Evidence Bases for Prescribing Medical Cannabis

The MCCS Evidence Base Series has been developed to bring this evidence together into clear, structured, clinically useful resources.

Written for clinicians, healthcare professionals, educators, researchers, students, and informed readers, each publication provides a detailed review of the current evidence supporting the use of cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs). The series is designed to support safer, more informed prescribing and improve understanding of this evolving area of medicine.

Each title follows a consistent format, summarising and organising evidence in a way that allows readers to assess study design, outcomes, limitations, and relevance to clinical practice.

Introduction to Medical Cannabis: The Evidence Base

This evidence summary provides a clear, accessible introduction to the scientific and clinical foundations of medical cannabis. At a time when understanding is evolving rapidly, this publication offers a direct, evidence-based overview that educates, informs and supports better decision-making in an emerging area of medicine.

Designed for clinicians, educators, healthcare professionals, patients and informed readers, it brings together core research, historical context, regulatory information and practical clinical considerations. It also provides a useful starting point for anyone seeking clarity in a field often shaped by misinformation, uncertainty and inconsistent public understanding.

The publication examines the history of medical cannabis, the endocannabinoid system, cannabis plant composition, cannabinoids, terpenes, chemovars, product types, manufacturing standards and the UK legal landscape. It also reviews scientific evidence, real-world data, safety considerations, drug interactions, contraindications and key factors influencing treatment response.

With more than 280 referenced studies, this introductory volume forms the foundation for the wider MCCS Evidence Base Series and offers a comprehensive starting point for further reading, teaching and clinical exploration.

Medical Cannabis and Epilepsy: The Evidence Base

This evidence summary provides a comprehensive, research-based review of the role of medical cannabis in epilepsy. Written for clinicians, educators, healthcare professionals and informed readers, it brings together current scientific understanding, clinical evidence and real-world outcomes in one accessible resource.

The publication examines how cannabinoids, particularly CBD, may affect seizure disorders, with a strong focus on treatment-resistant epilepsy. It reviews clinical trials, observational studies and real-world data, giving readers a structured view of the evidence for efficacy, safety and clinical relevance.

It also explores the practical challenges patients face in accessing CBMPs within the UK’s highly regulated system, including limited NHS prescribing, reliance on private clinics, and the significant financial burden placed on families.

With in-depth discussion of mechanisms of action, drug interactions, paediatric considerations, THC use in children, guideline positions and the role of real-world evidence, this volume provides a clear and up-to-date scientific reference for clinicians integrating CBMPs into epilepsy care.

Medical Cannabis and Pain: The Evidence Base

Pain is one of the most common reasons patients seek medical cannabis treatment. It is also one of the most challenging areas for clinicians, where decisions are often made in the context of mixed guidance, variable recommendations, and a widely dispersed evidence base.

The Medical Cannabis and Pain Evidence Base brings together the available research into a single, structured resource. Designed for clinicians, healthcare professionals, educators, and informed readers, it provides a clear and accessible overview of the clinical evidence supporting the use of cannabis-based medicinal products in pain management.

This publication includes 264 references and 124 detailed study summaries, covering randomised controlled trials, observational studies, open-label studies, and case reports across multiple pain conditions and patient populations.

By organising the evidence into a structured and clinically relevant format, the publication enables readers to review findings consistently, compare outcomes across studies, identify patterns and uncertainties, and develop a clearer understanding of the wider evidence landscape surrounding medical cannabis and pain.