Why this matters
Your first follow-up appointment after starting prescribed medical cannabis is a chance to check in with your clinician about how things are going. You do not need a perfect record before the appointment. The appointment is there to help your prescriber understand whether your current treatment plan is working as intended, or whether adjustments might be needed.
Because medical cannabis affects people differently, and because the evidence base is still developing, your clinician will rely heavily on your honest feedback. Being prepared with a few clear points can make the conversation more useful for both of you. This guide suggests questions you might want to raise, but it does not tell you what to change or how to adjust your treatment yourself.
What to think about before the appointment
Before your follow-up, it can help to reflect on a few areas of your daily life. You do not need a detailed diary, but a short note about the following can give your clinician useful context.
Consider how your symptoms have felt since starting treatment. Have they changed in any way? Have you noticed any new symptoms or side effects? Think about your sleep, your energy levels during the day, and how you are managing with everyday tasks like work, study, or caring for others.
If you drive or operate machinery, be aware that medical cannabis can impair your ability to do so safely. Note any drowsiness, dizziness or slowed reactions to discuss at the appointment. Your clinician needs to know this to help you stay within the law and safe on the road.
You might also want to check your current stock levels. Knowing roughly how much product you have used and how much is left can help you plan ahead. Some patients find it useful to keep a private record of their usage, for example in a notebook or a simple tracking app, to share with their clinician if asked.
What to ask your clinic or pharmacy
The following questions are safe to raise with your prescriber or pharmacist. They are about understanding your treatment, not changing it yourself.
- How is the treatment working for me so far, based on what I have described?
- Are there any side effects I should be watching for that I might not have noticed?
- Should I be concerned about any interaction with my other medications?
- Is my current dose and product still appropriate, or might a change be considered?
- How does this treatment affect my ability to drive or operate machinery?
- What should I do if I run out of medication before my next prescription?
- Are there any changes in product availability or cost that I should know about?
- How do I request a repeat prescription, and what is the usual turnaround time?
What this guide cannot decide for you
This guide is for information only. It does not replace the advice of your prescribing clinician. Take questions about your treatment plan, product, route or timing to your prescribing clinician. Medical cannabis is prescribed on an individual basis, and what works for one patient may not be suitable for another.
The evidence for medical cannabis is still growing, and not all effects or risks are fully understood. Your clinician is best placed to weigh the potential benefits and harms for your specific situation.
Read next
- Patient guide: getting started with medical cannabis
- What to track after starting prescribed medical cannabis
- What to do before changing your medical cannabis treatment plan
Sources
- NHS medical cannabis overview – https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/medical-cannabis/
- NICE guideline NG144 – https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng144
- NHS England: cannabis-based products for medicinal use – https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/cannabis-based-products-for-medicinal-use-cbpms/
- GMC guidance on cannabis-based products for medicinal use – https://www.gmc-uk.org/professional-standards/learning-materials/information-for-doctors-on-cannabis-based-products-for-medicinal-use
- CQC expectations for providers of cannabis-based medicinal products – https://www.cqc.org.uk/guidance-providers/healthcare/cannabis-based-medicinal-products-what-cqc-expects-providers
