However, there is an important distinction between private prescribing and NHS/NICE recommendations.
Medical cannabis can legally be prescribed privately by an appropriate specialist where they consider it clinically appropriate, but current NICE guidance does not recommend cannabis-based medicinal products for managing chronic pain in adults.
This guide explains the difference, what the evidence currently says and what happens if you're considering a private medical cannabis assessment for chronic pain.
What Is Chronic Pain?
NICE defines chronic pain as pain that persists or recurs for more than three months.
It can include chronic primary pain, where the pain itself becomes the principal problem, and chronic secondary pain associated with an underlying condition.
Examples can include:
- persistent musculoskeletal pain;
- neuropathic pain;
- fibromyalgia;
- chronic back pain;
- arthritis-related pain;
- pain associated with other long-term conditions.
Different causes of pain require different approaches, which is one reason an individual medical assessment matters.
Can Medical Cannabis Be Prescribed for Chronic Pain?
Private specialist doctors can consider cannabis-based medicinal products where prescribing is lawful and they judge it clinically appropriate.
That does not mean medical cannabis is recommended as a routine chronic-pain treatment.
Current NICE guidance says adults should not be offered nabilone, dronabinol, THC or a combination of CBD and THC to manage chronic pain.
NICE also says CBD should not be offered for chronic pain unless it is part of a clinical trial.
That is a significant distinction prospective patients should understand.
What Does the Evidence Say?
NICE's evidence review found some evidence of improvements in chronic pain outcomes from certain cannabis-based products, but considered the overall benefits modest.
For example, NICE's committee noted an average improvement of approximately 0.4 points on a 0-10 pain scale in evidence concerning CBD.
It also found that the evidence did not demonstrate reduced opioid use among people prescribed medicinal cannabis.
NICE ultimately concluded that the potential benefits were small relative to the costs in the NHS context.
This doesn't mean no individual patient can ever report benefit. It means the available evidence was not sufficient for NICE to recommend these products routinely for chronic pain.
Why Do Private Clinics Assess Chronic Pain Patients?
NHS guidance and private prescribing are not identical pathways.
UK law does not simply provide a list of diagnoses for which private CBPM prescribing is permitted.
A specialist must instead make an individual clinical decision, taking into account matters such as:
- the condition;
- treatment history;
- existing medicines;
- available evidence;
- potential benefits;
- possible adverse effects;
- interactions;
- licensed alternatives.
That is why you may see private clinics assessing patients with chronic pain despite NICE not recommending cannabis-based medicines for routine chronic-pain management.
Could I Be Eligible for a Private Assessment?
Eligibility varies by clinic.
Many private providers look for evidence that a patient has:
- a diagnosed condition;
- tried previous conventional treatments;
- accessible medical records;
- no significant contraindication identified during screening.
Passing an online screening form does not mean you have been approved for medical cannabis.
The specialist makes the prescribing decision.
Use our Medical Cannabis Eligibility Checker UK to understand common preliminary criteria before paying for an assessment.
What Happens During the Assessment?
A clinician may discuss:
- how long you've experienced pain;
- diagnosis and investigations;
- previous medication;
- physiotherapy or other treatments;
- current medicines;
- mental-health history;
- previous cannabis use;
- impact on sleep and daily function;
- possible risks and interactions.
You should be given an opportunity to discuss the evidence and uncertainties as well as potential benefits.
What Are the Risks?
Cannabis-based medicines can cause adverse effects.
The NHS lists possible effects including dizziness, tiredness, weakness, nausea, mood or behavioural changes, hallucinations and feeling high. THC-containing medicines may also involve dependence and psychosis-related risks.
CBD and THC can interact with other medicines.
Never stop or reduce existing medication simply because you're considering medical cannabis without discussing this with the relevant clinician.
How Much Does Private Treatment Cost?
Private costs generally consist of two separate elements:
Clinic costs: consultations, memberships and reviews.
Medication costs: the prescribed product itself.
Clinic costs currently vary considerably between providers.
Our Medical Cannabis Cost UK 2026 guide compares these separately, while our Cheapest Medical Cannabis Clinics UK page examines longer-term clinic expenditure.
Chronic Pain and the NHS
NHS access to medical cannabis remains much narrower than private access.
The NHS states that medical cannabis prescriptions are likely to benefit only a small number of patients and routine access is focused on particular circumstances involving severe epilepsy, chemotherapy-related nausea/vomiting and MS spasticity.
Current NICE guidance specifically advises against several cannabis-based medicines for adult chronic pain.
FAQs
Is medical cannabis legal for chronic pain in the UK?
Cannabis-based medicinal products can legally be prescribed by appropriate specialists where clinically justified. This does not mean they are routinely recommended for chronic pain.
Does NICE recommend medical cannabis for chronic pain?
No. Current NICE guidance advises against offering THC, THC/CBD combinations, dronabinol and nabilone to manage chronic pain in adults and says CBD should only be offered for chronic pain within a clinical trial.
Can a private clinic still assess me?
Private specialists may assess patients and make individual prescribing decisions within UK prescribing rules.
Will previous pain medication affect eligibility?
Treatment history is likely to form part of an assessment. Individual clinic screening requirements vary.
Does an eligibility checker guarantee a prescription?
No.
Compare Your Options
If you're considering a private assessment after trying conventional approaches, first understand the evidence and costs.
Then:
- Check potential eligibility
- compare clinics
- examine fees
- request an assessment if you choose to proceed.
Use our Medical Cannabis Clinic Comparison Tool to compare providers before registering.