Everything you need to know about getting insurance as a medical cannabis prescriber

October 13, 2025 | IN INFORMATION | BY Kate Thorpe

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Prescribing medical cannabis in the UK is still a relatively new area of practice. While the clinical opportunities are growing, doctors entering this field face a unique set of risks and regulatory requirements. One of the most important – and often misunderstood – parts of working privately with cannabis medicines is making sure you have the right insurance in place.

In this article, we spoke to Richard Cupit, Head of Healthcare at PIB Insurance Brokers, who has pioneered the firm’s medical cannabis policy, to help prescribing clinicians ensure they have all bases covered. 

Why insurance is so important for medical cannabis prescribers

Unlike NHS doctors, who are automatically covered by the Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts (CNST), medical cannabis prescribers usually work privately. This means they must arrange their own insurance cover.

The General Medical Council (GMC) states that if you are practising medicine privately in the UK, you must have “adequate and appropriate insurance or indemnity arrangements in place covering the full scope of your medical practice.” This applies even if you’re working within NHS premises but prescribing privately.

In practice, this means that doctors stepping into cannabis prescribing – often for the first time outside the NHS – need to think differently about their professional protection.

The majority of cannabis-based medicines prescribed in the UK are also unlicensed, meaning prescribers take full clinical responsibility for their use. Not having the right insurance coverage in place could prevent you from practicing and could even jeopardise your career and have legal consequences. 

Common misconceptions about medical cannabis insurance

It’s not automatically included

Many assume that existing coverage extends to CBPM prescribing, but in many cases, insurance providers still have exclusionary policies in place when it comes to cannabis.  

• MDO membership isn’t the same as insurance
  • Defence organisations often provide discretionary indemnity, not guaranteed cover. Insurance, on the other hand, is a contractual promise to pay.
    
• Cover must be active at the time of the claim
  • If your policy ends, so does your protection – unless you arrange run-off cover.
    
• Long-tail risk
  • Claims can arise years later. For example, the statute of limitations is three years for adults, 21 years for minors, and unlimited for patients with mental health conditions. This makes run-off cover particularly important for cannabis prescribers.
    

Digital and international prescribing

Many insurers now offer worldwide and digital health options, which are crucial for prescribers seeing patients online or outside the UK. 

Types of insurance for medical cannabis prescribers 

• Medical indemnity insurance 
  • Medical indemnity insurance is the most critical type of insurance for prescribers, as it specifically covers healthcare professionals against medical malpractice claims related to patient care.
• Professional liability insurance 
  • Professional liability insurance offers broader protection for errors or omissions in the delivery of professional services. 
• Business insurance 
  • Some prescribers running their own clinic or practice may also need business insurance to protect against additional risks associated with this, such as safeguarding premises and equipment.

How it works: your prescriber insurance checklist 

Getting the right insurance as a medical cannabis prescriber can seem like a bit of a minefield, but it doesn’t need to be.

• Speak to a specialist broker

Choose a broker that is familiar with the sector, such as PiB Insurance. Richard and the PiB team work closely with the Society, bringing extensive knowledge and experience in the unique considerations in this field of medicine. 

• Detail your scope of practice

This includes whether you prescribe remotely, internationally, or face-to-face. 

• Check for exclusions
  

It’s important to thoroughly review the policy details and be aware of any exclusions that could affect your protection. This includes which treatments and activities are included, as well as any territorial or financial limits. 

• Confirm limits and add-ons 

Clinicians should ensure they have the right coverage and any necessary add-ons, such as worldwide cover, digital health, or run-off protection, if they plan to stop prescribing in the future.

• Keep records and stay informed 

Regulations and attitudes are evolving quickly in the medical cannabis sector, and clinicians should ensure they stay up to speed and keep careful records of their practice for future reference. 

The role of PIB and MCCS

The Society works closely with PIB Insurance Brokers to arrange competitive, comprehensive policies for UK clinicians prescribing medical cannabis, because they understand the complex challenges clinicians face in this emerging field of medicine.

Richard has been working with the Society since 2021 and is passionate about supporting prescribers and helping patients access these treatments. Richard and the team not only work with individual prescribers, but clinics, importers, cultivators, manufacturers, distributors, management consultants, and tech providers in the sector. 

PIB has developed tailored malpractice solutions that reflect the realities of prescribing cannabis medicines, offering doctors peace of mind with protection against both traditional liabilities and new, emerging risks.

To arrange a policy, please contact Richard Cupit, Head of Healthcare at PIB, on 07935 709160 or [email protected]. You can find out more about PIB Insurance Brokers on their website.