Eight years ago, on 1 November 2018, the UK took a landmark step forward by legalising medical cannabis for patients with chronic physical and mental health conditions. This November, we mark eight years since that decision, reflecting on how far access has come and where further progress is still needed.
Today, tens of thousands of patients in the UK have access to legal, regulated medical cannabis. For both patients and clinicians, having another option to explore in symptom management is a powerful and positive step forward.
While access has expanded significantly since 2018, many patients still face barriers. These include affordability, restrictions on NHS prescribing, limited awareness among patients and healthcare professionals, and outdated perceptions that link medical cannabis with recreational use. Eight years on, this anniversary is a chance to reflect on progress and consider what still needs to change.
Medical Cannabis Access in the UK: The Story So Far
This timeline highlights some of the key moments since legalisation, a story of steady progress, growing understanding, and ongoing effort to make medical cannabis more accessible to those who may benefit.
Nov 2018
The Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 are amended to allow cannabis-based medical products (CBMPs) to be prescribed by specialist doctors. This change made medical cannabis legally available on prescription in the UK for the first time.
Nov 2019
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) publishes its first guidance on medical cannabis products.
Dec 2019
Curaleaf Clinic, then known as Sapphire Medical Clinics, becomes the first private medical cannabis clinic to be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in the UK.
Mar 2020
Curaleaf Clinic publicly launches the UK Medical Cannabis Registry (UKMCR), the first registry of its kind in the UK, created to track how patients use medical cannabis and changes in their health and wellbeing.
Mar 2021
Curaleaf Clinic becomes the first medical cannabis clinic registered with Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) to provide in-person consultations for patients in Scotland.
2021
The Home Office grants commercial cultivation licences for medical cannabis in the UK, laying early groundwork for a domestic supply chain.
May 2021
The UK Medical Cannabis Registry publishes its first peer-reviewed study.
Dec 2022
The NHS introduces mandatory reporting for patients prescribed medical cannabis, creating a national record to track usage and patient outcomes.
Sep 2024
Curaleaf Clinic publishes “The Hidden Dangers of Illicit Cannabis” in partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University.
Oct 2024
University College London and Great Ormond Street Hospital announce NHS-backed clinical trials into cannabis-based medicines for treatment-resistant epilepsy.
May 2025
The London Drugs Commission publishes a major report recommending that personal possession of cannabis be decriminalised in the UK.
Jun 2025
The Home Office commissions the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) to review the impact of the 2018 legislative change. The review aims to determine whether the law change is working as intended, identify any unintended consequences, and recommend improvements. (gov.uk)
Sep 2025
Curaleaf Clinic and the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr) publish new analysis showing private prescriptions have added £283 million to the UK economy since 2018.
Nov 2025
The UK marks seven years since medical cannabis was legalised for prescription.
Apr 2026
The US moves medical cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III, recognising its medical use, a step the UK took in 2018, and one expected to make research easier.
May 2026
Curaleaf Laboratories becomes the first UK manufacturer of medical cannabis suppositories and pessaries.
May 2026
The US FDA grants Breakthrough Therapy Designation to Vertanical’s VER-01 for chronic low back pain, the first cannabis-derived medicine to receive it for a pain condition. This is intended to speed up development and review; it is not an approval.
Jun 2026
Prohibition Partners estimates UK medical cannabis patient numbers will exceed 140,000 in 2026, up from around 100,000 the year before.
Jul 2026
Devon Partnership NHS Trust becomes one of the first NHS trusts to publish a policy for prescribed medical cannabis during hospital stays.
Oct 2026
Curaleaf Clinic publishes its 50th peer-reviewed article using data from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry.
Nov 2026
Eight years since legalisation, the UK medical cannabis sector continues to evolve. Policymakers, clinicians, researchers and patient advocates are contributing to discussions on how access can be improved further. The ongoing ACMD review of the 2018 legislation is expected to help inform future policy and access discussions.
Understanding the Barriers to Access
Despite the progress made since 2018, several challenges remain:
NHS Access and Affordability
Very few medical cannabis prescriptions are issued through the NHS, meaning most patients rely on private care. While appointment and care costs have reduced significantly in recent years, financial barriers remain a reality for many patients, particularly families supporting children with severe epilepsy and other complex conditions. For many eligible patients, the cost of private treatment continues to be a significant obstacle to access.
