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The Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society is pleased to welcome ReliefTime as a Silver Education Partner, supporting the Society’s work to expand independent, evidence-based education, clinical guidance and peer support for clinicians working with medical cannabis.

ReliefTime is a Greek telemedicine platform with doctors specialised in medical cannabis, working to support patients and clinicians within the Greek legal framework. Through this new partnership, ReliefTime and the Society will work together to bring UK clinical expertise, education and professional insight closer to healthcare professionals in Greece.

The partnership reflects a shared commitment to responsible medical cannabis education, safe clinical practice and better-informed patient care.

Panagiotis Papatheologou, Co-Founder and CEO at ReliefTime, said:

“At Relief, we believe patients deserve access to informed, responsible and evidence-based medical guidance. That’s why we are proud to partner with UKMCCS, one of the UK’s leading networks of medical cannabis clinicians.

Together, we aim to bring global clinical expertise closer to Greece, supporting doctors with international education and helping patients access guidance that is safe, legal and scientifically grounded.

This partnership brings international clinical expertise, medical education aligned with high professional standards, responsible guidance within the Greek legal framework, and a more informed and accessible care experience.”

The Society’s education partnerships support the development of practical resources, training and guidance that clinicians can use in day-to-day practice. This includes CPD-accredited education, webinars, clinical updates, evidence-based publications and opportunities for peer support across the Society’s growing network.

Professor Mike Barnes, Chair of the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society, said:

“We are delighted to welcome ReliefTime as a Silver Education Partner of the Society. Education is central to safe and responsible medical cannabis care. Clinicians need access to high-quality, evidence-based training, practical guidance and peer support if they are to prescribe and advise patients with confidence.

This partnership is an important opportunity to share UK clinical experience more widely and support doctors in Greece as they develop their understanding of medical cannabis within their own legal and professional framework. We look forward to working with ReliefTime to promote informed, responsible and patient-centred care.”

Medical cannabis continues to develop rapidly as a clinical field, both in the UK and internationally. As patient interest grows, so does the need for clear, balanced and evidence-based education for healthcare professionals.

The Society remains committed to supporting clinicians with the knowledge, confidence and professional support they need to practise safely and responsibly. Partnerships such as this help extend that work, creating opportunities for international learning, collaboration and better clinical understanding.

Partner with the Society

Supporting the Society helps expand independent, evidence-based education, clinical guidance and peer support for clinicians working with medical cannabis.

It enables the development of practical resources, training and guidance that clinicians can use in day-to-day practice, helping to improve consistency, safety and confidence in prescribing.

For organisations exploring medical cannabis partnership opportunities in the UK or internationally, the Society provides a clear and transparent way to engage with a growing network of prescribers and healthcare professionals, while contributing to better-informed, safer patient care across the sector.

To find out more about becoming an Education Partner or supporting the Society’s work, please contact the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society.

 

The Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society is pleased to welcome ORB as a recognised partner for 2026.

ORB is a modular medical management platform designed to connect fragmented health information across private healthcare. Its technology supports secure, consent-led access to NHS GP records, helping clinicians view the information they need to make safer, better-informed decisions.

Its flagship product, ORB Connect, brings complete NHS GP records into private care. With patient consent, clinicians can access real-time GP information before, during and after consultations, including consultation notes, prescriptions, allergies, immunisations, problem lists, investigations and documents.

For clinicians working in medical cannabis, access to clear, up-to-date patient information is essential. Prescribing cannabis-based medicinal products requires careful assessment, a full understanding of the patient’s medical history, current medication, previous treatments, contraindications and potential risks. Fragmented records can make this more difficult, especially where patients are moving between NHS and private care.

ORB’s platform has been designed to help address this challenge. Alongside NHS GP record access through ORB Connect, the system enables clinicians to access, store, manage and analyse medical information. Its flexible modular design also supports appointments, clinical notes, digital prescriptions and custom reports, and can integrate with existing electronic medical record systems.

This partnership reflects the Society’s ongoing commitment to supporting clinicians with the tools, information and education they need to deliver safe, well-governed care.

Quote from ORB

Dr Danny Glover, CEO and co-founder, said:

“Medical cannabis prescribing requires real clinical rigour. Clinicians are making complex decisions for patients who often have lengthy medication histories, previous treatments and potential contraindications, so access to accurate, current information is essential.

The challenge is that GP summaries can take time to obtain and may already be out of date by the time they arrive. ORB Connect was built to address that, giving clinicians consent-led access to live NHS GP records at the point of care. It helps reduce administrative burden while supporting safer, better-informed prescribing.

