What Is the Cancard and How does it work?

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Introduction

The UK’s stance on cannabis has remained largely stagnant, contrasting with the progressive approaches in countries like America, Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands. However, the emergence of the Cancard suggests a potential shift in this stance. Available since 1 November 2020, the Cancard has introduced a new dimension to the medicinal cannabis conversation in the UK.

The History of the Cancard

Cannabis activist Carly Barton initiated the Cancard in response to the UK’s rigid marijuana laws. Highlighted by the 2018 Billy Caldwell case, which led to Caldwell becoming the first UK patient treated with medicinal marijuana by the NHS, the need for accessible medical cannabis became evident. Although medicinal cannabis was legalised, the high costs and limited availability led to patients seeking alternative, often illegal, means.

What is the Cancard?

The Cancard, catering to the 1.4 million medicinal weed users in the UK, was designed to prevent unfair persecution of those unable to afford private prescriptions. The card, a brainchild of Carly Barton, serves as a medical ID, allowing police to immediately recognise individuals using marijuana for medical reasons, thereby reducing the risk of incorrect fines or legal actions.

Who’s Eligible for the Cancard?

Eligibility for the Cancard requires:

Inability to afford continuous private medical prescriptions.
Medical necessity for marijuana to alleviate symptoms.
Risk of legal repercussions without the card.
A diagnosis by a doctor and ongoing private prescription.
History with at least two prescribed medications or discussions about them.

Health Conditions Covered by the Cancard

The Cancard is designed to support a broad spectrum of health conditions, acknowledging the diverse therapeutic uses of medicinal marijuana. These conditions include:

Cancer Symptoms: Patients undergoing cancer treatment often face severe symptoms such as chronic pain, nausea (especially chemotherapy-induced), loss of appetite, and anxiety. The Cancard enables access to cannabis, which has been recognised for its efficacy in managing these distressing symptoms.
Brain Conditions: Conditions like epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis can significantly benefit from cannabis use. For example, CBD, a compound in cannabis, has been found effective in reducing the frequency of seizures in epilepsy patients. Similarly, cannabis can alleviate some symptoms of Parkinson’s, such as tremors and pain.
Mental Health Issues: Mental health conditions, including anxiety, PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder), and depression, are also covered. Cannabis can play a role in managing anxiety and stress, improving sleep quality in insomnia cases, and providing a sense of calmness, which can be particularly beneficial for those with PTSD or anxiety disorders.
Gastrointestinal Disorders: For conditions like IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease), Ulcerative Colitis, and Crohn’s disease, medicinal cannabis can help in reducing inflammation, alleviating pain, and managing other symptoms like nausea and loss of appetite.
Pain Conditions: Chronic pain conditions, including arthritis, migraines, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia, are known to respond well to cannabis. It can act as an effective pain reliever, reducing the need for traditional painkillers, which might have more severe side effects.

Ways of Using Medicinal Marijuana for Cancard Holders

For Cancard holders, the recommended method of cannabis consumption is through a dry herb vaporiser for several reasons:

Healthier Alternative: Vaporising cannabis is a healthier alternative to smoking. It avoids the combustion process, thus reducing the inhalation of harmful byproducts like tar and carcinogens.
Efficient Delivery of Cannabinoids: Vaporisers heat cannabis to a temperature that releases cannabinoids (like THC and CBD) without burning the plant material. This process ensures a more efficient and cleaner delivery of the active ingredients.
Customisation and Control: Many vaporisers allow for temperature control, enabling users to customise their experience according to the specific cannabinoids they wish to consume.
Discreet and Portable: Vaporisers are often discreet, easy to use, and portable, making them a convenient option for patients who need to use their medication while on the go.
Reduced Odour: Unlike smoking, vaporising produces less odour, making it a more discreet way to consume cannabis, particularly in public or shared spaces.

Applying for the Cancard

The application process for the Cancard is streamlined to ensure ease of access:

Registration: Applicants must visit the Cancard website and complete the registration process. This includes providing a current photo, the applicant’s NHS number, a valid form of ID, and their General Practitioner (GP) contact information.
Medical Confirmation: The next step requires the applicant’s GP to confirm their diagnosis. This step is crucial to verify that the applicant has a qualifying condition for medicinal cannabis use.
Awaiting the Card: Once the application is processed and approved, the applicant has to wait for the Cancard to arrive, which will serve as their legal protection when possessing and using medicinal cannabis.

Cost of the Can Card UK

The Cancard is priced at an annual fee of £20. However, understanding some patients’ financial constraints, the Cancard team offers potential concessions or negotiations to make the card as accessible as possible to everyone who needs it. This approach underscores the Cancard’s commitment to supporting patients regardless of their financial situation.

Recent Developments in 2023

Significant strides have been made in 2023:

Community-Owned Cultivation Facility: In partnership with Grow Lab Organics, Cancard has embarked on establishing the UK’s first community-owned medicinal cannabis facility. This initiative allows Cancard holders and the public to invest in the company, offering a stake in the industry and a share of future profits.
Investment Opportunities for Cancard Holders: Cancard holders were allowed to invest in the company with a special offer of twenty company shares for a £20 upgrade fee, including a year of Cancard membership and a funded appointment at a medical cannabis clinic.
Facility Construction: The focus is now on building the cultivation facility on the Isle of Man, with plans for 22 flower rooms and six drying rooms, capable of producing over 20 cannabis strains annually. The facility emphasises sustainability, with a recycling system for heat, energy, and water and uses plant stalks in product packaging.

Conclusion

The Cancard represents a significant step towards acknowledging and addressing the needs of medicinal cannabis users in the UK. With growing medical recognition and initiatives like community-owned cultivation, the Cancard is not only providing legal protection to patients but also actively contributing to a more sustainable and patient-inclusive approach to medicinal cannabis in the UK. As Molly Meacher from the House of Lords noted, the Cancard has liberated over a million patients from the fear of arrest, marking a positive direction in the UK’s cannabis policy and paving the way for broader acceptance and legalisation.