To mark the sixth anniversary of the legislative change, events will commence in several big UK cities. This will be happening in order to draw attention to medicinal cannabis and bring education straight to the people.
Patient advocates will visit London, Birmingham, Belfast, Cardiff, and Glasgow during Medical Cannabis Awareness Week (1–7 November) to present their individual stories and increase knowledge about legal access to cannabis-based drugs in the United Kingdom.
Established by PLEA in 2020, Medical Cannabis knowledge Week is held annually, aiming to increasing knowledge about the availability of cannabis-based medications and educating patients, the general public, and medical professionals on the benefits of using medicinal marijuana to treat a variety of ailments.
Friday, November 1 Six years have passed since medicinal cannabis was approved to be a Schedule 2 drug, hence approved for prescription writing by specialised experts. The CQC reported a 118% rise in private prescriptions of unlicensed cannabis-based medications between 2021 and 2023, the number of patients obtaining the treatment privately has drastically changed over the past six years.
Less than five patients have been able to obtain medical marijuana on the NHS, nevertheless, and subsequent studies have shown on-going challenges in public awareness raising. Exorbitant costs, a lack of knowledge, family and societal humiliation, and medical uncertainty still make many patients find it difficult.
Lead by patient advocacy group “PatientsCann UK”, the Medical Cannabis Awareness Week Roadshow aims to solve this by informing the population of the UK and supporting better access and affordability.
Volunteers will be showcasing at RISE4Disability’s regional conference in Glasgow on Tuesday, November 5, which gathers professionals, patients, and healthcare providers. Social events for medical cannabis users and supporters will also be part of the roadshow in local clubs and public places.
Founder of PatientsCann UK, Mohammad Wasway, said:
Several UK clinics are collaborating to host evening events up and down the UK with the aim of illuminating the medical cannabis prescription system now available.
From November 5–7, three major cities; Edinburgh, London, and Cardiff, will host “An Evening About Medical Cannabis”; attendees will hear from industry leaders, patients, and prescribing doctors.
These activities aim to dispel any public doubts regarding the use, safety, and availability of cannabis-based drugs as well as to promote honest conversations on its therapeutic use.