5 Common Mistakes When Using Medical Cannabis

November 10, 2025

About author

Clark Harrison

Medical cannabis has been a treatment option in the UK since 2018, helping over 30,000 patients manage conditions like chronic pain, anxiety, and insomnia. However, many users unknowingly make mistakes that reduce its effectiveness or create safety risks. Here are the top five errors to avoid:

Taking too much too quickly: Starting with high doses or increasing them too fast can lead to side effects like dizziness, anxiety, or paranoia. Always follow the "start low, go slow" approach under medical supervision.
Ignoring doctor’s instructions: Straying from prescribed doses, timing, or product types can reduce effectiveness and cause complications. Stick to your treatment plan and consult your doctor before making changes.
Sharing your prescription: Sharing medical cannabis is illegal and dangerous. Prescriptions are tailored to individual needs, and misuse can lead to serious health risks or legal consequences.
Neglecting diet and hydration: Cannabinoids absorb better with healthy fats, and staying hydrated helps manage side effects like dry mouth. Poor diet and dehydration can reduce treatment effectiveness.
Not tracking side effects: Failing to monitor symptoms and side effects makes it harder to adjust treatment. Keep a daily journal to record doses, timing, and effects, and share this with your doctor during follow-ups.

Proper use of medical cannabis requires careful dosing, adherence to professional guidance, and consistent monitoring. Clinics like Elios Clinics offer personalised care and expert support to help patients avoid these pitfalls and achieve better outcomes.

New to Medical Cannabis in the U.K.? Avoid these 5 Rookie Mistakes

1. Taking Too Much Too Quickly

One common mistake new medical cannabis patients make is starting with doses that are too high or increasing them too quickly. Many believe that higher doses will bring better results, but this approach often leads to unpleasant and even risky side effects.

Overconsumption can cause dizziness, anxiety, paranoia, and a racing heart. In more severe cases, patients may experience confusion or panic attacks, which could discourage them from continuing their treatment altogether.

Research highlights how widespread dosing errors are. Over half of new medical cannabis users have reported experiencing at least one adverse effect due to improper dosing. Similarly, a survey in the US revealed that 65% of doctors worry about patients misusing medical cannabis by taking excessive amounts too quickly. These findings stress the importance of careful and controlled dosing.

The best approach? Stick to the principle of "start low, go slow." Begin with the smallest possible dose and only increase it under medical supervision. This strategy helps your body adapt, minimises side effects, and ensures you find the most effective dose for your needs.

Edibles can be particularly tricky. Their delayed effects often tempt users to take more before the initial dose has fully kicked in. This can result in consuming far more than intended, leading to unwanted side effects.

Experts strongly recommend a cautious approach:

"Our experts at Elios Clinic will work with you to identify the most effective strain and dosage to help manage anxiety and stress." – Elios Clinic

Clinics like Elios ensure that GMC-approved doctors customise treatment plans and monitor progress to help prevent dosing errors.

Stick to your prescribed schedule, and always consult your clinician before making any changes. Keep a record of your doses and their effects, especially when using slow-onset products like edibles, which can take one to two hours to show results.

Specialist clinics such as Elios Clinics provide valuable guidance, including eligibility assessments, video consultations with GMC-approved doctors, and personalised treatment plans. These services empower patients to manage their dosing safely and achieve the best therapeutic outcomes.

2. Ignoring Doctor’s Instructions

When it comes to medical cannabis, following your doctor’s instructions isn’t just a suggestion – it’s essential. Straying from the prescribed dosage, timing, or product type can reduce the treatment’s effectiveness and increase the risk of side effects.

Medical cannabis is not like its recreational counterpart. Every prescription is carefully crafted to suit your specific condition, symptoms, and how your body responds to treatment. Ignoring your doctor’s guidance undermines the effort and expertise that went into creating your personalised plan.

Adjusting doses on your own can lead to serious problems. For instance, it might trigger side effects like paranoia or heightened anxiety, or even worsen your symptoms, potentially requiring further medical intervention. This is why it’s so important to stick to the plan and not take matters into your own hands.

People often veer off course for various reasons – impatience for relief, past recreational use, or finding it hard to manage complex dosing schedules. However, precision is critical with medical cannabis, especially when it comes to understanding the composition of your medication and how it interacts with other substances.

The balance of THC and CBD in medical cannabis plays a big role in its effectiveness and side effects. Changing products or doses without professional input can lead to unintended consequences, including dangerous interactions with medications like blood thinners or antidepressants.

Research backs up the need for professional oversight. In one survey, 65% of doctors expressed concern that some patients seeking medical cannabis might actually be looking to use it recreationally. This highlights the importance of ongoing medical supervision to ensure the treatment is used appropriately.

