What Is a Medical Cannabis Prescription in the UK?
A medical cannabis prescription in the UK is a formal written authorisation from a GMC-registered specialist doctor that allows a patient to legally obtain and use a cannabis-based medicinal product (CBMP). Medical cannabis was legalised in the UK on 1 November 2018, following an amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001.
Unlike recreational cannabis, which remains illegal, a prescribed CBMP is a pharmaceutical-grade preparation subject to strict quality controls. CBMPs include dried flower (for vaporisation), oils, capsules, and oromucosal sprays. The specific product and dosage are determined by your specialist clinician based on your medical history, diagnosis, and previous treatment history.
It is important to understand that a medical cannabis prescription is not the same as a CBD product purchased from a health food shop. Over-the-counter CBD products are not regulated as medicines and do not require a prescription. CBMPs, by contrast, are Schedule 2 controlled drugs dispensed only by licensed pharmacies such as MEDCANN Pharmacy.
Legal confirmation
Possessing and using a CBMP with a valid UK prescription is entirely legal. MEDCANN Pharmacy is registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC Reg. No. 9011824) and is authorised to dispense Schedule 2 controlled drugs.
Who Is Eligible for a Medical Cannabis Prescription?
There is no fixed list of qualifying conditions for a medical cannabis prescription in the UK. Eligibility is assessed on a case-by-case basis by a specialist clinician, who will consider your diagnosis, the severity of your symptoms, and your treatment history.
As a general guide, you are likely to be considered eligible if you have a diagnosed medical condition for which there is clinical evidence supporting the use of CBMPs, and you have tried at least two conventional treatments that have not provided adequate relief or have caused unacceptable side effects.
The following conditions are among the most commonly treated with medical cannabis prescriptions in the UK:
This list is not exhaustive. If you are unsure whether your condition qualifies, the best first step is to register as a patient and speak with one of our specialist clinicians.
How to Get a Medical Cannabis Prescription in the UK
The process of obtaining a medical cannabis prescription in the UK involves four main steps. MEDCANN Pharmacy supports patients through every stage, from initial registration to ongoing prescription management.
Register and complete your medical history
Begin by registering as a patient with MEDCANN Pharmacy. You will be asked to provide your medical history, a list of previous treatments you have tried, and any relevant diagnosis letters or GP records. This information is reviewed before your consultation to ensure the appointment is as productive as possible.
Initial consultation with a specialist clinician
Your consultation takes place with a GMC-registered specialist doctor who is licensed to prescribe Schedule 2 controlled drugs. The clinician will review your medical history, discuss your symptoms and treatment goals, and assess whether a CBPM prescription is appropriate for you. Consultations are typically conducted via video call and last 30–45 minutes.
Receive your prescription
If the clinician determines that medical cannabis is appropriate, they will issue a private prescription. This is sent electronically to MEDCANN Pharmacy. You do not need to handle any paperwork — the process is managed digitally through our secure patient portal.
Dispensing and delivery
Once your prescription is received and verified, MEDCANN Pharmacy dispenses your medication and arranges fast, discreet delivery anywhere in the UK. All packages are plain and unmarked. Most patients receive their medication within 1–3 working days of their prescription being issued.
How Much Does a Medical Cannabis Prescription Cost?
The cost of a medical cannabis prescription in the UK consists of two elements: the clinical consultation fee and the cost of the medication itself. NHS prescriptions for CBMPs are extremely rare and currently restricted to a very small number of specific conditions. For the vast majority of patients, access is through the private route.
| Cost Item | MEDCANN Pharmacy | Typical Market Range |
|---|---|---|
| Initial consultation | £200 | £150 – £250 |
| Follow-up appointment | £95 / quarter | £75 – £150 |
| Medication (monthly) | £100 – £600 | £80 – £700 |
| Estimated first-year cost | £980 – £5,980 | £900 – £6,500 |
MEDCANN Pharmacy is committed to transparent pricing. We will always provide a full cost breakdown before you commit to anything. There are no hidden fees or surprise charges.
View our full pricing breakdownDispensing and Delivery at MEDCANN Pharmacy
MEDCANN Pharmacy is a GPhC-registered pharmacy (Reg. No. 9011824) authorised to dispense Schedule 2 controlled drugs, including all cannabis-based medicinal products. When your prescribing clinician sends us your prescription, our pharmacists verify it against your patient record before dispensing.
Your medication is dispensed in child-resistant, tamper-evident packaging and delivered via a secure, tracked courier service. All packages are plain and unmarked to protect your privacy. Delivery is available across the UK, including Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Repeat prescriptions are managed through our secure patient portal. When your prescription is due for renewal, your clinician will conduct a brief follow-up consultation (£95) to review your progress, adjust your dosage if needed, and issue a new prescription. Most patients on stable regimens require only one follow-up per quarter.
1–3 working days
Typical delivery time after prescription received
Discreet packaging
Plain, unmarked parcels — no external branding
UK-wide delivery
England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
Driving and Work with a Medical Cannabis Prescription
One of the most common questions patients ask is whether they can drive with a medical cannabis prescription. The answer depends on the type of medication prescribed and how it affects you individually.
Under UK law, it is illegal to drive with THC in your blood above the legal limit of 2 micrograms per litre, regardless of whether you have a valid prescription. This is a strict liability offence — meaning that impairment does not need to be proven. However, the law does provide a medical defence if you can demonstrate that your driving was not impaired and that you were taking the medication in accordance with your prescription.
CBD-only products do not contain THC and are not subject to the same driving restrictions. If your prescription includes THC, we strongly recommend discussing driving with your prescribing clinician and always carrying your prescription documentation and a letter from your clinician when driving.
Important
Do not drive until you know how your medication affects you. This applies even if your THC levels are within the legal limit. Always follow the guidance of your prescribing clinician.
Renewing Your Medical Cannabis Prescription
Medical cannabis prescriptions in the UK are not indefinite. They are typically issued for a fixed quantity of medication — usually a one-month supply — and must be renewed through a follow-up consultation with your specialist clinician.
At MEDCANN Pharmacy, follow-up consultations are £95 per quarter and are conducted via video call. During the appointment, your clinician will review your progress, assess whether your current product and dosage are still appropriate, and issue a new prescription if everything is satisfactory.
Patients on stable regimens often find that their follow-up appointments become shorter and more straightforward over time. Our secure patient portal makes it easy to track your prescription history, request repeat consultations, and manage your medication.
If you need to change your product, adjust your dosage, or have any concerns between appointments, you can contact our pharmacy team at any time via the patient portal, by phone on 0208 123 8883, or by email at [email protected].