Recent national headlines have raised concerns that medical cannabis prescribing in the UK has expanded faster than the supporting evidence base. Reports suggest a small number of doctors are responsible for a significant share of prescriptions, with multiple stories referencing Mamedica, a leading private clinic.
In response, Mamedica CEO Jon Robson and consultant psychiatrist Dr Imogen Kretzschmar said the issue is being misrepresented and offered clarification on clinical practice. They argue that conflating medical and recreational cannabis is misleading and that current coverage risks distorting how regulated prescribing works.
Jon Robson said: “I’m disappointed to see numerous articles presenting a distorted and superficial view of prescribed medical cannabis, particularly in the context of mental health. The prescribing of medical cannabis in the UK operates within a strictly regulated clinical and legal framework. All prescriptions are issued by GMC-registered specialist doctors, dispensed by regulated pharmacies, and supplied in accordance with Home Office, MHRA, CQC and GPhC requirements. Medical cannabis is not ‘offered’ casually, nor are prescriptions driven by discounts or marketing incentives. Every patient undergoes a full clinical assessment, shared decision-making, and ongoing monitoring.
Many of those accessing treatment for conditions such as anxiety, depression or PTSD are doing so after conventional therapies have failed, caused intolerable side effects, or been clinically inappropriate. These are individuals managing complex, chronic conditions.
Medical cannabis is not risk-free, and no responsible clinic presents it as such. However, it is equally inaccurate to characterise it as fringe, unregulated or clinically unsound. It is prescribed within a controlled medical framework, supported by a growing evidence base and subject to ongoing clinical governance.”
Mamedica was founded in 2021 and launched in 2022 as a digital healthcare platform specialising in cannabis-based prescription medicines. It serves patients nationwide through specialist-led consultations and is registered with the Care Quality Commission. The clinic focuses on conditions such as chronic pain, anxiety, ADHD and depression, often where other treatments have failed.
Freedom of Information data from the NHS Business Services Authority shows prescriptions increased from around 283,000 in 2023–659,000 in 2024. These figures reflect prescription items rather than individual patients, with estimates suggesting 80,000–90,000 active patients in the UK. Most prescriptions are issued privately due to limited NHS access.
Separate reports indicate that ten specialist doctors in private clinics have issued more than half of all prescriptions since 2019, with one consultant accounting for a substantial share in early 2025. Monthly prescriptions peaked at about 100,000 before declining.
Critics, including recent medical literature reviews, argue that prescribing for mental health conditions has outpaced high-quality evidence. Randomised controlled trial data remains limited or of low certainty for conditions such as anxiety and depression.
A recent Lancet review found that evidence for cannabinoids in psychiatry is often insufficient to support routine use, highlighting a gap between prescribing trends and clinical trial data. Patient organisations argue that real-world outcomes, including improved quality of life in treatment-resistant cases, should also be considered.
Clinics such as Mamedica emphasise strict safeguards in their processes. Patients are typically required to have tried at least two conventional treatments without adequate benefit before being considered. Consultations are conducted by GMC-registered specialists who carry out full medical assessments, review patient histories and engage in shared decision-making. Ongoing monitoring forms part of the treatment process, with prescriptions issued only when clinically appropriate.
Cannabis-based products for medicinal use are tightly regulated in the UK. Only doctors on the GMC specialist register are permitted to initiate prescriptions, while products are controlled under Home Office licensing. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency oversees quality and import standards where relevant. Clinics are subject to inspection by the Care Quality Commission, and dispensing pharmacies must comply with General Pharmaceutical Council requirements. Licensed medicines such as Sativex and Epidyolex are approved for specific conditions, although most prescriptions involve unlicensed “specials” tailored to individual patient needs.
NHS prescribing remains rare and is largely restricted to NICE-approved uses, including certain cases of multiple sclerosis spasticity, chemotherapy-induced nausea and rare forms of epilepsy. In contrast, private clinics serve a broader population of patients with chronic conditions who report unmet medical needs, with treatment costs often reaching several hundred pounds per month.
Dr Imogen Kretzschmar said prescribing decisions are always based on individual clinical assessment, including for conditions such as ADHD, particularly when standard treatments are unsuitable or poorly tolerated.
Mamedica states that it does not present medical cannabis as a cure-all and that unsuitable patients are turned away following careful risk-benefit assessment.
The debate highlights a wider tension in UK healthcare between improving access for patients with chronic conditions and ensuring strong clinical evidence. It also reflects the need to clearly distinguish regulated medical prescribing from recreational cannabis use. Calls continue for greater research investment, clearer NHS pathways and more nuanced public discussion as the sector develops.