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The Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society is delighted to congratulate two of our members, Consultant Dr Dave Howells and Pharmacist Umesh Chauhan, on their wins at the Cannabis Industry Awards 2026.

Held on Wednesday 11 November at the Honourable Artillery Company in London, the annual awards, organised by the Cannabis Industry Council (CIC), celebrated the individuals making an outstanding contribution to the UK’s cannabis sector.

We were particularly pleased to see two Society members recognised for their dedication to patient care, professional standards and the continued development of cannabis-based medicine in the UK.

Dr Dave Howells – Hannah Deacon Doctor of the Year

A huge congratulations to Dr Dave Howells, Consultant Psychiatrist and Co-Founder of Cannabis Clinic Cardiff, who received the Hannah Deacon Doctor of the Year Award, presented by British Cannabis.

Named for Hannah, our late co-founder and former Executive Director, this award holds a particularly special meaning for everyone at the Society. Hannah’s determination helped change UK law in 2018 and transform access to medical cannabis for patients. Following her death in May 2025, her courage, compassion and unwavering commitment to patients continue to inspire our work. It is lovely to see Dr Howells recognised with an award celebrating the qualities Hannah championed throughout her life: leadership, compassion and a determination to improve patient care.

Dr Howells qualified as a doctor in Cardiff in 2001 and has worked in mental health for more than 20 years, specialising in Old Age Psychiatry since 2007. In 2021, he co-founded Cannabis Clinic Cardiff to help address the unmet needs of patients with mental health conditions who may benefit from prescribed medical cannabis.

A compassionate and patient-focused clinician, Dr Howells is committed to improving access to standardised, quality-assured cannabis-based medicinal products. His recognition is a great achievement and reflects the importance of experienced clinicians working to improve treatment options for patients.

Umesh Chauhan – Pharmacist of the Year

Congratulations also to Umesh Chauhan, Founder and Superintendent Pharmacist of Specials Pharma, who was named Pharmacist of the Year, presented by Curaleaf Laboratories.

The award recognises pharmacists demonstrating outstanding commitment to patient care, professional excellence and leadership in medical cannabis pharmacy practice.

Umesh founded Specials Pharma following the change in UK medical cannabis legislation in 2018, helping to establish one of the country’s leading independent pharmacies specialising in cannabis-based medicinal products. With extensive experience in pharmaceutical regulation and medicines distribution, Umesh has played an important role in navigating the complexities of the UK’s medical cannabis supply chain.

He is particularly passionate about improving understanding of cannabis-based medicines within the pharmacy profession, supporting safe dispensing practices and helping patients access prescribed treatments.

His award is a fantastic recognition of the vital role pharmacists play in ensuring the safe, effective and reliable supply and prescribing of cannabis-based medicines.

Celebrating Excellence Across the Sector

We would also like to extend our congratulations to our members shortlisted for this year’s awards.

A special mention goes to fellow Doctor of the Year nominee Dr Simon Tordoff, Lead Clinician and Consultant in Pain Management at CB1 Medical and Pharmacist of the Year nominee Stefen David, Senior Pharmacy Manager at Curaleaf Pharmacy.

For the Society, it is particularly encouraging to see the contributions of doctors and pharmacists recognised alongside those working in research, advocacy and the wider industry. These healthcare professionals are central to building confidence in cannabis-based medicines, improving clinical practice and ensuring that patient care remains at the heart of the sector’s development.

Congratulations once again to Dave and Umesh on their well-deserved awards, and to everyone nominated. We are proud to have you as part of the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society community and delighted to see your contributions recognised.

Each month, we bring together the key news stories shaping the medical cannabis landscape in the UK and beyond.

This month’s headlines highlight the evolving place of cannabis-based medicines in healthcare, research and public policy.

🇬🇧 UK epilepsy patients 

Five UK epilepsy charities have called on the government to intervene to secure the future supply of the high-CBD oil, Bedrolite, for seven patients, including children and young people with severe treatment-resistant epilepsy. The MCCS, along with patient advocacy groups, has also written to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, after Dutch producer Bedrocan went insolvent. Some families have now received confirmation from the Glasgow-based drug manufacturer Target that a six-month supply of the oil is available for existing patients, and it is continuing to work “towards a plan”, but the future of the supply remains uncertain. 

