Originally published on Cannabis Health
The Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society (MCCS) has published what it describes as a crucial step forward for standardised prescribing in the UK, a comprehensive guide establishing evidence-based dosing protocols for cannabis oils.
Launched at the Cannabis Health Symposium in London on 25 November, Medical Cannabis Oils: Dosing and Guidance for Safe and Effective Treatment in Adults and Children represents the first practical dosing resource available to UK prescribers, combining peer-reviewed evidence with real-world clinical experience.
The handbook covers 12 commonly treated conditions, including chronic pain, epilepsy, autism, anxiety, headache and sleep disorders, providing structured dosing tables alongside protocols for managing adverse effects, assessing drug interactions, and implementing harm-reduction strategies.
Edited by paediatric neurologist Dr Evan Cole Lewis, Assistant Professor at the Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Toronto, and Dr Rowan Thompson, Resident Doctor and Vice Chair of the MCCS, the guide draws on contributions from the MCCS Executive Committee.
Dr Lewis said the resource addresses a ‘clear and pressing need’ in a rapidly developing field.
“Our primary responsibility is ensuring safety while delivering effective care, which demands access to guidance that is both rigorous and practical,” he explained.
“These dosing strategies are built on published evidence and informed by experienced clinicians who have treated thousands of patients across diverse indications.”
The guide has been designed not only to provide clear protocols but also to function as a teaching tool for practitioners navigating complex clinical scenarios.
Filling the education gap
Co-editor Dr Thompson highlighted that the handbook targets a significant training deficit, particularly for clinicians without formal cannabinoid medicine education.
“The overwhelming majority of resident doctors have received no undergraduate or postgraduate teaching on the endocannabinoid system or medical cannabis,” he noted.
“For those entering this field, the prospect can be intimidating. This guide establishes the foundation needed to develop prescribing confidence and experience with cannabis oils.”
Professor Mike Barnes, Chair of the MCCS, called the publication ‘a vital resource for every prescriber working with cannabis-based medicines,’ noting that it builds on the Society’s existing prescriber training programme and reflects years of safe, effective clinical practice.
The handbook complements MCCS resources, including its Good Practice Guide for Prescribers of CBPMs and monthly in-person training sessions.
A companion volume focusing on inhaled cannabis products—Medical Cannabis Flower (Flos), Minor Cannabinoids and Terpenes: Dosing and Guidance for Safe and Effective Treatment, is expected in the coming months.
The oils guide is currently available as a digital PDF and Kindle eBook, with a print edition to follow via Amazon.
