Medical Cannabis Review 2026: What Could Change in the UK?
Medical Cannabis Review 2026: What Could Change in the UK?
The UK’s medical cannabis framework is undergoing a major government-commissioned review, eight years after cannabis-based products for medicinal use became available on prescription.
On 21 September 2026, the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) confirmed that its working group is concluding the review. Its report is now expected to be published by the end of 2026.
The review will examine whether the medical cannabis changes introduced in 2018 have worked as intended. It will also consider unintended consequences and make recommendations to the Government.
Importantly, no new recommendations have been published yet. The review does not mean that UK medical cannabis law has already changed.
So, what is the UK medical cannabis review 2026, why is it happening now, and what could it mean for patients? Here is what we know so far.
Contents
What Is the UK Medical Cannabis Review 2026?
The UK medical cannabis review 2026 is an ACMD review of the changes that made cannabis-based products for medicinal use available on prescription from November 2018.
The Government has asked the ACMD to assess whether those changes have had their intended effect.
It has also asked the council to identify unintended consequences and recommend how these could be addressed.
The review is not based on evidence from government departments alone. In September 2025, the ACMD opened a public call for evidence on cannabis-based products for medicinal use.
It invited responses from patients, families, healthcare professionals, researchers, manufacturers, importers, regulators and other organisations.
The ACMD says it is analysing the evidence alongside responses received through that process.
Who Is the ACMD?
The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs is an independent expert body that advises the UK Government on drug-related issues.
Its role includes providing scientific advice on the control and regulation of drugs.
This distinction is important when considering the medical cannabis review.
The ACMD can review evidence and make recommendations to the Government. However, it does not independently rewrite UK law simply by publishing a report.
Therefore, any recommendations in the upcoming report will need to be considered separately from any future decision by the Government to change policy or legislation.
Why Is Medical Cannabis Being Reviewed?
The Government committed to reviewing the impact of the changes that allowed medical cannabis to be prescribed in 2018.
Cannabis-based products for medicinal use were added to Schedule 2 of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations in November 2018.
This created a legal route for appropriately qualified specialist doctors to prescribe cannabis-based medicines when clinically appropriate.
You can read more about the current framework in our guide to cannabis legislation in the UK.
However, the effect of that change could not immediately be assessed.
In 2020, the ACMD carried out an earlier review. It concluded that there was not yet enough evidence to fully assess all the consequences of the change.
The council expected more evidence to emerge over the following years.
Five years later, the Government decided it was time to look again.
In its commissioning letter to the ACMD, the Government noted that almost seven years had passed since the original changes.
The council was therefore asked to review the evidence now available and make new recommendations.
What Is the ACMD Reviewing?
At its core, the ACMD has been asked to answer two major questions about medical cannabis in the UK.
First, has the legislation introduced in November 2018 had the desired impact?
Second, have any unintended consequences emerged that were not anticipated when the changes were made?
If unintended consequences are identified, the ACMD has also been asked to recommend ways to address them.
One part of the commission is particularly significant for the current UK medical cannabis sector.
The Government specifically asked the ACMD to examine whether the availability of cannabis-based products through private prescriptions has had any effect on incentives to conduct clinical trials.
Those trials could help develop products with sufficient evidence of safety, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness for wider NHS use.
Importantly, the Government has asked the ACMD to investigate whether such an effect exists. It has not stated that private prescribing has caused a reduction in clinical research.
The answer will depend on the evidence considered by the ACMD and the conclusions contained in its final report.
When Will the ACMD Medical Cannabis Report Be Published?
The latest official update says the ACMD medical cannabis report is expected to be published by the end of 2026.
Earlier in the year, the timetable was different.
The ACMD’s March 2026 work programme described the review as being in progress, with completion expected by summer 2026.
That timeframe passed without publication of the final report.
Then, on 21 September 2026, the ACMD published a new autumn 2026 work programme update.
It confirmed that the cannabis-based products for medicinal use working group is now concluding its report.
The ACMD said the report is expected to be published by the end of the year.
As of September 2026, no specific publication date has been announced.
Has the ACMD Medical Cannabis Review Been Delayed?
The expected timetable has moved from summer 2026 to publication by the end of 2026.
The ACMD’s March work programme said the review was expected to be completed by summer.
Its September update now says the report is being concluded and is expected to be published by year-end.
However, these were expected timeframes rather than statutory deadlines.
The latest official update does not explain the reason for the changed timetable, so it would be speculative to say why the report has taken longer than originally expected.
Why Does Private Medical Cannabis Matter to the Review?
Private prescribing has become a major part of the UK’s medical cannabis system since the law changed in 2018.
The ACMD’s previous 2020 review had already identified this pattern at an early stage.
It found that the vast majority of prescriptions for unlicensed cannabis-based products in the year following rescheduling were issued privately.
