Medical cannabis news, curated.

Medical Cannabis UK Law in 2026: What's Legal, What Isn't and What ...

## Is Medical Cannabis Legal in the UK? Yes. Medical cannabis has been legal on prescription in the UK since 1 November 2018, when qualifying cannabis-based products for medicinal use were moved to [Schedule 2 of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cannabis-cbd-and-other-cannabinoids-drug-licensing-factsheet/drug-licensing-factsheet-cannabis-cbd-and-other-cannabinoids). Recreational cannabis remains illegal and cannabis remains a Class B controlled drug. The change followed a government review of the medicinal use of cannabis and created a legal route through which cannabis-based products for medicinal use, known as CBPMs, could be prescribed. But it did not legalise cannabis generally. Cannabis remains a Class B controlled drug and, outside specific legal exemptions, it remains unlawful to possess, supply, produce, import or export it without the appropriate authority. Cultivating cannabis without a Home Office licence also remains illegal. ## Who Can Prescribe Medical Cannabis in the UK? The decision to prescribe an unlicensed cannabis medicine must be made by a doctor on the General Medical Council’s Specialist Register. The [Home Office](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/supply-unlicensed-medicinal-products-specials) states that specialist medical practitioners can prescribe Schedule 2 CBPMs without requiring a controlled drugs licence. The MHRA also lists doctors on the GMC Specialist Register among those authorised to procure unlicensed CBPMs in the UK. Many cannabis medicines prescribed privately in the UK are unlicensed medicines, sometimes known as “specials”. This means the medicine does not have a UK marketing authorisation and “may not have been assessed by the MHRA”. This is different from licensed cannabis-derived medicines such as Sativex and Epidyolex, which have received marketing authorisation and are separately scheduled under the controlled-drugs framework. ## Can Patients Get Medical Cannabis on the NHS? Yes, medical cannabis can be prescribed on the NHS in the UK, but access is extremely limited, as [Cannabis Health reported earlier this month.](https://cannabishealthnews.co.uk/2026/09/15/nhs-medical-cannabis-who-can-get-it-how-pathways-work-and-why-access-is-still-rare/) NHS prescriptions are largely restricted to licensed cannabis medicines for certain forms of epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Unlicensed cannabis-based medicines can be prescribed in exceptional circumstances, but this remains rare. In November 2018, the rescheduling of cannabis under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 allowed CBPMs to be prescribed under certain circumstances, by [doctors on the GMC specialist register](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/1055/contents/made). As of June 2026, [an estimated 140,000 patients](https://cannabishealthnews.co.uk/2026/06/24/uk-medical-cannabis-patient-numbers-set-to-reach-140000-in-2026-industry-report-finds/) are thought to be accessing treatment with medical cannabis, but fewer than 10 have access on the NHS, according to a report by Prohibition Partners. The majority of CBPMs are prescribed by private clinics where eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis. The barriers to wider NHS access will also be examined at the Cannabis Health Symposium London on 26 November. ## What Is Changing in UK Medical Cannabis Law in 2026? ### UK Medical Cannabis Law: Key Dates | Date | What happened | |-|-| | **2018** | The government reviewed the medicinal use and scheduling of cannabis, leading to a decision to move qualifying CBPMs into Schedule 2. | | **1 November 2018** | The rescheduling took effect, creating the current legal route for specialist prescribing of CBPMs while cannabis remained a Class B controlled drug. | | **January 2025** | January 2025 — The MHRA updated its guidance for the supply of unlicensed medicines, including CBPMs. | | **September 2025** | The ACMD opened a new call for evidence examining the intended and unintended effects of the 2018 changes. | | **2026** | The framework remains under review as regulators examine prescribing, private clinic governance, advertising, NHS access and the application of the law by police. The final report is expected by the end of the year. | ## Medical Cannabis UK Law: FAQs ### Is Medical Cannabis Legal in the UK? Yes. Qualifying cannabis-based products for medicinal use have been available on prescription since November 2018. Recreational cannabis use remains illegal, and cannabis remains a Class B controlled drug. ### Is It Legal to Smoke Prescribed Cannabis? No. Smoking cannabis-based medicinal products remains prohibited. Patients prescribed dried flower for inhalation should use it according to their prescription, which generally means administration through a suitable vaporiser. ### Is Medical Cannabis Available on the NHS? Yes, but very few patients receive medical cannabis through the NHS. Most people who are prescribed medical cannabis in the UK currently pay for treatment privately. ## Secure Your Place The rules governing medical cannabis will be examined in detail at the Cannabis Health Symposium London at Conway Hall on 26 November 2026. [Secure your place at the Cannabis Health Symposium London](https://cannabishealthnews.co.uk/events/london-symposium-2026/) ## The weekly Cannabis Health briefing DeclineAccept

