Dalgety Ships First Medical-Grade Cannabis Flower in Milestone for UK Industry

By |2025-02-19T03:02:20+00:0019 February 2025|

The UK’s first fully-licensed EU-GMP medical cannabis cultivation facility has opened its doors to doctors, as its first products were made available on prescription for patients earlier this month. After five years and over £10 million in investment, Dalgety has become the first facility in the [...]

How Clinics Can Help Remove Professional Stigma Around Medical Cannabis

By |2025-02-18T03:04:04+00:0018 February 2025|

Since the legalisation of medical cannabis in the UK in 2018, its integration into mainstream healthcare has faced significant hurdles. While private clinics have provided access to cannabis-based medicines (CBMPs), many healthcare professionals remain sceptical, largely due to outdated perceptions, limited clinical education, and a lack [...]

Medical Cannabis vs. Opioids: A Better Alternative?

By |2025-02-08T03:01:39+00:008 February 2025|

Written by: Releaf’s Clinical Dr Alex Van Heerden After years prescribing opioids, Dr Alexander Van Heerden, a clinical doctor at Releaf with a background in emergency medicine, believes medical cannabis should be considered a first-line treatment option rather than an alternative. The Opioid Crisis: Over 500,000 [...]

Labour’s ‘Disappointing’ Response to Medical Cannabis Debate Show Nothing Has Changed

By |2025-02-06T03:03:39+00:006 February 2025|

Via Business of Cannabis The first parliamentary debate on medical cannabis in the UK under the new Labour administration has shattered hopes of a more progressive stance on reform. Despite impassioned speeches from members of various parties, unanimously calling for the UK’s ‘patchwork’ cannabis regulation to [...]

Comments Off on Labour’s ‘Disappointing’ Response to Medical Cannabis Debate Show Nothing Has Changed

Researchers Take Step Towards Establishing Standardized Cannabis Dose

By |2025-01-30T03:03:39+00:0030 January 2025|

Canadian researchers have developed a unique method to allow for standardized cannabis dosing among different consumption methods.  Researchers at UBC Okanagan have created an Index of Cannabis Equivalence (ICE), a unique approach to standardized cannabis dosing across different consumption methods. Published in the Journal of Psychoactive [...]

Comments Off on Researchers Take Step Towards Establishing Standardized Cannabis Dose

Czech Republic Pushes Ahead With Pioneering ‘Psychomodulating Substances’ Regulation

By |2025-01-29T03:00:28+00:0029 January 2025|

The Czech Republic is continuing to make progress on an ambitious overhaul of its drug policies, with sweeping reforms aimed at creating a regulated market for low-risk psychoactive substances and addressing long-standing issues in medical cannabis access. Starting July 2025, the sale of low-THC cannabis and [...]

Comments Off on Czech Republic Pushes Ahead With Pioneering ‘Psychomodulating Substances’ Regulation

UK CBD Startup HEMPE Secures NSF Certification

By |2025-01-23T10:14:08+00:0023 January 2025|

UK brand, HEMPE, has secured NSF certification for its CBD gel, giving it the green-light for use among professional athletes and military personnel. The Dorset-based brand was founded by former boyband star and commando, Farard Darver, following an injury in Afghanistan. HEMPE’S CBD gel is now [...]

Comments Off on UK CBD Startup HEMPE Secures NSF Certification

Jet2 ‘Reviewing Policies’ After Patient’s Medical Cannabis Confiscated on Flight

By |2025-01-23T10:13:58+00:0023 January 2025|

The airline Jet2 has apologised to a medical cannabis patient—and is said to be ‘reviewing its policies’—after their medication was confiscated on a flight from Belfast.  David Toms from Belfast, who is prescribed cannabis-based medicines for chronic pain and anxiety, was flying to Antalya in Turkey [...]

Comments Off on Jet2 ‘Reviewing Policies’ After Patient’s Medical Cannabis Confiscated on Flight

UK CBD Company Sues Government for £3.4m Over ‘Unlawful’ Seizure of Hemp

By |2025-01-22T03:07:50+00:0022 January 2025|

The UK Government is being sued by a CBD business for £3.4m, in the latest major challenge to its mishandling of legal hemp. Ocean Development (Dorset) Ltd. and connected retail business CBD Flower Shop Ltd. are seeking damages from the Home Office amid allegations of ‘unlawful [...]

