The use of cannabis for medical usage is growing in Brighton, the rest of the United Kingdom and across the globe. It has the potential to assist in the treatment of chronic pain and many other ailments. In the article below, we discuss its use in Brighton and the rest of the United Kingdom.
Did you know that cannabis is being grown legally in the United Kingdom? A recent surge in its use as a prescribed medicine has seen growth in UK cannabis clinics and producers, both in Brighton and further afield. Below, we discuss how residents are being legally prescribed cannabis and the legal framework for it.
Who Can Prescribe Cannabis in the UK?
Medical cannabis has been legal in the United Kingdom since 2018. However, getting hold of it is not that easy. To qualify for a prescription, a patient must have specialist medical needs and must have tried at least two other treatments for chronic pain that have not worked.
Prescriptions must also be given by a registered doctor, who is listed on a specialist register. The assessment for this is done on a case-by-case basis, and consultants must be satisfied that the patient has exhausted all other avenues and tried other methods of pain relief. When undergoing the assessment, the case history and assessment form the basis for the prescription.
Cannabis Clinics in the United Kingdom
Brighton is just one city where patients are seeking medical cannabis prescriptions from designated cannabis clinics. These providers are registered and run by experts, who will involve patients in a consultation before any prescriptions are given out. They aim to remove the stigma from medical cannabis, improving access for patients.
This is done in several different ways. One way is financial. They have ways to help patients who may not always be able to afford private medical prescriptions. Subscriptions can be put in place, and each case is judged individually so the right balance can be found.
Another way they are improving access is by attempting to bring down the cost by using local suppliers. Most of the medical cannabis in the United Kingdom is imported from abroad. This places heavy taxes on it, which are inevitably passed onto the patient. However, there are now local producers in the UK that they have chosen to work with.
One of these is the Oxfordshire-based Glass Pharms. By producing in the UK, they not only bring down the cost but lower the environmental impact. As well as cutting down the fuel needed to deliver, the company is also carbon neutral. They are now supplying some of the best cannabis clinics in the United Kingdom.
Can You Get Medical Cannabis on the NHS?
It is possible to get medical cannabis prescribed by the NHS. However, the conditions for this are extremely strict and very few people, under 20 a year, are prescribed cannabis on the NHS. As well as having tried two other methods of pain relief, patients must also have suffered from one of four ailments: Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis, Dravet Syndrome or nausea as a side effect of chemotherapy.
This means that many potential patients go for a private prescription. Private prescriptions are open to a much wider range of conditions and this is why the clinics are becoming so popular. Anyone who thinks that medical cannabis may be a solution to their pain relief problems but does not feel they would qualify for NHS treatments may want to book a consultancy.
How Is Medical Cannabis Different From Shop-Bought CBD?
In many ways, the CBD you buy in health shops bends the truth a little. CBD (cannabidiol) is a chemical that is derived from the cannabis plant. Yet shop-bought CBD does not come from cannabis at all. Instead, it is taken from hemp. This means that it does not contain large amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol, and is legally only allowed to contain trace amounts. As a result, it does not have the quality or grade required for serious medical applications that many residents are seeking.
Cannabis also has numerous differences from prescription drugs. Medical cannabis works with the endocannabinoid system in the body to regulate pain, inflammation and other processes. Yet drugs such as opioids block the signals that are sent. Both can have side effects, though many people believe the symptoms that may occur as a result of cannabis usage are less severe.
Attending a UK Cannabis Clinic
Cannabis will not just be prescribed to anyone. Yet if you are suffering from chronic pain and have exhausted other avenues, or believe it may cure another problem, then speak to an expert. All UK clinics have to have specialist medical staff who will undergo a consultation with you and look at other methods of pain relief you have tried.
Even if you are not in the Brighton area where providers such as Releaf are easily accessible, you may find them and others have branches elsewhere in the United Kingdom or even in the Brighton area. Contact a clinic and discuss this with them to find a solution to your medical needs.
