Verify a Medical Cannabis Prescription
Official guidance for patients, professionals, police & employers on how to legitimately verify a UK medical cannabis (CBPM) prescription.
For employers & venue security: You must obtain the individual's consent before requesting any medical documents, and review must be conducted by a suitably qualified occupational health professional. Read our employment guidance →
Select the section that applies to you. Use the tabs below to navigate between guidance for patients, police, professionals, and to understand what is not valid verification.
What documents you need to carry, how to obtain them, and what to do in an encounter with police or security.
Keep these on your person whenever carrying your medication.
The official verification process in line with National Police Guidance (2026) and the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
One or more of the following constitutes legitimate proof of a CBPM prescription.
For pharmacists, GPs, nurses, social workers, lawyers, and any healthcare professional encountering a patient with a CBPM prescription.
Verification of a patient's medication is sensitive and must follow legal and ethical protocols. You must obtain explicit consent from the individual before requesting any medical documentation. Review must be carried out by a suitably qualified occupational health professional — not by HR or security staff directly.
Full employment guidance for medical cannabis patients →
Government and regulatory positions on legitimate proof of a CBPM prescription.
"I would like to confirm that the Home Office and Department of Health and Social Care do not endorse the Cancard scheme, or any other third-party scheme that seeks to legitimise the possession of illicitly obtained controlled drugs. There are already sufficient means for an individual who is lawfully in possession of a CBPM to demonstrate legitimate medical use. This includes proof of a prescription and ID, or furnishing the dispensing label attached to the medicine. Anyone who cannot furnish this information and claims to be using cannabis 'medicinally', without a lawful prescription for CBPMs through the relevant supply route, is breaking the law."
"As the response from The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) indicates, the Government does not endorse the use of Cancard, or any similar scheme that purports to legitimise the possession and supply of cannabis from illegitimate sources. Cancard does not provide authority to possess cannabis."
Important information for patients, professionals and police on forms of identification that are not legally recognised.
The CanCard scheme and any similar third-party cannabis identification card is not accepted by law as a form of identifying a medical cannabis prescription. Carrying a CanCard instead of proper medical documentation could still result in legal consequences, even for genuine patients.
Both the Department of Health & Social Care (2022) and the Home Office (2023) have confirmed in writing that they do not endorse the Cancard scheme or any similar scheme purporting to legitimise possession of controlled drugs.
Any other informal "cannabis ID" or similar card — even if it appears official — has no legal standing under UK law. Patients relying solely on such documentation are at risk.