Comments Off on UK CBD Company Sues Government for £3.4m Over ‘Unlawful’ Seizure of Hemp

Hundreds of UK Families Giving Children Illegal Cannabis Due to Lack of NHS Access

By |2025-01-18T03:02:06+00:0018 January 2025|

Hundreds of families in the UK are giving their children illegal cannabis products due to a lack of access on the NHS, according to a new report.  The research, commissioned by charity Medan Family Foundation, reveals almost 400 families are sourcing illegal cannabis products from drug [...]

Comments Off on Hundreds of UK Families Giving Children Illegal Cannabis Due to Lack of NHS Access

Ukraine Registers First Products Ahead of Medical Cannabis Rollout

By |2025-01-17T03:02:12+00:0017 January 2025|

The first medical cannabis products have officially been registered in Ukraine, meaning patients should be able to access treatment in the coming weeks. Curaleaf International has successfully registered three separate oil-based products in the country, which legalised medical cannabis last August. While it will be the first [...]

Comments Off on Ukraine Registers First Products Ahead of Medical Cannabis Rollout

Study Highlights Changes in Opioid Use Following Medical Cannabis Laws

By |2025-01-16T03:15:44+00:0016 January 2025|

A new study has investigated changes in opioid use in US states which have passed medical and recreational cannabis laws. The study, led by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, found no changes in opioid outcomes among the general population following the states’ passage of [...]

Comments Off on Study Highlights Changes in Opioid Use Following Medical Cannabis Laws

Experts Call For Increased Public Funding For Cannabis Research To Address ‘Ethical Challenges’

By |2025-01-11T03:00:08+00:0011 January 2025|

The authors of a new Canadian study have called for increased public funding to protect the ‘scientific integrity’ of cannabis research and reduce reliance on industry sponsorship. Research led by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Canada, sheds light on the ethical complexities [...]

Comments Off on Experts Call For Increased Public Funding For Cannabis Research To Address ‘Ethical Challenges’

UK IBD Patients Report Improvements With Medical Cannabis

By |2025-01-10T03:06:39+00:0010 January 2025|

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients in the UK have reported improvements in their condition following treatment with medical cannabis.  According to observational data published in the journal Expert Review of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, medical cannabis treatment was associated with sustained improvements in health-related quality of life [...]

Comments Off on UK IBD Patients Report Improvements With Medical Cannabis

Combination Of Ayurvedic Medicine And Medical Cannabis Shows Promise In Menstrual Cramps

By |2025-01-09T03:09:00+00:009 January 2025|

New preliminary research highlights the potential of Ayurvedic medicine combined with medical cannabis as an alternative treatment for menstrual cramps. Results from a Phase 1 clinical trial have found ‘strong preliminary evidence’ to support the safety and efficacy of a new patent-pending formulation in the management [...]

Comments Off on Combination Of Ayurvedic Medicine And Medical Cannabis Shows Promise In Menstrual Cramps

France Extends Medical Cannabis Programme, But Patients Urged to Seek Alternative Treatment

By |2025-01-08T03:07:39+00:008 January 2025|

Thousands of French medical cannabis patients have been given a temporary reprieve, enabling them to continue accessing their treatment for another six months. Amid the continued political chaos in the country, participants in France’s medical cannabis ‘experiment,’ which is now entering its fifth year, faced an [...]

Comments Off on France Extends Medical Cannabis Programme, But Patients Urged to Seek Alternative Treatment

What’s in Store for the European Cannabis Industry in 2025? (Part 2)

By |2024-12-22T03:04:02+00:0022 December 2024|

Written by Ben Stevens and Sarah Sinclair.  You can read Part 1 here.  Growing demand for medical cannabis across Europe Medical cannabis demand across Europe has seen substantial growth, particularly following the regulatory changes in Germany. Ukraine’s Health Minister, Viktor Liashko, visited Germany this year as [...]

Comments Off on What’s in Store for the European Cannabis Industry in 2025? (Part 2)

What’s in Store for the European Cannabis Industry in 2025? (Part 1)

By |2024-12-22T03:03:50+00:0022 December 2024|

Written by Ben Stevens and Sarah Sinclair.    2024 has been a dramatic year for the global cannabis industry, seeing both historic steps forward and concerning regressions in both attitudes and policy.  It was a year dominated by elections, with around half of the world’s population [...]

