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The Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society maintains a list of available cannabis-based medical products regularly updated and shared with its members.

As a member of the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society, clinicians are supported with all the practical guidance they need prescribe medical cannabis safely, including training, education, peer and expert support and mentoring, FAQs and access to an accurate product list of available medications.

In the latest update for members, we have included new products available for the first time in the UK from Stenocare via Rokshaw and PCCA Ltd. Stenocare, founded in 2017, cultivates, produces, imports and sells prescription-based medical cannabis, focusing on Patient Safety, Affordability & Accessibility. In 2018, Stenocare became the first Danish company to obtain all permits to cultivate, import and trade in medicinal cannabis oils in the Danish pilot program. Stenocare is the only Danish company that has succeeded in having medical oil-based cannabis products approved for the Danish pilot program and supplies pharmaceutically-produced and uniform oil products to patients in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, UK and Australia.

All Stenocare medical cannabis sublingual oil products are produced in accordance with Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP) without the use of pesticides and Good Manufacturing Practice (EU GMP) for Pharmaceutical Products. Stenocare’s products are whole-plant (full spectrum) cannabis-based medicines, that are tested for quality and compliance at external laboratories.

To access the product list, members can login here. Not yet a member?  Join the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society.

 

 

The Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society recently endorsed and participated in the 2nd International Congress on Clinical Trials on Cannabis (CT-Cann2023), an education and scientific conference aimed at clinicians and researchers working in the field of medical cannabis. This conference was an excellent opportunity to share our knowledge and expertise with others and learn from our peers about the latest developments and research in this rapidly-evolving field.

At MCCS, we are committed to providing education and support for clinicians on the safe and effective use of medical cannabis to improve patient outcomes. We believe that education and collaboration among healthcare professionals is critical to achieving this goal. That is why we were not only delighted to participate in this conference but also to endorse the event.

During the conference, we had the opportunity to hear from leading experts in the field of medical cannabis research, policy, and practice, including Dr David Finn, Dr Silviu Brill, Prof Dedi Meiri, Dr Staci Gruber and Dr Haggai Sharon.

During the conference, we were pleased to have several members of the MCCS expert committee speak and share their knowledge with the audience. Prof Mike Barnes opened the conference with an overview of the current UK status of medical cannabis in the UK and the challenges. We believe that this discussion was particularly valuable for clinicians developing their prescribing practice. Vice-Chair, Dr. Dani Gordon, presented on the research findings on cannabis and long COVID, which was a topic of great interest to many attendees. Dr. Gordon’s presentation highlighted the potential benefits of using medical cannabis to manage long-term symptoms of COVID-19. We also had the pleasure of hearing from Dr. Niraj Singh, who spoke about the MCCS, our vision and mission, and the practical support we provide to our members. Dr. Singh gave a helpful overview of the tools and resources that MCCS members have access to, such as our educational program, clinical guidelines, and peer support network. This presentation was particularly relevant for clinicians who are new to the field of medical cannabis, as it provided an overview of the support available to them as they navigate this complex and rapidly-evolving field.

We appreciated the opportunity to share our knowledge and expertise with other attendees and to learn from our peers. As the medical cannabis industry continues to develop, we believe that collaboration and education among healthcare professionals is more important than ever.

We are committed to continuing to endorse and participate in conference and other like it to have the opportunity to engage with other clinicians and researchers working in the field of medical cannabis. We believe that this type of event, which brings together a diverse group of healthcare professionals, is essential for fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing. As we move forward, we will keep working toward our goal of providing education and support for doctors who prescribe medical cannabis to improve patient outcomes.

New to medical cannabis prescribing?

We would like to invite clinicians who are interested in the field of medical cannabis to become members of the MCCS. As a member, you will have access to a wealth of educational resources and tools, as well as the opportunity to connect with other healthcare professionals working in this field. We are a supportive community of like-minded professionals, and we are committed to promoting safe and effective use of medical cannabis to improve patient outcomes.

To become a member of the MCCS, please join here. Our membership is open to all healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other allied healthcare professionals. We also offer student memberships for those who are currently studying healthcare professions.

We look forward to welcoming new members to the MCCS and working together to advance the field of medical cannabis education, research, policy, and practice.

 

The Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society is proud to officially endorse the 2nd International Congress on Clinical Trials on Cannabis, taking place on 15 & 16 February 2023 in London.

This unique conference – the only one of its kind in the UK – will inform participants of the latest evidence and concepts regarding cannabinoid therapy. It will aid prescribers to practically implement best practices based on the clinical implications of current research and expert opinions and serve as a platform for an exchange of ideas and practices in cannabinoid medicine.

Agenda and speakers

CT-Cann2023 will bring together global experts to discuss ways of improving current research strategies, new discoveries, practical dilemmas and future avenues in this rapidly evolving field. Ideal for MCCS members and those wishing to learn more about this treatment, the congress will include basic and clinical methodologies, new findings, regulatory and legal issues, pharmacological considerations, and technological advancements, emphasising practical implications for patients, researchers, prescribing clinicians and industry leaders.

The agenda is currently being confirmed with new speakers being added. The Preliminary speakers include:

The MCCS has secured a 15% discount for its members when you register before 21 December 2022. To become a member of the Society, join online today. 
Book Your Place

If you are a member and have not yet received the discount code, please contact us.

Call for Abstracts

The Congress Chairs invite the submission of original abstracts for Oral and/or Poster presentation – deadline 9 January 2023. Topics can include:

submit abstract for ct-cann2023

MCCS endorse 2nd International Congress on Clinical Trials on Cannabis

Just two and half years after launch, the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society today reports over 300 members as it prepares to launch a series of in-person events for 2022.