We’re focused on supporting the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society and the high standards its members uphold.”

Kate Thorpe, Executive Director of the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society, said:

“Clinicians can only make safe and confident decisions when they have access to the right information about their patients. In medical cannabis prescribing, that means understanding the full clinical picture, including diagnoses, current and previous medicines, allergies, investigations and relevant correspondence. 

ORB’s work in connecting private healthcare with secure, consent-led access to NHS GP records is an important step in supporting safer, more efficient care. We are pleased to welcome ORB as a recognised partner of the Society for 2026.”

Partner with the Society

By working with the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society, organisations help support the continued development of high-quality education and guidance for clinicians in this fast-moving area of medicine.

The Society’s work is focused on giving healthcare professionals access to clear, practical and evidence-based information. This includes training, clinical resources, guidance and peer support that help clinicians make informed decisions and apply safe, consistent standards in everyday practice.

Partnership also offers organisations a responsible way to engage with an established network of medical cannabis prescribers and healthcare professionals, both in the UK and internationally. This engagement supports the wider aim of improving clinical knowledge, strengthening governance and helping patients receive safer, better-informed care.

For more information about becoming an Education Partner or supporting the Society’s work, please contact the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society.

 

Healthcare professionals in Scotland are invited to attend a free clinical half-day event in Aberdeen focused on the future of clinically led medical cannabis care.

The Clinician Summit: Prescribing Cannabis-Based Products for Medicinal Use will take place on 10 June 2026, from 2pm to 6pm, at ONE, Opportunity North-East, Aberdeen. The event is hosted by Waterside and will bring together experienced prescribers, clinicians and healthcare professionals for an afternoon of education, discussion and networking.

The session will explore the current UK medical cannabis landscape, practical prescriber perspectives, patient stories, clinical team opportunities and the development of Waterside’s planned clinic model in Scotland.

Hear from leading medical cannabis prescribers

The event offers a valuable opportunity to hear directly from members of the Society’s Executive Committee, including some of the UK’s most experienced clinicians working in cannabis-based medicines.

A clinical discussion for Scottish healthcare professionals

This event is designed for healthcare professionals who want to understand more about medical cannabis prescribing, shared care, clinical governance and patient pathways.

It is particularly relevant for GMC Specialist Register clinicians, GPs with an interest in shared care, nurses and nurse prescribers, pharmacist prescribers, and healthcare professionals interested in medical cannabis care.

The afternoon will also include a Q&A and networking session, giving attendees the chance to meet experienced prescribers, ask practical questions and learn more about clinical team opportunities.

Register for the event

Places are limited and the event is free to attend. Clinicians and healthcare professionals interested in medical cannabis care are encouraged to register early.

Register via eventbrite

This is a strong opportunity to hear from leading UK prescribers, gain insight into the realities of medical cannabis practice, and take part in an important clinical conversation about the future of cannabis-based medicines in Scotland.

Medical cannabis should be discussed in mental health with the same seriousness as any other developing area of medicine: neither romanticised nor dismissed. Recent debate has rightly drawn attention to the need for better evidence, clearer standards and stronger clinical governance. But the conclusion should not be that cannabis-based medicinal products have no place in mental health care.

The more accurate conclusion is that the evidence is uneven across indications, that the literature is still developing, and that prescribing must be careful, specialist-led and evidence-informed. That position is entirely consistent with the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society’s updated Good Practice Guide, which states that CBMPs can be prescribed safely where there is appropriate assessment, oversight and follow-up, and that prescribing should remain structured, accountable and aligned with wider professional standards.1

Medical cannabis is not a speculative field

Outside psychiatry, the therapeutic role of medical cannabis is already established and widening. NICE guidance already addresses cannabis-based medicines in severe treatment-resistant epilepsy, spasticity in multiple sclerosis, chronic pain and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.2

The evidence base is still developing, but it already includes signals that are clinically relevant. In ADHD, the EMA-C pilot RCT of Sativex in 30 adults reported nominal improvements in hyperactivity/impulsivity and inhibition. More recently, a phase 3 randomised placebo-controlled trial of a full-spectrum cannabis extract in chronic low back pain met its primary endpoint and showed statistically significant improvements in pain, sleep and physical function versus placebo.3 

There is also a clear mechanistic rationale for considering cannabinoids in psychiatric practice. The endocannabinoid system is not simply involved in pain or appetite; it is a neuromodulatory system with recognised roles in emotional processing, stress response, fear regulation, synaptic plasticity and neuroplasticity. A 2025 review13 specifically examined the contribution of the endocannabinoid system to the neurobiology of emotions, describing its relevance to brain circuits involved in mood, anxiety, stress and adaptive emotional regulation. 

