Cannabis remains a controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, and all cultivation, production, possession, and supply is prohibited unless licensed by the Home Office or the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). This is why understanding how to get a cannabis license in the UK is essential for anyone entering the industry. . Medical cannabis is legal only through specialist prescription, and CBD products are regulated depending on THC content. Cannaspire’s Cannabis consultants help operators plan, launch, and stay compliant.
Licensing is necessary because THC-containing cannabis is always classified as a controlled substance. Hemp is also controlled unless it falls under approved low-THC varieties grown under licence. Any form of medical cannabis manufacturing or distribution requires authorisation from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.
The UK issues licences based on the activity being carried out, each with its own standards and regulatory oversight.
Import and Export
Import and export licences are required to move controlled cannabis materials between countries, because cannabis and most cannabinoid products are controlled drugs and can only be imported or exported lawfully under a Home Office licence.
Licensing focuses on suitability, security readiness, and regulatory capability.
Applicants must demonstrate:
Below are the current fees published by the UK Home Office for controlled-drug licences. These fees vary based on the type of activity you apply for, such as possession, supply, manufacturing, or cultivation. The MHRA sets separate fees for manufacturing and wholesale authorisations, which are also listed.
Activity / Licence Type | Fee (application / renewal) |
Possess controlled drugs (new licence) | £3,133 |
Supply or offer to supply controlled drugs (new licence) | £3,655 |
Produce controlled-drug preparations (new licence) | £4,178 |
Produce controlled drugs (new licence) | £4,700 |
Cultivate cannabis (non fibre/seed use) | £4,700 |
Licence renewal (if no site visit required) | £326 |
Licence renewal (if a compliance visit required) | £1,371 |
Activity / Fee Type | Fee |
Application for registration | £3,763 |
Assessment of initial application | £4,924 |
Additional fee for first inspection day (if required) | £949 |
Annual compliance report assessment / Notification of changes | £309 |
Inspection fee per day | £3,975 |
Activity / Fee Type | Fee | Notes |
New application + full inspection | £6,295 | £2,159 application fee plus £4,136 inspection fee |
Reduced-rate application + full inspection | £5,216 | £1,080 application fee plus £4,136 inspection fee |
Reduced application + reduced inspection | £3,148 | £1,080 application fee plus £2,068 inspection fee |
Change of ownership application | £478 | |
Variation (standard) | £652 | |
Variation (administrative) | £345 | |
Full inspection fee (per site) | £4,136 | |
Reduced-rate inspection | £2,068 | |
THMP/homeopathic inspection | £2,047 | |
Reduced THMP/homeopathic inspection | £1,114 |
Once you receive a licence, you must follow the rules set by the Home Office or MHRA. This includes keeping your site secure, storing products safely, keeping clear records, and meeting any quality standards required for your type of licence.
The Home Office does not require insurance to obtain a controlled-drug licence.Even though it is not required for approval, many operators still choose to obtain insurance to manage business risks. Common policies available in the UK market include property insurance, equipment cover, crop protection, product liability insurance, employers’ liability insurance for businesses with staff, and directors and officers insurance.
Insurance remains optional from a regulatory standpoint, but businesses often use it as part of their overall risk-management planning.
Hemp licences allow cultivation of approved low-THC varieties but do not permit CBD extraction from flowers or leaves. Medical cannabis activities require controlled-drug licensing and often involve MHRA oversight for pharmaceutical work.
Home Office applications for controlled-drug and cannabis licences usually take several months. Timelines depend on security checks, site suitability assessments, and whether an inspection is required.
For hemp cultivation, applications must be submitted within the Home Office’s published application window, which is aligned with the agricultural growing season. The Home Office does not guarantee approval in time for planting if an application is submitted late.
MHRA manufacturing and wholesale licences also take multiple months, as GMP inspections must be scheduled before approval.
The Home Office may delay or refuse an application if the required licensing conditions are not met. Common issues highlighted in government guidance include:
These points are directly reflected in the Home Office’s controlled-drugs licensing guidance and security requirements, as well as MHRA requirements for manufacturing and wholesale authorisations.
The UK permits cannabis activity only through tightly controlled licensing systems overseen by the Home Office and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. Understanding the licence categories, security requirements, and compliance obligations helps businesses navigate this regulated sector effectively. Stay inspection-ready with cannabis compliance consulting from Cannaspire.
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