Image copyright Reuters Image caption Charlotte Caldwell previously said the law change would mean her son, Billy, would be able to live a "normal life"

Medicinal cannabis products can now be legally prescribed to some patients across the UK for the first time.

The treatments can be prescribed only by specialist doctors in a limited number of circumstances where other medicines have failed.

The decision to relax the rules on the treatments followed an outcry over two boys with severe epilepsy being denied access to cannabis oil.

But one charity fears access to it will be "much more limited" than expected.

Is the UK the world's biggest exporter of legal cannabis?

What are the rules about cannabis oil in the UK?

Among those who stand to benefit will be children with rare, severe forms of epilepsy.

Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Cannabis-derived medicines: What you need to know

Who can receive the treatments?

As of Thursday cannabis-based products can 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 it 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.

Image caption Billy Caldwell and Alfie Dingley were granted licences to allow them access to cannabis oil

Which treatments will be prescribed?

The Home Office has said the treatments must have been produced for medical use and be regulated.

In practice, experts say this is likely to include pills, capsules and oils, but not smoking cannabis.

Treatments contain varying quantities and ratios of the compounds THC, which makes people feel "high", and CBD, another compound scientists are investigating for its potential medical benefits.

It will be down to individual hospital trusts to decide how to fund the treatments.

How did we get to this point?

The decision to allow specialist doctors to prescribe medicinal cannabis products follows the high-profile cases of Alfie seven, and Billy, 13.

Both have severe epilepsy which their families say has been markedly improved by cannabis oil treatments that had not been legally available in the UK.

Initially, the Home Office refused requests for a licence for Alfie to use the oil.

Billy's mother, Charlotte, had cannabis oil that she brought back from Canada confiscated at Heathrow Airport.

Their plight prompted MPs to criticise the "bizarre and cruel" rules over medicinal cannabis.

The boys have since been granted special licences to access their treatments.

The cases prompted Home Secretary Sajid Javid to announce in June that there would be a review of medicinal cannabis.

That review, which came in two parts, concluded there was evidence medicinal cannabis had therapeutic benefits and that doctors should be able to prescribe the products, provided they met safety standards.

In July Mr Javid confirmed that specialists doctors would be able to prescribe cannabis-derived medicinal products.

What were the rules before?

Before today, almost all cannabis-based medicinal products were classed as Schedule One drugs, which means they were judged to have no therapeutic value. Sativex, a treatment containing the cannabis compounds THC and CBD, is one of the few that is already approved.

This meant these products could not be legally prescribed in the UK, and could be accessed only, in rare cases, with a special licence from the Home Office.

Now treatments that meet "appropriate standards" have been reclassified into Schedule Two - those that have a potential medical use.

Image copyright Reuters Image caption The government says this is not a first step towards legalisation of recreational cannabis use, as in Canada

How have people reacted to the law change?

Alfie Dingley's mum, Hannah Deacon, said the guidelines meant people would struggle to access the oil her son had been given because scientific studies had not been carried out on the treatment.

"It's absolutely gutting and not what my campaign was about."

Emma Appleby, whose nine-year-old daughter, Teagan, has severe epilepsy, said it was not clear when she will receive medical cannabis.

She also said the guidelines suggested Teagan would be given a weaker form of treatment than doctors had initially suggested to her.

She said: "It's heart-breaking to watch your child suffer every single day, knowing there's a product that can help, could help...

"Watching my daughter suffer every day, it's horrible."

Dr Michael Bloomfield, from University College London, said the UK's approach was sensible.

"It's going to be very hard for doctors to prescribe cannabis-related products to begin with, and I think it's right that's the case.

"When we don't have very strong evidence for any medicine, then it should be hard to prescribe something because we should be prescribing medicines when there's a very strong evidence base for them."

But the MS Society said the guidance made access to treatments "much more limited than we were led to believe".

Genevieve Edwards, from the society, added: "We're calling on NHS England to revisit this guidance urgently, and engage with neurological experts to ensure people with MS are not left disappointed and unable to access the right treatment for them."

Is this a step towards recreational legalisation?

The government has been quick to say that this is not a first step towards legalising cannabis.

Last month Canada became only the second country in the world, after Uruguay, to legalise possession and use of recreational cannabis.