Comments Off on What’s in Store for the European Cannabis Industry in 2025? (Part 1)

CBD Linked To ‘Lower Overall Anxiety’ In Breast Cancer Patients

By |2024-12-22T03:03:41+00:0022 December 2024|

In a new study researchers explored whether CBD can reduce scan-related anxiety in patients with advanced breast cancer. The findings showed that while CBD did not significantly change scan-related anxiety when compared to a placebo, it was safe and resulted in significantly lower overall anxiety levels [...]

Comments Off on CBD Linked To ‘Lower Overall Anxiety’ In Breast Cancer Patients

French Medical Cannabis Patients Warned Treatment Will be ‘No Longer Accessible From January’

By |2024-12-20T03:00:38+00:0020 December 2024|

Via Business of Cannabis French patient associations have warned that medical cannabis patients could soon face a disruption in treatment as its long-running experiment comes to an end with no next steps in place. The French Society for the Study and Treatment of Pain (SFETD) issued [...]

Comments Off on French Medical Cannabis Patients Warned Treatment Will be ‘No Longer Accessible From January’

Next Phase of Dutch Cannabis Experiment To Launch April 2025

By |2024-12-18T03:03:19+00:0018 December 2024|

From April 2025, Dutch coffee shops will only be permitted to sell regulated cannabis products, as the next phase of the country’s adult-use pilot gets underway. One year on from the launch of the Netherlands’ Closed Coffee Shop Chain Experiment, regulators have set a fixed date [...]

Comments Off on Next Phase of Dutch Cannabis Experiment To Launch April 2025

New Data Supports Use Of Epidiolex In Tuberous Sclerosis Complex

By |2024-12-12T03:01:04+00:0012 December 2024|

Jazz Pharmaceuticals has shared new data to support the efficacy of Epidiolex in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC).  Research shared at the American Epilepsy Society (AES) 2024 Annual Meeting held from 6-10 December in Los Angeles, California supports the use of Epidiolex in the treatment [...]

Comments Off on New Data Supports Use Of Epidiolex In Tuberous Sclerosis Complex

FDA Approves Clinical Trial On Cannabis In Veterans With PTSD

By |2024-12-11T03:04:42+00:0011 December 2024|

MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) has secured FDA clearance to conduct a clinical trial examining the use of smoked cannabis for the treatment of PTSD symptoms among veterans. After three years of negotiation, the FDA has given MAPS the green light to carry out a [...]

Comments Off on FDA Approves Clinical Trial On Cannabis In Veterans With PTSD

UK’s First Authorised CBD Products Expected by Spring 2025

By |2024-12-11T03:04:27+00:0011 December 2024|

Via Business of Cannabis In a long-awaited and major step forward for the UK’s CBD sector, the regulator has announced a new roadmap that could see the first products given official approval by Spring next year. While this announcement comes nearly seven years after the novel [...]

Comments Off on UK’s First Authorised CBD Products Expected by Spring 2025

GPs in Czech Republic Permitted To Prescribe Medical Cannabis From 2025

By |2024-12-06T03:10:37+00:006 December 2024|

Thousands more doctors in the Czech Republic will soon be permitted to prescribe medical cannabis under a new decree published by the Ministry of Health. From April 2025, the country’s 5,000 general practitioners will be permitted to prescribe medical cannabis to patients with chronic pain, following [...]

Comments Off on GPs in Czech Republic Permitted To Prescribe Medical Cannabis From 2025

Ananda Aiming to ‘Meet Regulators at Their Point of Need’ As it Secures More Major UK Clinical Cannabis Trials

By |2024-12-04T03:00:23+00:004 December 2024|

Via Business of Cannabis UK-based biotech firm Ananda Developments has solidified its position as a driving force in clinical cannabis research in Europe, announcing the launch of two more major trials using its proprietary compounds. Last month, Business of Cannabis reported that two long-awaited NHS clinical trials to [...]

Comments Off on Ananda Aiming to ‘Meet Regulators at Their Point of Need’ As it Secures More Major UK Clinical Cannabis Trials

CBD Shows Promise in Treatment of Endometriosis, Say Leading Women’s Health Researchers

By |2024-11-30T03:09:07+00:0030 November 2024|

Researchers from the Centre for Reproductive Health at the University of Edinburgh have co-authored a new review paper highlighting the potential of CBD in the treatment of endometriosis. The new paper, published in the top-ranking journal Trends in Pharmacological Science (TIPS), finds that CBD is a [...]

