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Medical Cannabis News

PatientsCann UK Joins Forces with the NCVO: Elevating Medical Cannabis Advocacy

We are thrilled to share some exciting news! PatientsCann UK is a proud member of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO). This is a significant step forward in our journey of advocating for patient rights and fostering positive change in the medical cannabis landscape. Understanding the NCVO: The NCVO is a leading voice for the voluntary sector in the UK. Established in 1919, NCVO champions the work of charities, community groups, and voluntary organisations, providing them with a platform to collectively address challenges and amplify their impact. This membership places PatientsCann in a vibrant network of over 15,000 member organisations, ranging from small community groups to well-established charities. The Value of NCVO Membership for PatientsCann: Networking and Collaboration: Joining NCVO opens doors to a diverse community of organisations working towards social change. This network provides opportunities for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and building alliances within and beyond the medical cannabis sector. Advocacy Amplification: NCVO is a powerful advocate for the voluntary sector, influencing policies and decisions at the national level. By aligning with NCVO, PatientsCann gains a stronger voice in shaping policies that directly impact medical cannabis patients and the industry. Capacity Building: NCVO offers a wealth of resources, training, and support to enhance the effectiveness and impact of voluntary organisations. This invaluable support will empower PatientsCann to further its mission of educating, advocating, and supporting the medical cannabis community. Policy Engagement: As an NCVO member, PatientsCann gains access to valuable insights on policy developments and changes affecting the voluntary sector. This knowledge is crucial for steering our advocacy efforts in a rapidly evolving medical cannabis landscape. Implications for the Medical Cannabis Community: Our membership with NCVO is not just a milestone for PatientsCann; it’s a win for the entire medical cannabis community. It elevates the visibility of medical cannabis advocacy within broader discussions on healthcare, patient rights, and social well-being. Looking Ahead: As we embark on this exciting journey with the NCVO, we are filled with gratitude for the continued support of our community. Together, we will continue to strive for a future where medical cannabis patients are informed, empowered, and treated with the dignity they deserve. Stay tuned for more updates, and thank you for being an essential part of the PatientsCann community.

Use of Prescription Cannabis at Work

The Sanskara Platform (now PatientsCann UK) and Seed Our Future Co-Author Report with Cannabis Industry Council Urging Employers to Support Prescription Cannabis Patients 07/11/2023 – The Sanskara Platform, in collaboration with Seed Our Future, is pleased to announce the release of an important report addressing the rights of prescription cannabis patients in the workplace. This ground-breaking report, titled ‘The Use of Prescription Cannabis at Work,’ has been authored by Mohammad I Wasway, Founder of The Sanskara Platform, and Guy Coxall, Founder of Seed Our Future. It forms a crucial part of the Standards Working Group within the Cannabis Industry Council (CIC). The report, highlighted by the CIC, reveals a pressing issue affecting prescription cannabis patients and their rights in the workplace. It suggests that current employer practices may put them at risk of breaching the Equality Act. The Act mandates that employers must make reasonable adjustments to accommodate individuals with disabilities, which includes many prescription cannabis patients who often suffer from chronic pain and disabilities. The CIC’s report underscores the necessity for employers to treat prescription cannabis patients just like any other medical patients, aligning with their legal obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Report co-authors, Mohammad Wasway and Guy Coxall, expressed their concerns, stating, “We have heard from many concerned and vulnerable patients who have been harassed and mistreated by their employers simply for taking their prescription medication. We urge businesses to support their employees and implement sensible and proportionate solutions that will improve employee wellbeing and productivity.” Elisabetta Faenza, Chair of the CIC Standards Working Group, emphasised the Council’s commitment to upholding workplace rights for prescription cannabis patients, asserting, “The Cannabis Industry Council will be working with employers and unions to uphold workplace rights for prescription cannabis patients, based on law, medicine, and basic compassion. Many businesses say they are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusivity, yet often underdeliver. Now is the time for employers to step up and support ill and disabled employees.” The report not only sheds light on the medical context surrounding prescription cannabis but also suggests ways to manage its usage by employees. It includes user-friendly flowcharts and illustrative case studies to help employers navigate this complex issue. Since 2018, specialist doctors have had the authority to prescribe cannabis medicines to their patients, who are then legally permitted to possess and consume this medication. Employers who fail to uphold the workplace rights of patients, including both employees and job applicants, face the risk of being taken to an employment tribunal. This report is a significant step towards ensuring that prescription cannabis patients receive fair treatment and protection under the law. It calls upon employers to support their employees’ medical needs and uphold the principles of equality, diversity, and inclusivity in the workplace. Read the report here

Empowering GPs to ‘Protect our Patients’: Join the Campaign!

