4 medical cannabis facts you need to know
We believe education is fundamental in harnessing the best of what medical cannabis has to offer, in this blog article we break down the key medical cannabis facts every patient should know. One in six Brits consume medical cannabis to help with their chronic pain. Since its legalisation in 2018, medical cannabis has had life-changing benefits for thousands of patients throughout the UK.
How much is medical cannabis?
- Purchasing cannabis through the illicit market can cost up to £280 – depending on the ‘quality’, supplier and the location it is purchased in
- At Mamedica, an average prescription costs between £150-£250 per month. This delivers a personalised prescription of either flower, oils, capsules or cartridges that are all manufactured under the highest medical grade quality
Medical cannabis is much cheaper than many other forms of private treatment methods for chronic pain which can cost up to £2,500, per patient, for medication alone.
Is medical cannabis safe and legal?
It’s important to note that cannabis is a controlled class B drug in the UK; the use and possession of recreational cannabis has been illegal in the UK since 1971. However, medical cannabis was legalised in 2018 and is available on the NHS – but is only distributed for three known conditions. Learn more about what these conditions are in our blog article ‘Can I get medical cannabis on the NHS?‘
Alternatively, for patients who suffer from a chronic health condition and yet to find a solution which helps, our clinic provides specialist care for those who can benefit from medical cannabis. At Mamedica, we offer private online consultations with a specialist doctor based on the condition patients refer to our clinic for. When medical cannabis treatment is overseen by a doctor, it is a safe process with limited side effects compared with alternatives such as painkillers.
Is it an effective anxiety treatment?
It’s a common belief that cannabis causes anxiety rather than helping to relieve it. However, cannabis-induced anxiety is usually caused by either high THC content which is unsuitable for the individual’s needs, or unregulated cannabis flower that has been grown using chemicals. It is possible for cannabis to cause anxiety, but it can also be used to treat it. That’s because medical cannabis can assist in regulating the body’s endocannabinoid system, helping to process emotions such as fear, stress, and anxiety.
Find out why CBD is being used as an effective treatment for anxiety in our feature in the Evening Standard.
Will I get high?
Medical cannabis can contain varying levels of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the psychoactive compound in cannabis that produces a “high.” However, medical cannabis is typically prescribed at lower doses than recreational cannabis to achieve therapeutic effects without producing intoxication or impairment.
The specific strain and method of consumption can also affect the likelihood of experiencing a high. For example, vaporising cannabis can produce a more immediate and potent effect compared to consuming cannabis oil, which can take longer to take effect and produce a more gradual and milder effect.
Ultimately, whether or not you get high from medical cannabis depends on various factors, including the specific product, dosage, individual tolerance and the condition you are prescribed treatment for. It’s important to follow the dosing instructions provided by a healthcare professional and to monitor your response to the medication to ensure that you are using it safely and effectively.
It is important to add, some medical cannabis products are specifically designed to produce therapeutic effects without inducing a high. For example, CBD-only products, which contain little to no THC, have been used to treat conditions such as epilepsy and anxiety disorders without producing a high.
What conditions can medical cannabis help?
If you are one of the 51% of Brits that live with a long-term chronic health condition and are yet to find a remedy that works, you may be able to benefit from cannabis-based prescriptions.
Our clinic provides personalised treatment for a vast range of conditions across pain, psychiatry, neurology, palliative care and cancer, learn what conditions we treat here.