What Are Cannabis-Based Medicinal Products (CBPMs)?

Flower, oil, capsules, THC, CBD, titration — all the jargon explained in plain language.

The short answer

A cannabis-based medicinal product (CBPM) is a medicine that is or contains cannabis, made for medical use and available only on prescription from a specialist doctor. It comes mainly as dried flower for vaporising, as oil, or as capsules. It is not the same as the CBD sold in shops, which is not a medicine.

This information is for general education and does not constitute medical advice. Always follow your prescribing specialist's guidance on dosing and formulation.

What Is a CBPM?

A cannabis-based medicinal product (CBPM) is any preparation or product which is, or contains, cannabis, cannabis resin, cannabinol, or a cannabinol derivative, and is produced for medicinal use. The term was defined in the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 as amended in 2018.

CBPMs are distinct from the CBD products sold in health food shops, which are not medicines, are not regulated as medicines, and cannot legally make medical claims.

Licensed CBPMs (full clinical trials)

  • Epidyolex — childhood epilepsy
  • Sativex — MS spasticity
  • Nabilone — chemotherapy nausea

Unlicensed Specials (most prescriptions)

The vast majority of UK prescriptions are for unlicensed products — pharmaceutical-grade cannabis that has not gone through full licensing trials for a specific indication, but can be legally prescribed under the "named patient" or "specials" framework.

Forms of Medical Cannabis Available in the UK

Most commonly prescribed

Flower (Flos)

Dried cannabis herb that is vaporised using a medical-grade vaporiser. It is not smoked — vaporisation heats the herb to release cannabinoids without combustion, significantly reducing harmful by-products.

Onset

5–15 minutes

Duration

2–4 hours

Requires a vaporiser (typically £50–£200). Common cultivar names (e.g. "Bedrocan", "Adven") are pharmaceutical standards, not recreational strain names.

Versatile, widely available

Oil / Tincture

Cannabis extract suspended in a carrier oil (often MCT or olive oil). Administered sublingually (under the tongue) for faster absorption, or swallowed for a slower, longer-lasting effect.

Onset

15–45 min (sublingual) / 1–2 hrs (swallowed)

Duration

4–8 hours

Sublingual administration bypasses some first-pass liver metabolism. Available in a wide range of THC:CBD ratios.

Precise, convenient dosing

Capsules / Softgels

Cannabis oil encapsulated in a gelatine or vegetarian softgel. Swallowed like any other capsule. The cannabinoids are absorbed via the digestive tract.

Onset

1–2 hours

Duration

6–8 hours

Slower onset but the most predictable and long-lasting effect. Food can affect absorption — your prescriber will advise on timing.

Licensed for MS spasticity

Sativex Spray

An oromucosal spray (sprayed inside the cheek or under the tongue) containing a fixed ratio of THC (2.7mg) and CBD (2.5mg) per spray. Sativex is the only fully licensed cannabis-based medicine for its indication in the UK.

Onset

15–40 minutes

Duration

3–6 hours

NHS funding available for qualifying MS patients. Sativex cannot be prescribed for other conditions through NHS pathways.

THC vs CBD — What Is the Difference?

THCTetrahydrocannabinol

The main intoxicating cannabinoid: it causes the "high" associated with cannabis. Prescribed products state how much THC they contain, and the specialist decides whether a product with THC is suitable and in what amount.

Key facts

  • Causes intoxication
  • Is a controlled drug in the UK, prescribed only by a specialist
  • Affects driving: the prescription rules for driving apply
  • Shown on the label as a percentage (flower) or mg (oils)

Possible side effects your prescriber will discuss

  • Impaired coordination at higher doses
  • Short-term memory effects
  • Increased heart rate
  • Anxiety or paranoia at high doses in susceptible individuals
CBDCannabidiol

The second main cannabinoid. CBD does not cause intoxication and does not produce a 'high'. Many products contain both CBD and THC in a stated ratio, and the specialist decides which, if any, is suitable.

Key facts

  • Does not cause intoxication
  • One CBD medicine, Epidyolex, is licensed in the UK for certain types of epilepsy
  • Shown on the label as a percentage (flower) or mg (oils)

Possible side effects your prescriber will discuss

  • Generally well-tolerated
  • May cause drowsiness at high doses
  • Potential interaction with blood-thinning medications

Common THC:CBD Ratios

What the ratios on a label mean. Which one, if any, is right for someone is decided by their specialist.

High CBD (e.g. 20:1 CBD:THC)Mostly CBD with very little THC.Little or no intoxicating effect
Balanced (e.g. 1:1 THC:CBD)Similar amounts of THC and CBD.CBD can soften some effects of THC
High THC (e.g. 1:0 or 20:1 THC:CBD)Mostly THC with little or no CBD.Stronger intoxicating effect

What Is Titration?

Titration is the process of starting at a low dose and gradually increasing it over weeks until you find the minimum effective dose for your condition. This approach — "start low, go slow" — minimises side effects and prevents over-dosing during the adjustment period.

Most patients will have a personalised titration schedule provided by their specialist. Do not adjust your dose without guidance. Full therapeutic effect typically becomes clear after 4–8 weeks of careful titration.

Browse Available Products

Explore our full catalogue of medical cannabis products available from UK-licensed brands.

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Sources

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