Obstacles to prescription - previous use?

[TommyTowngas]

Hi all, nervous first-time poster here, but I've been lurking for a while and doing some reading here has been very useful!

I hope that here is an appropriate place to ask for such advice, if not then an admin can gladly remove it
A question about the likelihood of getting rejected: Up until relatively recently I was living abroad, and after probing around a couple of clinics I decided to get the ball rolling with MC in the UK. I got back my SCR (or the closest equivalent) from my foreign GP so I can add it to my UK SCR - and to my horror "Cannabis and Kratom abuse" is listed as one of my diagnoses, alongside ASD and Social Phobia (the reasons I'm moving towards MC). Not to mention the sleep issues etc, without revealing my entire medical history lol

Where I lived before both of those substances are decriminalised or legal, so it was never a legal matter. But upon closer reading, the record shows I used THC as a sleep aid, and the fact that I stopped as I was applying for a job where it would've been an issue - I stopped successfully, so I assumed my GP abroad didn't see this as an issue of 'abuse' and understood it was used as a sleep aid for a period of time.

There was then a ca. 1-year period where I took kratom (again, self-medicating) - where I was it was legal and I stopped before moving back to the UK so again not a legal matter.

As far as I can tell I fulfil the requirements for MC in every other way (tried various antidepressants and sleep meds, therapies etc. all not having been effective) - the singular obstacle I see is this diagnosis of "Cannabis and Kratom abuse". If I were to have a talk with a clinician at my consultation, I feel confident that my previous THC usage wouldn't raise any red flags - but that 'diagnosis' (which until today I wasn't even aware/informed I'd been given) worries me that my case will be dismissed out of hand and I won't even get to the consultation stage. I get the sense that given even a whiff of any red flags, most clinics will see me as not worth the risk, when in reality I've done a lot of evaluating and research into MC and it seems like the best fit for my situation.

Any advice/previous experience would be greatly appreciated. All the best!

 

[Fiddlesticks]

Hi all, nervous first-time poster here, but I've been lurking for a while and doing some reading here has been very useful!

I hope that here is an appropriate place to ask for such advice, if not then an admin can gladly remove it
A question about the likelihood of getting rejected: Up until relatively recently I was living abroad, and after probing around a couple of clinics I decided to get the ball rolling with MC in the UK. I got back my SCR (or the closest equivalent) from my foreign GP so I can add it to my UK SCR - and to my horror "Cannabis and Kratom abuse" is listed as one of my diagnoses, alongside ASD and Social Phobia (the reasons I'm moving towards MC). Not to mention the sleep issues etc, without revealing my entire medical history lol

Where I lived before both of those substances are decriminalised or legal, so it was never a legal matter. But upon closer reading, the record shows I used THC as a sleep aid, and the fact that I stopped as I was applying for a job where it would've been an issue - I stopped successfully, so I assumed my GP abroad didn't see this as an issue of 'abuse' and understood it was used as a sleep aid for a period of time.

There was then a ca. 1-year period where I took kratom (again, self-medicating) - where I was it was legal and I stopped before moving back to the UK so again not a legal matter.

As far as I can tell I fulfil the requirements for MC in every other way (tried various antidepressants and sleep meds, therapies etc. all not having been effective) - the singular obstacle I see is this diagnosis of "Cannabis and Kratom abuse". If I were to have a talk with a clinician at my consultation, I feel confident that my previous THC usage wouldn't raise any red flags - but that 'diagnosis' (which until today I wasn't even aware/informed I'd been given) worries me that my case will be dismissed out of hand and I won't even get to the consultation stage. I get the sense that given even a whiff of any red flags, most clinics will see me as not worth the risk, when in reality I've done a lot of evaluating and research into MC and it seems like the best fit for my situation.

Any advice/previous experience would be greatly appreciated. All the best!

