Medical Cannabis, CBD, Hemp: Are they Legal in the UK?

Understanding Medical Cannabis

Medical cannabis refers to any cannabis-based product that contain THC that are used for medicinal purposes, are they legal in the UK? They are legal on prescription if you have registered for a CanCard.

Prescription-Based Cannabis Products

In the UK, specific cannabis-based medicines are available by prescription for a limited number of conditions, benefiting only a small group of patients.

Hemp Based CBD products are they legal UK

Hemp products grown from Industrial hemp sativa containing CBD are legal in the UK from 2018.

What is the difference in medical cannabis and CBD oil from Hemp? Medical cannabis is grown from marijuana and can have a THC content up to 30%, CBD oil produced from hemp will have 0.3% THC max

Legally Available Products

Certain products marketed as medical cannabis, like CBD oil or hemp oil, can be purchased legally as food supplements from health stores. However, their quality and efficacy are not guaranteed. The CBD market is currently being regulated by the food standards industry to make sure products are what they say they are.

Eligibility for Medical Cannabis Prescriptions

NHS prescriptions for medical cannabis in England are rare and typically considered only for:

• Children and adults with rare, severe forms of epilepsy.
• Adults experiencing nausea or vomiting due to chemotherapy.
• Individuals with muscle stiffness and spasms from multiple sclerosis (MS).

These prescriptions are only considered when other treatments are unsuitable or ineffective.

Key Medical Cannabis Products

1. Epidyolex: A highly purified CBD liquid prescribed for severe epilepsy forms such as Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome. Epidyolex contains CBD, which has medical benefits without the psychoactive effects of THC.
2. Nabilone: A synthetic cannabinoid similar to THC, prescribed for chemotherapy patients to alleviate nausea and vomiting when other treatments fail. It is taken as a capsule.
3. Nabiximols (Sativex): A mouth spray used to treat MS-related muscle spasticity unresponsive to other treatments.

Medical Cannabis for Pain Management

While there is some evidence suggesting that medical cannabis can alleviate certain types of pain, it is not yet conclusive enough to recommend widespread use. In specific instances, it may be prescribed within clinical trials.

Over-the-Counter Cannabis Products

Many cannabis-based products available online are likely illegal and potentially unsafe. Even legally sold CBD products from health stores often contain minimal amounts of CBD, with uncertain quality and effects.

Safety of Medical Cannabis

The safety profile of cannabis products containing THC is not fully understood, necessitating clinical trials. Pure CBD products like Epidyolex are considered safer, lacking the risks associated with THC, such as:

• Psychosis, potentially increasing the risk of schizophrenia.
• Dependency, though this risk is considered low under medical supervision.

Illegally purchased cannabis poses the greatest risk due to unknown quality, ingredients, and potency.

Potential Side Effects

Medical cannabis can cause side effects such as decreased appetite, nausea, dizziness, and mood changes. Severe side effects include hallucinations and suicidal thoughts. Any side effects should be reported to the medical team or through the Yellow Card Scheme.

Prescription Process

Medical cannabis prescriptions can only be issued by specialist hospital doctors or under their supervision, primarily for:

• Severe forms of epilepsy.
• MS-related spasticity.
• Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.

These prescriptions are considered only when they are in the patient’s best interests and other treatments have failed.

Proof of Prescription

Patients must keep medical cannabis in its original packaging, along with the dispensing label, prescription copy, and any doctor’s letters. Acceptable ID forms include a passport, photo driving license, or a Proof of Age card.

Legal Status and Future Laws

The UK government does not intend to legalize cannabis for recreational use. Possession of cannabis remains illegal unless it is prescribed.