How to Get a Medical Cannabis Prescription in the UK

Living with a long-term medical condition can feel exhausting. When standard treatments fail to give you relief, or cause unwanted side effects, it’s easy to feel stuck.

But there are alternative options. Medical cannabis has been legal in the UK since November 2018. Thousands of UK patients now use legal cannabis-based products for medicinal use - also known as CBPMs - to help manage their symptoms.

Below we’re sharing how to get a prescription for medical cannabis, as well as how to access this treatment safely, legally, and privately.

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Who's Eligible?

Eligibility is based on an individual clinical assessment by a specialist GMC-registered doctor. To qualify for a medical cannabis prescription, you need:

• A diagnosis of a qualifying condition such as chronic pain, anxiety, depression or ADHD.
• To have been offered at least two conventional treatments, such as medication, talking therapy, physiotherapy, surgery and anything else prescribed by your GP.
• To not be pregnant or have a history of psychosis or schizophrenia.

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The quickest way to find out if you qualify is to complete the 30-second eligibility checker on the Alternaleaf website.

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The Step-By-Step Process

NHS vs Private Clinics

One of the most common points of confusion for UK patients is whether medical cannabis is available on the NHS. The short answer is: yes in theory, but rarely in practice.

Here is a direct comparison to help you understand your options:

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NHS Prescriptions

It’s very hard to qualify for an NHS medical cannabis prescription and wait times are known to be very long. They can only be prescribed by NHS Hospital Specialists for people with 3 specific conditions:

1 - Rare, severe forms of childhood epilepsy.

2 - Spasticity (muscle stiffness and spasms) caused by Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

3 - Severe nausea or vomiting caused by chemotherapy.

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Private Clinic Prescriptions

For a lot of patients, this is the most realistic route to get treatment. A lot of clinics, including Alternaleaf are online, meaning it’s accessible to qualifying patients all over the UK. We’ve prescribed to people with over 50 conditions, including chronic pain, anxiety, depression, and ADHD. We also have access to specialist doctors, meaning wait times are significantly shorter. 

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Know Your Rights: The 2026 Police Guidance Update

In January 2026, the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) approved new national guidance titled Medicinal Cannabis and the Police – Guidance for Officers and Staff. This update establishes a clear standard for all 43 police forces across England and Wales:

The core message is a fundamental reset for law enforcement: police officers must treat individuals in possession of prescribed cannabis as "patients first, suspects second". This landmark guidance protects your legal rights and ensures you can travel within the UK with your prescribed medication with confidence.

We also recommend you always carry:

• A physical or digital copy of your most recent medical prescription.
• A valid photo ID, such as your UK driving licence or passport.
• Your medication in its original packaging with the pharmacy dispensing label showing your name.

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What Happens After You're Prescribed?

Receiving your first prescription is just the beginning of your care.

1. Follow-up care: You’ll have regular check-ins with one of our caring clinicians to make sure your medication is working as it should. We’ll remind you when it’s time to book these. Our support team is also available to help with any questions you have. 

2. Repeat prescriptions: In between your review appointments, you can request repeat prescriptions. Medication is delivered for free directly to your door from our partner pharmacy. Again, our support team is also available to help with any questions you have, but this will all be explained in more detail when you’re a patient. 

3. Consuming flower: Under UK law, smoking medical cannabis flower is illegal. If you’re prescribed dry flower, it must be inhaled using a dry-herb vaporiser which you can purchase alongside your medication from a licensed pharmacy.

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Sources

1. National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) & APCDLO (2026). Medicinal Cannabis and the Police – Guidance for Officers and Staff. Available at: https://cannabishealthnews.co.uk/2026/01/07/uk-policing-body-publishes-first-official-guidance-on-medical-cannabis/
2. General Medical Council (GMC) (2024). Information for doctors on Cannabis-based products for medicinal use (CBPMs). Available at: https://www.gmc-uk.org/professional-standards/learning-materials/information-for-doctors-on-cannabis-based-products-for-medicinal-use
3. PatientsCann UK (2026). Statement on NPCC Guidance for Policing Medical Cannabis Patients. Available at: https://patientscann.org.uk/npcc-medical-cannabis-policing-statement/
4. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) (2019). Cannabis-based medicinal products [NG144]. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng144

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