Your questions,
answered honestly.

Yes. Medical cannabis was legalised in the UK in November 2018 following changes to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations. Specialist doctors — called consultant-grade clinicians — are now legally able to prescribe unlicensed cannabis-based products for medicinal use (CBPMs) where clinically appropriate.

This means that if a licensed specialist prescribes cannabis for you, possessing and using your prescribed medication is entirely lawful. Your prescription is your legal protection.

No. Medical cannabis is a prescription medicine, produced to pharmaceutical standards, dispensed by a registered pharmacy, and prescribed by a licensed doctor. Recreational cannabis remains a Class B controlled substance in the UK.

What you receive through Naturecan Clinic is a legal prescription medicine — regulated, quality-controlled, and tailored to your clinical needs.

In practice, very rarely. NHS prescribing of medical cannabis is limited to a small number of specific conditions — most notably certain childhood epilepsy syndromes — and even then can be extremely difficult to access. The vast majority of UK patients access medical cannabis through private clinics like Naturecan Clinic.

This is not a loophole. It is the established, legal route for most conditions.

A medical cannabis card (sometimes called a cannabis card or Cancard) is not a legal requirement in the UK. It is not an official government document. Some patients carry one as a way of evidencing their patient status to police if questioned, but your prescription paperwork is the legally relevant document.

At Naturecan Clinic, your prescription and patient record serve as your documentation.

Naturecan Clinic currently treats patients with chronic pain, anxiety and PTSD, and sleep disorders. Medical cannabis prescribing in the UK is not limited to a fixed list of conditions — it is based on whether a specialist clinician judges it appropriate for your individual circumstances.

The key eligibility criteria are: you must have tried at least two conventional treatments for your condition without adequate relief, and you must not have a history of psychosis or schizophrenia.

The standard eligibility threshold is two previous treatments — medication, therapy, physiotherapy, or other recognised interventions all count. If you have only tried one, you may not yet meet the threshold, but it is always worth starting the eligibility check. Our clinical team reviews each case individually.

Treatment doesn't have to mean medication — lifestyle interventions, talking therapies, and physical treatments all count where clinically relevant.

No. You can self-refer directly to Naturecan Clinic. You do not need your GP's permission or a formal referral letter. However, we do need access to your medical records — specifically your Summary Care Record — to allow our doctors to make a safe and informed prescribing decision.

We will help you obtain your records as part of the onboarding process.

Many people with mental health conditions are successfully treated through medical cannabis clinics, including for anxiety and PTSD. The key clinical contraindications are a personal history of psychosis or schizophrenia — these are absolute contraindications for prescribing.

A history of depression, anxiety, or other conditions does not automatically disqualify you. Our clinical team assesses each patient individually.

You must be 18 years of age or over to register with Naturecan Clinic.

The process has four stages: complete a short eligibility check; provide your medical records; book and attend a video consultation with one of our specialist doctors; and if prescribed, receive your medication from our in-house pharmacy.

The whole process happens remotely — you never need to leave your home. Consultations take place via secure video call.

In most cases, from completing your eligibility check to receiving your first prescription takes two to four weeks. The main variable is how quickly we can obtain your medical records — this depends on your GP's responsiveness.

Once your records are in and your consultation is complete, prescription generation and pharmacy dispatch typically happen within 1–3 working days.

Your consultation is a video call with a GMC-registered specialist doctor. They will review your medical history, discuss your condition, ask about previous treatments, and talk through your goals and expectations.

If the doctor decides a prescription is appropriate, they will create a treatment plan and send your prescription to our pharmacy. You will also receive a letter for your GP.

Yes. We are legally required to inform your GP that you have been prescribed medical cannabis. A letter is sent to your GP after every consultation. This is a patient safety requirement — it ensures your GP has a complete picture of your medications.

Your GP cannot override or block your prescription. They will simply be informed.

The total cost has two parts: the clinic consultation fee, and the cost of your medication. At Naturecan Clinic, our consultation fee is either a one-off annual fee of £70, or a rolling monthly subscription of £9.99 per month. Medication costs vary depending on your individual prescription.

Yes. We are the first medical cannabis clinic in the UK to offer Klarna — allowing you to spread the cost of your consultation fee and medication across manageable payments. We believe cost should not be a barrier to accessing legitimate healthcare.

The consultation fee covers a clinical assessment with a specialist doctor, regardless of the outcome. If the doctor determines that medical cannabis is not clinically appropriate for you, the consultation fee is not refunded — but you will receive a full clinical assessment, clear reasoning, and guidance on next steps.

Currently, most UK private health insurance policies do not cover medical cannabis prescriptions. The landscape is evolving, and we recommend checking directly with your insurer. Our pricing has been set to be as accessible as possible without reliance on insurance coverage.

Your medication is dispensed by Naturecan Pharmacy — our in-house GPhC-registered pharmacy — and delivered by Royal Mail Signed For service. Delivery is to a named recipient only, with ID verification required on receipt.

