There is no fixed list that says yes or no. A specialist weighs three things: a diagnosed condition, whether you have already tried other treatments, and whether the benefits outweigh the risks for you. Here is what that means in practice.

The short answer

Eligibility is a clinical judgement, not a checklist you tick. In broad terms, a specialist looks for a diagnosed physical or mental-health condition, evidence that you have already tried at least two conventional treatments that did not work or caused side effects, and a balance of benefit over risk in your case. Having a particular condition is only the starting point, not a guarantee.

The condition

You need a diagnosed condition. Specialists consider a wide range, including chronic pain, anxiety, PTSD, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and several others, usually where other treatments have not done enough. We are careful here: the fact that a condition is sometimes treated this way is not a claim that medical cannabis will help you. That is for a specialist to assess.

The treatments you have already tried

This is the part most people miss, and the most important. As a rule, a specialist will expect you to have already tried at least two conventional treatments for your condition, which were not effective or caused side effects, and your medical records need to show this. It is the single biggest factor in whether a prescription is considered.

The cautions

Some things count against a prescription, or call for extra care. Medical cannabis is generally not prescribed during pregnancy, and a history of psychosis or schizophrenia is usually a reason not to prescribe. Extra caution is taken with younger adults, broadly those under 25. A specialist will go through your history with these in mind.

NHS or private?

The picture above describes the private route, which is how nearly everyone is prescribed. NHS eligibility is far narrower, and we explain the difference in [Can I get it on the NHS?].

What this means for you: Before approaching a specialist, the two questions that matter most are whether your condition is diagnosed, and whether your records show at least two other treatments you have tried that did not work. If both are true, you may be someone a specialist would consider, though only they can decide. Treat any quick online “eligibility checker” as a clinic’s first sales step, not an impartial answer.

Sources: NHS, medical cannabis; NICE guidance on cannabis-based medicinal products; GOV.UK, cannabis-based products for medicinal use.

Related: How to get a prescription · Can I get it on the NHS? · What it costs · Is medical cannabis legal?

By The Plain Line. Last updated June 2026. This is information, not medical or legal advice. The rules change over time, so we date and review our guides.