To get the most out of your treatment, stick to the prescribed timing, dosage, and product type. Avoid experimenting with different strains or delivery methods without consulting your doctor. Every aspect of your treatment requires professional guidance to ensure safety and effectiveness.

If you feel your prescription isn’t working as expected, speak with your prescribing doctor before making any changes. They can adjust your treatment plan or explore alternative options to address your needs without risking complications or masking underlying issues.

Clinics like Elios Clinics understand the importance of this process. Their GMC-approved doctors provide tailored treatment plans, regular follow-ups, and ongoing support to help patients stay on track. This careful, patient-focused approach ensures you’re using your medication safely and getting the maximum therapeutic benefit.

Sharing your medical cannabis prescription might seem harmless, especially if a friend or family member is dealing with similar symptoms. But this is a serious mistake. Not only is it illegal under UK law, but it also carries significant health and legal risks for everyone involved.

Under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, sharing prescribed medical cannabis is a criminal offence. This could lead to fines, criminal charges, or even imprisonment. Beyond the legal consequences, sharing your medication could jeopardise your own access to future prescriptions. Clinics may revoke your right to medical cannabis or remove you from their patient list entirely.

Medical cannabis prescriptions are highly individualised. They are based on a thorough assessment of your medical history, current medications, symptoms, and specific conditions. What works for you could be harmful to someone else. For instance, individuals with heart conditions or psychiatric disorders might face severe complications if they use cannabis that wasn’t prescribed for their needs. There have even been cases of hospitalisation due to lung infections or adverse side effects caused by inappropriate use.

Sharing your prescription also puts your own treatment at risk. If you run out of medication early because you’ve shared it, you might miss out on the relief you need. Additionally, clinics can detect irregularities in prescription use, which could lead to further complications for your treatment plan.

If someone asks you to share your medical cannabis, it’s important to decline firmly but kindly. Explain that it’s not only illegal but also potentially dangerous. Encourage them to consult a qualified professional instead. Clinics like Elios Clinics provide safe and personalised care, with GMC-approved doctors ensuring that medical cannabis is prescribed and dispensed responsibly.

To avoid any unauthorised access, store your medication securely. Always keep in mind that your prescription is a controlled substance meant for your use alone. The risks – legal, medical, and personal – far outweigh any perceived benefit of sharing.

4. Ignoring Diet and Hydration

When it comes to medical cannabis treatment, diet and hydration are often overlooked but play a key role in how effective your treatment can be. Neglecting these aspects can lead to reduced effectiveness, more pronounced side effects, and less-than-ideal results.

Hydration is especially important. Dry mouth is one of the most common side effects of medical cannabis, affecting up to 60% of patients. If you’re not staying properly hydrated, you might experience headaches, fatigue, constipation, or dizziness – symptoms that can easily be mistaken for side effects of your treatment. Drinking alcohol can make things worse by increasing dehydration and amplifying cannabis’s sedative effects.

Your diet also has a big impact. Cannabinoids are fat-soluble, which means they’re absorbed more effectively when taken with healthy fats. If you take your medication on an empty stomach or follow a poor diet, you might not get the full benefit. Adding foods like olive oil, avocado, or nuts to your meals can improve absorption.

What you eat can also influence side effects. Highly processed foods or those loaded with sugar may worsen issues like fatigue or mood swings. Interestingly, grapefruit and some citrus fruits can interfere with how your body processes cannabinoids, potentially altering the effects of your medication.

If you’re noticing persistent dry mouth, inconsistent symptom relief, or unusual fatigue, it might be time to reassess your hydration and diet.

The good news? Supporting your treatment doesn’t have to be complicated. Aim to drink 1.5 to 2 litres of water each day, adjusting for factors like activity levels and weather. Regular exercise can also help by improving circulation and metabolism, which may enhance the therapeutic effects of your medication while managing side effects such as fatigue.

Simple lifestyle adjustments can make a huge difference. Clinics like Elios Clinics offer tailored treatment plans that include advice on hydration and nutrition, ensuring you have the support you need to build healthy habits alongside your medical cannabis prescription.

5. Not Tracking Side Effects

One common misstep for medical cannabis patients is neglecting to keep proper records of how their treatment is affecting them. Without tracking, it’s easy to overlook crucial opportunities to tweak your dosage for better results.

This oversight can have consequences. Research indicates that 65% of doctors are concerned that poor monitoring could lead to unintended use. Without accurate information, both patients and doctors are left guessing when it comes to making informed treatment decisions.

Side effects from medical cannabis can vary significantly. They might include dizziness, paranoia, heightened anxiety, or general discomfort – especially if the dosage isn’t carefully monitored. What may seem like a small issue could actually signal the need for a dose adjustment or even a switch to a different strain better suited to your needs.

