FAQ: Is it illegal to smoke medical cannabis in the UK?

The Law: Smoking cannabis in the UK.

Even if medical cannabis has been legally prescribed to you, smoking cannabis is a crime in the UK.  

Under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, cannabis is categorised as a Schedule 2, Class B controlled drug, and it’s also listed in the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 under Schedule 1. 

These laws prohibit the consumption, possession, distribution, and cultivation of cannabis in the UK, without prior permission, or approval, from the Home Office.

Medical cannabis clinics like Releaf, and medical cannabis producers like GlassPharms®, have permission from the Home Office to prescribe and produce medical cannabis respectively, and therefore are in compliance with the law. 

Patients who have been prescribed medical cannabis are not in breach of these laws by simply being in possession of their prescribed medication, but, if they chose to smoke this medication, they are then breaking the law. 

Can I smoke medical cannabis in public?

No. Smoking cannabis in public, or on private property, regardless of whether it has been prescribed to you or not, is always a crime in the UK. 

If a medical cannabis patient is found to be smoking cannabis by the police, they would be treated in the same manner as any other person found smoking cannabis, and could face:

• An on the spot fine of up to £90, or an unlimited fine if the individual is repeatedly found to have unlawful possession of cannabis.
• A formal warning or caution.
• Being discharged from their medical cannabis clinic due to unlawful administration of medicine.

Your Health: Smoking vs vaping cannabis.

We previously interviewed our Clinical Director, Dr David Tang, on No Smoking Day and sought his expert insights on the differences between smoking and vaping medical cannabis.

During this interview, Dr Tang told us:

“There are a number of differences between smoking and vaping, but one of the most important is the risk of causing long-term damage to your lungs. The risk is far higher when you smoke compared to when you vape - simply because of the temperature of the smoke that you inhale. 

Temperatures can reach between 400 to 900 degrees when you smoke, but cannabis releases its cannabinoid contents when it reaches between 160 and 220 degrees, and they start to deteriorate at higher temperatures.

When you vape, as opposed to smoke, that temperature comes right down, and so the risk of developing long-term health concerns like emphysema come right down as well. 

By heating cannabis to its optimal temperature, and not beyond this, you're only getting the benefit of the medicine. Whereas when you smoke, you're also inhaling cancer-causing, non-essential fumes and particles.” 

Making the switch: Medical cannabis patients.

Medical cannabis was only legalised in the UK six years ago, on the 1st of November 2018. But in 2023, it was estimated 1.8 million people in the UK were self-medicating with cannabis - and It's assumed the majority were doing so by smoking.  

While our own research indicates only around 17% of those we treat had used cannabis prior to arriving at Releaf, there are patients that arrive at medical cannabis clinics who are used to smoking cannabis and for these individuals, making the transition to vaping may take a bit of time. 

But, much like sourcing cannabis from legal, regulated and compliant providers, administering medical cannabis using a vaporiser as opposed to smoking it doesn’t only ensure safety and security from the law, and improve the likelihood of product efficacy, but it also is a much safer alternative for your health. 

Dr David Tang added:

“There are a lot of side effects with other medicines, and medical cannabis is one of the one few treatments that has few, or minimal side effects associated with it.

Smoking makes this counter-productive, because it adds in a whole host of risks and side effects that aren’t necessary, or pleasant to experience, and ultimately, the UK government will not support or tolerate a delivery method that contributes to cancer….”

As a doctor, it is not my job to enforce the law, but it is my job to give people information and options that empower them to make their own decisions regarding their health.”

Final Thoughts

As a medical cannabis clinic, questions like ‘do you have to smoke medical cannabis?’, or, ‘can you smoke medical cannabis?’ are something we hear quite frequently - and so, it’s something we’ve been keen to address on our blog. 

At Releaf, we’re committed to spreading accurate, reliable information about medical cannabis and UK law, and will always reiterate the importance of vaping medical cannabis over smoking. 

For more content that explores how dry-herb vaporisers work, how to find the optimal vaping temperature for your medical cannabis, or more on the medical cannabis vaporisers stocked in Releaf’s online store, head over to our blog and education section for further reading.