Mental health should therefore not be discussed as though cannabis were a wholly speculative therapy; it sits within a broader clinical field in which evidence is already stronger for some conditions than for others.

The MCCS Good Practice Guide reflects this reality. It identifies anxiety and related disorders, sleep disorders and symptom clusters such as pain, sleep disturbance and anxiety among the common indications encountered in practice, while explicitly acknowledging that the evidence base varies between conditions.1 Some areas rely more heavily on established evidence; others depend more on emerging evidence, real-world data and clinical experience. That is not a weakness unique to cannabis medicine. It is a familiar feature of many areas of specialist prescribing, particularly where patients present with complex, overlapping symptoms and have already failed, not tolerated, or derived insufficient benefit from conventional options.

Evidence gaps are not the same as evidence of no effect

The recent 2026 Lancet Psychiatry review is an important contribution and should be taken seriously. It examined 54 randomised trials involving 2,477 participants and concluded that there was little RCT evidence of efficacy for several mental and substance use disorders. It also found no randomised controlled trial evidence for depression,4 and a 202613 review found that controlled evidence for cannabinoids in OCD remains very limited. That matters. But it does not follow that cannabinoids have been shown to be ineffective in depression or OCD, or that all psychiatric use is unjustified. In depression in particular, the review highlights an evidence gap, not evidence of no effect. In other words, absence of RCT evidence is not the same as proof of therapeutic futility.

This distinction matters because clinicians do not treat meta-analyses in the abstract; they treat patients in front of them. In real-world practice, many patients seeking CBMPs for mental health symptoms have chronic anxiety, trauma-related symptoms, poor sleep, autonomic hyperarousal, pain, and marked impairment in quality of life. They have often already tried multiple licensed treatments, psychological interventions, or both. The MCCS framework is clear that CBMPs are not first-line treatments and that conventional evidence-based options should normally have been appropriately explored first. But it is equally clear that prescribing is ultimately based on individual clinical judgment, patient need, risk profile and informed consent.1

Those real-world data are now too substantial to ignore. Project Twenty21 has reported consistent improvements in symptoms, general health and quality of life in large cohorts of UK patients, and its sleep analysis found clinically significant improvements sustained for up to 12 months together with reduced use of sleep medication.5,8 The UK Medical Cannabis Registry has shown similar signals in generalised anxiety disorder and PTSD, with improvements in anxiety, sleep and health-related quality of life and with most reported adverse events mild or moderate.6,9 Most strikingly for current debate, registry data in depression now extend to 24 months and show sustained improvement in depression scores, anxiety, sleep and quality of life in selected patients.10 These studies do not prove causation. They do, however, show that the lived clinical experience of benefit is not fanciful and should not be dismissed as irrelevant simply because it comes from observational data.5,6,8-10 

International registry data point in the same direction. A large Australian longitudinal cohort of 3,961 cannabis-naive patients prescribed oral medicinal cannabis reported sustained improvements across multiple validated outcomes over two years and concluded that treatment was safe and well tolerated, while explicitly acknowledging the limits of real-world data for causal inference. This is the correct balance: neither overstatement nor dismissal. Real-world evidence cannot settle every question, but it is highly informative on tolerability, safety, prescribing patterns and patient-reported outcomes in routine care.7

Risk must be managed, not denied

A supportive clinical position does not mean an uncritical one. The MCCS guidance is explicit that psychiatric prescribing requires particular care. It recommends structured psychiatric risk assessment, review of medical records, consideration of risk, and closer monitoring in higher-risk cases. It also emphasises that THC-containing CBMPs require additional caution in patients with a history of psychosis or schizophrenia, while noting that CBD-dominant products may be considered in selected cases because of their non-intoxicating and potentially antipsychotic profile.1 The point is not to deny risk, but to manage it properly.

That is why the most credible position for a clinician-led society is neither overclaiming nor retreat. Medical cannabis has a legitimate place in mental health care for selected patients. The evidence is stronger for some conditions and symptom domains than for others. For depression, the central problem is not that cannabinoids have been disproven, but that high-quality randomised trials are still lacking while observational evidence continues to grow.4 The appropriate response is therefore clear: prescribe carefully, select patients properly, document honestly, monitor closely, and continue to build the evidence base. That is not special pleading for cannabis – it is simply what responsible evidence-based medicine looks like in a developing field.