Comments Off on CBD Shows Promise in Treatment of Endometriosis, Say Leading Women’s Health Researchers

French Health Officials Recommended Medical Cannabis Framework in 2023, Report Reveals

By |2024-11-29T03:05:09+00:0029 November 2024|

A newly-obtained report by France’s Directorate General of Health (DGS) evaluating the impact of the medical cannabis pilot, recommended the roll out of a temporary  regulatory framework last year. The Union of Industrialists for the Valorization of Hemp Extracts (UIVEC) in France says the report, dated [...]

Comments Off on French Health Officials Recommended Medical Cannabis Framework in 2023, Report Reveals

Germany Hosts EU Leaders to Exchange Insights on Cannabis Regulation 

By |2024-11-28T03:04:50+00:0028 November 2024|

Representatives from five European countries, as well as the European Union Drug Agency (EUDA), met in Germany last week to discuss the regulation of cannabis for non-medical purposes.  European leaders from Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands and Czech Republic attended an international ministerial exchange in Germany to [...]

Comments Off on Germany Hosts EU Leaders to Exchange Insights on Cannabis Regulation 

New Era for Medical Cannabis in Denmark as Government Announces Plans for Permanent Legal Framework

By |2024-11-27T03:03:45+00:0027 November 2024|

Via Business of Cannabis Denmark’s six-year medical cannabis pilot scheme could soon be expanded into a fully legalised market, following a surprise announcement from the government last week. The Danish pilot scheme has been running since 2018, and has continued to expand in both scope and [...]

Comments Off on New Era for Medical Cannabis in Denmark as Government Announces Plans for Permanent Legal Framework

Luxembourg to Restrict Access to Medical Cannabis Flower on Prescription

By |2024-11-21T03:14:18+00:0021 November 2024|

Luxembourg is set to restrict access to high-THC cannabis flower on prescription from next year, as part of longer term plans to phase out flower-based products altogether. As of January 2025, patients in Luxembourg will no longer be able to access cannabis flower containing high levels [...]

Comments Off on Luxembourg to Restrict Access to Medical Cannabis Flower on Prescription

Long-term cannabis use not linked to cognitive decline — study

By |2024-11-20T03:12:41+00:0020 November 2024|

New research has found no association between long-term cannabis use and cognitive decline in later life.  Longitudinal data published in the journal Brain and Behavior, found no significant harmful effects of cannabis use on age-related cognitive decline.  Researchers in Denmark examined the relationship between lifetime cannabis [...]

Comments Off on Long-term cannabis use not linked to cognitive decline — study

What Does the Collapse of Germany’s Government Mean for Cannabis?

By |2024-11-15T03:01:36+00:0015 November 2024|

Via Business of Cannabis Mere hours after the results of the US election became clear, sending North American cannabis stocks into free fall, Germany’s ruling traffic light coalition all but collapsed, throwing the future of Europe’s largest and most promising cannabis market into uncertain territory. On [...]

Comments Off on What Does the Collapse of Germany’s Government Mean for Cannabis?

Brain changes linked to cannabis use may not be causal, finds study

By |2024-11-14T03:09:32+00:0014 November 2024|

Lifetime cannabis use is associated with several changes in brain structure and function in later life, suggests an observational study, but these associations may not be causal. This is according to researchers who conducted a genetic analysis of data from over 15,000 cannabis consumers in the [...]

Comments Off on Brain changes linked to cannabis use may not be causal, finds study

First study finds CBN improves sleep without intoxicating effects

By |2024-11-13T03:18:54+00:0013 November 2024|

A new study is the first to provide objective evidence that cannabinol (CBN) can improve sleep without any intoxicating effects.  Research by scientists at the University of Sydney is the first to use objective measures to show the component, known as cannabinol (CBN), increases sleep in [...]

Comments Off on First study finds CBN improves sleep without intoxicating effects

NHS Accused Of “Failing Patients” As Families Make Fresh Plea For Access

By |2024-11-07T03:04:10+00:007 November 2024|

Six years on from the legalisation of medical cannabis in the UK, families have made a fresh call for NHS access, as new figures reveal lack of prescribing. Families from across the UK returned to Westminster on Tuesday 5 November, clutching photos of their loved ones, [...]

Comments Off on NHS Accused Of “Failing Patients” As Families Make Fresh Plea For Access

Oireachtas Committee Pushes Decriminalisation of Cannabis in Ireland

By |2024-11-06T03:21:46+00:006 November 2024|

The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Drugs Use has published its interim report into the recommendations of Ireland’s landmark Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use, coming out strongly in favour of decriminalisation. Established earlier this year to further scrutinise the recommendations of the Citizens Assembly, the specialist committee was given until [...]

