What Illness Qualifies for Medical Cannabis in the UK?

In recent years, the legalisation of medical cannabis in the UK has opened new avenues for patients seeking alternative treatments for various conditions. However, navigating the landscape of medical cannabis qualifications can be complex. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the qualifying conditions, criteria for prescribing cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs), and the process of accessing medical cannabis on the NHS.

Qualifying Conditions Under UK Law

Under UK regulations, medical cannabis may be prescribed by a specialist doctor in neurology, pain management, psychiatry, palliative care, or oncology. Cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) are considered when:

Conventional treatments have failed or caused intolerable side effects.
There is clinical evidence that medical cannabis may provide relief.

Currently, the NHS restricts prescribing to a very narrow set of cases, but private clinics may consider a broader range of conditions.

Below are some of the main categories where medical cannabis may be considered.

1. Neurological Conditions

Severe, treatment-resistant epilepsy (including rare childhood forms such as Dravet syndrome or Lennox–Gastaut syndrome).
Multiple sclerosis (MS) – particularly spasticity and muscle stiffness.
Tourette’s syndrome – where conventional therapies have failed.

2. Chronic Pain Conditions

Neuropathic pain (nerve-related pain).
Fibromyalgia – for patients unresponsive to standard painkillers.
Arthritis and musculoskeletal disorders – when symptoms remain severe despite treatment.
Migraines and cluster headaches (specialist-diagnosed).

3. Cancer-Related Symptoms

Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
Cancer-related pain unresponsive to opioids and other strong painkillers.
Appetite loss and weight loss linked to advanced cancer.

4. Palliative and End-of-Life Care

Symptom control in terminal illness, including pain, anxiety, and appetite loss.

5. Mental Health Conditions (in specialist contexts)

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Anxiety disorders when resistant to standard treatment.
Depression linked to chronic illness (specialist discretion).

6. Other Eligible Conditions

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis (case-by-case).
Sleep disorders associated with long-term health conditions.
HIV/AIDS-related weight loss and appetite loss.

Criteria for Prescribing Cannabis-Based Medicinal Products

To qualify for a prescription:

Patients must have a serious or long-term condition that conventional medicines have not adequately treated.
A specialist doctor must assess suitability and risks.
Prescriptions must follow UK clinical guidelines and balance patient benefit with safety.

Accessing Medical Cannabis on the NHS

Access through the NHS remains highly restricted. Most NHS prescriptions are limited to:

Severe epilepsy in children.
Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
Spasticity due to MS.

For other conditions, patients often access medical cannabis through private prescriptions from clinics specialising in CBMPs.

Guidance from NICE

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) provides clinical guidelines for cannabis prescribing. These cover:

Chronic pain.
Severe epilepsy.
Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
Multiple sclerosis-related spasticity.

NICE emphasises that prescribing decisions should be made carefully, with ongoing monitoring of effectiveness and side effects.

At CPGUK, we help patients:

Understand eligibility.
Navigate private and NHS access routes.
Get support with affordable treatment options.

👉 Find out how CPGUK can support you in accessing affordable medical cannabis by completing the form below.

Criteria for Prescribing Cannabis-Based Medicinal Products

The criteria for prescribing CBMPs are outlined in the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001. To qualify for a prescription, patients must have a severe, long-term clinical need that cannot be met by existing treatments. The prescribed medication should be the most suitable option, following UK clinical guidelines.

Clinicians must carefully weigh the risks associated with CBMPs, considering their potential for misuse, and ensure that the benefits to the patient outweigh these risks. This emphasises the importance of a thorough assessment by medical professionals before medical cannabis is prescribed.

Accessing Medical Cannabis on the NHS

The NHS provides access to medical cannabis through the ‘specials’ system. Doctors can prescribe cannabis-based medicines if they are deemed appropriate for the patient’s condition. To be eligible, patients must have a condition that does not respond to conventional treatments, including epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, nausea, and vomiting.

The NHS reported that England dispensed only “18 prescriptions for unlicensed cannabis-based products” in 2019. The ‘Safer Management of Controlled Drugs‘ report by the regulator, released on July 21, 2020, revealed that during 2019, 259 items of CBMP had been prescribed privately, whereas only 18 items were prescribed through the NHS, accounting for 6.5% of the total CBMP prescriptions.

Is cannabinoid treatment available through the NHS?

While medical cannabis is legal in the UK, obtaining it can be challenging, leaving many individuals curious about its availability through the NHS. In short, yes, it is possible to access medical cannabis through the NHS.

Typically, NHS-provided treatment with medical cannabis is reserved for extremely severe cases, such as rare epilepsy instances, chemotherapy-induced nausea, or specific cases of muscle stiffness linked to multiple sclerosis. For those interested in exploring medical cannabis, the simplest route to obtaining a prescription is often through self-referral to a private clinic.

Guidance and Advice for Prescribing Decisions:

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has played a significant role in providing guidance for prescribing medical cannabis. Technology appraisals and guidelines cover conditions such as chronic pain, intractable nausea and vomiting, spasticity, and severe treatment-resistant epilepsy.

NICE has issued a comprehensive guideline specifically addressing the prescription of cannabis-based medicinal products for medicinal use. This guideline provides detailed recommendations for the prescribing medical cannabis of such products to individuals experiencing intractable nausea and vomiting, chronic pain, spasticity, and severe treatment-resistant epilepsy. This authoritative guidance from NICE serves as a valuable resource for healthcare professionals navigating the landscape of medical cannabis prescriptions in the UK.

Medical Cannabis experts

For over two decades, Professor Mike Barnes, a Consultant Neurologist and expert in medical cannabis, has been a leading figure in the UK’s medical cannabis field

In this seminar, Professor Barnes guides us through the process of prescribing medical cannabis within the current regulations in the UK and discusses what the future of prescribing may look like. The year 2020 brought significant changes, turning our idea of ‘normal’ into the ‘new normal,’ affecting how prescriptions are handled in the UK. It’s crucial to grasp the current situation more than ever.

Professor Barnes, with a background in neurology and extensive experience in multiple sclerosis and brain injury, collaborated with GW Pharma in 2000 to develop Sativex, the first cannabis-based medicine. In 2016, he authored the Barnes Report for the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Drug Policy Reform, a document that played a role in the eventual change of laws related to medical cannabis.

Conclusion

Medical cannabis has become a legal option for treating various conditions in the UK, thanks to the Cannabis Act. While the list of qualifying conditions is currently specific, ongoing research may lead to the inclusion of more illnesses in the future. Patients are advised to consult with medical professionals to explore whether medical cannabis is a viable option for their specific medical condition, ensuring a personalised and informed approach to treatment decisions.

Find out how CPGUK can support you getting affordable medical cannabis using this form below.