It’s been almost seven years since medical cannabis was legalised in the UK (November 2018), a landmark decision that promised relief for thousands of patients suffering from chronic conditions.
Yet, as recent reports (and Youtube videos) consistently highlight, a surprising number of police officers remain unaware of this pretty important legal change.
This disconnect is leading to troubling encounters for legitimate patients, undermining trust, and raising serious questions about the implementation of drug policy.
So, why, after all this time, do so many on the front line of law enforcement still seem to be in the dark when it comes to legal medical cannabis?
The Legal Landscape: A Quick Recap
In November 2018, the UK reclassified cannabis-based products for medicinal use (CBPMs) to Schedule 2 under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001.
This change made it legal for specialist doctors to prescribe cannabis for a wide range of conditions, typically when conventional treatments have failed. This means that for a patient with a valid prescription, possessing and using medical cannabis is entirely legal.
However, the key lies in the “prescription” aspect. Cannabis remains a controlled Class B drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, meaning recreational use, cultivation, and supply without the appropriate licence or prescription are still illegal.
This dual status creates an environment that requires a nuanced understanding from police officers – something that seems to be lacking.
The Troubling Reality: Patient Experiences
Despite the legalisation, medical cannabis patients frequently report distressing interactions with police. These encounters range from confiscation of legally prescribed medication to arrests and charges, even when patients present their prescriptions and photo ID.
Organisations like Release have even launched campaigns like #ReleaseMyMeds to highlight this growing issue, collecting testimonials from patients who have faced unjust criminalisation.
One patient recounted being arrested while quietly vaporising their prescribed cannabis on a beach, despite presenting their prescription. Another highlighted how police insisted on a roadside drug test even after being informed of a legal prescription, leading to unnecessary stress and legal battles.
A recent video from 420 celebrations in Hyde Park shows that a number of police officers aren’t up to date on current regulations, highlighting that this is a systemic issue.
Stigma in the force
Just recently, on July 8, 2025, the patient advocacy group PatientsCann UK filed a formal complaint against top police leaders after police chief Sir Andy Marsh said that smelling cannabis in communities “feels like a sign of crime and disorder” and makes him “feel unsafe.”
PatientsCann UK argues that these comments unfairly link the smell of cannabis to crime and fear, which can harm legitimate medical cannabis patients. They are asking for an apology and clearer guidelines from the police.
This incident clearly highlights the urgent need for better understanding within law enforcement.
Why the Knowledge Gap?
Several factors likely contribute to this persistent lack of awareness within police forces:
- Insufficient Training: A major contributing factor appears to be the inadequacy of police training on medical cannabis. While officers receive training on general drug offences and drink/drug driving, there’s often no specific, in-depth training on medical cannabis or how to identify legitimate patients. Surveys have shown that a significant percentage of officers (as high as 28.5% in one study) are simply unaware of its legal status, and an overwhelming majority (over 88%) believe they would benefit from more training.
- Decentralised Information & Guidelines: While some guidance exists (like that from the CIC Council for police on “Prescribed Cannabis Medicines – Possession, Use and Driving”), it’s unclear how consistently and effectively this information is disseminated and integrated into day-to-day policing across all forces.
- The “Legacy” of Cannabis Prohibition: Decades of cannabis prohibition have deeply ingrained certain perceptions within both the public and law enforcement. The immediate association with illegality and recreational use can make it challenging for officers to grasp the new legal nuances of medical use, particularly when a significant proportion of the public also remains unaware of the change.
- The Private Prescription Model: The vast majority of medical cannabis prescriptions in the UK come from private clinics, with very few NHS prescriptions issued. This means that officers are unlikely to encounter patients with NHS prescriptions, and the private nature of the treatment might contribute to a perception that it’s less “official” or widespread.
- Stigma and Misinformation: Despite its legal status for medical use, significant stigma still surrounds cannabis. This stigma can influence how police officers perceive individuals found in possession of cannabis, potentially leading to an assumption of recreational use rather than legitimate medical treatment.
- Complexity of Driving Laws: The interplay between medical cannabis and driving laws adds another layer of complexity. While it’s legal to drive with prescribed medical cannabis, patients must not be impaired. This requires officers to understand how to assess impairment in a fair and accurate way, differentiating between presence of THC and actual impairment.
The Cost of Not Knowing
This lack of police knowledge about medical cannabis has real and harmful effects. Patients who legally use cannabis face unnecessary stops, searches, and even arrests.
Imagine the stress and anxiety of being treated like a criminal when you’re simply using your prescribed medicine.
When police officers don’t understand the law around a legal treatment, it breaks down public trust, especially among patients. People lose faith in the police when they feel misunderstood or unjustly targeted.
Plus, it wastes police time and money. Officers spend valuable resources investigating cases that, with proper knowledge, could be quickly and easily resolved.
Moving Forward: What Needs to Change
To fix this problem, we need a clear plan of action:
- First, all police officers need mandatory, thorough training on medical cannabis laws. This means teaching them about patient rights, how to identify valid prescriptions, and the correct way to interact with patients. This training should be the same for all police forces across the country.
- Second, the government and top police leaders must issue clear national guidelines. These rules would tell police forces exactly how to handle medical cannabis, making sure all officers are aware and follow the same procedures.
- Third, we need public awareness campaigns. It’s not just the police; many people don’t know medical cannabis is legal. Educating the public will help reduce misunderstanding for everyone.
- Fourth, police forces should work directly with medical cannabis clinics and patient groups. These organisations can share real-life experiences from patients and offer practical advice on how police can improve their interactions.
- Fifth, while patients should always carry their prescription and ID, we should explore simpler ways for police to verify prescriptions, like secure digital systems. This could make it much faster and easier for officers to confirm a patient’s legal status.
- Lastly, police need to review their current stop-and-search and drug-driving procedures. These rules must be fair and effective for medical cannabis patients, focusing on whether someone is actually impaired, rather than just if they have THC in their system.
Conclusion
The legalisation of medical cannabis in the UK was a significant step forward. However, the continued lack of awareness among some police officers is undermining its potential benefits.
Rather than blaming individual officers, it needs to be acknowledged that there’s a systemic gap in education and how policy is enacted.
It is vital that we bridge this knowledge gap, ensuring that those tasked with upholding the law are fully equipped to understand and respect the rights of medical cannabis patients.
Only then can we truly move forward and fulfil the promise of accessible and lawful medical treatment for those who need it most.
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