Medicinal Cannabis Matters: Friday Roundup - 23 October 2026

Reducing Morphine Use With Medicinal Cannabis

A new clinical trial has explored whether medicinal cannabis could help reduce the amount of morphine needed by patients experiencing severe nerve-related pain.

The study involved 69 adults attending a hospital emergency department with acute radicular pain. This type of pain occurs when a spinal nerve is irritated or compressed, and can cause pain that travels into the arms or legs, as seen with conditions such as sciatica. Participants were randomly assigned to receive a higher-dose cannabis formulation, a lower-dose formulation or a placebo.

Patients receiving the higher-dose formulation used 47.6% less morphine, compared with the placebo group. The findings show how further research into medicinal cannabis might be used alongside traditional pain relief.

Could a Specialist Medicinal Cannabis Clinic be an Option For Living With Chronic Pain?

Chronic pain can affect far more than physical comfort. For many people, it can influence sleep, work, relationships, mental wellbeing and the ability to enjoy everyday activities.

A new feature explores the experience of living with chronic pain and considers whether treatment through a specialist medicinal cannabis clinic could be an option for some patients.

Chronic pain affects millions of people across the UK, with conditions such as arthritis, sciatica and persistent lower back pain among the many possible causes. Although traditional treatments can be helpful, they do not work equally well for everyone.

Some studies have reported improvements in pain symptoms, sleep and quality of life among patients receiving medicinal cannabis treatment. The most appropriate treatment will depend on the cause of the pain, its impact on daily life, previous treatment experiences and any other health considerations.

Opioid Prescribing in the UK Highlights Need for Broader Pain Management Options

More than 5.3 million people in the UK are prescribed opioids each year, while around 40 opioid-related deaths occur every week, according to new research highlighted by Pharmacy Magazine. The figures raise important questions about long-term pain management and the need to explore a wider range of treatment options.

Opioids play an essential role in modern healthcare, particularly for acute and severe pain. However, prolonged use can carry risks, including dependence, tolerance and unwanted side effects, highlighting the importance of finding effective, sustainable approaches to managing chronic conditions.

The findings reinforce the importance of greater recognition and research into plant-based medicines such as medicinal cannabis. With a long history of therapeutic use and a growing body of clinical research, medicinal cannabis offers an avenue for further exploration, particularly for patients who have struggled with conventional treatments.

A 2021 systematic review published in BMJ Open also identified observational evidence of a potential opioid-sparing effect, with some patients using medicinal cannabis reporting reduced opioid consumption. While the researchers stressed that the evidence remains uncertain and further clinical trials are needed, the findings offer an encouraging direction for future research.

This is not about replacing pharmaceuticals, but recognising that plant-based medicine deserves a meaningful place in modern healthcare discussions. While further evidence is needed, expanding research, awareness and appropriate access could help support a more personalised approach to patient care.

At Medicann, we understand that living with a long-term condition can be challenging, particularly when existing treatments have not provided the relief someone hoped for. Our approach puts patients first, with specialist consultations and personalised treatment plans designed around each person's circumstances.

If you are living with a qualifying condition and would like to explore whether medicinal cannabis could be suitable for you, you can start by completing our online eligibility checker. It takes around two minutes and offers a straightforward first step towards understanding your options.

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.