"There will be strict controls in place and this is in no way a step towards legalising the recreational use of cannabis," Home Secretary Sajid Javid has previously said.

An NHS spokeswoman said the change to the law "does not detract from the wider physical and mental health risks and concerns potentially arising from regular recreational cannabis use".</s>Today, for the first time in the UK, medical cannabis products can now be legally prescribed to patients by some doctors.

The reclassification of the drug is a revolutionary one that will see specialised hospital doctors (not GPs) allowed to prescribe medicinal cannabis to a small number of patients in certain serious cases, where other medical treatments have failed.

The decision came after an outcry that medical cannabis remains illegal, despite its benefits to people with epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, cancer patients going through chemotherapy, and more.

Health conditions medical cannabis could be used to treat:

The biggest persuasion for the government to allow cannabis for medical use in certain circumstances - despite its classification as a class B drug by the Misuse of Drugs Act - came from the families of two young boys, Billy Caldwell and Alfie Dingley. Both boys have rare forms of epilepsy that has significantly reduced their quality of life.

Billy and Alfie, when given medical cannabis oil treatments that were not been legally available in the UK, displayed remarkable improvements - including a dramatic reduction in the number of seizures they experienced per day. However, when Billy's mum, Charlotte, had cannabis oil that she brought back from Canada confiscated at Heathrow Airport, it triggered a group of MPs to address the "bizarre and cruel" rules over the medicinal product that prevented people in need from taking it.

While both boys were given special licences to medicinal cannabis oil prior to today's change in the law, the path has now been paved for others who need it to have legal access to the treatment.

Medicinal cannabis is not to be confused with CBD oil, which is already legal and has been for some time. CBD oil, which is readily available for anyone to buy from high street stores and LloydsPharmacy in the UK, differs from medical cannabis because it lacks the psychoactive substance, THC, that causes people to become high when they take it.

Both products contain CBD (cannabidiol), a compound which is known to have numerous health benefits. But CBD oil, being derived from the hemp plant as opposed to the cannabis plant, does not contain THC (which is also known to have its own health benefits). This is because it has been bred out of hemp. This is the reason medicinal cannabis has taken far longer to be accepted into UK law than CBD oil, because of the dangers associated with THC (essentially, its addictive nature).

As you can imagine, medical cannabis isn't going to be subject to a 'give to one, give to all' scenario. It will be very heavily regulated and only offered to those who really, truly need it via a special licence. But this reclassification marks an important step forward in an end to needless suffering for those who could really benefit from the treatment.</s>Medical cannabis has today (November 1) become legal for doctors to prescribe to "exceptional clinical need" cases in Britain.

The announcement follows after high-profile campaigns raised awareness on behalf of Alfie Dingley and Billy Caldwell who both suffer severe forms of epilepsy.

Medicines which contain the drug described as containing "cannabis, cannabis resin, cannabinol or a cannabinol derivative" will be covered by the new policy starting today.

The prescription drug could be given to those who suffer from epilepsy, chronic pain due to chemotherapy and nausea.

Alongside the advancement in medical prescriptions, the Government have recently announced a longer term review of cannabis by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs.

But campaigners say the new guidelines are so restrictive that it will stop some of the patients most in need of the treatment from receiving it The Mirror reports.

It can only be obtained for patients in England, Wales and Scotland (not Northern Ireland) if they have been prescribed by a specialist hospital doctor rather than a GP.

So how do you know if you are eligible, and how can you get it prescribed?

Here's everything you need to know.

Why has this step been taken to legalise medical cannabis?

The measure was announced following high-profile campaigns on behalf of Alfie Dingley and Billy Caldwell who both suffer severe forms of epilepsy.

Hannah Deacon, Alfie Dingley's mum, said the cannabis used to treat her son had transformed his life.

Does that mean cannabis is now completely legal in Britain?

Cannabis is a Class B drug and that is not going to change. That means possession will still carry an unlimited fine and up to five years' jail - rising to 14 years for dealers. And recreational use will be illegal.

But the 'schedule', which sets out how a drug can be used for medical purposes, has been changed by the Home Office.

Previously cannabis was a Schedule 1 drug - meaning it had 'no therapeutic value' in the eyes of the law.

But after a rapid review, the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs announced it had medical benefits "in certain circumstances". Chief Medical Officer Dame Sally Davies also concluded there was evidence of medical benefits.

