As of today, there are an estimated 75,000 people with a medical cannabis prescription in the UK. It has been totally legal since 2018. However, going on a night out, especially in a known countercultural nightlife hotspot like Soho, can raise many questions for patients prescribed medical cannabis who still want to socialise and enjoy late night entertainment. As well as for those working to keep the night time economy going. So what do you need to know about this growing sector and what it means to the nightlife space?
Well, for a start, it is completely legal for patients to not only bring their medical cannabis into night life venues but also to treat with it (from a vape or oil), wherever they are. Many people are aware of medical cannabis in the UK, but not the extent of where and how patients have the right to access their treatment. Which is basically anywhere, any time. Following certain rules of course. This article will look at how medical cannabis is helping people return to activities like enjoying nightlife entertainment, exactly what the law says about it and what patients and night time economy workers should and/or will know on the ground.
It Is Totally Legal, Following the Rules of Your Prescription
Medical cannabis is legal to possess and use in public, as long as patients have a prescription for it and comply with the conditions therein. Such as:
- Carrying a prescription - or proof of it - with you
- Only treating with the prescribed method via vaping or oral administration - no smoking
- Keeping the medication in the same container it was prescribed in
Follow these, and you can legally take medical weed on a night out. In fact, as cannabis is a registered medication in the UK, a prescription means you have the legal right to bring it into any venue you want. Under The Equality Act 2010, a venue refusing someone access based on possessing medication is classed as discrimination and could have legal consequences.
When it comes to CBD, things are completely different. As a fully legal product, CBD is fine everywhere. In fact there are shops in Soho that sell CBD products throughout the day and night. For the best experience though, you'll want to browse expert and customer cbd oil reviews before you purchase. Reading through rankings of the many cbd options on the market will ensure you get a top quality product that actually works.
However, usual venue restrictions may apply as - unlike prescribed medical cannabis - CBD doesn't fit under the Equality Act as a medicine. So if venues don't want you using CBD on the premises, they are within their rights to tell you not to or refuse you entry.
London is one of the More Progressive Places in the UK on This Issue
In practice, results are often mixed for people taking their medical cannabis out with them to a night time venue. Many venues just really don't care. Medical cannabis, when vaped, is quite discrete anyway. Not every venue in Soho has bouncers who conduct searches, and a small amount of medical cannabis oil or a preloaded dry flower vape might not draw any attention at all.
However, for medical cannabis patients a night out can already be a stressful experience - so you might want to put a line under it for your wellbeing and phone or ask the venue ahead of time. They are required to either simply allow you in, or make special considerations for you if they feel your medication could be disruptive for other venue attendees.
In London, there are more medical cannabis patients than anywhere in the country. And the smell of illicit recreational cannabis isn't exactly uncommon in the streets either. So, security staff and other night time economy workers are mostly well aware of the medical cannabis law.
If the worst happens and police do stop you, the Metropolitan Police are one of the more medical cannabis law-educated police forces in the UK. London Mayor Sadiq Khan has said he is in favor of medical cannabis expansion, and was even photographed visiting a legal cannabis farm in California during a diplomatic visit there in 2022. As long as you have your medication in the same container it was given to you in and a copy of your prescription, you should be fine.
Patients who want the best medical cannabis in the UK today actually have plenty of choices. There are dozens of private clinics operating across the country, and there are excellent review aggregators that help you pick the best one for your specific needs.
The Bottom Line: What You Need to be Aware Of Before You Head Out
For a medical cannabis patient, having access to their medication while out for the evening can be the only thing keeping them able to do so. Across the UK, chronic pain is the most common condition cannabis is prescribed for. A flare up in that can most certainly ruin a night out for anyone. Being able to discreetly medicate during a break in an evening concert, award-winning meal or visit to the pub can really make a difference for many people.
So, before you hit the streets of Soho with your medical cannabis in hand be sure to know your rights, plan ahead and bring your proof of prescription. And then you should be able to be a part of London's storied night time economy just like anyone else. Simple.
