Since the UK legalized the use of medical cannabis in 2018, an increasing number of patients are beginning to look into using it as a treatment option for their chronic pain, anxiety disorders, PTSD, migraines, and numerous other ailments. Although the use of recreational cannabis remains prohibited in the UK, authorized medical cannabis may now be purchased through a licensed physician — and much of this process can occur on-line.
Below is a comprehensive and safe outline for obtaining medical cannabis online in the UK.
Determine If You Are Eligible to Use Medical Cannabis
Medical cannabis can only be used by patients who have failed to achieve relief from their symptoms through the use of traditional treatments. The typical qualifying conditions evaluated by clinics include:
- Chronic pain
- Neuropathic pain
- Anxiety disorders and sleep issues
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Treatment-resistant symptoms
Whether you are eligible to receive a prescription for medical cannabis is determined by your specialist doctor and not based upon your own assessment.
Identify a Legally Authorized Private Clinic That Provides Online Consultations
Since few NHS paths result in the issuance of medical cannabis prescriptions, most patients choose to visit a private clinic to receive their authorization for medical cannabis use. Each of these clinics operates within the regulatory boundaries of UK laws and offers the ability to conduct the initial consultation online.
During the first consultation the patient completes:
- A medical history form
- A list of all prior medicines
- The verification of their identity
All initial consultations are conducted via a video conference call between the patient and a GMC-registered specialist doctor.
Obtain a Prescription
After consulting with the patient the doctor determines if the patient would benefit from using cannabis-based products for medicinal use (CBPMs). Upon determining that the patient would benefit from the use of CBPMs the doctor will write a private prescription. In the UK only GMC-registered specialists are permitted to write a prescription for CBPMs; GPs are not.
Each prescription includes the type of product the patient should receive such as:
- Dried cannabis flower to be used via vaporization
- Cannabis oil/capsules
The doctor also specifies the dosage and any follow-up appointments.
Purchase From a Licensed UK Pharmacy
Upon receiving the prescription the pharmacy dispenses the medicine and coordinates the secure delivery to the patient’s home. All purchases are made through the pharmacy’s on-line portal; no purchases are allowed to be made from unlicensed sites or unauthorized on-line marketplace vendors. Every action taken in purchasing medical cannabis is heavily regulated and closely monitored.
Complete Ongoing Reviews
UK law requires regular assessments to determine whether the treatment is still suitable and beneficial to the patient. These follow-up assessments can be completed online.
When buying medical cannabis “on line” in the UK does not imply that you are free to purchase what ever you want on the Internet. Buying medical cannabis on-line in the UK implies that you will follow a regulated digital path: on-line consultation, legal prescription, and pharmacy delivery. To those patients who qualify, this system allows them to safely access, monitor, and maintain professional oversight of medical cannabis as an alternative treatment option when traditional treatments are ineffective.
Read more in our blog.