Milestone for UK as first domestically grown medical cannabis arrives

By |2024-06-12T03:25:48+01:0012 June 2024|

Medical cannabis cultivator Glass Pharms has officially delivered its first crop to the first UK-based clinic, marking the first time since medical cannabis was legalised that domestically grown product has been made available to patients. The launch of UK-grown medical cannabis marks a significant milestone in [...]

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113 Botanicals and University of Sussex to bring controlled-release cannabis capsule and patches to UK

By |2024-06-07T03:02:15+01:007 June 2024|

Top chemists at the University of Sussex are developing new ways of administering cannabis-based medicines which could change the perception of medical cannabis in the UK and finally pave the way for NHS access.   While flower floods the UK market and companies compete over who can [...]

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New task force aims to establish UK as ‘global leader’ in cannabinoid science

By |2024-06-06T03:04:18+01:006 June 2024|

A new UK task force, headed up by leading figures in medicine and life sciences, will set out the country’s first comprehensive strategy for cannabinoid research and development. Professor Trevor Jones, formerly Head of R&D at Wellcome and Director General of The Association of the British [...]

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Cannabis terpenes can relieve chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain – study

By |2024-06-05T03:00:23+01:005 June 2024|

A new study has found that cannabis terpenes were as effective as morphine at reducing chronic neuropathic pain, and a combination of the two analgesics enhanced pain relief without negative side effects. Some prior studies have shown that the Cannabis sativa plant and its two primary cannabinoids, tetrahydrocannabinol, [...]

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Almost 3% of teenagers use CBD products, finds study

By |2024-05-31T03:03:24+01:0031 May 2024|

A new study offers some of the first insights into the prevalence of CBD use among adolescents. Since cannabidiol (CBD), the non-intoxicating component of cannabis, was legalised in the United States by the 2018 Farm Bill, products containing the compound have flooded the consumer health sector. [...]

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Slovenia to hold referendum on cannabis laws

By |2024-05-30T03:06:07+01:0030 May 2024|

Next month, Slovenian citizens will vote on two referendum measures aimed at changing national cannabis policies. The referendum questions, approved by the Slovenian National Assembly in April, represent potential steps towards comprehensive cannabis reform.  Although neither measure is legally binding, their approval could significantly influence future [...]

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Malta’s legal “grey area” sees consumers criminalised over CBD flower

By |2024-05-29T03:00:42+01:0029 May 2024|

As the first EU country to legalise adult-use cannabis, Malta is looked on as a frontrunner of European reform, but consumers are still being prosecuted for importing CBD flower due to a legal “grey area”. In February 2022, a Maltese doctor was arrested for drug trafficking. [...]

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One in five UK police officers don’t know medical cannabis is legal

By |2024-05-23T03:03:59+01:0023 May 2024|

The results of a newly-published survey show that more than one in five police officers in the UK think medical cannabis is still illegal— and most have received ‘inadequate’ training.  Despite medical cannabis being legalised on prescription in the UK in November 2018, the survey highlights [...]

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Daily dose of THC could increase survival time in palliative care patients

By |2024-05-17T03:09:13+01:0017 May 2024|

A daily dose of THC was associated with increased survival time in palliative care cancer patients, according to the results of a recent study. Researchers investigating the effects of THC in advanced cancer patients say it could be associated with not only increased survival time, but [...]

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Ex-GW Pharma bosses lead development of new CBD-based epilepsy drug

By |2024-05-16T03:01:01+01:0016 May 2024|

Avata Biosciences is developing solid dose cannabinoid medicines for epilepsy and other neurological disorders, with a number of former GW Pharmaceutical bosses on board.  The clinical stage biopharma company, formerly known as Sapient Therapeutics, announced its new name, meaning ‘to unlock’, in a press release on [...]

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Top 10 Global Cannabis Strains: Discover the World’s Most Sought-After Cultivars

By |2024-05-15T03:21:28+01:0015 May 2024|

Sponsored  The international Cannabis scene dazzles aficionados with its variety of UK cannabis strains. Connoisseurs remain on a quest, aiming to discover cannabis strains that offer a transcendent experience. These strains are not just a manifestation of superior horticultural achievements. They also symbolise the peak of [...]

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UK researchers find medical cannabis improves quality of life in MS and osteoarthritis

By |2024-05-11T03:02:07+01:0011 May 2024|

The latest UK research points to the potential benefits of medical cannabis in the long-term conditions osteoarthritis and multiple sclerosis (MS). New findings using data collected through the UK Medical Cannabis Patient Registry support the use of medical cannabis in the treatment of osteoarthritis, as well [...]

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‘Unusually high’ consumption rates of medical cannabis in the UK compared to rest of Europe

By |2024-05-10T03:04:20+01:0010 May 2024|

The UK is the primary driver of new growth in Europe’s medical cannabis market, with sales of medical cannabis greater than expected due to ‘unusually high’ consumption volumes on a per-patient basis. By the end of 2024, for example, 62,960 patients are forecasted to be using [...]