Since then, the private medical cannabis sector has expanded significantly.
However, prescription numbers should not be confused with patient numbers. A patient receiving ongoing treatment may receive several prescriptions during one year.
There is also no complete official national count showing exactly how many people currently receive medical cannabis privately.
We examine the available figures in more detail in our guide to UK cannabis statistics and medical cannabis patients.
The growth of private access is particularly relevant because the Government has explicitly asked the ACMD to examine the relationship between private prescribing, research and the development of products suitable for NHS use.
Why Is NHS Medical Cannabis Access Still Limited?
Medical cannabis can be prescribed through the NHS, but access remains much more limited than in the private sector.
The NHS guidance on medical cannabis explains that very few people in England are likely to receive an NHS prescription.
NHS access is currently focused on a relatively small number of circumstances where the evidence is strongest.
These include some rare forms of severe epilepsy, chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting, and multiple sclerosis-related spasticity.
The wider issue is not that prescribing medical cannabis is simply prohibited for every other condition.
NHS England’s guidance on cannabis-based products for medicinal use states that there is no restriction in law specifying which indications CBPMs may be prescribed for.
Instead, NHS prescribing decisions are influenced by the available evidence, licensing status, clinical need, safety and the suitability of other licensed medicines.
Many cannabis-based products currently prescribed privately are unlicensed medicines.
An unlicensed medicine is not automatically illegal or unsafe. However, it has not received a UK marketing authorisation in the same way as a licensed medicine.
The MHRA provides specific guidance on the supply of unlicensed medicines, including cannabis-based products for medicinal use.
The gap between growing private access and much narrower NHS access is therefore one of the most important parts of the wider medical cannabis debate.
What Does NICE Currently Say About Medical Cannabis?
Current NICE guidance recommends specific cannabis-based medicines in a limited number of circumstances and sets out requirements for safe prescribing and monitoring.
For example, NICE recommends cannabidiol with clobazam as an option for certain people with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome or Dravet syndrome.
Cannabidiol is also recommended in defined circumstances for seizures associated with tuberous sclerosis complex.
NICE guidance also covers nabilone for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and THC:CBD spray for some adults with multiple sclerosis-related spasticity.
However, NICE does not currently recommend offering THC, THC combined with CBD or cannabidiol to manage chronic pain in adults outside a clinical trial.
The full current position can be found in the NICE guideline on cannabis-based medicinal products.
This helps explain why the evidence question sits at the centre of the ACMD review and the wider discussion around NHS access.
Could UK Medical Cannabis Rules Change?
They could eventually, but no change to medical cannabis law has been announced as a result of the ACMD review.
The purpose of the review is to provide evidence and recommendations to the Government.
Until the report is published, we do not know what those recommendations will be.
Even after publication, an ACMD recommendation should not automatically be treated as a change in law.
The Government would need to consider the recommendations and decide how to respond.
Depending on the recommendation, a future change could also require amendments to regulations, updated guidance or other action.
For now, claims that the review will definitely tighten or loosen medical cannabis rules go beyond the evidence currently available.
Could NHS Access to Medical Cannabis Change?
The ACMD review could inform future policy discussions, but wider NHS access has not been announced.
The Government’s commission specifically raises the issue of clinical trials and the development of safe, effective and cost-effective products for NHS use.
That makes the relationship between evidence, research and NHS access an important part of the review.
However, the ACMD does not decide which individual treatments the NHS will routinely fund.
Those decisions involve the wider medicines system, including regulators, NICE, the NHS and clinical evidence for individual products and indications.
Therefore, it would be premature to assume that publication of the report will immediately expand NHS prescribing.
Could Private Medical Cannabis Prescribing Rules Change?
It is possible that the ACMD could recommend changes affecting the wider medical cannabis framework, but no such recommendations have yet been published.
Private prescribing is clearly relevant to the review because it is specifically mentioned in the Government’s commission.
However, this does not mean that the ACMD has already concluded that private prescribing should be restricted.
It has been asked to investigate the evidence and identify any unintended consequences.
Until the final report is available, predictions about new restrictions, prescribing requirements or clinic rules remain speculation.
Could Medical Cannabis Become Recreationally Legal?
The ACMD medical cannabis review should not be treated as an announcement about legalising recreational cannabis.
The review is focused on cannabis-based products for medicinal use and the effect of the changes introduced in 2018.
Recreational cannabis remains illegal in the UK.
Medical cannabis is different because qualifying products can be legally prescribed and supplied within a regulated medical pathway.
For a broader explanation of the difference, read our guide to what medical cannabis is and how it is prescribed.
What Happens When the ACMD Report Is Published?
The first step will be to understand exactly what the ACMD recommends and the evidence supporting each recommendation.
