Therapeutic cannabis: a complete guide

The Enecta products:

they are not medicines;
they are obtained from hemp varieties registered in the Common European Register and in compliance with the other requirements provided by law 242/2016;
they have been duly notified in the European Cosmetic Products Notification Portal (CPNP).

Our blog articles are for informational purposes only and are not intended to qualify our products as medicines or to attribute therapeutic properties to them.

Indice dei contenuti

Between 2019 and 2024, approximately 100,000 magistral prescriptions of therapeutic cannabis have been recorded, and the number of people who have received at least one prescription is around 28,000. But what exactly is therapeutic cannabis, what is it used for, and how can it be obtained? We explain it to you in this article.

What is medical cannabis?

For therapeutic cannabis, it means hemp plants used for medical purposes, under strict health control, different from those of hemp grown from certified seeds for fiber production or for other industrial uses, as allowed by European Union regulations.

Unlike recreational use, its use is regulated by specific regulations and can be prescribed by doctors only in the presence of certain clinical conditions.

Each step of the agricultural phase, preparation, and packaging of the finished product must adhere to international standards of good agricultural and harvesting practices GACP (from English Good Agricultural and Collecting Practice) and good manufacturing practices GMP (from English Good Manufacturing Practice).

The main active ingredients contained in cannabis are the THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and the CBD (cannabidiol), two molecules with different pharmacological effects: the first is known for its psychoactive, analgesic, antiemetic, and appetite-stimulating properties, while the second is valued for its anti-inflammatory effects, relaxing and anxiolytic, without altering cognitive and motor functions.

The therapeutic use cannabis is dispensed by pharmacies as magistral preparations in sheets (raw plant material), extracts, and capsules, which are made and customized based on the doctor's prescription. The administration of therapeutic cannabis can occur through orally or by inhalation, depending on the condition being treated and the patient's needs. The therapeutic effect depends on multiple factors, including dosage, method of administration, and the specific composition of active ingredients.

PHYSICAL WELL-BEING

Olio di CBD 3% - 10ml

physical support, general well-being

€12.95

PHYSICAL WELL-BEING

Olio di CBD 10%

Physical relief, moderate tensions

€31.95

PHYSICAL WELL-BEING

Cannabis Oil Capsule: le Capsule di CBD

CBD Capsules 10% - Physical Support

€28.76 ~~€31.95~~ 10% off

PHYSICAL WELL-BEING

Olio di CBD 24%

Persistent discomfort, relief for intense physical discomforts

€71.95 ~~€79.95~~ 10% off

MENTAL WELL-BEING

Olio di CBD full spectrum 5% - 10ml

Mental relaxation, relaxation

€21.95

MENTAL WELL-BEING

Olio di CBD full spectrum 15% - 10ml

Mental rest, balance on the busiest days

€45.00

MENTAL WELL-BEING

Olio di CBD 30% full spectrum - 10ml - Enecta.it

Olio di CBD 30% - 10ml

Mental fatigue, strong search for emotional balance

€84.95

Sleep

CBNight FORMULA Classic - 30 ml

Drops to help sleep and restore the natural sleep-wake cycle.

€22.46 ~~€24.95~~ 10% off

Sleep

CBNight FORMULA PLUS - 30 ml

Natural and powerful drops to promote deep and restorative sleep

€34.16 ~~€37.95~~ 10% off

IMMUNE DEFENSES

Integratore per le difese immunitarie - 60 caps

With vitamin B6, Vit C, natural extracts, and hemp

€22.46 ~~€24.95~~ 10% off

IMMUNE DEFENSES

Caramelle con vitamina C ed estratto di canapa

To strengthen the immune defenses

€13.46 ~~€14.95~~ 10% off

MENTAL WELL-BEING

Caramelle con CBD Full Spectrum

A natural support to promote balance and improve mood

€11.16 ~~€13.95~~ 20% off

What is medical cannabis used for?

In Italy, therapeutic cannabis can only be prescribed for certain well-defined clinical conditions, according to the provisions of current legislation. The use of cannabis for medical purposes is indicated in cases where conventional therapies prove ineffective or poorly tolerated by the patient, in the presence of significant side effects. Specifically, medical cannabis can be used in the following cases:

Chronic pain, particularly neuropathic pain
Diseases involving spasticity associated with pain such as multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injuries
Nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and HIV treatments
Stimulant effect on appetite in cachexia, anorexia, loss of appetite in cancer patients or those with AIDS, and in anorexia nervosa
Resistant glaucoma to conventional therapies
Reduction of involuntary body and facial movements in Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome

The beneficial effects come from the combination of the plant's active ingredients, particularly THC and CBD, which act on the endocannabinoid system for modular pain, spasticity, appetite, and other disabling symptoms.

