Medical cannabis has been legal in the UK since 1 November 2018. Even so, many people are still not sure what the law says, who can get a prescription, or how it differs from the cannabidiol (CBD) products on high street shelves.
Research from Curaleaf Clinic suggests that around 40% of patients with a potentially eligible condition are unaware that medical cannabis is a legal option they could be assessed for.
This guide walks through the current law in plain English. You’ll learn which UK laws govern medical cannabis, how NHS and private access work, who may be eligible for an assessment, and what to do if you think you might want to explore this route.
Medical Cannabis UK Law: What you Need to Know
- Medical cannabis has been legal in the UK since November 2018 but may only be started by a specialist doctor listed on the GMC specialist register.
- NHS access is very limited and generally considered for a small number of specific conditions. Most patients who access medical cannabis do so through a private specialist clinic.
- Eligibility is assessed case by case. You need a diagnosed condition and to have tried standard treatments that did not work or were not suitable.
- CBD products sold in high street shops are not the same as prescribed medical cannabis and are not regulated to the same clinical standards.
- It is legal to carry and use your prescribed medicine in public, but always keep it in the original packaging and carry proof of prescription and ID.
Is Medical Cannabis Legal in the UK?
Yes. Medical cannabis has been legal in the UK since 1 November 2018. It can only be prescribed by a specialist doctor listed on the General Medical Council (GMC) specialist register. Cannabis that has not been prescribed by a specialist remains a controlled drug and possessing it without a valid prescription is against the law.
CBD products are legal to buy over the counter if they meet UK regulations and contain no more than 0.2% THC; however, these are not the same as prescribed medical cannabis and are not regulated to the same clinical standards.
Prescribed medical cannabis may contain THC, CBD, or both, and is available to eligible patients based on clinical need. It can be prescribed in different forms, such as oils, pastilles, or dried flower for use in a medical vaporiser. Dried flower is not prescribed for smoking due to the health risks associated with smoking. Read our article covering the different types of medical cannabis products to find out more.
What UK laws govern medical cannabis?
Two main pieces of legislation set the framework:
- The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 — the main law that controls cannabis and other drugs.
- The Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 — these rules were changed in November 2018 to move ‘cannabis-based products for medicinal use’ (CBPMs) into Schedule 2. That change made it legal for specialist doctors to prescribe them.
Alongside these laws, several bodies oversee how medical cannabis is prescribed and supplied:
- The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) sets the quality and safety standards for medicines used in the UK.
- The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates private clinics in England to make sure they provide safe, high-quality care.
- The General Medical Council (GMC) regulates doctors in the United Kingdom and maintains the list of the specialist register of doctors who are permitted to initiate medical cannabis.
- The Home Office issues licences for the import, export and supply of controlled drugs.
- Prescribing decisions are usually made within a multidisciplinary team (MDT) — a group of clinicians from different specialties who review each case together. This helps make sure treatment choices are safe, appropriate and in line with national guidance.
Is medical cannabis the same as the CBD you can buy in shops?
No — and this is one of the most common sources of confusion. Over-the-counter CBD products sold in UK high street shops and online are not medicines. They are usually sold as food supplements or cosmetic products, and they must meet separate rules set by the Food Standards Agency and the Home Office. They can only contain very small, trace amounts of THC (the main psychoactive component of cannabis), and they are not regulated to the same clinical standards as prescribed medicines.
Prescribed medical cannabis is different. It is manufactured to pharmaceutical quality standards, its contents are precisely measured, and it is only available after a full clinical assessment by a specialist. Prescribed products can contain THC, CBD, or a combination of both, and they come in several forms — including oils, pastilles and dried flower for use in a licensed medical vaporiser. Dried flower is not prescribed for smoking because of the well-established health risks linked to smoking. You can read more in our guide to the different types of medical cannabis products.
Is Medical Cannabis Available on The NHS?
Yes, technically — but NHS access is very limited. Since 2018, a small number of NHS prescriptions for medical cannabis have been issued, and they are reserved for specific situations where other treatments have not helped or are not suitable.
NHS prescribing is generally considered for:
- Rare, severe forms of epilepsy — particularly in children, such as Dravet syndrome and Lennox–Gastaut syndrome.
- Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting that has not responded to standard anti-sickness treatments.
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) related spasticity — muscle stiffness and spasms — where other treatments have not worked well enough.
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline NG144 sets out when the NHS should consider cannabis-based medicines. The guidance is cautious because, for many conditions, the evidence base is still developing. For this reason, most patients who wish to explore medical cannabis do so through a private specialist clinic.
Who might be eligible for a medical cannabis prescription?
Medical cannabis is not suitable for everyone. A specialist will always review your full medical history and consider whether it might be an appropriate option for you. Eligibility is assessed case by case, but three broad criteria usually apply:
- You are 18 or over. Medical cannabis prescribing in adult clinics is restricted to adults.
- You have a diagnosed physical or mental health condition. A specialist will need a clear, documented diagnosis from your medical records.
- Standard treatments have not worked or are not suitable. You will typically be expected to have tried licensed treatments without enough benefit, or to have experienced side effects that meant they were not right for you.
Even when all three criteria are met, a prescription is not automatic. The specialist — and, where relevant, the wider multidisciplinary team — will weigh the potential benefits against any risks for you as an individual.
What conditions are patients most often assessed for?
A wide range of chronic conditions has been explored in UK medical cannabis clinics. Commonly assessed groups include:
- Chronic pain, including neuropathic pain and pain linked to fibromyalgia.
- Anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and some other mental health conditions.
- Multiple sclerosis and related spasticity.
- Treatment-resistant epilepsy.
- Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
- Insomnia linked to an underlying medical condition.
- Inflammatory bowel conditions and other chronic gastrointestinal symptoms.
- Movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and Tourette’s syndrome.
Being assessed for a condition on this list does not mean treatment will be offered, and this is not an exhaustive list. The clinical picture for each patient is unique. The decision is always for the prescriber and patient to consider together during a consultation.
How do I access medical cannabis through a private clinic?
Most UK patients who access medical cannabis do so through a CQC-regulated private clinic. At Curaleaf Clinic, the process is designed to be straightforward while making sure your case is thoroughly reviewed by a specialist.
- Online eligibility assessment. You answer a set of questions about your condition, previous treatments and medical history.
- Medical records review. Your medical records are requested from your GP and reviewed by the clinical team to confirm your diagnosis and treatment history.
- Initial specialist consultation. If you are suitable to be assessed, you speak with a condition-specialist doctor. They will discuss your symptoms, your goals and any relevant risks or contraindications.
- Multidisciplinary team review. Your case is then reviewed by the MDT before any prescribing decision is made.
- Ongoing monitoring. If treatment is suitable, you will have follow-up appointments so the team can monitor your progress and adjust your care plan if needed.
An initial appointment does not guarantee that a prescription will be written. Details of appointment pricing and our initial appointment promise are set out on our pricing page. If you have any questions, you can email [email protected] — we’re always happy to help.
Where else in the world is medical cannabis legal?
Medical cannabis is now legal, in some form, in more than 50 countries. Examples include Canada, Germany, Italy, Greece, Denmark, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Australia, New Zealand, Israel and many states in the USA. In a handful of these countries, cannabis is also permitted for adult recreational use. In others it remains strictly limited to medical use.
The rules vary a great deal between countries, even neighbouring ones. Some will recognise a UK prescription; others will not. Some require you to apply for an import or carry permit in advance. If you are planning to travel, check the requirements of your destination country well ahead of your trip and speak to your clinic about the process. Our travelling with medical cannabis guide covers the practical steps in more detail.
Will the Law On Medical Cannabis in the UK Change?
Medical cannabis is a developing area of UK healthcare. As the evidence base grows and the number of patients continues to rise, further regulatory and policy changes may follow.
A recent example came in January 2026, as the Association of Police Controlled Drug Liaison Officers (APCDLO) issued updated guidance giving police officers clearer rules for handling encounters with medical cannabis patients. That followed years of advocacy work highlighting the need for consistent treatment of people who carry legally prescribed medicine.
For more information on how medical cannabis access has changed, you can read our blog exploring the history of medical cannabis access.
References
NHS, (n.d). Medical cannabis (and cannabis oils). Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/medical-cannabis/.