That meant the drug will now change to Schedule 2 - allowing it to be possessed and prescribed legally by pharmacists and doctors.

Are you eligible for medical cannabis?

New NHS guidance was issued yesterday that severely restricts how cannabis can be prescribed.

A decision to prescribe cannabis products will only be made where other treatment options have been exhausted.

Can I get a prescription from my GP for cannabis?

The medicines can only be prescribed by a specialist doctor - not a GP - on a case-by-case basis.

In a statement, the Department of Health said: "It is important that prescribing decisions are taken by expert clinicians informed by evidence on quality, safety and effectiveness.

"Therefore, prescribing of cannabis-based products for medicinal use is restricted to clinicians listed on the Specialist Register of the General Medical Council.

"Cannabis-based products for medicinal use will not be available from General Practitioners."

What are the types of cannabis that can be prescribed?

Cannabis in the traditional sense - such as resin or leaves - would not be prescribed.

The NHS guidance says there is only one cannabis product licensed as a medicine in the UK: Savitex, a mouth spray.

All other medicines will be considered unlicenced.

However, clinical officials also rule it is not value for money to use Savitex to treat "spasticity" in people with Multiple Sclerosis.

There are two synthetic cannabinoids outside the current definition that are available.

Nabilone, a synthetic, non-natural cannabinoid, is licenced in the UK for use in treatment resistant nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy.

And dronabinol, a synthetic nature-identical version of THC, is listed but not "market-authorised".

This is a step forward, then why are campaigners not happy?

Leading campaigners who pushed for legal cannabis have hit out at the new guidance.

Hannah Deacon, Alfie Dingley's mum, she expressed concern that the guidance meant other families would not benefit.

She said: "I speak daily to 17 families who I am worried will feel let down and deeply disappointed by the guidance today.

"I do not think it will not give the specialists the confidence they need to prescribe for their children.

This is how old you need to be to legally drink alcohol in the UK - and it's young

Ms Deacon said a change of policy on its own was not enough.

She added: "I will not stop campaigning until all the families in the UK that need access, have access. I don’t want the changes today to be a false-dawn I want them to be the start of lasting change for all."

Epilepsy Action deputy chief executive Simon Wigglesworth welcomed the move but said the current guidance "seems extremely restrictive" because it only allows patients with specific strains of the disease to access the drugs.

He added: "It suggests that cannabis-based medicines will only be an option for a very limited number of people with epilepsy - children with Dravet or Lennox Gastaut syndrome.

"Though this is welcome, there are children and adults with other complex and treatment-resistant epilepsy syndromes who could potentially also benefit."

While the MS Society said they were concerned that nothing will change in the short term for the one in 10 people with MS who could get relief from pain and muscle spasms by using medicinal cannabis.

Genevieve Edwards, Director of External Affairs at the MS Society said the guidance "appears to ignore the clear evidence provided by the Chief Medical Officer for using it to relieve MS symptoms".

"As a result, the guidance is restrictive, with quick access to cannabis treatments much more limited than we were led to believe," she said.

The Society is calling for NHS England to revisit the guidance urgently.

Sir Mike Penning, who chairs the All Party Parliamentary Group on Medicinal Cannabis said the guidance confirmed his "worst fears".

"In its current form, the guidance is so restrictive I find it impossible to imagine it will benefit the majority of patients it desperately needs too," he said.

"My colleagues and I have been inundated with the stories of families prevented from using medical cannabis as their clinicians are not willing to engage and sadly this announcement demonstrates that whilst we have made significant progress over the last few months that a great deal of work still needs to be done."

Billy Caldwell, 13, received national attention when his medicinal cannabis was confiscated by the Home Office after a trip to Canada to access the medication.

Billy suffers from a severe form of epilepsy and his mother Charlotte says medicinal cannabis products help to ease his symptoms.

She spent years campaigning for the law change.

The Home Office then gave him a short-term licence and the DoH issued an emergency licence to allow him access to cannabis oil medication.

In early October, Home Secretary Sajid Javid announced a decision to reschedule the products, relaxing the rules around the circumstances in which they can be given to patients, after considering expert advice from a specially commissioned review.

Charlotte said she wept happy tears at the move.

"What started out as a journey for me as Billy's mummy to help my little boy has become something much bigger," she said.

