Medical Cannabis Regulations in the UK Explained

November 6, 2025

About author

Clark Harrison

Medical cannabis is legal in the UK but strictly regulated. Prescriptions are only available through specialist doctors for specific conditions like chronic pain, severe epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis. Recreational cannabis remains illegal under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

Key points about medical cannabis in the UK:

Legalisation Date: Medical cannabis became legal on 1 November 2018.
Prescription Process: Only specialists registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) can prescribe it. Patients must prove failure of at least two standard treatments.
Access Challenges: NHS prescriptions are rare, pushing many patients to private clinics, where costs average around £400 per month.
Products Available: Includes licensed options like Sativex and unlicensed cannabis oils, capsules, and flowers tailored to individual needs.
Regulatory Framework: Governed by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001, with oversight from the Home Office and MHRA.

Recent updates (2025) include raising THC limits for industrial hemp to 0.3% and a government review of medical cannabis evidence, which could influence future NHS access and regulations. Despite progress, access remains limited, and private clinics dominate the market.

Why is it so difficult to get medicinal cannabis in the UK? – BBC News

Who Can Get Medical Cannabis in the UK

Accessing medical cannabis in the UK is not straightforward – it requires patients to meet strict criteria, ensuring that standard treatments have been tried and proven ineffective. These criteria act as a gateway to obtaining a prescription.

Medical Conditions That May Qualify for Cannabis Treatment

Only specific medical conditions, confirmed through specialist evaluation, are eligible for treatment with medical cannabis. One of the most common qualifying conditions is chronic pain, particularly neuropathic pain that hasn’t responded to traditional painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs. Neurological conditions are another key area. For example, patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) who suffer from muscle spasticity may be prescribed Sativex (nabiximols), the primary licensed cannabis-based medicine for MS in the UK. Similarly, Epidyolex, a CBD-based medication, is sometimes prescribed for rare and severe forms of epilepsy, such as Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet syndromes, due to its ability to reduce seizure frequency.

Certain psychiatric conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, and depression, are considered when conventional treatments have failed. Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy may also qualify, particularly for managing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. In such cases, Nabilone is often prescribed when standard anti-nausea medications have proven ineffective. Other conditions, such as Crohn’s disease, fibromyalgia, insomnia, and various inflammatory disorders, are assessed based on symptom severity and documented treatment failures.

Requirement to Try Standard Treatments First

A fundamental requirement for eligibility is that patients must have already attempted at least two conventional treatments without success. This ensures that medical cannabis is considered only after established therapies have been exhausted. Patients are required to provide clear documentation of the treatments they have tried and the outcomes.

What constitutes "two treatments" varies depending on the condition. For chronic pain, this might include trying different types of painkillers or undergoing physiotherapy. For mental health conditions, it could involve using various antidepressants or engaging in talking therapies. In all cases, the focus is on demonstrating a genuine effort to find relief through traditional methods before turning to cannabis-based options.

Specialist Assessment for Suitability

Once the failure of standard treatments is documented, a specialist assessment is conducted to determine whether medical cannabis is appropriate. Every prescription in the UK must be approved by a specialist doctor registered with the General Medical Council (GMC).

Clinics like Elios Clinics offer free eligibility assessments, where GMC-registered doctors evaluate symptoms, treatment goals, and medical history. These evaluations are tailored to each patient and adhere to the UK’s strict regulatory standards. Beyond the main diagnosis, doctors also consider factors such as potential contraindications, including cardiovascular or psychiatric conditions, which might make cannabis treatment unsuitable. Age is another critical factor – while children with severe epilepsy may qualify, such cases require rigorous oversight and often involve a team of specialists.

Rather than a one-size-fits-all solution, specialists work with patients to determine the most suitable strain, dosage, and method of administration based on their individual needs. Follow-up appointments are essential, allowing doctors to monitor effectiveness, make adjustments, and address any concerns that arise during treatment.

Common reasons for being deemed ineligible include insufficient medical documentation, a lack of evidence showing failure of conventional treatments, or a clinical judgement that the potential risks outweigh the possible benefits.

How to Get a Medical Cannabis Prescription in the UK

Once you’ve confirmed your eligibility, the next step is navigating the prescription process. This involves consulting specialist doctors and understanding the treatment options available. Here’s how consultations and prescription methods shape your treatment journey.

Specialist Doctors and GMC Registration Requirements

In the UK, only specialist doctors registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) are authorised to prescribe medical cannabis. Your regular GP cannot provide these prescriptions. This rule ensures that complex cases involving cannabis are handled by consultants with the necessary training and expertise in cannabinoid medicine.

