Cannabis has always had a controversial reputation. Whether or not the green herbs are used medically, they have always had a shunned and obscured outlook from society. However, with better research and studies from all over the world, the curtain is finally being lifted from the stage, and the herb is flourishing in every aspect. Once classified as a drug, it is gradually stepping into the light and being applauded rightfully for its many medical, therapeutic, and relaxing properties.

In recent years, we have seen more countries legalizing Marijuana, and even slowly generalizing the use of the dank herb in the Medical area. Even though the fight is still ongoing, we have come far away from the restricted view of the past. And with the expansion of horizons, came forward the benefits one can reap from nature's gift. 

Medical Cannabis Card

In 2018, Medical Cannabis was legalized following the media coverage of two epileptic children who benefited from cannabis. The uproar might have led to the legalization, however, due to the lack of accessibility through the NHS, cannabis medication remained beyond the reach of most of the vulnerable patients. It is estimated that around 1.4 Britians are forced to source the medication from illicit and unregulated sources. 

Within the two years of Medical Cannabis legalization in the UK, it is estimated that less than 100 people received the required prescription through the NHS. The others have to turn to private clinics where the many restrictions make it a very expensive option. One has to go through the private consultation and the prescriptions need to be approved by a specialist clinician which makes the entire process quite tedious and inaccessible for most. 

Medical Cannabis Card was introduced in the UK by Carly Barton who found her relief in Cannabis from Fibromyalgia and post-stroke Neuropathy. She was the first person in the UK to receive a medical cannabis prescription privately in 2018 and has since been advocating for better access to Medical Marijuana for all those who need it. She collaborated with Doctors and Senior Representatives of the Police Federation to curate the Cannabis Medical Card - Cancard. 

Cannabis Card

A victim of the illicit and unregulated cannabis market, Carly introduced the Cancard to protect the vulnerable and needy who are not able to afford the private consultation and prescription. Patients with eligible conditions can apply for the Cancard through their GP for an administrative fee of £20. It is estimated that around 20,000 UK citizens are making use of the Medical Cannabis Card and two million more people could be eligible to receive a Cancard. 

The card acts as proof to the law enforcement that the cardholder “has a qualifying condition for which medical cannabis may be prescribed.” This has helped around 96% of cardholders to avoid a difficult situation or even an arrest. With the strict UK laws, you can land in prison for five years and an unlimited fine. The Cancard acts as a protection shield for all medical cannabis users who want to avoid persecution. According to a poll carried out by YouGov, almost 1.4 Million People are currently using cannabis to help with a medical condition. This is apart from the 2 million people who are eligible for medical cannabis. 

At the moment, there are a few types of Cannabis-based medicine that can be prescribed to people. These include Epidiolex (epilepsy), Nabilone (Undergoing chemotherapy), and Sativex (for people with MS).

I hope you found this informative. For more such articles, keep watching this space!