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Recreational cannabis is illegal in the UK. But…
Since November 2018, medical cannabis has been legally available in the UK when prescribed by a specialist doctor through licensed clinics like Alternaleaf for 50+ conditions. You can find out if you’re eligible by completing the quick questionnaire on our website.
You can only legally buy medical cannabis uk when you are a patient with a licensed clinic. And only licensed clinics - like Alternaleaf - and licensed pharmacies - like our partner pharmacy Montu UK - can prescribe and dispense CBPMs UK (Cannabis-Based Products for Medicinal Use). Keep in mind it is illegal to smoke your prescription.
We’ll be exploring how you become a legal patient of a medical cannabis clinic UK, the process, cost and the difference between legal and illegal cannabis below.
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.
Can You Buy Medical Cannabis Online in the UK?
Eligible medical cannabis uk patients don’t buy cannabis like a retail product.
Instead, they access a private cannabis prescription UK through:
- Online medical appointments with licensed clinics
- A specialist doctor consultation
- Regulated pharmacy dispensing
Who Is Eligible for a Medical Cannabis Prescription?
To qualify to be a patient with a medical cannabis clinic in the UK, you’ll need a diagnosis of a qualifying condition and evidence of being offered at least two conventional treatments for that condition. Conditions include chronic pain, neurological disorders, mental health conditions, gastrointestinal conditions, cancer-related symptoms, women’s health conditions, and more.
Medical cannabis can only be prescribed by specialist doctors in the UK, and prescriptions are only available to eligible patients under doctor supervision - usually through licensed medical cannabis clinics like Alternaleaf. Eligibility can also depend on symptom impact, and medical history, and is based on clinical assessment, not self-selection.
It’s only prescribed when other conventional treatments have not been effective or have caused unwanted side effects. This ensures that patients receive it only when experts believe it is clinically appropriate, as part of a regulated and supervised care plan.
If you’re pregnant or have a history of psychosis or schizophrenia, you won’t qualify. Treatment is carefully monitored and tailored to individual needs, and you can easily find out if you qualify by completing our 30 second eligibility checker.
How the Medical Cannabis Prescription Process Works with Alternaleaf
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the process to becoming an eligible patient, receiving your prescription and ongoing care. Remember that the following information is all specific to Alternaleaf, and other clinics may not follow the same timeframes and processes.
1. Online eligibility checker
With Alternaleaf, we’ll ask questions in our 30 second questionnaire that cover diagnosis and previous treatments (the bits we covered above). We’ll decide if you’re likely to qualify for treatment or not based on the information you tell us. And if you are likely to qualify, you can book an initial assessment with one of our pharmacists.
2. Specialist consultation
The first two appointments you’ll have with Alternaleaf are an initial assessment with a pharmacist and a Doctor consultation with a specialist cannabis doctor. These are risk-free, so if you’re not eligible, you won’t be charged. Here’s what you can expect:
During your initial assessment:
- One of our clinical Pharmacists will do a full assessment of your medical history.
- They’ll make sure you’ve submitted the necessary medical records. We have a guide on how to get these that will be emailed over to you.
- If all necessary documents are uploaded, they’ll book a Doctor consultation for you.
During your Doctor consultation:
- You’ll discuss a prescription - but this won’t be issued until you’re MDT approved (next step).
- If you’re on a budget, mention it as early as possible. That way we can build out a treatment plan that is tailored to you and your needs.
3. Clinical review & approval
You’ll need to go through our Multidisciplinary Process, also known as MDT approval. MDT stands for multidisciplinary team. They’re a group of specialists who take one final look at your medical evidence.
This additional check ensures you’re definitely eligible for medication, and that medical cannabis treatment could be a safe option for you.
4. Prescription issued
If you are approved by our multidisciplinary team, your prescription will be released to the pharmacy, ready for you to purchase. With Alternaleaf, it can take up to 3 working days for the Pharmacy to receive and process your prescription, after it’s been sent by your Clinic. Once the Pharmacy has processed your prescription, you’ll be able to pay.
5. Medication dispensed by a UK-licensed pharmacy
You should receive your medication by the next business day if you pay by 3:30pm. You’ll be sent a tracking email to view where your order is.
Orders placed after 3:30pm will be dispatched the following day, and delivered the next working day after that. These timeframes may vary if you order over the weekend.
Again, this is the timeframes from our partner pharmacy Montu UK. Other clinics and pharmacies may differ.
