FAQs

 

What is Medical Cannabis?

There are three broad requirements:
The product is or contains cannabis, cannabis resin, cannabinol or a cannabinol derivative.
It is produced for medicinal use in humans; and
It is a product that is regulated as a medicinal product, or an ingredient of a medicinal product.
The definition is necessarily broad to take account of the range of preparations which are cannabis-based that have been used for therapeutic purposes and to ensure that raw products/ingredients and intermediate products are captured.  This is essential to ensure that where there is a clinical need, a patient will be able to access appropriate cannabis-based medicines and/or products can be made to meet any prescription.

Is it legal?

Cannabis Based Medicinal Products (CBMPs) became legal from 1 November 2018.  However it is a controlled drug and  can only be prescribed by Specialist Doctors after conventional treatments have been tried.  Sativex, Nabilone and Epidyolex are licenced CBMPs for spasticity, nausea and vomiting and seizures respectively.   CBMPs remain unlicenced for chronic pain.

What is the difference between licenced and unlicensed?

Unlicensed CBPMs should only be prescribed for indications 'where there is clear published evidence of benefit or in patients where there is a clinical need which cannot be met by a licensed medicine and where established treatment options have been exhausted' (NHS England, Scotland, Northern Ireland 2018).

What is the difference to CBD oil you can buy in shops?

CBD oil can be purchased from health food shops and pharmacies. These products do not have a medicine’s manufacturing licence and are not regulated by the MHRA.  Pure CBD is difficult to isolate, therefore the exact composition of the CBD products sold is often unknown and may not have been tested.

Will I feel “high”?

You will be prescribed a combination of CBD and THC.  The THC component is the one associated with a high.  However, this effect is counteracted by the presence of CBD.  You will be started on a CBD initially, and once established on a reasonable dose of CBD, will THC only be introduced if necessary.

Is it addictive?

Dependency exists although scientists believe this risk is probably small when its use is controlled and monitored by a specialist doctor.  It is lower than morphine like drugs, alcohol and tobacco.
Generally, the more THC the product contains, the greater these risks are.
Cannabis bought illegally off the street, where the quality, ingredients and strength are not known, is the most dangerous form to use.

What are the risks?

The greatest risks associated with CBMPs are in patients who have a history of psychiatric disorder and severe cardiovascular disease.  This includes a history of psychosis, schizophrenia and includes patients who have a first degree relative with those conditions.  Access to your medical records will help identify whether this is a concern.

What are the side effects?

These are dependent on a variety of factors including the make up of the oil, your age, weight and tolerance.  Side effects include dry mouth, sleep disturbance, abdominal pain, dizziness, sedation, nausea, vomiting.  It may affect your concentration.
By collecting your data onto a registry, it will facilitate reporting of adverse events through the “Yellow Card” scheme that it monitored by the MHRA

Can it interfere with other medication?

It can interfere with some drugs used for epilepsy eg clobazam, sodium valproate, as well as warfarin and the oral contraceptive pill.  This can be discussed in further detail at the initial consultation.