The Department of Health added: "It is important to note that the rescheduling of cannabis-based products for medicinal use does not pave the way towards legalising cannabis for recreational use.

"The penalties for unauthorised supply and possession will remain unchanged."

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: "Doctors need to use their clinical judgement and having guidance in place helps.

"Ultimately the need to treat an individual person and the responsibility for that falls on the shoulders of a doctor - that's what they do."</s>Medicinal cannabis has become legal today, granting registered specialists the power to prescribe it in cases of "exceptional clinical need."

Those suffering from epilepsy, nausea and chronic pain due to chemotherapy could all be given the option to get the drug on prescription.

But not everyone suffering from these conditions will be able to access it and this is why.

A limited number of people suffering from some types of MS, undergoing chemotherapy or suffering from chronic pain will be allowed to access the drug only if there is clear evidence it will have benefits.

The drug can be prescribed only after every other treatment option has been exhausted.

The news comes as some progress after campaigns across the country, including Kent, for it to be made available to help with certain conditions.

The government revealed its intentions in the summer and vowed to bring medicinal cannabis onto the NHS spectrum by the autumn.

An emotional plea was made back in July for cannabis oil to treat Teagan Appleby, from Aylesham, who has one of the worst cases of epilepsy.

She was born with the rare condition Isodicentric 15, meaning she is wheelchair bound and suffers up to 300 seizures per day.

Doctors have stated cannabis oil has benefits for childhood epilepsy.

A mother also pleaded for her son Sam Clark, of Invicta Road in Folkestone, to have cannabis oil to prevent him from eventually losing his sight.

He was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa - a rare, genetic disorder that involves the breakdown and loss of cells in the retina - at four-years-old.

Although the teenager is registered blind, he is still able to see the equivalent of those with normal vision looking through two thin, dark straws.

Mum Catherine Scott, 37, says medicinal cannabis is the only treatment that will stop him from going blind.

While it is not yet clear whether these youngsters will have immediate access to the medicine, here are the specifics you need to be aware of.

Your GP is not allowed to prescribe medical cannabis

There are two main types of medical marijuana on the market.

A mouth spray to cure "spasticity" in people with multiple sclerosis called Savitex, and Nabilone a synthetic, non-natural cannabinoid which is sometimes prescribed to patients undergoing chemotherapy to cure nausea and vomiting.

But these drugs cannot be obtained with a consultation with your regular GP.

Only registered specialists can give out the prescription, and each request is treated on a case-by-case basis.

Patients can be referred to a specialist by a GP if they decide it is the best course of action.

In a statement, the Department of Health said: "It is important that prescribing decisions are taken by expert clinicians informed by evidence on quality, safety and effectiveness.

"Therefore, prescribing of cannabis-based products for medicinal use is restricted to clinicians listed on the Specialist Register of the General Medical Council.

"Cannabis-based products for medicinal use will not be available from General Practitioners."

Treatment will only be available for children with severe and rare forms of epilepsy

By October 2019 the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) will issue a clinical guideline on the prescribing cannabis-based products.

In the meantime, the British Paediatric Neurology Association (BPNA) is developing advice on the use medicinal cannabis for children with severe epilepsy.

Specialists will consider epileptic children suffering from Dravet or Lennox Gastaut syndrome.

Some adults can also seek prescription

Adults with severe chemotherapy side effects and multiple sclerosis caused muscle stiffness will also be considred.

Epilepsy Action deputy chief executive Simon Wigglesworth welcomed the new ruling but fears it is "extremely restrictive", only allowing patients with specific strains of the disease to access the drugs.

He said: "It suggests that cannabis-based medicines will only be an option for a very limited number of people with epilepsy - children with Dravet or Lennox Gastaut syndrome.

Leading campaigner Hannah Deacon said the cannabis used to treat her son's epilepsy transformed his life.

Alfie, suffers from a rare form of epilepsy which can cause him up to 30 seizures a day.

Ms Deacon said "I do not think it will not give the specialists the confidence they need to prescribe for their children".

She added: "I will not stop campaigning until all the families in the UK that need access, have access. I don’t want the changes today to be a false-dawn I want them to be the start of lasting change for all."

It will not be available across the country

Medicinal cannabis will not be available across the UK.

Prescription can only be obtained in England, Wales and Scotland. However, the treatment will not be available to patients in Northern Ireland.

