Six years ago today, the UK took a step forward, allowing eligible patients to access medical cannabis for chronic physical and mental health conditions. This November, we celebrate the anniversary of this landmark decision and reflect on the journey so far.
Tens of thousands of patients are now prescribed medical cannabis. However, the fight for improved access continues. Limited clinical evidence and lack of awareness still pose significant challenges.
At Curaleaf Clinic, we’re committed to expanding access to medical cannabis through:
- Research: Our UK Medical Cannabis Registry now has over 30,000 patients contributing valuable data. This data fuels our research, with 25 peer-reviewed papers published to date. This research is vital to educate healthcare professionals and drive legislative change. We are immensely grateful to the patients who also commit to expanding access through joining the Curaleaf Access Scheme
- Education: We strive to educate the public and healthcare providers about the benefits and realities of medical cannabis. Our doctors and pharmacists have been at events up and down the country, and even internationally, to help inform healthcare professionals, charities, and police on medical cannabis.
- Awareness: Patient stories are powerful tools in breaking down stigma. We’re proud to have amplified patient voices across major media outlets like ITV, The Guardian, The Times, and the BBC.
Making Care More Affordable
We understand the financial burden of private healthcare. That’s why we’ve taken significant steps to make treatment more accessible:
- £50 appointments for all patients.
- Members of the Curaleaf Access Scheme get their first follow-up appointment for free for contributing to the UK Medical Cannabis Registry.
- Members of the Veterans Access Scheme can get up to 5 free appointments per year.
- We have recently introduced a subscription model, starting at £15 a month in year one and £10 a month in year two. This helps patients spread out the cost of their care, whilst also allowing them to make savings.
The Road Ahead
Despite progress, 48% of the UK population remains unaware of the legality of medical cannabis or which patients it can be prescribed for. We’re dedicated to changing this through continued research, education, and patient advocacy.
While we eagerly await further clinical trials, we will continue to champion improved access for all who are eligible.
Explore the latest medical cannabis research from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry.