What are the side effects of medical cannabis?

Although medical cannabis is generally well tolerated, like any substance with pharmacological action, it can cause side effects, which vary depending on individual sensitivity, the composition of active ingredients (especially the ratio between THC and CBD), the dosage, and the route of administration (oral or inhalation).

Among the most common side effects are drowsiness, dizziness, euphoria, dry mouth, tachycardia, hypotension, decreased coordination, and reduced concentration, mainly attributable to THC. With products high in THC content, anxiety, paranoia, agitation, or, more rarely, transient psychotic episodes may also occur. For this reason, it is essential that cannabis is taken under medical supervision, with a personalized dosage monitored over time.

Il CBD, instead, presents a tolerability profile generally better than THC, and it is often used to mitigate some of the side effects related to tetrahydrocannabinol. However, cannabidiol can interact with the drugs, reason why a thorough medical evaluation is always necessary.

In the therapeutic context, the risk-benefit ratio is carefully evaluated by the doctor, which considers the effectiveness of the treatment in relation to the occurrence of any side effects. Therapeutic cannabis, therefore, must be handled like a real medicine, with the same precautions and care as for any other therapy.

Which doctors can prescribe medical cannabis?

In Italy, therapeutic cannabis can be prescribed by doctors licensed to practice and registered with the Order. Here you find a list of expert doctors and enabled that we have selected for you.

There is no list of medical specialties authorized to prescribe: this can be done, for example, by general practitioners, family doctors, neurologists, oncologists, rheumatologists, or other specialists, provided there is a clinical condition recognized by regulations and the ineffectiveness of conventional therapies is documented.

The prescription is made through non-repeatable medical prescription, valid for a maximum of 30 days, and must contain the precise indication of the formulation (raw plant material or extract or capsules), the dosage, the route of administration (oral or inhalation), and the method of use. The doctor is responsible for constantly monitoring the patient during the therapy, assessing the therapeutic effect and any possible side effects.

Where can therapeutic cannabis be purchased?

In Italy, therapeutic cannabis can only be purchased in pharmacies and the patient can collect it only upon presentation of the non-repeatable medical prescription.

The pharmacies can supply themselves directly from the Military Chemical Pharmaceutical Establishment of Florence, which is responsible in Italy of the production of FM1 and FM2 qualities, or they can source from authorized pharmaceutical wholesalers.

The pharmacy prepares and dispenses magistral preparations based on cannabis, that is, personalized preparations (papers, extracts, capsules) according to the doctor's instructions indicated on the prescription.

Recently, ready-made extracts have also become available on the market, which can be purchased from pharmacies always according to what is indicated in the prescription.

The distribution takes place under strict control to ensure that each package meets the standards required by law.

How much CBD is in therapeutic cannabis?

The amount of CBD and the ratio with THC in therapeutic cannabis vary significantly depending on genetics. In Italy, for medical use, varieties such as FM1 and FM2 are adopted, produced by the Military Chemical-Pharmaceutical Plant of Florence:

FM1 features a high THC content, ranging from 13 to 20%, combined with low levels of CBD, less than 1%.

FM2, on the other hand, is characterized by a THC percentage between 5 and 8%, and a higher presence of CBD, ranging between the 7 and 12%. This formulation is useful for therapeutic interventions where an anti-inflammatory and anxiolytic approach is a priority, while simultaneously reducing the risk of side effects related to the high THC content.

International products have also gained significant importance:

Bedrocan is widely used for its high THC concentration, which exceeds 20%, while the CBD content is very low, generally below the1%.

Bediol is characterized by having a THC value of 6–7% and a 8% CBD.

Bedrolite has a low THC concentration, less than 1%, and a higher CBD content, about 8%.

This difference in content between THC and CBD is essential to modulate the pharmacological effect of therapeutic cannabis, allowing for personalized therapy. Doctors, in fact, assess the composition most suitable for specific clinical conditions. The choice of the type of cannabis, formulation, and method of administration is made considering the need to achieve the maximum therapeutic benefit, minimizing side effects, and ensuring the patient a safe and standardized treatment.

If in the meantime you want to take advantage of excellent CBD products, visit our shop.