The popularity of CBD has skyrocketed in recent years, with everything from CBD oils and capsules to edibles and topicals. If you’re exploring your options, you may be asking: Do you need a prescription for CBD in the UK?
The answer depends on the type of CBD product you’re talking about:
- No prescription needed: This applies to most CBD products sold as food supplements in the UK. Provided they are hemp-derived, contain only trace, legally permitted levels of THC, and comply with strict UK quality control standards.
- Prescription needed: This applies to certain cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs), which may contain THC. A specialist doctor may prescribe these in certain cases for conditions such as severe epilepsy, multiple sclerosis-related muscle stiffness, or nausea caused by chemotherapy, usually when other treatments have not worked.
Whether you’re new to CBD or simply looking for high-quality, UK-legal CBD products, this guide will explain exactly what CBD is, when a prescription is required, and how to buy CBD safely. If you’re ready to explore non-prescription CBD, buy CBD products hand-picked by The CBD Flower Shop, with fast delivery options.
What is CBD?
CBD (short for Cannabidiol) is a naturally occurring compound found in hemp plants and is one of over a hundred active compounds known as cannabinoids. Unlike THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD does not cause a high – it is non-psychoactive and valued for its potential wellness benefits, such as:
- Supporting better sleep
- Promoting relaxation
- Easing mild anxiety
- Helping with post-exercise soreness
To find out more about CBD, take a look at our CBD guides.
Do you need a prescription for CBD?
| Product/Use | Prescription Needed? |
| Buying CBD supplements (oil, capsules, edibles, topicals) from reputable UK sellers | No |
| Seeking CBD for general wellness (sleep, relaxation, mild anxiety, recovery) | No |
| Treating severe epilepsy (e.g. Dravet syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome) | Yes |
| Treating multiple sclerosis (MS) with muscle stiffness | Yes |
| Treating nausea from chemotherapy when other treatments have failed | Yes |
| Any CBD medicine containing THC above trace legal limits | Yes |
For most people in the UK, buying CBD supplements for general wellness does not require a prescription. You can purchase CBD oils, CBD gummies, balms and lotions from reputable sellers.
However, some CBD medicines are prescription-only, such as certain cannabis-based products used to treat specific medical conditions. In the UK, these can only be prescribed after an assessment by a specialist doctor listed on the General Medical Council (GMC) Specialist Register – not by a GP.
A specialist may consider prescribing hemp-based medicinal products in certain cases, such as:
- Severe epilepsy (e.g. Dravet syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome)
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) with muscle stiffness
- Nausea caused by chemotherapy, where other treatments have not worked
While prescriptions are sometimes available through the NHS, access is limited. Most patients who qualify get these medicines through a private medical cannabis clinic, based on their eligibility and medical history.
Non-prescription CBD vs prescription CBD
When it comes to CBD products in the UK, there’s a big difference between those you can buy without a prescription and those that require a prescription.
Here’s how they compare:
| Feature | Non-prescription CBD | Prescription CBD (Cannabis-Based Medicinal Products) |
| Availability | Sold in health food stores, online shops, and by specialist CBD retailers. No prescription required. | Requires a prescription from a specialist doctor; GPs cannot prescribe. |
| THC Content | Must be hemp-derived, contain only trace, legally permitted levels of THC, and comply with UK quality control standards, including the Food Standards Agency’s (FSA) Novel Foods authorisation process for CBD supplements. | May contain CBD and THC in varying amounts depending on the medical formulation. |
| Purpose | Sold strictly as food supplements and cannot make medical claims. | Prescribed for specific medical conditions such as forms of epilepsy, multiple sclerosis (MS)-related muscle stiffness, or nausea caused by chemotherapy. |
| When Used | Often chosen for potential wellness benefits like relaxation, improved sleep, or general health support – though more research is needed. | Often used when other treatments are not suitable or effective |
Understanding the distinction between these two categories helps you know which CBD products are available to buy yourself and which can only be accessed through a specialist doctor.
Buying CBD safely in the UK
When buying non-prescription CBD supplements, look for:
- Third-party lab reports (Certificates of Analysis) showing the THC content is within legal limits.
- Products from reputable sellers with clear quality control standards.
- Clear labelling stating that the product is sold strictly as a food supplement and cannot make medical claims.
- No medical claims unless the product is a licensed medicine.
Reputable retailers like The CBD Flower Shop offer a range of CBD oil, edibles, and more that meet UK legal requirements and undergo lab testing.
Summary
In the UK, most people can buy CBD products without a prescription as long as they are sold as food supplements, and meet the legal requirements. These non-prescription CBD supplements are available online, in health food stores, and from specialist CBD retailers.
A prescription is only needed for certain medicinal products, which may contain both CBD and THC and are used for specific conditions such as certain forms of severe epilepsy, muscle stiffness in multiple sclerosis (MS), or nausea from chemotherapy when other treatments haven’t worked. These medicines can only be prescribed by a specialist doctor, not a GP. Most people who qualify get them through a private medical cannabis clinic.
By understanding the difference between CBD products available without a prescription and prescription-only CBD medications, you can see which products you can buy yourself for wellness, and which are only available if a specialist doctor decides they are appropriate for your medical needs.
Buy high-quality CBD products from The CBD Flower Shop
At The CBD Flower Shop, we pride ourselves on offering UK-compliant CBD products that are lab-tested for purity and provide excellent quality and value for money. From CBD oil tinctures to CBD gummies, our range offers a wide range of options to suit your taste and preferences.
Whether you’re new to CBD or looking for a trusted supplier, we’re on hand to help if you need more information about any of our products. Shop our CBD products online, visit our Bournemouth store, or get in touch for further assistance.
CBD FAQ
In the UK, medical cannabis (also known as medicinal cannabis) refers to cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) that a specialist doctor prescribes for certain medical conditions. These products may contain CBD, THC, or a combination of both active compounds from the hemp plant, and are regulated as prescription-only medicines. Access is strictly controlled and usually via a medical cannabis clinic or, in some cases, through the NHS.
In the UK, GPs cannot prescribe medical cannabis or cannabis-based medicinal products directly. The law states that only specialist doctors listed on the General Medical Council (GMC) Specialist Register are permitted to prescribe cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs). While your GP cannot start the prescription, they can refer you to a specialist if they believe you meet the eligibility criteria.
Yes, CBD oil is legal to buy in the UK without a prescription if it meets the country’s legal requirements. It must be hemp-derived, meet the legal limits for THC, and be sold as a food supplement. Products must also meet quality control and labelling standards set by the Food Standards Agency. If these conditions aren’t met, the CBD product would not be considered legal for sale or use.