🇬🇧 Patient Safety Commissioner calls for medical cannabis safeguards 

The Independent highlighted concerns about private prescribing of unlicensed CBPMs, following the publication of new figures showing nearly two million items were prescribed privately in England between June 2025 and May 2026. Patient Safety Commissioner Professor Henrietta Hughes called for immediate measures to safeguard patients obtaining medical cannabis through online platforms.

Professor Mike Barnes, chair of the MCCS, was quoted in the article highlighting our good practice guide which aims “to provide a clear framework for safe, responsible prescribing, including thorough patient assessment, peer review, careful documentation, appropriate follow-up and clinician training – principles that align closely with the expectations set out by the Care Quality Commission”.

🇬🇧 Jersey to introduce tighter rules for medical cannabis prescribing 

Following growing concern about the impact of the increased prevalence of CBPMs on mental health, the Jersey government has announced plans for new restrictions on the prescribing of CBPMs. Health Minister Tom Binet said he would bring forward new legislation in 2027, requiring doctors who prescribe unlicensed medicinal cannabis to adhere to more stringent practices.

This includes requiring the review of a patient’s medical records before prescribing; requirements to repeatedly meet face-to-face with patients during treatment or before amending the prescribed dose; and required recording of adverse reactions. Doctors will also not be able to prescribe medicinal cannabis unless they have an on-island GMC-responsible officer. 

🇪🇸 Spain’s medical cannabis framework finally reaches patients 

Cannabis-based medicines will finally begin reaching patients in Spain this month after a four-year delay. Proposals for the regulation and distribution of medical cannabis were approved in June 2022, and it was reported that they could be rolled out by the end of that year. Over a year after the Royal Decree came into force in 2025, the first (and only) two preparations will be delivered to around 50 public and private hospitals this week, with a broader national rollout expected by the end of October 2026.

The Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society will hold its first dedicated clinical conference since 2019 on Wednesday 10 March 2027 at King’s House, Manchester, with virtual attendance also available.

No Easy Answers: Cannabis Medicine in the Real World is developed and led by clinicians, bringing together emerging science, practical learning and candid discussion of the decisions shaping patient care. Main-stage sessions, breakouts and panel discussions will explore personalised prescribing, higher-THC treatment, psychiatric risk, shared care and more.

Attendance is open to clinicians and healthcare professionals eligible for MCCS membership, including those new to medical cannabis. Ticket prices have been deliberately kept accessible: £75 for MCCS members, £95 for non-members and £55 for virtual attendance.

View the programme and book your place on our conference page >>

The Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society (MCCS) is calling for urgent action to protect UK patients who rely on Bedrolite following the insolvency of Dutch medical cannabis producer Bedrocan.

Bedrocan Nederland B.V. and Bedrocan International B.V. were declared bankrupt in the Netherlands in October, following the end of the company’s longstanding supply arrangement with the Dutch Office of Medicinal Cannabis (OMC) and delays to planned changes to the Dutch regulatory framework.

The situation is of particular concern for a small number of children in the UK with severe, treatment-resistant epilepsy who are prescribed Bedrolite and for whom maintaining a consistent medicine is clinically extremely important.

There are currently understood to be seven UK prescriptions affected. The issue was raised in the House of Commons on 15 October, where MPs heard that one affected family’s current supply is expected to run out in December.

For these patients, this is not simply a question of changing brand or substituting one cannabis medicine for another. Children with complex, drug-resistant epilepsy may have reached stability only after years of unsuccessful treatment and careful clinical management. Indeed, for children with epilepsy it is highly likely an alternative product will not have the same effect and place the child at risk of seizures, status epilepticus and a 10% chance of death.

MCCS calls on the Government to act

MCCS has written urgently to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, the Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, asking the UK Government to intervene.

We have asked the Government to work directly with the Dutch authorities to help secure continued access to Bedrolite for affected UK patients, including exploring the release of existing OMC-held stocks and establishing an emergency supply arrangement while a longer-term solution is found.

The Dutch authorities have indicated that existing stocks should be sufficient to continue supplying patients within the Netherlands until at least mid-2027. However, the immediate concern is that these stocks are intended for domestic Dutch supply while established international supply arrangements are disrupted.

Given the very small number of UK patients involved, MCCS believes that every possible avenue should now be explored to protect continuity of treatment.