Tracking your treatment serves as a vital tool to bridge the gap between your initial dosage and any necessary changes. Take the case of Stacy, a medical cannabis patient in England. She developed a bacterial lung infection from a contaminated product. By keeping detailed records of her symptoms and promptly reporting them to her clinic and the MHRA, she not only received the care she needed but also played a role in the removal of the contaminated strain from the market. This example underscores how proper documentation and communication can prevent serious complications.

A simple treatment journal can make all the difference. Jot down your daily symptoms, dosage, timing, and any side effects you notice. Look for patterns – do certain symptoms align with specific doses or strains? This kind of information is invaluable during follow-up consultations.

If you experience unexpected or severe side effects, don’t wait for your next appointment. Reach out to your prescribing doctor right away, and consider reporting the issue through the MHRA’s Yellow Card Scheme, which helps UK authorities monitor medicine safety.

Some patients prefer digital tools for tracking, but a plain notebook works just as well. The key is to be consistent – make it part of your daily routine, just like taking your medication.

Elios Clinics offers regular video consultations with GMC-approved doctors to review your treatment and side effects. Their personalised treatment plans include ongoing monitoring support, ensuring you have the guidance needed to track your progress and make timely adjustments when required.

Conclusion

Achieving success with medical cannabis treatment hinges on precision and expert guidance. The five common mistakes we’ve discussed – starting with excessive doses, disregarding a doctor’s advice, sharing prescriptions, neglecting proper nutrition and hydration, and failing to monitor side effects – can undermine both safety and effectiveness.

Research indicates that over 60% of medical cannabis patients in the UK report a better quality of life when they follow professional guidance. However, nearly 30% encounter unwanted side effects, often due to incorrect dosing or insufficient medical oversight. These figures highlight the importance of working with specialists to ensure treatment is tailored and monitored effectively.

Professional clinics play a crucial role in providing the structured care that medical cannabis treatment demands. With the help of qualified doctors, treatment plans can be customised to meet individual needs. Regular follow-ups allow for progress tracking, dosage adjustments, and early detection of potential issues. For the over 30,000 UK patients who have accessed medical cannabis since its legalisation, clinics have reported far better outcomes when treatments are managed professionally.

Clinics like Elios Clinics exemplify this approach, offering comprehensive, patient-centred care. Their services focus on quality assurance and continuous monitoring, helping patients avoid common pitfalls that could compromise their treatment.

Starting with a consultation is key. Discuss your medical history and symptoms with qualified professionals who can create a personalised treatment plan, including the right strain and dosage for your condition. Regular communication with your healthcare team and attending follow-ups are essential for keeping your treatment safe and effective. Adjustments can then be made as your needs change over time.

When used correctly, medical cannabis can be a powerful tool for relief and improving quality of life. But, like any prescription medication, it demands a careful, informed approach. By steering clear of these common mistakes and collaborating with experienced professionals, you’re setting yourself up for the best possible outcomes.

FAQs

Sharing your medical cannabis prescription is against the law in the UK. These prescriptions are strictly for personal use and are intended solely for the individual named on them. Even if done with the best intentions, giving or distributing your medication to someone else could lead to serious legal trouble, including potential criminal charges.

To stay within the law, always follow your prescribing doctor’s instructions and never pass your medication to others. If you know someone who might benefit from medical cannabis, advise them to speak with a qualified healthcare professional for proper advice and support.

How can I make sure I’m using the correct dosage of medical cannabis to minimise side effects?

Finding the right amount of medical cannabis is key to getting the best outcome while steering clear of unwanted side effects. At Elios Clinics, doctors design personalised treatment plans that take into account your unique needs and medical background. These plans include clear instructions on dosage, ensuring you can use your medication both safely and effectively.

Regular follow-up appointments provide an opportunity to fine-tune your treatment, making sure your symptoms are well-managed and any side effects are kept to a minimum. It’s important to stick to your doctor’s recommendations and let them know if you notice any changes in how you’re feeling.

Why should I pay attention to my diet and hydration when using medical cannabis?

Keeping an eye on your diet and staying hydrated plays a key role when using medical cannabis, as both can influence how your body responds to the treatment. Eating a well-balanced diet provides the nutrients needed to process cannabis efficiently, while staying hydrated can help reduce side effects like dry mouth or dizziness.

To maximise the benefits, focus on having regular, nutrient-rich meals and make sure to drink enough water throughout the day. It’s also wise to limit alcohol and caffeine, as they can lead to dehydration and might interfere with your treatment. By adopting these healthy habits, you can enhance the effectiveness of your medical cannabis regimen and support your overall health.