How to Open a Medical Cannabis Clinic in the UK: A Step-by-Step Guide

Montespada Consultancy
Dec 9, 2025
4 min read

Updated: Dec 19, 2025

Doctor providing a clinical consultation in UK medical sector

Clinical consultation in a UK medical setting

Opening a medical cannabis clinic in the UK requires more than medical knowledge—it requires navigating a complex regulatory landscape, building compliant governance, and ensuring your services follow CQC-aligned standards from day one. This guide outlines the essential steps involved in launching a safe, compliant and patient-centred medical cannabis service.

The introduction of medical cannabis prescribing into UK clinical practice has created an emerging healthcare sector which continues to grow at pace. However, launching a medical cannabis clinic requires far more than clinical interest—the regulatory, operational and governance requirements are detailed, complex, and evolving quickly.

Whether you are exploring a concept, preparing to register a company, or planning your next phase of expansion, this guide outlines the essential steps to establishing a compliant, safe, and sustainable medical cannabis service in the UK.

Healthcare professional reviewing regulatory compliance documents for a medical cannabis clinic in the UK — Reviewing compliance documentation for a medical cannabis service

Step 1 — Understand the Regulatory Framework

Medical cannabis prescribing in the UK sits within a stringent regulatory environment, governed by:

The Misuse of Drugs Regulations
controlled drug requirements
clinical governance frameworks
professional prescribing rules
GMC guidance
MHRA expectations
CQC standards

Only specialist clinicians are currently authorised to prescribe unlicensed cannabis-based medicines, and prescribers must ensure decisions are clinically justified, documented, and aligned with professional and legal standards.

Before progressing, organisations should develop a detailed understanding of:

controlled drug scheduling
prescribing restrictions
import and dispensing pathways
adverse event reporting
pharmacovigilance expectations

Failure to meet these obligations exposes organisations to significant regulatory risk.

Medical governance meeting reviewing compliance procedures using a digital tablet — Governance review meeting discussing compliance documentation

Step 2 — Build a CQC-Ready Governance Structure

A compliant medical cannabis clinic depends on a robust governance framework from day one. A strong foundation should include:

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Clinical governance structures
Clinical oversight arrangements
Incident reporting systems
Safeguarding frameworks
Business continuity planning
Quality assurance processes

Each area must demonstrate safety, responsibility, and transparency. CQC will expect clear evidence that clinical care is being delivered in a safe, effective, and well-managed way.

Documentation must be:

retained
reviewed
audited
easily accessible

For many clinics, governance is the most challenging and time-consuming aspect of setup.

Clinicians collaborating during a multidisciplinary medical discussion — Multidisciplinary clinical collaboration and prescribing planning

Step 3 — Organise Your Clinical Structure

A compliant clinic must have:

responsible clinicians
governance oversight
prescribing specialists
administrative and operational coordination
policies related to clinical safety

Depending on your model, you may require:

a Medical Director
Responsible Officer
governance lead
senior clinician oversight

Clinical decision-making must always sit with appropriately qualified prescribers.

A clinician discussing treatment options with a patient during a prescription consultation. — Clinician prescribing consultation in a specialist medical setting

Step 4 — Choose Your Prescribing Model

There are currently three main models operating in the UK:

internal prescribers
external contracted prescribers
hybrid models

Each approach has compliance implications, including:

clinical jurisdiction
governance responsibility
information handling
record keeping

Careful planning will help ensure patient safety, consistency, and regulatory alignment.

Patient consultation and treatment discussion forming part of a safe medical cannabis pathway in the UK. — Every compliant medical cannabis service must define a clear and accountable patient journey from referral to review.

Step 5 — Define Your Patient Journey

A safe and consistent patient pathway is essential. A compliant clinic should define a structured journey, including:

initial screening
eligibility verification
consultation
prescribing
dispensing
monitoring and follow-up

Each stage should demonstrate:

clinical responsibility
informed consent
controlled drug security
risk awareness
patient-centred care

Compliance checklist representing CQC inspection preparation in a UK healthcare setting — Preparing for CQC inspection involves demonstrating safe practice, governance, oversight and quality assurance.

Step 6 — Prepare for CQC Expectations

Although individual models vary, clinics must demonstrate quality of care and organisational responsibility. Typical areas of inspection include:

leadership and accountability
safeguarding
risk management
information governance
prescribing compliance
patient safety
systems oversight

Clinics should expect CQC scrutiny from an early stage and maintain documentation that evidences safe and compliant care.

Doctor completing clinical governance paperwork required for CQC inspection. — Clinical documentation and governance evidence are required for CQC inspection.

CQC Documentation You Will Need

Although exact requirements vary, most services should prepare:

SOPs
clinical governance framework
risk management policies
safeguarding frameworks
controlled drug policies
prescribing SOPs
clinical audit structures
complaints and incident processes
training documentation

Good preparation significantly reduces inspection risks.

Medical business team reviewing operational plans and discussing strategy — Strategic planning and operational decision-making for clinical development

Business Considerations

Operational planning should consider:

financial viability
staffing structure
insurance
prescribing partnerships
organisational governance
professional indemnity
medical supply chain
data security
clinical system integration

Launching a compliant clinic involves multi-layered operational planning that extends well beyond clinical care.

Medical professional reviewing clinical governance paperwork on a clipboard — Clinical governance and regulatory documentation underpin safe medical cannabis delivery

Why Governance Matters

Medical cannabis is a complex area of healthcare, requiring:

regulatory understanding
clinical responsibility
transparent frameworks
documented procedures

Strong governance is the cornerstone of a safe service and significantly reduces regulatory exposure.

Disorganised clinical paperwork highlighting common documentation mistakes in new healthcare services. — Poor documentation and disorganised records are a common cause of compliance failure in new clinics

Common Mistakes New Clinics Make

Many new organisations underestimate:

governance workload
documentation requirements
safeguarding duties
controlled drug responsibilities
patient monitoring obligations

Several providers enter the space with good intentions but insufficient compliance preparation. Professional guidance helps ensure safe and sustainable development.