Medical cannabis might still make many people think of smoking joints – but it is definitely not that. The term medical cannabis covers all the clinically prescribed treatments derived from the cannabis plant, which can include flower for vaping but also oils, sprays and lozenges. The UK has had legal medical cannabis on prescription from private clinics since 2018 – but what does this mean exactly?
This article will explore the main kinds of therapeutic cannabis treatment, from straight flower to the different types of cannabis oils and even the latest technological advancements in the sector. Medical cannabis has come a long way from illicit self-medication on the black market, and this what you need to know about it.
Cannabis Flower is Still the Most Common Form in the UK and Globally
Some 80,000 people across the UK are currently prescribed medical cannabis, and around 75% of them are prescribed cannabis flower for vaping. Despite many clinics and doctors opting for oils as the first point of recommendation for patients, the majority exercise their right to choose and ask for flower.
The number of clinics, and the different treatment options available, can be confusing for patients. Many are left with questions about specific clinics such as “is CB1 medical good?”. Online review sites, mixing expert opinion with patient ratings and experiences, are an excellent resource for interested patients to educate themselves on the market.
For example, many people in the UK still don’t know that prescription medical cannabis remains illegal to smoke. No UK licensed doctor would recommend inhaling burning plant matter for health.
However, there is increasing amounts of solid clinical evidence for vaped cannabis (and other medicines) as an effective treatment for symptoms of many conditions. For example, patient-reported data shows medical cannabis is currently changing the lives of thousands of people with chronic pain across the UK.
Clinically, flower offers the same effects as oils in most cases. However, onset of relief is nearly instant, compared to oils which can take longer to have an effect. Modern medical vaporisers have standardised size chambers, but dosing can arguably still be less consistent. Patients can pack flower in or just lightly fill it, and they have to manually grind the flower up themselves before loading – which can create inconsistencies.
On the other hand, the rapid onset of vaped flower makes it easier for patients to know when they’ve treated enough for their symptoms and can provide immediate relief.
Cannabis Oils are the Preffered Clinical Option
Oils represent about 20% of the medical cannabis market in the UK. They can be broadly categorised by whether they contain the two main cannabis plant compounds or cannabinoids – THC or CBD. The main options are:
- Isolated THC oil
- Isolated CBD oil
- A 50/50 mix of THC and CBD
- Full-spectrum versions of the above, made with the full cannabis plant and not isolates
For example, prescribed full spectrum cbd oil is quite different from THC oil or commercially available CBD isolate droplets. In the crowded commercial market especially, comparing your options with online resources and ratings sites will help you make the right choice for your healthcare needs.
Clinically cannabis oils make for easier and more consistent dosing. They’re also a good option for people who aren’t confident grinding up or even possessing medical flower due to the social stigmas around cannabis (and it’s sometimes potent odour).
Different Cannabinoids Have Different Therapeutic Properties
THC is the psychoactive compound in the cannabis plant, responsible for the famous cannabis “high”. CBD meanwhile is perceptually non-intoxicating. Both have their own therapeutic uses, although there is evidence they can potentiate each others medical effects when combined.
THC is most associated with direct pain relief, muscle relaxation and appetite stimulation. The infamous “munchies” can actually have a real medical benefit for people whose conditions cause unwanted or unhealthy weight and appetite loss.
CBD has been shown by some studies to effect anxiety levels, as well as being anti-inflammatory and possibly even neuroprotective. CBD medication Epidyolex has been proven to treat severe epileptic seizures and is one of two cannabis-medicines (rarely) available on the NHS.
New and Innovative Treatment Methods Included Sprays and Dosed Flower Cartridges
Although yet to take off in the UK – accounting for around 1% of prescriptions in 2024 – an emerging area of the sector is developing new delivery systems for treatment. This aims to bring treatments more into the realm of precise clinical dosages.
Moving away from flower also has the aim of diverging prescribed medical cannabis from recreational and black market use.
Current options available and in development include:
- Oral or mucosal sprays
- Pre-dosed cartridges of ground flower to load into vapes
- Lozenges and pharmaceutically prepared edibles
- Micro-dose capsules
Pre-dosed cartridges keep the potential therapeutic benefits of the full flower (the “entourage effect”) and keep choices open for patients, while eliminating the need to possess unground flower that has to be manually dosed.
The upcoming medical cannabis markets in Spain and France may look towards this model, and politicians in Germany have mooted moving medical cannabis away from prescribing flower. However, it is far from certain these will take off in the UK and these methods haven’t shown much growth in the US or Canadian markets.
