According to a recent poll, the number of people in the UK using cannabis illegally to treat pain has increased by 29% since 2019. Around £3.57bn is spent yearly on cannabis purchases; most of the time, it’s not done through prescriptions. The issue of decriminalizing the compound in the UK has been long discussed. Even if the National Police Chiefs Council and the College of Policing have proposed change on this matter, there’s less likely decriminalization of cannabis will happen, despite its plentiful health benefits.
Although medical cannabis was legalized in 2018, patients still can’t seem to access it. Consequently, they pay significant amounts of money for private prescriptions since no other treatment seems to eliminate the pain. An NGO called End Our Pain tried calling for action on the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and sent a letter to the official body regarding investing more money for cannabis research. Still, nothing has happened to help people use medical cannabis freely to ease their pain.
But what makes medical cannabis such an excellent treatment?
The proven benefits of medical cannabis
Cannabis used for medical purposes is one of the most efficient treatments for pain and nausea. Authorities have accepted some drugs that contain cannabinoids and can be legally purchased. It’s the case of Epidiolex, prescribed for people suffering from two of the rarest forms of epilepsy, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome. There’s also Marinol or Syndros that treats nausea and vomiting resulting from cancer chemotherapy and loss of appetite in people with HIV and AIDS.
Other reported benefits of cannabis include:
- Treating conditions linked with chronic pain, such as arthritis and migraine;
- Reducing inflammation from Crohn’s disease, IBS and rheumatoid arthritis;
- Easing symptoms of anxiety, PTSD and Tourette syndrome;
- Improving sleep and helping with insomnia;
Is it that difficult to get medical cannabis prescribed in the UK?
Currently, there are two options for getting medical cannabis to treat your health problem. You either get in contact with a specialist at the NHS or NICE. Still, they’re only allowed to prescribe cannabis for severe forms of epilepsy, chemotherapy nausea and spasticity from multiple sclerosis.
The second option is to search for a private medical marijuana clinic whose specialists can offer prescriptions for more health issues, such as the following:
- Chronic fatigue syndrome;
- Traumatic brain injury;
- Nerve conditions
- Post-operative surgery pain;
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder;
- Autism Spectrum disorder;
- Depression;
However, the process of obtaining medical cannabis can be pretty strenuous. For example, it’s more likely to get this treatment if two or more others have been unsuccessful in helping you. You’ll have a long conversation with the specialist regarding your interest, medical history, concerns, etc.
The easiest way to get some of this compound without a prescription is to search for CBD-based medication without THC, which is known to have psychoactive properties. However, CBD supplements may not have the same effects if you have chronic diseases or other severe conditions.
Is growing cannabis in the UK easy?
Considering the complex regulatory landscape in the UK, medical cannabis cultivators must obtain a few licenses and secure the facility, comply with specific regulations and ensure a stabilized supply chain. But considering that a few years ago, the UK was among the largest cannabis producers worldwide, the market is quite offering.
Depending on the place you live and the legal terms, it may or may not be possible to grow cannabis from Autoflowering seeds or other types. It’s best to consult these aspects before purchasing. In some areas, producing a small amount for personal use, such as four plants, for example, might not be an issue. However, the plants shouldn’t be easy to reach by other people, so you may need to keep them inside, but that’s not a problem for a few seeds.
Of course, if you can do it legally and are interested in trying different types, northern lights strain seeds have high levels of CBD and are sure to help you with anxiety, pain or stress.
What other cannabis-related products are available on the market?
Plenty of CBD-based products will satisfy your needs if you’d like to try something already on the market and manufactured by licensed companies. Although CBD might not be efficient for severe health issues, it can at least make you calmer without the high feeling involved.
You can find and consume these products in varied forms, such as the following:
- Oils and tinctures have better-labeled dose amounts, which can be convenient for someone who is trying CBD for the first time;
- Gummies and edibles are easy to consume, but the effect may take longer because the digestive system processes them;
- Lotions and creams are perfect if you have pain and want to massage the zone with CBD topicals;
- Vapes and smoking flowers are also convenient, but it’s challenging to control the dosage this way;
How to take CBD safely
Experts advise us to start with smaller doses and increase them slowly while cautiously observing the body’s reactions. Despite the low risks, it may be that your system processes the compound differently than others, which is why you don’t want to start big. It’s also essential not to take anything else during your CBD stage because it may interact with drugs, such as antidepressants and opioid medications, possibly leading to side effects.
Checking the manufacturer’s certificate of analysis (COA) will help you choose the safest and best products. Never purchase cheaper products from unknown companies ―always check the business’s credibility and decide if their cannabis source is genuine. The manufacturing process shouldn’t contain other chemicals that might harm your health, so make sure your research is thorough before purchasing.
Bottom line
With the demand for medical cannabis increasing in the UK, more research is needed to provide people with safe treatments. And although the government has legalized medical cannabis, few people have received treatment, as the prescription process can be pretty complicated. But considering the benefits of medical cannabis, the compound should be regarded as more for treating people’s health problems.