Nationwide awareness drive to mark six years of medical cannabis in the UK

Patient advocates will visit Belfast, Birmingham, Glasgow, Cardiff and London throughout Medical Cannabis Awareness Week (1-7 November), to share their personal experiences and broaden understanding of legal routes to accessing cannabis-based medicines in the UK.

Originally launched by PLEA in 2020, Medical Cannabis Awareness Week is an annual initiative that aims to raise awareness about the availability of cannabis-based medicines and to educate the public, patients, and medical professionals about their benefits in treating a range of conditions.

Friday 1 November marks six years since medical cannabis was moved to a Schedule 2 drug, making it legal to prescribe by specialist consultants. In the last six years the number of patients accessing the medication privately has grown considerably, with the CQC reporting a 118% increase in private prescriptions of unlicensed cannabis-based medicines between 2021-23.

However, fewer than five patients have been able to access it on the NHS and recent reports have highlighted ongoing challenges when it comes to awareness among the general public. Many patients still face challenges accessing it due to high costs, lack of awareness, stigma from family and society, and medical hesitancy. 

The Medical Cannabis Awareness Week Roadshow Campaign, led by patient advocacy group, PatientsCann UK, aims to address this, by bringing information directly to the public and advocating for improved access and affordability. 

As part of the campaign volunteers will also be exhibiting at RISE4Disability’s regional conference  in Glasgow on Tuesday 5 November, which brings together healthcare providers, patients, and professionals. The roadshow will also host social events for medical cannabis patients and advocates at local lounges and community spaces.

PatientsCann UK Founder, Mohammad Wasway, said: “We’re taking the conversation out of the echo-chambers and right to the people, where it matters most. Our goal is to engage everyday people and professionals, inform them about the legal use of medical cannabis, and empower patients to exercise their rights. Being nominated for the Social Impact award underscores the importance of the work we’re doing to support patients and fight for greater access to this vital treatment.” 

Elsewhere, several UK clinics are collaborating to host a series of evening events shedding light on the UK’s medical cannabis prescription system.

An Evening About Medical Cannabis will be held in three key cities— Edinburgh, London and Cardiff from 5-7 November, where attendees will have the opportunity to hear from prescribing doctors, patients and industry professionals.

These events aim to address any questions the public may have about the application, safety, and availability of cannabis-based medicines, as well as encouraging open conversations about its role as a medicine. 

Find a full list of events taking place during Medical Cannabis Awareness Week below:

Medical Cannabis Awareness Week Roadshow Campaign Belfast Corn Market, 10am-3pm.

Evening social event: Stay Medicated, Ballyclare

Medical Cannabis Awareness Week Roadshow Campaign Birmingham, Centenary Square, 10am-3pm

Evening social event: The Entourage Effect medical cannabis lounge, Lanark 

Medical Cannabis Awareness Week Roadshow Campaign, RISE4Disability Glasgow, Hampden Park

An Evening About Medical Cannabis Edinburgh, Royal Society Speakers include Dr Anna Ross, Co- Convener of the Drugs Research Network Scotland (DRNS) and Secretary to the Scottish Cross Party on Medicinal Cannabis, and Robert Jappie, a regulatory specialist lawyer with expertise in medical cannabis. Clinicians and patients from Mamedica Clinic will also share their experiences, as well as experienced cannabis clinician Nurse James Gunn of Integro Medical Clinics. Tickets here

Medical Cannabis Awareness Week Roadshow Campaign Cardiff, Central Square, 10am-3pm

Evening social event: Js Medi Vape Lounge, Newport.

An Evening About Medical Cannabis London, Lambeth Assembly Hall

Hosted by Integro Medical Clinics and Alternaleaf, this event will feature talks from prominent cannabis-prescribing medical professionals, including  Dr Sunny Nayee, pain specialist, and Dr Anup Mathews , a psychiatrist, alongside UK rapper, Big Narstie, who will share his personal experience as a cannabis patient alongside others. Tickets here

Medical Cannabis Awareness Week Roadshow Campaign London, Windrush Square, 10am-3pm

An Evening About Medical Cannabis Cardiff, Lo Lounge

Hosted by Cannabis Clinic Cardiff, this event will give an insight into the world of medical cannabis with a mental health focus. A panel led by Dr Dave Howells, medical cannabis prescriber and psychiatrist, will discuss the life-changing effect medical cannabis has had on his patients. Js MediVape Lounge will be showcasing a selection of dry herb vaporisers, sharing information on equipment and real life demonstrations. Tickets here

Cannabis Industry Council Awards Dinner London, HAC, Armoury House, 7pm

A collaboration between the Cannabis Industry Council, Drug Science, and the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society, sponsored by Somai Pharmaceuticals.