A major investigation has revealed that thousands of people in Britain are being prescribed super-strength cannabis to treat conditions like anxiety and depression through private clinics, despite stark warnings from leading psychiatrists about the dangers.
Private Prescriptions Skyrocket Amid Lax Regulation
While the NHS tightly controls its prescriptions, dozens of private clinics are now responsible for 99 per cent of the medical cannabis supplied in the country. An audit found specialist pharmacies are offering almost 10,000 different products, including ultra-potent strains with names like Ghost Train Haze and White Widow, some imported from Amsterdam.
Shockingly, the process is perfectly legal due to loopholes. After often just a single video consultation, the powerful drug can be dispatched directly to a patient's door via a next-day delivery service. Data obtained under the Freedom of Information Act shows a staggering rise in prescriptions: from 282,920 unlicensed cannabis products in 2023 to 659,293 in 2024—equivalent to nearly ten tons. In just the first two months of 2025, there were 88,214 such prescriptions.
Mental Health Conditions Drive Demand
Marijuana, which the NHS states greatly increases the risk of severe mental health issues, is being routinely prescribed privately for anxiety, depression, OCD, and ADHD. Data from one of the largest clinics, Mamedica, shows that over 50 per cent of its 12,000-plus UK patients are prescribed cannabis for mental health. If this trend is industry-wide, it suggests tens of thousands are receiving it for psychiatric conditions.
Some clinics actively target benefits claimants, offering free consultations and discounts of up to 20 per cent. The situation has been branded an 'outrageous situation' by leading psychiatrist Professor Sir Robin Murray of King's College London. He warned the rising strength of products poses an increased risk of dependence and psychiatric side-effects, comparing it to 'taking alcohol for depression.'
Potency and Policing Concerns
The strength of prescribed cannabis is also climbing. While the most popular potency in 2022 was 18-22% THC (the psychoactive ingredient), products above 22% THC made up almost half of prescriptions in early 2025. Dozens of pharmacies offer products exceeding 30% THC content.
This de facto legalisation—where police are advised not to arrest for possession if there are 'justifiable grounds' to believe it's for medical use—has raised fears of a pseudo-recreational market. Experts warn the surge is contributing to more drug-induced psychosis, hammering an overstretched NHS and straining police resources.
Tory health spokesman Stuart Andrew called the findings 'extremely concerning' and urged the government to 'act to tackle this abuse of the system.' A government spokesman said it expects regulators to crack down on private providers who prescribe without proper clinical care and is looking at private prescribing more widely.
Medical cannabis was legalised in 2018 for specific conditions like severe childhood epilepsy. NHS-licensed products are limited, but private clinics can legally prescribe unlicensed, whole-plant products that haven't undergone strict medical trials. Mamedica stated it operates under a 'strictly regulated clinical and legal framework,' with prescriptions issued by registered doctors.
