Medical cannabis and neurological disorders: a clinical overview

Abstract

In the UK, in addition to licensed medical cannabis products, over 30 000 patients are prescribed unlicensed preparations. The conditions for which these unlicensed products are commonly prescribed and have been identified as having potential therapeutic value, include neurological conditions, as well as those conditions that require modulation of the central and/or peripheral nervous system via targeting the endocannabinoid system, such as during chronic pain. Considering the growing evidence base, this article examines some of the pre-clinical and clinical rationale underpinning the increase in the prescription of these products since their rescheduling in 2018. Beyond this, the article outlines the regulatory environment for prescribing, some of the barriers that patients face, and the work of Sapphire Medical Clinics to uphold stringent clinical governance practices, while providing a patient-centred service.