FAQs

In the UK recreational cannabis remains illegal.

In contrast, medical cannabis is legal with a private prescription. There are some cases where it can be prescribed on the NHS, but it is very limited (severe epilepsy, spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis, and nausea caused by chemotherapy).

Unlike recreational cannabis, medical cannabis is prescribed by specialist doctors for specific health conditions and must meet stringent quality control standards to ensure safety and efficacy. Patients prescribed medical cannabis are also under the care of specialists, with regular check-ins to ensure treatment is progressing as it should.

CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) are both compounds found in cannabis plants, but they have distinct properties and effects. Although CBD and THC share the same chemical composition, their structures differ, leading to different effects on the human body.

THC directly interacts with the cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptor, producing psychoactive effects, commonly associated with the “high” from cannabis. In contrast, CBD interacts indirectly with CB1 receptors and influences other receptors involved in the regulation of dopamine and serotonin, among others.

These differences in interaction explain why CBD and THC have unique effects, and why medical cannabis treatments are highly personalised to meet individual needs.

Like many medicines, medical cannabis can impair your driving ability by causing drowsiness and slowing reaction times, increasing the risk of accidents. The current legal limit for blood tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) levels is 2 micrograms/L. It is highly likely that if you have been prescribed medical cannabis containing THC, you will exceed this limit. Cannabidiol (CBD) only products have been shown to have no potential effect on driving reaction speed and risk of collision.

You only need to inform the DVLA if you have a notifiable medical condition or disability. You do not need to inform them about your prescription.

A statutory defence may apply if a car accident occurs where a specialist doctor has legally prescribed medical cannabis and driving performance was not impaired.

No matter your medication, you should never drive whilst impaired. Your dose and prescription can affect you differently from someone else, so you should always speak to your specialist doctor about possible impairment while taking your medication.

THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the primary psychoactive compound found in cannabis. It is responsible for most of the psychological effects- such as the ‘high’ – that some people experience when they consume cannabis.

THC is not illegal and can be prescribed for patients with a mental or physical health condition which has not responded to first line treatments. Combining THC with CBD (cannabidiol) is often considered effective for managing the symptoms of various conditions, as CBD can help counteract some of THC’s effects.

Sativa and Indica are species of the cannabis plant, differing mainly in their makeup, appearance, and growing conditions. While these classifications are helpful for botanists, prescribers at Curaleaf Clinic find the combination of cannabinoids, terpenes, terpenoids, and flavonoids more useful to compare different medications.

Indica strains are more commonly prescribed for evening use, while Sativa more commonly prescribed during the day. However, there is a wide variety within these classification systems. In fact, there is just as much variation within each species than between species.

The smell of medical cannabis will depend on the product. Medical cannabis encompasses a wide range of products, each with different characteristics. Products such as capsules, oils, and pastilles typically do not emit a noticeable odour. However, whole cannabis flowers naturally emit an odour.

Medical cannabis is a broad term used to refer to any medical products derived from, or related to, cannabis. In legal terminology and the medical field, they are often referred to as cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs).

There are a number of products that fall into this category, including whole cannabis flower – which can be vaporised, as well as capsules, oils, sprays, and pastilles containing cannabinoids. The main compounds utilised in medical cannabis products are the cannabinoids cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which have been studied for their useful therapeutic properties.

Medical cannabis works with the body’s endocannabinoid system to turn down the intensity and frequency of symptoms associated with many conditions. Compounds called cannabinoids that are found in the cannabis plan interact with the endocannabinoid system to produce a number of effects. New research has shown that people who respond well to cannabis may well have a deficiency in their body’s natural cannabinoids (endocannabinoids).

The body has its own cannabis system known as the ‘endocannabinoid’ system. The endocannabinoid system has been found to play a role in a number physiological and cognitive functions including the regulation of mood, memory, appetite, temperature, and hormone levels as well pain signalling and inflammation.

Medical cannabis products can currently be considered for use for a number of indications where there is clinical evidence to support the use of medical cannabis and only when conventional therapy has not provided effective symptom relief.

Going on holiday abroad with medical cannabis is a complex subject, as there is no universal answer. The legality of medical cannabis varies from country to country.

As a good first step, you should always contact the embassy of the country you’re planning to visit. You’ll be able to check the legal status of medical cannabis and what you might need to take for visiting your destination country.

You can find a list of contact details for all embassies here.

While some countries have legalised medical cannabis, other countries don’t recognise medical cannabis, with some countries giving out serious penalties if you’re found with medical cannabis- even with a prescription.

Assuming you’re planning on returning to the UK, you should ensure that you read this document.

If you require a signed travel letter, you can request this free of charge through your Curaleaf Clinic Account. Please request the letter 30 days before your trip to ensure it lists your current medications and gives your doctor time to prepare it.