Cannabis is still illegal for recreational use

Cannabis remains a Class B drug and people found in possession can receive an unlimited fine and up to five years in jail. Recreational use is still illegal.

The Department of Health said: "It is important to note that the rescheduling of cannabis-based products for medicinal use does not pave the way towards legalising cannabis for recreational use.

"The penalties for unauthorised supply and possession will remain unchanged."

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: "Doctors need to use their clinical judgement and having guidance in place helps.

"Ultimately the need to treat an individual person and the responsibility for that falls on the shoulders of a doctor - that's what they do".</s>Medical cannabis is now legal for doctors to prescribe in cases of "exceptional clinical need".

As of today, (November 1) cannabis-based products can be prescribed, but only by specialist hospital doctors, not GPs.

Those suffering from epilepsy, nausea and chronic pain due to chemotherapy could all be given the option to get the drug on prescription.

However, campaigners say they new guidelines are so restrictive that it will stop some of the patients most in need of the treatment from receiving it.

The change was announced by Home Secretary Sajid Javid, who confirmed that doctors in Wales, England and Scotland will be able to prescribe cannabis-based products.

The new policy covers medicines which contain the drug described as containing "cannabis, cannabis resin, cannabinol or a cannabinol derivative".

The UK now joins countries such as Germany who have already given the drug the go-ahead.

This is everything you need to know about cannabis oil:

It follows high profile campaigns on behalf of Alfie Dingley and Billy Caldwell who both suffer severe forms of epilepsy.

Hannah Deacon, Alfie Dingley's mum, claimed the cannabis sued to treat her son transformed his life, but felt the guidance meant other families wouldn't benefit.

She said: "I speak daily to 17 families who I am worried will feel let down and deeply disappointed by the guidance today. I do not think it will not give the specialists the confidence they need to prescribe for their children.

"I will not stop campaigning until all the families in the UK that need access, have access. I don’t want the changes today to be a false-dawn I want them to be the start of lasting change for all."

Billy Caldwell, 13, received national attention after his medicinal cannabis was confiscated by the Home Office after a trip to Canada to obtain the medication.

His mother Charlotte, says medicinal cannabis products help to ease his symptoms.

After years of campaigning, the Home Office gave him a short-term licence and the DoH issued an emergency licence to allow him access to cannabis oil medication.

She said: "What started out as a journey for me as Billy's mummy to help my little boy has become something much bigger."

In a statement, the DoH said: "It is important that prescribing decisions are taken by expert clinicians informed by evidence on quality, safety and effectiveness.

"Therefore, prescribing of cannabis-based products for medicinal use is restricted to clinicians listed on the Specialist Register of the General Medical Council.

"Cannabis-based products for medicinal use will not be available from General Practitioners."

What do the changes mean?

Cannabis remains a Class B drug and that isn't going to change. Therefore, possession will still carry an unlimited fine and up to five years' jail, rising to 14 years for dealers.

Previously, cannabis was a Schedule 1 drug, meaning it had 'no therapeutic value' in the eyes of the law, but could be used for research purposes with the Home Office license.

After a review, advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs announced it had medical benefits "in certain circumstances". Chief Medical Officer, Dame Sally Davies, also shared these views.

The Advisory Council on the Misuse of drugs, recommended that cannabis-derived medicinal products should be placed in Schedule 2 of the Misuse Drugs Regulations 2001.

This allows it to be prescribed legally.</s>Doctors will be able to prescribe cannabis products to patients in the UK from today.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid announced last month that new regulations would come into force on Thursday, relaxing the rules about the circumstances in which the products can be given to patients.

Medical cannabis: case can be made for legalisation but we need to change the way we think about medicine

The move follows several high-profile cases, including that of young epilepsy sufferers Alfie Dingley and Billy Caldwell, whose conditions appeared to be helped by cannabis oil.

The medicines can only be prescribed by a specialist doctor - not a GP - on a case-by-case basis.

New NHS guidance says a decision to prescribe cannabis products should only be made where other treatment options have been exhausted.

Alfie's mother Hannah Deacon welcomed the move when it was announced, saying: "I have personally seen how my son's life has changed due to the medical cannabis he is now prescribed.

"As a family we were facing his death. Now we are facing his life, full of joy and hope which is something I wish for each and every person in this country who could benefit from this medicine."

