Can You Get CBD on Prescription NHS?

CBD is widely available in the UK as an over-the-counter supplement—but can you get CBD on prescription from the NHS? The answer is yes, in theory, but in practice it’s extremely limited. Only certain cannabis-based medicines are prescribed, and they’re usually reserved for people with severe, treatment-resistant conditions.

If you're hoping to get a CBD product through the NHS for anxiety, sleep problems, or general wellbeing, you're unlikely to qualify. Here's how it works, who might be eligible, and what the current NHS stance is.

Is CBD Available on the NHS?

Yes, but only as part of specific cannabis-based medicines, and only for very limited conditions.

In 2018, the UK government changed the law to allow specialist doctors to prescribe cannabis-based products for medicinal use (CBPMs). This includes some formulations containing CBD, but not the high-street oils and supplements you see online or in health shops.

Approved products on the NHS that include CBD are:

Epidyolex – a purified CBD oral solution, approved for severe forms of epilepsy such as Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome in children
Sativex – a spray that contains both CBD and THC, licensed to treat muscle stiffness (spasticity) in multiple sclerosis

These products are pharmaceutical-grade, strictly controlled, and only prescribed when other treatments have failed.

Can Your GP Prescribe CBD?

No. Regular GPs cannot prescribe medical cannabis or CBD products.

Prescriptions must come from a specialist doctor on the General Medical Council's specialist register—such as a neurologist, pain consultant, or psychiatrist—and are typically considered only after all conventional treatments have been tried and proven ineffective.

In most NHS cases, even specialists are cautious. The NHS guidance recommends cannabis-based medicines only in very specific circumstances, and approval is often difficult to obtain.

Who Might Be Eligible for CBD on the NHS?

You may be considered for a CBD-based prescription on the NHS if you:

Have treatment-resistant epilepsy that meets strict clinical criteria
Have multiple sclerosis with moderate to severe spasticity, and other medications haven't worked
Are undergoing chemotherapy and have severe nausea or vomiting unrelieved by standard anti-sickness medication (though THC-containing products are more commonly used here)

Other conditions like chronic pain, anxiety, or insomnia are generally not approved for CBD treatment on the NHS, despite growing interest.

Why Is Access So Limited?

There are several reasons why NHS prescriptions for CBD and cannabis-based medicines are rare:

Lack of large-scale clinical trials – While there is promising evidence, NHS guidelines rely on well-established, peer-reviewed data before approving medicines.
Cost concerns – Pharmaceutical-grade cannabis products are expensive, and funding is limited.
Caution among doctors – Many NHS specialists are reluctant to prescribe cannabis-based treatments without long-term data or clear guidelines.
Strict eligibility criteria – Patients usually must exhaust all other treatments first.

What About Private Clinics?

If you don’t qualify on the NHS, you can access medical cannabis and CBD through private clinics, where doctors are often more willing to prescribe cannabis-based products.

Private prescriptions may include:

CBD-only oils
THC and CBD combined products
Cannabis flower or vapes (prescribed under strict conditions)

However, these are not covered by the NHS, and costs can be high, often ranging from £150 to £300 per month, including consultations and medication.

Can You Buy CBD Without a Prescription?

Yes. CBD is legal and widely available over the counter in the UK, as long as:

It contains less than 1mg of THC per container
It is sold as a food supplement, not a medicine
It makes no medical claims

These products include oils, gummies, capsules, drinks, and topicals. They’re not the same as NHS-prescribed formulations, which are higher quality and tested under strict pharmaceutical standards.

Final Word

You can get CBD on prescription from the NHS, but only in rare cases and under strict guidelines. If you're dealing with severe epilepsy or MS-related muscle stiffness, there may be a pathway—through a specialist and after other treatments have failed.

For everyone else, CBD remains an over-the-counter supplement, not a prescribed medicine. If you’re considering medical cannabis more broadly, a private clinic may be an option, but it comes at a cost.