These challenges can only be addressed through collaboration between policymakers, regulators, researchers and clinicians to build the evidence base, improve education and ensure fair access for all eligible patients.
Clinical Confidence
Many healthcare professionals remain uncertain about prescribing due to limited formal training and slow updates to clinical guidance.
Stigma and Awareness
A significant proportion of the UK population remains unaware that medical cannabis is legal, and misconceptions persist among both patients and practitioners.
Research Gaps
Although evidence is growing rapidly, further large-scale clinical studies are needed to inform NHS commissioning and support prescribers.
The Human Impact of Medical Cannabis Access
While legislation, research and policy all play an important role in improving access, the real impact is felt by patients.
Over the last eight years, thousands of people across the UK have legally accessed medical cannabis to help manage chronic conditions and improve their quality of life. Their experiences have helped increase awareness and understanding of medical cannabis among healthcare professionals, policymakers and the wider public.
Patient stories continue to play an important role in tackling stigma and encouraging informed conversations around treatment. To read first-hand experiences from Curaleaf Clinic patients, visit our Patient Stories page.
How Is Curaleaf Clinic Contributing to Wider Medical Cannabis Access?
At Curaleaf Clinic, we’re committed to expanding access through:
Research
We are passionate about research, and our UK Medical Cannabis Registry now has over 55,000 patients contributing valuable data on how medical cannabis impacts their health and quality of life.
- This data fuels our research, with 50 peer-reviewed papers published to date. These papers are used to educate healthcare professionals, inform policy discussions and shape our own prescribing practices. Find all our published work from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry here.
Education
We strive to educate both the public and healthcare providers about medical cannabis. Our doctors and pharmacists regularly contribute to educational events across the UK and internationally.
Awareness
Patient stories remain powerful tools in breaking down stigma. We are proud to have amplified patient voices across major media outlets including ITV, The Guardian, The Times and the BBC.
Making Care More Affordable
At Curaleaf Clinic, we’ve expanded our range of appointment payment options and reduced prices within the past year to suit more patients.
Pay Per Appointment
£30 appointments for all patients. The first follow-up appointment is free when you join the Curaleaf Access Scheme and contribute to the UK Medical Cannabis Registry.
Monthly Subscription
Spread the cost of appointments over time for just £5 per month. This covers all routine check-ups throughout the year.
Annual Plan
Save by paying upfront. £50 covers all routine appointments for the year.
Veterans’ Access Scheme
UK veterans receive up to five free appointments per year.
While cost remains a challenge for many patients, reducing appointment and subscription fees forms part of our ongoing effort to make medical cannabis care more accessible and affordable.
The Road Ahead for Medical Cannabis in the UK
As the UK enters its ninth year of legal medical cannabis access, attention is increasingly turning from whether medical cannabis has a place within healthcare to how access can be improved further.
Continued research, policy review, professional education and patient advocacy will all play an important role in shaping the next phase of development.
Our latest research with the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr) makes a compelling case for change, showing how expanded NHS access could unlock billions of pounds in economic value over the next decade.
To realise this potential, Curaleaf Clinic will continue advocating for:
- Fair NHS access for eligible patients, so medical cannabis is not limited to those who can afford private care.
- Greater education and training for healthcare professionals to increase clinical confidence and reduce stigma.
- More research investment to build on real-world evidence and inform policy reform.
- Continued efforts to reduce stigma and improve awareness.
Areas to Watch in 2027
Looking ahead, key developments that could shape the future of medical cannabis in the UK include:
- Findings and recommendations from the ACMD review of the 2018 legislation. (gov.uk)
- Continued growth in clinical and real-world evidence.
- Progress in NHS-backed cannabis-based medicine research.
- Increased healthcare professional education and confidence.
- Ongoing discussions around improving patient access while maintaining high standards of safety and regulation.
Eight years on from legalisation, significant progress has been made, but important challenges remain. Expanding awareness, strengthening evidence, and improving affordability and NHS access will be critical in the years ahead.
As the sector continues to evolve, Curaleaf Clinic remains committed to supporting patients, advancing research and contributing to informed discussion about the future of medical cannabis in the UK.
Stay Informed
The landscape for medical cannabis in the UK continues to evolve.
To stay updated on the latest research, policy developments, patient stories and educational resources:
- Subscribe to the Curaleaf Clinic newsletter
- Follow Curaleaf Clinic on social media
- Explore our latest news and research articles.
