History of psychosis: eligibility for cannabis to manage chronic pain and endometriosis?

[Cat_of_eye]

Hi

1) I have endometriosis and have tried a Gnrh agonist and all types of birth control. Both categories of medication had severe adverse effects. Both were stopped over a year ago.

(Surgery is not an option at the moment - the decision was made by gynaecology. This is also my preference.)

So I now manage symptoms with opioid painkillers. I've been prescribed tramadol, cocodamol and dihydrocodeine at different times.

I also have chronic pain in my legs for over 3 years (awaiting diagnosis) which affects my mobility.



2) I have a history of psychosis episodes. However I've been stable on medication for over a year.

I have been interested in medical cannabis for a while, mainly as an alternative to the painkillers.


Any advice for me about eligibility, or alternatives?

 

[Joint Account]

I'm no expert and I know Psychosis, especially recent episodes is never really a desired thing for clinics to want on your records to put it lightly.

That said, you have nothing to lose from reaching out to a few clinics and seeing what they say.

 

[Fiddlesticks]

I have been interested in medical cannabis for a while, mainly as an alternative to the painkillers.


Any advice for me about eligibility, or alternatives?

Hi Cat of Eye
Just as @joint_account says it is the one aspect of medical history that Medical cannabis doctors are strict on and on some clinics it is the first question they ask when assessing eligibility.
Mental health, psychosis and cannabis has long been one of the only medical objections against legalisation so I understand why it is treated so seriously.
I do believe there is a link between cannabis and psychosis however this is in a small portion of the population that may suffer from schizo affective disorders.
That is from my personal and professional experience and based on many people.

I am not a doctor nor do I have medical training however I do have psychological qualifications, in my OWN opinion I think that this is linked to THC and not CBD and am always interested to read further research on this.
On that basis I do not think you will be able to access medical cannabis however if you believe that cannabis would benefit the conditions you are managing, you might consider legal CBD supplements or imports to see how this affects you/helps. Ideally in consultation with the medical professionals that support you now.

 

[drumbasscd]

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to share where I’m currently up to with my Curaleaf medical cannabis application, in case anyone else has been through something similar.

Curaleaf have refused my application, and from what I understand it seems to be based on the two main things patients are often refused for: a history of psychosis and schizoaffective disorder being listed on my medical record.

The frustrating part is that my past psychosis was not caused by cannabis. It was caused by another drug entirely, which I accidentally took at the time. Cannabis was not the trigger or cause of that episode.

I completely understand clinics have to be careful, especially with anything involving psychosis or schizoaffective disorder, but I do feel my case needs to be looked at individually rather than automatically refused because of a diagnosis on paper.

I have used cannabis for around 30 years, and from my own lived experience, it has not made my condition worse. In fact, I honestly feel it helps me with mood, sleep, anxiety, symptoms, and general stability.

At the moment, I am waiting for a reply after putting in a special request asking Curaleaf to reconsider my case properly and escalate it for clinical review. I’ve also said I’m happy to provide more information, speak directly with a clinician, or supply supporting evidence from my GP or mental health team if needed.

I’m not asking them to ignore safety or make a risky decision. I’m asking them to consider the actual facts of my history, especially that the psychosis was linked to another substance and not cannabis.

Has anyone else here been refused because of psychosis or schizoaffective disorder on their records and then managed to get reconsidered, either with Curaleaf or another clinic?

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[GrownHealth]

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to share where I’m currently up to with my Curaleaf medical cannabis application, in case anyone else has been through something similar.

Curaleaf have refused my application, and from what I understand it seems to be based on the two main things patients are often refused for: a history of psychosis and schizoaffective disorder being listed on my medical record.

The frustrating part is that my past psychosis was not caused by cannabis. It was caused by another drug entirely, which I accidentally took at the time. Cannabis was not the trigger or cause of that episode.

I completely understand clinics have to be careful, especially with anything involving psychosis or schizoaffective disorder, but I do feel my case needs to be looked at individually rather than automatically refused because of a diagnosis on paper.

I have used cannabis for around 30 years, and from my own lived experience, it has not made my condition worse. In fact, I honestly feel it helps me with mood, sleep, anxiety, symptoms, and general stability.

