Learn how specialist online assessments for medical cannabis work in the UK, who may be eligible, and what to expect during the initial consultation process.
If you’ve been asking yourself, “Can I get prescribed medical cannabis in the UK?”, you’re not alone. The short answer is yes, it is accessible to those with chronic conditions who qualify, and over 100,000 people are now private medical cannabis patients. Many people living with long-term health conditions look for information about medical cannabis eligibility in the UK when conventional treatments have not provided the results they hoped for. Understanding how the assessment process works can help you decide whether speaking to a specialist is the right next step.
Below are the types of medical cannabis available in the UK. For a full description, please visit our “How to use medical cannabis” blog.
Medical cannabis has been legal in the UK since 2018 when prescribed by a suitably qualified specialist doctor. NHS prescribing is limited, with many more patients being assessed through private specialist clinics. Clinicians will consider whether cannabis-based medicines are clinically appropriate as part of an individual’s overall treatment plan, helped by an MDT. This guide explains who may be eligible for a specialist assessment, what happens during the consultation process and what you can expect if you’re exploring your treatment options.
Please note: This article is intended for general information only and should not be taken as medical advice. Whether a cannabis-based medicine is appropriate depends on an individual assessment by a qualified specialist clinician.
Yes. Cannabis-based medicines for medicinal use can legally be prescribed in the UK by appropriately qualified specialist doctors.
These medicines are different from recreational cannabis as they are produced to pharmaceutical standards. The flower can only be legally consumed via a dry herb vaporizer and not smoked. They are prescribed only when a specialist clinician believes they may be appropriate after considering your medical history, symptoms, previous treatments and individual circumstances.
There is no official list of conditions that automatically qualify someone for medical cannabis treatment. Instead, every patient is assessed individually.
A specialist clinician will consider factors such as:
Booking an initial consultation does not guarantee that a prescription will be offered, although this chance is limited as much as possible by our free eligibility checker questionnaire. We will let you know if you are not likely to qualify before booking. The purpose of the assessment is to discuss your symptoms, review your medical history and explore appropriate treatment options together with your clinician.
An initial consultation is a video call with a specialist doctor, within which they will assess if you should be prescribed medical cannabis.
This can be carried out on your phone, laptop, or tablet.
After this sign-up period, you will need to attend follow-up consultations.
A follow-up is an online scheduled review appointment with a specialist doctor or clinician, after you have started your treatment. It lets your care team check how well the medication has worked, change your dose if needed, and allows them to safely authorize ongoing repeat prescriptions.
Once your first follow-up has been completed after 1 month, these will become less frequent as you becoming “stabilized”. A stabilized medical cannabis patient is a person who has found a steady, effective dose of cannabis medicine which is prescribed. Their symptoms are well-controlled, and they experience stable symptom relief. This is without major side effects, or the need to constantly change how much they take.
Specialist medical cannabis clinics see patients with a wide range of long-term health conditions and persistent symptoms.
Examples may include people living with:
Research into cannabis-based medicines is continuing, and the strength of clinical evidence varies between different conditions and symptoms. Treatment decisions are made on an individual basis using the available evidence alongside a patient’s medical history, current symptoms and treatment goals.
Typically, yes. You will need to have tried at least 2 medicines or treatments for your condition to qualify in the UK, although this will depend on your doctor’s judgement and your clinic’s policies. Many patients referred for a specialist assessment have already explored other treatment options.
Previous treatments may include:
During your consultation, your clinician will review your previous treatments and discuss how your condition has responded before deciding whether any further treatment options may be appropriate.
Medical cannabis is available on the NHS in a limited number of circumstances.
Most patients who receive cannabis-based medicines in the UK currently do so through private specialist clinics, where appropriately qualified clinicians can assess patients individually in line with current regulations.
No. A specialist clinician may decide that another treatment option is more appropriate based on your medical history, current medications or individual circumstances.
The decision is always made on an individual basis with patient safety as the priority.
At Auravia Medical, we believe every patient deserves personalised, compassionate care. Our experienced clinicians have over 75+ years of combined experience, and they take time to understand your symptoms, review your medical history and discuss the treatment options that may be appropriate for your individual needs.
From your initial consultation through to ongoing follow-up appointments, our focus is on providing evidence-informed care, clear communication and support throughout your treatment journey. We also provide patients with:
