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Of cannabis-treated Crohn’s patients reached complete remission after eight weeks in a placebo-controlled trial. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Cannabis-treated patients had a clinical response in the same small Crohn’s disease trial. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology
People in the UK live with inflammatory bowel disease, far more than once thought. Crohn’s & Colitis UK
Could treatment be suitable?
A specialist may assess you if:
- You have a diagnosed condition or an established clinical history.
- Standard treatments have not helped enough or were unsuitable.
- You are 18 or over and live in the UK.
- Your records allow a doctor to review previous care and current medicines.
Understanding the condition
A lifelong inflammatory bowel disease
Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in which parts of the digestive system become inflamed. It can affect any area from the mouth to the anus, though it most often affects the end of the small intestine or the large intestine.
Symptoms tend to come and go, with periods of remission interrupted by flare-ups. Common symptoms include abdominal pain, recurring diarrhoea, fatigue and weight loss, which can have a significant impact on daily life.
There is no cure, so the aim of care is to reduce inflammation, control symptoms and maintain remission for as long as possible. Specialist input is important.
Recognising the impact
Common crohn’s disease symptoms
Crohn’s affects people differently, and symptoms vary depending on which part of the gut is involved:
- Recurring abdominal pain and cramping
- Persistent or recurring diarrhoea
- Fatigue and low energy
- Unintended weight loss
- Blood or mucus in the stool
- Reduced appetite
When to seek urgent advice Severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, significant bleeding or a high temperature during a flare can need prompt medical attention. Contact NHS 111, your GP or emergency services as appropriate.
Conventional treatments
Conventional treatment options
Crohn's disease is managed by specialists to control inflammation and prevent flare-ups. Recognised options include:
- Corticosteroids such as prednisolone to settle flare-ups
- Immunosuppressants such as azathioprine or methotrexate
- Biologic medicines such as infliximab, adalimumab, ustekinumab or risankizumab
- Nutritional support and dietary advice
- Surgery where needed for complications
Although these options help many people, they are not enough for everyone. If crohn’s disease symptoms still affect daily life, a specialist assessment can help you understand whether another route may be suitable.
Specialist-led care
Can medical cannabis help with Crohn's symptoms?
Medical cannabis does not control inflammation and is not a substitute for IBD medicines. Where symptoms such as pain, appetite or sleep continue to affect quality of life, a specialist may review symptom support alongside your gastroenterology care.
Where symptoms persist alongside the treatments that control inflammation, a GMC-registered specialist can review your history and consider whether medical cannabis may help with symptom burden as part of your wider care.
Some people explore cannabis-based medicines to help with persistent symptoms such as pain, poor appetite or sleep, where standard options have not provided enough relief. Response varies from person to person, which is why specialist review matters.
At CannaRelief, a GMC-registered specialist reviews your diagnosis, current IBD treatment and medicines, and will keep your gastroenterology team informed so that any treatment fits alongside your existing care.
Effects can vary from person to person, which is why a GMC-registered specialist reviews your symptoms, goals, medicines and records before deciding whether treatment may be appropriate.
1
Eligibility screening
Tell us about your diagnosis, symptoms and treatments already tried. No GP referral is needed.
2
Specialist consultation
A GMC-registered specialist reviews your records, goals, current medicines and relevant risks by online video.
3
Decision and follow-up
When treatment is appropriate, outcomes and side effects are monitored and the plan is reviewed.
Evidence
What does the evidence say?
Developing evidence (symptoms and quality of life)
Studies suggest possible symptom and quality-of-life improvement, but not healing of the gut lining or control of inflammation, so IBD medicines and monitoring continue.
- IBD medicines control inflammation; medical cannabis does not replace them.
- Reported benefits relate to symptoms and quality of life, not mucosal healing.
- Gastroenterology monitoring continues alongside any assessment.
Related support
Explore related crohn’s disease support
These pages may help if symptoms overlap or you want to understand the wider specialist assessment pathway.
Safety
Possible side effects
Medical cannabis is prescribed under specialist supervision, and patient experience can vary. Your clinician will explain what to watch for and adjust your plan if needed.
- Decreased appetite or feeling sick
- Diarrhoea or weakness
- Dizziness or feeling very tired
- Behavioural or mood changes
They’ll usually ease on their own, but speak to your clinician if they don’t improve over time.
Questions
Crohn’s Disease FAQs
Clear answers on eligibility, suitability and legal prescribing in the UK.
Is medical cannabis legal for Crohn's disease in the UK?
Medical cannabis has been legal to prescribe in the UK since November 2018, but only a specialist doctor on the GMC Specialist Register can prescribe it, and only when it is clinically appropriate. Eligibility does not guarantee a prescription.
Can medical cannabis replace my Crohn’s medication?
No. Medical cannabis does not treat the underlying inflammation of Crohn’s and is not a substitute for your prescribed IBD treatment. Where appropriate, it may be considered only to help manage certain persistent symptoms alongside your existing care.
Do I need a GP referral to be assessed?
No GP referral is needed. You can complete a short online eligibility check yourself, and we will keep your GP and gastroenterology team informed where you wish.
Is an online assessment as reliable as in person?
Yes. Our structured video assessments follow the same recognised diagnostic standards used in face-to-face appointments, with the added convenience of being seen from home.
Will medical cannabis be prescribed if I am eligible?
Not necessarily. A prescribing decision is only made after a full clinical assessment by a specialist, and treatment is not suitable for everyone.
Find out whether a specialist assessment may be suitable
Complete a short eligibility check. A prescribing decision can only be made after a full clinical assessment by a GMC-registered specialist.