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Getting Access to Medical Cannabis in UK: Clinics Worth Knowing
Access to medical cannabis in the UK has been legal since 2018. However, access currently remains limited through the NHS.
Today, a growing number of private clinics offer specialist-led treatment for anxiety, depression, chronic pain, neurological problems, or other qualifying conditions. Patients can access private medical cannabis prescriptions if they have tried two conventional treatments that they’ve not responded to.
With options ranging from fully digital platforms to in-person consultations, patients can choose care that fits their needs and lifestyle.
For those who may be seeking a medical cannabis prescription, there are a number of private clinics to choose from — and knowing which clinic might be the best option for you can be confusing or overwhelming.
This is an up-to-date guide on notable UK clinics, along with tips for evaluating and choosing the right clinic.
What to Know Before Choosing a Medical Cannabis Clinic in the UK
Legal & Regulatory Basics
Cannabis medicines are categorized in Schedule 2 under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, as they contain the psychoactive compound THC, and currently fall under two different categories of licensed and unlicensed medicines.
Licensed cannabis medicines — such as Sativex and Epidyolex — are assessed by the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for safety and efficacy, and have received marketing approval.
Cannabis medicines can only be prescribed for patients with unmet clinical need by a specialist doctor that is registered on the UK General Medical Council (GMC) specialist register. Currently, NHS prescribing is limited to a select number approved cannabis medicines for limited conditions.
While the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) does not currently recommend cannabis-based medicines for chronic pain due to cost-effectiveness concerns, private specialist doctors are permitted to prescribe them for this condition where there is an unmet clinical need and established conventional treatments have failed.
Find Treatments to Match Your Need
United Kingdom Cantourage Clinic offers integrated medical cannabis care with an emphasis on personalised treatment plans and compassionate support for patients
United Kingdom Cannabis UK Clinic is a private medical cannabis clinic in the UK that provides assessment and treatment plans involving medical cannabis.
What To Look For In a Cannabis Clinic
When researching a cannabis clinic that is compliant with regulations, there are a number of important factors to look out for.
- As medical cannabis can only be prescribed by a specialist doctor, it is important to ensure that the clinic you choose works with a GMC-registered doctor.
- It is also important to ensure that the medicine itself that is provided by the clinic is compliant with MHRA regulations and produced to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards.
- The clinic itself should be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and follow strict GDPR protocols for client data.
- Ensure that clinics have transparent consultation and prescription costs, clear treatment protocols and follow-up care, and that they work with reliable pharmacies and supply chains.
- It is advised to avoid clinics that allude to recreational use, promote cannabis as a cure, and which advertise their products rather than their services, as this goes against MHRA regulations on the marketing of medicines.
Patient Safety and Informed Consent
While it is possible to be referred by a doctor to a cannabis clinic, it is also possible to self-refer, therefore clinics must ensure that a patient’s medical records are thoroughly reviewed and that the patient is assessed for treatment suitability. This includes:
- Ensuring they are not pregnant or breastfeeding, and do not have a family history of psychosis, and clinics must also provide ongoing monitoring during treatment.
- Ensuring that a patient does not have any contraindications that could make cannabis harmful for them, and that patient is not taking other medications that could pose an interaction risk with cannabis.
- Clinics must ensure that patients understand the potential benefits, risks and limitations of the treatment and consent to the treatment.
Verified UK Medical Cannabis Clinics
Releaf UK
Launched in 2024, Releaf UK runs its own supply chain so it can directly manage its prescriptions, which helps to reduce delays for patients. Working with GlassPharms in the UK and SOMAÌ Pharmaceuticals, the clinic sources products from around the world.
The clinic is CQC regulated, uses GMC-registered doctors, and is a Cannabis Industry Council. It offers online appointments, initial consultation plus mandatory follow-up consultation at 28 days following, and personalised treatment plans. Releaf does not currently offer integrated therapeutic or psychological support.
Curaleaf Clinic
Curaleaf stretches back to 2019, and was the first clinic to be registered with the CQC, holding an outstanding rating with the regulator. With a pharmaceutical foundation, Curaleaf is part of Curaleaf International, which operates cannabis clinics, pharmacies, research labs, and cultivation sites across the world.
The clinic is CQC regulated, uses GMC-registered doctors, and is a Cannabis Industry Council. Curaleaf’s clinic physicians have also established the UK Medical Cannabis Registry (UKMCR) — the largest observational dataset of its kind, tracking treatment outcomes for more than 7,000 patients. Curaleaf does not currently offer integrated therapeutic or psychological support.
Elios Clinics
Elios provides prescription-based cannabis treatment for patients with chronic pain, neurological, psychiatric and other health conditions. Elios Clinics offers consultations with licensed and GMC-approved physicians to assess patients’ medical history, symptoms, and previous treatment attempts, and to determine whether medical cannabis is appropriate.
Consultations can be conducted via telehealth (video) or in person. The clinic lists conditions they treat including chronic pain, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, anxiety, depression, neurological disorders, gastrointestinal conditions, and other chronic or debilitating illnesses.
Zerenia Clinic (aka Leva Clinic)
Zerenia Clinic launched in 2021 and is now fully integrated with Leva Clinic — the UK’s first and largest cannabis clinic for pain patients. This partnership brings together Zerenia’s expertise in integrated care and Leva’s digital platform which enables patients to book consultations, track prescriptions and access support and a Pain Management Programme.
The clinic has a strong focus on treating chronic pain. It is CQC regulated, uses GMC-registered doctors, and is a Cannabis Industry Council. Zerenia/Leva does not currently offer integrated therapeutic or psychological support.
Alternaleaf
With Australian roots, Alternaleaf officially launched in the UK in 2023, claiming to have treated over 200,000 patients globally. The clinic has a focus on patients who have been relying on opioids or self-medicating illegally, the clinic’s approach aims to address the rising opioid addiction crisis in the UK
The clinic offers direct-to-door delivery, online appointments, initial consultation plus doctor follow up appointments, and self-referral is allowed. It is CQC regulated, uses GMC-registered doctors, and is a Cannabis Industry Council. Alternaleaf does not currently offer integrated therapeutic or psychological support.
The Plug Medical Group
The Plug Medical Group specialises in advanced medical cannabis therapies for chronic pain relief. The clinic provides access to specialist doctors through a nationwide telemedicine service, with in person appointments available in London.
The Plug Medical Group specialises in advanced medical cannabis therapies for chronic pain relief. The clinic provides access to specialist doctors through a nationwide telemedicine service, with in person appointments available in London. It is CQC regulated and uses GMC-registered doctors.
CB1 Medical
CB1 Medical was established by a specialist team of consultant clinicians at the largest NHS primary care service in the Midlands, that served over 65,000 patients.
CB1 Medical is able to access patient medical records instantly upon receiving consent, avoiding the wait times often associated with other providers. The clinic also offers access to their CB1 Patient Platform, a digital access to quickly and securely manage patient cannabis treatment.
Discover Support That Matches Your Need
United Kingdom 
Integrative counselling and psychotherapy offering online and in-person sessions in Exeter for anxiety, depression, stress, and relationship issues.
United Kingdom Psychedelic integration and psychosynthesis coach in London offering trauma-informed preparation and integration sessions to translate psychedelic experiences into lasting change.
Can Clinic
Can Clinic (Cantourage Clinic) is a UK based private medical cannabis clinic that helps patients with chronic and complex conditions access legal cannabis based medicines when standard treatments have not been enough.
The clinic focuses on medical cannabis as an adjunct treatment for several groups of conditions: pain, psychiatry, neurology, gastroenterology, oncology and palliative care. Can Clinic is a CQC registered clinic that prescribes medical cannabis legally within UK regulations
Treat it
Treat It Clinic is a UK medical cannabis clinic that offers specialist pain and mental health treatment through online consultations and a network of partner pharmacies. They provide nationwide access to cannabis based services, with dedicated sections for Men’s Health, Mental Health, Women’s Health and Sleep Disorders. The clinic is registered with the Care Quality Commission and states that it follows ISO 27001 and Cyber Essentials standards for data security, and is a CQC registered clinic.
Dispensed
Dispensed began in Australia and became one of Australia’s largest medical cannabis platforms. In 2025, the company expanded to the United Kingdom and New Zealand, helping more people access trusted care and take control of their health with confidence.
Dispensed is a telemed‑clinic platform that connects patients with licensed clinicians in order to access medical cannabis treatment. The service is designed to simplify and digitalise access to regulated cannabis‑based medicinal products for patients across the UK.
Cannabis Clinic Cardiff
Founded in 2021, Cannabis Clinic Cardiff provides specialized care in psychiatric conditions. Furthering its commitment to improving access, the clinic has joined the Grow Access Project (GAP), a UK initiative aimed at reducing the cost of medical cannabis prescriptions for patients on means-tested benefits or veterans.
The clinic uses GMC-registered doctors, is a Cannabis Industry Council, and is regulated by Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW). Cannabis Clinic Cardiff does not currently offer integrated therapeutic or psychological support.
How to Choose the Right Clinic for You: Decision Guide
Here is a useful checklist to refer to when assessing cannabis clinics.
Do you need remote access or are you local to London/Wales?
Many clinics offer online consultations but if you are in need of in-person care, including initial consultations and follow-ups, it is important to select a clinic that provides this service.
What condition are you seeking treatment for?
If you are seeking treatment for a specific type of condition such as chronic pain, neurological, mental health, or gastrointestinal, for example, check the clinic’s specialization to see if it is suitable for you.
What’s your budget?
Compare initial consultation fees, ongoing costs, medication costs. If you need broader or long-term care such as a pain-management program, follow-up support, or multidisciplinary care, check to see if your clinic of choice can provide this.
Is the clinic regulated and does it have qualified professionals?
Always check if your clinic of choice has qualified GMC doctors, legal compliance, transparency, and follow-up support.
Conclusion
When considering medical cannabis treatment it is important to ensure you are informed on the potential benefits, safety considerations, risks and interactions with other medications so you can make an informed choice on whether the treatment is right for you.
If you are not eligible for the treatment, you will be informed by an assessing doctor.
To find the best clinic for your needs, it is important to thoroughly assess a clinic, its specialty and credentials. Referring to this directory and guide can help support your decision making alongside implementing your own research.
It is important to remember that medical cannabis is part of a broader treatment plan and may not work for everyone.
FAQ
How much does treatment cost?
Treatment costs vary from clinic to clinic with some monthly memberships starting at just £5 up to annual memberships of £50 and above.
Products can start at just £5 per gram depending on the clinic. To ensure the clinic you chose is affordable for your needs, ensure to check price lists, appointment costs and membership fees before signing up.
How quickly can I get a prescription?
Prescriptions can be delivered as early as 7 days following consultation.
Is ongoing follow-up required?
Yes, followup appointments are required by law. Any clinic that does not provide follow up appointments with qualified professionals is not adhering to regulatory standards.
Support That Matches Your Need
United Kingdom Clinic and information portal describing mental‑health conditions treatable with medical cannabis.
Expert Board Member
This comprehensive guide offers a vital roadmap for patients navigating the complexities of the UK’s private medical cannabis sector in 2026. The detailed comparison of clinic operating models ensures patients can identify the provider best suited to their specific medical and financial needs.
