Kanna, or Sceletium tortuosum to use its botanical name, is an indigenous plant medicine that's earned the moniker Nature’s MDMA. Can it offer the same buzz without the dreaded comedown? David Hillier takes a bump for the team to find out.

Medical cannabis flowers are legally prescribed to be used with a vaporisation device, but what happens if a patient chooses to smoke their prescription instead? If medical cannabis is legal, then how can smoking it break the law?

A Boston University School of Public Health study has found that US states which introduced both medical and recreational cannabis laws saw measurable reductions in opioid misuse compared to states which hadn’t.

New research comparing data from Germany and Austria reveals that the legalisation of cannabis has not led to a measurable rise in people driving under the influence of the drug.

A study tracking thousands of babies has found that those exposed to cannabis in the womb had fewer developmental delays in the first two years of life than their non-exposed peers, and no difference after three years.

The new clinic offers reduced fees and priority booking to patients facing lengthy NHS waiting times for pain, mental health and neurological conditions, while relaunching the GAP discount scheme.

Preclinical research involving mice suggests that very low doses of psilocybin could treat obesity, type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease through a liver-based mechanism distinct from the compound's psychedelic properties.

Is medical cannabis allowed to be pleasurable? Or should it just be tolerated like other pharmaceuticals to separate it from recreational use? Many patients enjoy the effects of cannabis while finding relief from symptoms. What if the high is the medicine?

A growing number of studies find that cannabis has clear benefits for pain relief, but then refuse to recommend it as a treatment. The phenomenon, called "reverse spin bias", shows researchers are downplaying their own positive findings. Why?

New data from NHS England shows women and people in deprived areas are disproportionately affected by persistent pain, with significant impacts on employment and mental health.

The Caribbean country has passed legislation allowing possession and cultivation of small amounts of cannabis for adults over the age of 21, laying the groundwork for a regulated medical cannabis industry.

Across the UK and Europe, you can find a wide range of conferences, festivals, expos and meet-ups to learn more about cannabis and connect with fellow enthusiasts. Here are some of the events leafie will be attending and supporting in 2026.

Medical cannabis was recently in the headlines, leaving patients worried about the future of their prescriptions. As part of his new column, our resident pharmacist, Umesh, discusses the facts behind the fear and outlines what impact the coverage might have.

7 years after legalisation, cannabis patients still face unnecessary stigma from employers, landlords and even the police. A leafie investigation has found that many face issues in the last place you would expect: while receiving healthcare from the NHS.

Vaporised cannabis containing both THC and CBD has been shown to reduce migraine symptoms for up to 48 hours in a world-first randomised double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Cannabis can improve the conditions of people living with treatment-resistant depression, according to data from patients on the UK Medical Cannabis Registry.

The two Crown Dependencies – which have already legalised medical cannabis access – are considering broader cannabis reforms ranging from decriminalisation to full legalisation.

7 years after legalisation, cannabis patients still face unnecessary stigma from employers, landlords and even the police. A leafie investigation has found that many face issues in the last place you would expect: while receiving healthcare from the NHS.

The cannabis compound CBD can significantly reduce stress levels and stress-related behaviours in fish during transport, according to a first-of-its-kind study.

EXCLUSIVE: A minute percentage of the population is being prescribed cannabis legally which is more important than all the terrible things Donald Trump is doing, according to the front page of the UK's worst newspaper.

Cannabis-based medicines improved pain, sleep, anxiety and quality of life in 497 fibromyalgia patients over 18 months, according to new data from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry.

CannConnect is perfect for anyone looking to connect with fellow medical cannabis patients, learn from clinicians & industry leaders and hear expert talks – all in a safe, stigma-free space in the centre of Manchester. Grab a FREE ticket: cannconnect.io

"We ended up transporting the first shipment via a man in a white van… 60g of Jack Herer cost the client £1,600." Ahead of his new leafie column, we sat down with Umesh Chauhan, founder of Specials Pharma, to trace his seven-year journey in cannabis.

Cannabis might not be a performance-enhancing drug, but it certainly is joy-enhancing. What’s the deal with cannabis and exercise? Why do they go so well together? leafie's resident runaholic looks for answers.

