How to Get Medical Cannabis in the UK

Q: What to Tell Your GP Before the Appointment?

You don't need GP permission to see a private cannabis clinic, but informing your GP is wise for continuity of care. When speaking to your GP, you might say: "I've been struggling with [condition] despite trying [medications/treatments].

Complete Guide to Getting Medical Cannabis in the UK
Important Note: Medical cannabis became legal in the UK in November 2018, but it remains tightly regulated. Only specialist doctors can prescribe it, and it’s typically only considered when other treatments have failed. This guide will walk you through every step of the process.

Step 1: Self-Assessment – Are You Eligible?
Before you invest time and money into pursuing medical cannabis, you need to understand whether your condition falls within the criteria that UK specialists typically consider. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has identified several conditions where cannabis-based medicinal products may be considered.

Eligible Conditions Overview

Condition Category	Specific Conditions	Likelihood of Approval	Key Requirement
Epilepsy	Treatment-resistant epilepsy, Dravet syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome	High	Failed at least two anti-epileptic drugs
Multiple Sclerosis	Spasticity related to MS	High	Failed conventional treatments (baclofen, etc.)
Chronic Pain	Neuropathic pain, cancer pain, fibromyalgia	Moderate	Failed multiple pain management strategies
Chemotherapy Side Effects	Nausea and vomiting from cancer treatment	Moderate	Failed conventional anti-emetics
Movement Disorders	Tourette syndrome, dystonia	Moderate	Failed conventional medications
Other Conditions	PTSD, anxiety, sleep disorders, autism	Low to Very Low	Experimental use; evidence still developing

Checklist: Before Moving Forward

Do you have a diagnosed condition that appears on the eligible list?
Have you tried at least 2-3 standard treatments without adequate relief?
Have you documented your symptoms and treatment history?
Are you prepared for costs (likely £150-£400 per consultation)?
Do you understand that this is a long-term commitment?

If you’ve answered “yes” to these questions, proceed to Step 2. If your condition isn’t listed or you haven’t tried standard treatments, you may wish to discuss this with your GP first.

Step 2: Choosing the Right Clinic

Not all private clinics are created equal. You need to find one that is reputable, experienced, and properly registered. Here’s how to compare your options.

Major UK Medical Cannabis Clinics Comparison

Clinic Name	Consultation Fee	Initial Assessment	Follow-up Support	Products Available
Sapphire Medical	£300-£400	Comprehensive history review	4-6 weeks included	Full range (oils, flower, capsules)
Dispensary Green	£150-£250	Video consultation	Email support included	Limited range
Medical Cannabis Clinics UK	£200-£300	Detailed assessment	Phone follow-ups available	Full range
Specialist Private Neurologists	£250-£500+	Comprehensive specialist review	Ongoing management included	Variable by doctor

What to Look for in a Clinic

GMC Registration: Check the doctor is registered with the General Medical Council at register.gmc-uk.org
Experience: How long have they been prescribing cannabis? How many patients have they treated?
Transparency: Do they clearly explain costs, success rates, and contraindications?
Support Structure: What follow-up support is included in your fee?
Drug Testing: Do they offer urine drug screening if needed?
Pharmacy Partnership: Do they have relationships with established pharmacies?
Records Sharing: Will they communicate with your GP?

Questions to Ask Before Booking

Are you registered with the GMC and CQC?
What is your approval rate for my specific condition?
How long is the initial consultation?
What happens if I’m not approved?
Can I speak to current patients or see testimonials?
How frequently would I need follow-up appointments?

Step 3: Booking and Preparing for Your Consultation

Once you’ve selected a clinic, it’s time to prepare thoroughly. Your first appointment is critical – you need to present the strongest possible case.

Documentation You’ll Need to Gather

Complete medical history (provide dates when possible)
Current medications and dosages
Previous treatments attempted and outcomes
Medical records from your GP (request these in advance)
Scan results, blood tests, or diagnostic reports relevant to your condition
A pain or symptom diary (if applicable) covering at least 2-4 weeks
NHS referral letters from specialists (if available)
Side effects you’ve experienced from previous treatments

What to Tell Your GP Before the Appointment

    You don’t need GP permission to see a private cannabis clinic, but informing your GP is wise for continuity of care.

When speaking to your GP, you might say:

“I’ve been struggling with [condition] despite trying [medications/treatments]. I’m considering exploring medical cannabis as an option with a private specialist. I wanted to inform you so you’re aware if I proceed, and I’ll share any developments with you. Would you be willing to support this if a prescription is issued?”

Most GPs will either:

Support your decision and agree to help manage the cannabis prescription with you
Decline involvement but allow you to proceed privately
Raise concerns you should address with the cannabis clinic doctor

Preparing Your Medical Summary

Before your consultation, write a one-page summary including:

When your condition started
How it affects your daily life (work, relationships, activities)
What treatments you’ve tried in order, with dates and outcomes
Current medications and any side effects
Why you believe cannabis might help (research, personal experience with friends, etc.)
Your goals for treatment (pain reduction, improved sleep, etc.)

Step 4: The Consultation Itself

This is your opportunity to make your case. Cannabis clinic doctors will assess whether you’re a suitable candidate based on evidence and clinical judgment.

