The UK's growing number of patients accessing medical cannabis on prescription has thrown a spotlight on the worrying gap in formal education for healthcare professionals. Despite being legally available since 2018, many GPs remain uncertain about how and when to prescribe these medicines effectively. To address this knowledge deficit, Curaleaf International has launched an online education platform providing free, CPD-accredited training on cannabis-based medicines.
According to research commissioned by Curaleaf in May 2023, a significant majority (81%) of UK GPs reported having limited or no formal education on medical cannabis. Alarmingly, this lack of understanding affects not only their own practice but also their ability to have informed conversations with patients – something that nearly half (55%) said they felt unable to do confidently without further knowledge.
With over 60,000 patients in the UK now accessing these prescriptions, the need for enhanced clinician understanding is more pressing than ever. The NHS currently provides limited formal education on the endocannabinoid system and cannabis-based medicines, making it difficult for clinicians to navigate this rapidly evolving area. The new platform aims to fill this knowledge gap by offering regulatory clarity and practical guidance.
Developed in collaboration with specialist experts, the curriculum draws insights from Curaleaf's own research, real-world data from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry (the largest clinical database of its kind, covering over 55,000 patients), and evidence-based modules. Dr Simon Erridge, Research Director at Curaleaf Clinic, stresses that clinician confidence can be built through clear, evidence-led learning – a crucial step towards more informed patient conversations.
Juan Martinez, CEO of Curaleaf International, echoes the importance of education in responsible access to medical cannabis. By equipping clinicians with evidence-based training, he believes it will lead to more confident and capable prescribers – a critical factor in fostering trust and sustainable growth within the sector.