The primary goal of medical cannabis is for managing conditions, rather than inducing a “high” sensation, which is often regarded as an adverse effect.

Our clinicians closely work with patients to identify an effective dosage that maximises therapeutic benefits while minimising any potential psychoactive effects

Any cannabis-based medical flower prescribed for inhalation must comply with the British (Br. Ph. Appendix XVI.D) and European Pharmacopoeia (Eu. Ph. 5.1.4) regulatory guidance on microbiological content. The guidance is designed to ensure that patients are not exposed to potentially harmful yeasts, moulds, or bacteria which can be naturally occurring on plants, particularly when grown in soil.

The British and European Pharmacopoeias outline quality standards for the pharmaceutical industry to control the quality of medicines, and the substances used to manufacture them. It is an official reference designed to serve public health and adhering to the guidance is a legal requirement in the UK.

If cannabis flower does not meet these standards for inhalation prior to manufacturing, it needs to undergo a process of decontamination. The most common method is irradiation. This has been shown in scientific studies to effectively reduce the presence of microbes on the surface of cannabis flowers. This process does not affect the major cannabinoids, cannabidiol (CBD) or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which are found within cannabis flowers.

If cannabis flower meets these standards prior to manufacturing into a medicine prescribed for inhalation then it would not necessarily have to undergo any decontamination, such as irradiation.

You do not need a medical cannabis card in the UK and there are no cards that legally validate your prescription. If you are out and about with your medicine it is important to carry copies of any evidence supporting your medical condition and prescription.

Evidence you should carry:

• Copy of your clinic letter from your specialist doctor and/or copy of prescription.
• Proof of ID e.g., driving licence/passport – which matches the name on the prescription/letter.
• Medication container – always ensure you keep medicine in the original container with the pharmacy label.

You can carry your medication with you and in your car, but it is best to avoid leaving your medical cannabis unattended.

We advise that even if you are not carrying your medication, you should still carry evidence supporting your medication.

Licensed medical cannabis prescriptions are currently only prescribed through the NHS for certain individuals with severe epilepsies (Dravet syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, and tuberous sclerosis complex), spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis, and nausea caused by chemotherapy.

Fewer than 5 individuals have been successful in having their prescription for unlicensed medical cannabis products funded by the NHS.

Whilst many people may refer to cannabis as marijuana, it has a long history of inappropriately stigmatising individuals from Central and South America. Therefore, the correct terminology to use is medical cannabis, rather than medical marijuana.

Medical cannabis must be prescribed by specialists on the GMC register on a ‘named patient’ basis within the area of their expertise, agreed upon by a multidisciplinary team and adhering to all existing protocols for controlled drugs. Curaleaf Clinic adheres to all these criteria.

The speed at which medical cannabis starts to have effects on the body varies between individuals and according to the type of medication they are prescribed. For some patients it can take a few months to find the right care plan. In some patients the improvement may be gradual, and improvement might be seen in an unexpected way.

Exactly how people respond varies from person to person and cannabis doesn’t work for everyone. At Curaleaf, we support you with finding a regimen that works for you.

Our clinicians are experts in providing medical cannabis-based care. All individuals are reviewed by our multidisciplinary team to ensure they are not only eligible for medical cannabis, but also to ensure they are on the most appropriate treatment plan. This includes assessing the risk of dependence. Our doctors work closely with patients to monitor closely for addiction and identify the most appropriate care plan for them.

We take any complaint seriously. You can find our complaints leaflet here.

You can call us on 020 7459 4075 or send details of your complaint to [email protected]

Curaleaf Clinic set up the UK Medical Cannabis Registry in 2019, the first national registry on medical cannabis prescribing in this country. By contributing your data – a mix of routine clinical data and health tracking questionnaires – you help grow the evidence base for medical cannabis prescribing, data which we believe is crucial to support calls for government funding of clinical trials in the UK.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the main compounds derived from the cannabis plant and is used for its medicinal properties as part of medicinal cannabis preparations. Oil-based CBD products are also available over the counter as wellness products. CBD oils prescribed for a medical condition from a specialist doctor typically have higher concentrations of CBD than those available on the high street. CBD oil available on the high street is classified as a novel food and therefore does not have to meet the same stringent regulations regarding its manufacture as medicinal preparations.

Yes, medical cannabis is legal when prescribed to eligible patients by a specialist doctor on the GMC register. Prior to 1st November 2018 medical cannabis was categorised by the Home Office as a schedule 1 drug. Based on the evidence to support its use as a medicine by the Chief Medical Officer it was reclassified to permit its prescribing as a controlled drug. This means that medical cannabis is legal when prescribed by specialist doctors on the GMC register within the area of their expertise, and when agreed upon by a multidisciplinary team adhering to all existing protocols for controlled drugs. Curaleaf Clinic adhere to all these criteria.