Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, all of the medication we prescribe is fully legal and regulated. The use of medical cannabis within the UK was made legal as of 1 November 2018, provided it is prescribed by a medical specialist who has taken into account the current evidence and guidelines alongside your particular diagnoses and conditions.

Medical cannabis can be used to treat a variety of conditions where other medications and treatments have failed. Patients living with chronic pain, neuropathy and psychiatric conditions have found benefits.

To be eligible for medical cannabis treatment, you need to have tried other pharmaceutical or therapeutic treatments that have not worked. You also must not have been diagnosed with psychosis or schizophrenia.

Not sure if you would benefit from medical cannabis?
Speak to a patient advisor today for free to learn more and understand how it all works, or
Take the eligibility test to assess your condition and suitability for treatment!

Medical cannabis differs greatly from the CBD products you will have seen in shops, online, and even over-the-counter at your local pharmacy. Medical cannabis is grown, prepared, and packaged under the strictest conditions to produce a medical-grade product for humans. It contains various compounds from cannabinoids (you will have heard of THC and CBD, but there’s loads more) to terpenes (many of which are known for their medicinal effects).

Medical cannabis can be found as an oil to be taken under the tongue or flower to be vaped (it is illegal to smoke medical cannabis). Different medicines will have varying amounts of THC (the psychoactive compound) and CBD so that they can benefit different conditions.

CBD that has not been prescribed is an oil derived from the hemp plant. It is considered a food product and does not need to adhere to the same stringent standards as medical cannabis. It generally is not as concentrated as prescribed CBD oils and is not considered a medicine.

Medical cannabis that contains higher amounts of THC carries a small risk of habituation and addiction if used daily for chronic use, but the risk is lower than with other classes of medications such as opioid-based pain medications and possibly lower than benzodiazepines for anxiety and sleep.

Your medical cannabis specialist will monitor you closely for signs of addiction to minimise this risk and choose specific products with lower risk appropriate for your symptoms.

Our team of doctors are experts in treating patients with medical cannabis and will choose your treatment after a comprehensive assessment. Your doctor will review your symptoms, current medications, the pattern of your symptoms and lifestyle factors. They will also monitor and adjust the medication on a regular basis to ensure the best effect with fewest side effects.

Medical cannabis was legalised in the UK in 2018, however since then only a handful of patients have secured NHS prescriptions. Only specialist doctors are able to prescribe this medicine as a last resort and funding must be applied for to cover NHS prescriptions.
Lyphe Clinic enables appropriate access to treatment for people with unmet needs who are currently unable to access the treatment through the NHS.

In the UK, all medical cannabis is unlicensed – but don’t worry – although unlicensed, medical cannabis obtained via prescription from Lyphe Clinic is 100% legal in the UK. This term is used to describe medicines which are used outside the terms of their agreed UK licence. So, put simply an unlicensed medicine is one that is prescribed for conditions other than those it was originally licensed to treat. Unlicensed medical products can only be supplied to meet the special needs of an individual patient and is a rather common occurance in healthcare.

Unlicensed medicines are used commonly in areas such as in paediatrics, psychiatry and palliative care.

Medical cannabis is currently imported from countries such as Portugal, Israel, Australia, Canada, and more.

The importation process is very tightly regulated both by the authorities in the UK but also by the exporting country. The products have to be grown, prepared, and packaged to the strictest standards. The UK has some of the highest standards for quality and safety of medical cannabis in the world.

Medical cannabis is a plant and the industry is relatively young and still developing. This can mean that supply can fluctuate either due to a seasonal availability, regulatory changes, delayed shipments, issues with quality and much more. However, we work closes with our partners to keep your medications available, and as the industry progresses and regulations change, we are experiencing more and more stability in the sector.

Medical cannabis is very different to what most of us are aware of. Recreational cannabis are strains usually bred to produce very high amounts of THC and little else to maximise the ‘high’ or psychoactive effect.

Many patients need their medical cannabis to treat their symptoms, but allow them to live and work normally. Your doctor will prescribe appropriately so the right balance of THC, CBD and strain allow you the right quality of life, just speak to your doctor at Lyphe about your needs.

Generally, a strong THC product is used just before bed time to aid with sleep

Costs can vary from £60 to £300 per month, depending on condition and individual circumstances. Make sure to speak to our specialist doctors about your budget, and they will help find the correct product for your needs.

Lyphe is a digital-first clinic.

We exclusively see patients via video appointments. This means you don’t have to worry about visiting a far away clinic or taking lots of time off work. Just find a quiet, private space to hold your appointment.

Once you have had your first appointment with your doctor, you will be required to have a follow up with your doctor to check in on your progress 1 month after you start your treatment.

You will then need to see your doctor every 3 months to review your condition and response to medical cannabis.