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Cannabis-based products for medicinal use (CBPMs) are prescription-only medicines in the UK, meaning they can only be accessed with a valid prescription from a specialist doctor. The use of a CBPM prescription in the UK is overseen within a regulated medical framework - usually a licensed clinic like Alternaleaf - with clinical supervision to ensure they are appropriate for the patient’s condition.
Since 2018, medical cannabis has been legally available in the UK when prescribed by a specialist doctor through licensed clinics like Alternaleaf. You can find out if you’re eligible for a medical cannabis prescription by completing the quick eligibility checker on our website.
Please note: Cannabis-based medicines are prescription-only medicines. They may not be suitable for everyone, and eligibility is determined by independent clinical assessment. Treatment is not first-line and outcomes vary; benefits are not guaranteed, and side effects and risks exist.
Below we’ll be answering the question: what is CBPM, and is it the same as medical cannabis?
What Does CBPM Stand For?
As we said above, CBPM stands for Cannabis-Based Products for Medicinal Use, which is the formal term used in UK legislation and healthcare guidance to describe prescribed cannabis medicines. But let’s dive a little deeper into CBPM's meaning. It refers to cannabis-derived products that meet specific legal and regulatory requirements and are used under medical supervision. These are not recreational or unregulated cannabis products.
This term is used by healthcare professionals, regulators, and policymakers to ensure clarity and consistency when referring to these prescription-only treatments.
Are CBPMs Legal in the UK?
Cannabis-based products for medicinal use (CBPMs) have been legally available in the UK since November 2018, when the law changed to allow specialist doctors to prescribe them in certain circumstances.
These products can only be accessed through a regulated medical process involving clinical assessment and pharmacy dispensing. To be eligible for a medical cannabis prescription with private clinics like Alternaleaf, you’ll need a diagnosis of a qualifying condition and evidence of being offered at least two conventional treatments for that condition or associated symptoms.
There are a few cases and conditions where you can get a prescription through the NHS - but this is much rarer, and reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Medical cannabis is only prescribed when other conventional treatments have not been effective or have caused unwanted side effects. This ensures that patients receive it only when clinically appropriate, as part of a regulated and supervised care plan.
If you’re pregnant or have a history of psychosis or schizophrenia, you won’t qualify. Treatment is carefully monitored and tailored to individual needs, and you can easily find out if you qualify by completing our 30 second eligibility checker.
Keep in mind this does not apply to non-medical use, and recreational cannabis remains illegal under UK law.
Who Can Prescribe CBPMs?
In the UK, only doctors who are listed on the General Medical Council (GMC) Specialist Register can initiate a prescription for cannabis-based products for medicinal use (CBPMs). This means that general practitioners cannot start a CBPM prescription. Prescriptions are therefore tightly controlled and must be managed by qualified specialists within the regulated healthcare system, usually with licensed clinics like Alternaleaf.
What Forms Do CBPMs Come In?
The form or method of consumption you are prescribed is tailored to you, and something you can discuss with a specialist if you qualify for a prescription. We also always recommend you start low and go slow.
Medical cannabis is available in many different forms, and effects and experiences can vary with each type. Your clinician will run through these forms, and work with you to decide what is best for you. They’ll be able to tailor treatment to your individual needs, and if you have any preference, or questions about the below, it’s best to speak to them. Some regulated medical cannabis forms are:
- Oils
- Flower (for vaporisation)
- Capsules
- Vape cartridges
Are Medical Cannabis Products (Not Just Oils) Considered CBPMs?
CBPMs can include a range of prescribed medical cannabis products, not just oils. As long as a product is prescribed by a specialist doctor and supplied through a licensed pharmacy within the UK’s regulated medical framework, it is considered a CBPM. So, that includes the regulated forms we mentioned above.
FAQs
Can a GP prescribe CBPMs?
CBPM prescriptions are typically initiated by specialist doctors listed on the General Medical Council’s Specialist Register.
Are CBPMs the same as medical cannabis?
Yes, CBPMs (cannabis-based products for medicinal use) are the formal medical term used in the UK to refer to what is commonly called medical cannabis. So, CBPM is the same as medical cannabis in the UK.
Do CBPMs replace standard treatments?
Generally, CBPMs do not replace standard treatments and are only prescribed when considered appropriate by a specialist doctor alongside or after other established therapies. However, this is something you should discuss with your doctor as it should be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
How do CBPMs differ from over-the-counter CBD products?
CBPMs are prescription-only medicines regulated in the UK, while over-the-counter CBD products do not require a prescription and are not considered medical treatments.
Summary
That’s a brief overview of CBPM in the UK.
If you’re considering medical cannabis, the best thing to do is seek the help of a licensed medical cannabis clinic like Alternaleaf. Find out if you’re eligible by heading to our website and completing our 30 second eligibility checker.