What to Expect During the Appointment

Duration: Typically 30-60 minutes for an initial consultation
Format: Video call, telephone, or in-person (varies by clinic)
Assessment: Doctor will review your full medical history
Discussion: They’ll ask about previous treatments and side effects
Examination: Some doctors request basic physical observations
Explanation: They should explain how cannabis might help and potential risks
Decision: Approval, rejection, or request for additional information

Template Questions to Ask Your Prescriber

Based on my condition and treatment history, do you think cannabis is appropriate for me?
Which specific cannabis-based product would you recommend starting with?
What is the typical dosing schedule, and how will we adjust it?
What side effects should I watch for, and when should I contact you?
How long before I might notice benefits?
Will this interact with my current medications?
How frequently should I have follow-up appointments?
What happens if this doesn’t work for me?
Can I drive? Are there work implications?
How do I obtain my prescription, and what will it cost?

What Doctors Want to Hear

Clear documentation of failure of standard treatments
Realistic expectations about cannabis as a treatment
Commitment to monitoring and follow-up
Understanding of potential side effects
Willingness to keep your GP informed

What May Lead to Rejection at This Stage

Insufficient treatment history (haven’t tried enough standard options)
Active substance abuse or addiction history
Unmanaged mental health conditions (though this is nuanced)
Certain contraindications (pregnancy, cardiovascular risk)
Unrealistic expectations about what cannabis can do
Lack of documentation to support your case

Step 5: Getting Approved

Timeline After Your Consultation

Timeframe	What Happens	What You Should Do
1-3 days	Doctor reviews all information and makes decision	Wait for contact from clinic
3-7 days	Clinic notifies you of approval/rejection	If approved, receive prescription details
7-14 days	You receive physical prescription (if approved)	Arrange payment with pharmacy
14-21 days	Pharmacy dispenses your medication	Receive your cannabis product

If You’re Approved

Congratulations! You’ll receive a private prescription valid for 28 days. You’ll need to pay for the medication directly at a licensed pharmacy – it won’t be covered by the NHS initially (though some NHS trusts now fund it for specific conditions like epilepsy).

Your clinic will typically:

Send the prescription electronically or by post to a pharmacy
Provide you with information about your medication
Schedule your first follow-up appointment (usually 2-4 weeks)
Give you emergency contact details if problems arise

If You’re Rejected

Rejection is not the end. You have options, including appealing the decision or seeking a second opinion.

Common Rejection Reasons and How to Appeal

Rejection Reason	What It Means	How to Appeal	Success Rate
Insufficient treatment history	You haven’t tried enough standard treatments first	Try 1-2 more medications, then reapply in 3-6 months	Moderate-High
Condition outside scope	Your diagnosis isn’t recognised as eligible	Seek specialist opinion on diagnosis; get second opinion from different clinic	Low-Moderate
Mental health concerns	Doctor concerned about psychiatric contraindications	Get mental health assessment from psychiatrist; address underlying conditions first	Moderate
Substance use history	Doctor concerned about addiction risk	Demonstrate period of abstinence; get substance use counsellor support letter	Low-Moderate
Documentation issues	Insufficient medical records or unclear history	Obtain comprehensive records from GP/specialists; reapply with better documentation	High

Steps to Appeal a Rejection

Request detailed feedback: Ask the clinic specifically why you were rejected and what would change their decision
Address the issues: If it’s a medical issue, get treatment; if it’s documentation, gather more records
Seek a second opinion: Different doctors may have different thresholds; another clinic might approve you
Allow time: If you need more treatment history, wait 3-6 months and reapply once you’ve tried additional options
Gather support: Get letters from your GP, specialists, or a charity supporting your condition
Reapply formally: Submit a new application with the additional information

Step 6: Your First Prescription

Cost Timeline and Ongoing Expenses

Stage	Expense	Typical Cost	Frequency	Notes
Initial Consultation	Doctor’s assessment fee	£150-£500	Once	Non-refundable even if rejected
Prescription	Private prescription charge	£0-£50	Per prescription	Some clinics include in consultation
Medication	Cannabis product (oil, flower, etc.)	£100-£300+	Monthly	Depends on product type and dosage
Follow-up Consultations	Doctor’s follow-up review	£100-£250	Every 2-12 weeks	Frequency decreases over time
Blood Tests/Monitoring	Optional additional tests	£50-£200	As needed	To monitor liver/kidney function

Understanding Your Prescription

Your private prescription will include:

The specific cannabis-based product (usually by brand name, e.g., Nabilone, Epidyolex, or flower)
Dosage instructions (e.g., “5mg twice daily”)
Route of administration (oral, inhaled, sublingual)
Quantity (usually 28-day supply)
Refill instructions and number of repeats
Prescriber’s details and signature

Which Pharmacy to Use

Not all UK pharmacies dispense private cannabis prescriptions. Your clinic will usually direct you to affiliated pharmacies. Popular options include:

Dispensary Green
The Pharmaceutical Cannabis Clinic
LloydsPharmacy (select branches)
Independent specialist pharmacies

Contact the pharmacy before visiting with your prescription to confirm they can dispense it and discuss costs.

What Your First Medication Package Contains

The cannabis product (oil bottle, dried flower in container, capsules, or other formulation)
Detailed patient information leaflet
Instructions for use and dosing guidance
Information about potential side effects
Storage instructions
Emergency contact details

Starting Your Treatment

Begin low, go slow. Cannabis clinics typically recommend starting at the lowest dose and increasing gradually over several weeks. This approach:

Minimises side effects
Helps you identify the optimal dose
Allows your body to build tolerance gradually
Helps identify adverse reactions early

You should start seeing benefits within 2-4 weeks for most conditions, though some take longer.

Timeframe	Type of Appointment	Focus	Typical Cost
2 weeks post-start	Phone or video check-in	Initial side effects, dosage tolerance	£0-£50
4 weeks post-start	Full consultation	Effectiveness, side effects, dose adjustment	£100-£200

How to Get Medical Cannabis in the UK: Step-by-Step