UK Medical Cannabis Prescriptions Soar Amid Safety Concerns
Nearly two million prescriptions for unlicensed cannabis products were issued in the UK in a year, raising alarms about patient safety and regulatory oversight.
Prescriptions for unlicensed cannabis products in the UK have surged to nearly two million in a 12-month period, a significant increase from previous years, according to recent figures. This rise has prompted warnings from experts about potential harm to patients and accusations that regulatory bodies are failing to adequately address the issue.
The NHS Business Services Authority reported that 1,967,268 prescriptions for medical cannabis were issued in the 12 months leading up to May. This marks a substantial jump from 659,293 prescriptions in the 2024 calendar year and 282,920 in 2023. A significant portion of these prescriptions were for conditions such as anxiety and depression, with patients often receiving super-strength cannabis products.
These potent strains, some with names like "Space Cake" and "Banana Sorbet," are frequently imported and can be delivered to patients' homes the next day. Some private clinics reportedly offer free consultations and discounts to benefits claimants who have been signed off work due to mental health problems.
Despite warnings from the NHS about the increased risk of severe mental health problems associated with cannabis use, these products are being prescribed for conditions including anxiety, depression, OCD, mood disorders, and ADHD. The vast majority of these prescriptions are being issued by private clinics, as NHS prescriptions for medical cannabis are tightly controlled and generally limited to specific conditions like severe epilepsy, nausea from chemotherapy, and multiple sclerosis-related muscle spasms.
The legal framework allowing this practice stems from a 2018 law change that made it legal to prescribe cannabis-based products for medicinal use in the UK, initially intended for a small number of specialized cases. However, critics argue that this has led to a de facto legalization of the drug, with police sometimes instructed not to arrest individuals for possession if there are grounds to believe it is for medical use. This has led to concerns that companies are exploiting lax regulations to create a pseudo-recreational market.
Professor Henrietta Hughes, England's patient safety commissioner, has called for urgent intervention from health officials to protect public health, stating that the growth of medicinal cannabis prescribing has outpaced the necessary safety systems. She emphasized that the 2018 law was intended for a small group of patients under highly specialized care.
Of the prescriptions issued, three-quarters were for cannabis flower, with the remainder being liquid vape cartridges, oils, drops, and gummies. Private clinics are able to prescribe unlicensed products, meaning they have not undergone the rigorous medical trials required for licensed medications. Many of these products contain THC levels exceeding 30 percent, which is considered ultra-potent.
The issue has gained public attention partly due to tragic cases, such as that of Oliver Robinson, 34, whose family claims medical cannabis contributed to his death. After a single video consultation, he reportedly developed a £1,000-a-month addiction that spiraled over 18 months, ending in his suicide. His family is advocating for "Oliver's Law" to tighten regulations on medicinal cannabis prescribing.
While a government spokesperson stated that patients should follow the advice of their healthcare professionals and medication information, concerns persist about the oversight and safety of the rapidly expanding private medical cannabis market.