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You have the right to consume your medication at home

Patients should not be discriminated against for using medical cannabis. As long as you are consuming your medication as directed by your prescribing doctor, you are well within your rights to use it where and when you deem necessary. You are not obligated to disclose your prescription to a landlord unless it directly affects the tenancy agreement.

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Use the tabs below to explore your rights, the law, safe indoor use, and what to do if your landlord or housing association challenges you. The law is not the same across the UK, so pick your nation above to see the rules that apply to you.

Your Rights as a Patient in Housing

What you are and are not required to tell your landlord, and the protections that apply to you under UK law.

No obligation to disclose your prescription
If you were prescribed any other medicine, such as insulin, morphine, or an inhaler, you would not normally have to tell your landlord that you are taking it. Medical cannabis is no different. You do not have to tell a landlord, housing association, or property manager about your medical condition or your prescription unless it directly and clearly affects the terms of your tenancy agreement.
You have the right to request reasonable accommodations
Under the Equality Act 2010the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, if your underlying medical condition counts as a disability, your landlord or housing association has a legal duty to make reasonable adjustments for you. This can include allowing you to use prescribed medical cannabis in your home. Refusing to do so, or evicting or threatening a patient because of their medical cannabis use, may be unlawful disability discrimination.
Prescribed patients and illicit use: an important difference
There is an important legal difference between a lawful medical cannabis prescription and illicit, self-supplied cannabis use. A prescribed patient can lawfully vape their cannabis flower indoors using a dry herb vaporiser. Someone using illicit cannabis does not have the same protection. Your prescription is the basis of your legal right to use the medicine, so always carry it and keep it to hand.
Privacy and confidentiality of medical information
Landlords, housing associations, and property managers are required to respect the privacy and confidentiality of your medical conditions and prescriptions. They must not disclose this information to third parties, including neighbours, building management, or security staff, without your consent.
If you choose to tell your landlord about your medical needs, you are free to do so, but it is your choice, not a requirement. Talking openly and early can sometimes solve problems before they start. Even so, you should never feel pressured to justify your lawful prescription.
The Law That Protects Patients in Housing

The key laws, sections, and rights that protect prescribed cannabis patients from housing discrimination. This changes with the nation you pick above.

Equality Act 2010: disability and reasonable adjustments
The Equality Act 2010 makes it unlawful to discriminate because of a disability.1 Disability has a broad meaning under Section 6. It covers many of the conditions that medical cannabis is prescribed for, such as chronic pain, MS, PTSD, and epilepsy. Landlords and housing associations must not treat you worse because of your disability, and must make reasonable adjustments for you.
Disability Discrimination Act 1995: your protection in Northern Ireland
The Equality Act 2010 does not apply in Northern Ireland. Your protection comes from the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.2 It gives disabled people broadly the same rights. A landlord who manages or lets premises must not treat a disabled person worse because of their disability, and must make reasonable adjustments. It covers many of the conditions that medical cannabis is prescribed for, such as chronic pain, MS, PTSD, and epilepsy.
Key sections of the Equality Act 2010
These sections matter most for housing and disability discrimination:
Section 13
Direct discrimination: treating someone worse because of a protected characteristic.
Section 15
Discrimination arising from disability: treating someone badly because of something connected to their disability.
Section 20
Duty to make reasonable adjustments: a positive duty to take steps that avoid a substantial disadvantage.
Section 21
Failure to comply with the duty: where a duty to make adjustments exists, not complying is discrimination.
Section 36
Premises: applies the Act's protection to the management and letting of premises.
Schedule 4
Premises and reasonable adjustments: how the duty to adjust applies to those managing rented premises.
Key parts of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995
In Northern Ireland these parts matter most for housing and disability discrimination:
Section 1
Meaning of disability. It covers many conditions that medical cannabis is prescribed for.
Section 22
Letting of premises. A landlord must not treat a disabled person worse when letting or managing property.
Sections 24C to 24D
Duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people who rent or occupy premises.
Section 49A
Public authority disability duty. It binds councils and housing associations in Northern Ireland.
Human Rights Act 1998: Article 14
Article 14 of the Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the enjoyment of other Convention rights, which includes the right to respect for your private and family life and your home (Article 8).3 A landlord who discriminates against a tenant's lawful medical treatment in their own home may engage both of these rights.
FOI Responses: Use of Dry Herb Vapes in Private & Public Spaces
Freedom of Information requests submitted to the Department of Health & Social Care and the Home Office have clarified the position on the use of dry herb vaporisers for medical cannabis in private and public spaces. These responses are useful supporting documentation if challenged by a landlord or housing association.
DHSC FOI · Dry Herb Vapes (PDF) Home Office FOI · Dry Herb Vapes (PDF)
Always check the terms of your own tenancy agreement. The law gives you strong protection, but the exact wording of a tenancy can affect what extra steps may be needed. If in doubt, get independent legal advice before you tell a landlord about your prescription or challenge them.
Safe & Responsible Indoor Use

