Medical Cannabis UK: Which Conditions Are Treated?

Medical cannabis has been legal in Great Britain since 2018 — but which conditions are actually treated, and what is the difference between what the NHS officially recommends and what private clinics prescribe every day?

The Three Official NHS Indications

NICE has issued clear recommendations for cannabis prescribing at NHS level for only three conditions:

1. Treatment-resistant epilepsy in children and adolescents — specifically Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (Epidyolex, CBD-based)
2. Nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy — where other antiemetics have failed (Nabilone, synthetic THC)
3. Spasticity in multiple sclerosis — Sativex (THC/CBD oromucosal spray), available on NHS and privately

Even within these three approved indications, prescribing on the NHS remains extremely rare.

What Private Clinics Treat: The Full Spectrum

Chronic Pain

By far the most common indication at private clinics — approximately 70% of all patients. This includes neuropathic pain, back pain and spinal conditions, fibromyalgia, arthritis and rheumatic conditions, and chronic migraine.

Anxiety Disorders and PTSD

CBD and low-THC preparations are used for anxiety disorders. Growing evidence supports cannabis for PTSD, particularly from research in Israel, Canada and the United States. UK private clinics are increasingly treating PTSD patients.

Sleep Disorders

Insomnia, particularly when combined with pain or anxiety, is one of the most common co-indications. Products with higher CBN content or indica-dominant cultivars are typically preferred.

Multiple Sclerosis and Spasticity

Already NHS-approved via Sativex, but also accessible through private clinics with a broader product range. Many MS patients report significant improvements in sleep quality and pain levels.

Epilepsy: The Cases That Changed Everything

• Alfie Dingley: His family fought publicly for a cannabis licence and won one of the first NHS prescriptions in 2018.
• Billy Caldwell: A Northern Irish child whose cannabis oil imported from Canada was seized at customs — triggering the national debate that decisively accelerated the 2018 legalisation.

Cancer Treatment and Nausea

Nausea and appetite loss during cancer therapy are internationally among the best-evidenced indications. Palliative patients additionally benefit from the analgesic effects.

ADHD

A growing number of private clinics now treat adult ADHD patients, particularly those who cannot tolerate conventional stimulants. The evidence base remains limited but practitioner acceptance is growing.

Which Products Are Prescribed?

Summary

The gap between the three official NHS indications and the reality of private clinic prescribing is enormous. Anyone seeking access to medical cannabis in the UK will almost certainly need to pay privately, but gains access to a very broad range of treatment options.

Further reading: Medical Cannabis UK — Complete Guide | Patient Information | Cannabis Law UK Explained