Because clinic and pharmacy are under the same roof, we are typically faster than clinics that use third-party pharmacies.

Repeat prescribing is only available where it is clinically appropriate for your individual treatment plan, and eligibility may change over time based on your progress. If your review raises any concerns — including changes in your symptoms, potential adverse effects, or requests outside your agreed parameters — your case will be escalated to a doctor rather than processed as a standard repeat. Full doctor consultations are required for your initial prescription, your first follow-up, and annually thereafter. If you have any concerns about your treatment between appointments, please contact our patient care team promptly rather than waiting for your next repeat cycle.

UK medical cannabis prescriptions are valid for 28 days. This is a legal requirement under UK controlled drug regulations and applies to all clinics equally.

International travel with a medical cannabis prescription is complex. While your prescription is legal in the UK, cannabis medicines are controlled substances in most countries — and your UK prescription does not automatically grant you legal protection abroad.

Before travelling internationally with your medication, you should check the drug laws of your destination country and, where relevant, apply for an import/export licence from the Home Office. We strongly advise against travelling to countries where cannabis possession carries serious penalties.

UK prescription does not automatically permit possession/importation overseas; must check destination and transit country laws; may need Home Office import/export licence; travel at own risk.

This is one of the most common questions we receive, and the honest answer is: it depends. The UK law on drug driving sets specific legal limits for THC in the blood. If you are taking medication that contains THC, it is possible to be over the legal limit even if you do not feel impaired.

Your prescribing doctor will discuss driving with you as part of your consultation. Many patients — particularly those on lower THC or higher CBD formulations — are able to drive legally. Others adjust their dosing schedule to accommodate driving requirements.

You should never drive if you feel impaired. Having a prescription does not exempt you from drug driving laws.

Yes, it may. Standard workplace drug tests screen for the presence of cannabinoids, and a medical cannabis prescription containing THC can produce a positive result. Having a prescription does not automatically exempt you from your employer's drug policy.

We advise patients in safety-critical roles — or those in workplaces with strict drug policies — to discuss this with their employer and their prescribing doctor before starting treatment.

There is no general legal obligation to inform your employer that you have a medical cannabis prescription. However, if your role involves operating machinery, driving, or other safety-critical activities, you may have a duty of care obligation to disclose health information that could affect your fitness for work.

This is an area where individual circumstances vary significantly. Your doctor can help you navigate this during your consultation.

This varies between patients and depends on your condition, the specific treatment approach, and how your body responds. Some patients notice changes within the first few days; for others, meaningful improvement can take several weeks of consistent use.

Your doctor will set realistic expectations during your consultation and adjust your treatment plan at follow-up if needed.

Like all medicines, medical cannabis can cause side effects. Commonly reported effects include drowsiness, dry mouth, and changes in appetite. These are typically more pronounced when starting treatment and often reduce as your body adjusts.

Your prescribing doctor will discuss potential side effects specific to your treatment plan. If you experience any concerns after starting treatment, you can contact our clinical team.

Yes, interactions are possible. This is one of the reasons a thorough review of your medical records and current medications is essential before prescribing. Certain medications — including some blood thinners, antidepressants, and anti-epileptics — can interact with cannabinoids.

Your prescribing doctor will review all your current medications as part of your consultation and will not prescribe if they identify a clinically significant interaction risk.

Cannabis dependence is a recognised clinical phenomenon, but the risk profile of medical cannabis used as prescribed is considered low compared to many other medicines used for chronic conditions (including opioids). The risk is higher with higher-THC formulations used over extended periods.

Your doctor will take dependence risk into account when designing your treatment plan and will monitor this at follow-up appointments.

Yes, and we actively welcome transfers. If you are already a patient at another medical cannabis clinic, you can transfer to Naturecan Clinic — and we will waive the initial consultation fee. You will need to provide proof of your existing patient status (such as a prescription or patient summary from your current clinic).

Your previous prescription cannot be directly transferred — our doctors must assess you independently and issue their own prescription. However, we take your full treatment history into account, and for established patients with a clear clinical record, the transition is typically smooth and your previous treatment approach is given significant weight.

We understand that continuity of treatment matters. We work to minimise any gap in your medication supply during a transfer. In many cases, we can schedule your transfer consultation before your existing prescription expires, ensuring a seamless transition.

Yes. Naturecan Clinic (Ropana Clinics Ltd) is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) — the independent health and social care regulator in England. Our pharmacy, Naturecan Pharmacy (MYC Dispensary Ltd), is registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). All our doctors are GMC-registered.

CQC registration number: 1-14518645695

All consultations are conducted remotely via secure video call. You never need to travel to a clinic. This makes Naturecan Clinic accessible to patients across England, regardless of location.

You can reach our patient care team at support-uk@naturecanclinic.com. We aim to respond to all enquiries within one working day.

Our CQC registration currently covers England. Patients in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland should check with us directly, as regulatory coverage and prescription logistics may vary. We welcome enquiries from across the UK.