Explaining medicinal cannabis

What is medicinal cannabis?

Medicinal cannabis comes from three different species of wild cannabis: sativa, indica and ruderalis. It has been widely used as a medicine for thousands of years. There are two main cannabis chemicals known to have the most beneficial effect; THC and CBD. Medicinal cannabis treatments which include the whole plant – a combination of THC and CBD – have a better effect than just the individual components. This is known as the entourage effect. Medicinal cannabis with different ratios of THC and CBD is prescribed for particular conditions or symptoms.

How does medicinal cannabis work?

Cannabis supplements the body’s natural cannabis system;
the endocannabinoid system.

This system has an effect on memory, control of movement, modulation of pain, development of nerve growth and plasticity, and the adaptability of the nervous system. It also has an influence on sleep, appetite, anxiety and social behaviour, as well as on the bladder, the bowels, the reproductive system, the heart, the hormonal and metabolic systems, and the control of cancer.

There are natural chemicals circulating in the body that attach to cannabinoid receptors in the body, CB1 and CB2. Through this chemical attachment, the body’s endocannabinoid system performs its functions. Cannabis treatments supplement and assist the body’s natural circulation of cannabis-like chemicals.

Taking medicinal cannabis

At Medicann Clinics, we have a ‘start low, go slow approach’ to achieve symptom relief for patients at the lowest dose required.

Medical cannabis can be prescribed orally as a capsule, sublingual oil, lozenges or as medical grade flower taken with a specialist vaporiser or even topical cream applied directly to the skin.

Your clinician will work closely with you to ensure that you are confident in taking your prescribed medical cannabis in the most effective way for your condition and symptoms.

  • “It’s just amazing to be finally happy with my medication. I mean, really happy. No side-effects and no stress.”

    Male, 47, Sleep disorder

    Jersey

  • “After twenty years, I’m comfortable, content and consistent with my medication. No side effects and a 180 on my mobility and quality of life.”

    Female, 42, Chronic pain

    Jersey

  • “Nausea and sickness, tiredness and pain have become part of my life. Now I use medicinal cannabis and am starting to feel like I’ve got an extra weapon in my arsenal against this bloody cancer!”

    Female, 64, Oncology

    Guernsey