What Happens at a Medical Cannabis Consultation in the UK?

A UK medical cannabis consultation is a clinical appointment with a consultant-level specialist, usually conducted by video call. Most last 30–60 minutes. Here is a clear account of what to expect at each stage.

Booking Your Appointment

Medical cannabis consultations in the UK are available through private specialist clinics. NHS referral pathways exist but remain extremely limited in practice. Most patients self-refer directly to a licensed clinic.

When booking, you will typically:

• Complete an online eligibility screener (condition, prior treatments, current medications)
• Provide identification and proof of address for regulatory compliance
• Pay a consultation fee — typically £79–£200 for an initial appointment
• Select a time slot; most clinics offer same-week availability

Appointments are held via secure video call (Zoom, Teams or a clinic-specific platform). You will receive a link by email.

What to Prepare Before Your Appointment

Arriving prepared significantly improves the quality of your consultation and increases the likelihood of a successful outcome. Gather the following:

• GP summary letter or referral letter — not always mandatory, but strongly recommended. Contact your GP surgery and request a letter confirming your diagnosis and medication history. Most GPs will provide this without a separate appointment.
• Full medication list — include all prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines and supplements. Drug interactions are a key clinical consideration.
• Evidence of prior treatment attempts — UK prescribing standards require that at least two conventional treatments for your condition have been tried and found ineffective or poorly tolerated. Bring documentation: pharmacy records, discharge letters, specialist correspondence.
• Symptom diary if available — a brief written account of your symptoms, severity, frequency and how they affect daily life is useful even if informal.
• List of questions — write down anything you want to ask before the call.

During the Consultation — What the Specialist Asks

The specialist (who must be a consultant-level clinician, typically a pain specialist, neurologist or psychiatrist depending on your condition) will take a structured clinical history. Expect questions on:

• Your diagnosis and how long you have had the condition
• Previous and current treatments — what worked, what did not, and why
• Current symptom severity and its impact on your quality of life
• Sleep, mental health and any history of substance use (clinical, not judgmental)
• Cardiovascular health, liver function and any other relevant medical history
• Your goals for treatment — symptom reduction, sleep improvement, reduced opioid use, etc.

The specialist will also explain what medical cannabis can realistically offer, its limitations and the ongoing requirements of treatment.

The Decision — Same Day or Later?

Many clinics make a prescribing decision within the same appointment. If your documentation is complete and your case is clear, you may receive your prescription on the same day or within 24–48 hours. The specialist may:

• Approve a prescription — specifying product, dose and delivery method
• Request additional information — a GP letter, recent blood tests or specialist report — before deciding
• Decline to prescribe — if your condition does not meet criteria, or if contraindications are present

If declined, the specialist should explain why. Common reasons include insufficient documentation of prior treatment failure, a condition outside current prescribing guidance, or an identified contraindication such as a personal or close family history of psychosis.

After Approval — Pharmacy and Delivery

UK medical cannabis prescriptions are fulfilled by specialist pharmacies (not high street pharmacies). Your clinic will send the prescription directly. You will typically:

• Be contacted by the pharmacy to confirm your order and delivery address
• Pay for your medication — costs vary by product; see our cost guide for detail
• Receive your medication within 1–5 working days, depending on the pharmacy and product availability

Medication arrives in childproof, discreet packaging with a patient information leaflet. Keep it in its original container.

Your First Follow-Up

A follow-up appointment is typically scheduled 4–8 weeks after your first prescription. This review assesses whether the treatment is working, monitors for side effects and adjusts the dose if needed. Follow-ups are usually shorter (15–30 minutes) and cost less than the initial consultation (typically £50–£100).

For ongoing prescriptions, regular follow-up is mandatory — specialists cannot continue to prescribe without active clinical monitoring. Most patients have 3–4 follow-up appointments in the first year, then move to less frequent reviews once stable.

What If You Are Declined?

Not all consultations result in a prescription. Common reasons for declining include:

• Insufficient evidence of prior treatment failure — the two-treatment threshold is not documented
• A contraindication such as personal or immediate family history of psychosis, schizophrenia or severe cardiac disease
• The condition falling outside current UK prescribing guidance
• Active substance use disorder that would make prescribing unsafe

If declined, the specialist should give a clear explanation. In most cases, a decline is not permanent — patients who gather additional documentation or address the contraindication may reapply. Some clinics offer a free follow-up call to discuss what steps would make a future application viable.

A second opinion from a different clinic is also an option, though the same eligibility criteria apply across all UK providers.

For full detail on the eligibility criteria, see our how to get medical cannabis guide.