Prescription methods, how herbal vaporisers differ from smoking, and practical guidance for minimising impact on those around you.

Prescribed cannabis is available in many forms
UK-prescribed medical cannabis is available in many forms. Most do not require combustion and are far less intrusive than smoking.
Dried flower (dry herb vaporiser)
Oil (sublingual drops)
Capsules (oral)
Vape cartridges / pens
Oral sprays & lozenges
Topicals & creams
Dry herb vaporisers are not the same as smoking
A dry herb vaporiser (also called a heated nebuliser) is a medical device that heats cannabis flower below the point where it burns. This is very different from smoking. There is no smoke, no burning, and far fewer harmful by-products. The vapour is much less strong-smelling and clears more quickly than cigarette smoke. This matters for tenancy agreements that ban smoking, because vaporising is not smoking.
The CIC Guidance on the Use of Prescription Cannabis in Buildings gives detailed guidance for building managers on making room for patients who use vaporisers.4
Practical tips for responsible indoor use
Consuming responsibly means considering the welfare of other residents as well as your own medical needs.
Ventilate the room
Open a window or use a fan when vaporising to minimise any odour build-up in shared walls or corridors.
Clean your device regularly
Regular cleaning of your vaporiser reduces residual odour and ensures efficient, clean vapour production.
Store medication properly
Keep your medication in its original sealed packaging in a cool, dark place to minimise odour and maintain efficacy.
Consider non-inhalation methods
If odour is a concern, oils, capsules, and oral sprays produce no smell at all and may be preferable in some settings.
Comply with your tenancy agreement
Follow the terms of your tenancy and consume medication as directed by your prescriber. Your rights are strongest when you are fully compliant.
Avoid communal areas
Consume in your own private space rather than shared communal areas, corridors, or car parks to avoid complaints from other residents.
If Your Landlord or Housing Association Challenges You

Step-by-step guidance on how to respond calmly and effectively if you face discrimination or pressure related to your medical cannabis use.

Stay calm and do not escalate
If a landlord, property manager, or security person approaches you, stay calm and polite. Do not get defensive or confrontational. A calm response works far better. If you choose to tell them about your prescription, do so clearly and have your documents ready. You can say: “I hold a valid UK medical cannabis prescription. I am not breaking any law, and I do not have to justify my use of prescribed medicine to you.”
Remind them of the law that protects you
If a landlord or housing association keeps discriminating or makes threats, you can remind them of their duties under the Equality Act 2010the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. They must consider reasonable adjustments for disabled people, and refusing to make room for a lawful prescribed patient may be disability discrimination. You do not need to be confrontational. A simple, clear reference to the law is often enough.
Keep a written record of all interactions
Document everything. Note dates, times, names of people involved, what was said, and any written correspondence (letters, emails, texts). This record will be essential if the matter escalates and you need to seek legal advice or make a formal complaint.
Seek professional support
If the situation is not resolved through direct communication, contact a housing solicitor or Citizens Advice for independent guidance. PatientsCann UK also has legal support resources that may help connect you with appropriate advice.
Common Scenarios

A "no drugs" clause in a tenancy agreement typically refers to the illicit use of controlled substances. It does not, and cannot lawfully, override your right to use a medication that has been legally prescribed to you by a UK-registered clinician. Using prescribed cannabis is no different in this context to a tenant taking prescribed opioids or prescribed sedatives. Additionally, a general "no smoking" clause does not prohibit vaporising — vaporising a dry herb is not smoking; it involves no combustion and produces no smoke. If a landlord attempts to use such a clause against you, respond calmly in writing, citing equality law, and seek legal advice if they persist.

