A plumber, a prescription, and a fair hearing at work

A plumber, a prescription, and a fair hearing at work | PatientsCann UK Skip to content Patient Story A plumber, a prescription, and a fair hearing at work When Dean Carroll told his employer he had been prescribed medical cannabis, he expected a fight. Instead he got a fair, individual assessment and kept the safety-critical job he loves. He wants other patients to know it can be done. DC Dean CarrollPlumber, supervisor & PatientsCann UK volunteer Cheshire, UK Housing association Dean Carroll — plumber, supervisor and PatientsCann UK volunteer, Cheshire. Dean Carroll is a plumber and supervisor for a housing association. He is also one of the estimated tens of thousands of people in the UK who hold a legal prescription for medical cannabis. When those two facts met at work, the result was not the one many patients fear. Rather than wait to be found out, Dean chose to be open. He told his employer about his prescription up front. Because his job is safety-critical, he was asked to attend an occupational health assessment to check whether he could keep doing it safely. It is exactly the kind of moment that stops many patients from ever telling their employer at all. What happened next, Dean says, should be the template for how these situations are handled. He has since joined PatientsCann UK as a volunteer, and he is sharing his experience so that other patients, and the employers who manage them, can see that a prescription need not be the end of a career. The fact that I am prescribed medical cannabis did not automatically mean I was considered unfit to work. The assessment focused on my individual circumstances and my ability to do my role safely. — Dean Carroll How it was handled What good practice looked like Dean’s employer and occupational health team followed a clear, methodical process. Each step looked at the real question: can this person do this job safely? Here is how it unfolded. 1 Dean disclosed his prescription He proactively told his employer he had been prescribed medical cannabis, rather than keeping it hidden. Because his role is safety-critical, an occupational health assessment was arranged. 2 He shared the clinical detail Dean provided information on his prescribed dosage, the potential effects and the impairment window after dosing, and any other medication he was taking, so the assessment was based on facts, not assumptions. 3 Occupational health assessed his fitness to work The assessment concluded there were no concerns about Dean’s ability to carry out his work safely, including the driving that forms part of his role. 4 A workplace risk assessment considered the real duties His employer then assessed the specific risks tied to his role. Dean also supplied guidance from his medical cannabis clinic on the current UK position on driving while prescribed. 5 Dean kept his job Following the assessment and a sensible risk-management plan, Dean was able to carry on in his role. Safety standards were maintained, and a skilled employee was retained. The risk assessment looked squarely at the demanding parts of the job, not at the label on his prescription: Power tools Lone working Working at height Driving The way my employer and occupational health team handled my situation should be seen as an example of good practice. It was professional, thorough, and, most importantly, I felt listened to and understood. — Dean Carroll Clearing up the confusion A prescription is not an automatic barrier Dean hopes his story challenges some stubborn misconceptions. Being prescribed medical cannabis should not, on its own, be treated as a bar to employment or career progression. What matters is the individual, their medication, and the honest requirements of the role. Judge the person, not the label Assess someone’s actual ability to work safely, not an assumption based only on the fact of a prescription. Open communication works Disclosing early let Dean explain his dosage, his effects, and when they occur, so decisions rested on facts. Safety is not compromised A proper risk assessment lets employers support staff while still holding appropriate health and safety standards. My experience has shown me it is possible to take medical cannabis seriously as a medication, take workplace safety seriously, and still support an employee to do their job to the best of their ability. — Dean Carroll Dean is clear that he is not asking for special treatment, only for a fair and individual hearing. There are, he points out, many patients across the UK who are prescribed medical cannabis and who are fully capable of working, contributing, and carrying out their roles safely. He hopes that by speaking up, he can encourage more open conversation between patients, employers and occupational health professionals, and help others feel able to disclose without fear of losing the work they depend on. This is one patient’s personal experience, shared to support others. It is not legal or employment advice, and every workplace is different. For your rights at work, see our Employment guide, and read the current UK position on driving while prescribed. Over to you Have you been through something similar? Tell us. Real stories change minds. Whether your experience at work, or anywhere else, was positive like Dean’s or a good deal harder, sharing it helps other patients feel less alone and helps us push for fairer treatment. Tell us as much or as little as you like. Share your story Fields marked with an asterisk are required. Please do not include medical records or other patients’ details. We will never publish anything without asking you first. Thank you for sharing your story. We have received it and a member of our team will be in touch. Your words help other patients feel understood. Your name * Email address * Only used to reply to you. Your job or situation (optional) What is your story about? Please select…Employment or the workplaceOccupational health or safety-critical workDrivingHousingTravelStigma or discriminationA positive experienceSomething else Your story, in your own words

