UK Medical Cannabis Cards Explained

 

Despite medical cannabis now being legal in the UK for almost eight years, there is still stigma and lack of awareness around its legality — including among police and members of the public. This has left many patients reporting negative experiences around the use of their prescribed medicine. 

Research conducted by Releaf found that more than half (58.5%) of those surveyed were unsure about the legal status of medical cannabis in the UK. Concerns around stigma were also an issue, with 34.16% of respondents discouraged from using medicinal cannabis as they were worried it would be mistaken as being illegal.

Prohibition Partners estimates that there are now around 140,000 medical cannabis patients in the UK, with more than 800 medical cannabis products available [Prohibition Partners, June 2026], but access remains predominantly through private providers. As of September 2026, the Cannabis Health directory lists more than 40 verified UK medical cannabis clinics and pharmacies, with most clinics offering online access to specialist consultations.

When might I need to use a medical cannabis card?

A medical cannabis card is not a legal requirement and does not itself make possession of cannabis lawful. Patients are advised to carry a copy of their current prescription alongside their medication at all times, to prove legitimate use. 

However, being able to quickly demonstrate that the cannabis in your possession is prescribed can make interactions with police or other professionals much simpler.

The Releaf medical cannabis card provides a way for patients to do this conveniently and ensure they can access their current prescription at any given time. 

If a Releaf patient was to be stopped by the police, their medical cannabis card would provide all the information the police need to verify a prescription because, in addition to storing all prescription and clinic information on an encrypted, password-protected server, it can act as a form of photo ID.

Patients can also use a medical cannabis card to validate their prescription should they run into challenges with other professionals such as landlords or employers. It might even be helpful to have on hand when explaining a prescription to a friend or family member.

How can I get a medical cannabis card?

Releaf supplies every patient of the clinic with a medical cannabis card as part of their subscription. 

Once a patient has completed their consultation and a doctor has decided that medical cannabis is appropriate for them, their prescription is issued and their Releaf medical cannabis card is sent to them.

Why does Releaf offer every patient a medical cannabis card?

There have been many reports of patients being stopped by police, refused entry to events or venues, and even running into issues with landlords and employers regarding their legal cannabis prescription. 

Releaf offers all patients with a medical cannabis card to offer some form of protection and peace of mind to patients should they find themselves in this situation.

It is also the case that patients who could benefit from medical cannabis are put off from trying the treatment due to fear of the stigma and challenges they may experience in their day-to-day life, which is something Releaf wants to prevent.

Tim Kirby, Releaf’s Managing Director, commented: “Should a patient be challenged by the police, sometimes having to show a physical FP10 prescription can feel intimidating, and requires explanation or confirmation that the medication listed on the prescription is medical cannabis.

We wanted to remove this fear and stop any challenges in their tracks by having a convenient card that requires no explanation. 

When a patient presents their Releaf Medical Cannabis Card, the police can make a quick and confident decision that they are consuming cannabis for medicinal purposes and their entire supply chain is completely, 100% legal.”

Is a medical cannabis card the same as Cancard?

No. This is an important distinction.

A clinic-issued medical cannabis card, such as the Releaf card, can be linked to a patient’s current legal prescription and provide a convenient way to access or verify their patient and prescription information.

Cancard is a separate membership and identification scheme. It was originally designed primarily for people with qualifying medical conditions who use cannabis medicinally but may not have a legal prescription.

Are medical cannabis cards recognised by the police?

The UK Home Office has not officially endorsed any medical cannabis card in the UK. 

Current National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) guidance advises officers encountering someone with medicinal cannabis to check the original packaging and dispensing label. A patient may also have a letter from their prescriber or a copy of their prescription, although the guidance explicitly states that there is no legal requirement to possess these documents. Matching photo ID can also help verify the patient’s identity. [NPCC, 2025]

Releaf has worked alongside expert witnesses and a police liaison officer with the hope of facilitating further support, education, and awareness of medical cannabis to as many individual officers as possible. When a Releaf medical cannabis card is scanned by a police officer, it informs them of the legalisation of medical cannabis in 2018, and outlines the current legislation in place. 

 

How does the Releaf medical cannabis card work?

The medical cannabis card is a convenient way to digitally carry all of your prescription information around with you so it is always on hand should you need it. 

Once you have had your initial consultation and a doctor has decided it is appropriate to prescribe medical cannabis, your card will be sent out in the post.

In the event you need to use your card, it is easy to navigate and can be explained in three simple steps:

Scan the QR code 

The card has a QR code that can be scanned by law enforcement to confirm that the person is legally allowed to carry and consume prescribed medical cannabis.

The police officer can scan the QR code using their smartphone camera. Once the web page has loaded on the smartphone an email will automatically be sent to the patient to request approval.

Receive an email requesting access

Within 2-3 minutes the patient will receive an email, in which they can accept or deny the officer access to their Releaf medical records.

Access is granted

With approval from the patient the officer will be permitted access to their records, including active patient status, FP Prescription and all past prescriptions.

The officer can also request a copy of the patients’ records by entering their email at the bottom of the page.

How do I sign up?

You can use Releaf’s free eligibility checker to determine if a medical cannabis prescription could be right for you. A team of expert clinicians will review your application, and if appropriate, you will be invited to schedule an appointment with a specialist consultant.

If, during the initial consultation, the clinician decides cannabis is right for you, they will issue your prescription and guide you through the next steps. 

Your medical cannabis card will be sent in the post as part of your starter pack, with everything you need to begin treatment. 

 

FAQs: UK medical cannabis cards

Is there an official medical cannabis card in the UK?

No. There is no government-issued medical cannabis card that patients must obtain to legally possess prescribed medical cannabis. Legal possession depends on having a valid prescription. Cards offered by clinics or third parties can provide identification or verification services, but they do not replace the prescription.

Do I legally have to carry my medical cannabis prescription?

Current NPCC guidance says there is no legal requirement to carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your prescriber. However, patients are advised to keep their medicine in its dispensed packaging with the pharmacy label and may find it helpful to have their prescription information and matching ID available.

Does a Cancard make cannabis legal?

No. A Cancard is not a prescription and does not itself provide legal authority to possess cannabis. NPCC guidance states that holding a Cancard does not mean someone has a prescription for medicinal cannabis.

What should I show the police if I am carrying prescribed cannabis?

NPCC guidance advises officers to look for the medicine’s packaging and dispensing label. Patients may also provide a copy of their prescription or a prescriber letter and matching identification where available. If documentation is unavailable, officers are advised to consider making further enquiries with the prescriber or cannabis clinic before taking further action.