WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF MEDICAL CANNABIS AVAILABLE IN THE UK?

What Are the Differences in UK Medical Cannabis Types?

1. CANNABIS‑BASED MEDICINES (FORMULATED AND LICENSED)

These are pharmaceutical-grade products with strong quality controls and, in some cases, official approval.

1.1 EPIDYOLEX (CANNABIDIOL ORAL SOLUTION)

Active Ingredient: Pure cannabidiol (CBD), with no THC, so it does not cause a high.

Indications: Licensed for rare, severe epilepsy syndromes—specifically Lennox‑Gastaut and Dravet—in children and adults .

How It’s Used: Oral solution, dosed precisely; typically adjunct therapy.

Regulatory Status: Approved by EMA (2019) and UK MHRA and NHS in select cases .

Side Effects: Mild GI upset, appetite changes, sedation; liver function monitored .

1.2 NABIXIMOLS (SATIVEX – THC/CBD COMBINATION ORAL SPRAY)

Active Ingredients: Balanced THC and CBD.

Indications: Specifically for adults with MS-related muscle spasticity unresponsive to standard therapies .

Route of Administration: Oromucosal (buccal) spray under the tongue.

Dosing: Each spray delivers ~2.7 mg THC + 2.5 mg CBD .

Approval: QMRA-approved, NHS-prescribable under specialist care .

Side Effects: Dizziness (25%), drowsiness, occasional mild disorientation. Dependence risk deemed low .

1.3 NABILONE (SYNTHETIC THC ANALOG)

Active Ingredient: Synthetic cannabinoid mimicking THC.

Indications: Approved for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting when other treatments fail .

Form: Oral capsules.

Effect: Similar to THC: appetite stimulation, antiemetic.

Side Effects: Possible drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth .

 

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2. UNLICENSED CANNABIS‑BASED PRODUCTS (OFF‑LABEL)

When licensed options are insufficient, specialists can prescribe **unlicensed, off‑license cannabis-based medicinal products (CBPMs)** .

2.1 DRIED CANNABIS FLOWER (CANNABIS FLOSS)

Form: Dried buds, vaporised—not smoked—for medicinal use .

Strain Varieties:

Bedrocan (~22 % THC)

Bediol (balanced THC/CBD)

Bedrolite (high CBD, very low THC)

European and Canadian hybrids also used .

Irradiated vs Non-irradiated: To sterilize microbes, some products are irradiated; choice depends on patient preference .

Use Cases: Chronic pain, MS, anxiety, epilepsy; approx. 79 % of UK medical cannabis prescriptions are dried flower .

2.2 CANNABIS OILS AND TINCTURES

Types:

High-CBD oils (especially for epilepsy)

THC-rich oils for pain, nausea, appetite issues .

Delivery Method: Oral or sublingual, absorbed via mouth lining .

Clinic Reports: Oils represent ~20 % of prescriptions; vaping oils and tablets still emerging (~1 %) .

2.3 CAPSULES AND EDIBLES

Capsules: THC- or CBD-based, offering standard dosing .

Edibles: Gummies, chocolates, pastilles; allowed in private prescriptions .

2.4 VAPOURED CONCENTRATES & INHALERS

Vape cartridges: Oil or concentrate for vaporiser devices; still low usage but growing .

Inhalers: Experimental products; delivery similar to asthma inhalers .

2.5 TOPICALS (CREAMS, BALMS, PATCHES)

Form: Lotions, creams, transdermal patches applied directly to the skin .

Indications: Localised pain, arthritis, skin conditions.

Evidence: CBD topicals more common; others less bioavailable transdermally .

 

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3. OVER‑THE‑COUNTER CBD PRODUCTS (NOT MEDICAL CANNABIS)

These are non-prescription, low-THC CBD oils and supplements:

Legal limit: Must contain <0.2 % THC; sold as food/novel foods .

Uses: Stress, sleep aid, mild anxiety, general wellness .

Safety: Generally safe; max 10 mg/day per FSA to avoid liver effects .

Limitation: Not classed as medicine; effects are modest and inconsistent.

