Cannabis-based products for medicinal use were rescheduled in November 2018, allowing appropriate specialist doctors to prescribe them where clinically appropriate.
For most people researching private medical cannabis, the process involves checking potential eligibility, supplying medical records, undergoing a specialist assessment and (only if the clinician considers it appropriate) receiving a prescription.
Step 1: Understand Whether You Might Be Eligible
There is no universal online quiz capable of telling you that you qualify for a prescription.
Only an appropriate clinician can make that decision.
However, private clinics commonly conduct preliminary eligibility checks before arranging consultations.
For example, Alternaleaf currently states for a number of conditions that applicants should have a diagnosis and have been offered at least two conventional treatments.alternaleaf.co.uk
That's a clinic criterion, however, not a universal legal rule saying everyone in Britain automatically becomes eligible after two treatments.
That distinction matters.
Step 2: Compare Medical Cannabis Clinics
Don't immediately register with the first clinic you see.
Compare:
- initial fees
- ongoing fees
- specialist expertise
- appointment structure
- patient support
- pharmacy arrangements
- medication costs
- access schemes
Our Best Medical Cannabis Clinics UK comparison is designed specifically for this stage.
Step 3: Provide Your Medical History
The clinic may need relevant medical information before determining whether an assessment is appropriate.
The objective is to allow clinicians to understand:
- your diagnosed condition;
- previous treatments;
- current medication;
- relevant medical history;
- potential contraindications.
NICE says prescribers should consider factors including current and previous cannabis use, history of substance misuse, mental and physical health history, medicine interactions, pregnancy and breastfeeding.nice.org.uk
Step 4: Attend a Specialist Consultation
If you pass preliminary screening, you may be invited to a consultation.
This does not mean a prescription is guaranteed.
The clinician needs to decide whether a cannabis-based medicinal product is appropriate for your individual circumstances.
NHS England states that there is no legal restriction specifying particular indications for which CBPMs may be prescribed; the decision is clinical. However, prescribers need to consider the patient's condition, existing medicines, evidence of efficacy and safety, and appropriate licensed alternatives.england.nhs.uk
Step 5: Prescription and Follow-Up
If treatment is prescribed, you'll be given instructions covering your medication and its use.
Monitoring matters.
NICE recommends monitoring efficacy and safety and adjusting doses appropriately. Patients should also be informed about potential benefits, harms, dependence, medicine interactions, licensing status and driving implications.nice.org.uk
Private vs NHS Access
This is one of the most misunderstood areas.
NHS
NHS access remains highly restricted.
The NHS says prescriptions are currently likely mainly in certain circumstances involving severe epilepsy, chemotherapy-induced nausea/vomiting and MS-related spasticity, generally after other treatments have not helped or are unsuitable.
Private
Doctors on the GMC Specialist Register can prescribe privately where the clinical requirements are met.england.nhs.uk
This explains why the range of conditions assessed by private clinics can appear much broader than routine NHS access.
Is Buying Cannabis Online the Same Thing?
No.
Prescription medical cannabis should not be confused with illicit cannabis or ordinary CBD products.
The NHS warns that many products advertised online as medical cannabis may be illegal and potentially unsafe.nhs.uk
How Much Does It Cost?
Private patients can face two main categories of cost:
Clinical costs: consultations, memberships and follow-ups.
Medication costs: the actual prescribed medicine.
Our Medical Cannabis Cost UK guide separates these so you can compare providers properly.
FAQs
Can my GP prescribe medical cannabis?
Initial prescribing requirements for many CBPMs involve a doctor on the GMC Specialist Register; shared-care arrangements can apply in appropriate circumstances.
Do two failed treatments automatically make me eligible?
No. Some clinics use previous-treatment requirements in screening, but prescribing remains an individual clinical decision.
Is private medical cannabis legal?
Yes, when prescribed and supplied in accordance with UK law.
Is a private prescription guaranteed after paying for a consultation?
No.
Ready to Compare Your Options?
Start with our Medical Cannabis Eligibility Checker, then compare providers using our Best Medical Cannabis Clinics UK table.