Medical cannabis

Yes, when prescribed by a specialist on the GMC Specialist Register and dispensed by a pharmacy (since 1 November 2018).[16][54] Only the product prescribed to you is lawful for you.

NICE NG144 supports a few licensed products (Epidyolex, Sativex, nabilone) for specific conditions and found insufficient evidence for routine use of most others. NHS unlicensed prescriptions are too few to publish.[16][64][65]

No. Growing cannabis without a Home Office licence is a criminal offence, including for patients.[1][15] No licence exists for patients to grow their own.

National guidance (January 2026) tells officers to treat patients as "patients first, suspects second".[2] Keep medicine in its pharmacy-labelled container and carry your prescription or clinic letter; be ready to name your specialist and pharmacy. A Cancard isn't legally required.[46][47]

Flower prescriptions normally direct use with a vaporiser. Using it differently may fall outside "as directed", which matters for the driving defence. Ask your prescriber.

Up to 3 months' supply needs a prescriber's letter, not a UK personal licence; more needs a Home Office licence. The destination's law decides, and many countries ban it.[49][66]

Bringing THC products into the UK, including by post, is importation of a controlled drug — a serious offence, even if legal where bought.

Not automatically, especially in safety-critical jobs. Your underlying condition may be protected by the Equality Act 2010; take advice early.