Most people spend roughly £150 to £300 a month once treatment settles, plus a one-off vaporiser and some setup costs in the first few months. Here is the full picture in plain numbers, with ranges, because no honest answer is a single figure
The short answer
Once treatment settles, most patients pay about £150 to £300 a month, made up mainly of the medication itself. On top of that, the first few months carry setup costs: an initial consultation and a one-off vaporiser. There are also smaller ongoing fees for follow-ups and delivery. As a rough total, year one tends to land between £1,500 and £3,500, and later years between £1,200 and £3,600, depending on how much you are prescribed. Almost everyone pays privately, because the NHS route is effectively closed to most patients.
The medication: the biggest cost
Your prescription is the main expense. Prescribed cannabis flower usually costs about £5 to £15 a gram, rising to around £25 for premium products, and oils are priced separately. Most patients are prescribed somewhere between 5 and 30 grams a month, with around 30 grams common. Put together, monthly medication tends to be £100 to £150 at the budget end, £150 to £300 for most people, and £300 to £400 or more for higher amounts or premium products.
The setup costs: consultation and vaporiser
Two costs sit mostly at the start. The first is the initial consultation with a specialist, often around £50 to £100, and frequently bundled with your first prescription, with some clinics refunding it if they decide not to prescribe. The second is a dry-herb vaporiser, a one-off purchase you need because smoking prescribed cannabis is not allowed. A capable device starts around £50, but £150 to £300 buys a reliable one, and premium devices cost more.
The smaller ongoing fees
Beyond medication, expect modest recurring costs: follow-up appointments at roughly £25 to £50, or a monthly membership of around £40 that bundles follow-ups and delivery, repeat prescriptions at about £20 or included, and delivery at around £5 an order or included. These vary a lot between clinics, which is why comparing the full picture matters more than any single advertised price.
Why there is no one simple number
Prices vary by clinic, by product, and above all by how much you are prescribed, which is a clinical decision rather than a fixed menu. That is also why an advertised “from” price tells you little on its own. We explain how the pieces fit, and how to compare them honestly, in [What you actually pay for] and [Realistic ways to lower the cost], and our [cost journey] tool turns your own situation into a range.
What this means for you: As a working figure, budget £150 to £300 a month for medication once you are settled, plus around £150 to £300 once for a vaporiser and £50 to £100 for the first consultation. Treat any single advertised price with care until you know what it includes and what monthly amount it assumes. Your actual cost depends on what your specialist prescribes.
Sources: drawn from published UK clinic pricing as of June 2026; NHS, medical cannabis.
Related: What you actually pay for · Realistic ways to lower the cost · How to get a prescription · Try the cost journey
By The Plain Line. Last updated June 2026. This is information, not medical or financial advice. Costs change, so we date and review our guides.