Update 2nd November: The original article states 'Cannabis based products (CBD) containing any THC are illegal' as per the NHS guidelines. However, it has been pointed out that the relevant legislation regarding CBD products has not been changed and updated, and this supersedes any publication from the NHS.

The relevant legislation can be found under the Misuse of Drugs Act 2 (1)(c) which states products can be exempt if they contain less than 1mg of a controlled substance (THC) per preparation.

Summary of Points:

NHS publishes support & guidance to clinicians following the rescheduling of certain cannabis-based products for medicinal use

Cannabis will only be available to patients once 'established treatment options have been exhausted'

GPs will not be able to prescribe cannabis. Only those clinicians listed on the special register of the General Medical Council will be able to, and on a case by case basis

Under the new regime, all cannabis-based products for medicinal use are unlicenced medicines, with the exception of Sativex which is listed as Schedule 4 and has market authorisation

Two synthetic cannabinoids that are not covered under the new regime are naboline and drobinal. They don't have a Market Autorisation from the MHRA in the UK, but are available internationally

Trusts will meet the costs for cannabis-based products The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to produce a clinical guideline for prescribing cannabis by October 2019

Sativex is currently subject to a 'do not do' by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as it is not a cost effective treatment

The guidance recaps that Professor Dame Sally Davies, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for England and Chief Medical Advisor to the UK Government, assessed the medical potential of cannabis earlier in 2018. As a result of the review 'the whole class of cannabis-based products for medicinal use in humans' is moved out of Schedule 1 of the Misuse of Drugs Act. In reality this means only products that have a full medical license. Any other form of cannabis is still controlled under Schedule 1, meaning it's an offence to possess such a substance and it has no considered medical value.

The other stipulation is that these medical cannabis products can only be used where there is an unmet clinical need. This equates to cannabis being the last line of defence, when many feel it should be the first line of defence, given its minor side effects especially when compared with many of the drugs it can replace.

The document suggests that the process for acquiring access to legal cannabis will be long, uncertain and difficult.

The small print also reads that the scope of this new regime includes 'cannabis and cannabis preparations (such as extracts from cannabis as well as cannabinoids isolated from cannabis)' which means they will be classed as 'unlicensed medicinal products'. Could this spell major disruption to the thriving CBD industry?

Source: Cannabis-based products for medicinal use: Guidance to clinicians