Medical Cannabis News & Updates - Medicann Blog

7 days ago · Latest news, research, and updates in medical cannabis treatments and industry developments.

Is medical cannabis legal in the UK? Yes, but with limits. Our guide ...

Britain legalized medical cannabis access in 2018. NHS-funded prescriptions for unlicensed cannabis medicines, No new rules have been announced yet.

Experts issue medical cannabis warning to millions of Britons

Nearly two million unlicensed cannabis items were prescribed privately in England over the past 12 months according to new figures, prompting a warning over ...

Medical Cannabis Clinic London

# Medical Cannabis Clinic London - [Home](https://curaleafclinic.com/) - [Clinics](https://curaleafclinic.com/clinics/) - London ## Conditions We Support [Register with Curaleaf Clinic](https://welcome.curaleafclinic.com/sign-up/) ## 4 ### Prescription: If approved, your medicine can be delivered straight to your home. ## 5 ### Ongoing Support: [Register with Curaleaf Clinic](https://welcome.curaleafclinic.com/sign-up/) ## Join Our Patient Registry **If you are prescribed medical cannabis in the UK, you can join the UK Medical Cannabis Registry and help shape the future of treatment.** It’s open to anyone in the UK with a medical cannabis prescription. ## Research & Further Reading [](https://curaleafclinic.com/news/medical-cannabis-for-mental-health-what-does-the-latest-evidence-show/) News, Research, Conditions, Medical Cannabis ##### [Medical Cannabis for Mental Health: What Does the Latest Evidence Show?](https://curaleafclinic.com/news/medical-cannabis-for-mental-health-what-does-the-latest-evidence-show/) 25/09/2026 As more countries allow medical cannabis, more people are ... [Read more](https://curaleafclinic.com/news/medical-cannabis-for-mental-health-what-does-the-latest-evidence-show/) [](https://curaleafclinic.com/news/cannabis-and-mental-health-what-a-1-year-swiss-pharmacy-study-found/) Conditions, Medical Cannabis, News ##### [Cannabis and Mental Health: What a 1-Year Swiss Pharmacy Study Found](https://curaleafclinic.com/news/cannabis-and-mental-health-what-a-1-year-swiss-pharmacy-study-found/) 18/09/2026 [Read more](https://curaleafclinic.com/news/cannabis-and-mental-health-what-a-1-year-swiss-pharmacy-study-found/) [](https://curaleafclinic.com/news/long-term-experiences-of-australian-medical-cannabis-patients/) News, Medical Cannabis ##### [Long-Term Experiences of Australian Medical Cannabis Patients](https://curaleafclinic.com/news/long-term-experiences-of-australian-medical-cannabis-patients/) 11/09/2026 Medical cannabis has been legal to prescribe in Australia for almost a decade, and more than a million ... [Read more](https://curaleafclinic.com/news/long-term-experiences-of-australian-medical-cannabis-patients/)

Did you know medical cannabis has been legal in the UK since ...

Medicinal cannabis isn't new to the UK. It's been legally available on prescription since 2018. But for a lot of people, there are still plenty of questions ...

