Medical cannabis has been legal in the UK since 2018, and it is now easier than ever for suitable medical patients to try cannabis where other treatments have failed.
There are currently some 40 clinics open for business in the UK. However, that opening of the market - and the thriving black market for illicit cannabis - can make picking the right option confusing and daunting. So, where to start?
This article offers a step-by-step guide to patients in Yorkshire - or elsewhere - who already know they want to start medical cannabis treatment. From making sure everything is above board, to understanding what kind of services should be available to you, to the final steps once you've narrowed down some options, this, is is how to pick a medical cannabis clinic in the UK.
Ensure You Pick a Regulated and Licensed Clinic
First things first, you shouldn't just go with the first provider you see. That especially goes for businesses advertising on social media or through word of mouth, which could easily be black market cannabis sold as medical product. The key thing to look out for, is that any medical cannabis clinic will have strict patient criteria - and they will be licensed by the Care Quality Commission.
Finding the best cannabis clinic uk patients have access to is no easy task - especially considering "best" can mean different things for different patients. However, as discussed later, expert comparison and reviews, as well as experiences of other patients, are a vital part of picking the right clinic for your needs.
There are also other credentials you can check. For example any top clinic will list its doctors, and give you the full name and other information for the doctor that will consult you. You can look them up on the General Medical Council's list of practitioners to ensure they are experienced and certified in the field.
On top of all that most clinics in the UK will be a member of either the Cannabis Industry Council or the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society. Both these organisations publish detailed guidelines for prescribing cannabis treatment, where you can see if what a clinic offers fits with the certified best practices.
Patient Support and Experience are Key
A good clinic will explain in its resources, or through an initial consultation, exactly what support will be offered throughout the process. As a somewhat psychoactive medication, cannabis can be daunting to try for the first time. Understanding what cannabis can and can't do, the dosages for treatment and the possible side effects is also important.
Expert clinicians will help you through this process. Even patients familiar with black market cannabis may find that clinical treatment is different to self medicating - and almost certainly more therapeutic in nature.
When looking at a medical cannabis clinics' website or marketing materials for the first time, it is good to look for:
• The tone of the text - medical cannabis is not a miracle cure all, and cannot legally be advertised as such in the UK
• Readily available and free educational resources, or pointers to where they can be found
• Open discussion of risks, legal requirements and other technical information
• Clearly laid out descriptions of services and products
Any cannabis clinic worth your time will offer ongoing reviews after the initial consultation. This ensures your treatment is suiting you, and provides opportunity to fix the situation if it is not as you expected.
Check Reviews and Speak to Other Patients
With more than 40 fully legal cannabis clinics in the UK today, you might find several dozen that fit all the above criteria. In that case, looking through expert and fellow patient opinions might be able to tip the scales. This process also goes for non-medical cannabis related products available commercially too.
For example, CBD oil reviews can help you decide which brand of this entirely legal cannabis-derived substance you want to choose. Seeing as CBD is not as heavily regulated as THC medications or medical cannabis flower - although you can obtain it on prescription from a clinic should you wish - the options can vary quite a bit in quality. Reviews help you determine which are the top shelf brands with the best product.
In terms of medical cannabis, different strains can have different medical and psychoactive effects. Most clinics will lean towards prescribing mixed THC/cannabis oil for new patients. However, cannabis flower - to be vaped only and not smoked - is readily available for those prefer the unprocessed natural treatment.
Unlike many pharmaceutical medicines, cannabis' effects can be somewhat subjective. So patients like to know they can access their preferred strain or method of treatment, for maximum efficacy and peace of mind.
For example, only a few cannabis clinics in the UK offer edible cannabis gummies on prescription. If you, as a patient, know you prefer edible medication over sprays, oils or vaping, then it would be good know if a clinic offers this before you start consultation.
