Despite legal medical cannabis, NHS prescriptions remain very rare, with fewer than 5,000 issued since legalization.

While medical cannabis is legally prescribable, actual access via the NHS is minimal. Most patients seeking medical cannabis turn to private clinics due to strict prescribing guidelines and cautious NHS policies. This scarcity of NHS prescriptions highlights the cautious approach the UK medical system takes towards cannabis-based treatments, compounded by limited clinical evidence, regulatory hurdles, and cost concerns. The private market for medical cannabis has thus expanded significantly, often at substantial personal expense for patients.