 

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4. SYNTHETIC CANNABINOIDS

Non-plant alternatives designed to mimic THC:

4.1 DRONABINOL (DELTA‑9‑THC)

INN: Officially recognized pharmaceutical delta‑9‑THC .

Uses: Appetite stimulant; antiemetic in US, though not a licensed UK medical cannabis.

Side Effects: Drowsiness, anxiety, increased heart rate .

4.2 NABILONE (ALREADY COVERED)

Synthetic THC mimic; licensed in the UK for chemotherapy-related nausea.

4.3 DRONABINOL VS OTHER

UK’s licensed synthetic cannabinoid is predominantly Nabilone, with dronabinol used more elsewhere .

 

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5. HOW PRODUCTS ARE REGULATED & PRESCRIBED

5.1 LEGAL FRAMEWORK

Medical Use Legalized: Since Nov 2018; doctor-only prescription by specialists .

CBPM Standards: Must be MHRA-licensed or unlicensed but from certified sources; not raw cannabis oil .

Imported vs Domestic: Most CBPMs imported; UK-grown facilities are emerging since 2024 .

5.2 PRESCRIBING PATHWAYS

NHS: Very limited use—mostly Epidyolex (epilepsy), Sativex (MS), Nabilone (chemotherapy) .

Private Clinics: Offer broader CBPM options (flowers, oils, vapes), based on specialist assessment .

Monitoring & Safety: Specialist doctors monitor for interactions, side effects, liver function, mental health (esp. with THC) .

 

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6. TYPES OF CANNABIS STRAINS AND THERAPEUTIC CHEMOVARS

6.1 INDICA, SATIVA, HYBRIDS

Indica: Sedating, pain-relieving—often used for insomnia or relaxation.

Sativa: Energising, mood-lifting—used for daytime anxiety or depression .

Hybrids & Chemovars: Tailored THC/CBD balance; terpene profiles influence therapeutic effects .

6.2 COMMON STRAINS IN UK PRESCRIPTIONS

Flowers:

Bedrocan (22% THC)

Bediol (balanced THC/CBD)

Bedrolite (high CBD, low THC)

Additional hybrid strains: Blue Dream, Gelato, Gorilla Glue, etc. .

Non-Oil Forms: Oils, capsules, tinctures available in varying THC/CBD profiles .

 

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7. SAFETY, SIDE EFFECTS & DRUG INTERACTIONS

7.1 SIDE EFFECTS

CBD-only: Dry mouth, drowsiness, occasional liver enzyme changes .

THC-containing: Dizziness, weakness, hallucinations, mood shifts; psychosis risk at high or frequent doses .

Capsule use: Same general effects depending on THC/CBD ratio.

7.2 DRUG INTERACTIONS

CBD can affect liver enzymes—monitor when combining with other medications .

THC interaction with psychiatric medications; careful prescribing by specialist required.

7.3 LONG-TERM CONSIDERATIONS

Dependence on THC products, though small when medically supervised .

Psychotic illness risk in predisposed individuals; hence strict eligibility criteria .

 

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8. ACCESS, SUPPLY & COST

8.1 PRESCRIPTION NUMBERS

NHS: Only a few hundred annual prescriptions (mainly Epidyolex/Sativex/Nabilone).

Private clinics: Approx. 45,000 patients in 2023 took private prescriptions .

8.2 SUPPLY SOURCES

Historically imported from the EU, Canada.

UK-grown cannabis emerged in 2024 (e.g., Dalgety, Waterside) to reduce dependency .

What Are the Differences in UK Medical Cannabis Types?

8.3 COST & AFFORDABILITY

Private prescriptions: often £100–£300/month depending on product (e.g., oil 50 mg THC ~£110 for 30 ml) .

NHS: Mostly funded when criteria met; otherwise, private cost applies.

 

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9. FUTURE TRENDS & RESEARCH

Trials expanding across chronic pain, PTSD, anxiety with new CBPM types .

UK cultivation scaling up (Dalgety, Waterside) to ensure supply, QC, reduce import costs .

Delivery innovations: inhalers, patches, precise dosing forms in trial phases .

Regulatory shifts: Potential expanded NHS scope if new data supports efficacy.

What Are the Differences in UK Medical Cannabis Types?