Hey Tommy

Thats a good description you give there, thanks and welcome.
I am not a doctor or involved with the clinic process at all, however I do not think being stigmatised for using something that you are now seeking prescription for should be an immediate blocker
If you were asked to explain, and did so as you have in this post, I would like to think it would not be an issue at all.
The only circumstance that would cause issue, is if there was a mental break/psychotic incident relating to cannabis (psychosis) on your records.
These things are rightly viewed with a need for caution.
The term "Cannabis Abuse" is a bit vague and would be questioned further.

Some clinics will be better than others and I know that certain clinics do specialise more with mental health conditions than others.
I guess it depends if you want to just put in an application and see, or try and contact one of the more patient focused clinics to discuss this first?

 

[TommyTowngas]

Hey Fiddlesticks, thanks for the welcome and for your reply. It’s certainly calmed me slightly.

Thankfully there aren’t any more ‘serious’ issues like psychosis etc to speak of. So far I’ve been in touch with Mamedica® and Medicann - I’ve spoken to both Re:transferring medical records from abroad, as both of those list autism (in particular) as something they deal with.

I’ve been leaning towards Medicann and so I contacted them, in essence explaining/asking in a similar way to my post whether I’d be rejected out the gate. Let’s see what they say. If it’s a no I’ll have to look into other mental-health-focused clinics.

Vamos a ver, as they say

 

[Fiddlesticks]

Hey Fiddlesticks, thanks for the welcome and for your reply. It’s certainly calmed me slightly.

Thankfully there aren’t any more ‘serious’ issues like psychosis etc to speak of. So far I’ve been in touch with Mamedica® and Medicann - I’ve spoken to both Re:transferring medical records from abroad, as both of those list autism (in particular) as something they deal with.

I’ve been leaning towards Medicann and so I contacted them, in essence explaining/asking in a similar way to my post whether I’d be rejected out the gate. Let’s see what they say. If it’s a no I’ll have to look into other mental-health-focused clinics.

Vamos a ver, as they say

Good to hear.
I would just tell them that the addiction was only noted as you were honest with your doctor.
No reason as I said originally to stigmatise you over honesty.
Keep us updated!

New post automatically merged: 9th Mar, 2026

I mean just to add. if you think about it.
Addiction to a medication that works given by the NHS is called a prescription.
The word "Addiction" is just too vague.

 

[MC Overgrow]

Hi all, nervous first-time poster here, but I've been lurking for a while and doing some reading here has been very useful!

I hope that here is an appropriate place to ask for such advice, if not then an admin can gladly remove it
A question about the likelihood of getting rejected: Up until relatively recently I was living abroad, and after probing around a couple of clinics I decided to get the ball rolling with MC in the UK. I got back my SCR (or the closest equivalent) from my foreign GP so I can add it to my UK SCR - and to my horror "Cannabis and Kratom abuse" is listed as one of my diagnoses, alongside ASD and Social Phobia (the reasons I'm moving towards MC). Not to mention the sleep issues etc, without revealing my entire medical history lol

Where I lived before both of those substances are decriminalised or legal, so it was never a legal matter. But upon closer reading, the record shows I used THC as a sleep aid, and the fact that I stopped as I was applying for a job where it would've been an issue - I stopped successfully, so I assumed my GP abroad didn't see this as an issue of 'abuse' and understood it was used as a sleep aid for a period of time.

There was then a ca. 1-year period where I took kratom (again, self-medicating) - where I was it was legal and I stopped before moving back to the UK so again not a legal matter.

As far as I can tell I fulfil the requirements for MC in every other way (tried various antidepressants and sleep meds, therapies etc. all not having been effective) - the singular obstacle I see is this diagnosis of "Cannabis and Kratom abuse". If I were to have a talk with a clinician at my consultation, I feel confident that my previous THC usage wouldn't raise any red flags - but that 'diagnosis' (which until today I wasn't even aware/informed I'd been given) worries me that my case will be dismissed out of hand and I won't even get to the consultation stage. I get the sense that given even a whiff of any red flags, most clinics will see me as not worth the risk, when in reality I've done a lot of evaluating and research into MC and it seems like the best fit for my situation.

Any advice/previous experience would be greatly appreciated. All the best!