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UK CBD update: FSA issues first positive safety assessments in Novel Food process

By |2024-05-09T03:02:23+01:009 May 2024|

The UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued the first two ‘positive safety assessments’ for CBD (cannabidiol) products as part of its years-long novel foods authorisation process. Chanelle McCoy’s subsidiary, Pureis, became the first company in the UK to receive a positive risk assessment for a synthetic CBD [...]

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More research refutes long-held ‘lazy stoner’ stereotype

By |2024-05-01T03:13:31+01:001 May 2024|

It’s time to ditch the long-held ‘lazy stoner’ stereotype, according to new research, which shows cannabis consumers are not as unmotivated as it suggests.  The study, published by the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science, surveyed chronic cannabis users to see what effect getting high has [...]

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International cannabis prescribing service launches for travellers to the UK

By |2024-04-27T03:01:30+01:0027 April 2024|

Integro Clinics is the first UK clinic to expand its services worldwide, to address the challenges for patients travelling to the UK who need access to medicinal cannabis on prescription. For patients who rely on medicinal cannabis, travelling abroad can come with a whole host of [...]

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Neuroprotective properties of CBN could point to new treatments

By |2024-04-26T03:13:53+01:0026 April 2024|

New findings help explain how the lesser-known cannabinoid, CBN, protects the brain against ageing and neurodegeneration—and how it could be used to develop potential therapeutics. One in every 10 individuals above the age of 65 develops an age-related neurological disorder like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s, yet treatment [...]

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Cannabis legalisation not linked to increase in youth substance use – study

By |2024-04-25T03:00:34+01:0025 April 2024|

The legalisation of cannabis in the US, and subsequent rise in sales, have not contributed to an increase in substance misuse among adolescents, a new study has found. Researchers from Boston College have used the most recent data on adolescent substance use to evaluate the effect [...]

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New initiative launched to protect UK cannabis patients’ rights

By |2024-04-24T03:18:34+01:0024 April 2024|

The national centre of expertise on drugs and drugs law, Release, has launched a new initiative to help protect the rights of medical cannabis patients in the UK.  Despite medical cannabis being legal in the UK since November 2018, patients continue to report negative experiences of [...]

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Is Europe the ‘sleeping giant’ of global cannabis reform? Insights from ICBC Berlin

By |2024-04-20T03:02:34+01:0020 April 2024|

Following the landmark legislative change in Germany earlier this month, experts are expecting to see a ripple effect across the continent, with some predicting that Europe could overtake the US as the global leader of cannabis reform. In Berlin this week, for a historical International Cannabis [...]

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Greek Health Minister to Speak in London About Greece’s Groundbreaking Medical Cannabis Programme

By |2024-04-12T03:04:58+01:0012 April 2024|

Greek Health Minister to speak at Cannabis Europa London on Greece’s groundbreaking new medical cannabis programme, joined by Curaleaf executive chairman, Boris Jordan, and former Wimbledon champion, Pat Cash. Cannabis Europa, the premier conference for the emerging European cannabis industry, is thrilled to announce its lineup [...]

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Dr Franjo Grotenhermen: “Cannabis gave me a new reason to live”

By |2024-04-12T03:04:42+01:0012 April 2024|

The founder of the International Alliance for Cannabinoid Medicine (IACM), Dr Franjo Grotenhermen is one of the world’s leading experts in the field of cannabis medicine. But his own personal health battles are just as remarkable. Dr Franjo Grotenhermen is not your typical doctor.  Having worked [...]

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Recreational cannabis use may protect against cognitive decline – study

By |2024-04-11T03:00:22+01:0011 April 2024|

A new study has linked the consumption of cannabis for recreational purposes to a reduced risk of cognitive decline. Researchers at Upstate Medical University have found that compared to non-users, non-medical cannabis use, such as for recreational purposes, was significantly associated with 96% decreased odds of [...]

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Call for funds to kickstart UK medical cannabis awareness campaign

By |2024-04-10T03:07:31+01:0010 April 2024|

An online crowdfunder has been launched to kickstart a key campaign to generate awareness of prescription cannabis among the general public. The crowdfunder, being run by the Cannabis Industry Council (CIC), aims to raise £20,000 initially to undertake public relations and promotional activity around the existence [...]

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Study examines risk of CUDs among medical cannabis patients

By |2024-04-04T03:05:43+01:004 April 2024|

A new paper highlights the need for greater public health messaging around the risks of cannabis use disorders among those prescribed it for medicinal purposes.  While cannabis can have a wide range of potential therapeutic benefits, like any drug or medication it can have adverse effects [...]