Jayne Dowle: Cannabis may be a cure but drugs culture is a sickness

Billy's mother, Charlotte Caldwell, said she wept tears of joy at the move.

She said: "Only relatively recently did our Government and country really start to appreciate just how many wee children and people of all ages were affected by the difficulties associated with accessing medicinal cannabis.

"But once it became clear that it wasn't just about what was perceived to be a small number of very sick children, and that medicinal cannabis could make a life-changing or life-saving difference to more than a million people, the overwhelming support of the public and the incredible speed of reaction of the Home Secretary has delivered an utterly amazing result."

The decision to reschedule the products came following a specially commissioned review.

An initial review by chief medical adviser Dame Sally Davies concluded that there was evidence medicinal cannabis can have therapeutic benefits.

The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), which carried out the second part of the review, then said doctors should be able to prescribe medicinal cannabis provided products meet safety standards.

The new law will not limit the types of conditions that can be considered for treatment and it means doctors will no longer need to seek approval from an expert panel in order for patients to access the medicines.</s>From today specialist doctors in the UK will be able to prescribe cannabis to patients on a case-by-case basis.

New NHS guidance says a decision to prescribe cannabis products should only be made where other treatment options have been exhausted.

When will cannabis be available on prescription in the UK?

Doctors in England, Wales and Scotland will be able to prescribe cannabis products to patients from today (Thursday, November 1, 2018).

What conditions will medical cannabis be prescribed for?

The new law will not limit the types of conditions that can be considered for treatment and it means doctors will no longer need to seek approval from an expert panel in order for patients to access the medicines.

GPs will not be able to prescribe medical cannabis, only specialist doctors will be able to make decisions on prescribing cannabis-based products for medicinal use on a case-by-case basis, and only when the patient has an unmet special clinical need that cannot be met by licensed products.

Does this mean cannabis is now legal in the UK?

Cannabis is still a Class B drug which means that recreational use is still illegal and possession will still carry an unlimited fine and up to five years in jail.</s>Doctors will be able to prescribe medical cannabis to patients in the UK from today.

The move follows several high-profile cases, including that of young epilepsy sufferers Alfie Dingley and Billy Caldwell, whose conditions appeared to be helped by cannabis oil.

The medicines can only be prescribed by a specialist doctor - not a GP - on a case-by-case basis.

New NHS guidance says a decision to prescribe cannabis products should only be made where other treatment options have been exhausted.

Alfie's mother Hannah Deacon welcomed the move when it was announced, saying: "I have personally seen how my son's life has changed due to the medical cannabis he is now prescribed.

"As a family we were facing his death. Now we are facing his life, full of joy and hope which is something I wish for each and every person in this country who could benefit from this medicine."

Billy's mother, Charlotte Caldwell, said she wept tears of joy at the move, Chronicle Live reports.

She said: "Only relatively recently did our Government and country really start to appreciate just how many wee children and people of all ages were affected by the difficulties associated with accessing medicinal cannabis.

"But once it became clear that it wasn't just about what was perceived to be a small number of very sick children, and that medicinal cannabis could make a life-changing or life-saving difference to more than a million people, the overwhelming support of the public and the incredible speed of reaction of the Home Secretary has delivered an utterly amazing result."

Cannabis is still a Class B drug and that is unlikely to change in the near future.

This means possession is still a crime that can carry an unlimited fine and up to five years jail time. This sentence can rise to 14 years for dealers.

Previously, cannabis was a Schedule 1 drug - defined as having 'no therapeutic value' in the eyes of the law, but could be used for the purposes of research with the Home Office license.

Why is medicinal cannabis legal now?

The decision to reschedule the products came following a specially commissioned review.

It was announced last month by Home Secretary Sajid Javid that new regulations would come into force in November, relaxing the rules about the circumstances in which the products can be given to patients.

Following the review, the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs announced it had medical benefits "in certain circumstances".

Chief Medical Officer Dame Sally Davies also concluded there was evidence of medical benefits.

It was then recommended by The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, that cannabis-derived medicinal products should be placed in Schedule 2 of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001.

This allows cannabis products to be prescribed legally.

The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), which carried out the second part of the review, then said doctors should be able to prescribe medicinal cannabis provided products meet safety standards.