Welcome @TommyTowngas and thanks for sharing on MedBud. Have you had a chance to speak to your GP Practice about what has been entered in your medical records and if they could amend an incorrect/ outdated entry?

Good luck in your search for a clinic

 

[williemed]

Welcome to the forum I wouldn’t worry too much. My GP put that I have cannabis dependance which I believe is the clinical terminology for an addict but neither Alternaleaf or Medicann raised it as an issue at all. I think they are aware some folk may have backwards attitudes or code things incorrectly. Fingers crossed it isn't a problem for you

 

[NuggetofGreen]

Welcome to the forum I wouldn’t worry too much. My GP put that I have cannabis dependance which I believe is the clinical terminology for an addict but neither Alternaleaf or Medicann raised it as an issue at all. I think they are aware some folk may have backwards attitudes or code things incorrectly. Fingers crossed it isn't a problem for you

would that be in the same way a diabetic is dependant on insulin or an asthmatic is dependant on salbutamol? ;p

 

[williemed]

would that be in the same way a diabetic is dependant on insulin or an asthmatic is dependant on salbutamol? ;p

Exactly my point at the time. I explained I was using cannabis for pain relief and finding it effective, they asked me if I was dependant on it, and I replied that seeing as we have exhausted all treatments available to me via the NHS, I suppose I am dependant on it for pain relief?

 

[Hazy-Haze]

Honestly can't see any issue with Kratom. It's a viable alternative to opioids for pain relief. I've used it in the past and grew it for a bit (Mitragyna Speciosa for anyone interested). I don't see it as an issue with MC prescription. I would expect most doctors prescribing MC to know what it is and what it's used for. Also Cannabis addiction is not going to prevent you getting MC, it just shows you already know how to use it. I have something similar on my notes and when I had my medical it wasn't even brought up, so i brought it up myself for clarity.

If you can't get anywhere with Medicann, try Integro. I'm with them and mine is prescribed for ASD, Anxiety and Sleep issues. They have two doctors on staff that are really good with prescribing for reasons pertaining to mental health, one of which posts on here.

But Kratom got me through a broken wrist some years back, just chewing on a quid for 20-30 mins a couple of times a day. Very good stuff if you learn how to use it properly.

 

[TommyTowngas]

Welcome @TommyTowngas and thanks for sharing on MedBud. Have you had a chance to speak to your GP Practice about what has been entered in your medical records and if they could amend an incorrect/ outdated entry?

Good luck in your search for a clinic

@Fiddlesticks So Medicann got back to me and said that due to that diagnosis they wouldn’t consider it, unless as @MC Overgrow suggested I could get it amended by my UK GP.

i will likely do that eventually anyway as IMO it’s inaccurate and I don’t like it being there, but given my situation of having to relocate all my medical records, I could do without that extra step - which thankfully a number of other clinics seem to not require.

New post automatically merged: 11th Mar, 2026

Honestly can't see any issue with Kratom. It's a viable alternative to opioids for pain relief. I've used it in the past and grew it for a bit (Mitragyna Speciosa for anyone interested). I don't see it as an issue with MC prescription. I would expect most doctors prescribing MC to know what it is and what it's used for. Also Cannabis addiction is not going to prevent you getting MC, it just shows you already know how to use it. I have something similar on my notes and when I had my medical it wasn't even brought up, so i brought it up myself for clarity.

If you can't get anywhere with Medicann, try Integro. I'm with them and mine is prescribed for ASD, Anxiety and Sleep issues. They have two doctors on staff that are really good with prescribing for reasons pertaining to mental health, one of which posts on here.

But Kratom got me through a broken wrist some years back, just chewing on a quid for 20-30 mins a couple of times a day. Very good stuff if you learn how to use it properly.

Thanks for your reply. Medicann basically said not without an amendment to that diagnosis, so (amongst others) I’m looking into Integro - though I’m a bit confused as to the links with BNM, as the latter seems to offer essentially the same service for cheaper? More research needed on my part.

