Brits Are Secretly Turning to Dr Google

While search queries rise, so does the industry; the UK’s medical cannabis market is now worth an estimated £300 million, the second largest in Europe.

New analysis from Medicann reveals that the UK is full of questions. From lunchtime searches to late night scrolling, they might be keeping their interest private, but Brits are certainly interested.

Medicann have analysed 12 months of UK Google Trends data to determine the uplift in question-based searches around medical and medicinal cannabis - from asking if it’s legal, to how to get it, and if it’s safe. Dr Sunny Nayee - Medical Director answers the top 6 most Googled questions, and how to discuss the topic with your family, and your doctor.

The top questions and their search increases

‘Is medical cannabis legal in the UK?’ - Google searches up by an estimated +260%

Such a large uplift in searches clearly reflects the nation’s confusion around the legalities of medical cannabis.

“Most people are not aware, but yes, medical cannabis is legal in the UK,” says Dr Nayee.

“The law is often misunderstood, which paves the way to treatment stigma. Medical cannabis has been legal since November 2018, when certain cannabis-based medicines were moved to Schedule 2, making them prescribable by specialist doctors.”, Dr Nayee adds.

This change in regulation meant that cannabis-based products for medicinal use in humans were legalised, when Dame Sally Davies, the then-Chief Medical Officer for England, concluded that there was evidence of how cannabis-based medicinal products provided therapeutic benefit for certain medical conditions, after a review commissioned by the UK government that was published in 2018.

Other substances containing cannabis, cannabinol, or other derivatives remain a Schedule 1 drug, and this is where some confusion comes from, causing the stigma that makes many people turn to Google, where it feels like a ‘safe space’ for their questions.

‘How do I get medical cannabis in the UK?’ - Google searches up by +210%

This question is often asked by a section of the UK who have exhausted painkillers, tried multiple treatments for depression, or who have been navigating chronic pain and illness for years, without success.

Typically, the route to obtaining medical cannabis begins with having a diagnosed condition for which you have previously undertaken a minimum of 2 conventional treatments. A specialist doctor, outside of a GP practice, prescribes it, and it is commonly accessed privately, outside of the NHS. Private clinics often follow a similar process when prescribing medical cannabis, by checking eligibility and speaking to a clinician about your condition, before becoming a patient and receiving your prescription.

In 2025, there were approximately 60,000 to 70,000 private medical cannabis patients in the UK, and that number is continuing to rise, with some data showing an estimated 80,000 to 90,000 patients.

‘Can I get medical cannabis on the NHS?’ – Google searches up +190%

Accessing any treatment privately is an investment, so unsurprisingly, the UK is experiencing a huge uplift in searches regarding how to access the treatment.

Broadly speaking, the treatment is unavailable on the NHS, and prescriptions are limited to a very small number of conditions. These conditions include severe epilepsy that is resistant to mainstream treatment, intractable nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy, and muscle stiffness and spasms caused by multiple sclerosis (MS).

Though medical cannabis is likely to only be prescribed to those with these conditions, it would only be considered after trying multiple other treatments that hadn’t been successful.

“People assume ‘legal’ means ‘available’, but that’s not the reality.” says Dr Nayee.

Although accessing the treatment via the NHS is difficult, public support of the treatment remains high. A 2025 YouGov survey revealed that 73% of UK residents and 83% of MPs think that doctors should be allowed to prescribe cannabis for medical use.

‘What conditions qualify for medical cannabis?’ – Google searches up +175%

Guidance for what conditions can qualify a patient for medical cannabis vary from practice to practice, hence why the question of what conditions are suitable is so high.

Though the list of conditions that the NHS can prescribe medical cannabis for is low, it is more widely accessible from private cannabis clinics. The general consensus among the industry is that treatment can be accessed for the following conditions:

• Neurological, such as epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, chronic fatigue syndrome (ME), motor neuron disease, Tourette syndrome, restless leg syndrome, and cluster headaches.
• Pain, including arthritis, endometriosis, fibromyalgia, migraines, back pain and sciatica, chronic pain, and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
• Psychiatric, such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, agoraphobia, and insomnia.
• Gastrointestinal, including Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and colitis.
• Oncological, such as cancer-related appetite loss and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
• and palliative care, including terminal cancers, leukaemia and lymphoma, congestive heart failure, and kidney failure.

‘Is CBD the same as medical cannabis?’ – Google searches up +160%

In the UK, medical cannabis is often synonymous with CBD. CBD oils and gummies that are readily available on the high street vary in quality – and price – however, you do not need a prescription for them.

Dr Nayee says, “Buying CBD gummies is not the same as being under the care of a specialist.”

As opposed to high street CBD, medical cannabis is prescription-only, batch-tested, regulated, dispensed by pharmacist, and tailored to THC/CBD ratios; the big difference between the two is that one is a medicine, and the other is a supplement that is classed as a ‘novel food item’

‘Is medical cannabis safe? / What are the side effects?’ – Google searches up +150%

Extensive research backs the notion that medical cannabis improves chronic pain, sleep, and general quality of life for its patients. It is important to stress that self-medication with black-market cannabis carries far higher risk. A BMJ Mental Health study in 2025 revealed that people who self-medicated with high-THC cannabis, consuming far more THC than recreational users, were at risk of paranoia, and increased anxiety and depression.

The confusion and questions surrounding both medical cannabis and CBD is similar - does it get you high? The answer is no; it does not contain THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) which is the psychoactive chemical that cannabis contains that gets you high. It’s also important to note that CBD and THC can affect how other medications, including medical cannabis, work.

Though medical cannabis, when prescribed correcting, is safe, there are possible side effects that can develop, depending on the type you take. These can include:

• Decreased appetite
• Diarrhoea
• Feeling sick
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Feeling tired
• Mood change

How to speak to your doctor, not Dr Google

Social stigma means people avoid discussing medical cannabis with their friends, family, and even their GP. So how do you approach the topic?

How to discuss with your family:

• Start with medical context, not the word ‘cannabis’. Framing the conversation around the condition you’re trying to manage and the treatments that haven’t worked so far helps to shift the focus from the cultural assumptions surrounding cannabis.
• Think about the questions and concerns they may have early, so you’re ready to answer them. Family members could worry about things like the legality and the thought of ‘getting high’, so make sure you’re able to reassure them straight away. Inform them that medical cannabis is legal, it is prescribed and monitored, and that your goal is to manage symptoms, not intoxication.
• Share resources. If they are still unsure about the topic, share reputable sources of information, rather than feeling like you need to defend yourself. You can find information from the NHS, as well as patient charities and private clinics, that can support your discussion and make it easier for them to understand.

How to discuss with your GP:

• Be clear and specific about your symptoms and treatment history. Go to your appointment with an outline of your diagnosis, symptoms, how it affects your daily life, which conventional treatments have been tried, but not been successful.
• Tell them about your research into the topic of medical cannabis, and how you think you could benefit from it. Link it back to your symptoms, to help to demonstrate that you’re considering this as a part of a wider care journey, not impulsively, and you are trying to explore a new option to improve your quality of life.
• Ask practical questions. Rather than starting with “Can/will you prescribe this?”, keep the conversation collaborative by asking questions like “Is this something that could help my symptoms?”, “Is there anything in my medical history that could mean this wouldn’t be suitable?”, and “Are there any of your other patients who have seen success with this, for similar conditions?”
• Acknowledge their role. Most GPs are unable to prescribe medical cannabis, with prescriptions coming from specialist doctors like neurologists and psychiatrists. They can, however, discuss the benefits and risks, and refer you to suitable specialists.