Find out if you legally qualify for medical cannabis in the UK

Yes, absolutely. Cannabis-based products for medicinal use (CBPMs) were legalised in the UK in 2018. However, they remain classified as Specialist-Only medications. This means a standard GP cannot prescribe them; they must be issued by a doctor on the GMC Specialist Register. At Kalu, we only connect you with CQC-registered private clinics that operate strictly within this compliant, legal framework.

To qualify for a medical cannabis consultation or specific clinical trials in the UK, you must generally demonstrate "treatment-resistant" symptoms. Legally, this means you have tried at least two conventional treatments (such as standard licensed medications, physical therapies, or psychological talking therapies) that either failed to alleviate your condition or caused unmanageable side effects. Our quick triage engine helps you verify if you meet this threshold before you book.

Kalu will never share your personal data with your GP. However, you should know that the specialist clinics we introduce you to will require access to your official Summary Care Record (SCR) to ensure prescribing is clinically safe. Furthermore, if a specialist subsequently prescribes you medication or admits you into a clinical trial, they are legally required to notify your GP so your central NHS medical records stay accurate and up to date.

Yes, but with strict rules. Because your medication is legally prescribed, you can travel freely across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. You simply need to carry your medication in its original pharmacy packaging with the dispensing label clearly displaying your name, alongside a copy of your paper prescription or a travel letter from your clinic. For international travel, regulations vary wildly by country, and you must check with that nation's embassy well in advance.

UK specialists can evaluate cannabis-based treatments for a broad spectrum of chronic conditions when standard therapies haven't worked. The most common areas include Chronic Pain (e.g., fibromyalgia, arthritis, neuropathy), Mental Health (e.g., anxiety, PTSD, depression, insomnia), and Neurological Conditions (e.g., MS, epilepsy, Parkinson's). Our triage questionnaire will instantly check if your specific condition falls within the current UK prescribing guidelines.

The UK law provides a statutory medical defense for prescribed patients. Section 5A of the Road Traffic Act states that it is not illegal to drive with cannabinoids in your system if they are taken in accordance with a legitimate medical prescription, provided your driving is not impaired. You must never drive while feeling drowsy or impaired, and you should always keep a digital copy of your current prescription on your phone as proof for law enforcement if ever required.

While Kalu’s triage check is entirely free, private healthcare in the UK involves external costs. Patients typically pay an initial consultation fee to the specialist clinic (ranging from £40 to £200), followed by the ongoing cost of the physical medication fulfilled by a specialized pharmacy. Medication costs vary heavily depending on your required dosage and format (oils, flower, or capsules), usually starting around £50 to £150 per month.