Raising the issue in Parliament

MCCS has also helped raise the issue directly in Parliament through our role as co-secretariat of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Medical Cannabis under Prescription. The Society’s wider work with the APPG is focused on raising awareness of barriers to access and finding practical, evidence-based solutions.

A written parliamentary question asks the House whether the Government will take diplomatic and regulatory steps with the Dutch Ministry of Health and the MHRA to secure the emergency export release of existing Bedrolite stocks following Bedrocan’s insolvency.

The question also asks the Government what assessment it has made of the clinical risks to paediatric patients facing an immediate supply shortage, including the risks of status epilepticus and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy.

At the time of writing, a substantive Government response to these questions is awaited.

Medcan Family Foundation launches humanitarian appeal

The Medcan Family Foundation, which supports families of children living with severe treatment-resistant epilepsy, has also issued an urgent humanitarian appeal to the Dutch Ministry of Health and the OMC.

Medcan is requesting urgent discussions with the Dutch authorities and has asked them to consider a targeted, time-limited humanitarian release of existing Bedrolite stocks for affected UK children while sustainable supply routes are restored.

Its appeal calls for an urgent review of available stocks, a lawful export mechanism and coordinated action between the Dutch and UK authorities, while ensuring that the needs of Dutch patients are also protected. With only a small number of UK patients affected, there is an opportunity for governments, regulators, clinicians, suppliers and patient organisations to work together quickly to prevent an avoidable interruption in treatment.

Continuity of care must come first

Medical cannabis has been legally available on prescription in the UK since November 2018, but NHS access remains extremely limited. MCCS has consistently argued that patients who benefit from cannabis-based medicines should be able to access them through appropriate, sustainable healthcare pathways.

The present situation demonstrates why continuity of supply is an important part of that discussion.

Whatever the commercial or regulatory circumstances surrounding Bedrocan’s insolvency, patients who have been established on a medicine and are benefiting from treatment should not become collateral damage.

MCCS will continue working with parliamentarians, clinicians, patient organisations and other stakeholders to press for an urgent solution. We are asking the UK Government and Dutch authorities to work together now to protect these patients and ensure that no child experiences an avoidable interruption to an established and clinically important treatment.

The Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society is pleased to welcome Primus Indemnity as a Recognised Partner, providing our members, prescribers and medical cannabis clinics with greater choice and access to specialist indemnity cover tailored to the unique requirements of the medical cannabis sector.

Medical cannabis is a developing area of clinical practice, and standard indemnity products do not always reflect the way clinicians and clinics work. Primus takes the time to understand each applicant’s practice and provides access to cover designed specifically for prescribing medical cannabis.

The policy offers a £1 million indemnity limit and access to a 24-hour medico-legal helpline provided by an experienced international clinical negligence law firm. It can accommodate clinicians based around the world who prescribe in accordance with the policy terms.

Cover can also include:

Primus also places a strong emphasis on personal service. Its team is available to explain the cover in straightforward terms, answer questions and help clinicians review their indemnity as their practice develops.

As a Recognised Partner, Primus will work with MCCS to support our professional community and build a better understanding of the indemnity and medical cannabis insurance needs of those working in the sector. The partnership will also give members opportunities to learn more about managing medico-legal risk and choosing suitable cover as their practice develops.

Primus joins our network of trusted organisations that share our commitment to high standards, informed clinical practice and better support for the sector.

Find out more

To learn more about Primus cover, discuss your circumstances or request a quotation, contact [email protected], call 07891 447171 or visit primusindemnity.co.uk.

Download more information about Primus Indemnity’s medical cannabis insurance.

Cover is subject to eligibility, underwriting, policy terms, conditions and exclusions.

Consultant psychiatrist Dr Derek Proudlove works with patients whose mental health histories can make prescribing decisions complex. He reflects on his route into cannabis-based medicine, his growing enthusiasm for the field and the tensions between patient choice and professional caution.

Dr Proudlove’s interest in cannabis-based medicine began by listening to patients. Hearing their experiences, then observing medical cannabis consultations, turned curiosity into a commitment to the field.

Today, he works full time in a medical cannabis clinic covering the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey. A consultant psychiatrist whose experience covers the whole range of psychiatry, he has worked extensively with adolescents and has longstanding interests in trauma, dissociation and talking therapies.

Dr Proudlove is specifically interested in the issue of prescribing safely for patients with complex mental health histories, who may be considered high risk; and how we can balance the needs of the patient with the possible risks to the clinician.

