Talking to Your Employer About Medical Cannabis
Talking to Your Employer About Medical Cannabis
At CB1 Medical, we understand that navigating conversations about medical cannabis in the workplace can feel daunting. This guide is designed to help you if you’ve been prescribed medical cannabis and are unsure what steps to take at work.
Let’s break it down.
Contents
Do I have to tell my employer about medical cannabis?
In most cases, you are not legally obliged to disclose your medical condition or prescription to your employer — unless it poses a health and safety risk to yourself or others at work.
That said, being open with your employer can often work in your favour. By sharing the right information, you give them the chance to support you and make reasonable adjustments where needed.
Your rights at work
Under the Equality Act 2010, you are protected from discrimination related to disability or long-term health conditions. This protection extends to any prescribed medication for your condition, including medical cannabis.
Your employer has a duty to:
- Provide reasonable adjustments to help you carry out your role
- Protect you from harassment or discrimination
- Support you where possible in your day-to-day work
Learn more about disability rights at work here.
Preparing for the conversation
Even knowing your rights, it can feel daunting to speak openly about medical cannabis. You might feel nervous, embarrassed, or unsure of how your employer will react. That’s normal.
A few tips to make the conversation easier:
- Write a plan of what you want to say.
- Decide who you’re comfortable sharing details with — your line manager, HR, or both.
- Choose the setting — a one-to-one meeting often works best.
- Bring documents — such as your clinic letter or prescription copy.
- Outline what matters most — focus on work-related aspects such as side effects, dosage schedules, or any reasonable adjustments you may need.
- Suggest check-ins — agree on a way to review how things are going.
Remember: you only need to disclose information relevant to your work. Many details may relate to your medical condition rather than your medication specifically.
Taking medical cannabis at work
It is not illegal to take prescribed medical cannabis at work, provided you use it exactly as directed by your specialist doctor.
A few important points to keep in mind:
- Keep a copy of your prescription easily accessible.
- Let your employer know if side effects could impact safety (for example, driving or operating machinery).
- Never carry out safety-critical tasks if you feel impaired after taking your medication.
Workplace drug testing
If your employer carries out drug testing, it’s important to know that THC from medical cannabis can trigger a positive result, even if you’re taking your medication responsibly.
Key things to consider:
- THC may be detectable for up to 28 days after use.
- Informing your employer in advance helps avoid misunderstandings.
- Provide documentation from your clinic — such as a recent clinic letter.
- Some professions have a zero-tolerance policy for THC, regardless of prescription. This will usually be clear in your contract or industry regulations.
Final thoughts
Medical cannabis is a legitimate, specialist-prescribed treatment in the UK. You should never feel ashamed of your prescription, and you have rights and protections in the workplace.
Being open with your employer can help them understand your needs and ensure you feel supported in your role. Ultimately, the choice of what to share is yours — but you’re not alone in navigating this journey.
At CB1 Medical, our goal is to ensure that patients feel supported not just in their treatment, but also in how it fits into their day-to-day lives — including work. Having an open, prepared conversation with your employer can help protect your rights and ensure you feel confident managing your treatment in the workplace.
Curious if you’re eligible?
Try our free Eligibility Checker to see if medical cannabis is right for you.
