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Since 2018, medical cannabis has been legally available on prescription through licensed clinics like Alternaleaf for 50+ conditions. We’ll be exploring what some of these conditions are below as well as a step-by-step guide to medical cannabis approval. Why? Because we love sharing the potential benefits this incredible plant can have. It may not be suitable for everyone, but for some, it can significantly improve quality of life.
The first step to finding out how to qualify for a medical cannabis prescription is choosing a clinic. Each will have its own processes and prices, and researching what best suits you and your lifestyle is the perfect way to start your medical cannabis journey.
We’ll give you a head start by going into detail about the smooth processes here at Alternaleaf, as well as our competitive prices and excellent service below.
Conditions That Qualify for Medical Cannabis Treatment
Medical cannabis has been prescribed for more than 50 conditions. Below is a snapshot list of just some these:
Medical cannabis has the potential to help relieve some of the symptoms of these conditions. For example:
- In a recent trial of 300 adults with anxiety, both THC and CBD-dominant cannabis helped reduce people’s anxiety.
- Medical cannabis works by harnessing cannabinoids (compounds found in the cannabis plant) to bind to pain receptors and nerve cells, then slow down the pain response. This, in turn, eases discomfort.
- This study on 188 autistic people found cannabis had the potential to be well tolerated, safe, and effective for symptom relief.
- In a 2021 observational trial participants self-reported a drop in depression symptoms, alongside less pain, better sleep and improved quality of life.
We have lots more evidence to support the potential benefits of medical cannabis for epilepsy, PTSD, anxiety and more on our Cannaverse Blog.
How Does a Patient Qualify for a Medical Cannabis Prescription?
So, we’ve got a list of conditions that could potentially be treated with medical cannabis. But, who qualifies for medical cannabis in the UK?
Having one or more of the above conditions is just the first step. You also need to have evidence of being diagnosed with this condition, as well as evidence of being offered at least two conventional treatments for the condition. And the final thing to be aware of is you can’t be pregnant or have a history of psychosis or schizophrenia.
That pretty much covers the initial eligibility criteria. With Alternaleaf, we’ll ask questions in our 30 second questionnaire that cover the above.
We’ll decide if you’re likely to qualify for treatment or not based on the information you tell us. And if you are likely to qualify, you can book an initial assessment with one of our pharmacists. Below we explain in a little more detail what you can expect from those initial few appointments.
The Prescription Process
The first two appointments you’ll have with Alternaleaf are an initial assessment with a pharmacist and Doctor consultation. These are risk-free, so if you’re not eligible, you won’t be changed. Here’s the initial step-by-step process for medical cannabis prescription with Alternaleaf, and what you can expect:
During your initial assessment:
- One of our clinical Pharmacists will do a full assessment of your medical history.
- They’ll make sure you’ve submitted the necessary medical records. We have a guide on how to get these here.
- If all necessary documents are uploaded, they’ll book a Doctor consultation for you.
During your Doctor consultation:
- You’ll discuss a prescription - but this won’t be issued until you’re MDT approved (next step).
- If you’re on a budget, mention it as early as possible. That way we can build out a treatment plan that is tailored to you and your needs.
MDT Process
- This is the stage between being issued a prescription and being approved. This additional check ensures you’re definitely eligible for medication, and that medical cannabis treatment is a safe option for you.
- If you aren’t approved, you won’t be charged, and we’ll be in touch to go through next steps. It could be that you’re simply missing some medical information, or it could be a bit more complex.
- If you are approved, your prescription will be released to the Pharmacy, ready for you to purchase.
We have a bit more information on costs here.
With Alternaleaf, it can take up to 3 working days for the Pharmacy to receive and process your prescription, after it’s been sent by your Clinic. Once the Pharmacy has processed your prescription, you’ll be able to pay.
You should receive your medication by the next business day if you pay by 3:30pm. You’ll be sent a tracking email to view where your order is.
Orders placed after 3:30pm will be dispatched the following day, and delivered the next working day after that. These timeframes may vary if you order over the weekend.
Again, the above information is all specific to Alternaleaf, and other clinics may not follow the same timeframes and processes.
NHS vs private medical cannabis access
Unfortunately, getting a medical cannabis prescription through the NHS is easier said than done. It’s currently only available for three very specific conditions:
- Children and adults with rare, severe forms of epilepsy
- Adults with vomiting or nausea caused by chemotherapy
- People with muscle stiffness and spasms caused by multiple sclerosis (MS)
It’s also known that the NHS can have long wait times. Which is why it may be better to seek the help of a private clinic like Alternaleaf.
How to Apply for a Medical Cannabis Prescription UK
So, let’s break down what we’ve discussed above in a nutshell.
First of all, you choose a clinic. If you choose Alternaleaf, the very first step is to fill out our 30 second questionnaire.
Based on the information provided, we’ll decide if you’re likely to be eligible. If it’s a yes, you can book an initial assessment with a pharmacist.
You’ll need to provide relevant medical history. This could be your NHS Summary Care Record, which you can get from your GP Surgery (more info on that here). Or any other supporting documents. For example evidence of therapies including physiotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), or counseling.
When we have your medical history and the pharmacist is happy, we’ll book a Doctor consultation for you. After that appointment, you just need to wait for approval.
Why Medical Cannabis Might Be Considered
The cannabis plant produces over 100 cannabinoids, or compounds. Tetrahydrocannabinolis (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are two of these natural compounds, and they’re what you’ll see most often when researching medical cannabis. The main difference is that THC can produce a ‘high’, while CBD doesn’t. And remember, whilst there is evidence to give a general idea of how both THC and CBD may react with the body, they can affect every individual differently.
Both compounds work by interacting with your endocannabinoid system (ECS), a messenger and receptor system that is integral to homeostasis (the management of balance) within the human body. The ECS influences and modulates pretty much every single function within your body, directing, correcting and managing your overall health.
One of the core components of the ECS are the cannabinoid receptors, which includes CB1 and CB2. They’re one of the main reasons behind why medical cannabis might work so positively on so many different conditions. Many experts believe that, by consuming compounds like THC and CBD, it’s possible to interact with these receptors.
Medical cannabis also comes with minimal side effects compared to many traditional medications. For example, most commonly prescribed traditional treatments like opioids come with a chilling set of risks, like high tolerance, dependency, or even death.
Summary
If you’re wondering: is cannabis legal for chronic pain in the UK? The answer is yes - as long as the evidence we mentioned above is there.
Whether you’re suffering from chronic pain, anxiety, depression, ADHD or something else, we hope this has helped you or a loved one figure out how to get a medical cannabis prescription in the UK.
Private clinics vs NHS: medical cannabis prescription
And remember, it may be better to consider a private clinic over the NHS, due to the longer wait times and restrictions on who can get a prescription.
The best thing to do is speak to your Doctor or clinician, or seek the help of a licensed medical cannabis clinic like Alternaleaf if you’re considering medical cannabis. Find out if you’re eligible by heading to our website and completing our 30 second questionnaire.