Policy explainer | Current as of 13 October 2026 | General information, not legal advice.
In brief: The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) said in its autumn 2026 work programme update that its working group on cannabis-based products for medicinal use was concluding its report and expected publication by the end of the year. The review was commissioned by the government in June 2025 to assess the effects of the 2018 legal change and any unintended consequences. It is an important review of medical cannabis policy, but it is not an announcement that recreational cannabis will be legalised.
What is the ACMD?
The ACMD is an independent expert advisory body that provides the government with advice on drug-related matters. Its role is to review evidence and offer recommendations. The government then decides how to respond. This distinction is important: a committee can recommend a change, identify problems or call for more research without those recommendations immediately becoming law or changing clinical practice.
Why was the medical cannabis framework reviewed?
In November 2018, the law was changed to allow specialist doctors on the relevant professional register to prescribe cannabis-based products for medicinal use in certain circumstances. The change followed highly publicised cases involving children with severe epilepsy and difficulties accessing treatment. The legal change created a route to lawful prescribing, but it did not automatically make every cannabis-derived product a licensed medicine or guarantee that every patient could receive it on the NHS.
The government’s 2025 commission asked the ACMD to look at whether the 2018 change had achieved its intended impact and whether it had produced unintended consequences. Those are different questions. A review can consider the experiences of patients, the evidence base, prescribing practice, public health, regulatory safeguards and the practical barriers that remain after a legal framework is introduced.
What is confirmed about the timing?
In a letter dated 21 September 2026, the ACMD chair said the working group was concluding its report and expected publication by the end of 2026. Earlier government material had referred to an expected summer publication, showing that timetables can move as evidence and analysis are completed. The latest stated target is the end of 2026; until the report is published, its final conclusions should not be guessed at.
What the review does not mean
- It is not recreational legalisation. The review concerns cannabis-based products for medicinal use.
- It does not itself amend the Misuse of Drugs Act. A formal legal change would require the appropriate government and legislative process.
- It does not mean every cannabis product is a medicine. Medicines have their own regulatory and prescribing framework.
- It does not guarantee NHS funding. Legal permission to prescribe and routine NHS access are separate questions.
What are the wider questions?
One central issue is whether patients who might benefit from a cannabis-based medicine can access it through a consistent, evidence-led pathway. Another is whether clinicians have enough high-quality evidence and training to make decisions confidently. There are also questions about safety monitoring, the role of unlicensed products, how adverse effects are reported and how prescribing should be overseen.
For policy-makers, the challenge is balancing possible therapeutic value for particular conditions against the need to avoid exaggerated claims and ensure appropriate patient selection. An independent review can help identify where evidence is strong, where it remains uncertain and what systems might need to improve. It should not be read as a blanket endorsement or rejection of cannabis medicines.
How does this relate to recreational cannabis law?
As of 13 October 2026, cannabis remains a Class B controlled drug in the UK. A parliamentary answer dated 10 September 2026 stated that the government had no plans to change the law and described cannabis as an addictive substance associated with harm. That is the government’s stated position at that date. Political debate continues, but the ACMD review of medicinal products should not be conflated with a review of recreational legalisation.
How to follow the review responsibly
When the report appears, read the original ACMD document before relying on headlines. Check whether a statement is an evidence finding, a recommendation or a government decision. Look for the scope of the review, any limitations acknowledged by the authors, and the timetable for a government response. If recommendations are accepted, implementation may still require guidance, consultation, regulations or legislation.
Frequently asked questions
When is the ACMD report expected?
The ACMD’s 21 September 2026 update says the report is expected by the end of 2026.
Will the report make cannabis legal?
No. The review is about cannabis-based medicinal products. A report does not itself change the law.
Can specialist doctors prescribe medical cannabis now?
Yes, under the existing framework, specialist doctors may prescribe cannabis-based medicinal products where they judge it clinically appropriate, subject to relevant rules and professional requirements.
Editorial note: This explainer reflects public material available on 13 October 2026. It is not legal advice and should be updated when the ACMD report and government response are published.