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Medical cannabis has been legal for prescription use in England and Wales since 2018. By 2026, an estimated 90,000 patients across the United Kingdom were using prescription cannabis medicines for a range of conditions.
In Wales, the number of patients is lower than in other parts of the UK. The main reasons cited are limited NHS access and a lack of public awareness. Cannabis‑based medicines are not currently licensed for prescription by the NHS because they have not received approval from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). As a result, most Welsh patients obtain their medication through private clinics.
Private sector prescriptions have increased steadily. Industry forecasts predict that the number of patients in the UK could reach 100,000 or more by the end of 2026, adding several thousand new patients each month.
Patients often ask whether they can drive while using medical cannabis. The law allows individuals to drive while taking prescribed medication, provided they do not appear or act impaired. A roadside cannabis test may detect the drug, but if the driver is not impaired, the result is not legally significant.
Medical cannabis is administered through vaping devices that use certified medical flower. Smoking cannabis remains illegal, so patients do not use joints in public spaces such as Bangor town centre.
Despite the legal protections, stigma remains. Local news stories about black‑market farms in Caernarfon and police crackdowns can reinforce negative perceptions. However, patient‑led studies and reports from UK patients generally show positive outcomes from medical cannabis treatment.
North Wales Police, which covers Gwynedd, has been informed of national guidance that treats individuals presenting a valid prescription as legitimate patients. Former regional Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones has publicly supported the expansion of medical cannabis.
The Members of Parliament for Gwynedd are Labour’s Claire Hughes and Plaid Cymru’s Liz Saville Roberts. Both parties support medical cannabis to varying degrees, but their positions differ on broader policy. The Labour government has not prioritized expanding NHS prescriptions for cannabis, while Plaid Cymru has advocated for decriminalisation or a fully legal market, citing potential tax revenue gains.
Overall, medical cannabis remains available in Wales, but access is uneven and public understanding is limited. Continued dialogue between healthcare providers, law enforcement, and policymakers is needed to address misconceptions and improve patient support.
Article and image source: cambrian-news.co.uk