From listening to patients to observing clinics

Dr Proudlove’s early awareness of cannabis came through his work with young people. “As a child and adolescent psychiatrist, I was aware that some of my older adolescent patients found cannabis beneficial. I thought that medicinal cannabis would be something interesting to investigate.”

A change in his professional circumstances gave him the opportunity to investigate further. In 2021, he resigned from the health service and began private practice.

“Sitting in clinics as an observer to begin with, I realised how effective cannabis is and saw the life-changing impact that it was having for many patients. This was very exciting.”

Those observations helped move cannabis-based medicine from an area of curiosity to a full-time focus for his work.

Initial concerns and a changing perspective

Dr Proudlove’s enthusiasm developed alongside stubborn questions shaped by his professional background and education in the field.  “I had concerns that cannabis might cause psychosis or schizophrenia, which is a widely held belief amongst mental health professionals.”

Reflecting on his experience since then, he says: “I have been surprised that side-effects are uncommon. I am getting used to seeing it changing lives for the better. I have become a strong advocate for medical cannabis and it is rewarding to see patients’ lives being transformed.”

Dr Proudlove has strong views about the combinations of conventional medicines some patients receive. Polypharmacy – the use of multiple medicines – is one of the issues he highlights when reflecting on the wider treatment experiences of patients entering cannabis clinics.

“In terms of conventional treatments and polypharmacy it is shocking to see the cocktails of antidepressants, antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, pregabalin etc, that patients end up on. This is similar for chronic pain patients.”

For some patients, improvements in symptoms may offer an opportunity to review and reduce other medicines under clinical supervision.

Learning from difficult professional encounters

Not all colleagues have welcomed Dr Proudlove’s involvement in the field.

Dr Proudlove describes encountering hostility in discussions, though he sees them positively. “These, sometimes unpleasant, interactions are good learning experiences and are reminders to be very clear about the rationale for prescribing and the risks. It also gives me things to reflect on in a peer group and for my appraisal.”

For Dr Proudlove, these encounters are part of the wider challenge of working in a field that he wants to see become more accepted and respected within medicine.

Dr Proudlove’s underlying views about patient care and patient choice have not changed. However, he believes cannabis-based medicine raises controversial questions about how those principles are applied, and he places particular value on the experience and knowledge patients bring to consultations.

“There is a strong emphasis on defensive practice, in this new field, which can prevent doctors from allowing patient choice. We must remember that there is more patient expertise here than in other areas of medicine, so patients should have more say in their own treatment, not less.”

Dr Proudlove also favours an individual approach to prescribing for people with complex mental health histories, taking account of their current circumstances as well as their past experiences. His interest lies in how clinicians can carefully assess risk while giving patients a meaningful voice in treatment decisions.

However, he identifies dependence and patterns of use as challenges. “Managing dependence on cannabis, overuse or misuse is a challenge. Especially while trying to give the patient choice and control over their own treatment.” This balance between managing cannabis use and supporting patient autonomy is one of the central challenges of his work.

Evidence, professional acceptance and listening

For Dr Proudlove, a major challenge is how cannabis-based medicine can become accepted and respected by the medical profession. He identifies the lack of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) as a barrier to doctors engaging with the field.

“The lack of RCTs is a barrier for doctors. How can we help them to understand the reasons for the lack of RCTs and the importance of real-world evidence?”

Dr Proudlove has also found it challenging when professional bodies take a position on cannabis-based medicine that he feels is unsupportive of its potential role in patient care. “I would suggest to doctors that they listen to their patients who are on medicinal cannabis.”

Dr Proudlove’s ambitions for the field include wider access through the NHS. His optimism also reflects his interest in cannabinoid receptors and their role in homeostasis, the regulation of the body’s internal balance.

“I am hopeful knowing that cannabinoid receptors are so abundant in the brain and body; and understanding the role they have in homeostasis, means that this will be a very important medicine in the future.”

Join the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society

Interested in learning more?

Build your knowledge through the Society’s online courses, designed to help healthcare professionals explore cannabis-based medicine and the developing evidence with confidence.

Join the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society to receive member discounts on courses and access educational resources, expert insights, professional events and opportunities to connect with colleagues across the sector.

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Join Dr Ethan Russo, one of the leading voices in cannabinoid research, and leading medical cannabis clinician and educator, Professor Mike Barnes as they explore CBG and its potential relevance to clinical practice.

