Cannabis NHS: What You Need to Know About

Although medical cannabis is available in the UK, there is only limited availability of it to be prescribed by the NHS and only in specific clinical cases under the direction of specialist doctors. A major concern for the NHS in terms of the prescription of medical cannabis is the current lack of strong evidence regarding both short- and long-term safety for many of the other potential uses of medical cannabis. Therefore, prescriptions have been limited as a result of this lack of strong evidence.

Cannabis Side Effects: What the NHS Actually Lists

Cannabis Side Effects NHS: What Really Matters

Unfortunately, much of the “unnecessary risk” associated with unregulated products comes from the fact that many people do not know what is in the product they are consuming, and therefore there is no one to hold accountable. In a number of instances, the NHS references the importance of regulating and monitoring the quality of the medical cannabis prescribed and used.

Online advertising, private clinics, social media, and online retail stores tend to operate at a speed far greater than their regulatory counterparts, and create a distorted view of what is available to the general public. What people see advertised, or read about on-line does not necessarily equate to NHS endorsement. To be accepted into clinical pathways for the NHS, medications (including medical cannabis) must meet three criteria, including standardized dosing, pharmaceutical-grade consistency, and peer reviewed evidence; none of these criteria have been met by many of the products currently marketed on-line.

Another critical distinction is between legality and routine prescribing. Legal status alone does not indicate widespread adoption into first line treatment pathways.

Finally, many patients approach cannabis as a “natural” alternative, and therefore fail to realize the necessity of dose control, potential for drug interactions, and the need for regular monitoring.

A Balanced Takeaway

Cannabis is neither a cartoon villain nor a magic cure-all. It is a complex medication with real positive and negative effects – which is exactly why the NHS takes such caution when prescribing medical cannabis.

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