PatientsCann UK® Patient Resources
Your medical cannabis resource hub
Trusted, up-to-date guidance for medical cannabis patients in the UK. From your first prescription to your rights in the workplace and beyond.
- Getting Started
Start Your Journey
A simple step-by-step guide for patients new to medical cannabis treatment in the UK. From checking eligibility to receiving your first prescription.
- Check your eligible condition with our eligibility tool
- Request a Summary of Care Record from your GP
- Book a consultation with a specialist clinic from our clinic directory
- Submit your application and await review
- Receive your prescription and begin treatment
- Patient Rights
Verify a Medical Cannabis Prescription
Guidance for employers, police, and third parties on how to correctly and sensitively verify a patient's medical cannabis prescription.
Patients are not legally required to disclose their diagnosis, only that they hold a valid prescription.
Patients must carry their medication in it's original packaging brandishing the prescription label. The prescription label and a photo ID is sufficient evidence, however in some cases where the label is faded, a copy of the prescription or clinic letter will suffice. Cannabis cards are not legitimate forms of verification.
- Clinical
Administration Methods
A visual quick-reference guide to all licensed administration methods: vaporising, oils, capsules, sublingual sprays and more.
- Vaporisation (dried flower or oil), the most common method
- Sublingual oils and sprays, fast-acting
- Capsules and softgels, suppositories
- Edibles & Extracts, where clinically prescribed
- Getting Started
Patient Access Schemes
Medical cannabis can be costly, but subsidised access schemes are available to help patients access more affordable treatment plans.
- Clinic-specific patient assistance programmes
- Pharmacy discount and loyalty schemes
- Compassionate access programmes from manufacturers
- Patient Rights
Reporting Products and Services
Concerns about your clinic, pharmacy, or medication? We've compiled the correct reporting channels to keep you and other patients safe.
- Adverse medication effects: MHRA Yellow Card scheme
- Clinic or pharmacy concerns: CQC complaint process
- Prescription errors: your prescribing doctor
- Serious concerns: GMC or GPhC regulators
- Legal and Safety
Legal Services
A curated list of legal services specialising in medical cannabis law in the UK, for patients navigating complex legal challenges.
- Employment disputes and reasonable adjustments
- Driving offences and drug test challenges
- Housing discrimination
- Travel and border issues
- Police stop and search rights
- Patient Rights
Driving and Medical Cannabis
Everything you need to know about driving with a medical cannabis prescription: your rights, limits, and what to do if stopped by police.
- You must not drive while impaired, regardless of prescription
- Legal THC blood-level limits don't apply with a medical defence
- A valid prescription is not an automatic defence
- DVLA notification may be required for certain conditions
- Patient Rights
Employment Rights
Your medical information is confidential. Learn your rights as an employee and what your employer must do to ensure a safe, inclusive workplace.
We do not provide legal advice. For specific employment issues, please contact a specialist employment lawyer.
- You are not required to disclose your diagnosis to an employer
- Employers must carry out a risk assessment for safety-critical roles
- Reasonable adjustments may be required under the Equality Act 2010
- Contact ACAS or Citizens Advice if you face workplace issues
- Patient Rights
Housing Rights
Patients should not be discriminated against for using medical cannabis. Know your rights as a tenant or homeowner when medicating at home.
Patients consuming their medication as directed by their prescribing doctor are within their rights to do so at home. Landlords and housing associations should make reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010.
- Travel
Public Venues
Being refused entry or challenged at a venue? Know your rights under the Equality Act 2010, and find approved venues that welcome medical cannabis patients.
- You do not need to disclose your condition, only that you hold a valid prescription
- Contact venues ahead of time where possible
- If challenged, cite the Equality Act 2010, Sections 20 and 21
- Make a formal complaint if refused, you may be entitled to compensation
- Travel
Travel Abroad With Your Prescription
Planning to travel internationally? Understand which countries allow you to travel with your medical cannabis prescription, and how to prepare safely.
76 countries do not permit travel with a cannabis prescription. Always verify before you fly.
- Check destination and transit country rules in advance
- Carry original pharmacy packaging and a prescriber letter
- Apply for an export licence 10 or more days before travel if needed
- Check airline policies, some make reasonable adjustments
- A Schengen Certificate is required for some EU countries
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Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Cannabis has been legal on prescription in the UK since 1 November 2018. Only specialist doctors on the GMC register can prescribe. A limited number of patients are prescribed by the NHS; however, tens of thousands have accessed treatment via private medical cannabis clinics across the UK.
You need a qualifying condition that can be treated with cannabis. Conditions such as psychosis, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and some heart conditions may make it more challenging to obtain a prescription, but if one clinic declines, another may be able to help. Use our eligibility checker in the App to get started.
Yes, medical cannabis is available on the NHS, but only a very small number of patients are offered it this way. The vast majority of patients in the UK access treatment privately. Start your journey here.
Private medical cannabis can be costly, but consultation and medication costs have reduced significantly over time. Subsidised access schemes are also available, allowing patients to access more affordable treatment plans. See our Patient Access Schemes guide for more.
Some countries permit you to travel with your medical cannabis, and some airlines may make reasonable adjustments. Always check the rules for your specific destination, and any transit countries, well in advance. Our full travel guide has a country-by-country directory and key preparation steps.
Patients prescribed any medication should not be discriminated against or prevented from medicating when necessary; this is protected under the Equality Act 2010. Some venues will not allow vaporising on-site, but service providers must make reasonable adjustments. Find venue guidance and consumption lounges near you.
