Medical Cannabis Consultations: What to Expect Before Discussing Eligibility and Treatment Options

Medical Cannabis Consultations: What to Expect Before Discussing Eligibility and Treatment Options

Medical cannabis consultations provide an opportunity to discuss whether cannabis-based treatment may be appropriate for your symptoms and medical history. In the UK, medical cannabis is a prescription-only treatment and is not suitable for everyone. It can only be prescribed by a specialist doctor, usually after other treatments have been considered or tried.

A consultation is not a guarantee that you will receive a prescription. The specialist must make an independent clinical decision based on your diagnosis, previous treatments, current medicines, risks and potential benefits. Understanding what happens before and during the consultation can help you prepare and have a more useful discussion.

What is medical cannabis?

Medical cannabis refers to prescribed cannabis-based products used to manage specific medical conditions or symptoms. Products may contain cannabinoids such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), or a combination of cannabinoids. They can be supplied in different forms, including oils, capsules, or dried flower intended for use with a suitable medical vaporiser.

Medical cannabis is different from unregulated cannabis bought from non-medical sources. Prescribed products are selected and supplied within a clinical framework, with advice about dosing, monitoring and possible adverse effects. You should not use recreational cannabis as a substitute for a prescribed treatment.

Before the consultation: information you may need to provide

The specialist will need a clear picture of your health and previous treatment. You may be asked to provide information such as:

• Your diagnosed condition, symptoms and how they affect your daily life
• When your symptoms began and whether they are stable, worsening or variable
• Previous treatments, including medicines, therapies and non-medical approaches
• Whether previous treatments helped, caused side effects or were stopped for another reason
• Your current prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, supplements and allergies
• Relevant medical records, consultation letters or treatment summaries
• Your mental health history, including any previous psychosis, mania, severe anxiety or depression
• Your history of substance use, including cannabis, alcohol or other recreational drugs
• Whether you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding

Accurate information is important. The specialist may need to contact your GP or request supporting records, depending on the service and your circumstances. Do not stop or change an existing medicine before receiving advice from a qualified clinician.

Discussing eligibility

Eligibility is assessed on an individual basis. In general, a specialist may consider medical cannabis when you have a condition or symptom for which prescribed cannabis-based treatment could reasonably offer benefit, particularly where standard treatments have not worked sufficiently, caused unacceptable side effects, or are not suitable.

The assessment may include your diagnosis, the severity of your symptoms, your treatment history and whether there is a clinically appropriate product to consider. The specialist will also assess potential risks. A consultation may not result in treatment if your medical records are incomplete, the risks outweigh the possible benefits, or the clinician believes another approach would be more appropriate.

Some circumstances require particular caution. These may include a personal or family history of certain mental health conditions, significant heart or liver problems, pregnancy, breastfeeding, a history of dependence, or medicines that could interact with cannabis-based products. These factors do not always mean treatment is impossible, but they may require further assessment or make medical cannabis unsuitable.

What happens during the consultation?

The consultation is a clinical discussion rather than a simple request for a particular product. You can expect questions about your symptoms, previous care, general health and treatment goals. You should feel able to explain what you hope treatment might improve, such as pain, sleep, muscle spasm, appetite or quality of life.

The specialist may discuss the available types of treatment and explain what is known about their potential benefits and limitations. They should also explain that response can vary between individuals and that improvement is not guaranteed. Medical cannabis may be considered alongside other care, rather than as a replacement for every existing treatment.

If treatment is considered appropriate, the specialist will usually discuss a starting product and dose, how it should be taken, and how the dose might be adjusted. Treatment is commonly started cautiously, with changes made gradually according to response and side effects. You should follow the prescribed instructions and never increase the dose without clinical advice.

Possible side effects and safety advice

Common unwanted effects can include sleepiness, dizziness, dry mouth, changes in appetite, nausea, impaired concentration and changes in mood or perception. THC-containing products can affect memory, coordination and judgement. Some people may experience increased anxiety or other psychological effects.

Seek urgent medical help if you develop severe confusion, chest pain, difficulty breathing, a serious allergic reaction, or thoughts of harming yourself or someone else. Report concerning or persistent side effects to your prescriber or pharmacy team promptly.

You should avoid driving or operating machinery if you feel impaired. UK law also restricts driving while unfit through drugs, even when a medicine has been prescribed. There are limited legal provisions for prescribed medicines, but you must still be fit to drive and be able to demonstrate that you are taking the medicine as directed. Discuss driving, work responsibilities and travel with your clinician before starting treatment.

Alcohol and other sedating medicines may increase drowsiness or impair coordination. Tell the specialist about all medicines and substances you use so that interactions and safety concerns can be considered.

Prescribing, dispensing and follow-up

Only a doctor on the General Medical Council Specialist Register can prescribe cannabis-based products for medicinal use in the UK. If a prescription is issued, it will specify the product and directions for use. A pharmacy can then dispense the prescribed medicine and provide support with its safe use, subject to the prescription and the pharmacy’s procedures.

Follow-up is an important part of treatment. The specialist may review your symptoms, daily functioning, dose, side effects and any changes to your other medicines. Follow-up appointments also provide an opportunity to decide whether treatment is helping enough to continue. You should not assume that a product or dose that suits someone else will be suitable for you.

Ask about the total cost of consultation, follow-up appointments, medicine and any equipment before starting. Costs can vary according to the service, the prescribed product and the amount required. You should also ask how prescriptions are renewed and who to contact if you have questions between appointments.

How to prepare for a useful consultation

• Write down your main symptoms, treatment goals and any questions you want to ask.
• Prepare an up-to-date list of medicines, supplements and allergies.
• Bring details of previous treatments and what happened when you used them.
• Be open about cannabis, alcohol and other substance use.
• Tell the clinician about pregnancy, breastfeeding, mental health concerns and significant medical conditions.
• Ask how treatment will be monitored and what to do if side effects occur.
• Check advice about driving, work, travel, storage and keeping medicine away from children.

Book a medical cannabis consultation

If you would like to discuss whether medical cannabis may be suitable for your circumstances, our team can help you take the next step. Book a medical cannabis consultation to discuss your medical history, eligibility and potential treatment options with appropriate clinical guidance.