10 min read
Sam North
In this article we will look at the different medical conditions and routes of access UK patients can legally obtain a medicinal cannabis prescription through. Releaf recently conducted public surveys and published a report with the data titled Say No To Pain revealing 58.5% of the British population are likely to be unaware of the current medical cannabis laws. Patients who could qualify for a medicinal cannabis prescription may still be unaware they are able to access it legally since 2018 after the law was introduced, offering another avenue of pain and symptom relief.
Key takeaways
Contents
Cannabis can be prescribed as an unlicensed medicine in the UK after the government changed the law in 2018. Specialist doctors registered on the General Medical Council with a background in specific medical conditions can legally prescribe Cannabis Based Medicinal Products (CBPM).
On the NHS, a specialist hospital doctor can prescribe medical cannabis but only for a select few severe conditions. Currently, GPs are prohibited from prescribing CBPM but can refer patients to a specialist practising privately if it is their professional opinion they would benefit from one.
In private clinics, however, medical cannabis eligibility is decided by a specialist doctor on a case by case basis, with focus on what is in the patients' best interest.
To help you better understand private and NHS medical cannabis prescriptions, our table below compares the key differences, from qualifying conditions to who covers the cost.
| Prescriber | Qualifying conditions | Considered if | Referral process | Paid for by |
| NHS |
Severe forms of epilepsy Vomiting and nausea from chemotherapy Muscle stiffness or spasticity caused by multiple sclerosis |
Other treatments are unsuitable or have not helped |
Hospital specialist referral |
Free in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. In England, the standard charge (£9.90 per item) applies unless you have a medical exemption certificate |
| Private |
Chronic pain, sleep disorders, mental health conditions, neurological conditions, gastrointestinal conditions, women’s health, cancer support, weight loss, and more |
You have tried two or more treatment options that have not helped or caused adverse effects |
Check your eligibility online Book your consultation MDT Review |
You (there is currently no funding available to help patients access medical cannabis privately) |
Specialist doctors at private medical cannabis clinics in the UK are able to prescribe cannabis products for a wider range of conditions. These doctors can privately prescribe when:
The prescriber believes it is in the best interest of the patient.
The patient is diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition by a licensed medical or healthcare professional.
The patient has tried at least two conventional treatment options without success.
This makes getting a private medical cannabis prescription much more accessible to qualifying patients.
Private patients with conditions commonly prescribed cannabis based medicines are:
Medical cannabis is not a cure-all or universal treatment option and there are some conditions that a specialist doctor cannot prescribe for. These mostly relate to psychiatric disorders, including:
Schizophrenia
Psychosis
Bipolar Disorder
The reason why these conditions are ineligible for medical cannabis treatment is because there is strong evidence showing that taking THC can make these conditions worse and therefore, prescribing cannabis medicines may not be in the best interest of the patient.
Understanding private clinics, like Releaf, and how they work is important to help manage expectations and give you an idea of who qualifies for medical cannabis treatment.
Private clinics have a multiple step process for checking eligibility for medical cannabis that takes into account a patients’ condition, previously tried treatments, medical records and what would be in their best interest.
At Releaf, our specialists will decide on your eligibility for medical cannabis treatment after three stages:
Your answers to our quick and easy free eligibility checker
Your initial consultation with one of our specialists
During a multi-disciplinary team (MDT) review
Following this process, patients will be informed of their eligibility and proposed treatment plan. At this point, it is up to the patient whether they wish to continue with their Releaf medical cannabis prescription.
The uncertainty for patients surrounding medical cannabis is understandable due to the lack of understanding of the law, the types of medicines prescribed and how to use them.
Specialists who can prescribe medical cannabis are extensively trained in CBPM and have experienced backgrounds in their field of medicine. Patients are encouraged to ask as many questions as possible to better understand cannabis as a treatment option.
Patients who have tried cannabis and know it works for their condition are also encouraged to share as much information as possible with their specialist. Strain names, how much is taken, how often, and the kind of symptom relief experienced is all valuable information a specialist will take into account.
No, you do not need any medical cannabis card to be prescribed cannabis-based products for medicinal use by a doctor in the UK. If you choose to have Releaf as your medical cannabis clinic, you will receive a photo ID card with a digital copy of your prescription history linked to it via a QR code.
