Patients should not be discriminated for their use of medical cannabis. As long as patients are consuming their medication as directed by their prescribing doctor, they are well within their rights to consume their medication where and whenever the patient deems necessary.
What Do I Do?
If you were prescribed any other medication you would not usually be required to inform your landlord that you will be consuming that medication. This is the same with medical cannabis, you should not be discriminated nor should you be made to feel as though you are consuming cannabis illicitly.
There is a fine definition between self-prescribing cannabis and a legitimate cannabis prescription. Self-prescribing illicit cannabis does not give you the same rights as someone who is within the law and is prescribed cannabis, a prescribed patient can vape their cannabis dried flower indoors whereas illicit use does not allow for this.
If you are challenged by your landlord or housing association, remind them of the Equality Act 2010 and if they continue to discriminate please contact a housing solicitor or Citizen’s Advice for further support.
Equality Act 2010 Compliance
The Equality Act 2010 prohibits discrimination based on disability, which includes medical conditions that qualify as disabilities. Landlords, housing associations, and property managers must make reasonable adjustments to accommodate tenants with disabilities, including those prescribed medical cannabis for their conditions.
Related Links: Section 13, Section 15, Section 20, Section 21, Section 36, Schedule 4, Schedule 5
Consumption Methods of Prescribed Medical Cannabis
Prescribed medical cannabis in the UK is available in various forms, including flower/bud for use with herbal vaporisers/heated nebulisers, oil for sublingual use, capsules for oral consumption, and vape cartridges/disposable pens for oral inhalation, among many other forms.
Safe Use of Herbal Vaporiser Indoors
Heated nebulisers or commonly called herbal vaporisers, are used as a medical device for cannabis consumption, distinguishing themselves from smoking by not inducing combustion during administration. This reduces the release of harmful by-products and ensures precise and effective therapeutic application. To ensure safe and responsible use indoors, tenants should ensure proper ventilation, and regularly clean the device to minimise odour build-up.
Housing Information for Prescribed Patients
Tenants prescribed medical cannabis are not obligated to disclose their medical condition or prescription unless it directly affects their tenancy agreement. They have the right to request reasonable accommodations, including the use of prescribed medical cannabis indoors, in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.
Recommendations for Housing Associations, Property Managers & Private Security:
- Education and Training: Ensure staff members are well-informed about the Equality Act 2010 and medical cannabis patients’ rights.
- Clear Communication: Maintain open channels of communication with tenants/guests to proactively resolve potential issues.
- Reasonable Accommodations: Assess and provide reasonable accommodations for prescribed patients, including allowing the use of prescribed medical cannabis.
- Privacy and Confidentiality: Respect the privacy and confidentiality of tenants’ medical conditions and prescriptions.
Recommendations for Tenants (Prescribed Patients):
- Open Communication: Feel empowered to communicate medical needs to landlords or property managers.
- Responsible Consumption: Consume medical cannabis responsibly and safely, considering the welfare of other residents.
- Compliance with Tenancy Agreement: Comply with the terms of the tenancy agreement and consume medication as directed by the prescribing doctor.
Patient Story
A medical cannabis patient says he feels he is being “forced out” of his hometown as a result of unfair discrimination by local authorities.
Cannabis Health News