27 October 2026 | 6:00 PM (UK time) | Zoom | Free registration

Reserve your free place →

Could CBG offer a new approach to reducing stress and anxiety? And what could the emerging evidence mean for clinicians prescribing medical cannabis?

The Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society (MCCS) and Medical Cannabis 411 (MM411) are pleased to host this webinar with Dr Ethan Russo, moderated by Professor Mike Barnes, who will also join the discussion. Together, they will explore a fascinating area of cannabinoid science and its potential implications for clinical practice.

Why CBG, and why now?

As interest in cannabinoids beyond THC and CBD grows, CBG is coming into focus. Early research co-authored by Dr Russo suggests it may help reduce stress and anxiety in healthy adults, raising intriguing questions about its possible role in medical cannabis care.

This is an opportunity to hear from a researcher involved in that work: to explore what makes CBG worthy of attention, what the evidence tells us so far and what still needs to be understood.

Why join?

For cannabis clinicians, keeping pace with emerging research is essential to informed conversations and thoughtful prescribing. This webinar will help you:

MCCS and MM411 are working together to expand access to evidence-based education for clinicians around the world, supporting higher standards of medical cannabis prescribing and patient care.

Join Dr Russo and Professor Barnes for a closer look at CBG, and the questions that could shape its future in clinical care.

Register free to join the webinar on 27 October →

Meet the speakers

Dr Ethan Russo

Dr Ethan Russo is a board-certified neurologist, psychopharmacology researcher and author whose career spans clinical practice, cannabinoid research and medical education. He is the Founder and CEO of CReDO Science and creator of Foundations of Cannabis Therapeutics, an evidence-based medical cannabis education course.

From 2003 to 2014, Dr Russo served as Senior Medical Advisor, medical monitor and study physician at GW Pharmaceuticals, contributing to clinical trials of Sativex and early studies of Epidiolex. He previously practised clinical neurology in Missoula, Montana, for 20 years, with a substantial focus on chronic pain.

A past president of the International Cannabinoid Research Society and former chairman of the International Association for Cannabinoid Medicines, he has published extensively on neurology, pain management, cannabis and ethnobotany. His research interests include the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids and terpenes, their interactions, and the relationship between traditional uses of cannabis and modern pharmacology.

Professor Mike Barnes

Professor Mike Barnes is a consultant neurologist and medical cannabis expert who has spent more than two decades advancing medical cannabis awareness, education and clinical practice in the UK. His work has included supporting the development of Sativex and co-authoring the influential 2016 report, Cannabis: The Evidence for Medical Use, for the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Drug Policy Reform.

As Founder and Chair of the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society, Professor Barnes supports clinicians through education, peer support and mentoring, helping to build confidence and expertise in medical cannabis prescribing. He also works with organisations internationally to support the development of a responsible and ethical medical cannabis sector.

Before focusing on medical cannabis, Professor Barnes built a distinguished career in neurorehabilitation and brain injury care. He brings this extensive clinical experience to his work as an educator and advocate, with a longstanding commitment to improving patient access and standards of care.

Book your free place →

Each month, we bring together the key news stories shaping the medical cannabis landscape in the UK and beyond.

This month’s headlines highlight the evolving place of cannabis-based medicines in healthcare, research and public policy. Key developments include a pioneering NHS inpatient medical cannabis procedure, the impact of prescribed cannabis on policing in Jersey, major changes to reimbursement in Germany, further progress towards legalisation in France, and the launch of an NIHR-funded clinical trial investigating a potential treatment for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.

ACMD medical cannabis review pushed to end of 2026

The highly anticipated Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) review into the UK’s medical cannabis framework has received a new target publication date. In an update to Minister of State Sarah Jones on September 21, 2026, ACMD Chair Professor David Wood said the working group is ‘concluding its report’, and expects publication ‘by the end of the year’. , The report was initially expected this summer, after submissions closed on October 17, 2025.

Medical cannabis prescribing under parliamentary scrutiny

Medical cannabis was raised in parliament on two occasions this month, with the government asked specifically about the effectiveness of regulation in protecting patients with severe mental-health conditions, as well as answering questions about whether current prescribing volumes are consistent with patient safety and about enforcement of restrictions on social media advertising. Its response pointed to CQC regulation of private clinics and the ongoing ACMD review, and reiterated that private clinics can advertise services or consultations but not medicinal products. 

