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Medical cannabis has been celebrated for its therapeutic benefits for over 6,000 years and continues to be a subject of interest and controversy. Its journey, from high altitudes where it developed high THC levels as a protective mechanism to its worldwide spread due to its adaptability and minimal water requirements, showcases its enduring relevance. The cannabinoids found in cannabis closely resemble those produced by the human body, interacting with our endocannabinoid system to regulate various bodily functions and offer a spectrum of benefits with minimal side effects.
Despite its long history and healing potential, the classification and understanding of cannabis in contemporary medicine remain flawed. The debate over its classification into indica and sativa strains, which inaccurately predicts its effects, underscores this misunderstanding. Instead, terpenes, aromatic compounds found in many plants, play a pivotal role in determining its effects.
The misclassification of cannabis has led to challenges in integrating it into modern pharmacopoeia. The current healthcare system, driven by profit, often overlooks the therapeutic and holistic benefits of cannabis, opting instead for synthetic and profit-driven alternatives. This perspective has led to a lack of standardisation in the medical cannabis industry, potentially introducing synthetic additives and misrepresentation.
In the UK, the healthcare system’s prioritisation of profit has led to limited prescriptions and accessibility to medical cannabis despite its legalisation for certain conditions. Furthermore, the high cost and questionable quality of medical cannabis products highlight a disconnect between government regulations and the actual needs of patients. Street cannabis is sometimes favoured for its quality, as patients who grow their own can control the process from start to finish.
The future of medical cannabis looks promising but complex. There is potential for future NHS prescriptions and a rapidly growing community advocating for its wider legalisation. It’s crucial to acknowledge and respect the activists who have fought for the acceptance and legalisation of this ancient therapeutic plant. As discussions and studies continue, the full potential of cannabis as a powerful component of the natural medicine cabinet awaits to be fully realised.
Chapters
00:11 Intro 1:12 Discovering the benefits of medical cannabis 3:14 The History of medical cannabis 4:30 Cannabis Evolution and ancient history 7:36 Cannabis Pre History speculation 8:57 Dr William Brooke O’Shaughnessy 10:10 Victorian Era extracts 10:55 Sativa & Indica 12:10 Cultivars and Chemovars 13:45 Supplementation of the Endocannabinoid System 14:33 Medical Cannabis narratives 15:49 Doctors and the therapeutic relationship with cannabis 16:49 ‘The Great Con’ 18:05 Medical cannabis vs. street cannabis 19:20 Changing the law on medical cannabis and CBPMs: 2018 21:15 Patients at Parliament 22:30 The Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 22:45 Medical cannabis and medical patients 24:41 Smoking Cannabis 25:22 Standardisation 28:47 Activism 30:18 Cannabis Cards 31:20 Data 32:30 Medical Health Interactions 34:24 Cannabis and Schizophrenia 34:50 Skunk Hysteria 35:10 THC Caps and changing the narrative 37:22 The Big Players 39:27 The Placebo Effect 40:35 Autonomy and right to life 42:30 Medical Cannabis Collectives 43:50 Cannabis Supplementation and health 45:20 Professor David Nutt / Project 21 49:20 Issues with medical supply in the UK : Focusing on ratios 50:30 THC medical benefits 51:43 CBD Medical benefits 52:15 Cannabis supplementation 52:35 Cannabis and Cancer 56:55 What we are missing on the medical side 57:30 Medical Cannabis Benefits : What you can be prescribed cannabis for in the UK in 2021 59:25 Medical Cannabis and Chronic Pain in the UK 1:00:12 Cancard and Clinics 1:01:28 NHS prescriptions for cannabis 1:03:00 Medical Patient community in the UK – how easy is it to get legally prescribed cannabis? 1:05:00 Including the wider cannabis community 1:07:25 Frenchy Cannoli 1:08:40 Outro
In the UK, medical cannabis has been legal since November 2018, and it’s permitted under prescription by specialist doctors. These doctors can prescribe cannabis-based products for medicinal use to patients who meet specific criteria. The primary conditions that qualify for a medical cannabis prescription include chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, and epilepsy, among others.
It’s vital to note that not all doctors can prescribe medical cannabis; only those specialising in this area can provide cannabis-based products for medicinal use. Generally, medical cannabis is available on prescription from a specialist doctor registered with the General Medical Council (GMC), and in most cases, the prescriptions are made by private specialist clinics. However, in rare instances, the NHS may prescribe medical cannabis, although there are several challenges to overcome before more patients can receive medical cannabis on the NHS. One of the main hurdles is that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is cautious about recommending medical cannabis for specific conditions due to a lack of sufficient safety and efficacy data1.
The cost of medical cannabis treatment in the UK can range significantly from £150 to £600 per month, depending on the clinic. Initial consultations could range from £49 to £200. Some clinics include the cost of the product in their fee, while others only issue the prescription, and patients can take it to a pharmacy1.
The landscape of medical cannabis laws in the UK is slowly changing as more scientific studies emerge. Over time, as more clinical data is available, attitudes towards medical cannabis are expected to soften, possibly leading to a loosening of regulation that could allow more patients to receive free medical cannabis on the NHS1.
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