Neighbour complaints about odour are a common flashpoint. While you have the right to use your medication, it is worth taking practical steps to reduce the impact on neighbours: good ventilation, regular cleaning of your device, and considering odourless methods such as oils or capsules where possible.

If a formal complaint is raised, respond in writing and explain that you are using a medically prescribed product through a non-combustion device. You may offer to add extra ventilation as a goodwill gesture. Showing that you are willing to be considerate, while firmly setting out your legal right, is usually the most effective approach. Do not feel pressured to stop using your medication. Seek Citizens Advice or legal support if the complaint escalates to a formal eviction notice.

An eviction notice, or a threat of eviction, because a tenant is using lawfully prescribed medical cannabis is potentially unlawful under equality law. It may be discrimination arising from a disability, and a failure to make reasonable adjustments.

Do not ignore an eviction notice. You have a limited time to respond and seek legal advice. Contact a housing solicitor or Citizens Advice immediately. Keep all documentation — your prescription, clinical letter, the eviction notice, and all prior correspondence. PatientsCann UK's legal support resources may also be able to connect you with appropriate specialist advice.

Housing associations and local councils are bound by equality law in the same way as private landlords. In some respects, as public bodies, their duties may be stronger. They must have due regard to disability equality in all their policies and decisions.

If a housing association tells you that you cannot use your prescribed medicine in your home, ask them to put their decision in writing and to name the exact policy or rule they are relying on. Ask them to carry out a formal reasonable adjustment assessment. Contact your local council's housing department, a housing solicitor, or Citizens Advice for support.

Building security and concierge staff are not police officers and have no legal authority to detain you, search you, or seize your medication. If you are challenged, remain calm and polite. You may choose to briefly explain that you are a medical cannabis patient and offer to show your prescription documentation. You are not legally required to do so, but doing so often resolves the situation immediately.

If you are asked to leave a communal area, comply calmly, but note the time, the staff member's name, and what was said. Report the incident in writing to the property management company, citing equality law and asking for clarity on their policy. If the behaviour continues or gets worse, get legal advice. Security staff and property management companies are also covered by equality law when they act in connection with the management of premises.

Useful Resources & Reference Documents

Official legislation, guidance documents, FOI responses, and support organisations for patients facing housing issues.

A medical cannabis patient says he feels he is being "forced out" of his hometown as a result of unfair discrimination by local authorities. His story highlights the real-world consequences of housing discrimination against CBPM patients and the importance of knowing and asserting your rights.

Read Full Story
Cannabis Health News, 2022
Legislation & Legal References
Equality Act 2010 Equality Act 2010 · Section 6 (Disability) Disability Discrimination Act 1995 Human Rights Act · Article 14 Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 Private Tenancies (NI) Order 2006
FOI Responses & Guidance Documents
DHSC FOI · Dry Herb Vapes (PDF) Home Office FOI · Dry Herb Vapes (PDF) CIC · Cannabis in Buildings (PDF)
Support Organisations
Citizens Advice · Discrimination PatientsCann UK Legal Support Equality & Human Rights Commission Equality Commission for Northern Ireland
Letter Builder for Your Landlord or Housing Association

Pick what is happening, choose how firm you want to be, and fill in as much as you like. Your letter is written for you below. Anything you leave blank stays as a highlighted placeholder you can fill in later by hand.