https://www.protectourpatients.co.uk/ In the realm of medical cannabis, a significant disparity exists between patients’ needs and their access to appropriate treatments. While progress has been made, with the UK government allowing specialists to prescribe cannabis medicines in 2018, a critical challenge remains: general practitioners (GPs) are still unable to prescribe this potentially life-changing therapy. As a consequence, a staggering 1.8 million individuals in the UK are compelled to turn to the illicit cannabis market for medical reasons. This is further exacerbated by the financial strain faced by those on low incomes, who struggle to afford private prescriptions. It’s high time we address these issues and embark on a transformative journey to protect our patients and enhance healthcare outcomes. The ‘Protect our Patients’ campaign is a groundbreaking initiative aimed at rectifying the inequity surrounding medical cannabis prescriptions. Its core mission is to advocate for GPs to be granted the same prescribing rights as consultants, thus empowering them to effectively support their patients in need. By removing the existing barriers, we can ensure that every individual, regardless of their socioeconomic background, has access to safe and effective cannabis-based treatments. In 2018, the UK government acknowledged the therapeutic potential of cannabis medicines and legalised their prescription. However, this progressive step fell short in one crucial aspect: GPs were excluded from the regulatory framework, limiting their ability to provide comprehensive care to their patients. This oversight has resulted in a significant gap in access to medical cannabis, forcing patients to navigate the illicit market or face financial hardship to obtain private prescriptions. GPs serve as the first point of contact for patients, entrusted with their comprehensive healthcare. By granting them the authority to prescribe cannabis medicines, we open doors to a range of benefits: The time has come to bridge the gap in patient care and advocate for the empowerment of GPs to prescribe medical cannabis. Together, let’s protect our patients and ensure equitable access to life-changing treatments. Visit ProtectOurPatients.co.uk to learn more about the campaign, get involved, and be part

Your Guide to Taking Medical Cannabis on Your Next Holiday

PatientsCann UK | Preview Skip to content Education International travel Plain English guide Taking your medical cannabis abroad Going on holiday with a medical cannabis prescription means a little extra paperwork. This guide explains the UK rules in plain words. It also points you to our country by country list, so you can check your destination before you book. PatientsCann UK Education Reviewed June 2026 See the country list On this page Before you book The UK rules Your checklist References Please read first This page is for information and support. It is not legal or medical advice. Medical cannabis is a prescription-only medicine in the UK. Always speak to your specialist clinician, and check the rules for every country on your trip before you travel. At a glance Short trips For up to a 3 month supply, carry a letter from your prescriber. You do not need a Home Office licence. Longer trips For more than a 3 month supply, you need a free Home Office licence. Apply at least 10 days before you go. Every country differs A UK prescription does not make cannabis legal everywhere. Check the rules for each country. Never assume Some countries have strict bans and heavy penalties. If a country does not allow your medicine, do not take it there. Step one Before you book Every country sets its own rules for bringing in medicine. The most important step is to check your destination before you book your trip. You can check the rules in two ways. You can read the travel advice for that country on GOV.UK. You can also contact the country’s embassy or high commission in the UK and ask them directly. Some countries do not allow any cannabis at all, even with a prescription. Check the rules for every country on your trip, including any country where you change planes, not just the place where you land. Check your stopovers. A country you only pass through still has its own rules. Make sure cannabis is allowed there before you book that route. Step two The UK rules Leaving the UK Cannabis is a controlled drug. That means the law keeps special rules for it. Ask your pharmacist or clinician to confirm that your medicine is a controlled drug, so you know which rules apply. Carry your medicine on you, in your hand luggage, in its original pharmacy packaging. Take a copy of your prescription, and a letter from the person who prescribes your medicine. The letter should list each medicine, the dose, the strength, and how often you take it. It should show your travel dates, and the prescriber’s name and registration details. It must be clear that you are not carrying more than a 3 month supply. Coming back to the UK You can bring your own prescribed cannabis back into the UK, up to a 3 month supply, with your letter. If you need to bring more than a 3 month supply, you need a licence from the Home Office before you travel. Up to a 3 month supply You do not need a Home Office licence. Carry your prescription and your prescriber’s letter. Keep your medicine in its original packaging in your hand luggage. More than a 3 month supply You need a free personal licence from the Home Office Drugs and Firearms Licensing Unit. This also applies to trips longer than 3 months. Apply at least 10 days before you travel, and as early as you can. A licence only helps at the UK border. It has no power in other countries. Each country still has its own rules, so you must check your destination as well. Step three Your before-you-travel checklist 1 Check your destination Read the GOV.UK travel advice for your destination, and any country you change planes in. You can also ask the embassy or high commission. 2 Check if you need a licence For up to a 3 month supply, the prescriber’s letter is enough. For more than that, apply to the Home Office for a free licence at least 10 days before you go. 3 Ask for your letter and prescription Ask your clinic early. Allow at least two weeks for them to prepare your letter. Keep both a paper copy and a copy on your phone. 4 Keep medicine in its original packaging Keep your medicine in the pharmacy packaging, with the label and your name on it. Carry it in your hand luggage. 5 Tell your airline Let your airline know in advance about your medicine and any device you use, so there are no surprises at check in. 6 Sort your travel insurance Make sure your insurance covers your health condition, and the cost of getting you home if you become unwell. 7 Declare it if you are asked Be open with border and customs officers. Show your documents if they ask. Trying to hide your medicine can cause far more trouble. Check your destination Our country by country list shows the rules and the documents you need for popular places. Always confirm with the embassy before you book. Open the travel list GOV.UK guidance References References follow the Harvard style. Always check the original source, as rules can change. 1GOV.UK (no date) Take medicine in or out of the UK. Available at: gov.uk/take-medicine-in-or-out-uk (Accessed: 28 June 2026). 2Home Office (2023) Travelling with medicine containing controlled drugs. GOV.UK. Available at: gov.uk/guidance/controlled-drugs-personal-licences (Accessed: 28 June 2026). 3National Travel Health Network and Centre (2026) Medicines and travel. TravelHealthPro. Available at: travelhealthpro.org.uk/factsheet/43/medicines-and-travel (Accessed: 28 June 2026). 4PatientsCann UK (no date) Travel abroad with your cannabis prescription. Available at: patientscann.org.uk/travel (Accessed: 28 June 2026). PC Reviewed by the PatientsCann UK team Patient education and support, PatientsCann UK.