2 Million Brits Are Self Medicating With Cannabis, The Market Soars 10% Monthly – Will National Health Service Prescriptions Catch Up?
The UK’s medical cannabis market is expanding rapidly, with growth estimated at around 10% per month, according to Jon Robson, CEO of Mamedica, a leading medical cannabis clinic.
Despite this impressive growth, access to medical cannabis remains largely confined to illicit channels and a limited private sector, as National Health Service (NHS) prescriptions remain highly restricted.
Barriers To NHS Prescriptions
Since medical marijuana (MMJ) was legalized in the UK in 2018, around 50,000 patients have gained access to these treatments. However, NHS prescriptions are restricted to specific conditions like multiple sclerosis (MS), epilepsy and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
According to NICE guidelines, the NHS requires licensed cannabis products to undergo rigorous clinical trials before they can be prescribed, limiting availability of these treatments. Only three licensed cannabis products are available through the NHS, making it difficult for many patients to obtain them.
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