Over 1 million adults in the United Kingdom may have medicinal Cannabis card
The medicinal use of the plant was legalized in the country two years ago, following the cases of two epileptic children who benefited from medicinal Cannabis
Published on 09/10/2020
Starting November 1st this year, a new Cannabis exemption card will be available to protect medicinal Cannabis patients from detention and legal proceedings in the United Kingdom. Over 1 million people in the United Kingdom may be eligible for the Cancard through their GPs. The initiative is supported by the Police Federation, medicinal marijuana patients, and parliamentarians nationwide.
In the United Kingdom, it is estimated that 1.4 million severely ill people rely on medicinal Cannabis for its therapeutic effect. Due to the low number of these patients who can access Cannabis medications legally through the NHS, many are forced to rely on Cannabis from illicit sources.
The medicinal use of Cannabis was legalized in the United Kingdom two years ago, following the cases of two epileptic children who benefited from Cannabis use, gaining considerable media and public attention.
The Cancard, which is a holographic photo identification, was designed by medicinal Cannabis patients in collaboration with police officers. The card will be available to people suffering from illnesses that have been prescribed in private clinics since the law changed in November 2018.
Although the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence's recommendations represented the use of medicinal Cannabis for some of these conditions, access through the NHS (public health system) remained non-existent. This means that, despite the change in the law two years ago, Cannabis medications remain out of reach for all but a few patients.
The Cancard was conceived by Carly Barton, the UK's most prominent advocate for medicinal Cannabis legislation reform. The scheme was supported by medicinal Cannabis patients and the Police Federation, representing all police officers in the UK with a working group that includes senior officers from organized crime and the National Police Chiefs' Council.
Those eligible, and in possession of a Cancard, will be able to identify themselves to the police as verified medicinal Cannabis patients and will have access to an open-source legal defense provided by the Cancard, if needed.
Carly Barton said the card should give patients peace of mind and that police confidence in it should be used before any stress is caused to people using it as a medicinal method
“Having the police agree with the conception and implementation of this was essential to making this a viable project.”
Martyn Underhill, Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, said that while over a million patients in the UK qualified to receive a private marijuana prescription, many could not afford it.
He added: “The card will give them assurance that their health issues will not lead to a criminal record.”
“Additionally, it will also be a valuable tool to assist officers, saving time by providing immediate verification of genuine medical patients.”
How will the card application work?
The scheme is supported by some of the most experienced doctors in the UK. Cancard is partnering with the Primary Care Cannabis Network (PCCN), which is managed by NHS doctor Dr. Leon Barron.
The PCCN believes that GPs are well positioned to become key prescribers of medicinal Cannabis and are working with the Cancard to help disseminate scientific information to each patient's doctor to increase their knowledge base.
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The organization is also working on a solution for patients whose GPs are reluctant to engage with the initiative. They state that it is important to have as many participating GPs as possible, as the registration process requires professional assistance.
The process
First, the patient calls their family doctor and allows them to confirm their medical condition with the Cancard.
The patient then submits their application, along with a passport photo and their GP's email address.
The GP receives a form similar to what is often requested for private health insurance - in the sense that they are only confirming a diagnosis that meets the eligibility criteria for a private Cannabis prescription.
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Now, the GP's form returns to the Cancard signed for review via email and, finally, the Cancard is released to the patient.
The Cancard registration process will not begin until November 1, 2020, however, patients can register their interest in the scheme from September 9.
Source: information from The Cannabis Exchange website