The new law will not limit the types of conditions that can be considered for treatment and it means doctors will no longer need to seek approval from an expert panel in order for patients to access the medicines.</s>Medical cannabis products can now be legally prescribed to patients for the first time.

The new law comes into force today, Thursday, November 1.

It means those suffering from epilepsy, nausea and chronic pain - due to chemotherapy - could be given the option of getting the drug from an NHS doctor.

The government has said that the prescriptions will be the responsibility of specialist doctors, and not GPs.

A statement on the government website explains further: "These doctors focus on one field of medicine such as neurology or paediatrics and are listed on the General Medical Council’s specialist register.

"They must make decisions on prescribing cannabis-based products for medicinal use on a case-by-case basis, and only when the patient has an unmet special clinical need that cannot be met by licensed products."

The Home Office has said that the cannabis-based treatments must have be regulated and produced for medical purposes only.

Experts say it is likely that products will include pills, capsules and oils.

The law change follows several high-profile cases, including those of young epilepsy sufferers Alfie Dingley and Billy Caldwell.

Billy was given the first prescription by the NHS for medicinal cannabis oil in July this year.

His mother credited the oil for keeping her son's seizures at bay.

Alfie's use of cannabis treatment was also said to reduce his clusters of seizures, going from having them once every 27 days to once every 7-10 days.

Who can receive the treatments?

The NHS has released guidelines on the medical use of cannabis-based products.

It outlines that it may only be prescribed where there is a "clinical need which cannot be met by a licensed medicine and where established treatment options have been exhausted".

Treatments may be prescribed in cases of:
• Adults with vomiting or nausea caused by chemotherapy treatment

The recreational use of cannabis remains illegal.

The penalties for unauthorised supply and possession also remains unchanged.</s>The British government has added cannabis to the pharmacopoeia of medicines available to patients on the National Health Service.

As of November 1, “patients can be prescribed medicinal cannabis by specialist doctors,” the Home Office declared in a recent statement.

Campaigners lobbied the government to reconsider its previous stance categorizing cannabis as a Class A substance, defined as having no medicinal or therapeutic value.

Public mood in the UK shifted alongside highly publicized cases in which epileptic children had their illicit cannabis medications confiscated. But Sajid Javid’s appointment as home secretary in April appears to have instigated a change.

After the uproar, Javid said in June, “we completely sympathize with the families who have been facing desperate situations as they try to find treatment.”

Javid listened to concerns from parents of children with conditions such as severe epilepsy and called for an urgent review of of cannabis-based medicinal products, according to the UK government.

Health authorities will now author advice for specialist clinicians responsible for prescribing cannabis products.

“The new law will not limit the types of conditions that can be considered for treatment,” a Home Office statement reads. Instead, doctors “must make decisions on prescribing cannabis-based products for medicinal use on a case-by-case basis, and only when the patient has an unmet special clinical need that cannot be met by licensed products.”

Psychiatrist and government drugs adviser Dr. Derek Tracy highlighted pain, multiple sclerosis and epilepsy as “obvious early candidates” for treatment with cannabis.

“The larger step from a legislative point of view has been taken,” Tracy said. “What you might see is some finessing of the law in terms of specific compounds found to be particularly helpful or particularly toxic.”

Tracy sits on the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, whose recommendations the Home Office has accepted almost wholesale. The council’s role, he explained, “is specifically looking at harm.”

“Do the drugs harm people? And we know that they can. How often is that? And so forth. The Department of Health will be taking the other side, pushing for the health part; what do we know in terms of benefits?”

Fellow G7 country Germany legalized cannabis-derived medicines in 2017, but some doctors are reluctant to prescribe it, and patients face ongoing supply shortfalls. Many users still turn to illegal means, such as growing their own cannabis, said Sascha Waterkotte, spokesman for the German Hemp Association.

“Doctors could be made more sensitive towards the law,” said Waterkotte. “Germany needs more conferences for doctors, some of which have many prejudices against cannabis being used as medicine or have so far not been involved with this topic.”

“I don’t think there’s a jurisdiction that’s got this right yet,” Tracy said. “I wouldn’t confidently say that Canada or Germany or any other country has done it better than the UK or that we’ve learnt from huge mistakes; it’s too early.”