Private clinics play a leading role in the medical cannabis sector, managing most consultations and prescriptions. The process typically begins with an eligibility assessment, followed by a video consultation with a GMC-registered specialist. During this consultation, the specialist reviews your medical history, current symptoms, and any previous treatments. Based on this, they create a tailored treatment plan, specifying the appropriate cannabis strain, dosage, and method of administration. Many private clinics also offer next-day delivery of medication, making the process from consultation to treatment more efficient.

This specialist-led approach reflects the UK’s strict regulatory standards for medical cannabis.

NHS vs Private Prescriptions

When it comes to accessing medical cannabis, understanding the differences between NHS and private prescriptions is key. Since the legalisation of medical cannabis in November 2018, the NHS has issued only a small number of prescriptions, leaving the majority of patients reliant on private clinics.

Aspect	NHS Prescriptions	Private Clinic Prescriptions
Availability	Extremely limited	Widely available
Speed of Service	Slow, rare	Fast, often next-day delivery
Cost	Standard NHS charges	Around £400 per month
Types of Products	Mostly Sativex for MS	Wide range, including unlicensed
Patient Experience	Frustrating, long waits	Streamlined, digital, patient-focused

Private prescriptions typically cost up to £400 per month, covering both consultation fees and medication. The UK has become Europe’s second-largest medical cannabis market, with private clinics welcoming hundreds of new patients each week. Many patients, frustrated by the NHS’s limited access and long waiting times, are turning to private clinics for a faster, more reliable service.

Types of Cannabis-Based Medicinal Products (CBMPs)

The range of cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) in the UK is somewhat limited. For example, Sativex, approved for treating multiple sclerosis, is one of the few licensed options. However, most CBMPs prescribed in the UK are unlicensed, meaning they haven’t been formally approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). These products can still be prescribed by specialists in private clinics.

Unlicensed CBMPs include a variety of cannabis oils, capsules, and flower products, allowing specialists to tailor treatments to each patient’s specific condition and symptoms. This flexibility enables the creation of individualised treatment plans based on how patients respond to the medication.

Private clinics work with trusted suppliers to ensure access to high-quality products that meet pharmaceutical standards, even if these products remain unlicensed. This ensures patients receive reliable and effective treatments.

Recent Changes and Future Developments in Cannabis Regulations

In 2025, the UK introduced updates to its cannabis regulations, impacting industrial hemp cultivation, consumer CBD products, and medical cannabis policies. These changes reflect the ongoing evolution of cannabis regulation in the country and include a comprehensive review of medical cannabis evidence.

Adjustments to THC Limits in Industrial Hemp and CBD Products

In February 2025, the UK government raised the allowable THC content in industrial hemp from 0.2% to 0.3%. This adjustment aligns the UK with international standards followed by the EU, USA, Canada, and China. For UK farmers, this change opens up a broader range of hemp varieties to cultivate and supports environmental initiatives like improved carbon sequestration.

However, these updates are limited to licensed industrial hemp grown for non-controlled purposes, such as producing seeds and fibres. Leaves and flowers of the hemp plant remain tightly regulated under UK drug laws. Farmers must still obtain Home Office licences and adhere to strict testing protocols.

For CBD consumer products, the regulatory picture is more complicated. The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) has recommended introducing a legal THC limit of 50 μg per serving, significantly lower than the current standard. As of early 2025, no legislation has been enacted to enforce this recommendation, leaving the limit at 1 mg of THC per product container. This regulatory uncertainty creates challenges for manufacturers, who must balance compliance with existing rules while preparing for possible future restrictions.

Government Review of Medical Cannabis Evidence

In 2025, the UK government launched a review of medical cannabis evidence, led by the ACMD. The review seeks to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness of cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) for various conditions. Contributions from clinicians, researchers, and patient groups aim to ensure a comprehensive evidence base.

The outcomes of this review could have a significant impact. If the findings support broader efficacy and safety, the NHS might expand access to CBMPs, reducing patient reliance on private clinics and potentially lowering treatment costs. On the other hand, inconclusive or negative findings could lead to stricter regulations, affecting which conditions qualify for medical cannabis prescriptions and shaping the broader treatment landscape.

Patient advocacy groups are closely watching this review, emphasising the high cost of private prescriptions and the limited availability of NHS treatments. Many see this as an opportunity to address ongoing access challenges and create fairer treatment options. However, the medical cannabis sector continues to face obstacles, including limited public and professional knowledge, unreliable information, and a lack of clinician training.

