UK Medical Cannabis Law — What Patients Need to Know

Medical cannabis was legalised in the UK on 1 November 2018 when the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 were amended. Since then, specialist doctors registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) can legally prescribe cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) to patients. Under UK law, medical cannabis can only be prescribed by a specialist consultant or a doctor with specialist knowledge. GPs cannot directly prescribe medical cannabis, though they may refer patients to specialist clinics. Prescriptions must be issued on a Controlled Drug prescription form (FP10PCD in England). Patients must have a condition that has not responded adequately to conventional treatments. The most commonly prescribed-for conditions include chronic pain, anxiety disorders, PTSD, insomnia, multiple sclerosis and epilepsy. NHS prescriptions for medical cannabis remain extremely rare — the vast majority of UK patients access it privately. All medical cannabis products in the UK must be licensed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Patients must store their medication securely and cannot share it with others.