocannabinoids (naturally occurring chemical compounds found in certain plants), with the two most notable being THC and CBD. Depending on your condition and requirements, you may receive either THC or CBD or a combination of both in a formulation that suits your needs. Your specialist prescriber and team of healthcare professionals will thoroughly assess you and create a treatment programme to help you achieve your goals.
Over 30 conditions can be treated with medical cannabis
As medical cannabis affects your endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for helping regulate key bodily functions such as sleep, appetite, pain, inflammation, and mood to name a few, it can be used to treat a variety of medical conditions such as:
If you have tried at least 2 licensed treatments or therapies, then you may be eligible for medical cannabis treatment.
See a specialist within a week from the comfort of your home
To get an appointment, you will first need to complete an eligibility assessment through Holtistic Health Hub. Our pharmacist will review your health records and email you a confirmation of your referral to our partnered clinic. You will need a confirmation of a diagnosis for your condition and have tried at least 2 treatments or therapies prescribed by a healthcare professional.
You will then be invited to book an online appointment with a specialist, which costs £30. For more information, email us at info@holistichealthhub.live, and one of our pharmacists will be happy to help.
Every patient’s treatment plan is different and therefore costs may vary. Cost of treatment depends on a variety of factors, such as the type of treatment and quantity. Your consultant will discuss treatment options and prices. Typical costs for:
– Dried flower start at £5.50 per gram (minimum 10g)
– For oil start at £3.50 per ml (minimum 10ml)
Before traveling with CBPMs (Cannabis-Based Products for Medicinal Use), you must check the laws for both your destination and departure countries. Due to high regulation, these products may be illegal to possess in some countries, even if you have a consultant’s valid prescription. Always check the official guidance on the GOV.UK website before your trip.
The main difference is that CBPMs need to be prescribed by doctors who are specialist prescribers, and CBD products can be bought at shops, online and in pharmacies. You may have seen CBD products such as CBD oils, gels, creams and drinks. Over-the-counter CBP products are manufactured in a different way than over-the-counter products, so it can be difficult to tell exactly what they contain. Legally, CBD products should not contain THC and are not allowed to be used to treat medical health conditions. CBPMs are made to EU GMP standards, like all regulated medicines.
Generally, recreational cannabis is high in THC and low in CBD – opposite to most of the initial medical cannabis prescriptions. Also, recreational cannabis comes with no guarantees of safety and quality and may well be contaminated with other chemicals like heavy metals and pesticides. Usually, you will not know what’s in recreational cannabis and one batch is likely to be different from the next.
Vaping is usually for “breakthrough” pain when a quick result is needed, as vaping effects come on quickly (in minutes) but last only about 2 to 3 hours. Oil provides better background relief all day long when taken 2 to 3 times daily. Your doctor will advise what is best for you.
There are many ways to take medical cannabis. Oils can be taken under the tongue, or there are capsules, topical creams, or dried flower for vaping. Smoking is not allowed. Most prescriptions are for oil and dried flower. Your doctor will discuss the best way to consume medical cannabis for your symptoms.
It depends on what form you take it in. Vaping will mean a quicker effect (in minutes) and last about 2 to three hours or so. Taking an oil will take longer to have an effect (maybe 60-120 minutes) but lasts longer (maybe 6 hours or so). Everyone is very variable, but this is an average.
Like any medicine, not everyone is suitable for medical cannabis treatment. People with active schizophrenia, for example, may not be suitable, as well as some people with heart rhythm problems. Medical cannabis doesn’t mix very well with some other medicines that you may be taking. Your doctor will check whether it is suitable for you before prescribing.
CBD is generally very safe, but can give some people stomach upsets, diarrhoea, dizziness and tiredness. THC has more side effects and these can include dizziness, disorientation, drowsiness and dry mouth. Your doctor will start you on a low dose and increase it gradually so that side effects are minimised. Serious side effects, like a psychotic episode, should be avoided by careful screening of whether you are suitable for treatment in the first place.
If your employer tests employees for drugs like THC, then it is possible that you will be positive for a THC test on a prescribed or recreational product. You can test positive even if you are not impaired as THC is detected for some days after you have taken it. It is best to tell your employer that you are on medicinal cannabis and talk to them about the situation.
Your doctor may also be able to help and explain matters. Some professions will not allow any detectable THC even if you are not impaired – such as pilots, railway signaller etc. CBD is not intoxicating and should not cause problems on testing.. Be honest and discuss with your employer and if need be, get support from your doctor or Union.
No one should drive whilst impaired. THC can cause impairment for driving whilst the intoxicating effect is still present, so avoid driving (or other hazards such as operating machinery) whilst under the influence. There is a legal limit for THC (2 micrograms per litre).
There are problems with this measure as THC can be detected in the blood for days after the acute effect has worn off (depends on dose and other factors). This is because THC is stored in fat cells and will come out of those cells over several days after the dose. So, it is possible to be over the legal limit even though you have no intoxicating effects left. It’s a good idea to carry a copy of your prescription at all times. CBD does not impair driving.