At the moment, I am waiting for a reply after putting in a special request asking Curaleaf to reconsider my case properly and escalate it for clinical review. I’ve also said I’m happy to provide more information, speak directly with a clinician, or supply supporting evidence from my GP or mental health team if needed.

I’m not asking them to ignore safety or make a risky decision. I’m asking them to consider the actual facts of my history, especially that the psychosis was linked to another substance and not cannabis.

Has anyone else here been refused because of psychosis or schizoaffective disorder on their records and then managed to get reconsidered, either with Curaleaf or another clinic?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Welcome to the forum @drumbasscd and I can understand your frustration here as I have a family member in a similar position and as you may be aware Curaleaf and other clinics/prescribers have tightened up there prescribing rules recently and many/most now will not prescribe to anyone with a history of psychosis or schizoaffective disorder where as we did used to hear of clinics viewing them on a case by case basis but possibly those days have past now and maybe it's worth applying to a few at once to see the replies/feedback you get as they will not charge you anything unless you meet their criteria for a prescription

 

[Joint Account]

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to share where I’m currently up to with my Curaleaf medical cannabis application, in case anyone else has been through something similar.

Curaleaf have refused my application, and from what I understand it seems to be based on the two main things patients are often refused for: a history of psychosis and schizoaffective disorder being listed on my medical record.

The frustrating part is that my past psychosis was not caused by cannabis. It was caused by another drug entirely, which I accidentally took at the time. Cannabis was not the trigger or cause of that episode.

I completely understand clinics have to be careful, especially with anything involving psychosis or schizoaffective disorder, but I do feel my case needs to be looked at individually rather than automatically refused because of a diagnosis on paper.

I have used cannabis for around 30 years, and from my own lived experience, it has not made my condition worse. In fact, I honestly feel it helps me with mood, sleep, anxiety, symptoms, and general stability.

At the moment, I am waiting for a reply after putting in a special request asking Curaleaf to reconsider my case properly and escalate it for clinical review. I’ve also said I’m happy to provide more information, speak directly with a clinician, or supply supporting evidence from my GP or mental health team if needed.

I’m not asking them to ignore safety or make a risky decision. I’m asking them to consider the actual facts of my history, especially that the psychosis was linked to another substance and not cannabis.

Has anyone else here been refused because of psychosis or schizoaffective disorder on their records and then managed to get reconsidered, either with Curaleaf or another clinic?

Any advice would be appreciated.

In the past clinics have asked for care letters from your GP and or schitzo/Psychosis specialists backing up that it's minimal risk because of xyz.

If I were you I would go to the clinic page on the main site, click on the email addresses in the table and email every single clinic to see what they say.

 

[Get a PSA test]

Try C C Cardiff, they specialise in Mental health conditions but they are expensive.

 

[Cat_of_eye]

Hi Cat of Eye
Just as @joint_account says it is the one aspect of medical history that Medical cannabis doctors are strict on and on some clinics it is the first question they ask when assessing eligibility.
Mental health, psychosis and cannabis has long been one of the only medical objections against legalisation so I understand why it is treated so seriously.
I do believe there is a link between cannabis and psychosis however this is in a small portion of the population that may suffer from schizo affective disorders.
That is from my personal and professional experience and based on many people.

I am not a doctor nor do I have medical training however I do have psychological qualifications, in my OWN opinion I think that this is linked to THC and not CBD and am always interested to read further research on this.
On that basis I do not think you will be able to access medical cannabis however if you believe that cannabis would benefit the conditions you are managing, you might consider legal CBD supplements or imports to see how this affects you/helps. Ideally in consultation with the medical professionals that support you now.

Thanks for this reply. I have tried CBD but can never afford the higher dose supplements.

New post automatically merged: 26th Jul, 2026

In the past clinics have asked for care letters from your GP and or schitzo/Psychosis specialists backing up that it's minimal risk because of xyz.

If I were you I would go to the clinic page on the main site, click on the email addresses in the table and email every single clinic to see what they say.

I'll also do that. Late reply as my email doesn't auto sync