Updated Good Practice Guide Launched to Support Safe and Effective Medical Cannabis Prescribing
August 4, 2025 | IN INFORMATION | BY Kate Thorpe
The Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society (MCCS) is pleased to announce the publication of the updated edition of the Good Practice Guide for Prescribers of Cannabis-Based Medicinal Products (CBMPs), an essential resource for clinicians working in this fast-evolving field.
Since CBMPs were legalised for prescription in the UK in November 2018, more than 75,000 patients have received treatment, supported by around 160 prescribers across 40 private clinics. Despite this growing demand, NHS prescribing remains extremely limited, and clinicians face a lack of consistent training, standards, and support.
In response, the Society has revised and expanded its flagship Good Practice Guide to offer a clearer, more detailed framework for safe, lawful and patient-centred prescribing. The updated guide is part of MCCS’s broader mission to raise standards across the sector and safeguard both patients and practitioners.
What’s inside?
This updated guide reflects the latest developments in clinical practice, prescribing patterns, and regulatory expectations. It includes detailed guidance on:
- Eligibility and professional responsibility – Who can prescribe, when shared care is appropriate, and what constitutes good clinical oversight.
- Peer approval processes – A formalised recommendation for multidisciplinary team reviews and shared documentation for new prescriptions and significant product changes.
- Initial consultation standards – A comprehensive checklist supporting robust and defensible decision-making.
- Prescribing plans and outcome tracking – Advice on titration, dosing principles, use of oil and flower, and setting outcome measures.
- Ethical prescribing practices – Strong positions on avoiding inappropriate script direction, promoting transparency, and protecting patient choice.
- Contraindications and clinical judgement – Clear advice on red flags alongside safe practice in younger or vulnerable patients.
- The guide remains rooted in evidence-informed practice, drawing from the experience of prescribers actively working with patients today. It is designed to be both a reference document and a practical tool, supporting decision-making at every stage of the prescribing journey.
Who should use this guide?
While developed with specialist cannabis clinics in mind, the guide is relevant across all settings where CBMPs may be prescribed or supported. That includes:
- Specialist consultants
- GPs and independent prescribers
- Pharmacists
- Nurses and allied health professionals
- Clinic managers responsible for clinical governance
- Whether you are already prescribing or supporting patients receiving treatment, the guide is structured to help you meet your professional responsibilities with confidence and care.
Access the Guide
The Good Practice Guide for Prescribers of CBMPs is available now for all.
If you’re not yet a member, join today to access our growing library of practical tools, prescribing guidance, training, and peer support.
👉 Download the Good Practice Guide
👉 Find out more and join the Society
“Prescribing cannabis-based medicinal products requires careful clinical judgment, a strong understanding of the evidence, and a clear grasp of professional responsibilities. This guide provides the structure and support clinicians need to practise safely, lawfully and in the best interests of their patients.”
— Professor Mike Barnes, Chair, Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society