Cannabis

Dear All

🌿 Cannabis & the Law: What Residents Need to Know (2026)

Understanding the law around cannabis can be confusing, so here’s a straightforward guide to how things currently stand in the UK.

🔴 Recreational cannabis is still illegal

Cannabis remains a Class B drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, meaning it is illegal to possess, grow, or supply cannabis for non‑medical use. [library.co....police.uk]

Anyone found with cannabis may face a warning, fine, or arrest, depending on the circumstances.

🟢 Medical cannabis is legal with a prescription

Medical cannabis has been legal in the UK since 2018, but only when prescribed by a specialist doctor. These medicines must meet strict rules known as “Cannabis‑Based Products for Medicinal Use” (CBPMs).
They must:

Most prescriptions are issued through private clinics, and patients must carry their medication in the original packaging.

🆕 What’s changed in 2026? New guidance for police

For the first time, police across England and Wales now have national guidance on how to deal with patients who legally carry medical cannabis. This aims to reduce confusion and ensure patients are treated fairly.
[drugscience.org.uk], [cannabishe...news.co.uk]

Under this new guidance, officers should:

Importantly, the law itself hasn’t changed—only the guidance for how police handle encounters. [releaf.co.uk]

🚗 Driving and cannabis

Even if prescribed, cannabis affects driving ability.
UK drug‑driving laws still apply, and drivers must not be impaired or over legal THC limits.
[drugscience.org.uk]

😊 What this means for our community

This new guidance helps ensure patients are recognised as patients, not treated as offenders — while allowing police to deal appropriately with illegal drug activity.