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UK cannabis clinic expands to offer mental health treatments

By |2024-04-03T03:06:59+01:003 April 2024|

Online medical cannabis clinic, Treat It, has announced its expansion to include specialised psychiatric services amid the UK’s ‘mental health crisis’. The move will enable individuals with conditions such as anxiety, ADHD or PTSD to access treatment through Kanabo Group’s digital health platform, at a time [...]

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Healing wounds of war: Cannabis, PTSD, and the war in Ukraine

By |2024-03-29T03:03:03+00:0029 March 2024|

Following the recent legalisation of medical cannabis in Ukraine, Adam Kavalier PhD, explores what we know about its potential in the treatment of PTSD.  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently signed into law reforms on medical Cannabis to provide relief to victims of trauma, resulting from the [...]

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Cannabis patient wins ‘small victory’ after months battling driving charges

By |2024-03-28T03:00:42+00:0028 March 2024|

A medical cannabis patient has been cleared of charges against him on the grounds that he has a legal prescription, after being pulled over by police for a second time.  Nathan Williams was found not guilty of failure to provide a specimen at Welshpool Magistrates Court [...]

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Germany passes landmark cannabis bill

By |2024-03-27T03:08:28+00:0027 March 2024|

Via Business of Cannabis Germany’s Bundesrat (Federal Council) has voted to pass the CanG bill without calling in a mediation committee, meaning the law should come into effect on 1 April, 2024. In perhaps the most important vote on cannabis liberalisation in European history, the German [...]

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Curaleaf International Announced as Headline Partner for Cannabis Europa Conference in London

By |2024-03-22T03:06:14+00:0022 March 2024|

Curaleaf International, a market-leading global cannabis company, has been announced as the Headline Partner for Cannabis Europa, scheduled to take place in London on 25-26 June, 2024. Cannabis Europa is Europe’s foremost conference series that connects influential leaders in science, policy and business, helping to build [...]

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Portugal’s medical cannabis regulator approves first new preparations since 2021

By |2024-03-22T03:05:59+00:0022 March 2024|

Via Business of Cannabis Portugal’s cannabis regulator has approved three new cannabis preparations for its medical cannabis programme, marking the first expansion since 2021. Since voting to legalise medical cannabis in 2018, Portugal has only seen one cannabis preparation be approved by INFARMED (Instituto Nacional de [...]

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Switzerland launches seventh adult-use cannabis pilot and largest to date

By |2024-03-21T03:00:54+00:0021 March 2024|

Switzerland has launched its seventh adult-use cannabis pilot, the largest to date, following the publication of the first trial data earlier this month. Officials in Switzerland announced a seventh pilot study into the sale of legal cannabis for adult-use in the district of canton Zürich on [...]

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Could cannabis help women reach orgasm? A new study says so

By |2024-03-20T03:05:53+00:0020 March 2024|

The first study of its kind has found cannabis to be beneficial in the treatment of female orgasm disorder.  For the first time researchers have investigated the effects of cannabis in treating female orgasm disorder/difficulty (FOD), with the results demonstrating ‘significant benefit’. While previous research has [...]

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“Enhancing quality of life and protecting public health”: my experience as a toxicologist in the CBD industry

By |2024-03-16T03:03:31+00:0016 March 2024|

What’s it like working as a toxicologist in the CBD industry? Cristelle Santos, consultant toxicologist at Broughton Group, shares her experience. With many new novel food products that contain CBD coming to market, extensive toxicology testing is vital to assess possible risks associated with the ingredients, [...]

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Real-world evidence finds medical cannabis effective in PTSD and comorbid depression

By |2024-03-15T03:01:11+00:0015 March 2024|

Newly-published real-world evidence finds medical cannabis to be effective in managing symptoms of PTSD and comorbid depression.  There has been increasing interest in using cannabis-based medicines in the treatment of  PTSD, particularly in the veteran population.  Most notably, Ukraine recently legalised medical cannabis with President Zelensky [...]

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French authorities confirm flower won’t be included in medical cannabis programme

By |2024-03-14T03:07:47+00:0014 March 2024|

Via Business of Cannabis  The French National Medicines Safety Agency (ANSM) has confirmed that flowers will not be included in its upcoming generalised medical cannabis framework. While not wholly unexpected, the abrupt nature and failure of the ANSM to provide any viable alternative to patients currently [...]

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Cannabis-based medicines could be ‘cost-effective’ for treatment of chronic pain

By |2024-03-13T03:07:40+00:0013 March 2024|

Early economic analysis suggests that cannabis-based medicines may be a cost-effective treatment for managing chronic pain.  Initial findings from a small feasibility study suggest that at the right price point, cannabis-based medicines could offer a cost-effective alternative for the treatment of chronic pain, if prescribed on [...]

