Since November 2018, cannabis‑based products for medicinal use (CBPMs) have been legal to prescribe across the UK. However, access to CBPMs remains tightly constrained. NICE guidance recommends CBPMs only for severe treatment‑resistant epilepsies, chemotherapy‑induced nausea and vomiting, spasticity in multiple sclerosis, and certain chronic pain indications. NHS England and its equivalents emphasise prescribing should be exceptional, specialist‑led, and under robust governance, resulting in very low NHS prescribing volumes.

In contrast, private clinics can prescribe CBPMs for symptoms including chronic pain and some mental health‑related presentations, using the same legal framework but outside NHS commissioning constraints. This has contributed to a two‑tier system, risking self‑medication with unregulated cannabis products by those who cannot afford private care.

Emerging evidence for use with further conditions remains mixed requiring further UK‑wide research, clearer national standards, and more equitable prescribing pathways are to support evidence-based nursing practice.

References

Department of Health and Social Care (2018) Medicinal cannabis: information and resources. Available at: gov.uk/government/collections/medicinal-cannabis-information-and-resources (Accessed 24 March 2026).

Medical Defence Union (2022) Prescribing cannabis-based products. Available at: themdu.com/guidance-and-advice/guides/prescribing-cannabis-based-products (Accessed 24 March 2026).

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2021) Cannabis-based medicinal products (NG144). Available at: nice.org.uk/guidance/ng144 (Accessed 24 March 2026).

NHS England (2023) Cannabis-based products for medicinal use (CBPMs): clinical and commissioning guidance. Available at: england.nhs.uk/long-read/cannabis-based-products-for-medicinal-use-cbpms/ (Accessed 24 March 2026).