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3 min read
Sam North
In the UK, people of any age are eligible to receive a prescription for cannabis-based medicines, but there is a little more to the story...
Welcome back to our New Patients series!
In this series of blogs, we answer common questions we frequently hear from our new patients in quick-to-read, easy-to-digest blog posts. Today, we'll be addressing the question -
"Is there an age limit to medical cannabis in the UK?"
No, but that doesn’t mean that all clinics offer medical cannabis prescriptions to people aged under 18.
Medical cannabis was made legal in the UK on 1 November 2018. This change in legislation allows medical doctors who are registered on the General Medical Council's (GMC) Specialist Register to prescribe cannabis-based treatment options for medicinal use.
The legally prescribable options include dried cannabis flower, cannabis oil, capsules, edibles, and topical creams and balms.
We mentioned above that only doctors on the GMC's Specialist Register can prescribe medical cannabis in the UK.
But there are also two routes for patients to consider - the NHS or through a private medical cannabis clinic (like Releaf).
The NHS is only willing to offer prescriptions for three specific health issues - rare treatment-resistant epilepsy, muscle spasticity in patients with MS, and nausea/vomiting caused by chemotherapy - and even then, prescriptions through the National Health Service have been exceedingly rare.
Specialists working with private clinics can offer prescriptions for a broader range of conditions as long as they believe it is in their patient's best interest and the patient has tried at least two conventional treatment approaches that have not worked for them.
In short, no. There is no specific age limit for medical cannabis in the UK. In fact, it was cases involving young children with rare forms of epilepsy that really sparked the push to legalise medical cannabis in the country.
With that said, at the time of writing, no private medical cannabis clinics in the UK will currently offer prescriptions for persons under the age of 18. If you, or a loved one, are under 18, and you believe medical cannabis could be beneficial, speak to your GP about your options.
Yes, but only through the NHS and only if they are suffering from rare treatment-resistant epilepsy. The NHS has only prescribed medical cannabis to a handful of children since it was made legal in 2018, due to not just
While Releaf doesn't currently offer prescriptions to children, we are always happy to provide as much information as possible.
You can check out the rest of this new patient blog series or our educational section, which covers everything medical cannabis related, all evidence-based, fully researched and cited. You can also reach out at any time if you need any extra information.
It is important to seek medical advice before starting any new treatments. The patient advisors at Releaf are available to provide expert advice and support. Alternatively, click here to book a consultation with one of our specialist doctors.
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Am I eligible?Sam North, a seasoned writer with over five years' experience and expertise in medicinal cannabis, brings clarity to complex concepts, focusing on education and informed use.
Our articles are written by experts and reviewed by medical professionals or compliance specialists. Adhering to stringent sourcing guidelines, we reference peer-reviewed studies and scholarly research. View our editorial policy.
Need more help?
Much like all other treatment options in the UK, medical cannabis does come with costs. But, here at Releaf we do our best to balance bespoke, specialised care with affordable and accessible treatment plans, and our ever-growing patient numbers and reams of positive reviews on Trust Pilot, show we’re keeping the scales in check.
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Emily Ledger
Even though medical cannabis has been a full legal treatment option here in the UK since 1 November 2018, there is still a level of stigma surrounding it. It is anything but a surprise that some patients are worried about how their decision to pursue a medical cannabis prescription may affect their relationship with their general practitioner (GP).
Sam North