PatientsCann UK Statement on NPCC Guidance for Policing Medical Cannabis Patients

PatientsCann UK: NPCC Policing Statement Statement Policing January 2026 PatientsCann UK Statement on NPCC Guidance for Policing Medical Cannabis Patients The NPCC has instructed forces to treat medicinal cannabis patients as “patients first, suspects second.” We welcome this, with important caveats about the gap between guidance and street-level reality. PatientsCann UK·Official Statement·7 January 2026 What the NPCC Guidance Says Officers should treat those in lawful possession as patients first, suspects second People with a valid prescription should be assumed to be patients until proven otherwise A Cancard is not legally required and its absence cannot be used against a patient Our Concerns Significant proportion of officers may still be unaware medical cannabis is legally prescribable Some forces lack internal training or up-to-date briefing materials Guidance on paper does not automatically become consistent street-level practice Why Guidance Is Not Enough Without Understanding It is an ongoing reality that many frontline officers still lack accurate awareness of the legal status of medical cannabis. Independent research has indicated that a significant proportion of officers may still be unaware that medical cannabis can be legally prescribed in the UK, even years after the law changed in 2018. Previous Freedom of Information responses showed that some police forces did not have internal training or up-to-date briefing materials on this subject, leaving officers to rely primarily on older Home Office circulars and personal discretion. This gap between policy and practice raises serious concerns. Unless officers are consistently aware of the legal framework, understand how to verify lawful possession, and are trained to apply the guidance, the lived experience of patients may not improve significantly. On Cancard: The Clarification That Was Needed The NPCC guidance confirms that a Cancard is not legally required for patients with a valid prescription, a vital clarification given the confusion that has surrounded this scheme. Cancard was originally introduced to assist officers in identifying individuals claiming medical need. However, it has always been a discretionary tool, not legal proof of lawful possession. Simply put: A card indicating intent or condition does not change the law. What matters is the prescription. Patients with a valid prescription from an appropriate specialist clinician are in lawful possession, with or without a card. PatientsCann UK’s Position We welcome this guidance as a meaningful step forward, but we call on the NPCC, individual forces, and the College of Policing to follow through with mandatory training, updated force policies, and a clear escalation route for patients who experience non-compliant policing. Guidance without enforcement infrastructure will not protect patients on the ground. PatientsCann UKUK’s Medical Cannabis Patient Organisation · patientscann.co.uk

Help Shape The Future of Medical Cannabis

PatientsCann UK — Help Shape the Future Call to Action DHSC Consultation October 2025 Help Shape the Future of Medical Cannabis The Department of Health and Social Care’s Call for Evidence on private prescribing is a rare opportunity to put patient voices at the heart of UK policy. Your experience is evidence — share it. PatientsCann UK·Advocacy·6 October 2025 Why This Matters The DHSC’s “Private (non-NHS) Prescribing: Call for Evidence” could influence how private prescribing works in the UK — including how cannabis-based medicines are accessed, regulated, and supported by clinicians. For thousands of patients, private prescriptions remain the only viable route to accessing the medicine they need. The review invites responses from clinicians, prescribers, pharmacists, healthcare organisations, and patient groups. While the questions are primarily aimed at professionals, it is crucial that patients and carers also share their experiences. Our Position PatientsCann UK believes this review must: Protect the right of patients to access regulated medical cannabis safely and affordably Promote fairness and consistency between NHS and private prescribing pathways Address stigma and empower clinicians to prescribe based on evidence, not fear Encourage more research, education, and evidence-based practice across the medical field For Patients & Carers Share how cannabis medicines have improved your health and quality of life Describe challenges with access, cost, or stigma Explain the reality of navigating private prescribing For Healthcare Professionals Describe prescribing barriers and clinical uncertainties you have encountered Highlight the need for evidence, education, and clearer NHS pathways Share examples of patient impact from restricted access How to Take Part Visit the GOV.UK Call for Evidence page and submit your response. You do not need to answer every question, but you must select Submit at the end for your response to count. Submit Your Evidence Note: This consultation is separate from the ACMD call for evidence on cannabis-based medicinal products. Both reviews are crucial, and we encourage responses to each. Together, they represent an unprecedented opportunity for patients to influence policy at the highest level. PatientsCann UKUK’s Medical Cannabis Patient Organisation · patientscann.co.uk