How to Get a Cannabis Prescription in Northern Ireland
If you’re thinking about medical cannabis in Northern Ireland, it can feel confusing. There’s a lot of information online, and the process isn’t always obvious. The good news is that medical cannabis is legally accessible with a prescription from a specialist doctor, even though there are no physical clinics locally. This guide explains everything you need to know — from eligibility and product types to costs and how to take the first steps safely.
Quick Steps: Getting Started
- Gather your medical history – GP and specialist letters, treatments tried, and symptom notes.
- Research clinics and resources – MedbudWiki is a good starting point.
- Book a video consultation – all assessments for Northern Ireland patients are done remotely.
- Prescription & delivery – approved medicines are usually posted from England.
- Follow-up care – consultations every 2–3 months help adjust dosing and renew prescriptions.
1. How Medical Cannabis Prescriptions Work
Medical cannabis is available for patients whose conditions haven’t responded to standard treatments. Since 2018, cannabis-based medicinal products (CBPMs) can be legally prescribed.
Key points:
- You receive a prescription from a specialist doctor, not a licence.
- No physical clinics exist in Northern Ireland; all consultations are video-based.
- Most patients access cannabis through private clinics, though NHS prescriptions are technically possible but extremely rare.
- The prescription allows you to possess and use the medicine legally as directed.
2. Who Can Prescribe
Only specialist doctors on the GMC specialist register can prescribe CBPMs. This may include:
- Neurologists
- Psychiatrists
- Pain consultants
- Other relevant specialists
Private clinics connect patients with these specialists via video consultation. Specialists will want to see evidence that standard treatments have been tried and weren’t effective.
3. Conditions That May Qualify
NHS-focused conditions:
- Severe, treatment-resistant epilepsy (often in children)
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) spasticity
- Chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting
Conditions often considered privately:
- Chronic pain
- Neurological conditions like neuropathy or spasticity
- Mental health conditions such as anxiety, PTSD, or insomnia
- Other conditions seriously affecting quality of life
Specialists use clinical judgement to assess whether cannabis is appropriate.
4. Types of Products That Can Be Prescribed
Depending on your condition, your doctor may prescribe:
- Cannabis flower (for vapour use)
- Oils and tinctures
- Vapour cartridges / vape pens
- Lozenges, capsules, or pastilles
- Licensed medicines such as Sativex, Epidyolex, or Nabilone
Inhaled products act quickly, while oils and capsules allow precise, longer-lasting dosing.
5. Safety and Sterilisation
Cannabis is plant material and can carry mould, bacteria, or fungi. UK medical cannabis is tested to strict microbiological standards, and if a batch doesn’t pass, it is sterilised using:
- Gamma irradiation – high-energy gamma rays; may slightly reduce aroma.
- Beta irradiation (E-beam) – high-energy electrons; often surface-level sterilisation.
- Emerging methods (e.g., cold plasma) – newer sterilisation technologies without heat or radiation.
Some products meet standards without irradiation. Your clinic will explain whether your medicine is irradiated or non-irradiated.
6. Costs and Clinic Models
Accessing medical cannabis has become more affordable:
- Monthly subscription plans: Many clinics offer rolling fees of £10–£35/month, which include quarterly consultations.
- Medication costs: Cannabis flower ranges £5.50 to over £10 per gram; oils, cartridges, and lozenges vary by dose.
- Follow-ups included: Many plans cover routine consultations, so you don’t pay separately for quarterly reviews.
This makes accessing treatment more manageable than older, expensive one-off consultations.
7. How to Get Started
- Prepare your records: GP and specialist letters, medication history, and symptom notes.
- Research clinics: Use MedbudWiki to research reputable private clinics.
- Book a video consultation: All NI patients are assessed remotely.
- Prescription & delivery: Approved medicine is usually posted from England.
- Ongoing care: Regular follow-ups allow your doctor to adjust doses and renew prescriptions.
8. CBD vs Medical Cannabis
Hemp-derived CBD is legal in the UK if it contains less than 1 mg THC per container. These products are widely available but do not replace a medical cannabis prescription. Always check for third-party lab testing for safety and quality.
9. Key Takeaways
- Medical cannabis is legally accessible in Northern Ireland with a specialist prescription.
- No local clinics; all consultations are video-based, and medicines are usually posted from England.
- Conditions treated include epilepsy, MS, chemotherapy nausea, chronic pain, neurological disorders, and mental health conditions.
- Product forms include flower, oils, vapour cartridges, lozenges, capsules, and licensed medicines.
- Medicines are tested and sterilised for safety.
- Clinic fees are increasingly affordable, often via rolling monthly plans including consultations.
Medical cannabis isn’t a miracle cure, but for many patients in Northern Ireland, it’s a legally accessible treatment that can improve quality of life. Understanding the process and working with a specialist helps you access it safely and confidently.
Quick Facts & Myth-Buster
Q: Can I grow my own medical cannabis?
A: No — all medical cannabis must come from a licensed supplier. Growing your own cannabis is illegal in Northern Ireland.
Q: Do I need a cannabis card?
A: No — there is no cannabis card. A specialist doctor’s prescription is all you need.
Q: Do I need a separate medical licence?
A: No — your prescription from a specialist doctor is sufficient.
Q: Are consultations in person?
A: For Northern Ireland patients, consultations are video-based, and medicines are usually posted from England.
Q: What forms of cannabis can be prescribed?
A: Prescriptions may include cannabis flower, oils, vape cartridges, lozenges, capsules, or licensed medicines like Sativex.
Q: Is medical cannabis only for children with epilepsy or cancer patients?
A: NHS prescriptions focus on epilepsy, MS, and chemotherapy-related nausea, but private clinics may consider chronic pain, neurological conditions, and some mental health issues.
