.png)
Since 2018, medical cannabis has been legally available in the UK when prescribed by a specialist doctor through licensed, private clinics like Alternaleaf for 50+ conditions. You can find out if you’re eligible by completing the quick questionnaire on our website.
But are you asking the question: can I get medical cannabis on the NHS? Well, by contrast, access via NHS specialist services is extremely limited and only available in a small number of tightly defined clinical cases.
From NHS prescribing rules, to why access remains extremely limited, we’ll be exploring everything you need to know about medical cannabis and the NHS.
Please note: Cannabis based medicines are prescription-only medicines. They may not be suitable for everyone, and eligibility is determined by independent clinical assessment. Treatment is not first-line and outcomes vary; benefits are not guaranteed, and side effects and risks exist.
Qualifying Conditions for a Medical Cannabis NHS Prescription
The UK legalised medical cannabis in 2018, yet through the NHS, only a small portion of patients qualify or have been prescribed:
- Children and adults with rare, severe forms of epilepsy
- Chemotherapy patients with vomiting or nausea
- Multiple-sclerosis (MS) patients with treatment-resistant muscle stiffness and spasms
This is a very small list of NHS-eligible conditions currently recognised under NICE guidance.
NHS Prescription Process and Eligibility Criteria
To get a NHS cannabis prescription, it’s likely you’ll need a GP referral. You can potentially ask the GP to refer you, or they may decide it’s a suitable option, and refer you themselves - after discussing this with you.
Cannabis-based medicine can only be prescribed on the NHS by a specialist hospital doctor, or under a specialist's supervision. This is due to the strict regulations around medical cannabis. This, and the fact that you’ll only be prescribed medical cannabis if it’s believed to be in your best interests, and when other treatments haven't worked or were unsuitable.
This is where the term “unmet medical need” comes from in the context of medical cannabis. It refers to situations where a patient has tried at least two conventional treatments for their condition - this can include medication, talking therapy, physiotherapy, surgery and anything else prescribed by your GP. However, these traditional treatments can be ineffective, or cause unwanted side effects. Therefore, alternative options like medical cannabis are potentially considered under specialist care.
Specialists have the expertise to assess complex conditions, weigh potential benefits and risks, and ensure prescriptions are clinically appropriate. Prescribing is often supported by multidisciplinary teams, which are a group of experts that may include pharmacists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. They’ll take one final look at your medical evidence to determine if medical cannabis is right for you, and they’ll ensure any medication prescribed is in line with UK regulations.
After being referred by your GP, you’ll speak with a specialist. It’s likely they’ll discuss all other treatment options with you first, before considering medical cannabis.
It’s known that the NHS can have long wait times.
All of this means that many patients, even within these condition categories, may still struggle to receive a prescription on the NHS. Which is where we come in.
What Conditions Outside NHS Criteria Are Commonly Considered in Private Clinics?
For all other conditions, patients have to seek help from a small number of UK-registered, private clinics, like Alternaleaf. Private treatment pathways like this exist because of the potential benefits of medical cannabis that some people may experience. Some common conditions we have prescribed for include:
Chronic Pain
- Back Pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Arthritis
- Cancer Related
- Crohn's Disease
- Ulcerative Colitis
Mental Health
- Anxiety
- Depression
- PTSD
- OCD
- Insomnia
Neurological
- Migraine
- Autism
- Epilepsy
- MS
- Parkinson's
- ADHD
Women's Health
- Endometriosis
- Menopause
- Pre-menstrual Dysphoria
We dive deeper into the above conditions here.
FAQs
Is there an NHS medical cannabis card or registration scheme?
No, there’s no formal NHS medical cannabis card or universal registration scheme.
What are the steps involved in applying for a medical cannabis prescription through the NHS?
You’ll firstly need a diagnosis of one of only three conditions that are currently eligible for a medical cannabis prescription through the NHS. These conditions being: children and adults with rare, severe forms of epilepsy, chemotherapy patients with vomiting or nausea, and MS patients with treatment-resistant muscle stiffness and spasms.
You’ll then need your GP to refer you to a specialist hospital doctor if medical cannabis is believed to be in your best interests, and when other treatments haven't worked or were unsuitable. But keep in mind, if you choose to explore a private clinic like Alternaleaf, no GP referral is needed.
How does the NHS assess the eligibility of patients for cannabis-based medical treatments?
You’ll firstly need a diagnosis of one of only three conditions that are currently eligible for a medical cannabis prescription through the NHS. A GP may then refer you to a specialist hospital doctor if medical cannabis is believed to be in your best interests, and when other treatments haven't worked or were unsuitable.
Are there specific conditions the NHS is currently more likely to prescribe medical cannabis for?
Currently, the only people eligible for a medical cannabis prescription through the NHS are: children and adults with rare, severe forms of epilepsy, chemotherapy patients with vomiting or nausea, and MS patients with treatment-resistant muscle stiffness and spasms. However, private clinics like Alternaleaf can prescribe for over 50 conditions. Find out if you’re eligible here.
Summary
So, whilst NHS medical cannabis UK does exist, it’s very rare to get a prescription. If you’re considering medical cannabis, the best thing to do is seek the help of a private, licensed medical cannabis clinic like Alternaleaf. Find out if you’re eligible by heading to our website and completing our 30 second eligibility checker.