Oils and liquids
Taken by mouth, usually as measured drops under the tongue or swallowed. The dose is measured carefully, and your doctor will explain exactly how to take it if it is prescribed to you.
STRAIGHT ANSWERS
How medical cannabis is prescribed in the UK
We cannot advertise medicines, and we would not want to. What we can do is explain plainly how this works, so you know what to expect before you speak to anyone.
THE HONEST STARTING POINT
It is an unlicensed medicine, and here is what that actually means
Most medical cannabis prescribed in the UK is what is known as an unlicensed special. That means it has not been through the usual marketing authorisation process that most medicines on a pharmacy shelf have completed. We think you deserve to know that plainly, not to have it buried in small print.
Unlicensed does not mean illegal, and it does not mean unregulated. These medicines can only be prescribed by a specialist doctor, they are made to pharmaceutical standards, and they are dispensed by a UK registered pharmacy under the same controlled drug rules that apply to strong painkillers and other tightly managed medicines.
What it does mean is that the specialist who prescribes takes personal professional responsibility for that decision. They must be satisfied, from your history and their own assessment, that it is appropriate for you. Nobody at Jorja can promise you a prescription, and you should be cautious of anyone who does.
All treatment is subject to clinical assessment and eligibility.
WHO DECIDES
Who can prescribe
In the UK, medical cannabis can only be initiated by a specialist doctor on the GMC Specialist Register. This is a legal requirement, not a clinic policy. At Jorja, every prescription decision is made by a specialist doctor on the GMC Specialist Register.
The specialist must also work within their own area of practice. A pain specialist assesses people with pain conditions. A neurologist assesses people with neurological conditions. Your case is then considered by a multidisciplinary team, so the decision rests on more than one clinical opinion.
Your GP cannot usually start this treatment. GPs can share your records, and many are supportive, but the decision to prescribe sits with the specialist. This is why private clinics exist for this treatment at all: the route runs through specialist care, and NHS access remains very limited.
THE FORMATS
The formats it comes in
Four broad types, described generically. Nothing here is a recommendation, and no product, strength or price is discussed on this page.
Dried flower
Prescribed for use with a medical vaporiser, which heats the material rather than burning it. Smoking a prescribed medicine is not a lawful method of taking it, and it is never recommended.
Capsules
Swallowed whole like any other capsule, with a fixed measured dose in each one. They are simple to take and easy to fit around an existing medicine routine.
Vape cartridges
Pre filled cartridges used with a compatible vaporiser device. As with all formats, they are supplied by a UK registered pharmacy against a valid prescription.
Which format, if any, is right for you is entirely a clinical decision made with your doctor.
PHARMACY AND DELIVERY
How it is dispensed and delivered
Your prescription is dispensed by a UK registered pharmacy, not by the clinic.
Medical cannabis is a Schedule 2 controlled drug, so it is stored, recorded and dispensed under strict legal controls.
Deliveries require proof of identity and a signature, so your medication is handed to you personally.
Packaging is discreet, with nothing on the outside identifying what is inside.
It cannot be left with a neighbour, in a safe place or at a collection point. This is a legal requirement, not a courier preference.
These controls exist because medical cannabis is a controlled drug. They protect you, and they are the same rules followed by every legitimate clinic and pharmacy in the UK.
SAFETY, PLAINLY
Side effects and safety
We will not tell you this medicine is side effect free, because it is not. Honest information is part of safe care.
Commonly reported side effects include:
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness
- Tiredness or drowsiness
- Changes in appetite
- Feeling unsettled or anxious
Your clinician will talk through the risks with you before anything is prescribed, and treatment usually starts at a low dose that is adjusted gradually. You should always tell your doctor about every other medicine you take, because medical cannabis can interact with other medicines, including some that seem unrelated.
It is not suitable for everyone. People who are pregnant or breastfeeding, people with certain heart conditions, and people with a personal or family history of some mental health conditions may be advised against it. That judgement is for your specialist, made with your full history in front of them.
WHY THIS PAGE IS QUIET
What we cannot tell you on this website
Medical cannabis is a prescription only medicine, and most of it is unlicensed. The Human Medicines Regulations 2012 make it illegal to advertise prescription only medicines to the public, and the rules are stricter still for unlicensed ones. That is why you will never see a product name, a strength or a medication price on this website.
We think this protects you. Decisions about a medicine should happen in a consultation, with a doctor who knows your history, not on a product page designed to convert you. When a clinic treats medication like a retail product, it is worth asking whose interest that serves.
If a clinic is advertising specific products or prices to you, ask yourself why.
YOUR NEXT STEP
The next answers come from a doctor, not a webpage.
The eligibility check is free, private and takes 30 seconds. All treatment is subject to clinical assessment and eligibility.
Check your eligibility