Chronic pain affects millions of people in the UK. As the conversation around medical cannabis evolves, many patients and GPs are beginning to explore whether medical cannabis could offer an alternative.
In this instalment of our medical cannabis education series, Dr Elisabeth Philipps is joined by Dr Leon Barron to discuss the growing role of GPs in prescribing medical cannabis under shared care with a consultant, the challenges in clinical practice, and his research with the Primary Care Cannabis Network.
Whether you’re a patient living with long-term pain or a healthcare professional curious about emerging treatments, the insights shared here are well worth a watch.
The Role of Medical Cannabis in Chronic Pain Management
In this webinar, Dr Philipps and Dr Barron unpack the practical, regulatory, and clinical considerations for prescribing medical cannabis for chronic pain in the UK.
Key Takeaways from the Webinar
1. Education is Essential
Dr Barron emphasises the importance of education, both for GPs and patients. Understanding how medical cannabis affects the human body, through the endocannabinoid system, can open the door to more informed and confident conversations.
2. Access Remains Challenging
Despite growing interest, prescribing medical cannabis in primary care is not straightforward. Many doctors are still unfamiliar with it, and barriers make it difficult to access. In practice many patients are unable to access medical cannabis through the NHS and this includes their GP. Therefore, most patients will have to receive their care through a specialist service, such as Curaleaf Clinic.
3. A Tool for Patient Empowerment
Real-world patient experiences are being collected at Curaleaf Clinic through the UK Medical Cannabis Registry. Conditions like fibromyalgia and ADHD were discussed as examples where patients reported changes in their energy, mood, and pain relief – all of which affect quality of life.
4. Looking at the Whole Picture
Chronic pain rarely exists in isolation. Dr Barron advocates for a holistic approach. If a patient is eligible for medical cannabis, it should be used alongside support for mental health, sleep, and daily functioning. GPs have a central role in helping patients manage overlapping conditions and accessing the appropriate services effectively.
5. CBD as a Starting Point
The rise in CBD use has made it easier for patients and GPs to have open conversations about cannabis. However, CBD may not be risk-free as it caninteract with other medications, so professional guidance is always essential.
6. Learning from Global Models
Other countries are further along. Canada, the US, Australia, and the Channel Islands have frameworks that better integrate medical cannabis into everyday care. Their examples offer insights the UK could adopt.
7. Collaboration is Key
From patients to carers, nurses to GPs, there’s a growing community working together to improve understanding and access. That collaborative spirit is already changing the conversation — and building a more inclusive path forward.
8. Looking Ahead
The future of medicinal cannabis is promising. With growing clinical interest, product development, and public support, we may have more evidence of its effects on chronic pain.
If you live with chronic pain and want to find out if you are eligible for a medical cannabis consultation, fill out our free online eligibility form. By providing your medical records or giving our experienced patient support team permission to retrieve these on your behalf, you can understand whether an appointment with one of our experts is right for you.
