Private cannabis clinics in the UK are experiencing a significant increase in patients choosing medical cannabis to treat chronic pain and mental health conditions. This trend highlights the growing acceptance and use of medical cannabis products for various health issues.

Rising Patient Numbers

Mamedica, a medical cannabis clinic in Westminster, reported a dramatic increase in patient numbers. In 2023, their patient count rose from 250 to 2,750, representing more than a tenfold increase. Jon Robson, CEO of Mamedica, attributes this growth to patients transitioning from the illicit market and those who found NHS treatments insufficient for their conditions.

Treatment Focus

The majority of patients at Mamedica seek medical cannabis for psychiatric conditions such as anxiety and depression. Specifically:

• 40% of patients use medical cannabis to treat chronic pain
• 42% of patients in the T21 Project use the drug for psychiatric conditions

Legal Status and NHS Availability

Medical cannabis was legalised in the UK in 2018, following a campaign to make it available for children with severe epilepsy. However, its availability on the NHS remains limited:

• Fewer than five NHS patients have been prescribed medical cannabis since legalisation
• The drug can only be prescribed by NHS or private specialist doctors if other treatments have proven ineffective

Cost and Accessibility Concerns

The limited availability on the NHS has led many patients to seek treatment through private clinics, which can be expensive:

• Julie Gould, a patient using medical cannabis for multiple sclerosis, reports that 100ml of cannabis oil cost £150 in 2020 but now costs £350
• Stephen, another patient, pays £60 for each consultation and between £80 to £180 for his supply of medical cannabis oil

Research and Evidence

The UK government and NHS England emphasise the need for more research on the effects of medical cannabis before expanding its availability:

• The Department for Health and Social Care states that “most products on the market are unlicensed medicines”
• NHS England offers some cannabis-based treatments approved by the MHRA but remains concerned about the limited evidence for unlicensed products

Market Growth and Patient Demographics

Despite challenges, the UK medical cannabis market is expanding:

• It is the second-largest in Europe
• Expected to be worth £300m in 2025
• Experiencing an increase in patients over 65 seeking prescriptions

Future Outlook

While the use of medical cannabis for mental health treatment is growing, challenges remain:

• The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) cites a lack of clinical and cost-effectiveness evidence
• The government continues to call for more research from manufacturers of unlicensed products
• Efforts are underway to establish clinical trials to test the safety and efficacy of these products

Source: DBrecoveryresources