Your letter is being written for England and Wales. It will name the right law, the right complaints route and the right ombudsman. To change it, use Showing guidance for at the top of this page.
Please read this first: what not to put in writing
  • A letter is a permanent record. Keep it to your prescription and your tenancy. You do not need to explain anything else.
  • Do not mention growing, plants, cultivation or supply of any kind. None of the letters below refer to it, and you should not add it.
  • Do not say you smoke your medication. These letters say you use a dry herb vaporiser, which is the lawful way to take prescribed flower and produces vapour rather than smoke.
  • You do not have to share your diagnosis. Your clinic name and the date of your prescription are enough.
  • Do not describe anyone else in your household, and do not answer questions about other people's medication.
  • If you are facing a criminal allegation, get independent legal advice before you write to anyone.

Who are you writing to?

This changes the wording so the letter refers to the right kind of landlord and the right complaints route.

What is happening?

Pick everything that applies. Each one adds a paragraph and a clear request to your letter. You can pick as many as you need.

How firm do you want to be?

Most patients get the best result by starting at stage one and only moving up if they have to. You can come back and rebuild the same letter at a higher stage later.

Your details

All optional. Nothing you type here is sent anywhere or saved to our website, and it stays on your own device. Leave anything blank and it appears in your letter as a highlighted placeholder.

Your letter
Pick at least one issue above to build your letter.
Your letter will appear here as soon as you choose what is happening in step two. Everything in [highlighted brackets] is for you to replace before you send it.
How to send it
  • Email is fine and gives you a timestamp. Send it to the complaints address, not to your housing officer's personal inbox alone.
  • If you use the landlord's online portal, paste the letter in and take a screenshot of the submitted page.
  • For a notice or eviction letter, also send a paper copy by recorded delivery and keep the receipt.
  • Copy in anyone helping you, such as an advocate, support worker or Citizens Advice.
  • Never send your only copy of your prescription. Send a photo or scan, and say it is confidential.
Keep a record
  • Keep a simple dated log: what happened, who said it, and where.
  • Save every letter and email you send and receive, and note the date you sent it.
  • Write down the reference number you are given for any complaint.
  • Note any phone call straight afterwards, including the name of the person you spoke to.
  • Keep your prescription documents together and in date order.
What happens next
  • A first, informal letter often ends the matter. Give it a week or two before you chase.
  • Most social landlords should acknowledge a formal complaint within five working days and answer within ten.
  • If you are not satisfied, ask for a final response in writing, then take it to the ombudsman for your nation.
  • In England, the Housing Ombudsman Complaint Handling Code expects an acknowledgement within five working days and a stage one answer within ten.
  • In Scotland, the model complaints procedure expects a frontline answer within five working days, and a full investigation response within twenty.
  • In Northern Ireland, check your landlord's published complaints procedure for its timescales, then escalate to the Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman.
  • A reasonable adjustment request should get a written decision, with reasons if it is refused.
  • If a notice has been served, get advice quickly. Do not wait for the complaint to finish.
You do not have to be in crisis to reach out

Being challenged about your medication in your own home is frightening, and a threat to your housing can affect anyone's mental health. Samaritans are there day and night on 116 123, free to call. If you would rather not speak to anyone, you can text SHOUT to 85258, free and at any hour. If you are worried about your mental health and your prescription, your clinic or your GP can review it with you. Reaching out for support is never a reason to feel ashamed.

References

Sources

  1. Equality Act 2010, c. 15. Available at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/contents (Accessed: 14 July 2026).
  2. Disability Discrimination Act 1995, c. 50. Available at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1995/50/contents (Accessed: 14 July 2026).
  3. Human Rights Act 1998, c. 42, arts 8 and 14. Available at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/42/contents (Accessed: 14 July 2026).
  4. Cannabis Industry Council (2024) The Use of Prescription Cannabis in Buildings. Available at: cicouncil.org.uk (Accessed: 14 July 2026).
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The information on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. PatientsCann UK does not guarantee that the use of medical cannabis will be accepted by all landlords or housing authorities. It is advisable to understand the terms of your lease or housing agreement. PatientsCann UK will not be liable for any housing-related issues arising from the use of medical cannabis. Always seek independent legal advice specific to your situation.