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Is Weed Legal in UK?

In the United Kingdom, weed (cannabis) remains a Class B controlled drug, meaning its recreational use is illegal. Despite ongoing debate and rising public support for reform, the law currently treats cannabis possession, use, cultivation, and supply as criminal offences—except in tightly regulated medical cases.

Let’s break down what is and isn’t allowed under UK cannabis laws, and what the consequences are for breaking them.

Recreational Cannabis: Still Illegal

Cannabis is classified as a Class B drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. That puts it in the same category as amphetamines and ketamine. As a result:

  • Possessing cannabis is illegal, even in small amounts.

  • Using cannabis recreationally is illegal, regardless of whether it’s smoked, eaten, or vaped.

  • Growing cannabis plants at home is illegal.

  • Supplying or selling cannabis is a serious criminal offence, with tougher penalties.

Some police forces take a softer approach to small-scale possession (issuing warnings or fines), but that’s discretion—not decriminalisation.

Medical Cannabis: Legal but Restricted

In November 2018, the UK government legalised cannabis-based products for medicinal use in very limited circumstances.

Doctors on the General Medical Council’s Specialist Register can prescribe cannabis-based medicine when other treatments haven’t worked, typically for conditions such as:

  • Severe epilepsy (e.g. Dravet syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome)

  • Chemotherapy-induced nausea

  • Multiple sclerosis-related muscle stiffness (spasticity)

These prescriptions are rare and tightly controlled. Access via the NHS is difficult, with most patients forced to go private and pay out of pocket. As of 2025, fewer than 5,000 patients are believed to have NHS prescriptions, despite higher demand.

The most well-known cannabis-based medicines in the UK include:

  • Epidyolex (CBD-based, for epilepsy)

  • Sativex (a THC:CBD spray, for MS)

  • Bedrocan (a cannabis flower product, prescribed privately)

CBD and Hemp Products

CBD (cannabidiol) products—like oils, capsules, and skincare—are legal in the UK if they contain less than 0.2% THC and are derived from EU-approved industrial hemp strains.

However, CBD products cannot make medical claims unless licensed as medicine by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Most over-the-counter CBD you’ll see on the high street is sold as a food supplement, not a medicine.

Penalties for Cannabis Offences

Cannabis offences in the UK carry a range of penalties depending on the severity and context.

1. Possession (first-time offence):

  • Police warning, cannabis warning, or on-the-spot fine (£90)

  • Repeat offences can lead to arrest, court proceedings, and a criminal record

  • Maximum penalty: up to 5 years in prison, unlimited fine

2. Possession with intent to supply:

  • Considered a serious crime

  • Can result in up to 14 years in prison and an unlimited fine

3. Cultivation (growing cannabis):

  • Growing even one plant is illegal without a licence

  • Can be treated as production with intent to supply

  • Risk of several years in prison

4. Driving Under the Influence:

  • Cannabis is on the list of drugs included in UK drug-driving laws

  • Police can perform roadside saliva tests

  • Penalties: 12-month driving ban, up to 6 months in prison, and a criminal record

Enforcement: Tough on Paper, Softer in Practice?

In recent years, some police forces—particularly in parts of London, Bristol, Manchester, and Durham—have taken a more lenient approach to small-scale cannabis use. They may issue cautions or diversion to education programmes rather than pursuing criminal charges.

Still, the law has not changed, and discretion varies widely by region.

Public Opinion and Future Outlook

Support for legalising cannabis is rising in the UK. Surveys consistently show:

  • Around 50% of the public support legalising recreational use

  • Over 75% support medical cannabis access

  • Younger generations are more likely to favour full legalisation

Despite growing public support, political appetite for reform is limited. The government maintains that cannabis is harmful and has rejected calls for legalisation, citing risks of dependency and mental health issues.

However, some MPs, campaign groups, and even police commissioners continue to push for decriminalisation or regulated legalisation, especially as countries like Germany, Canada, and many US states move forward with reforms.

In Summary:

  • Weed is illegal in the UK for recreational use.

  • Medical cannabis is legal, but access is limited and heavily restricted.

  • CBD is legal if THC levels are under 0.2% and no medical claims are made.

  • Possession, supply, and cultivation carry criminal penalties.

  • Reform is being debated, but there’s no sign of immediate change.

For now, the UK remains cautious on cannabis—legal for a small number of patients, but illegal for everyone else.