Supporting clinicians to prescribe safely in psychiatric practice

For clinicians who want to build confidence in this area, the Society is also developing a dedicated Psychiatry Evidence Base, bringing together the current research, clinical evidence and real-world data relevant to mental health prescribing. This will sit alongside the Society’s wider evidence base series and support clinicians in making careful, informed decisions in this complex area of practice.

The Society has also launched a new online training course for healthcare professionals: Medical Cannabis and Mental Health: Evidence, Clinical Judgment and Responsible Prescribing.

Written by Dr Luisa Searle, Consultant Psychiatrist, the course provides a practical, clinically focused introduction to the use of cannabis-based medicinal products in psychiatric practice. It explores how CBPMs may be considered in patients with anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, while making clear that these treatments are not first-line options and require careful patient selection, risk assessment, monitoring and documentation.

The course covers the role of CBD and THC, the relationship between the endocannabinoid system and psychiatric symptoms, contraindications and cautions, including psychosis vulnerability, mood destabilisation, substance use disorder, suicidality, drug interactions and the risks associated with higher THC exposure. Through condition-specific teaching and practical case studies, learners will gain a clearer understanding of how CBPMs may be used as adjunctive treatment within a broader care plan, while maintaining good governance, shared care communication and professional accountability.

Take the course

Please note, CPD accreditation is pending. Learners will receive a certificate on completion, with an updated certificate issued once CPD accreditation is confirmed.

References

  1. Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society. Good Practice Guide for Prescribers of CBMPs. Version 4. London: MCCS; 2026 Apr
  2. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Cannabis-based medicinal products. NICE guideline NG144. London: NICE; 2019 [updated 2021].
  3. Karst M, Meissner W, Sator S, Keßler J, Schoder V, Häuser W, et al. Full-spectrum extract from Cannabis sativa DKJ127 for chronic low back pain: a phase 3 randomized placebo-controlled trial. Nat Med. 2025;31:4189-4196.
  4. Wilson J, Dobson O, Langcake A, Mishra P, Bryant Z, Leung J, et al. The efficacy and safety of cannabinoids for the treatment of mental disorders and substance use disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Psychiatry. 2026;13(4):304-315.
  5. Schlag AK, O’Sullivan SE, Zafar RR, Nutt DJ. Characteristics of patients and patterns of cannabis-based medicinal product use in Project Twenty21: an observational study of 2833 patients in the UK. J Psychopharmacol. 2023;37(7):730-739.
  6. Warner-Levy J, Erridge S, Clarke E, McLachlan K, Coomber R, Asghar M, et al. UK Medical Cannabis Registry: a cohort study of patients prescribed cannabis-based oils and dried flower for generalised anxiety disorder. Expert Rev Neurother. 2024;24(12):1193-1202.
  7. Vickery AW, Roth S, Ernenwein T, Kennedy J, Washer P. A large Australian longitudinal cohort registry demonstrates sustained safety and efficacy of oral medicinal cannabis for at least two years. PLoS One. 2022;17(11):e0272241.
  8. Lynskey MT, Athanasiou-Fragkouli A, Thurgur H, Schlag AK, Nutt DJ. Changes in sleep quality among patients prescribed medicinal cannabis: real-world evidence from Project Twenty21. Drug Sci Policy Law. 2025;11:20503245251362491.
  9. Datta A, Erridge S, Warner-Levy J, Clarke E, McLachlan K, Coomber R, et al. UK medical cannabis registry: an updated clinical outcomes analysis of patients with post-traumatic stress disorder. Expert Rev Neurother. 2025;25(5):599-607.
  10. Lillywhite E, et al. UK Medical Cannabis Registry: a two-year case series of clinical outcomes in depression. J Affect Disord. 2026;399:121130.
  11. Pontes LR, Ribeiro S. Contributions of the endocannabinoid system to the neurobiology of emotions: Advances and perspectives. Progress in Brain Research. 2025;296:65-93. doi:10.1016/bs.pbr.2025.08.001. 
  12. Cooper RE, Williams E, Seegobin S, Tye C, Kuntsi J, Asherson P. Cannabinoids in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A randomised-controlled trial. European Neuropsychopharmacology. 2017;27(8):795-808. doi:10.1016/j.euroneuro.2017.05.005. 
  13. Van Ameringen M, Patel V, Patterson B, Hopkinson P, Rahat M. New treatments for OCD? Evidence for cannabinoids and psychedelics. Journal of Psychiatric Research. 2026;193:172-178. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2025.11.021.

The Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society is pleased to be a media partner for Cannabis Europa London 2026, which returns to the Barbican Centre on 26 – 27 May.

Now in its thirteenth edition, Cannabis Europa brings together policymakers, clinicians, scientists, investors, entrepreneurs and sector leaders for two days of high-level discussion on the future of cannabis in Europe.

For MCCS, this is an important opportunity to support serious, informed conversation about the direction of the sector, particularly at a time when the UK medical cannabis landscape continues to face both progress and persistent challenges.

Since medical cannabis was rescheduled in the UK in November 2018, the number of private prescriptions has continued to grow, with more patients seeking treatment where conventional options have not provided adequate relief. However, NHS access remains extremely limited, and many clinicians, patients and policymakers continue to ask what needs to change if the UK is to develop a fair, safe and clinically robust medical cannabis framework.

That question sits at the heart of one of the sessions we are particularly looking forward to.

State of Play: United Kingdom

On the programme for Cannabis Europa London 2026 is State of Play: United Kingdom, a fireside discussion with Tonia Antoniazzi MP and Sarah Sinclair of Cannabis Health.

This session will explore the stubborn gap between policy and practice in the UK. Nearly eight years after medical cannabis was rescheduled, access through the NHS remains limited, while private clinics continue to grow in response to patient demand.

The discussion will ask whether the UK is finally ready to move from caution to action, and what would need to happen for the country to realise its potential within the current framework. For MCCS, these are vital questions. Clinicians working in this field need clear guidance, appropriate training, consistent standards and a policy environment that recognises both the therapeutic value of cannabis-based medicines and the practical barriers that still exist.

Key themes across the programme

We are also looking forward to the panel Can Cannabis Help to Close the Gender Health Gap? From Stigma to Solutions in Women’s Health.

Women’s health remains an area where patients often report delayed diagnosis, stigma and limited treatment options. The role of medical cannabis in this space is an important and timely discussion, particularly as more patients seek support for complex, chronic and under-recognised symptoms.

Another session of interest is Beyond Flower: Is Europe’s Medical Cannabis Market Turning Pharmaceutical?

For years, flower has played a central role in Europe’s medical cannabis market, valued by many patients for its familiarity and rapid onset. However, as new national frameworks emerge, regulators across Europe appear to be showing increasing preference for products that look, dose and behave more like conventional medicines.

This raises important questions for clinicians, regulators, industry and patients. Do standardised formats such as extracts, capsules, pastilles and medical devices help build trust and improve prescribing confidence? Or could a move away from flower reduce patient choice and limit access to products that some patients find effective?

These are exactly the kinds of discussions that need to happen openly and seriously as the sector develops.

Looking ahead

Cannabis Europa London 2026 offers a valuable space for informed discussion, practical insight and meaningful connection across the European cannabis sector.

MCCS is looking forward to hearing from the speakers, meeting colleagues from across the sector and supporting conversations that help move medical cannabis policy, education and clinical practice forward.

We look forward to seeing many of you at the Barbican in May.

MCCS stakeholders can access discounted tickets using the following codes:

MCCS10 for 10% off Standard tickets
MCCS15 for 15% off VIP tickets

You can purchase tickets here.

Each month, we bring together the key news stories shaping the medical cannabis landscape in the UK and beyond. From policy developments and emerging research to clinical practice, patient experience and sector growth, this update highlights the issues driving debate, influencing care, and affecting access for patients and clinicians alike.

It is designed to keep our members and stakeholders informed, grounded in evidence, and connected to what matters most across this rapidly evolving field.

Welsh Liberal Democrats pass motion to protect cannabis patients

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have passed a motion which aims to safeguard medical cannabis patients and protect them from discrimination. The party voted overwhelmingly to approve the motion, brought by Clwyd East and Flintshire Liberal Democrats, with Flintshire County Council becoming the first local authority to adopt the policy this month. It aims to safeguard patients prescribed cannabis-based medicines in the UK and address the stigma and discrimination many report experiencing related to their medication, including from police, housing associations, and employers.

🔗 Read more

Ireland to review of medical cannabis programme

The Irish government has appointed a public health academic to chair a formal review of its now five-year-old Medical Cannabis Access Programme (MCAP) following months of parliamentary pressure. Despite launching in 2021, a recent written ministerial answer reveals that less than 100 patients have been approved for medical cannabis treatment under the MCAP scheme.

Professor Shane Allwright, a retired Trinity College Dublin epidemiologist, will lead the Review of Access to Cannabis for Medical Use, set to examine the current operation of both the MCAP and the ministerial licence pathway, and assess whether the programme’s narrow eligibility criteria should be expanded.

