What does “Contraindication” mean?

A circumstance in which a treatment should not be used.

Contraindication in plain English

A circumstance in which a treatment should not be used.

In this field the contraindications that come up most are a personal or family history of psychosis, unstable mental illness, pregnancy and breastfeeding, and significant cardiovascular disease.

A relative contraindication makes treatment inadvisable rather than impossible, and calls for a judgement about balance of risk.

Frequently asked questions

What does contraindication mean?

A circumstance in which a treatment should not be used.

Sources and further reading

Every factual statement on this page is drawn from the following public sources. Links open in a new tab and are not affiliated with Flora House.

  1. NICE guideline NG144: Cannabis-based medicinal products
  2. NHS: Medical cannabis (and cannabis oils)
  3. MHRA: The supply, manufacture, importation and distribution of unlicensed cannabis-based products for medicinal use

Patient guide · Written by the Flora House editorial team · Last reviewed: 8 September 2026