Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Medical cannabis has been legal in the UK since November 2018. It is available on private prescription from specialist doctors. It is NOT available on the NHS except for three rare conditions (severe epilepsy, chemotherapy nausea, and MS spasticity — and even then it is very difficult to get).

Yes — if you are driving in accordance with your prescription and not impaired. There is a specific legal defence under Section 5A of the Road Traffic Act 1988 if you are driving with a valid prescription. You should: 1. Carry your prescription and a copy of your clinic letter in the car 2. Not drive if you feel impaired 3. Inform the DVLA of your prescription (they usually take no further action for cannabis) 4. Note: police can still roadside-test you — the defence is applied at court if needed

Flying with medical cannabis within the UK is legal with a valid prescription. Flying internationally is complex — you need advance approval from the destination country's embassy. Many patients choose not to fly internationally with their medication. **Domestic UK flights:** Legal with prescription evidence. **EU:** Some countries accept Schengen-area prescriptions, but the UK is not in Schengen. You must check each country's rules. **Non-EU:** Almost always requires advance approval or is outright prohibited.

Initial consultations cost £0–£249. Follow-up consultations cost £0–£75 (every 3 months). Monthly medication typically costs £150–£250 for most patients. Access schemes (Mamedica, Medicann) can reduce or eliminate consultation fees for eligible patients. See our full <a href='/guides/costs' style='color:var(--color-accent);text-decoration:underline;'>cost breakdown</a>.

Almost certainly not. NHS prescriptions for medical cannabis are only available for three conditions: severe epilepsy, chemotherapy-induced nausea, and MS spasticity. Even for these, very few NHS prescriptions have been issued. The overwhelming majority of UK medical cannabis patients go through private clinics.

There is no fixed list of qualifying conditions, but common approved conditions include: chronic pain, anxiety, depression, PTSD, insomnia, ADHD, fibromyalgia, endometriosis, IBS, Crohn's disease, multiple sclerosis, Tourette's syndrome, epilepsy, and chemotherapy side effects. The key requirement is that you have tried two conventional treatments without success.

No. You do not need to have used cannabis before. In fact, some doctors prefer patients with no prior cannabis experience. What matters is your medical need and whether you have tried other treatments.

No. UK medical cannabis clinics accept self-referrals. You can book directly without a GP referral. However, clinics will request your GP medical records (Summary of Care Record) to verify your diagnosis and treatment history.

It depends. A past cannabis conviction does not automatically disqualify you, but you should be honest about it during your consultation. Some clinics may be more cautious than others. Speak to the clinic directly before booking if this is a concern.

Prescription cannabis flower must be vaped, not smoked. Smoking is not a permitted method of administration under UK medical cannabis regulations. You will need a dry herb vaporiser. Some clinics offer oil or capsules as alternatives if you prefer not to vape.

You can discuss preferences with your doctor, but the final decision is clinical. Some clinics (like Cannabis Clinic Cardiff) offer significant flexibility. Others have a more structured formulary. Most patients find a suitable product within their clinic's available range.

CBD (cannabidiol) is non-psychoactive and widely available over the counter. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is psychoactive and requires a prescription. Medical cannabis prescriptions typically contain both. Oils are usually CBD-dominant or balanced. Flower is usually THC-dominant.

Most patients go from first booking to receiving medication in 1-3 weeks. The timeline: - Booking to consultation: 1–7 days - Consultation to prescription: same day to 3 days - Prescription to delivery: 1–5 days Some clinics (Alternaleaf, Releaf) are known for faster turnaround.

Yes. When you register with a clinic, they will request your GP records and will also notify your GP of your prescription. This is a legal requirement. Your GP cannot stop your prescription, but they will be informed. If your GP is unsupportive, you can request a different GP at the same practice, but you cannot prevent them from being notified.

You must be 18 or older for most clinics. Under-18s can access treatment with specialist paediatric consent, but this is less common. Some clinics have specific paediatric pathways.

Medical cannabis is a prescribed medication. If you have a valid prescription and are not impaired at work, your employer should make reasonable adjustments. However, certain safety-critical roles (pilots, HGV drivers, machine operators) may have restrictions. The law is still evolving in this area, and employers are not always educated about medical cannabis rights.