Cannabis is used by many people in the UK (and most countries) for recreational purposes despite it being illegal just about everywhere.
But, there is growing evidence that Cannabis derivatives can be an effective treatment in a wide range of medical conditions. Often, these are cases where painkillers and other treatments have limited use or the side effects are debilitating for the sufferer.
Since November 2018, Medicinal cannabis products can be legally prescribed to some patients across the UK for the first time.
However, scammers always eager to take advantage of any opportunity to cheat people are putting out emails and fake websites offering ‘legal’ cannabis to UK citizens.
The messages claim it is now legal to buy cannabis products in the UK – but that’s only true in a small number of cases. People cannot just decide to buy cannabis products unless they do illegally.
The email titles are a give-a-way e.g. Legal Cannabis in UK. Smoke some weed today”
The messages tell you to claim you have one of the following medical conditions:-
- Depression
- Stress disorder
- Insomnia
- Chronic pain
The treatments can be prescribed only by specialist doctors in a limited number of circumstances where other medicines have failed.
Cannabis-based products can now be prescribed, but only by specialist hospital doctors in a small number of cases, and not by GPs.
New NHS guidance for doctors in England says Cannabis should be prescribed only when there is clear published evidence of its benefit and other treatment options have been exhausted.
The treatments can be prescribed in cases of:-
- Children with rare, severe forms of epilepsy
- Adults with vomiting or nausea caused by chemotherapy
- Adults with muscle stiffness caused by multiple sclerosis
If a patient is not already in touch with a specialist doctor they can be referred to one by their GP if the doctor deems this appropriate.
Do not believe you can get Cannabis on the NHS or otherwise legally in the UK, except in rare cases.
If you have any experiences with this situation, do let me know, by email.
