At a glance
- Devon Partnership NHS Trust has introduced a formal policy for prescribed medical cannabis during hospital stays.
- The policy allows eligible patients to continue taking their prescribed medication while receiving inpatient care.
- It is one of the first policies of its kind and could encourage other NHS trusts to follow.
- If you take prescribed medical cannabis, it’s important to tell your hospital team about all the medicines you use before or when you’re admitted.
Being admitted to hospital is stressful enough. For people who take prescribed medical cannabis, it has often brought an extra worry: will I be allowed to keep taking my medicine?
There has been some encouraging news for UK medical cannabis patients. Cannabis Health News recently reported that Devon Partnership NHS Trust has introduced a formal policy allowing eligible patients to continue taking their legally prescribed medical cannabis while receiving inpatient care.
What has changed for medical cannabis patients?
Devon Partnership NHS Trust has become one of the first NHS trusts to publish a formal policy explaining how prescribed medical cannabis should be managed during inpatient care.
Before this, there was often no clear guidance. Decisions were frequently made on a case-by-case basis, which could lead to uncertainty for patients and healthcare professionals alike. In some cases, patients reported having their prescribed medication stopped or withheld during their admission.
The new policy provides a clear process for verifying legally prescribed medical cannabis and supporting its safe use during inpatient care. It’s an important step towards treating prescribed medical cannabis like any other specialist-prescribed medicine.
Why does this matter?
Continuity of care is an important part of modern healthcare. Patients shouldn’t have to worry that a hospital admission will interrupt a treatment their specialist has prescribed simply because there isn’t a clear process in place.
Clear policies can help reduce uncertainty for patients while giving hospital teams the confidence to manage prescribed medical cannabis safely and consistently.
Which NHS trust introduced the policy?
Devon Partnership NHS Trust approved the policy in 2026, making it one of the first NHS trusts to introduce formal guidance for prescribed medical cannabis in hospital.
The policy distinguishes legally prescribed medical cannabis from illicit cannabis and provides practical guidance for hospital staff on how prescribed medicines should be managed during a patient’s stay.
While this policy currently applies only to Devon Partnership NHS Trust, it’s a positive step in the right direction and may encourage other NHS organisations to develop similar approaches.
Can patients use prescribed medical cannabis in hospitals?
At the moment, there is no single national NHS policy covering prescribed medical cannabis during hospital admissions, so procedures may vary depending on the trust.
If you’re admitted to hospital and have been prescribed medical cannabis, these simple steps can help:
- Tell your hospital team about all the medicines you take as soon as possible.
- Bring your medication in its original pharmacy packaging with the dispensing label intact.
- If you have it available, bring a copy of your clinic letter or prescription information.
- Ask the ward team about their policy so everyone understands how your medication will be managed.
Always follow the advice of your hospital team and the specialist responsible for your treatment.
What does this mean for the future?
This policy currently applies to just one NHS trust, but we hope it represents the beginning of wider change across the NHS.
As medical cannabis becomes a more established part of UK healthcare, clear policies can help ensure patients receive consistent, uninterrupted care wherever they are treated.
What does Curaleaf Clinic say?
Evonne Clarke, Patient Care Director at Curaleaf Clinic, said:
“This is an encouraging development for patients and healthcare professionals alike. Clear guidance helps ensure patients can continue receiving the treatment that’s been prescribed for them, while giving hospital teams the confidence to manage that care safely.
We hope this is the first of many NHS organisations to adopt similar approaches. As more trusts begin exploring similar policies, we’d welcome the opportunity to share our experience and support those conversations, helping ensure patients receive consistent care wherever they’re treated.”
At Curaleaf Clinic, this is exactly the kind of progress we’d like to see. Every patient should be able to continue the treatment they’ve been legally prescribed, whether they’re at home or in hospital.
We’ll be following developments closely and hope to see more NHS trusts introduce clear policies that give patients confidence their prescribed treatment will be respected and managed safely if they need hospital care.
Source: Cannabis Health News. NHS trust approves UK first inpatient medical cannabis policy (22 July 2026).
