The number of conditions that can be treated using medical cannabis is expanding, as more and more research emerges. At present, there are few drugs containing medical cannabis approved for the treatment of medical conditions like seizures, spasticity, and nausea.
Medical cannabis use is slowly increasing in the UK. Since the law changed in 2018, certain patients can now expect medical cannabis prescription. The rules are still very strict, but for some people these treatments offer another option when other drugs have failed.
NHS use of medical cannabis is not very common. So, prescriptions can only be written by a specialist doctor, not a general practitioner (GP). Therefore, patients often consult private clinics, which operate within the law but at significant cost. This has created two parallel paths: a tightly regulated NHS system and a wider private market.
Chronic pain and related disorders
Chronic pain is one of the most common reasons patients seek medical cannabis. Standard medicines such as opioids or neuropathic agents do not work for everyone, and side effects can be severe.
Cannabis-based medicines may provide relief for certain types of pain, including neuropathic pain and pain linked to multiple sclerosis (MS). One of the drugs known to help in such conditions and approved by UK MHRA is Sativex.
However, the NHS remains cautious, with limited prescriptions due to questions over cost and long-term evidence. Yet many patients have reported benefit in sleep, mobility, and daily function.
Epilepsy and seizure disorders
Severe forms of epilepsy were among the first conditions to gain attention when the law changed. Families of children with treatment-resistant epilepsy campaigned for legal reform after seeing benefits from cannabis oils abroad.
In the UK, one cannabis-derived product is now licensed. Epidyolex, which contains cannabidiol (CBD), and it is approved for Dravet syndrome and Lennox–Gastaut syndrome (kind of treatment resistant epilepsy in children).
These conditions cause frequent, difficult-to-control seizures. Traditional medicines often fail, and quality of life can be poor. Epidyolex can reduce seizure frequency for some children and young adults.
Multiple sclerosis and muscle spasticity
Muscle stiffness and spasms are common in multiple sclerosis, and standard medicines may not always help. The cannabis spray Sativex contains both tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) and is licensed for helping such patients. It is used when other treatments have failed.
Clinical trials have shown that some patients experience less spasticity and better mobility. For those struggling with daily symptoms, the availability of this option can make a difference in maintaining independence. Understanding the process of obtaining a prescription may help those living get access to medical cannabis.
Other potential areas of use
Interest in medical cannabis goes beyond pain, epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis. Private clinics in the UK prescribe it for conditions such as anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Tourette’s syndrome, and sleep disorders.
The scientific evidence is still emerging, and these uses are not widely accepted on the NHS.
Researchers continue to study how cannabinoids interact with the brain and body. Early results suggest possible roles in mood regulation, inflammation, and neuroprotection. More trials will be needed before regulators expand the list of approved conditions.
What the law says
When it comes to medical cannabis, the legal position is clear. Cannabis-based products for medicinal use were moved to a category that allows prescribing in November 2018. Only specialist doctors can prescribe them. GPs cannot issue prescriptions, although they can refer patients to a consultant. All prescriptions must meet strict conditions and be justified on clinical grounds.
Patients who receive prescriptions from private clinics are still accessing legal treatment. These clinics must follow the same regulations and report prescribing data. However, cost is a barrier. Many patients pay hundreds of pounds each month, which limits access to those who can afford it.
Looking ahead
In future, access may expand as more research emerges in favour of medical cannabis. Clinical trials are underway across the UK, and regulators continue to review the evidence. Campaigners argue that NHS access should be widened to reduce inequality between private and public patients.
For now, medical cannabis in the UK remains tightly controlled substance. It offers a legal option for some patients with chronic pain, epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis, but widespread use is still restricted. Although low THC pens cannot treat these conditions, they might help improve mood, lower suffering.
