UK Policing Body Publishes First Official Guidance on Medical Cannabis

OG article by Business of Cannabis

January 8, 2026

The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) in the UK has approved the first official guidance on medical cannabis, titled ‘Medicinal Cannabis and the Police – Guidance for Officers and Staff’, over seven years after its legalization. This policy, effective for all 43 police forces in England and Wales since November 2024, instructs officers to prioritize a ‘patients first, until proven otherwise’ approach in encounters with prescribed users. Authored by retired Detective Chief Superintendent Richard List QPM, the guidance addresses significant knowledge gaps in law enforcement, where surveys by Alternaleaf indicate nearly one in five patients have faced police challenges, and 30% experience public anxiety due to potential interactions. Officers often misunderstand regulations, such as assuming medical cannabis is illegal or limited to NHS prescriptions only, leading to medication confiscation, arrests, or job losses. List, who was previously unaware of medical cannabis distinctions from illicit forms, emphasized the need for training, noting most frontline officers have less than two years' service and limited curriculum coverage. The guidance emerged from consultations with healthcare partners, clinics like Releaf and Alternaleaf, and government agencies after outdated NPCC drafts were deemed unfit. Patient Protect's Alex Fraser described it as a turning point for recognizing patients and providing clarity. Alternaleaf's Nabila Chaudhri stressed the need for training to complement the policy. While admitting remaining gaps in areas like NHS, airports, and employers, List highlighted doubling prescriptions from 150,000 to 300,000 annually, urging broader education to foster cultural change through industry collaboration.