How doctors make prescribing decisions for medical cannabis in the UK
Legislation
Jan 13
Medical cannabis may be prescribed in the UK in limited circumstances, but decisions to prescribe are made carefully and on an individual basis. This process reflects how prescription-only medicines are regulated more broadly within the UK healthcare system, with an emphasis on clinical judgement, oversight and patient safety.
Understanding how these decisions are made helps clarify why access to cannabis-based medicines is tightly controlled.
Prescribing decisions for cannabis-based medicines are made by doctors listed on the General Medical Council’s Specialist Register. Each case is assessed individually, taking into account a patient’s medical history, current symptoms and previous treatments [1][2].
There is no automatic eligibility for treatment. Instead, clinicians consider whether recognised conventional therapies have been tried and whether prescribing a cannabis-based medicine may be clinically appropriate in that specific context.
Restricting prescribing to specialist doctors ensures that decisions are made by clinicians with relevant expertise. These clinicians are responsible for evaluating potential risks and benefits, documenting their clinical reasoning and providing ongoing oversight where treatment is initiated [2].
This approach reflects wider prescribing standards used across the UK healthcare system for medicines that require specialist input or closer monitoring.
Most cannabis-based medicines prescribed in the UK are classed as unlicensed “specials”. As a result, additional safeguards apply. Prescriptions are issued on a named-patient basis, dispensing is tightly regulated and follow-up reviews are expected as part of ongoing care [1].
Regulatory oversight is provided by organisations including the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the Department of Health and Social Care and the Home Office. Together, these bodies set the framework within which prescribing decisions must be made [1][3].
Medical cannabis prescribing in the UK is not a consumer choice or entitlement. It is a clinical decision made by a qualified specialist, based on individual circumstances and professional judgement.
This framework allows cannabis-based medicines to be considered in specific medical contexts while maintaining clear safeguards and accountability within the healthcare system.
For an overview of the legal framework surrounding medical cannabis, see our guide to the legal status of medical cannabis in the UK.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. Treatment decisions are made by qualified clinicians based on individual clinical assessment. UK cannabis regulation and clinical evidence continue to evolve.
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