The concept of the medical cannabis card originated out of the US in some jurisdictions where patients are issued an annual card from their doctor which permits them to purchase medical cannabis from any legal dispensary. 

Although the markets in Europe differ significantly to those in North America the concept has been adopted to address some of the challenges facing patients in these markets as a method of quick and convenient identification, particularly for law enforcement. 

While medical cannabis has been legal in the UK since 2018, as in many markets across Europe, there is still some way to go before it is treated the same as traditional prescriptions. 

The remaining stigma around cannabis, and its association with illegal use, presents numerous challenges for patients going about their daily lives.

There have been numerous reports of patients having negative experiences related to the use of their prescribed medicine in public with police and other authorities or professional bodies.

This largely stems from the lack of nationwide awareness and training around the legality of medical cannabis since 2018. A cross-sectional study of attitudes among police officers found that one in five didn’t know it was legal, while 89% believed they would benefit from more training. 

Concerns around this lack of awareness and stigma can even prevent people from accessing medical cannabis treatment. In a survey conducted by Releaf, 34.16% of respondents were discouraged from using it due to concerns it would be mistaken as illegal.

As patient numbers have continued to grow, a number of medical cannabis card schemes have emerged in a bid to address some of these challenges. 

According to the law, patients are required to carry a copy of their current prescription alongside their medication at all times, to prove they are using cannabis for legitimate medical reasons. 

None of the cannabis card schemes in the UK have been endorsed by the Home Office and it is not a legal requirement to carry a card to verify your prescription. They are generally designed to offer peace of mind and a form of protection for patients, as well as a convenient way of accessing all of their information in one place. 

The emergence of cannabis card schemes in the UK

Cancard was the first medical cannabis card scheme to launch in the UK. To date, it has supported around 50,000 patients facing unfair treatment at the hands of police and other institutions such as employers, housing associations, landlords and venues. As well as preventing unnecessary arrests, the team provides legal support and advice for those facing criminal charges or other forms of discrimination. 

Although it is not officially endorsed by the police, the team has delivered training sessions with forces around the country to help plug the gap in awareness and many use it to determine whether someone is a legitimate patient or not.

However, as patients without a prescription can also apply for a Cancard— and patients with prescriptions may not be signed up to the scheme— this can lead to confusion and exacerbate misunderstandings with police. 

Clinics and medical cannabis cards

Releaf was the first CQC-registered medical cannabis clinic to introduce a patient identity card scheme as part of its offering. 

It works by supplying every patient with a card as part of their subscription free of charge, after they have signed up and a doctor has deemed it to be an appropriate treatment.

The clinic told Cannabis Health: “Our doctors frequently highlight the importance of patient confidence, particularly for those exploring alternative treatments for the first time. To address this, we worked closely with our in-house technology team to develop the Releaf Medical Cannabis Card – a secure, tech-enabled solution that provides instant verification of a patient’s prescription via QR code and a two-step ID authentication process, similar to online banking security.”

In the UK, it is a legal requirement for any medical cannabis patient to carry their prescription in its original container, and be able to provide a valid, in-date prescription. 

To date, this has largely required patients to carry around a physical paper prescription, a ‘burdensome and impractical’ solution Releaf sought to address.

“With a simple scan, any interested third party can access verified, up-to-date prescription details, ensuring patients can prove legitimate possession of their medication with ease and confidence,” it explained. 

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 their patient status. As well as storing all prescription and clinic information on an encrypted, password protected server, it can act as a form of photo ID.

The police officer can scan the QR code on the card 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. Once this is granted, the officer will be permitted access to their records, including active patient status, FP Prescription and all past prescriptions.

“The card is designed to instil confidence, both for patients and those they may need to verify their prescription with. Whether in a workplace setting, at border control, or in a routine stop with law enforcement, patients can quickly and securely demonstrate their legal access to medical cannabis.”

Releaf has also worked with a police liaison officer to facilitate further awareness and education among individual officers.

Medical cannabis cards in Europe and Beyond

In most European jurisdictions with established medical cannabis programmes, as in the UK, patients are only legally required to carry their medication in its original packaging with a copy of their prescription for verification purposes. 

Germany

In Germany, Europe’s biggest medical cannabis market, a number of private cannabis companies, such as Cannamedical, Four20 Pharma and Bloomwell Group, provide patient ID cards through similar models to those in the UK. Some of these are provided for free, while others have a small charge, but there is no legal requirement to carry one, rather the cards serve as ‘additional proof’ alongside a prescription.

One such scheme is Cannamedical’s patient ID card. Eligible patients can apply for the patient ID card together with their pharmacy easily and free of charge, however, the company states that the patient ID card must be presented along with a copy of the prescription, a passport or a certificate from the doctor or health insurance company to guarantee verification. 

Malta 

After the legalisation of medical cannabis in 2018, Malta as part of the Production of Cannabis for Medicinal Use Act, it established a mandatory card scheme enabling patients to prove their legitimacy. 

Under the scheme, patients are required to obtain a ‘cannabis control card’ from the Superintendent of Public Health, with applications filled out on a patient’s behalf by a prescribing doctor. 

Once approved, the card will last for six months, after which it must be renewed through a re-application and fee. 

Since their inception, the cards have drawn criticism for their bureaucracy and pricing. Pharmacies will not dispense prescriptions without a current doctor’s signature on the card, meaning regular visits to the doctor are required, and patients must pay out of pocket. 

Switzerland 

While slightly outside the remit of medical cannabis, another country where similar card schemes have been implemented is Switzerland where a number of adult-use pilot schemes have been introduced.

There are now seven different pilot projects underway in different regions and each has introduced ways of monitoring the supply and purchase of cannabis. Some of these, such as the WeedCare trial in Basel-Stadt.

All participants are issued with a personal study ID card which can be used to purchase cannabis from pharmacies and, if necessary, to verify themselves to the police. The ID card contains the individual’s photo and personal details in an encrypted form of a QR code which can only be read by participating pharmacies and the police.

Thailand

Amid ongoing regulatory uncertainties surrounding cannabis in the market, private companies have come forward with potential solutions for patients, similar to the UK. 

WEED.TH recently launched Thailand’s first digital medical cannabis card, supported in all licenses dispensaries which have opted into the programme. 

Its card is also accepted by multiple online sales platforms as a secure method of verification before sale, and cardholders are offered discounts of up to 30%. 

This scheme is not supported by the government, however, meaning the card’s effectiveness is dependent on circumstance. 

Benefits and challenges of medical cannabis cards 

There are mixed views on medical cannabis cards and their value often depends on a patient’s personal preference and their specific day-to-day needs. 

Some have legitimate concerns that these cards create a false sense of security and legal protection for patients. Others feel they can help instil a greater sense of confidence in patients when accessing treatment and offer added reassurance when they need to carry their medication in public. 

Releaf remains confident that such schemes are vital not just for patient confidence, but for driving greater access to medical cannabis in the UK. 

It cites ‘countless examples’ shared through video consultations, calls with its patient support team and online patient feedback, including Trustpilot reviews. 

“Each of these reaffirms the real-world impact of the Releaf card, particularly in scenarios where patients need to validate their prescription status quickly and with confidence.

“The biggest barrier for many is a lack of confidence in accessing medical cannabis, and solutions like the Releaf card can play a pivotal role in bridging that gap.”