Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what guidance her Department provides to drivers prescribed medicinal cannabis on (a) driving safety and (b) legal responsibilities.

There is a requirement on drivers to notify DVLA of a medical condition that affects their ability to drive safely. The DVLA will make an assessment on their fitness to drive. Information can be found on GOV.UK www.gov.uk/health-conditions-and-driving

The DVLA advise that medical prescribers should give patients advice on driving while using medical cannabis, as they would with any other medication.

This advice covers the main point that the patient should not drive if they feel impaired, and sometimes includes more specific guidance to support safe consumption.

DVLA publish this advice on GOV.UK www.gov.uk/guidance/assessing-fitness-to-drive-a-guide-for-medical-professionals

In 2015 the Government introduced a new offence in regard to driving with a specific controlled drug in the body above that drug’s accepted limit. The Government took a zero tolerance approach to 8 drugs most associated with illegal use, with limits set at a level where any claims of accidental exposure can be ruled out. This includes cannabis, including both illicit and medically prescribed. Advice is published on GOV.UK www.gov.uk/government/collections/drug-driving.