6. Follow-up consultations & monitoring
Three weeks after your Doctor consultation, we’ll send you an email reminding you to book your one month follow up appointment. During this online video appointment, you’ll discuss your progress, medication, and treatment going forward. One of our clinicians will issue your next prescription.
From this point onwards, you’ll only need one online video appointment every three months. This is known as a quarterly review appointment, and we’ll send out reminder emails when it’s time to book these.
In the two months between these appointments, you’ll request a repeat prescription. Again, at Alternaleaf, we’ll send out an email explaining when and how to do this.
How Much Does Medical Cannabis Cost in the UK?
There are two main things to think about when it comes to the cost of medical cannabis treatment: appointments and medication. With Alternaleaf, you have two ways to pay for appointments.
Pay As You Go
£29 per appointment
This is as simple as it sounds: you pay for each appointment as you go.
Membership
£5 per month
This covers the cost of all your required online video appointments, including your initial appointment, your follow up appointment, and quarterly review appointments.
Please note the above does not include the cost of medication.
Both options include:
- Personalised treatment
- One free delivery every month
- Travel letters
There are no hidden fees and if you don't qualify, you'll get your money back.
Price of medication varies depending on product, dosage, and individual needs, and is subject to clinical review and individual prescription requirements. As a rough idea, it can be as little as £20 per week. If you’re on a budget, we recommend you mention this to your clinician as early on in the process as possible. You can read more about pricing on our pricing page, or this article.
Medical Cannabis vs Street Cannabis
Medical cannabis in the UK is not only legal, but held to strict regulatory standards that ensure both safety and consistency. All products must be sourced from licensed producers. This means every product is lab-tested for quality, potency, and purity - so you know exactly what you're getting. It’s contaminant-free. Unlike street-sourced cannabis, which can vary in strength, is untested, unpredictable, and may contain harmful contaminants and additives.
Additionally, medical cannabis is prescribed and monitored by qualified clinicians who assess your condition, guide your treatment plan, and adjust your dosage if needed. This clinical oversight reduces the risk of side effects or misuse. When you receive your prescription through a licensed clinic, you’re not only getting a product that meets high medical standards. You’re also getting professional support at every step of your journey, and legal cover.
Using cannabis recreationally is illegal. Some people accessing it illicitly use it to self medicate, others use it to experience the ‘high’ recreational cannabis is often associated with. But either way, without a prescription, cannabis use remains illegal in the UK.
Recreational cannabis lacks medical oversight, and is obtained from unregulated and illegal sources. You don’t know where it has come from, what it contains, or how it will affect you. Each time you purchase could result in different effects after consumption.
We’ve dived deeper into medical vs recreational cannabis here.
FAQs
Do I need a GP referral to get medical cannabis in the UK?
No, you don’t. All you need to qualify for a medical cannabis prescription in the UK is a diagnosis of a qualifying condition and evidence of being offered at least two conventional treatments for that condition.
How long does the medical cannabis prescription process take?
The process from starting our eligibility questionnaire, to receiving your first prescription can vary between every patient, as everyone is different.
Can I travel with medical cannabis?
Different countries have different laws on medical cannabis. Please contact the embassy of the country you’re travelling to before your trip. This includes any stop-overs. They’ll be able to provide more information on whether medical cannabis is allowed. It’s also good to keep in mind that rules across different forms of transport vary. So, it's always best to check in advance with your travel provider. We’ve got lots more information on travelling with your prescription here.
Are there any age restrictions for medical cannabis?
You must be 18 years or older to book an appointment and qualify for a prescription with Alternaleaf. If you are seeking treatment for your child, we recommend you speak to your regular GP or Doctor.
Can I get medical cannabis without a diagnosis?
No, medical cannabis eligibility in the UK is dependent on having a diagnosis. To qualify for a medical cannabis prescription with Alternaleaf, you must have a diagnosis of a qualifying condition. This can include chronic pain, anxiety, depression, ADHD, and over 50 more.
Summary
Whether you’re curious about how to buy medical cannabis that’s legal - providing you’re eligible of course - or simply want to learn more about a whether or not you qualify for a medical cannabis prescription in the UK, the best thing to do is speak to your clinician, or seek the help of a licensed medical cannabis clinic like Alternaleaf.
Remember, you cannot simply buy medical cannabis in the UK without a prescription if it’s medicinal. Find out if you’re eligible by heading to our website and completing our 30 second eligibility checker.