A growing clinic prescribes medical cannabis for conditions including chronic pain and mental health challenges
More than 600 people across the Humber are now Releaf patients(Image: Releaf)
Hundreds of people across the Humber region are now receiving medical cannabis treatment from a growing private health company, the firm has revealed.
Releaf is a fast-growing medical cannabis health-tech platform which was launched to patients in 2024, offering alternative treatments to people to help with a range of conditions. They have patients on the books being treated for everything from chronic pain, mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression, sleep disorders, neurological conditions to women’s health issues, among others.
And latest figures from the online clinic – which has a prescriber network of over 50 NHS-experienced specialists around the UK – has shown that more than 600 patients across the region are currently receiving medical cannabis treatment from Releaf. Clinic bosses say the figures show a growing awareness of alternative treatment options.
Patients are spread across several towns and communities, with 532 people in Hull and 75 in Beverley, alongside smaller numbers in places such as Bridlington, Goole and Driffield across the wider area.
Despite medical cannabis being legal in the UK since 2018, many people remain unaware that it can be prescribed through specialist clinics for certain conditions. As awareness grows, Releaf says increasing numbers of patients appear to be exploring regulated treatment options to help manage ongoing symptoms.
Medical cannabis clinics are commonly used to support people living with a range of conditions, and they start their journey by completing an online eligibility assessment, where they provide details of their medical history and previous treatments. If appropriate, they are invited to speak with an NHS-experienced doctor.
Prescriptions for medical cannabis medication include dried cannabis flower intended for vaporisation using a medical-grade device, as smoking medical cannabis remains illegal in the UK. Other options include oils, pastilles and similar regulated forms of medication. Prescriptions are dispensed through specialist pharmacies and delivered directly to patients’ homes.
Hull based Releaf patient Kieran Norman, 39, told how he has lived with arthritis since his late 20s. He says medical cannabis has helped him better manage chronic pain after years of struggling with ineffective treatments.
After finding that previous medications either did not work or caused unwanted side effects, Kieran said medical cannabis has improved his pain, sleep and overall quality of life.
He said he is campaigning for greater understanding of medical cannabis in the workplace, to counter difficulties in getting employers to recognise it as a prescribed treatment.
He said: “Since I’ve started using it, it’s been absolutely brilliant. I’ve been sleeping better. On my days off, I can use it during the day and get about, doing the bits and bobs I need to.
“On evenings after work, when I’m able to vape my medical cannabis, the relief is incredible. It relaxes me and takes the pain away on a completely different level compared to my previous treatment options.”
Releaf, which is integrated with NHS systems, is now looking to expand internationally on the back of growing patient numbers.
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