Medical Cannabis Headlines & Sector Update | News

Explore this month's medical cannabis news, including CQC cannabis guidance, revised ACMD guidance and more.

How to get medical cannabis in the UK: the patient pathway explained

How to get medical cannabis in the UK: specialist-only prescribing, eligibility checks, the consultation, pharmacy and costs. No prescription is guaranteed.

Cochrane: Statistics that save lives

# Statistics thatsave lives ## [News](https://www.cochrane.org/about-us/news) - [](https://www.cochrane.org/about-us/news/insufficient-evidence-back-medical-cannabis-insomnia) [Insufficient evidence to back medical cannabis for insomnia](https://www.cochrane.org/about-us/news/insufficient-evidence-back-medical-cannabis-insomnia) A new Cochrane review finds that existing evidence is too uncertain to determine whether medical cannabis improves sleep or daytime functioning in people with insomnia. ## Latest evidence [](https://www.cochrane.org/authors)

A British patient is challenging the NHS's refusal to reimburse medical ...

8 days ago · A British patient who uses cannabis for medical purposes and whose request for public funding for her treatment has been denied several times is launching a ...

Medical Cannabis UK: Patient Guides & Knowledge Base - Flora House

Plain-English answers to the questions UK patients ask about medical cannabis: is it legal, who can get it, what the requirements are, and how it works.

Cannabis addiction & abuse | Marijuana addiction - UKAT

Cannabis Addiction: Unravelling the Impact of marijuana abuse. Learn about the signs and symptoms of cannabis abuse & the addiction treatments we provide.

US cannabis legalization linked to rise in cardiovascular hospital admissions

Research | Cannabis Evidence

The legalization of cannabis affects substance use, with the potential for both negative and positive impacts on public health, a new McGill-led review study ...

US cannabis legalization linked to rise in cardiovascular hospital ...

Legalisation of recreational cannabis in the US is associated with a rise in hospital admissions for cardiovascular disease, finds an analysis of more than 50 million patient discharge records, published in the open access journal _**BMJ Open**_. Cannabis use has the potential to affect cardiovascular health through various physiological mechanisms, explain the researchers. And legalisation policies have been associated with more widespread use of cannabis products, particularly among older people who are already at heightened risk of cardiovascular problems, they add. As of June 2025, medicinal cannabis use was legal in 41 US states, while recreational use was legal in 24, they point out. To gauge the potential impact of recreational cannabis laws on cardiovascular health, the researchers obtained data on hospital discharge diagnoses and patient demographics from the [National Inpatient Sample](https://url.uk.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/aSfPCZZOYcX9wVMszfVAsBV6B3?domain=hcup-us.ahrq.gov) (NIS) for the years 2012-18 inclusive: NIS participating states cover around 97% of the US population. The researchers focused on the Western region of the USA (Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming), because it began legalising recreational cannabis in January 2014. This was nearly 5 years before other regions, so that by 2018, over 98% of people in the Western region lived in, or bordered, a state with legal cannabis sales. The researchers analysed hospital admission rates for acute heart failure, heart attack, atrial fibrillation/flutter, ischaemic (blood clot) stroke, venous thromboembolism or VTE for short (deep vein blood clot), and ventricular tachycardia (fast heartbeat). For each of these diagnoses, they estimated baseline regional rates of hospital admissions per 100 000 people, using weighted NIS data for the 2 years before the first legal sale of recreational cannabis. They looked at these rates before and after legalisation in the Western region and compared these with other regions that hadn’t enacted the legislation. The estimated change in admission rates for each year of legal cannabis sales was statistically significant for atrial fibrillation (just over 2% higher), heart failure (nearly 4% higher), and heart attack (just over 3% higher), after adjusting for potentially influential factors. These include the inability to separate out individual states or look at the method of cannabis use (smoked or not). Nor were they able to account for trends in illegal use. Nevertheless, they point out: “While several studies have examined the association of recreational cannabis legalisation on psychiatric conditions, substance use, emergency visits, and traffic accidents, ours is the first study to examine the association with [cardiovascular] hospitalisations.” They add: “While an observational study cannot prove causality, our findings point to potential adverse effects of recreation legalisation on population health. “Globally, our findings support a cautious approach to legalisation laws accompanied by data collection on [cardiovascular] outcomes.” #### Journal BMJ Open #### DOI [10.1136/bmjopen-2025-111050](http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2025-111050) #### Method of Research Data/statistical analysis #### Subject of Research People #### Article Title Cannabis legalisation and cardiovascular hospitalisations in the United States: nationwide difference-in-differences analysis, 2012–2018

