Doctors who prescribe medicinal cannabis “as a standalone practice” will need to undergo assessment from MDA National to confirm their cover as part of its new indemnity policy that starts on 1 July.  

The medical defence organisation has added standalone cannabis prescribing to its “unusual practice” list, alongside stem cell therapies and human growth hormone prescribing. 

These practices “may not be covered” by indemnity, and doctors will need to alert MDA National and seek written confirmation of their cover.

Additionally, it will refuse to cover any doctor for cannabis prescribing if they are not fellows of a specialist college or have “equivalent specialist qualifications”.