Medical Cannabis in Poland for Foreigners – How to Get a Prescription in 2026

The short answer is yes.

Foreigners can legally start medical cannabis treatment in Poland, and having a Polish PESEL number is not always necessary.
A patient without PESEL can receive a Polish e-prescription, with a passport or another identity document
used to identify the patient.

This means that international students, expats and other foreign patients staying in Poland can potentially access
legal medical cannabis treatment in Poland, provided that a Polish doctor determines there is a medical
indication for treatment.

There is, however, one very important requirement:
medical cannabis generally cannot be prescribed to a new patient through an online consultation alone.
An in-person medical examination is required.

Is Medical Cannabis Legal in Poland?

Yes. Medical cannabis is legal in Poland and cannabis-based medicinal products are available from pharmacies
with a valid prescription.

Cannabis prescribed for medical purposes is treated as a controlled medicinal product. In practice, cannabis flower prescribed
in Poland requires an Rpw prescription, which is used for medicines containing controlled narcotic or
psychotropic substances.

The prescription can then be filled at a Polish pharmacy that has the prescribed product available.

Medical cannabis should not be confused with recreational cannabis. Possession of cannabis without a legitimate medical
prescription remains subject to Polish drug laws.

Can Foreigners Get Medical Cannabis in Poland?

Yes.

You do not have to be a Polish citizen to consult a doctor about medical cannabis treatment in Poland.

Foreign patients may include:

• tourists staying in Poland,
• Erasmus and international students,
• expats living or working in Poland,
• EU citizens temporarily staying in Poland,
• UK citizens,
• US citizens,
• Canadians,
• and visitors from other countries.

The fundamental medical requirements are essentially the same: the doctor must evaluate the patient’s condition, medical history,
current medication and potential indications or contraindications before deciding whether medical cannabis is appropriate.

A consultation does not automatically guarantee a prescription. The final decision always belongs to the doctor.

Can You Get Medical Cannabis in Poland Without a PESEL Number?

Yes.

This is one of the most important points for foreign patients.

Poland’s e-prescription system allows prescriptions to be issued to patients who
do not have a Polish PESEL number. Foreign patients without PESEL can receive an e-prescription and can be
identified using the series and number of their passport or another identity document.

In other words:

No PESEL does not automatically mean no prescription.

For a foreign patient who does not have PESEL, a passport can generally be used as the patient identifier
when the prescription is issued.

This makes access significantly easier for people visiting Poland temporarily.

Is a Passport Enough to Get a Medical Cannabis Prescription in Poland?

For identification purposes, a passport can be sufficient for a foreign patient who does not have a PESEL number.

Polish prescription rules provide for the use of a passport number or another photo identification document
for foreign patients in applicable cases.

You should therefore bring your original, valid passport to the medical appointment.

It is also a good idea to use the same document when visiting the pharmacy, especially when your passport number
has been entered as the identifier connected to the e-prescription.

Remember, however, that a passport proves your identity —
it does not itself qualify you for medical cannabis treatment. Qualification is based on the doctor’s medical assessment.

Do You Need an In-Person Appointment for Medical Cannabis in Poland?

Yes, when starting treatment you should expect an in-person consultation.

Since 7 November 2024, Polish regulations have significantly restricted remote prescribing of certain controlled
medicines, including medical cannabis.

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