State of Michigan awards U-M researchers $7.4 million to study ...

State of Michigan awards U-M researchers $7.4 million to study effect of CBD and medical cannabis therapy on Veterans' chronic pain.

SOM Faculty Awarded $8 Million for Medical Cannabis Research

7 days ago · Pitt's funding will be used to conduct investigator-initiated studies of the potential benefits and harms of medical cannabis use in patients living with ...

Brain Changes and Cannabis Use Study | Clinical Trials - Yale Medicine

Study compensation up to $5,075. Study involves: Screening visit, brain imaging sessions, at least 4 weeks of abstinence from cannabis Pays up to: $5,075

Indications for Medical Cannabis and Their Alignment With US-Wide ...

The objective of this study was to compare the prevalence of QMCs among medical cannabis patients in Florida to population-based prevalences of these conditions ...

Patients waiting indefinitely for medicine two years after ...

2 days ago · Two years after Nebraskans approved a medical marijuana program, patients await doctor recommendations, and professionals hoping to work in the industry ...

How Pennsylvania Is Shaping Medical Cannabis Research - Roanoke ...

Join clinical research coordinator Mark Kelley for a behind-the-scenes look at the science, research, and academic framework shaping medical cannabis in ...

Medical Marijuana - Arkansas Department of Health

[Skip to content](https://healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/data-statistics-registries/medical-marijuana/#content) ## [Programs & Services](https://healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/) - [Data, Statistics & Registries](https://healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/data-statistics-registries/) - [Medical Marijuana](https://healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/data-statistics-registries/medical-marijuana/) - [Medical Marijuana FAQs](https://healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/data-statistics-registries/medical-marijuana/faqs/) - [Qualified Patient Requirements](https://healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/data-statistics-registries/medical-marijuana/qualified-patient-requirements/)  ## Number of Active Medical Marijuana ID Cards **119,452 as of October 17, 2026** ## Fee Schedule | Type | Current Non-refundable Fees (Subject to change) | |-|-| | Patient medical marijuana card application and renewals | $50.00 | | Caregiver medical marijuana card application and renewals | $50.00 | | Caregiver criminal background | $40 (Effective October 1, 2026) | - Your legal matters ## Annual Reports - [Medical Marijuana Report: 2025](https://healthy.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/ADH-Medical-Marijuana-FY25-Annual-Report.pdf) - [Medical Marijuana Report: 2024](https://healthy.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/FY_2024_MMJ_Report.pdf) - [Medical Marijuana Report: 2023](https://healthy.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/FY23_Report_MMJ_Final.pdf) - [Medical Marijuana Report: 2022](https://healthy.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/FY22_MMJ_Report.pdf) - [Medical Marijuana Report: 2021](https://healthy.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/FY_2021_MMJ_Report_V.11.16.2021.pdf) - [Medical Marijuana Report: 2020](https://healthy.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/FY_2020_MMJ_Report_V.11.25.2020.pdf) - [Medical Marijuana Report: 2019](https://healthy.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/FY_2019_MMJ_Report_V.11.7.2019.pdf) - [Medical Marijuana Report: 2018](https://healthy.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/FY_2018_MMJ_Report_V.12.20.2018.pdf) ## Resources - [Medical Marijuana Rule](https://healthy.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/Medical_Marijuana.pdf) - [Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment 98, Sections 1-8](https://healthy.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/Amendment_98_Sections_1-8.pdf) - [Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment 98, Sections 9-26](https://healthy.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/Amendment_98_Sections_9-26.pdf) ## Contact Information **Medical Marijuana** 4815 W.

