UK Legalises Medical Cannabis

Medicinal Cannabis

The UK government have recently released a statement expressing that medicinal cannabis is set to be legalized in the UK, however, in extremely selective cases.

There is much speculation on whether or not medicinal marijuana or CBD derived products should be registered as a legalized substance here in the UK. For many, the views on the usage of medicinal marijuana and cannabinoids for the treatment of conditions such as seizures, epilepsy, cancer and multiple mental health conditions is still seen as recreational and for that case should not be legalized. However, what majority of people are ignorant towards, is the fact that medicinal marijuana and CBD (cannabinoid) related products are processed far differently than that of the recreational drug that we are all so familiar with.

For the last 4-5 years since obtaining a license to legally grow, my family have seeded,grown and successfully cultivated 2 farms out in western Canada. For us, it wasn’t theselling point that got us into the industry, it was the lack of understanding and knowledge that the country had on the healing properties of plant and we wanted to bring that awareness into fruition! Since working in the oil fields for the last 20 years, my dad had suffered from some serious back injuries from all of the heavy lifting of machinery. After seeking help from many medical professionals, it was brought to his attention through a friend that he should try smoking cannabis. Much to his surprise, he finally felt relief! It has been a journey of his, these last 8 years, to spread the word of the medicinal properties that cannabis has to offer and it is only within the past 2 years that marijuana for medicinal purposes has become legal in a few provinces across Canada.

Cannabis was first made illegal in the UK in 1928, three years after the 1925 Dangerous Drugs Act was passed and put into force, although it wasn’t until 1971, when (former) President Nixon declared a war on drugs, that cannabis had been pronounced, under the controlled substances act, to be classified as a schedule I drug. Cannabis is still in many cases, considered to be a classified as a Schedule 1 drug, this being said it is said to have no therapeutic value, however, it can be used for the purposes of research with a Home Office license. The decision made by the Home Office will be to classify certain cannabis-derived products- those that have a potential medical use- as Schedule 2.

According to a 2015 study, approximately one-million hours of police time peryear, in the UK alone, have been ‘wasted’ enforcing cannabis prohibition. Over80,000 caseloads relating to the drug were opened in 2015, the average case costingtaxpayers around £2,250. The construction of medicinal marijuana is far different from that of its recreational partner, aka weed. Medicinal marijuana is constituted by using the whole plant, unprocessed or the chemicals contained within; whereas “street weed” is comprisedof over 100 different chemicals including CBD (non psychoactive) and THC (psychoactive).

THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the psychoactive compound found in marijuana thatgives you that “high”. CBD (cannabidiol) is a non-psychoactive component also contained in the marijuana plant. Medicinal marijuana has a higher CBD content sowhen consuming it, you are not associated with the “high” that is found in therecreational counterparts of the plant. Much of what may be given to patients will be derived from CBD products; oils, tinctures, edibles and capsules may be given in part of the new medical arrangements set by the Home Office. Patients who wish to seek the use of medicinal cannabis within the UK will have to go under extensive testing to find out if they will be the right candidate to receive a licence to the treatment. Patients must apply to be seen by an expert panel, or in which a clinician may be seen on their behalf. Licensing fees for applications made to the panel will be waived, and those already granted will not be charged.

So to sum things up:

Hemp: Is it cannabis? yes!
Is it psychoactive? No!

Will you get a high from it? No!

Will it be legalized? Yes!

Marijuana: Is it cannabis? Yes!

Is it psychoactive? Yes!

Will you get high from it? Yes!

Is it legal? No!

CBD: Does it produce psychoactive effects? No!

Does it have anti-anxiety, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties? Yes!

Can it be found in medically prescribed cannabis? Yes!

THC: Does it produce psychoactive effects? Yes!

Does it have anti-anxiety, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties? Yes!

Can it be found in medically prescribed cannabis? No!