On 1 November 2018, Sajid Javid outlined plans for CBPMs (cannabis-based products for medicinal use in humans) to be made available.
The initial reaction was sceptical - after over 50…
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With the opioid epidemic spreading like cancer, researchers are on a constant hunt, looking for safer alternatives for pain management. One such questionable alternative is cannabis. The therapeutic use of cannabis has puzzled many scientists over the years and yet it continues to serve as an effective alternative to opioids.
Today we are asking: Could medical cannabis effectively contain the opioid epidemic? Why is the demand for medical cannabis at an all-time high? Let's throw some light on the much-debated topic: Marijuana Vs Opioid Epidemic.26
The thought of using medical cannabis as a treatment option for children is probably not the first thing in most parents’ minds even though it is becoming more and more popular nowadays. The truth is that medical cannabis is actually completely safe for treating many different kinds of childhood ailments.
In a lot of cases the primary component of cannabis that is being used to treat children is CBD (cannabidiol). Unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) which is the main psychoactive constituent in cannabis, CBD does not make you high meaning parents won’t have to worry about their kids becoming “zoned out” if they get treated with CBD. In many cases, CBD just might be the “miracle” that many parents are looking for when it comes to treating their children’s ailments. But make no mistake, THC is used to tread kids as well.01
Cannabidiol (CBD), is a cannabinoid identified in the cannabis plant and its benefits have long been studied.
Did you know that cannabis has proved to be a remedy for many illnesses, and can help with the cardiovascular system? CBD has both anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties that have therapeutic effects for cardiovascular diseases.
The lifestyle you lead is the reason for cardiovascular disease like having too much junk food, sedentary lifestyle, alcohol etc. These habits can eventually lead to heart disease, hypertension etc. Of course, a solution to guard against these issues is a good diet and exercise. But let's also look at the benefits of CBD for the cardiovascular system:12
It is integral to any successful medical cannabis policy that patients are able to source the correct medicine for their illness or symptoms.
Otherwise, who is the policy there to benefit?
There are a huge range of cannabinoids produced within the cannabis plant. These differ greatly between the types and species of the cannabis genus. Even within the same subspecies or "strain", there is a variance genetically.06
Australia’s political and legal systems are very similar to, and in fact, often inspired by, UK equivalents.
Just as in the UK, Australia has a department responsible for licensing drugs and other patient treatments, before they are prescribed by Doctors. In the UK, the relevant regulatory body is called the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). In Australia, the function is performed by a body known as the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA.)
The TGA decriminalised the supply and use of medical marijuana by Australians in 2016. However, just as in the UK, for now, recreational cannabis is still prohibited across the country.21
Over the past week we have seen an incredible amount of positive press around medical cannabis in the UK.
From Billy Caldwell getting back his life-saving medicine and both him and Alfie Dingley being granted medical licenses to the new Home Secretary Sajid Javid issuing a statement talking about how they will adopt a new policy on cannabis as medicine.
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This is an accompanying post to our YouTube video We need to protect medical cannabis consumers in the UK, which you can watch below or by clicking here.
At present, medical cannabis consumers in the UK are subjected to the same laws as any cannabis consumer- that means that if you are using herbal cannabis to treat your condition, you're a criminal in the eyes of our Government. The answer to this question is clear - we need to legalise cannabis and regulate access urgently for medical cannabis patients. We need our doctors to be able to prescribe cannabis to patients who would benefit.25
One of our reporters has launched a video series all about UK cannabis heroes.
In this new video series produced for Medical Marijuana UK, Miles Casey explores some of the UK cannabis heroes putting themselves on the line for patients. Miles recently attended one of the TTCC awareness events where he got the footage for this video.21