Medical cannabis has been legal in the UK since November 2018, yet public awareness continues to lag behind legislation.

For many people, the words medical cannabis still raise questions. Is it really legal? Who can access it? How is it prescribed? What conditions can it be used for?

Recently, our team took these questions directly to the public, spending a day speaking with people across London about prescription medical cannabis. The conversations highlighted something encouraging: attitudes are evolving. However, they also reinforced that education remains one of the biggest challenges facing the sector.

As the medical cannabis industry continues to mature, improving public understanding will be just as important as expanding clinical evidence.

Key Takeaways

• Public attitudes towards medical cannabis are becoming increasingly positive.
• Many people remain unaware that specialist doctors can legally prescribe medical cannabis in the UK.
• Better education can help reduce stigma and improve understanding of prescription cannabis.
• Clinical decisions should always be based on individual patient needs and specialist assessment.
• Building public confidence will be essential to the continued growth of the UK medical cannabis sector.

What Our Survey Found

During conversations with members of the public in London, we asked a simple question about prescription medical cannabis.

The responses reflected growing acceptance while highlighting areas where awareness can still improve.

Our survey found:

• 84% viewed medical cannabis as a positive treatment option for some patients.
• 9% said they would want more information after learning it is legal in the UK.
• 7% were unaware that medical cannabis could legally be prescribed in the UK before taking part.

Although this was not a scientific or nationally representative survey, the conversations provided valuable insight into current public perceptions.

The overwhelming theme was curiosity.

People wanted to understand how medical cannabis works, who can access it and how prescribing decisions are made.

Medical Cannabis Has Been Legal Since 2018

One of the most common misconceptions we encountered was around legality.

Cannabis-based medicines for medicinal use have been legal in the UK since November 2018, where prescribed by a specialist clinician and when clinically appropriate.

Despite this, many people still assume that all cannabis remains illegal regardless of its medical use.

This highlights an ongoing gap between legislation and public understanding.

Awareness Is Growing, But So Is the Need for Education

Changing perceptions is only one part of the challenge.

Understanding prescription medical cannabis requires more than knowing it is legal.

Patients, healthcare professionals and the wider public all benefit from access to accurate, balanced information about:

• How medical cannabis is prescribed
• The role of specialist clinicians
• Clinical assessment and eligibility
• Evidence-based prescribing
• The difference between prescription cannabis and non-medical cannabis

Education helps replace assumptions with informed discussion.

Why Public Confidence Matters

Every new healthcare innovation depends on public trust.

Confidence is built through transparency, evidence and open conversation.

Medical cannabis is no different.

As awareness increases, more people are beginning to view cannabis-based medicines through the lens of healthcare rather than stigma.

This shift is important not only for patients but also for clinicians, policymakers and healthcare providers working to integrate medical cannabis into routine clinical practice.

Prescribing Decisions Should Always Be Individual

One message remained central throughout every conversation.

Medical cannabis is not appropriate for everyone.

Like any prescription medicine, decisions about treatment should always be made between a patient and a specialist clinician following an assessment of their medical history, symptoms, previous treatments and individual circumstances.

The goal is not simply to increase access.

It is to ensure that access is appropriate, safe and evidence-based.

What This Means for the Medical Cannabis Industry

For the industry, these conversations reinforce an important point.

Public awareness is improving.

However, awareness alone is not enough.

The next stage of growth will depend on continued investment in:

• Public education
• Clinical evidence
• Healthcare professional education
• Responsible communication
• Transparent prescribing pathways

The organisations that help people understand medical cannabis, not simply promote it, will play an important role in shaping the future of the sector.

The Opportunity Ahead

Medical cannabis in the UK has made significant progress since becoming legal in 2018.

Clinical evidence continues to grow. Healthcare professionals are gaining greater experience. Public attitudes are gradually changing.

Now, the focus must shift towards ensuring people have access to clear, credible and evidence-based information.

Every informed conversation helps reduce stigma. Every question answered builds confidence. Every opportunity to educate brings medical cannabis one step closer to being understood as another evidence-based treatment option within modern healthcare.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is medical cannabis legal in the UK?

Yes. Cannabis-based medicines for medicinal use have been legal in the UK since November 2018 when prescribed by a specialist clinician where clinically appropriate.

Can anyone get a prescription for medical cannabis?

No. Treatment decisions are made by specialist clinicians following an individual clinical assessment.

Why do many people still think medical cannabis is illegal?

Although legislation changed in 2018, public awareness has not kept pace. Education remains an important part of improving understanding of prescription cannabis.

Why is public awareness important?

Greater awareness helps reduce stigma, encourages informed conversations and supports better understanding of how medical cannabis fits within modern healthcare.

Conclusion

Our conversations across London reflected something we have been seeing across the wider industry: attitudes towards medical cannabis are changing.

Most people we spoke to viewed prescription medical cannabis positively once they understood it was legally available in the UK. Others simply wanted more information, reinforcing the need for continued education and transparent communication.

For the medical cannabis sector, that is encouraging.

Because building the future of cannabis-based medicines is not only about developing new products or generating more evidence. It is also about ensuring patients, healthcare professionals and the public have the knowledge they need to engage with the topic confidently.

Every conversation moves that understanding forward.