Emergency Services Guidance
Real-world operational clarity for frontline services
Emergency service professionals are increasingly encountering individuals lawfully prescribed cannabis-based medicines in operational settings.
In practice, this can create uncertainty — particularly around legal status, public safety, and appropriate operational response.
These are not isolated situations. They are emerging across frontline services, including policing, ambulance services, and wider emergency response environments.
Healing in Motion provides structured guidance to support clear, lawful, and proportionate decision-making in real-world operational settings.
Operational Reference Library
Healing in Motion develops its educational resources, operational guidance and research using publicly available legislation, professional guidance and recognised professional standards.
The resources below are provided to support further reading. Users should always refer to the original publication where appropriate, as these documents remain the authoritative source.
Primary Legislation
Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1971/38
Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2001/3998
Equality Act 2010
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15
Road Traffic Act 1988 (Drug Driving Provisions)
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/52
Professional Guidance
Cannabis Industry Council (CIC)
CIC24_08 – The Use of Prescription Cannabis in Buildings
National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC)
Association of Police Controlled Drug Liaison Officers (APCDLO)
Medicinal Cannabis and the Police – Guidance for Police and Staff (February 2025)
https://library.college.police.uk/docs/NPCC/Medicinal-cannabis-guidance-2025.pdf
Healthcare Professional Standards
General Medical Council (GMC)
Good Medical Practice
https://www.gmc-uk.org/ethical-guidance/good-medical-practice
Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
The Code: Professional standards of practice and behaviour for nurses, midwives and nursing associates
https://www.nmc.org.uk/standards/code/
Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics
https://www.hcpc-uk.org/standards/standards-of-conduct-performance-and-ethics/
Health & Safety
Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
Managing risks and risk assessment at work
Employment
Health Services
NHS England
Medicinal cannabis information
(General NHS policy and commissioning information.)
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)
Medicinal products regulation
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/medicines-and-healthcare-products-regulatory-agency
Housing
Regulator of Social Housing
Consumer Standards
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/regulator-of-social-housing-consumer-standards
Housing Ombudsman
Guidance and Complaint Handling Code
Government Guidance
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
Assessing fitness to drive
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/assessing-fitness-to-drive-a-guide-for-medical-professionals
Equality & Human Rights
Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)
Equality Act guidance
Research & Evidence
Healing in Motion also develops its resources through:
- Published legislation and case law
- Professional guidance
- Operational research
- The Operational Confidence Research Programme (OCRP)
- Lived experience (where appropriately consented and anonymised)