How to Become a Medical Cannabis Patient in the UK

In this guide, we'll explain how to become a medical cannabis patient in the UK and what you can expect at each stage of the Medicann process.

Who can access medical cannabis in the UK?

Medical cannabis is a prescription-only medicine. This means you can't simply purchase medicinal cannabis from a shop or order it online without a prescription. Instead, you'll need to be assessed by an appropriately qualified doctor who can determine whether medicinal cannabis may be an appropriate treatment option for you. Eligibility depends on your individual circumstances, including your medical history, condition, previous treatments and other relevant factors.

If you're considering treatment, the first step is to find out whether you may be eligible.

How to become a medical cannabis patient

At Medicann, we've made the process straightforward.

Step 1: Check your eligibility

The first step is our quick online eligibility check. It takes less than 60 seconds to complete and helps you understand whether medical cannabis may be an option for you.

It’s free to complete and there are no commitments involved in completing the initial eligibility check.

If you're eligible to continue, we'll email you a link to download the Medicann app, which becomes an important part of your treatment journey.

Not everyone will be suitable for medicinal cannabis treatment so completing the check before booking a consultation helps ensure you're taking the appropriate next step.

Step 2: Have a free consultation

If you're eligible, the next step is to speak with a Medicann doctor.

Your consultation gives you the opportunity to discuss your condition, symptoms, previous treatments and what you're hoping to achieve from treatment. Your doctor will consider your individual circumstances and whether medicinal cannabis could be an appropriate option for you.

This is also your opportunity to ask questions or discuss the different types of medicinal cannabis available, different methods of taking medicinal cannabis, the potential benefits and side effects, your previous experience with medication, what you can expect from treatment and any concerns you have about medicinal cannabis.

At Medicann, our approach is centred around personalised care. We recognise that every patient is different, so treatment decisions are made on an individual basis.

Step 3: Become a Medicann patient

If the clinical team determines that medicinal cannabis is an appropriate treatment option for you, you can become a Medicann patient. Your information and communications are handled securely and confidentially throughout the process.

Once you're a patient, the Medicann app becomes an important part of managing your care. The app has been designed to make your treatment journey as simple and connected as possible. It gives you access to your care and allows you to stay connected with the Medicann team. It also provides access to a range of products that may be available for prescription, including different medicinal cannabis formulations and options such as irradiated and non-irradiated medical cannabis, where clinically appropriate.

Having access to a broad range of treatment options means your doctor can consider what is most appropriate for your individual circumstances, rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.

Step 4: Receive your prescription

Once your treatment has been prescribed, your prescription is dispatched directly to your home using Medicann's delivery service. Medicann currently offers same-day dispatch, helping you receive your prescribed treatment as quickly as possible.

Your doctor will provide instructions about how to use your prescribed medicine, including the appropriate dosage and method of administration. It's important to follow your prescription and speak to your doctor before making any changes to your treatment.

What happens after you become a patient?

Becoming a Medicann patient isn't the end of your journey.

Ongoing care is an important part of medicinal cannabis treatment. Your response to treatment can be monitored over time, allowing your doctor to understand how you're getting on and make appropriate decisions about your treatment where necessary. You can also continue to use the Medicann app to help manage your care and stay connected with the team.

We believe that medicinal cannabis treatment should be an ongoing conversation between you and your doctor, rather than simply receiving a prescription and being left to manage treatment on your own.

Ready to find out if you could be eligible?

If you're considering medicinal cannabis and want to know whether you could be suitable for treatment, check your eligibility with Medicann today.