CQC publishes new guidance on CBPMs

The Care Quality Commission also published an important update on cannabis-based products for medicinal use (CBPMs), clarifying what the regulator expects from prescribers and providers, particularly around treatment initiation, multidisciplinary review, specialist oversight, shared care and communication with other healthcare professionals. The MCCS was pleased to see that our own best practice prescribing guidelines are referenced in the latest controlled drugs report. Read more on this here. 

Jersey mental health lead warns of “significant increase” in psychosis cases 

A consultation examining medical cannabis prescribing is also underway in Jersey. There has been a “significant increase” in people being taken to hospital for psychosis and mental illness after taking prescribed cannabis, Andy Weir, Jersey’s mental health lead, told The Sunday Times.  Under proposed controls that could be rolled out early next year, clinics will be required to consult in person with patients every 90 days, review medical records before issuing a prescription and report adverse drug reactions, among other measures.

Denmark medical cannabis pilot reports no new concerns as patients rise 

Meanwhile, Denmark’s medicines regulator found no new safety concerns linked to medical cannabis in 2025 despite the number of patients receiving prescriptions rising by more than half. The Danish Medicines Agency received three reports covering four suspected side effects during the year, according to its latest annual safety report. Two reports involved suspected serious side effects, and one involved a non-serious reaction. All three were submitted by doctors.

Dr Sheila Popert BDS Hons LRCP MRCS has been a Consultant in Palliative Medicine for more than 35 years, with a longstanding commitment to holistic, patient-centred care. Throughout her career, she has witnessed both the strengths and limitations of conventional treatments, as well as the unmet needs of people living with complex pain, psychological distress and reduced quality of life.

Today, she is Medical Director of Indra Clinic and Specialist Consultant at Emerald Health, and prescribes cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) but her interest in cannabinoid medicines began several decades ago.

Early experiences in oncology and palliative care

Dr Popert was first introduced to cannabinoid medicines in the late 1980s while working as a lecturer in oncology at the Royal London Hospital. Some patients experiencing severe nausea and vomiting from cancer treatment were prescribed nabilone when conventional antiemetics had failed.

“What struck me was that, for certain patients, it worked remarkably well. Their vomiting improved sufficiently for them to continue cancer treatment that they might otherwise have had to stop.It certainly didn’t work for everyone, but when it did, the difference could be dramatic.”

More than a decade later, while working as a Consultant in Palliative Medicine and running a joint clinic with a neurologist, she saw some patients with multiple sclerosis and severe neuropathic pain respond extremely well to Sativex. In both settings, the medicines were not universally effective, but for some patients the improvement in symptoms and quality of life was significant.

“That was what initially interested me in the potential of cannabis-based medicines: not as a panacea, but as another potentially valuable therapeutic option when more conventional approaches have not provided sufficient relief.”

The prescription that became a turning point

The experience that prompted Dr Popert to investigate the field more seriously came during a home visit to a patient with advanced cancer. “We had been struggling to control the pain caused by a pancreatic tumour, and during the visit he told me that he had received a prescription for medical cannabis from a private clinic.”
Until then, Dr Popert had not appreciated that CBMPs could be prescribed in the UK beyond the medicines with which she was already familiar. “I asked to see his prescription and have to confess that, at the time, it looked like complete gobbledegook to me. I could make neither head nor tail of the different cannabinoids, concentrations and formulations. That was a real turning point. I thought that if my patients were being prescribed these medicines, I needed to understand them properly.”

She began researching the field in earnest, and the more she learned, the more interested she became.

From scepticism to understanding

Dr Popert is open about her initial reservations. The breadth of claims being made about cannabis caused her to wonder whether some of it was simply “snake oil”. She was also concerned about misuse, adverse effects and the risk of psychosis associated with THC. She decided to investigate the evidence, reading widely and completing courses from organisations in countries where medical cannabis had been prescribed for longer.

A further turning point came when she undertook the MCCS course led by Professor Mike Barnes and began to understand the endocannabinoid system and its role throughout the body. “That didn’t mean accepting every claim made for medical cannabis. I remain a clinician who wants to see good evidence, but it shifted my perspective considerably. What I had initially regarded with considerable scepticism became a fascinating and credible area of medicine that I felt deserved much greater attention.”