‘I want my baby to be active and happy’

Mahboob Haniffa began campaigning for cannabis legalization with advocacy group Families4Access after learning that the plant may improve his son’s condition.

Ayub, 5, endured a meconium aspiration at birth, inhaling amniotic fluid into his lungs, which left him with cystic fibrosis, partial blindness and a tube to drain fluid from his cranium. He was diagnosed with epilepsy three years ago.

“He gets seizures maybe every week,” Haniffa said, “and he’s on about three medications at the minute to keep his seizures down.

“I want my baby to be active and happy, not like a vegetable, always sleepy and looking tired.”

One of the primary components of cannabis, cannabidiol (also known as CBD), has been shown to have an anti-epileptic effect. Users report a significant reduction in the number and frequency of seizures.

Neurophysician Dr. Mike Barnes, who specializes in brain rehabilitation and publicly extols the potential applications for cannabis, says CBD works by interacting with the innate network of endocannabinoid neurotransmitters in the brain.

“This system has a big role to play in lots of bodily functions, including epilepsy,” Barnes said. “What the plants are doing is interacting with our own system, supplementing it, putting it right.”

Epileptics access a range of anti-seizure drugs through the health service, though for patients like Ayub, with only partial success. Cannabis provides a viable alternative.

“The reality is, it’s incredibly effective,” Barnes said. “We have children who have several hundred seizures go down to just a few seizures a week.”

But Haniffa is aware that his son, who already balances a regular diet of powerful drugs, needs informed and educated practitioners to prescribe an appropriate dose. The family has refused all offers of obtaining cannabis illegally.

“If I can use that legally, with trained doctors advising the right dose for him, then we want to try that on him,” Haniffa said.

“Ayub is the light in our house. When Ayub is happy, we are happy. And we are fighting to get the right medication.”

Carly Jayne Barton, 32, campaigns for legal access to cannabis as deputy director of the United Patients Alliance, an advocacy group that states on its website, “we believe that no one should be criminalized for trying to be well.”

Barton has a debilitating nerve condition called fibromyalgia, for which she self-medicates with a variety of cannabis products. In 2011, a stroke led to her diagnosis.

“My whole world just collapsed,” Barton said. “My legs stopped working. My limbs were very clumsy. I was in excruciating pain, screaming the house down.”

Doctors prescribed a variety of opioids to numb her pain. She recalled their advice: “Tramadol’s not working? OK, have morphine. The morphine’s not working? OK, have fentanyl. The fentanyl’s not working? OK, have more fentanyl.”

After initially refusing cannabis as a potential alternative, Barton succumbed to desperation. “I smoked a joint one night before bed,” she said. “All of the muscle spasms in my body just let go.

“I’d not been able to not feel pain in my body for five years. That point was where I questioned everything I’d ever been told about what medicine is.”

Barton has since substituted opioids with a daily cannabis routine. She makes cannabis tinctures and balms to rub on her joints and medicates with a handheld vaporizer throughout the day.

“Given the choice between heroin, morphine and all of these horrible drugs, I think anyone with a chronic pain condition would consider it.

“This works. This is the reason I can get out of bed in the morning, go and walk my dogs, go and see my friends, run a business.”

Barnes says cannabis is “certainly as effective as opiates.”

“There are some people like Carly who can actually stop all the opioids they’re on,” he said. “And it’s safer; you can’t die from cannabis, but many people in this country die every year from an opioid overdose.”

Studies published in the US in April show that opioid prescriptions dropped 5.88% in states with medical cannabis laws compared with states without such laws.

Barton’s self-medicating remains illegal, however. British police have been notified of the incoming change in regulations, which Barton hopes will encourage leniency, but the criminality of clandestine use remains.

The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency will make the full plant or “flower” available on prescription, not merely extracts in pill or liquid form.

Bedrocan Nederland, which produces pharmaceutical-grade medicinal cannabis commissioned by the Dutch government, will become the first to market cannabis in the UK.

Scientists like Barnes and Tracy hope this legislative change will clear the pathway for more clinical research. Previously, trials had been difficult and circuitous because of prohibitive regulation.

“The research has been really hampered in the last decades,” Barnes noted. “Our knowledge of cannabis is very much lacking.”
Medical cannabis becomes legal in the United Kingdom as the National Health Service can now prescribe it to some patients, including those with cancer, severe forms of epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis.