What Illness Qualifies for Medical Cannabis in the UK?
Medical cannabis can be prescribed for a wide range of conditions in the UK, provided that conventional treatments have not been effective. There is no definitive list of qualifying conditions — the decision is made by a specialist doctor based on your individual circumstances.
Commonly Prescribed Conditions
The following conditions are among those most commonly treated with medical cannabis in the UK:
Pain Conditions
- Chronic pain (neuropathic, inflammatory, or mixed)
- Fibromyalgia
- Arthritis (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis)
- Back pain and sciatica
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
- Cancer-related pain
Neurological Conditions
- Epilepsy (particularly treatment-resistant epilepsy)
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS) — spasticity
- Parkinson's Disease
- Neuropathy
Psychiatric Conditions
- Anxiety disorders
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Depression (treatment-resistant)
- Insomnia
Cancer & Oncological
- Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting
- Cancer-related pain
- Appetite loss and cachexia
Other Conditions
- Crohn's Disease and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
- Tourette Syndrome
- Palliative care symptoms
- Paediatric conditions (under specialist supervision)
Key Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for a medical cannabis prescription, you will generally need to demonstrate that you have tried at least two conventional treatments for your condition without adequate relief. A specialist doctor will review your full medical history.