British Pharmacology Guidelines for Treating Cannabis and Other Drug Dependencies

Consensus guidelines developed by the British Association for Psychopharmacology. International experts from multiple disciplines reviewed current evidence in their fields, assessed evidence strength, and discussed clinical implications at a consensus meeting. Covered pharmacological management of dependence on 11 substance classes.

These guidelines from a major professional body formalize what clinicians treating cannabis dependence already know: they have no approved medications to offer. As cannabis potency increases and cannabis use disorder becomes more prevalent, this treatment gap becomes more consequential. The inclusion of synthetic cannabinoids acknowledges that this newer category requires its own clinical approach.

The absence of approved cannabis dependence medications puts the H4 deep TMS pilot (RTHC-00259) and the CBD for opioid withdrawal research (RTHC-00252) in context — researchers are exploring non-traditional approaches precisely because the pharmacological cupboard is bare. The withdrawal literature (RTHC-00037, RTHC-00275) documents real clinical need, and the PTSD abstinence study (RTHC-00274) shows that quitting cannabis produces substantial benefits — yet there's no medication to help people achieve or maintain abstinence.

Consensus guidelines reflect expert opinion and available evidence, which may be limited or conflicting. The guidelines are UK-focused and may not account for regulatory or clinical differences in other countries. Cannabis products and potency vary widely, and guidelines may not address all product types. Rapidly evolving synthetic cannabinoid landscape means these recommendations may need frequent updating.