Network Rail’s Medical Cannabis Policy: A Cause for Concern

PatientsCann UK — Network Rail Policy Discrimination Employment January 2025 Network Rail’s Medical Cannabis Policy: A Cause for Concern PatientsCann UK is deeply concerned by Network Rail’s safety advice NRA24-13, which imposes a blanket ban on employees using prescribed medical cannabis — potentially violating the Equality Act 2010. PatientsCann UK·News & Advocacy·January 2025 What the policy does: The policy mandates automatic suspension for employees prescribed medical cannabis for conditions not covered by NICE guidelines. It requires cessation of treatment and proof of a “clean” test before reinstatement — regardless of the employee’s role or whether their prescription affects their ability to perform their duties. Equality and Discrimination Concerns The Equality Act 2010 protects individuals with disabilities or long-term conditions, requiring employers to make reasonable adjustments rather than imposing blanket restrictions. Network Rail’s stance risks discrimination by disproportionately affecting those with legally prescribed medical cannabis treatments. This approach disregards the fact that medical cannabis is often prescribed as a last resort after other treatments fail. Forcing patients to abandon their effective treatment places undue pressure on their wellbeing. Our Call for Change PatientsCann UK has written to Network Rail, urging them to: Reassess their policy with input from stakeholders, including patients and advocates Adopt an evidence-based, individualised approach to ensure safety and equality are balanced Offer reasonable adjustments for employees prescribed medical cannabis We believe policies should focus on functional assessments, rather than blanket assumptions about impairment. Other potentially impairing medications — such as opioids — are managed on a case-by-case basis. Medical cannabis should be no different. Open Letter Read Our Letter to Network Rail Open Letter to Network Rail Download Affected by This Policy? If you or someone you know has been affected by Network Rail’s policy, we want to hear from you. Contact us at info@patientscann.org.uk. Read the Open Letter Contact Us PatientsCann UKUK’s Medical Cannabis Patient Organisation · patientscann.co.uk