April Medical Cannabis Headlines & Sector Update
April 3, 2026 | IN NEWS | BY Kate Thorpe
Each month, we bring together the key news stories shaping the medical cannabis landscape in the UK and beyond. From policy developments and emerging research to clinical practice, patient experience and sector growth, this update highlights the issues driving debate, influencing care, and affecting access for patients and clinicians alike.
It is designed to keep our members and stakeholders informed, grounded in evidence, and connected to what matters most across this rapidly evolving field.
New medical cannabis campaign launched in memory of Hannah Deacon
Labour MP and long-time medical cannabis advocate, Tonia Antoniazzi, is spearheading a new campaign launched in memory of Hannah Deacon, the mother of Alfie Dingley, who campaigned for the legalisation of medical cannabis in 2018, and went onto co-found the MCCS. Hannah died of cancer last year, aged 45.
Tonia has called on the government to fund a new observational trial to support children with drug-resistant epilepsy, who are still unable to access medical cannabis on the NHS. The proposed study would run alongside two previously announced NHS-funded randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on medical cannabis and epilepsy, which are being conducted by researchers at UCL. It would allow children who are currently prescribed the treatment privately to continue accessing it at no cost, while real-world data is collected.
Patient Protect to support medical cannabis patients facing discrimination
A new UK-wide service supporting medical cannabis patients who face discrimination has launched to fill gaps left by the absence of systematic government support. Patient Protect was founded by patient advocate Alex Fraser and cannabis lawyer Robert Jappie. The service provides guidance, advocacy, and case support for patients encountering issues across policing, employment, housing, and driving-related matters, aiming to collate incidents nationally to build a legal evidence base for systemic reform.
Ananda commences NHS-funded endometriosis trial
Ananda Pharma has cleared the final regulatory hurdle needed to begin its ENDOCAN Phase 2 clinical trial, receiving approval from the MHRA and NHS Health Research Authority to commence dosing of its proprietary MRX1 CBD oral solution in women with endometriosis-associated pain.
The milestone marks a significant step forward for a trial that has been in development for several years. The double-blind, placebo-controlled study, led by global endometriosis experts at the University of Edinburgh and funded by the Chief Scientist Office, will include up to 100 women across NHS Lothian and NHS Grampian in Scotland over a 12-week treatment period.
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