Medical Cannabis Headlines & Sector Update
November 2, 2026 | IN NEWS | BY Kate Thorpe
Each month, we bring together the key news stories shaping the medical cannabis landscape in the UK and beyond.
This month’s headlines highlight the evolving place of cannabis-based medicines in healthcare, research and public policy.
🇬🇧 UK epilepsy patients
Five UK epilepsy charities have called on the government to intervene to secure the future supply of the high-CBD oil, Bedrolite, for seven patients, including children and young people with severe treatment-resistant epilepsy. The MCCS, along with patient advocacy groups, has also written to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, after Dutch producer Bedrocan went insolvent. Some families have now received confirmation from the Glasgow-based drug manufacturer Target that a six-month supply of the oil is available for existing patients, and it is continuing to work “towards a plan”, but the future of the supply remains uncertain.
🇬🇧 Patient Safety Commissioner calls for medical cannabis safeguards
The Independent highlighted concerns about private prescribing of unlicensed CBPMs, following the publication of new figures showing nearly two million items were prescribed privately in England between June 2025 and May 2026. Patient Safety Commissioner Professor Henrietta Hughes called for immediate measures to safeguard patients obtaining medical cannabis through online platforms.
Professor Mike Barnes, chair of the MCCS, was quoted in the article highlighting our good practice guide which aims “to provide a clear framework for safe, responsible prescribing, including thorough patient assessment, peer review, careful documentation, appropriate follow-up and clinician training – principles that align closely with the expectations set out by the Care Quality Commission”.
🇬🇧 Jersey to introduce tighter rules for medical cannabis prescribing
Following growing concern about the impact of the increased prevalence of CBPMs on mental health, the Jersey government has announced plans for new restrictions on the prescribing of CBPMs. Health Minister Tom Binet said he would bring forward new legislation in 2027, requiring doctors who prescribe unlicensed medicinal cannabis to adhere to more stringent practices.
This includes requiring the review of a patient’s medical records before prescribing; requirements to repeatedly meet face-to-face with patients during treatment or before amending the prescribed dose; and required recording of adverse reactions. Doctors will also not be able to prescribe medicinal cannabis unless they have an on-island GMC-responsible officer.
🇪🇸 Spain’s medical cannabis framework finally reaches patients
Cannabis-based medicines will finally begin reaching patients in Spain this month after a four-year delay. Proposals for the regulation and distribution of medical cannabis were approved in June 2022, and it was reported that they could be rolled out by the end of that year. Over a year after the Royal Decree came into force in 2025, the first (and only) two preparations will be delivered to around 50 public and private hospitals this week, with a broader national rollout expected by the end of October 2026.