She was also conscious of the stigma surrounding cannabis and initially worried about what colleagues, friends and family might think. “I was slightly embarrassed to admit that this was an area of medicine I was seriously considering becoming involved in. For quite some time, I didn’t tell anyone that I was exploring it.” As her knowledge grew, she became more confident discussing CBMPs as a legitimate therapeutic option.

A complex and highly individualised treatment

One of Dr Popert’s biggest surprises has been the complexity of cannabis-based medicine. Before becoming involved, she had imagined that prescribing would be relatively straightforward and largely centred on THC and CBD.

“I now appreciate that THC and CBD are just two of the many phytocannabinoids found within the cannabis plant, and that the wider cannabinoid profile, together with terpenes and flavonoids, may also influence the effects of different preparations. Add to that the importance of formulation, route of administration, individual sensitivity, drug interactions and, above all, careful titration and monitoring, and it becomes a remarkably nuanced area of medicine.”

She has also been surprised by the difference treatment can make for some patients who have experienced persistent symptoms despite trying numerous conventional options. “It certainly does not work for everyone, and I remain cautious about overstating the evidence. But when it does work, the improvement can sometimes extend beyond a single symptom. A patient may sleep better, experience less pain or anxiety, and consequently function better and regain some quality of life.”

This reflects the holistic principles that have guided Dr Popert throughout her career: listening carefully to patients, understanding what matters to them and considering whether a treatment is helping them achieve meaningful outcomes. She has also long been concerned about polypharmacy. For some patients, improvements across symptoms such as pain, sleep and anxiety may create an opportunity to carefully review other medications. “I don’t see CBMPs as an alternative to conventional medicine, but as another potential tool within a broader therapeutic approach.”

Responsible prescribing and clinical curiosity

The most rewarding part of Dr Popert’s work has been seeing patients find relief from distressing symptoms, particularly when numerous conventional treatments have not provided sufficient benefit. “Seeing someone sleep better, experience less pain or anxiety, or simply regain some of their day-to-day quality of life is enormously rewarding.”

At the same time, responsible prescribing requires careful titration, monitoring and an individualised approach. “With CBMPs, as with any medicine, the aim is not simply to prescribe a product, but to find the lowest effective dose that provides meaningful benefit while minimising unwanted effects.”

Dr Popert believes that a basic understanding of CBMPs is becoming increasingly important across all clinical specialties. Even clinicians who do not intend to prescribe are increasingly likely to care for patients who use them. “So, I’d tell fellow clinicians – remain cautious, but be curious. You don’t have to become an advocate for medical cannabis – just learn enough to make an informed judgement for yourself.”

Moving towards mainstream medicine

Dr Popert is encouraged that more clinicians are approaching cannabis-based medicine with curiosity rather than immediately dismissing it. For her, education will be central to further progress. “I would love to see the endocannabinoid system and cannabis-based medicines incorporated into the undergraduate curriculum for doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals.”

She also believes that medical cannabis must continue moving away from its recreational associations. One practical step would be to reconsider the names given to some medicinal cannabis products. “I can completely understand why a GP with little knowledge of CBMPs might raise an eyebrow on discovering that their patient has been prescribed something called ‘Wedding Pop Triangle’ or ‘Zookies’. Whatever the quality or therapeutic value of the product, the name immediately sounds recreational rather than medicinal.”

Looking ahead, Dr Popert believes greater education, better research and increasingly professional standards will help reduce stigma and build confidence. “My hope is that, in time, cannabis-based medicines will be judged in the same way as any other treatment: on the quality of the evidence, their safety and, most importantly, whether they provide meaningful benefit for the individual patient.”

Interested in learning more?

Start building your knowledge with our online courses, designed to help healthcare professionals explore cannabis-based medicine and the developing evidence with confidence.

Join the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society to receive member discounts on our courses and access educational resources, expert insights, professional events and opportunities to connect with colleagues across the sector.

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Long before Dr Jennifer Forbes could prescribe medical cannabis, her patients were already teaching her about it.

While working in community addiction services, she began asking people more closely about their cannabis use. Many described using it to manage the physical and psychological effects of withdrawal, prompting her to consider its possible therapeutic role.

“Many reported it helped withdrawal symptoms such as muscle pains and sleep,” she says. “This interested me particularly as a possible aid to opiate reduction and an alternative to benzodiazepines.”

