Your Roadmap to Medical Cannabis in the UK: All the Qualifying Conditions

Five years on from medical cannabis access being made available in the United Kingdom there is still a general lack of understanding about how the system works, and how accessible is for people who wish to obtain a prescription.

Let’s shed some light on the qualifying conditions for medical cannabis in the UK. In recent years, the landscape of medical cannabis in the United Kingdom has been evolving, providing hope and relief to individuals dealing with various health challenges. Today, we’ll be delving into the different categories of conditions that can make you eligible for medical cannabis treatment.

While a specialist doctor can prescribe cannabis for any condition that it is deemed suitable for, there is data on the conditions for which cannabis is currently being prescribed. T21 is a campaign set up by Drug Science to gather data on the medical efficacy of cannabis, and they report on their website the conditions which cannabis may be prescribed for.

To qualify for medical cannabis in the UK, there are a few essential steps you need to follow.

Step 1

Firstly, you’ll need to obtain your Summary Care Record from your GP, which should demonstrate that you’ve already tried two conventional treatments for your specific condition without success.

Call your GP and ask for your summary care record. They may ask how far back you want the record to go. The record will need to show two or more medicines being prescribed for your condition.

Depending on your GP Surgery your record may be physical or digital.

Step 2

Find a cannabis clinic that can connect you with a specialist doctor. Schedule an appointment, and they will review your summary care record and book you in with a doctor. Note: There is a charge for this.

If they determine that medical cannabis could be a beneficial option for managing your condition, they may prescribe it as part of your treatment plan.

Now, let’s talk about the conditions that may make you eligible for medical cannabis in the UK:

Pain-Related Conditions

Living with chronic pain can be challenging, and there are several pain-related conditions that may qualify you for medical cannabis. Conditions like arthritis, back and neck pain, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), and musculoskeletal pain (MSK) can significantly affect your daily life. For those dealing with neuropathic pain or nerve pain, medical cannabis may offer relief from the persistent discomfort they experience.

Neurological Conditions

Neurological conditions such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease can have a profound impact on one’s life. They often come with symptoms like muscle spasms, tremors, and chronic pain. Medical cannabis has shown promise in alleviating some of these symptoms and improving the quality of life for individuals facing these challenges.

Psychiatric Conditions

Mental health matters, and conditions like anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can be debilitating. For those with social anxiety disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the journey towards healing can be particularly challenging. Medical cannabis is being explored as a potential option to help manage these conditions and provide relief.

Gastrointestinal Conditions

Digestive health is essential, and conditions like Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can be incredibly disruptive. Medical cannabis may offer a ray of hope for individuals seeking relief from the symptoms associated with these gastrointestinal conditions.

Cancer-Related Conditions

Cancer, both the disease itself and its treatments, can lead to various physical and emotional challenges. Medical cannabis is being considered to help individuals dealing with cancer-related anxiety, appetite loss, depression, and pain, as well as chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.

Palliative Care Conditions

In palliative care, pain and anxiety can be particularly distressing. Medical cannabis may be considered as part of palliative care to provide comfort and improve the overall well-being of patients.

Other Conditions

There are conditions that don’t neatly fit into a single category but can still make you eligible for medical cannabis. Conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome (ME) and restless legs syndrome can have a significant impact on daily life, and exploring medical cannabis as a treatment option is worthwhile.

A full list of potentially qualifying conditions for medical cannabis in the UK

Pain-Related Conditions:

1. Arthritis: A common condition causing joint inflammation and pain.
2. Back and neck pain: Chronic back and neck pain can significantly affect your daily life.
3. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS): A condition characterized by chronic pain, often in the limbs.
4. Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS): A group of connective tissue disorders that can lead to chronic pain.
5. Endometriosis: A painful disorder where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of it.
6. Fibromyalgia: A condition causing widespread musculoskeletal pain and fatigue.
7. Joint pain: Chronic joint pain can result from various underlying issues.
8. Musculoskeletal pain (MSK): Pain related to the muscles and skeleton.
9. Neuropathic pain or nerve pain: Chronic pain caused by nerve damage or dysfunction.

Neurological Conditions:

1. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A developmental disorder affecting communication and behavior.
2. Alzheimer’s disease: A progressive brain disorder causing memory loss and cognitive decline.
3. Cluster headaches: Severe, recurring headaches that can be debilitating.
4. Epilepsy: A neurological disorder characterized by seizures.
5. Functional Neurological Disorder (FND): A condition where the nervous system malfunctions without structural damage.
6. Migraines: Intense headaches often accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to light and sound.
7. Motor Neurone Disease (MND): A rare, progressive disorder affecting nerve cells.
8. Multiple Sclerosis: A chronic autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system.
9. Muscle spasms: Involuntary muscle contractions can be painful and disruptive.
10. Parkinson’s disease: A degenerative disorder affecting movement and coordination.
11. Tourette’s syndrome: A neurological condition characterized by repetitive, involuntary movements and vocalizations.
12. Tremors: Involuntary shaking or trembling of the body.
13. Stroke: A sudden interruption of blood flow to the brain, leading to various neurological symptoms.

Psychiatric Conditions:

1. Agoraphobia: An anxiety disorder characterized by a fear of situations where escape may be difficult.
2. Appetite disorders like Anorexia: Eating disorders that can have severe physical and psychological effects.
3. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A neurodevelopmental disorder affecting focus and impulse control.
4. Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Chronic, excessive worry and anxiety.
5. Insomnia or sleep disorders: Chronic sleep disturbances that impact daily functioning.
6. Major Depressive Disorder (Depression): A mood disorder causing persistent sadness and loss of interest.
7. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): A mental health condition characterized by obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors.
8. Panic disorder: Recurrent, unexpected panic attacks.
9. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): A mental health condition triggered by traumatic experiences.
10. Social anxiety disorder or social phobia: Intense fear of social situations.
11. Substance Use Disorder: Struggles with addiction to drugs or alcohol.

Gastrointestinal Conditions:

1. Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis: Inflammatory bowel diseases causing digestive issues.
2. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): A common digestive disorder with symptoms like abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits.

Cancer-Related Conditions:

1. Cancer-related anxiety, appetite loss, depression, and pain: Various aspects of cancer and its treatment can lead to these conditions.
2. Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: Side effects of cancer treatment that can be debilitating.

Palliative Care Conditions:

1. Palliative care pain and anxiety: Relief for individuals in palliative care.

Miscellaneous Conditions:

1. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, or ME: A debilitating condition characterized by extreme fatigue.
2. Restless legs syndrome: An uncomfortable sensation in the legs, often relieved by movement.

This information on qualifying conditions was researched from the T21 website. In reality, doctors may prescribe cannabis for any condition for which it is effective once two or more treatments have failed. The conditions above are merely to illustrate the wide range of conditions that medical cannabis is already treating in the United Kingdom.

In conclusion, medical cannabis has the potential to provide relief and improve the quality of life for individuals facing a wide range of health challenges. If you believe you meet the criteria and could benefit from medical cannabis treatment, don’t hesitate to take the first step towards a consultation with a specialist doctor. Your journey to better health begins here. The doctors at clinics like Releaf are experts in the field, providing tailor-made prescriptions within the bounds of UK law.