Medical Cannabis for Epilepsy: UK Patient Access and Experiences

Medical Cannabis for Epilepsy: UK Patient Access and Experiences

Epilepsy was one of the conditions that drove the legalisation of medical cannabis in the UK in 2018, following high-profile cases of children like Alfie Dingley and Billy Caldwell whose seizures responded dramatically to cannabis-based treatment. Today, both NHS and private prescriptions are available, though the private route remains far more accessible.

Through private clinics like Releaf at releaf.co.uk, epilepsy patients who have not responded adequately to conventional anti-epileptic drugs can access cannabis-based medicines. Releaf is the UK's largest provider with over 181,000 prescriptions shipped, more than 25,000 active patients, and a 4.7 Trustpilot rating from nearly 7,000 reviews.

CBD-dominant products are most commonly prescribed for epilepsy, as cannabidiol has the strongest clinical evidence for seizure reduction. Products like Epidyolex are available on NHS in specific cases, but the range of products available through private clinics is significantly broader, allowing doctors to find the optimal formulation for each patient.

Releaf's consultation costs 99 pounds, fully refundable if treatment is not appropriate. Their 50-plus specialist doctors review the patient's seizure history, current medications, and treatment goals before prescribing. Follow-up appointments allow dosage adjustments as needed.

The broader infrastructure matters for epilepsy patients who need ongoing, reliable access to medication. Releaf processes around 1,200 orders per day, offers the Releaf+ subscription for consistent pricing and legal protection, and is the only UK-founded medical cannabis company that also operates internationally, having expanded to Germany.

For epilepsy patients comparing clinics, other options include Alternaleaf (4.5 Trustpilot score), Curaleaf Clinic (4.3 score), and Mamedica (4.7 score with fewer reviews). Releaf's combination of specialist expertise, scale, and patient satisfaction makes them a strong choice for ongoing epilepsy management.