🔗 Read more

CIC launches new guidance for travelling with medical cannabis

The Cannabis Industry Council has published a new patient-focused guide, Travelling with Medical Cannabis, offering practical advice for UK patients navigating the complex and often inconsistent rules around travelling with prescribed medical cannabis. Differences in legal frameworks, inconsistent enforcement, and limited awareness among authorities and transport providers have created significant challenges for patients relying on their medication. The CIC is calling for increased education among airlines, law enforcement, and border authorities to ensure patients are treated fairly and consistently. The guide is now available to download for free here.  

🔗 Read more

Join the Society

If you want to stay informed, supported, and part of the independent clinical voice shaping medical cannabis in the UK, join the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society.

Membership gives you access to expert guidance, CPD-accredited education, peer support, and regular sector updates like this one. Join the Society to be part of the conversation and help drive better, evidence-based care.

The Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society (MCCS) has today launched its latest addition to the Evidence Base Series: a comprehensive review of the clinical evidence for cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) in the treatment of pain.

Pain remains one of the most common reasons patients seek medical cannabis, and one of the most debated areas in terms of evidence, guidance, and clinical confidence. This publication brings together a fragmented evidence base into a clear, structured resource to support informed prescribing decisions.

What stands out in this work is the sheer scale of the evidence and how it has been brought together. The evidence base draws on 264 references, with 124 studies reviewed and summarised in detail. These include randomised controlled trials, observational studies, open-label studies, and case reports. Rather than presenting isolated findings, the publication brings these data together in a way that allows clinicians to see patterns, consistency, and areas of uncertainty across the wider body of research.

One of the persistent challenges in medical cannabis has been the perception that the evidence is either limited or unclear. In reality, the issue is often not absence of data, but fragmentation. Studies exist across different formats, populations, and methodologies, making it difficult to interpret the evidence in a way that is clinically useful. This publication addresses that problem by synthesising the data into a single, accessible resource.

➡️ Purchase your copy today

A clear, evidence-led approach to prescribing

Professor Mike Barnes, Chair of the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society, highlights the importance of this approach:

“There is not an absence of evidence in this area, but there are different types of evidence, often spread across a wide and fragmented literature. Clinicians are not short of studies, but they are short of time. Bringing together this volume of evidence in a clear and structured way allows prescribers to make informed decisions based on the totality of the data, not just individual papers.”

The publication focuses on the role of cannabinoids, particularly THC and CBD, across a range of pain conditions, including chronic pain, neuropathic pain, and cancer-related pain. It examines not only efficacy, but also safety, tolerability, and the balance of risk and benefit in real-world clinical settings.

By grounding its analysis in both clinical trials and real-world evidence, the MCCS aims to provide a more complete picture. Observational data and case series are not positioned as replacements for controlled trials, but as complementary sources of insight, particularly in a developing area of medicine where large-scale trials are still emerging.

For clinicians, the value of this resource is practical. It does not attempt to dictate prescribing decisions. Instead, it provides the evidence needed to support them. This includes understanding where CBMPs may be appropriate, where caution is required, and how different patient groups may respond. The launch of the pain evidence base also reflects a broader shift within the sector. As prescribing increases and scrutiny grows, there is a clear need for consistent, evidence-informed approaches. Publications like this play a key role in raising standards, supporting clinicians, and ultimately improving patient care.

Medical cannabis is not a one-size-fits-all treatment. Its place in care needs to be judged case by case, using clear, reliable evidence rather than assumption or anecdote. For clinicians working with complex or treatment-resistant pain, good evidence supports more confident decisions and more consistent care.

Buy the Pain Evidence Base

The Medical Cannabis and Pain Evidence Base is available now for £20, with a discounted rate available for MCCS members.

If you are prescribing, or considering prescribing, this resource provides a structured, clinically relevant review of the evidence to support your decision-making.

➡️ Purchase your copy today

Explore the full Evidence Base Series

This publication forms part of a growing Evidence Base Series, alongside Introduction to Medical Cannabis and Medical Cannabis and Epilepsy, both available to buy now. The next title in the series, Medical Cannabis and Psychiatry, is due to be published soon.

➡️ Explore the full Evidence Base Series

Cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) have been legal to prescribe in the UK since November 2018. Since then, an estimated 95,000 patients have received prescriptions, supported by around 160 prescribers across approximately 40 private clinics. Despite this growth, NHS prescribing remains extremely limited. At the same time, the absence of mandatory training and consistently applied clinical standards has led to variation in practice across the sector.

The Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society (MCCS) has today published an updated version of its Good Practice Guide for Prescribers of CBMPs. This guidance is intended to support clinicians in making safe decisions and strengthen consistent prescribing in a developing area of medicine. It draws on the collective experience of the Society’s multidisciplinary membership, committee and executive, reflecting real-world prescribing across a wide range of clinical settings.

➡️ Download the new Guidance

The Society’s position 

Medical cannabis can be a safe and effective treatment option for selected patients, particularly where conventional therapies have been unsuccessful, when prescribed within a structured clinical framework with appropriate assessment, decision-making and follow-up.

Prescribing must meet the same standards expected of any other unlicensed medicine. Consistent application of these standards is essential to minimise risk for patients and maintain confidence in the sector. This guidance aims to define good practice, based on real-world clinical experience and supported by existing regulatory expectations.

Central to this is clinical responsibility. Prescribing decisions sit with the clinician. They must be justified, based on appropriate assessment, and always remain in the patient’s best interest. This includes independent decision-making and full accountability for documentation, monitoring and outcomes.

This guidance does not replace clinical judgement or existing regulatory frameworks. Medical cannabis remains an individualised treatment, and decisions must be made on a case-by-case basis. The aim is to support safe access to treatment while ensuring prescribing remains clinically appropriate, accountable and evidence informed.

A structured approach within existing regulation

The Good Practice Guide provides a practical framework covering:

These are standard principles of medical practice. The purpose of the guide is to apply them clearly and consistently to cannabis-based medicines. It reflects established principles already recognised by the Society, including careful patient selection, multidisciplinary input where appropriate, and thorough documentation of prescribing decisions.

This guidance sits alongside existing regulatory frameworks. Clinicians must continue to work within the standards set by the General Medical Council, Care Quality Commission, MHRA and NICE. CBMPs remain unlicensed “specials”, and prescribing carries the same responsibilities as any other unlicensed medicine.

The role of the Good Practice Guide is to translate these high-level requirements into practical, day-to-day clinical application, providing clarity on how regulatory expectations apply in the context of medical cannabis.

The Society is committed to working with regulators to support alignment, share clinical expertise and contribute to the development of clear, proportionate and workable oversight as the sector continues to evolve.

Safety in context

Medical cannabis has a favourable safety profile when prescribed appropriately. However, it is not risk-free and requires active clinical oversight. The updated guidance places clear emphasis on risk identification and management. Clinicians are expected to assess, monitor and manage:

Prescribing should follow a cautious, structured approach. This includes starting at low doses, titrating gradually, and maintaining regular follow-up to assess response and tolerability, consistent with established prescribing principles.

What the Good Practice Guide (V4) covers

Raising standards in a developing field

“Prescribing cannabis-based medicinal products requires careful clinical judgment, a strong understanding of the evidence, and a clear grasp of professional responsibilities. This guide provides the structure and support clinicians need to practise safely, lawfully and in the best interests of their patients.”
— Professor Mike Barnes, Chair, Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society

Medical cannabis remains a developing area of medicine. The evidence base continues to evolve, clinical experience is expanding, and expectations around governance are becoming more defined.

The updated guidance provides clinicians with a clear framework for safe, accountable prescribing, and offers reassurance to patients, regulators and the public that medical cannabis is being prescribed within a structured, professionally governed system.

As the sector matures, consistent standards matter. This guidance sets a clear direction for safe, responsible prescribing across the sector.

The MCCS expects this Good Practice Guide to be adopted by prescribers and across clinics, supporting a consistent approach that prioritises patient safety and quality of care. This will help raise standards across clinical practice and the wider sector.

Access the Guide

The Good Practice Guide for Prescribers of CBMPs is available now for all.

If you’re not yet a member, join today to access our growing library of practical tools, prescribing guidance, training, and peer support.

➡️ Download the new Guidance

👉 Find out more and join the Society

Each month, we bring together the key news stories shaping the medical cannabis landscape in the UK and beyond. From policy developments and emerging research to clinical practice, patient experience and sector growth, this update highlights the issues driving debate, influencing care, and affecting access for patients and clinicians alike.

It is designed to keep our members and stakeholders informed, grounded in evidence, and connected to what matters most across this rapidly evolving field.

New medical cannabis campaign launched in memory of Hannah Deacon

Labour MP and long-time medical cannabis advocate, Tonia Antoniazzi, is spearheading a new campaign launched in memory of Hannah Deacon, the mother of Alfie Dingley, who campaigned for the legalisation of medical cannabis in 2018, and went onto co-found the MCCS. Hannah died of cancer last year, aged 45. 

Tonia has called on the government to fund a new observational trial to support children with drug-resistant epilepsy, who are still unable to access medical cannabis on the NHS. The proposed study would run alongside two previously announced NHS-funded randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on medical cannabis and epilepsy, which are being conducted by researchers at UCL. It would allow children who are currently prescribed the treatment privately to continue accessing it at no cost, while real-world data is collected.

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Patient Protect to support medical cannabis patients facing discrimination

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Join the Society

If you want to stay informed, supported, and part of the independent clinical voice shaping medical cannabis in the UK, join the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society.

Membership gives you access to expert guidance, CPD-accredited education, peer support, and regular sector updates like this one. Join the Society to be part of the conversation and help drive better, evidence-based care.

Recent reporting, including in today’s The Times, has raised a number of important questions about medical cannabis prescribing in the UK. These include prescribing volumes, use in psychiatric conditions, product strength, and the death of Oliver Robinson. These are serious issues and require careful, balanced consideration.

The role of the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society is not to defend or speak for clinics or to promote prescribing. Our role is to support clinicians to practise safely, improve standards, and contribute to the development of a responsible, evidence-informed model of care in a complex and evolving area of medicine.

This article sets out our position.

On the tragic death of Oliver Robinson 

The death of Oliver Robinson was tragic and deeply concerning. Following the publication of the Coroner’s Prevention of Future Deaths Report, we undertook a full review of the findings. This has directly informed a substantial revision of our Good Practice Guidance, due for publication April 2026. The updated guidance strengthens expectations across:

Where standards need to be strengthened, they should be. We would welcome these expectations being adopted more formally within regulatory frameworks to support consistent, high-quality care across the sector.

On psychiatric prescribing and THC content

Prescribing in psychiatric contexts requires particular care.

Treatment is individualised and typically begins with lower-risk approaches, such as CBD-dominant or balanced products, with gradual titration and close monitoring. The aim is to manage symptoms while minimising psychoactive effects and associated risks. 

Higher THC products are not first-line in psychiatric care. Where they are used, this should be based on clear clinical rationale, within a structured specialist framework, and with appropriate oversight. The MCCS Good Practice Guidance advises that prescribing products with THC levels above 25% should involve peer review through a multidisciplinary team.

In some cases, higher THC products may be appropriate. However, presenting their use as routine in mental health care does not reflect standard clinical practice.

On prescribing numbers and growth 

Reporting focused on the number of clinicians responsible for a proportion of prescriptions. It is not appropriate for us too draw conclusions about individual clinicians based on anonymised, aggregate data without clinical context.

Prescribing data reported as “items” does not equate to patient numbers, consultation volume, or complexity of care. For example:

Care in this area is often delivered through structured models, with specialist assessment followed by ongoing prescribing and monitoring, frequently supported by wider clinical teams through shared care. These factors are not captured in headline figures. Aggregate prescribing data alone is not a reliable indicator of care quality or clinical practice.

We recognise the significant growth in prescribing and see this as reflecting sustained patient demand, particularly from people with chronic, treatment-resistant conditions such as pain, anxiety and children with resistant epilepsy who have not found adequate relief from conventional therapies.

This demand sits within a wider system context. Many patients are turning to private care because they are unable to access timely support through the NHS, with long waiting lists, including around 1.7 million people waiting for mental health services, contributing to this shift. Clinicians are responding where standard treatments have not worked, rather than as a first-line approach. 

Clarifying the role of the Society

[*14:21 The Times updated the story to reflect our role accurately]

The Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society has been described as representing private clinics or acting as a trade body. This is not correct.

We are an independent, clinician-led, not-for-profit organisation. We do not represent clinics or commercial providers. Our members are individual healthcare professionals, including consultants, GPs, pharmacists, nurses, and allied health professionals working across a range of settings.

Our role is to support safe, consistent, and evidence-informed prescribing in an area of medicine that has developed without a formal national clinical framework since legalisation in 2018.

This includes:

Clinical responsibility sits with individual prescribers and the organisations in which they work.

Working collaboratively to improve standards

Medical cannabis prescribing in the UK remains a developing area of practice. It requires ongoing scrutiny, transparency, and a willingness to strengthen standards where needed.

We will continue to work with clinicians, regulators, patient groups, and other stakeholders to support the development of clear, consistent, and robust clinical frameworks.

Our focus is unchanged: to support safe, evidence-informed care, and to ensure that patients who may benefit from these treatments can access them within a well-governed clinical system.