What you need to know about medical cannabis delivery

What steps are involved in getting medical cannabis delivered in the UK?

Medical cannabis delivery in the UK is a straightforward affair, but there are a few steps that need to be completed before receiving your medication.

Once you have used our fast and free medical cannabis eligibility checker (it takes less than 30 to complete, and you will get an immediate answer as to whether you may be eligible for a medical cannabis treatment in the UK), signed up with Releaf, completed your initial consultation with one of our world-class clinical team, and been approved for a medical cannabis prescription, we will work with you to get your medication delivered to your doorstep as quickly and smoothly as possible.

All Releaf UK medical cannabis deliveries come through our trusted partners, DPD and Royal Mail.

How does the medical cannabis delivery process work?

So, how do you get medical cannabis delivered in the UK with Releaf?

With both Royal Mail and DPD, every step of the process is carefully designed to maintain control and accountability.

If DPD is delivering your medical cannabis, you will receive a 4-digit PIN code via email when your order is dispatched and again on the day of delivery. This code ensures that only you can accept your package. If you happen to misplace this code, the DPD delivery driver can also request for a new code to be sent to your email when delivery is attempted.

Royal Mail offers a similarly seamless experience, with tracking and signed-for services that provide peace of mind. Regardless of the courier, all packages arrive in discreet packaging, respecting your privacy at every step.

No matter if DPD or Royal Mail are responsible for your UK medical cannabis delivery, you will have to be present to sign for your medication.

How long does UK cannabis delivery take?

All Releaf medication deliveries should take 2 to 4 working days, with the rare exception taking up to 5 to 7 working days.

So, say you have your initial consultation on Monday morning and receive a notification by Monday afternoon confirming your prescription has been approved - you will then be prompted to log into the Releaf Patient Portal, where you can pay for your order straight away. If the order is completed before the day’s cut-off time, your medication will be dispatched the same day. In this scenario, your prescription might arrive as early as Wednesday.

To ensure you don't experience any gaps in your treatment, we recommend placing your order 7 to 10 days before your current prescribed medication runs out.

What happens if I miss my delivery?

DPD will make up to three delivery attempts to ensure your package reaches you. If the first attempt is unsuccessful, DPD will automatically reschedule for the following two days.

Due to strict regulations, controlled medications cannot remain in DPD’s network beyond 72 hours. After this period, undelivered packages are returned to our pharmacy partner (Xeal Dispensary) for secure storage, ensuring the integrity of your treatment.

While DPD cannot leave packages at collection points or complete the delivery process without you having access to your delivery PIN code, these measures are essential for maintaining the highest level of safety and compliance. They also offer Sunday deliveries if you miss a scheduled Saturday delivery.

How does Releaf ensure a smooth delivery experience?

We understand that UK medical cannabis delivery shouldn't be just about speed - our patients want safety, discretion, and peace of mind.

We've built a system that supports your health without compromise by working with companies that prioritise accountability and security (integrating features like PIN-protected deliveries and real-time tracking).

Should you ever have questions or concerns about your delivery, our Patient Support Team is available at support@releaf.co.uk and +44 (0) 20 3657 3346 to assist you.

To learn more, feel free to check out the rest of our New Patient blog series, where we cover a huge range of topics, including:

• How does cannabis oil work in the body?
• What health records do I need for medical cannabis?
• 15 FAQs for medical cannabis beginners

We also have an extensive blog and education hub, both filled to the brim with all the latest information on medical cannabis treatments, news, and research.