Frequently Asked Questions about Medical Cannabis
We are here to answer all the questions you have about Medical Cannabis
General Questions
The UK position on Medical Cannabis
The UK is slowly starting to embrace Medical Cannabis. We are following the German trajectory and supply and prescribing will increase dramatically over 2020
Does the NHS prescribe Medical Cannabis?
To date there has been very few NHS prescriptions for Medical Cannabis. This will change over time as the Health Economics of Medical Cannabis become clearer.
How can I get Medical Cannabis?
In the UK, currently only a GMC specialist registered doctor can prescribe Cannabis based medicinal products. The NHS is not currently prescribing CBMP’s on a big scale so the only way is through a private prescription. The best way to get a private prescription is through a private Cannabis Clinic.
What types of Medical Cannabis are available?
There are a wide range of Cannabis products available in the UK.
These range from:
– Cannabis Flower – sometimes called Floss that is typically vaporised.
– Cannabis Oils – an extraction from the flower that concentrates cannabinoids and is normally taken orally.
– Cannabis Sprays – a spray that contains the cannabinoids and is normally sprayed on to the back of the throat.
– Cannabis Topicals – normally Creams that applied on to the skin.
What is a CBMP?
CBMP
On the Ist November 2018 the IK Secretary of State for Health (Matt Hancock) implemented a framework for the use of Medicinal Cannabis in the UK.
A CBMP is cited as any Medicinal Product that contains Cannabis.
A Cannabis Based Medicinal Product
Medicinal Cannabis history
Large parts of the world have had access to CBMP’s for decades; Canada being one.
However the history of Medical Cannabis goes back much further. Documented use of at least 8000 years, Queen Victoria even used it for period pain relief.
Cannabis Strains
Cannabis has a long history across the globe. The Cannabis subspecies of Indica, Sativa and Ruderalis emerged in different parts of the globe and have been bred throughout history.
There are now thounds of Cannabis strains that have very different Cannabinoid, Terpene and Flavinoid profiles.
These strains offer a very personalised effect that can be very useful in many medical conditions.
Different Consumption methods
Cannabis has been traditionally combusted by smoking. Indeed the intoxicating effects of Cannabis only happen when when the Cannabinoids are decarboxylated through heat or over time.
But there are many ways for Medical Cannabis to be consumed.
Vaping – is the only way medical Cannabis can be used, smoking is not permited
Inhalers – cannabinoids can be inhaled.
Topicals – Traditionally creams this applied to the skin.
Tinctures – These are applied under the toungue.
Trans Dermal Patches – Applied directly to the skin and the active ingredient crosses the skin barrier into the blood stream.
Pediatric Cannabis
The reason the UK has put Medical Cannabis in a proper prescribing framework is due to high profile cases involving epileptic children.
Children are of course very susceptible to Cannabis and a balance of cannabinoids has to be the key. The medication also has to be delivered in a way that is most appropriate for the child and is normally in a tincture.
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