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Wimbledon tennis champ Pat Cash launches CBD range

By |2024-03-09T03:14:47+00:009 March 2024|

The former Wimbledon tennis champion, Pat Cash, has described CBD oil as a  ‘gamechanger’ for athletes living with chronic pain as he launches his own range of products.  The 1987 Wimbledon Men’s Singles tennis champion announced this month on the popular Australian television chat show The [...]

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Ukraine joins global cannabis community

By |2024-03-08T03:14:48+00:008 March 2024|

Now that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has signed a law opening access to medical cannabis, Ukraine has joined a list of emerging countries that recognize the benefits of this plant for their people, writes Michael Sassano, CEO and founder of SOMAÍ Pharmaceuticals. Recently, the United States Department of [...]

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Study finds CBD can ease anxiety more effectively than THC

By |2024-03-07T03:10:38+00:007 March 2024|

Cannabis products high in CBD can ease anxiety better than THC-dominant products, new research suggests.  A study of 300 people, published in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, is the first randomised trial to examine how legal, commercially available cannabis impacts anxiety symptoms. The study, led [...]

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UK medical cannabis supply issues continue to place children’s lives at risk, we’re calling on the industry to step up

By |2024-03-06T03:07:11+00:006 March 2024|

Almost six years since the law changed, children still struggle to access a consistent supply of cannabis-based medicine in the UK.  With families now facing national shortages of other anti-epileptic drugs, it’s time the sector stepped up, writes co-founder and director, Matt Hughes, Medcan Family Foundation. [...]

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The role of the endocannabinoid system in dermatological diseases

By |2024-03-02T03:00:17+00:002 March 2024|

In an extract from the handbook, Principles of Clinical Cannabinology, Viola Brugnatelli and Fabio Turco explore the cutaneous Endocannabinoid System and its potential applications in treating various dermatological conditions. The skin, the body’s largest organ, serves not only as a protective barrier but also plays crucial [...]

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Cannabis may help reduce reliance on other stimulants, finds study

By |2024-03-01T03:35:49+00:001 March 2024|

New findings suggest that cannabis could reduce reliance on other stimulant drugs, and play a role in addressing the ongoing opioid overdose crisis. A new study at the University of British Columbia has observed that using cannabis is associated with decreased use of crystal methamphetamine among [...]

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Greece welcomes ‘new era’ of medical cannabis after seven-year wait

By |2024-02-29T03:07:40+00:0029 February 2024|

A seven year wait has finally come to an end for patients in Greece, as the first legal medical cannabis prescriptions were issued this week.  A 60-year-old mother of three, Anna Paga, who has psoriatic arthritis, became one of the country’s first patients to receive a [...]

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Spain publishes draft medical cannabis framework, but omits flower

By |2024-02-28T03:13:02+00:0028 February 2024|

Via Business of Cannabis  Spain’s Ministry of Health has launched a public consultation on its proposals for a medical cannabis framework in the country. Organisations and individual citizens will now have until 4 March  to submit their comments on the proposals, as Spain’s new government makes [...]

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Broughton: How to design a robust CBD testing strategy

By |2024-02-28T03:12:52+00:0028 February 2024|

Back in 2020, the European Commission formally classified edible cannabidiol (CBD) products like gummies, drinks, oils and even bread as novel foods (NFs). Today, all submitted applications remain on hold, with no CBD products receiving NF authorisation in the UK or Europe. Here Libby Clarke, managing [...]

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Medical Cannabis Division of Rokshaw Ltd Rebranding to Curaleaf Laboratories

By |2024-02-24T03:05:35+00:0024 February 2024|

From 26th February, the medical cannabis division of Rokshaw Ltd is rebranding to Curaleaf Laboratories. Since its inception in 2012 by founders Jonathan and Richard Hodgson, Rokshaw has created an industry wide reputation of providing the highest quality of products from our MHRA-approved manufacturing facility. Its [...]

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Breaking Ground: Morama Holdings Pioneers High-Quality, Organic Cannabis in Lesotho

By |2024-02-24T03:05:17+00:0024 February 2024|

High-quality cannabis on the medical market is the holy grail among both patients and clinics with heart. There’s still a fair bit of catching up to do before the UK can offer a selection of medication options that rivals other areas of the world. But one [...]

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Patients to call for equity in medical cannabis access at UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs

By |2024-02-24T03:05:04+00:0024 February 2024|

Patients from across the globe will call for fair and equal access to medicinal cannabis treatment at the upcoming session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs. Members of the IACM Patient Council, alongside other non-profit organisations, will represent the rights of patients seeking legal, fair [...]

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Medical cannabis has ‘negligible’ impact on driving performance – study

By |2024-02-23T03:03:52+00:0023 February 2024|

A new study has found few changes in driving performance among patients taking medicinal cannabis products.  Researchers at Swinburne University in Australia examined the effects of cannabis products on simulated driving performance in a group of 40 patients legally prescribed medical cannabis. The semi-naturalistic study found [...]

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