Qualifying conditions
What Conditions Qualify for Medical Cannabis in the UK?
There is no fixed list of qualifying conditions published by the NHS or MHRA. Instead, UK medical cannabis prescribing operates on a clinical judgement model: a specialist doctor assesses whether cannabis-based treatment is appropriate for your individual situation, based on your diagnosis, treatment history, and clinical need.
In practice, the vast majority of UK medical cannabis patients are treated for one of the following conditions:
| Condition category | Includes |
|---|---|
| Chronic pain | Back pain, nerve pain, fibromyalgia, arthritis, joint pain, neuropathy, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), post-surgical pain |
| Anxiety and PTSD | Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, complex PTSD |
| Sleep disorders | Chronic insomnia, sleep maintenance difficulties, sleep disorders secondary to pain or anxiety |
| ADHD | Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder — particularly where conventional medications have caused intolerable side effects or been ineffective |
| Neurological conditions | Multiple sclerosis, chronic migraine, cluster headaches, Tourette syndrome |
| Mental health conditions | Treatment-resistant depression, OCD, eating disorders (case-by-case basis) |
| Nausea and appetite loss | Chemotherapy-induced nausea, cachexia, appetite disorders related to chronic illness or treatment side effects |
| Inflammatory and autoimmune conditions | Rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Behçet's disease, Sjögren's syndrome, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease |
| Dermatological conditions | Chronic eczema, psoriasis |
| Female health | Endometriosis, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), chronic menstrual pain |
This list is not exhaustive nor is this a guarantee. Our specialist doctors will always review on a case by case basis to determine whether this is an appropriate treatment for you. If you have a chronic condition that has not responded adequately to conventional treatment, you may still be eligible. If you are unsure, our patient care team can give you an honest answer before you pay for anything.
Ready to check? Start your application →
A common question
The Two Previous Treatments Requirement
To be considered for medical cannabis in the UK, you will generally need to show that you have tried at least two previous treatments for your condition. This is a standard requirement across UK medical cannabis clinics and reflects prescribing best practice — cannabis-based treatment is considered a specialist option, not a first-line choice.
What counts as a "previous treatment" is much broader than most people think. It does not have to be a prescription drug. Any of the following would typically qualify:
Prescription medications — including those you stopped because of side effects
Over-the-counter treatments
Physiotherapy, osteopathy, or chiropractic treatment
Talking therapies — CBT, counselling, psychotherapy, EMDR
Psychiatric treatment or medication — antidepressants, anxiolytics, ADHD medication
Pain management programmes or interventions — steroid injections, nerve blocks, TENS
If a treatment made things worse, caused side effects you could not tolerate, or simply did not help enough, that counts. The requirement is about demonstrating that conventional options have been explored, not that they failed catastrophically.
Not sure if your history qualifies?
Email us →
Contact our patient care team and we can review your situation informally before you commit to anything.
Getting started
What You Need to Get Started
The application process at Naturecan Clinic is straightforward. Here is what you will need:
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1
A Summary Care Record (SCR) or equivalent medical records
This is an electronic summary of your GP records — your medications, allergies, diagnoses, and treatments. It is the single most important document in your application because it allows our doctors to verify your clinical history safely.You can get your SCR in minutes via the NHS App, by emailing your GP, or by giving us permission to request it on your behalf. We have a full step-by-step guide to help.How to get your Summary Care Record → -
2
A valid form of ID (optional at application stage)
Photo ID is not required to apply, but you may be asked to provide it before your consultation. A passport, driving licence, or national ID card all work. This is a standard identity check, not a barrier to access. -
3
Payment for your consultation
Naturecan Clinic consultations start from £9.99 per month (or £70 as a one-off annual fee). You pay before your appointment is booked, which means no wasted time for you or our clinicians. If our doctors determine that you are not eligible, you will not be charged for the consultation.Klarna is available for both consultation fees and medication costs — Naturecan Clinic is one of the first UK medical cannabis clinics to offer buy now, pay later. We believe cost should not be a barrier to accessing specialist care.Klarna available — spread the cost
Your appointment
What Happens During Your Consultation
All Naturecan Clinic consultations take place via secure video call from the comfort of your own home. There is no need to travel to a physical clinic. Here is what to expect:
Before
Clinical review
Our clinical team reviews your Summary Care Record and medical history. A nurse triages your case and assigns you to the most appropriate specialist doctor.
During
Your video consultation
Your doctor will discuss your condition, your treatment history, what you have tried, and what your goals are. This is a genuine clinical conversation — not a tick-box exercise. Consultations typically last 15 to 30 minutes.
After
Treatment plan and GP notification
If your doctor determines that treatment is appropriate, they will create a treatment plan. A second clinician independently reviews the plan as part of our mandatory two-eye safety check. Your GP is informed by letter — this is a legal requirement, but the treatment decision remains between you and your specialist.
Delivery
Your medication arrives
Once your plan is approved, your prescription is dispensed by Naturecan Pharmacy (our in-house, CQC-registered pharmacy) and delivered to your door via Royal Mail signed delivery.
The entire process — from application to medication arriving — depends primarily on how quickly you can provide your medical records. Once we have your SCR, things move quickly.
Exclusions
Who Is Not Eligible
Medical cannabis is not suitable for everyone. You are unlikely to be eligible if:
- You have a personal history of psychosis or schizophrenia
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding
- You are under 18 years old
- You have not tried any previous treatments for your condition
- Your condition does not have a formal diagnosis
If you are unsure about any of these, contact us. Our patient care team will give you an honest answer rather than let you pay for a consultation that is unlikely to result in treatment.
Why us
Why Patients Choose Naturecan Clinic
Genuinely affordable
£70 for a one-off annual consultation or £9.99 per month for a UK medical cannabis clinic
Klarna available
Spread the cost of consultations and medication with buy now, pay later
In-house pharmacy
Your medication is dispensed by Naturecan Pharmacy, our own CQC-registered pharmacy. If you have a different preferred pharmacy then we can also send your prescription there too
Free clinic transfers
Already a patient at another clinic? Transfer to Naturecan Clinic at no cost with your existing records
CQC registered
Fully regulated by the Care Quality Commission
Experienced team
Part of the Naturecan Group, which has supported over 120,000 patients across Europe
No obligation
If our doctors decide treatment is not right for you, you will receive a full refund, providing the information you provided was accurate and truthful
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What illness qualifies for medical cannabis in the UK?
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There is no fixed NHS list of qualifying conditions. Medical cannabis in the UK is prescribed on a case-by-case basis by specialist doctors. The most commonly treated conditions include chronic pain, anxiety, PTSD, sleep disorders, ADHD, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and nausea related to chemotherapy. If you have a diagnosed condition that has not responded to at least two previous treatments, you may be eligible.
Do I need a GP referral for medical cannabis?
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No. At Naturecan Clinic, you can self-refer directly. You do not need a letter from your GP. You will need to provide your Summary Care Record so our doctors can review your medical history, but the referral itself comes from you, not your GP.
Can I get medical cannabis on the NHS?
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It is extremely rare. The NHS has approved only a small number of cannabis-based medicines for very specific conditions such as severe epilepsy and chemotherapy-induced nausea. Over 99% of UK medical cannabis prescriptions are issued through private specialist clinics like Naturecan Clinic.
How much does a medical cannabis consultation cost?
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At Naturecan Clinic, consultations cost £70 as a one-off annual fee, or £9.99 per month. Klarna buy now, pay later is available for both consultations and medication. If you are not eligible, you will not be charged for the consultation.
Is medical cannabis legal in the UK?
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Yes. Medical cannabis has been legal on prescription in the UK since 1 November 2018. It must be prescribed by a specialist doctor registered on the General Medical Council's Specialist Register. Naturecan Clinic's Medical Director and prescribing doctors are all on this register.
Will my GP find out?
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Yes — your GP must be informed. This is a legal requirement for all specialist prescribing in the UK. Your doctor will send a letter to your GP after your consultation. This is about patient safety and joined-up care. Your GP cannot block your treatment, but they will be made aware of it.
Can I transfer from another medical cannabis clinic?
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Yes. If you are already a patient at another UK medical cannabis clinic, you can transfer to Naturecan Clinic at no cost. You will need a copy of your discharge letter or most recent consultation notes from your current clinic. Our patient care team can guide you through the process.
How long does the whole process take?
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The main variable is how quickly you can provide your medical records. If you download your Summary Care Record from the NHS App, you could have it in minutes. From there, most patients have their first consultation within one to two weeks. Medication delivery typically follows within a few days of your prescription being approved.
What if I have tried treatments privately and they are not on my NHS records?
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Private treatments are not always recorded on your NHS Summary Care Record. If any part of your care happened privately, contact that clinic or practitioner and request copies of their letters or reports. You can upload these alongside your SCR and our doctors will review everything together.
Is medical cannabis the same as CBD?
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No. CBD products sold over the counter in the UK are classified as food supplements and contain little to no THC. Medical cannabis is a prescription-only medicine that may contain THC and other cannabinoids in controlled, standardised formulations. They are entirely different products with different legal classifications. If you currently use Naturecan CBD products and are curious about medical cannabis, our team can help you understand the differences.
DT
Medically reviewed by Dr David Tang, Medical Director
Last reviewed May 2026. Information is reviewed regularly for clinical accuracy.