U.S. Authorizing Clinicians and Medical Cannabis Caregivers

## Congrats! Contents _Background:_ As of June 2026, medical cannabis products are legal in 41 states and Washington, DC, and 24 states and Washington, DC, have legalized cannabis products for recreational use ( [1](https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/ANNALS-26-03446#core-collateral-r1-ANNALS2603446)). Although clinicians can authorize medical cannabis access (henceforth, _authorizing clinicians_) for registered patients (henceforth, _patients_) under state law, they cannot prescribe cannabis-based medicines because no products available from cannabis retailers have been approved by the U.S. Thus, patients obtain products from state-licensed cannabis retailers and medical cannabis caregivers (henceforth, _caregivers_)—persons without medical training who are authorized under state laws to grow, possess, … ## References **Boehnke KF**, **Sinclair R**, **Gordon F**, **et al**. Trends in U.S. medical cannabis registrations, authorizing clinicians, and reasons for use from 2020 to 2022. Ann Intern Med. 2024;177:458-466. [PMID: [38588545](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38588545/)] doi: [10.7326/M23-2811](https://doi.org/10.7326/M23-2811) [Link](https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M23-2811) [Google Scholar](https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=Trends+in+U.S.+medical+cannabis+registrations%2C+authorizing+clinicians%2C+and+reasons+for+use+from+2020+to+2022.&publication_year=2024&journal=Ann+Intern+Med&pages=458-466&doi=10.7326%2FM23-2811&pmid=38588545) **Boehnke KF**, **Whitcomb M**, **Gordon F**, **et al**. Ann Intern Med. 29 September 2026. [Epub ahead of print]. doi: [10.7326/ANNALS-26-01527](https://doi.org/10.7326/ANNALS-26-01527) [Link](https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/ANNALS-26-01527) [Google Scholar](https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=Trends+in+U.S.+medical+cannabis+registrations+and+reasons+for+use%2C+2016+to+2024.&journal=Ann+Intern+Med&doi=10.7326%2FANNALS-26-01527) ## Comments ### Information #### Keywords 7. [Research design](https://www.acpjournals.org/topic/acpthes/4296) ### Authors #### Affiliations Kevin F.Boehnke, PhD [0000-0003-3696-3979](https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3696-3979) MadelineWhitcomb, MPH FeliciaGordon, BA Anesthesiology Department, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan AvinashHosanagar, MD [0000-0002-2056-1097](https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2056-1097) TristinSmith, MPH Anesthesiology Department, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan Boehnke sat on a data safety and monitoring board for a clinical trial with Vireo Health (unpaid). He has also received grant funding from the State of Michigan Veteran Marijuana Research Program. **Reproducible Research Statement:** _Study protocol_: Not applicable. ### Citations #### See Also - [Trends in U.S. Medical Cannabis Registrations and Reasons for Use, 2016 to 2024](https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/full/10.7326/ANNALS-26-01527) - Kevin F. Boehnke, PhD, - Madeline Whitcomb, MPH, - Felicia Gordon, BA, - Benjamin Gordon, - Avinash Hosanagar, MD, - Tristin Smith, MPH, - Douglas R. Roehler, PhD #### Related in ACP Journals [Trends in U.S. Medical Cannabis Registrations and Reasons for Use, 2016 to 2024](https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/full/10.7326/ANNALS-26-01527) - I.M. Matters Weekly from ACPVolume 2022, Number 0614Cannabis14 June 2022 [Enrollment in medical cannabis programs increased more than 4-fold from 2016 to 2020](https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/full/10.7326/acpi-20220614_4)

In the News | Cannabis Evidence

A trial conducted at the Medical University of South Carolina tested men and women on whether varenicline could help with cannabis use disorder and the results ...