UK music festivals recognise medical cannabis

As we find ourselves well into Spring, with the colder months well and truly behind us, many will be eagerly anticipating festival season. It’s a time to kick back, cut loose, and enjoy the music and vibes. But for medical cannabis patients attending music festivals - and any other public events, for that matter - it can be difficult to know where you stand. This is often made more difficult by unclear guidance from organisers.

Thankfully, things seem to be improving. 

Is medical marijuana legal in the UK?

In the UK, medical marijuana is legal when it is prescribed by a specialist clinician for a viable reason. This has been the case since the 1st of November 2018, when the drug was rescheduled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

Despite being legal for over six years, limited awareness around medical cannabis has often left patients unsure of their rights. This may be in the workplace or at home, while travelling, or while using their medication in public. But as we edge closer to festival season, several major festivals have published clear guidance on the use of “medical marijuana” at their events. 

So, what does this guidance say?

Can I take medical cannabis to a festival?

If someone were to ask you, “Can you take prescription medication to festivals?”, you would probably be sure that the answer would be ‘of course - why wouldn’t you?’. But what would you say if someone asked the same question specifically about medical cannabis? You may well be more hesitant to answer - and you wouldn’t be alone. 

The important thing to remember is that medical cannabis (sometimes also called medical marijuana) is a prescription medication like any other. Unfortunately, a lack of official guidance has previously left many people unsure about patient rights when it comes to medical cannabis. 

But while specific guidance relating to medical cannabis has been scarce in previous years, some major festivals have addressed this issue head-on for 2025.

Guidance from major UK music festivals

As anticipation for the hottest festivals grows, organisers have shared their accessibility policies - many of which include guidance on medical cannabis. 

Medical cannabis and BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend

As part of their commitment to keeping all attendees safe and well, BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend has published concessions specifically related to “medical marijuana” for this year’s event, which will take place from Friday, 23rd - Sunday, 25th of May.

The guidance states:

- Medical Marijuana prescribed for medical use may be brought into the event.

- Please bring it in its prescribed form along with the prescription confirming the stated amount required for the duration of the day.

However, medical cannabis patients are required to complete an accessibility application after booking their ticket. This is to inform the organisers of the event of their intention to bring medical cannabis into the venue. 

Medical cannabis at Download Festival

Like Radio 1’s Big Weekend, popular rock event Download Festival, which returns for its 22nd year, has also published medical cannabis-specific guidance. The guidance states that “Medical marijuana prescribed for daily use may be brought into the event.”

Patients are asked to bring their medication in its prescribed form alongside the original prescription supporting its use. If you are taking your medical cannabis with you to the festival, you may also be asked to present an ID matching the name on the prescription. 

Taking medical marijuana to Leeds & Reading Festival

As one of the biggest festivals in the UK, taking place at two venues in England, Leeds & Reading Festival attracts a whopping 170,000 people every year. In contrast to previous years, the festival’s Accessibility Information also offers guidance to medical cannabis patients. 

Again, attendees with a medical cannabis prescription must bring their medication in its original form with the prescription and identification.

More progress for medical cannabis patients

Such big names, including the BBC, putting their weight behind the rights of patients, mark an important step for the acceptance of medical cannabis. In many cases, this is the first time festivals have provided specific guidance on medical cannabis. This acts as a reminder that the stigma around medical cannabis is slowly but surely being broken down. 

But what do you do if your chosen festival hasn’t published any guidance on medical cannabis at their events?

What are my rights as a patient?

Not all major festivals refer to medical cannabis specifically in their accessibility guidance. This can cause some confusion for medical cannabis patients, but fear not: this doesn’t mean you categorically won’t be able to take your medication into the event. 

Your rights as a medical cannabis patient are protected under the Equality Act 2010. This means that you cannot be turned away based on your medical needs. However, we advise that you reach out to the organisers of the event to inform them of your medical requirements. This can help to give you peace of mind and allow them to make any necessary adjustments to make your entry and time at the festival as smooth as possible. 

Making plans as a medical cannabis patient can often come with additional stress and anxiety, but knowing your rights and making suitable preparations (such as preparing relevant documents) can help make things go smoother. And with major festivals finally officially recognising medical cannabis, many patients will be breathing a sigh of relief.

If you’d like to learn more about your rights as a medical cannabis patient or to find out if you are eligible for a medical cannabis prescription, get in touch with our specialist team today.