In the UK, medical cannabis has been legal for nearly five years, but the reality of its accessibility is far from what one might expect.
A recent BBC documentary “Cannabis: Prescription Pot Luck” has brought to light the glaring inconsistencies in the system, accusing the government of misleading the public about the availability of cannabis on the NHS.
According to an FOI request by Cannabis Health, fewer than five prescriptions for unlicensed cannabis medicines have been issued through the NHS since its legalisation.
This is in stark contrast to the over 140,000 prescriptions for unlicensed products that were issued privately between November 2018 and November 2022.
The numbers don’t lie, and they paint a grim picture. The government’s legalisation of medical cannabis appears to be more of a symbolic gesture than a practical one. Millions of patients are still forced to either fund their treatments themselves or turn to the illegal market.
This situation is not only unfair but also undermines the very essence of what the NHS stands for: healthcare that is free at the point of need.
Personal Stories Highlight the System’s Failures
The BBC documentary doesn’t just throw numbers at the audience; it brings the human element into focus. One of the featured stories is that of Alfie Dingley, the first child in the UK to receive a full licence for whole-plant cannabis through the NHS back in 2018.
Alfie’s life has dramatically improved, and he has been seizure-free for over three years. His mother, Hannah Deacon, had hoped that her son’s case would pave the way for others. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case. Parents seeking similar treatments for their children face insurmountable obstacles.
The documentary also delves into the lives of other patients who have had to make heartbreaking choices. Amanda Lowe, a breast cancer survivor, sometimes has to choose between food and her cannabis medication.
Conor Ryder, a Tourette’s patient, is depleting his savings to afford his £300-a-month prescription. These personal stories serve as a poignant reminder that the system is failing those it is meant to serve.
Doctors Caught in a Regulatory Quagmire
The medical community is not oblivious to the benefits of cannabis. However, they find themselves in a regulatory quagmire.
According to experts interviewed in the BBC documentary, the government’s decision to legalise medical cannabis without the proper infrastructure or regulations has left healthcare providers in a difficult position.
Dr David McCormick, a paediatric consultant, mentioned that doctors are in a strange situation where they technically can prescribe cannabis-based medicinal products but practically can’t due to NHS regulations.
Professor David Nutt, founder of Drug Science, described the situation as ‘outrageous’. He pointed out that the lack of clinical trials and guidelines from NICE has made doctors hesitant to prescribe cannabis.
This hesitancy is not due to ignorance but rather a lack of supportive infrastructure and clear guidelines.
Time for a Cannabis Revolution in the NHS
The BBC documentary serves as a clarion call for change. The current state of affairs is nothing short of a scandal. The NHS, a revered institution, is failing to provide equitable access to a medication that has proven benefits.
The legislation, as it stands, has only served to limit access by allowing only specialist consultants to prescribe cannabis. This has effectively shut out those in primary care who are in dire need of this medication.
The documentary is a stark reminder that the fight for equitable access to medical cannabis is far from over. It’s high time for a cannabis revolution within the NHS, one that aligns with its core values of providing healthcare that is free at the point of need.