For patients currently receiving treatment through private providers like Elios Clinics – which offer services such as eligibility assessments, video consultations with GMC-approved doctors, and tailored treatment plans – the review’s findings could significantly influence the future landscape of care. The patient-focused approach and high standards of private clinics may serve as a model for any expanded NHS offerings, potentially shaping new prescribing guidelines and improving access to treatment.

Further regulatory updates are expected in 2026, particularly concerning CBD product regulations and the implementation of findings from the medical cannabis evidence review. The Food Standards Agency has hinted at upcoming changes to CBD limits and labelling requirements, while the review may lead to streamlined NHS prescribing pathways, making treatments more accessible for patients.

Understanding Medical Cannabis Regulations in the UK

The UK has one of the most tightly controlled medical cannabis systems in Europe, aiming to balance patient safety with restricted access. Since its legalisation in November 2018, patients have faced a challenging process to access legal treatment.

Building on the legal framework already discussed, strict manufacturing and safety standards are in place to protect patients. All cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) must meet Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards, and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) monitors safety through initiatives like the Yellow Card Scheme. This system allows both clinicians and patients to report adverse effects, ensuring ongoing oversight of product quality and patient welfare.

As previously mentioned, only specialists registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) can prescribe medical cannabis, and eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis following a detailed assessment by these specialists.

Access through the NHS remains extremely limited, which has led many patients to seek treatment via private clinics. These clinics, such as Elios Clinics, play a growing role in addressing the demand. They offer a streamlined process, including eligibility assessments, video consultations with GMC-approved doctors, personalised treatment plans, and next-day delivery of medications.

"Our specialist doctors are among the highly trained doctors in the sphere of medical cannabis. They are ready to help you understand the potential benefits and possible risks of using medical cannabis, provide a specifically tailored treatment plan and support you all through the way."
– Elios Clinics

Patients must also adhere to strict driving laws. While a statutory medical defence exists for those with legal prescriptions, driving while impaired is prohibited. Patients are advised to carry proof of their prescription at all times. The UK enforces strict THC limits for drivers, making it critical to follow medical advice to ensure compliance with the law.

The regulatory framework continues to evolve, with ongoing reviews and potential updates, such as changes to THC limits in CBD products. These developments align with the broader system, reinforcing the importance of understanding the regulations to safely and legally access medical cannabis through the proper channels.

FAQs

What difficulties do patients face when accessing medical cannabis in the UK?

Accessing medical cannabis in the UK comes with its fair share of challenges. One major hurdle is navigating the complex regulatory system. Patients must meet specific eligibility requirements and obtain prescriptions from doctors approved by the General Medical Council (GMC), which can be a daunting process for many.

Another significant issue is the cost. Since medical cannabis isn’t routinely covered by the NHS, many individuals face financial barriers when seeking treatment. This adds an extra layer of difficulty for those who might benefit from its use.

On top of that, there’s a noticeable lack of awareness about medical cannabis – not just among patients, but also within the healthcare community. Many people are unfamiliar with its availability or potential benefits, which only makes an already complicated process even harder. Providing clear guidance and reliable support is essential to help patients overcome these obstacles.

How could the 2025 government review of medical cannabis evidence affect NHS access to treatments?

The upcoming 2025 government review on medical cannabis evidence is set to influence NHS access to cannabis-based treatments significantly. The review’s conclusions are anticipated to determine which conditions will be eligible for prescriptions and the extent to which these treatments will be accessible.

Elios Clinics offers support to patients by providing medical cannabis treatments for chronic pain, as well as psychiatric and neurological conditions. Their services include eligibility assessments, virtual consultations with GMC-approved doctors, tailored treatment plans, and next-day delivery of medications. The clinic is committed to delivering safe, high-quality care that prioritises the needs of patients.

Why are private clinics the main providers of medical cannabis prescriptions in the UK, and how do they differ from NHS services?

In the UK, getting a medical cannabis prescription often means going through private clinics, as access via the NHS remains highly restricted. The NHS tends to limit prescriptions to a narrow set of conditions, like severe epilepsy, due to strict guidelines and the limited clinical evidence recognised by public healthcare regulators. Because of this, many patients seek out private clinics for alternative treatment options.

Private clinics specialising in medical cannabis offer a more tailored and flexible approach. They evaluate patients individually and can prescribe cannabis for a wider range of conditions, such as chronic pain, psychiatric disorders, and neurological issues. These clinics also provide added conveniences, such as video consultations, customised treatment plans, and quicker access to medication.