NHS waiting list times in Scotland hit a record high in 2024, with a reported 85,000 patients waiting over a year for outpatient appointments or to begin treatments. With over a third of Scottish adults living with chronic pain, and more Scots experiencing mental health issues than in previous years, it’s clear why more people are turning to alternative treatments like medical cannabis. Here’s everything you need to know about legally accessing medical cannabis in Scotland:
Is Medical Cannabis Legal In Scotland?
Under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, cannabis is considered a class B drug, and is illegal throughout Scotland and the rest of the country to possess, make, supply, import or export. If you’re wondering why you have spotted CBD products in shops, this is due to an exception that specifies CBD containing less than 1mg of THC is legal.
The other exception is medical cannabis, which is available in Scotland under the same regulations as it is in the rest of the UK; in 2018 the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 changed cannabis from a schedule 1 drug (considered to have no medical use) to schedule 2. This change means specialist doctors can now prescribe medical cannabis for medical, dental or veterinary purposes in certain situations.
Despite this big change, medical cannabis is still only legal and obtainable via prescription from a specialist doctor, and very few cases have actually been prescribed through the National Health Service. Thankfully, private clinics exist in Scotland to help patients access medical cannabis safely and legally.
How Can Someone Get A Medical Cannabis Prescription In Scotland?
If you want to access medical cannabis in Scotland through the NHS, you may run into the same issues others in the UK have. Despite its legal status for medical use, this is prescribed on an individual basis, and only in certain circumstances. It can only be prescribed:
- By a specialist doctor, or under the supervision of a specialist doctor
- For a small handful of medical conditions (see below)
- If the patient has already been offered several other treatments that haven’t worked
Medical cannabis on the NHS is treated as somewhat of a last resort, and with such strict criteria, not many people in Scotland or elsewhere in the UK get access to this. If you are looking for other ways to do this legally, you won’t find dispensaries in Scotland, but you can reach out to private, reputable clinics who can evaluate your situation, prescribe medical cannabis if you are eligible, and support you on your journey to find balance with your health condition.
Which Conditions Qualify For Medical Cannabis In Scotland?
According to the NHS’s own website, medical cannabis is currently only available on prescription for a small number of conditions and side effects, including:
- Rare forms of epilepsy, such as Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Those experiencing nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy
Outside of these three primary conditions or side effects, the NICE guidelines do allow prescriptions to be made by specialist doctors on a case-by-case basis if they feel it’s in the patient’s best interest. If you opt for private treatment, you can usually access medical cannabis more quickly, and for a wider range of conditions, including the likes of chronic pain, arthritis, neuropathic pain and seizures.
Can You Get Medical Cannabis Through A Private Clinic?
Yes. In fact, Scottish patients may find they access medical cannabis faster and more easily when they speak to a private clinic. This typically begins with a consultation with a specialist doctor to determine your health issues, medical history, and eligibility. If they feel this is the right option for you, they will arrange your prescription to be fulfilled by a specialist pharmacy delivered to your door.
At Emerald, our high-quality medical cannabis products can be prescribed for conditions ranging from anxiety and depression, to gastrointestinal issues like Crohn’s disease, to Parkinson’s disease and many more.
What Challenges Could Scottish Patients Face?
Patient campaigns continue to press the NHS to expand the availability of medical cannabis, and a non-profit organisation called the Patient Led Engagement for Access (PLEA) is working to remove barriers and increase access to medical cannabis for patients.
Lengthy NHS waiting lists, pressures on NHS doctors, and a general reluctance to prescribe medical cannabis due to stigma, lack of funding and supply issues often results in Scottish patients struggling to access the medical cannabis they need through the NHS. There may also be hesitancy from NHS doctors to consider Shared Care arrangements when it comes to medical cannabis, and research from 2023 suggests after 5 years of medical cannabis being legal, very few patients have received this through the NHS.
Many thousands more people have turned to private clinics in Scotland, like anna, to access medical cannabis quickly, efficiently and safely.
We make it easy for people in Scotland and around the UK to be prescribed medical cannabis under the care of qualified clinicians. By providing high quality, safe, legal treatments at the greatest value, we work quickly to get Scottish patients the relief they need, and help them regain a sense of balance in their life. We can be a trusted partner in your healthcare journey, so if you have questions about accessing medical cannabis in Scotland, Emerald can help.