Cannnabis Frequently Asked Questions

Is Medical Cannabis legal in the UK?

Yes. Cannabis Based Medicinal Products have been legal in the united kingdom since 01/11/2018 where they were moved from a schedule 1 product to a schedule 2 product which reflects their potential for medical use.

Can I see you on the NHS?

We are a private clinic, and therefore you cannot be seen by us as part of the NHS.

Do I need a referral?

Our clinicians can see you directly without a referral, however we will require:

1) A copy of your summary care record clearly stating your diagnosis, and that you have tried at least two first line treatments.

2) Consent to communicate with your GP.

We are happy to accept referrals from other clinicians, however this is not necessary to use our service.

How do I know if the treatment will be beneficial?

Unfortunately there are no guarantees with Psychiatry. When we consider Cannabis Based Medicinal Product's it is on the basis that first line conventional treatments have been ineffective, and thus we can start looking at unlicensed medicinal products. The benefits / risks will be discussed with you at your consultation, and you are under no obligation to continue treatment if you are not finding it beneficial.

What formulations does medical cannabis come in?

Medical Cannabis comes in the form of flowers, which can be vaporized for rapid relief of symptoms. Vape cartridges are also available. For slower, longer-lasting release, Medical Cannabis can be taken sublingual in the form of an oil, or swallowed in capsule form.

Smoking Medical Cannabis is illegal.

I have a complaint

We are sorry to hear that you have a complaint. Please see the complaints section of our website or email complaints@hsmh.co.uk where we will endeavour to resolve your complaint in a timely manner.

What are the most common side-effects when taking medical cannabis?

The most common side-effects from taking Medical Cannabis are dizziness, fatigue, euphoria, amnesia, disorientation, blurred vision, diarrhoea, somnolence and dry mouth.
These reactions are usually mild to moderate and resolve within a few days even if treatment is continued.
The incidence of serious adverse events among patient taking Medical Cannabis has been shown to not be significantly different to that of a matched control group over a 1 year period. Sativex, which is a cannabinoid medication licensed for MS in the UK contains both THC and CBD, and therefore it's summary of product characteristics serves as a useful reference.

Is your service confidential?

All of the conversations and appointments you have with Harley Street Mental Health are conducted in strict confidence. We require permission to communicate with your GP, but will not communicate with any other external party without your permission. The only exceptions to confidentiality are if you pose a danger to yourself or others, at which point relevant parties will be informed.

What is the eligibility criteria for Cannabis Assessments

In order to be eligible for assessment for Cannabis Based Medicinal Products we require service users to have an established diagnosis of either:
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Anxiety
PTSD
Depression
Insomnia
ADHD
ASD
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We also require service users to have tried at least 2 first line medications that have not met your needs. This needs to be evidenced through your Summary Care Record (This can be accessed through request via your GP, or through the NHS App). This must be sent through prior to your appointment.

We also require individuals to have not suffered from, or currently be suffering from psychosis of Schizophrenia.
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We are also unable to provide this service to individuals who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

What are the Fees associated with Cannabis Assessments?

Please see the fees section on the website.

If you are still uncertain, please email contact@hsmh.co.uk and we will be more than happy to assist.

Generally speaking GP's do not appear to be accepting shared care agreements for taking over prescribing of Cannabis Based Medicinal Products, so it is important you are aware of all the fees from the outset.

Our initial virtual assessment costs £350, and if approved include the cost of issuing the first prescription. The cost of medication can vary up to a further £200 per month.

We can only issue one prescription at a time, and any changes to prescription will require a follow up appointment costing £150.

It is a requirement that patients are followed up monthly until stable, and then at least every 3 months.

I have another question

Please contact us at contact@hsmh.co.uk and one of our team members will get back to you shortly.

What format will my prescription be?

This will be discussed with you at your appointment, but we can prescribe flower, cartridges, oil and capsules.

Will I definitely be prescribed a Cannabis Based Medicinal Product?

Just because you are eligible for an assessment does not mean you will definitely be prescribed Medical Cannabis.

During your assessment you will be invited to explore the possibility of utilizing alternative licensed medications dependent on the patient’s preference, clinical condition, evidence base, safety and availability.

If the clinician is satisfied that Medical Cannabis will meet the patient’s need and there is enough evidence to support the use of the medication then a prescription will be issued.

Is medical cannabis addictive?

Cannabis Based Medicinal Products that contain higher amounts of THC have a small risk of addiction if used daily, but this risk is lower than other medications such as opioids, as well as possibly Benzodiazepines. You will have regular follow up appointments to monitor for signs of addiction.

Frequently Asked
Questions relating to our Cannabis service

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Frequently AskedQuestions relating to our Cannabis service

Book Now

Frequently Asked
Questions relating to our Cannabis service