From general practice to addiction medicine

Dr Forbes did not set out to work in addiction medicine. After qualifying from the University of Dundee, she began training in anaesthetics before realising that general practice was a better fit. She also spent a year with a community mental health team in Melbourne, Australia.

Back in the UK, while working as a locum and raising her family, she took on some sessions at the Edinburgh Homeless Practice. She initially found the prospect daunting, but soon discovered how much she enjoyed the work. The experience changed the direction of her career, leading to 17 years in community addiction services, including time as a Clinical Lead.

Her work brought her into contact with people experiencing complex combinations of mental ill health, chronic pain, substance dependence and social disadvantage. It also gave her a perspective on cannabis that differs from that of many clinicians entering the field.

The change in the law prompted her to make medical cannabis part of her professional development plan. She began reading about the subject and asking patients more detailed questions about their experiences. “Many of my patients used cannabis, but I hadn’t thought of it as a possible treatment option until it became legal to prescribe in 2018,” she explains.

Her interest increased after she attended an educational event where experienced consultants shared their own prescribing experiences and the positive outcomes they had seen in patients. Their stories, together with what she learned about the safety profile of medical cannabis, convinced her that this was a credible area of medicine worth exploring further.

Balancing therapeutic potential with possible harm

Dr Forbes’ experience has made her acutely aware of the complexity surrounding cannabis use. From the outset, she had reservations. “I was concerned about prescribing cannabis flower and potentially promoting vaping, particularly given the issues for the younger population and my background and experience in addictions,” she says.

As an active prescriber, that concern now sits alongside the positive outcomes she hears from patients and informs how she thinks about risk, product choice and appropriate clinical boundaries. “The domination of inhaled products as opposed to oral products, and the recreational names, was certainly surprising,” she says.  “Patients have taught me a lot about different products, and I consider product type and potency as well as quantity for safe effective treatment.”

Her clinical background also helps her recognise situations that may require particularly careful conversations. “Hearing positive feedback from the majority of patients is incredibly rewarding,” she says, “but managing expectations of heavy cannabis users can be difficult, and discussing cannabis use disorder in the private virtual clinic setting can be particularly challenging.”

Finding a route into prescribing

Although Dr Forbes developed an interest in the field soon after the 2018 legal change, entering it professionally was not straightforward. “I was very disappointed to learn that as a GP I wouldn’t be able to initiate treatment and quickly discovered this was a significant barrier to gaining employment in the sector.”

Her experience in addiction-service leadership, together with professional connections in pain medicine, helped her secure a prescribing role in 2022.  Entering the sector also introduced Dr Forbes to the realities of working with fast-developing start-up clinics. Looking back, she says she wishes she had known more about “the financial risks associated with start-ups and the many ‘experts’ I would need to understand and learn from.”

Her early experiences taught her to look closely at a clinic’s culture, clinical governance and approach to risk. Her advice to clinicians interested in entering the sector is practical: “Research the clinics and approach one that aligns with your risk-management and patient-safety ideals.”

Dr Forbes is now a GP prescriber, co-founder of Borders Pain Clinic, Medical Director for an online clinic and an Executive Member of the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society, bringing experience in addiction, mental health and chronic pain to the developing field.

Encouraging informed caution

Dr Forbes understands why many clinicians remain hesitant, pointing to the limited number of randomised controlled trials, uncertainty about how to assess real-world evidence, and understandable concerns about prescribing unlicensed controlled medicines.

She does not think clinicians should ignore those concerns. Instead, she says “I would encourage any interested clinicians to read around the subject and consider the safety profile of medical cannabis compared with many routine medications.”

Her approach is shaped by what patients tell her, but also by her experience of the risks. She believes it is possible to recognise the benefits of medical cannabis while remaining alert to potential problems, especially when chronic pain, dependence and heavy cannabis use overlap.

Looking ahead

What gives Dr Forbes the most hope is hearing from patients who feel treatment has made a difference. She believes these experiences will help more people understand medical cannabis and consider it as a treatment option. “I feel this would be helped by some form of legalisation and a move to prescribing more oral products that avoid the potential harms of vaping,” she says.

Her preferred direction for the sector reflects the balance that has defined her career: widening access to potentially helpful treatment while taking questions of dependence, delivery method and patient safety seriously.

Away from clinical work Dr Forbes is also an accomplished runner who has represented Scottish Masters athletics. 

Join the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society

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