Success stories: Medical cannabis to become widely available in France
Patients in France could soon have widespread access to medical cannabis on prescription as a three-year pilot study prepares to come to a close.
Sarah Sinclair
BlogIs there an age limit to medical cannabis?
Is there an age limit to medical cannabis?
3 min read
Sam North
In the UK, people of any age are eligible to receive a prescription for cannabis-based medicines, but there is a little more to the story...
Welcome back to our New Patients series!
In this series of blogs, we answer common questions we frequently hear from our new patients in quick-to-read, easy-to-digest blog posts. Today, we'll be addressing the question -
"Is there an age limit to medical cannabis in the UK?"
No, but that doesn’t mean that all clinics offer medical cannabis prescriptions to people aged under 18.
Contents
What is medical cannabis?
Medical cannabis was made legal in the UK on 1 November 2018. This change in legislation allows medical doctors who are registered on the General Medical Council's (GMC) Specialist Register to prescribe cannabis-based treatment options for medicinal use.
The legally prescribable options include dried cannabis flower, cannabis oil, capsules, edibles, and topical creams and balms.
Who can prescribe medical cannabis in the UK?
We mentioned above that only doctors on the GMC's Specialist Register can prescribe medical cannabis in the UK.
But there are also two routes for patients to consider - the NHS or through a private medical cannabis clinic (like Releaf).
The NHS is only willing to offer prescriptions for three specific health issues - rare treatment-resistant epilepsy, muscle spasticity in patients with MS, and nausea/vomiting caused by chemotherapy - and even then, prescriptions through the National Health Service have been exceedingly rare.
Specialists working with private clinics can offer prescriptions for a broader range of conditions as long as they believe it is in their patient's best interest and the patient has tried at least two conventional treatment approaches that have not worked for them.
Is there an age limit for medical cannabis in the UK?
In short, no. There is no specific age limit for medical cannabis in the UK. In fact, it was cases involving young children with rare forms of epilepsy that really sparked the push to legalise medical cannabis in the country.
With that said, at the time of writing, no private medical cannabis clinics in the UK will currently offer prescriptions for persons under the age of 18. If you, or a loved one, are under 18, and you believe medical cannabis could be beneficial, speak to your GP about your options.
Is medical cannabis available to children?
Yes, but only through the NHS and only if they are suffering from rare treatment-resistant epilepsy. The NHS has only prescribed medical cannabis to a handful of children since it was made legal in 2018, due to not just
How can Releaf help?
While Releaf doesn't currently offer prescriptions to children, we are always happy to provide as much information as possible.
You can check out the rest of this new patient blog series or our educational section, which covers everything medical cannabis related, all evidence-based, fully researched and cited. You can also reach out at any time if you need any extra information.
Share article
It is important to seek medical advice before starting any new treatments. The patient advisors at Releaf are available to provide expert advice and support. Alternatively, click here to book a consultation with one of our specialist doctors.
Elevate your wellness with medical cannabis
Get comprehensive care, convenience, and confidence with an all-in-one treatment plan.
Am I eligible?Authors
Sam North, a seasoned writer with over five years' experience and expertise in medicinal cannabis, brings clarity to complex concepts, focusing on education and informed use.
Our articles are written by experts and reviewed by medical professionals or compliance specialists. Adhering to stringent sourcing guidelines, we reference peer-reviewed studies and scholarly research. View our editorial policy.
Need more help?
Further reading
Stand Up To Cancer Day: What does research say about medical cannabis?
Right now, here in the UK, the stats surrounding the rates of cancer are pretty alarming - Did you know that one in two UK residents will develop some form of cancer during their lifetime?
Sam North
UK Savings Week: is medical cannabis affordable?
Much like all other treatment options in the UK, medical cannabis does come with costs. But, here at Releaf we do our best to balance bespoke, specialised care with affordable and accessible treatment plans, and our ever-growing patient numbers and reams of positive reviews on Trust Pilot, show we’re keeping the scales in check.
Lucy MacKinnon