Kratom is certainly a powerful substance yes, and I’m sure it actually has/could have great clinical applications. Due to its power though you’ve really got to know how to apply it properly, as you say. Anyone looking to use it needs to do their due diligence of research - I heard quite a few stories of people not doing so, but anyway that’s by the by.

 

[Fiddlesticks]

@Fiddlesticks So Medicann got back to me and said that due to that diagnosis they wouldn’t consider it, unless as @MC Overgrow suggested I could get it amended by my UK GP.

i will likely do that eventually anyway as IMO it’s inaccurate and I don’t like it being there, but given my situation of having to relocate all my medical records, I could do without that extra step - which thankfully a number of other clinics seem to not require.

New post automatically merged: 11th Mar, 2026

Thanks for your reply. Medicann basically said not without an amendment to that diagnosis, so (amongst others) I’m looking into Integro - though I’m a bit confused as to the links with BNM, as the latter seems to offer essentially the same service for cheaper? More research needed on my part.

Kratom is certainly a powerful substance yes, and I’m sure it actually has/could have great clinical applications. Due to its power though you’ve really got to know how to apply it properly, as you say. Anyone looking to use it needs to do their due diligence of research - I heard quite a few stories of people not doing so, but anyway that’s by the by.

Hey Tommy

At least you got a quick answer from Medicann and Im sorry it was not the one you were looking for,
I think that medicann has the least patient care and therefore tries to expose itself to the least amount of risk.
Nethertheless I think that Integro would give you more room to explain the situation.
You are right about the disparity between Big Narstie Medical and Integro as they are all powered by the same system. At present BNM will let you sign up without fees so is one of the best propositions on the market.
If you do not have success with Integro, Cardiff Cannabis clinic would be the best option as they provide a very individual level of care and specialise in those suffering MH conditions from what people have said.
Thanks for posting and fingers crossed that this is all sorted fairly quickly for you.

 

[TommyTowngas]

Hey Tommy

At least you got a quick answer from Medicann and Im sorry it was not the one you were looking for,
I think that medicann has the least patient care and therefore tries to expose itself to the least amount of risk.
Nethertheless I think that Integro would give you more room to explain the situation.
You are right about the disparity between Big Narstie Medical and Integro as they are all powered by the same system. At present BNM will let you sign up without fees so is one of the best propositions on the market.
If you do not have success with Integro, Cardiff Cannabis clinic would be the best option as they provide a very individual level of care and specialise in those suffering MH conditions from what people have said.
Thanks for posting and fingers crossed that this is all sorted fairly quickly for you.

Cheers. I’m currently in the process of getting all my medical records from abroad translated, it’s a pain but at least it gives me a good chance to weigh up the available options.

I’m hopeful though - once I get the translated records back I think I’ll be able to crack on

 

[Fiddlesticks]

Cheers. I’m currently in the process of getting all my medical records from abroad translated, it’s a pain but at least it gives me a good chance to weigh up the available options.

I’m hopeful though - once I get the translated records back I think I’ll be able to crack on

Certainly sounds like an added hastle that I never had to put up with.
Hopefully once you get all the documents together it will be straightforward.
All the clinics are just trying to protect themselves from potential risk so if you can show that, then there wont be a problem.
I think what @MC Overgrow said is best in terms of having inaccurate language just removed from the records.

 

[Hazy-Haze]

Kratom is certainly a powerful substance yes, and I’m sure it actually has/could have great clinical applications. Due to its power though you’ve really got to know how to apply it properly, as you say. Anyone looking to use it needs to do their due diligence of research - I heard quite a few stories of people not doing so, but anyway that’s by the by.

Yeah, I did a ton of research before I dipped my toe in that pool, helped by having a bunch of people around me who also had experience. But many just do it willy nilly and some don't come out the end in great shape. It's like everything in life, in moderation it's beneficial, but when abused it isn't. You can apply that logic to most things.

For whatever reason i didn't think you'd get accepted at Medicann. You need a clinic that is slightly more specialised in terms of clinicians and to be honest subject knowledge. Hopefully once you get your records back in a more accurate form you can get squared away.