Doctors who prescribe medical cannabis products in the UK can prescribe cannabidiol. UK specialist doctors prescribe CBD for inflammation-related conditions but also to help control seizures, spasms and tremors. CBD prescriptions come in the form of flowers or CBD oil tinctures. If you would like a cannabidiol prescription, you must speak to a specialist doctor first. The eligibility check will inform you if you’re suitable for medical cannabinoids.
Yes, as an adult with an autism diagnosis, you may be able to qualify for a medical cannabis prescription. You will need to have tried two therapies to pass the eligibility criteria.
Getting a medical cannabis prescription for arthritis in the UK is possible. You will need an official diagnosis for the condition and have tried two medications, therapies or treatments that have failed to provide the symptom relief you need.
Medical cannabis has been legal in the UK since November 1st 2018. Specialist doctors on the GMC Specialist Register can prescribe through private clinics.
Medical cannabis in the UK is highly regulated, and as such, is a subject to rules regarding prescription, legality, and how it is taken.
For patients, the most important rules for medical cannabis in the UK are:
Only a specialist, GMC-registered doctor can prescribe CBPM
Prescriptions on the NHS are rare and reserved for three severe conditions
Private clinics can prescribe for more conditions providing at least two traditional treatments have been tried and found ineffective or to have caused adverse effects
Smoking cannabis is illegal, even when prescribed by a specialist.
A medical cannabis prescription does not make you exempt from drug driving laws or workplace drug policies
Eligibility for medical cannabis in the UK can be strict depending on the route you take.
From private clinics, acceptance is subject to an eligibility check, a review of your summary of care records, initial consultation with a specialist and MDT review.
If you have been prescribed medical cannabis on the NHS to treat one of the three conditions mentioned above, then the price of medication is subject to your country's prescription costs as follows:
Free in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
£9.90 in England unless you are entitled to a medical exemption certificate for your condition, such as for long-term treatment of epilepsy or cancer, in which case it's free.
For private clinics, the NHS will not pay for the cost of medication and there are currently no financial aid schemes available to help patients access medical cannabis.
The monthly cost of medical cannabis varies from patient to patient as the prescribed medicine is decided on a case by case basis depending on the patient’s needs. This is not taking into account the cost of consultations, delivery, or any additional costs associated with your treatment.
At Releaf, we aim to make medical cannabis as accessible to anyone who could benefit as possible. Our Releaf+ subscription is set at £39.99 a month to provide patients with predictable monthly costs, and free delivery and follow-up consultations.
It is important to remember that every patient's needs are considered individually. Speaking to a specialist doctor who prescribes cannabis-based medicinal products is the best way to find out if one could be prescribed for a specific condition or set of symptoms.
Don't let the stigma surrounding medical cannabis prevent you from getting a suitable treatment. Releaf provides tailored monthly packages, specialist consultations for medical cannabis, and a medical cannabis card, all based on your medical cannabis prescription.
Releaf - redefining healthcare
It is important to seek medical advice before starting any new treatments. The patient advisors at Releaf are available to provide expert advice and support. Alternatively, click here to book a consultation with one of our specialist doctors.
As of 12 August 2026, Releaf has the highest Trustpilot score, 4.8 from 9,598 reviews. Curaleaf received an overall CQC rating of ‘Good’, Alternaleaf advertises appointments for £29, while Mamedica's £200 Access Scheme is designed to potentially reduce long-term clinic costs. The right clinic for you will depend on what you value most from a clinic, but comparing the full treatment experience, rather than a single headline figure, is essential.
On the 7th July 2026, Releaf became the first medical cannabis clinic in the world to become B Corp certified. Verified by the non-profit B Lab, the certification sets in stone that Releaf is meeting the highest standard of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability, and has made a commitment to continue improving the way we serve not only our patients, but also our team, and the wider community.
We are proud to announce a new partnership between Releaf and brainstrust, the UK charity supporting people affected by a brain tumour. Together, we want to make sure that anyone living with a brain tumour has access to compassionate, expert care through the most trusted medical cannabis clinic in the UK. Here is what the partnership means and how patients currently in treatment can get in touch.
"Since starting my treatment plan with Releaf, I’m genuinely shocked at how well it has worked."Chloe Durrington, Releaf patient