Comments Off on Oireachtas Committee Pushes Decriminalisation of Cannabis in Ireland

Dramatic drop in cannabis use among US teens, finds study

By |2024-11-01T03:00:21+00:001 November 2024|

New findings have identified a significant decline in the percentage of US adolescents reporting current cannabis use over the last decade.  The study, published in the journal Pediatric Reports, reveals that in 2011, 23.1% of adolescents indicated they were current users, but by 2021, this figure [...]

Comments Off on Dramatic drop in cannabis use among US teens, finds study

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

By |2024-10-31T03:03:52+00:0031 October 2024|

Events will take place at several major cities around the UK to raise awareness and bring medical cannabis education directly to the public.  Patient advocates will visit Belfast, Birmingham, Glasgow, Cardiff and London throughout Medical Cannabis Awareness Week (1-7 November), to share their personal experiences and [...]

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

118% Surge in UK Cannabis Prescriptions Highlights Awareness Challenges

By |2024-10-25T03:05:37+01:0025 October 2024|

Approaching the sixth anniversary of the legalisation of medical cannabis in the UK, private prescriptions are on the rise, but broader awareness among professionals and the public still lags behind. After almost six years of medical cannabis being available on prescription in the UK, the numbers [...]

Comments Off on 118% Surge in UK Cannabis Prescriptions Highlights Awareness Challenges

Economic analysis finds medical cannabis could save NHS £4 billion each year

By |2024-10-24T03:10:05+01:0024 October 2024|

Prescribing medical cannabis for chronic pain could save the NHS almost £4 billion annually, according to new research. The findings come from an independent economic analysis of medical cannabis for the treatment of chronic pain, undertaken by York Health-Economics Consortium at the University of York.  Researchers [...]

Comments Off on Economic analysis finds medical cannabis could save NHS £4 billion each year

Germany Green-Lights Changes to Medical Cannabis Prescription Process

By |2024-10-23T03:07:12+01:0023 October 2024|

The majority of doctors in Germany can now prescribe medical cannabis for reimbursement without securing prior approval of the health insurance companies. It comes amid reports suggesting the German pharmacies are now key beneficiaries of the medical cannabis market, bringing in tens of thousands of euros [...]

Comments Off on Germany Green-Lights Changes to Medical Cannabis Prescription Process

New publication evidences role of medical cannabis in epilepsy

By |2024-10-18T03:11:09+01:0018 October 2024|

UK medical cannabis experts have published a comprehensive review of evidence for the prescription of cannabis-based medicines in epilepsy. With over 280 references to peer-reviewed literature, Medical Cannabis & Epilepsy, published by Maple Tree Consultants, provides the first review of nearly 100 clinical trials, real-world studies, and [...]

Comments Off on New publication evidences role of medical cannabis in epilepsy

Medical Cannabis Sales in Germany Expected to Reach €420 Million in 2024

By |2024-10-18T03:11:00+01:0018 October 2024|

Berlin, Germany – 16 October, 2024 – Following the adoption of the CanG and the associated MedCanG Act, the German medical cannabis market is witnessing significant growth, with German medical cannabis sales expected to reach €420 million in 2024, rising to over €1 billion by 2028. [...]

Comments Off on Medical Cannabis Sales in Germany Expected to Reach €420 Million in 2024

UCL Launches 2 Medical Cannabis Trials Into Childhood Epilepsy, but Experts Warn It Is Not the Solution Many Have Been Waiting For

By |2024-10-18T03:10:46+01:0018 October 2024|

By Sarah Sinclair with additional reporting from Ben Stevens (Business of Cannabis) Researchers say they are working to get two long-awaited NHS clinical trials underway to investigate the role of cannabis-based medicines in severe forms of epilepsy. The first significant update on the trials—first promised in [...]

Comments Off on UCL Launches 2 Medical Cannabis Trials Into Childhood Epilepsy, but Experts Warn It Is Not the Solution Many Have Been Waiting For

UK Private Medical Cannabis Market Sees Exponential Growth, Doubling Yearly Since 2021

By |2024-10-18T03:10:30+01:0018 October 2024|

The number of items prescribed in the UK’s private medical cannabis market has doubled each year since 2021, as the market continues its rapid expansion. According to the latest figures from the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA), published in response to an FOI request, the number of [...]

Comments Off on UK Private Medical Cannabis Market Sees Exponential Growth, Doubling Yearly Since 2021