The report may conclude that parts of the existing system are working as intended. It may also identify problems or areas where the council believes changes should be considered.
However, the recommendations themselves will need to be separated from the Government’s response.
A useful way to read the report will be to ask four questions:
- What does the ACMD say has happened since 2018?
- What evidence does it use to reach those conclusions?
- What changes does it recommend?
- Which recommendations does the Government accept or reject?
CB1 Medical will update this guide when the final report and any subsequent Government response are published.
What Does the Review Mean for Medical Cannabis Patients Right Now?
For patients, the most important point is that the review has not changed the current legal status of prescribed medical cannabis.
Patients with a valid prescription should continue to follow the instructions provided by their prescribing clinical team.
The existing rules around prescribing, dispensing and the use of prescribed medication remain in place.
There is no need to change or stop prescribed treatment simply because the ACMD is reviewing the wider framework.
If future recommendations eventually lead to changes that affect patients, those changes would need to be communicated through the appropriate regulatory and clinical channels.
For now, the September announcement is an update on the progress of the review, not an announcement of new medical cannabis rules.
UK Medical Cannabis Review FAQs
Is Medical Cannabis Law Changing in the UK in 2026?
No change has been announced as a result of the ACMD review. The council is currently concluding its report, which is expected by the end of 2026. Any recommendations would then need to be considered by the Government.
What Is the ACMD Medical Cannabis Review?
The ACMD medical cannabis review is examining the impact of the changes introduced in November 2018. It will consider whether the legislation had the intended effect, identify unintended consequences and make recommendations to the Government.
When Will the UK Medical Cannabis Review Be Published?
The latest ACMD update, published on 21 September 2026, says the cannabis-based products for medicinal use report is expected to be published by the end of 2026. A specific publication date has not been announced.
Was the ACMD Medical Cannabis Review Delayed?
The ACMD’s March 2026 work programme expected the review to be completed by summer 2026. Its September update now says the report is being concluded and publication is expected by the end of the year. The official update does not explain the reason for the changed timetable.
Why Is UK Medical Cannabis Being Reviewed?
The Government committed to reviewing the impact of the 2018 changes. An earlier ACMD assessment in 2020 found that there was not yet enough evidence to fully assess the consequences. The current review is designed to reconsider the system using the evidence that has since emerged.
Will the Review Change Private Medical Cannabis Prescriptions?
We do not know yet. Private prescribing is specifically mentioned in the Government’s commission, but the ACMD has not published its conclusions or recommendations. Existing prescribing rules remain in place.
Will Medical Cannabis Become More Available on the NHS?
The review could inform future policy discussions around research and NHS access, but wider NHS availability has not been announced. NHS treatment decisions also depend on clinical evidence, licensing, NICE recommendations and other factors.
Is Medical Cannabis Still Legal in the UK?
Yes. Cannabis-based products for medicinal use can legally be prescribed in the UK through the appropriate medical pathway. The ACMD review has not changed that position.
Does the ACMD Review Mean Recreational Cannabis Will Be Legalised?
No. The review concerns cannabis-based products for medicinal use and the impact of the 2018 medical cannabis changes. It should not be interpreted as an announcement that recreational cannabis will be legalised.
Who Can Currently Prescribe Medical Cannabis?
Initial prescribing of most cannabis-based medicinal products is restricted to specialist medical practitioners on the GMC Specialist Register.
Current NICE prescribing guidance also explains the circumstances in which subsequent prescriptions may be issued through an appropriate shared-care arrangement.
What Should Medical Cannabis Patients Do While the Review Is Ongoing?
Patients should continue to follow their current prescription and clinical advice. The review itself has not changed existing prescriptions or treatment arrangements. If you have questions about your medication, speak to the clinical team responsible for your care.
The Bottom Line
The UK medical cannabis review 2026 could become an important moment for the sector, but no changes to the law have been announced yet.
The Government has asked the ACMD to determine whether the framework introduced in 2018 has worked as intended and whether there have been unintended consequences.
Private prescribing, clinical research and the development of evidence for NHS treatment are explicitly part of that discussion.
The report was originally expected to be completed by summer 2026. The latest update now says it is being concluded and should be published by the end of the year.
Until then, predictions about tighter regulation, wider NHS access or changes to private prescribing remain just that: predictions.
The important next step will be the report itself. Once it is published, the detail of the recommendations — and the Government’s response to them — will tell us much more about what could happen next.
Considering Medical Cannabis?
Medical cannabis has been legally available on prescription in the UK since November 2018. The current ACMD review does not change the existing patient pathway.
Treatment is not suitable for everyone. Suitability depends on your condition, previous treatments, medical history, current medication and individual clinical circumstances.
You can learn more about the current process in our medical cannabis patient information guide.
Curious if you’re eligible? You can check your eligibility online to see whether you may be suitable for a specialist consultation.
