/Logo%20G1.svg)
ADHD is managed with recognised medicines and support. Medical cannabis is not a standard ADHD treatment and is only considered for certain co-occurring symptoms after standard care. NICE
Population prevalence of ADHD is estimated at this level by NHS England’s independent ADHD taskforce. NHS England
Is the estimated actual population prevalence of ADHD in adults in England. NHS England
Could treatment be suitable?
A specialist may assess you if:
- You have a diagnosed condition or an established clinical history.
- Standard treatments have not helped enough or were unsuitable.
- You are 18 or over and live in the UK.
- Your records allow a doctor to review previous care and current medicines.
Understanding the condition
A lifelong difference in attention and activity
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how a person focuses, sits still and manages impulses. Once thought of as only affecting children, it is now recognised that ADHD often continues into adulthood, and many adults are diagnosed later in life.
Symptoms typically fall into difficulties with attention, such as distraction and disorganisation, and difficulties with hyperactivity and impulsivity, such as restlessness and acting without thinking. People experience these to differing degrees.
With the right understanding and support, many people manage ADHD well. Accurate assessment and individualised care are central to this.
Recognising the impact
Common adhd symptoms
ADHD presents differently across individuals and can look different in adults than in children. Common features include:
- Difficulty maintaining attention
- Disorganisation and forgetfulness
- Restlessness or feeling “on the go”
- Acting on impulse
- Difficulty managing time and tasks
- Associated anxiety, low mood or poor sleep
Conventional treatments
Conventional treatment options
NICE recommends a combination of support, environmental adjustments and, where appropriate, medication. Standard approaches include:
- Stimulant medicines such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) or lisdexamfetamine
- Non-stimulant medicines such as atomoxetine or guanfacine
- Psychoeducation to understand and manage ADHD
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and behavioural support
- Coaching and adjustments at work or study
- Support for co-occurring anxiety, low mood or sleep problems
Although these options help many people, they are not enough for everyone. If adhd symptoms still affect daily life, a specialist assessment can help you understand whether another route may be suitable.
Specialist-led care
Can medical cannabis help with ADHD-related symptoms?
Medical cannabis is not a recognised treatment for ADHD itself. Where recognised ADHD care has not settled co-occurring symptoms such as persistent anxiety or poor sleep, a specialist may review whether it has a supportive role.
Where ADHD-related symptoms such as anxiety or poor sleep continue to affect daily life, a GMC-registered specialist can review your history and current treatments to consider whether medical cannabis may have a supportive role alongside recognised care.
In some situations a specialist may consider whether prescription medical cannabis could help with specific co-occurring difficulties — for example, persistent anxiety or sleep problems — where standard options have not helped enough. A specialist reviews your individual situation, as effects can vary from person to person.
At CannaRelief, a GMC-registered specialist reviews your diagnosis, history and current medicines, and only considers treatment as part of a wider, carefully monitored plan.
Effects can vary from person to person, which is why a GMC-registered specialist reviews your symptoms, goals, medicines and records before deciding whether treatment may be appropriate.
1
Eligibility screening
Tell us about your diagnosis, symptoms and treatments already tried. No GP referral is needed.
2
Specialist consultation
A GMC-registered specialist reviews your records, goals, current medicines and relevant risks by online video.
3
Decision and follow-up
When treatment is appropriate, outcomes and side effects are monitored and the plan is reviewed.
Evidence
What does the evidence say?
Limited / indirect evidence
There is no good evidence that medical cannabis treats the core features of ADHD, and it is not a standard ADHD treatment. Any consideration relates only to certain co-occurring symptoms, assessed individually.
- NICE recommends stimulant and non-stimulant medicines plus support as standard ADHD care.
- Direct evidence for cannabis in ADHD itself is limited and does not support first-line use.
- A specialist may only consider it for specific co-occurring symptoms after standard options.
Related support
Explore related adhd support
These pages may help if symptoms overlap or you want to understand the wider specialist assessment pathway.
Safety
Possible side effects
Medical cannabis is prescribed under specialist supervision, and patient experience can vary. Your clinician will explain what to watch for and adjust your plan if needed.
- Decreased appetite or feeling sick
- Diarrhoea or weakness
- Dizziness or feeling very tired
- Behavioural or mood changes
They’ll usually ease on their own, but speak to your clinician if they don’t improve over time.
Questions
ADHD FAQs
Clear answers on eligibility, suitability and legal prescribing in the UK.
Is medical cannabis legal for ADHD in the UK?
Medical cannabis has been legal to prescribe in the UK since November 2018, but only a specialist doctor on the GMC Specialist Register can prescribe it, and only when it is clinically appropriate. Eligibility does not guarantee a prescription.
What should I know about ADHD and cannabis?
ADHD and cannabis should be discussed carefully with a specialist. Medical cannabis is considered only for certain co-occurring symptoms, such as anxiety or poor sleep, rather than ADHD itself, and it must fit safely alongside recognised treatments.
Can I use medical cannabis alongside my ADHD medication?
Only after a specialist reviews your current medicines. Combining treatments needs careful checks for interactions and side effects, so a GMC-registered specialist assesses your full medication history before any decision.
Do I need a GP referral to be assessed?
No GP referral is needed. You can complete a short online eligibility check yourself, and we will keep your GP informed where you would like us to.
Is an online assessment as reliable as in person?
Yes. Our structured video assessments follow the same recognised diagnostic standards used in face-to-face appointments, with the added convenience of being seen from home.
Will medical cannabis be prescribed if I am eligible?
Not necessarily. Passing the eligibility check means a specialist can assess you. A prescribing decision is only made after a full clinical consultation, and treatment is not suitable for everyone.
Find out whether a specialist assessment may be suitable
Complete a short eligibility check. A prescribing decision can only be made after a full clinical assessment by a GMC-registered specialist.