Prescription basics
How to understand a UK medical cannabis prescription
Prescription wording can be dense. This guide explains the common pieces of information you may see and helps you identify what to confirm with your clinic or dispensing pharmacy.
Start with the five core details
Most prescription information can be broken into five practical questions:
- What is the prescribed product? Check the exact product name and formulation.
- What form is it supplied in? For example, dried flower or an oil preparation.
- What strength is listed? THC and CBD may be shown as percentages or concentrations depending on the formulation.
- How much has been prescribed? Check the total quantity, such as grams or millilitres.
- What directions are written? Read the dispensing label and follow the instructions provided by the prescriber and pharmacy.
Product name and formulation
A prescription may include a brand, product name, cultivar or formulation description. Similar-looking names are not automatically interchangeable. Use the exact wording when asking your clinic or pharmacy about availability, repeats or a possible substitution.
THC and CBD notation
THC and CBD figures describe the labelled cannabinoid content or concentration of the product. The way they are presented depends on the dosage form. They do not, by themselves, tell you how a product will affect you personally or what dose is appropriate.
Quantity is not the same as dose
The total amount supplied—for example, a number of grams or millilitres—is the dispensed quantity. Your dose and frequency are the separate instructions telling you how the medicine should be used. Do not assume the full quantity is intended for use over a particular period unless that has been explained.
For each product, the number of containers multiplied by the amount in each container gives the total supplied quantity. Keep grams and millilitres as separate totals.
What to check before using the medicine
- Your name and the prescribed product match your records.
- The formulation, strength and quantity match what you expected.
- The dispensing label is readable and the directions make sense.
- You know who to contact if the medicine, label or instructions appear incorrect.
Questions worth asking
- Can you explain the written directions in plain English?
- What should I do if the prescribed product is unavailable?
- What side effects or warning signs should prompt me to seek advice?
- How should this medicine be stored?
- Who should I contact between appointments if I am unsure?
Source and review standard
This page provides general organisational and educational support. It should be checked against the information supplied by your prescriber, dispensing pharmacy and current official guidance. GreenGuruAI will record material corrections and review this guide when relevant UK guidance changes.