Qualifying Conditions for Medical Cannabis in the UK
Medical cannabis is available on prescription in the UK for a range of conditions. This guide lists every condition, the evidence level, and which clinics specialise in each.
How Qualification Works
To qualify for a medical cannabis prescription, you need:
- A qualifying condition (or a condition where conventional treatments have failed)
- At least two previous conventional treatments that were unsuccessful or caused unacceptable side effects
- A specialist doctor who determines the benefits outweigh the risks
Important: NHS prescriptions are extremely limited (mostly epilepsy and MS-related spasticity). Private clinics use much broader criteria.
Condition List with Evidence Levels
Strong Clinical Evidence
| Condition | Evidence Level | Best Clinic Options |
|---|---|---|
| Chronic Pain (neuropathic, musculoskeletal) | Multiple RCTs | All clinics |
| Epilepsy (treatment-resistant) | NICE-approved (Nabiximols) | TMCC, Zerenia |
| MS-related spasticity | NICE-approved (Sativex) | All clinics |
| Chemotherapy-induced nausea | Well-established | All clinics |
| Palliative care symptom management | Well-established | All clinics |
Moderate Clinical Evidence
| Condition | Evidence Level | Best Clinic Options |
|---|---|---|
| Anxiety (generalised) | Emerging clinical trials | Zerenia, Alternaleaf |
| PTSD | Observational studies + clinical trials | Zerenia, Mamedica |
| Fibromyalgia | Observational studies | TMCC, Integro |
| Arthritis (inflammatory) | Mix of RCTs and observational | All clinics |
| IBS / Crohn’s disease | Emerging evidence | TMCC, Cantourage |
| Insomnia (chronic) | Moderate clinical evidence | All clinics |
| Tourette syndrome | Limited clinical trials | TMCC, Zerenia |
Limited / Emerging Evidence
| Condition | Evidence Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Autism spectrum disorder | Observational only | Not all clinics accept |
| ADHD | Limited evidence | Some clinics will consider |
| Migraine | Emerging | Best discussed with specialist |
| Endometriosis | Emerging | Growing patient evidence |
| Parkinson’s disease | Limited but growing | For symptom management |
Conditions NOT Currently Accepted
Private clinics generally do not prescribe medical cannabis for:
- Mild anxiety or depression as a first-line treatment (must have tried conventional options first)
- Generalised “wellbeing” use
- Conditions where no conventional treatments have been tried
- Cancer treatment (cannabis treats symptoms, not the cancer itself)
Which Clinic for Which Condition?
Most clinics treat all common conditions, but specialisations exist:
- Zerenia: Strong focus on mental health (anxiety, PTSD)
- TMCC: Broad condition range including rarer conditions
- Mamedica: Good all-rounder with broad eligibility
- Alternaleaf: Streamlined for chronic pain and common conditions
- Cantourage: Good for first-time patients across conditions
Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only. Qualification for medical cannabis is determined by a specialist doctor, not by self-assessment of this list. Always consult a qualified medical professional.
