Medicinal Cannabis Matters: Friday Roundup - 14 August 2026

Treatment For Women When Their Pain Is Overlooked

An article from Leafie explores the persistent gap in how women's pain is recognised, researched and treated, and highlights how this can leave many women struggling to access effective care for long-term health conditions.

Women living with conditions such as fibromyalgia, endometriosis and chronic widespread pain can face delays before receiving a diagnosis, while their symptoms may sometimes be dismissed or attributed to psychological causes. The article also highlights the significant underrepresentation of women in clinical research, particularly research into pain, which can limit understanding of how best to treat these conditions.

This is where medicinal cannabis is increasingly being discussed as a potential treatment option. The article references evidence, including real-world data from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry, suggesting that some women with chronic pain conditions may experience meaningful improvements with treatment. In one case involving 497 people with fibromyalgia, medicinal cannabis use was associated with improvements in fibromyalgia symptoms, widespread pain, sleep, anxiety and overall quality of life over an 18-month period. A smaller study involving people with endometriosis-associated pelvic pain also reported improvements in pain levels.

Women experiencing chronic pain deserve to have their symptoms taken seriously, and there is a growing need for research that better reflects the conditions affecting them.

New Guidance Could Affect the UK Medical Cannabis Supply Chain

Guidance around the evidence required for Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certification when importing cannabis-based medicinal products into the UK has changed.

The guidance sets out which forms of GMP certification may be accepted by UK authorities, with certificates listed on the European Union's EudraGMDP database or issued by recognised national authorities among the preferred forms of evidence. It also makes clear that a UK importer's own assurance, a private company's GMP-equivalent assessment or a domestic Controlled Drug licence would not, by themselves, meet the stated requirements.

Importantly, the post describes this as new guidance rather than a change in law. However, the development could have implications for suppliers and importers, particularly where existing supply chains have relied on different forms of assurance.

For patients, the key consideration is what these changes mean for the quality, consistency and availability of prescribed medicines. A well-regulated supply chain is an important part of ensuring patients can have confidence in the medicines they receive, although any regulatory changes also need to be implemented carefully to avoid unnecessary disruption to patient access.

Why Employers Need a Medicinal Cannabis Policy

As the number of people prescribed medicinal cannabis continues to grow, more employers are likely to encounter employees who use medicinal cannabis as part of their treatment.

This article looks at why employers need clear policies covering prescribed cannabis and highlights how a lack of awareness can create uncertainty for both employers and employees.

A key issue is that workplace drug policies may have been written with recreational drug use in mind and may not distinguish between illicit cannabis use and a legal prescription. This can leave employers unsure about how to respond if an employee discloses their treatment or tests positive for THC.

The article recommends that employers review their medicines and drug-testing policies, provide a confidential route for disclosure and use individual risk assessments rather than relying on blanket rules. For patients, having a legal prescription should not automatically mean being treated as though they are using an illicit substance. Clear policies and informed conversations can help employers and patients understand those responsibilities.

As medicinal cannabis becomes more widely prescribed, better education in the workplace will be an important part of reducing stigma and supporting patients who want to continue working while managing their health.

As the UK medicinal cannabis sector continues to develop, patient care needs to remain at the centre of those conversations. At Medicann, we believe patients should have access to safe and clinically supervised treatment, alongside clear information that allows you to make informed decisions about your healthcare.

If you're considering whether medicinal cannabis may be suitable for your condition, you can check your eligibility online in just a couple of minutes.

Disclaimer: This blog post and the following featured articles are for information only and any articles on external platforms may be amended at any time. Articles that we refer to in our weekly roundup do not reflect the views of Medicann.