Police & Emergency Services Guidance
Operational clarity for frontline encounters involving prescribed cannabis
Police, ambulance and other emergency-service professionals may encounter people who are lawfully prescribed cannabis in situations involving public safety, driving, possession, safeguarding or urgent operational decisions.
The challenge is not simply identifying cannabis. It is distinguishing lawful treatment from unlawful possession, understanding what evidence matters, and responding proportionately to the situation in front of you.
Healing in Motion provides structured operational guidance to support calm, consistent and defensible frontline decisions.
What matters at the point of decision
Five questions help structure a proportionate response:
- Is the medicine lawfully prescribed?
- What is the immediate operational or safety issue?
- Is there evidence of impairment, misuse or another offence?
- Does the situation involve driving, safeguarding or public safety?
- What evidence or escalation route is appropriate?
Operational Reference Library
Healing in Motion draws on current legislation, professional guidance and recognised standards when developing operational guidance and training.
The sources below are provided for further reference. The original publication remains 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
How the guidance is informed
Healing in Motion's guidance is also informed by:
- Published legislation and case law
- Professional guidance
- Operational research
- The Operational Confidence Review Programme (OCRP)
- Lived experience (where appropriately consented and anonymised)