Medical Cannabis Awareness Week calls for real-world evidence
Medical Cannabis Awareness Week is taking place during the first week of November 2021 and brings together patients, doctors, sector organisations, supporters, and advocates to raise awareness of the plea for fair access to medical cannabis.
On 1 November 2018, Medical Cannabis was made available on prescription in the UK. Three years on, only 3 prescriptions have been issued by the NHS. Out of desperation, patients are funding private prescriptions and up to 1.4 million patients are forced to turn to illegal methods.
Patients unable to afford and access treatment are suffering due to the fear, stigma and financial barriers preventing them accessing this safe, and potentially life-changing, treatment.
This is not right.
Medical Cannabis Awareness Week 2021 aims to highlight the real need for real-world evidence in evolving access to this new treatment, calling for fair access to medical cannabis treatment on the NHS.
Patients from across the UK will be sharing their stories about the life-changing impact of medical cannabis and their difficulties in accessing a prescription and there are so many ways supporters can get involved.
The first Medical Cannabis Awareness Week to take place last year saw over 50 speakers and 1500 live attendees, with 60,000 people reached.
“With only three NHS prescriptions having been issued three years on from Sajid Javid's promise to make medical cannabis treatment accessible, my plea for Medical Cannabis Awareness Week 2021 is that the real need for real world evidence is explored and accepted in evolving access to this new treatment.”
“While all this is amazing the financial cost bring a whole new anxiety around how I afford my medicine, every month I struggle to pay for it, I don’t want to go back to my life before, not now I know I don’t have to suffer so much, there is a relief available, my plea is that this medication becomes available through the NHS so no patient has to endure the pressure of trying to fund a private prescription.”
“My PLEA for Medical Cannabis Awareness Week is for the continued access of Medical Cannabis for patients like me here in the UK. I hope to one day finally be able to be prescribed and access my medication over the NHS, rather than the current private system, which is only seeing patients like me struggle further with their conditions and finances to be able to live the life that we all deserve.”
PLEA Community hosts Medical Cannabis Awareness Week during the first week of November each year.
How people can get involved:
- There are events for patients, doctors, supporters and anyone else with an interest in medical cannabis.
- Join patients, advocates and organisations to share your PLEA on social media using the hashtag #MCAW2021
- Raise awareness, address the stigma, call for change. You can record a video making your plea, write it down, or record an audio clip.
- Ask questions, and connect with medical cannabis supporters, patients, and allies via the #MCAW2021 hashtag on social media.
- During #MCAW2021, we’re asking you to help us spread the word about fair access to medical cannabis treatment. Use the template example to create your own letter and email or post it to your MP.
#MCAW2021 Events
Day 1: Patient Perspectives
Monday 1 November, 6pm – 7.30pm
A patient and parent panel share both the successes and continued barriers in accessing medical cannabis in the UK.
Day 2: Condition Conversations
Tuesday 2 November, 6pm – 7.30pm
A conversation exploring the potential of medical cannabis treatment for a range of physical and mental health conditions.
Day 3: Research Roundtable
Wednesday 3 November, 6pm-7.30pm
A look at the latest research, highlighting the real need for real-world evidence in evolving medical cannabis access.
Day 4: Industry Insights
Thursday 4 November, 6pm – 7.30pm
An insight into current industry ongoings, focusing on the need to centre and amplify patients in the medical cannabis sector.
Day 5: Access Analysis
Friday 5 November, 6pm-7.30pm
A step-by-step guide to support patients in making an informed decision in accessing medical cannabis treatment.
Day 6: Diversity Discussions
Saturday 6 November, 6pm-7.30pm
An open dialogue addressing cultural challenges and the urgent need to widen diversity in the medical cannabis sector.
Day 7: Summary Session
Sunday 7 November, 6pm-7.30pm
A look into the findings from across Medical Cannabis Awareness Week 2021, mapping out calls to action and next steps
Check out more medical cannabis articles from The CANNAVIST Magazine:
- A quick guide to medical cannabis in the UK
- Find out if you are eligible for the UK’s new medical cannabis card
- New medical cannabis card to help more than one million British adults
- Is medical cannabis legal in the UK?
- No further action taken against most Cancard holders when stopped by police
- Study backs cannabis terpenes for pain relief
- I am Billy Foundation to work with government to ‘unlock the deadlock’ on NHS access
- Karen Gray: “If doctors can prescribe for two children then the rest should receive the same”
- More than 70% of gynaecological cancer patients benefit from medical cannabis in new study
- Isle of Man government opens the door to cannabis exports
- Will virtual medical cannabis appointments endure in a post-lockdown world?
- Meet Medisonal: The team making the Entourage Effect personal