New guidance, approved by The National Police Chiefs Council, instructs police officers to treat medicinal cannabis users as "patients first, suspects second".

The Balkan nation has approved a regulated medical cannabis framework following years of patient advocacy, with the Council of Ministers adopting the decision on 29 December 2025.

Cannabis use, even as infrequent as once per month, is associated with poorer academic performance, weaker impulse control, and emotional difficulties, a large US study has shown.

If you've got psychedelic-loving friends, then you've probably heard this one. It wasn't a certain fizzy pop brand that inspired Santa's red and white costume; it was a distinctive mushroom with psychedelic properties called Amanita muscaria. Just how true is this story?

Cannabis to be reclassified as less dangerous drug in the US, in major federal policy shift.

A large study has found that people experience no "hangover" effects from microdosing, suggesting benefits are acute rather than long-lasting. The study also found that those with prior full-dose psychedelic experience showed enhanced creativity boosts.

A study has found that both THC and CBD demonstrated anti-cancer effects against ovarian cancer cells when used together.

After decades of insomnia and unreliable supply, one patient documents their first foray into the UK's legal medical cannabis system, navigating clinic choices, prescription highs and lows, and the reality of vaping flower after a lifetime of smoking.

A pilot training project has exposed alarming deficiencies in police understanding of medical cannabis regulations, with 88 per cent of officers knowing little or nothing about the 2018 law change that legalised cannabis prescribing.

Agencies overseeing cannabis in the US are far more attentive to public health concerns than those charged with regulating alcohol, according to new government-funded research from the University of Maryland.

As PFAS contamination spreads across UK water supplies and farmland, people are becoming concerned about the health implications. On a quest to remove these chemicals from our environment, researchers are once again turning to an ancient solution: hemp.

More than 53,000 peer-reviewed studies now exist on cannabis, yet NHS prescriptions remain severely limited as UK regulators say there isn’t sufficient evidence to prescribe it more widely on the NHS.

The new research challenges assumptions about cannabis and brain health, with lifetime users showing improved cognitive function across multiple domains compared to non-users.

A pilot training project has exposed alarming deficiencies in police understanding of medical cannabis regulations, with 88 per cent of officers knowing little or nothing about the 2018 law change that legalised cannabis prescribing.

"Dogs with consistent CBD use showed a decline in the intensity of aggressive behaviours over time compared to a more steady trend among non-use dogs," the study found.

After decades of insomnia and unreliable black market supply, one patient documents their first foray into the UK's legal medical cannabis system, navigating clinic choices, prescription highs and lows, and the reality of vaping flower after a lifetime of smoking.

The Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society has published a comprehensive 189-page guide providing evidence-based medical cannabis oil dosing protocols for 12 conditions, addressing a critical gap in clinical training and practice.

A meta-analysis of six studies involving over 15,000 participants finds that cannabis users are over a third less likely to develop oral cancer.

A randomised controlled trial from Brown University reveals that smoking cannabis significantly decreases alcohol consumption among heavy drinkers, with participants consuming 19-27% less alcohol after using THC.

First major research examining cannabis use in autistic adults reveals substantial short-term symptom reduction, though researchers caution against long-term reliance on the drug.

The Leicester-based cannabis clinic CB1 Medical has unveiled a web-based platform accessible on any device as part of expansion plans to double patient numbers in 2026.

Small doses of the psychedelic led to a nearly 60% reduction in depression symptoms and could also help with other factors, such as anxiety and quality of life.

No two patients are equal, so no two cannabis treatments will work the same. While many in the industry accept that a ‘Doctor knows best approach’ doesn’t always work, some are advocating for stronger guidelines. Sam Ashton argues the case for the Hybrid Patient.

Seven years after the legalisation of medical cannabis, thousands of patients remain without access as institutional support lags behind demand.

A federally funded study has found that cannabis use among Canadian adolescents decreased following the country's 2018 legalisation, dispelling concerns that legal adult access leads to increased youth consumption.

A report published by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Medical Cannabis under Prescription highlights urgent need for reform to unlock the sector's potential and improve patient access seven years after legalisation.