Over 300 clinicians, including specialist consultants in a wide range of specialisms, GPs, nurses and allied health professionals, are now active members of the Society, sharing best practice, learning from each other, and accessing regular expert support.

In 2022, the Executive Committee is holding five in-person events – in Manchester on Thursday 12th May, in Belfast on 1st June, and in Edinburgh, Cardiff and London before the end of the year.

Medical Cannabis: Everything You Need to Know is described as a practical introduction to medical cannabis and CBD.

Open to clinicians, medical students, scientists, researchers, professionals and patients curious about medical cannabis and the current state of prescribing, evidence and availability in the UK, the evening events take place from 6:30pm for two hours, with networking and a panel Q&A for attendees following the speakers.

Prescribing doctors from the Society’s Executive Committee will be joined at each event by Chair, Professor Mike Barnes, by medical cannabis patients and by Sativa Learning’s Ryan McCreanor and Volteface’s Katya Kowalski who will present education opportunities and research insights.

The first event takes place at The Midland Hotel in Manchester at 6:30pm on Thursday 12 May.

Dr Niraj Singh, Consultant Psychiatrist from The Medical Cannabis Clinics and Executive Committee member of The Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society will share his experience of becoming a medical cannabis prescriber. Prof. Mike Barnes will explore the history and evidence for medical cannabis. Medical cannabis patient Emdad Khan will also join the event. 

 

Professor Mike Barnes, Chair of the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society said:

“The growth we have seen in our membership over the last 2.5 years demonstrates the appetite the UK’s clinicians have to learn about this life-changing medication.

With significant restrictions meaning that only Specialist Consultants can prescribe, little to no cannabis education for medical students, and the fact that medical cannabis is only available via privately prescribing doctors, the number of clinicians choosing to educate themselves and access support via the Society should be noted by leaders in the health service and in Government.

Our programme of events, which will see us visit Manchester, Edinburgh, Belfast, Cardiff and London this year, and Liverpool, Newcastle, Bristol, Birmingham and Dublin in 2023, are a fantastic opportunity for clinicians and medical students particularly to learn the facts about this treatment and practical steps to prescribing.”

Hannah Deacon, Executive Director of the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society, said:

“The Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society believes that everyone who could benefit from medical cannabis should have access to it. Our mission is to give clinicians access to evidence, training, expert guidance, peer support and licensed product information so they can prescribe life-changing medical cannabis treatments to all patients in the UK, on the NHS.

The Society is an expert-led, independent, not-for-profit community, dedicated to bringing this safe, legal and effective medicine to people living with chronic conditions.”

 

Virtual roundtable – watch again

On 13 December, international paediatric neurologists and medical cannabis experts came together for a panel discussion about the UK’s prescribing crisis for children with intractable epilepsy.

Hosted by the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society, the roundtable discussion will reviewed the guidance, shed light on the concerns, and considered a way ahead for these children. The discussion provides doctors, clinicians, the wider paediatric medical community and parents of children with this condition accurate information about cannabis-based treatment.

Moderated by Dr Dani Gordon, Vice-Chair of the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society, panellists – including Canadian Paediatric Neurologists Dr Evan Lewis and Dr JP Appendino, Consultant Paediatrician Dr Jane Hailey and Paediatric Cannabis Consultant Dr Bonni Goldstein –  shared experiences, evidence and case studies for medical cannabis for intractable epilepsy and the difference this is making for children globally.

Epileptic seizure frequency fell by an average of 86% among 10 children treated with whole plant medicinal cannabis, reveals research by charity Drug Science and published in BMJ Paediatrics Open. 

None of the children had responded to other treatments, including the only cannabidiol (CBD) product licensed for their condition – Epidyolex. Whole plant cannabis includes tetrahydocannabinol or THC for short, the main active ingredient of the plant that is responsible for the characteristic ‘high’ associated with recreational use, plus cannabidiol, other neuroactive cannabinoids, and molecules such as terpenes.

Researchers evaluated the use of whole plant medicinal cannabis in 10 children whose severe epilepsy hadn’t responded to conventional treatment, and two of whom hadn’t responded to the only pharmaceutical grade, purified CBD oil licensed for the condition in children (Epidyolex).

The researchers assessed the percentage change in monthly seizure frequency and the impact of medicinal cannabis on changes in conventional epilepsy drug use. They also reported the strengths and doses used and the costs incurred.

All the participants were recruited from End Our Pain and MedCan Support, two charities representing children using medicinal cannabis to treat their severe epilepsy. The children’s average age was 6, but ranged from 1 to 13 years. They had a range of epilepsies and three had other concurrent issues, including infantile spasms, learning disabilities, and global developmental delay.

Monthly seizure frequency reduced for all 10 children by an overall average of 86%.

The Drug Science researchers said:

“We believe that our data on whole-plant medical cannabis in childhood-onset severe treatment-resistant epilepsy, provides evidence to support its introduction into the NHS within current NICE prescribing guidelines. 

“Such a move would be hugely beneficial to the families, who in addition to having the psychological distress of looking after their chronically ill children, have also to cover the crippling financial burden of their medication.”

The Society is dedicated to training and supporting doctors to prescribe medical cannabis where clinically appropriate, and recently vowed to train paediatric doctors for free in order to go some way towards alleviating the prescribing crisis for children with epilepsy.

Read the full publication

 

 

The BPNA recently produced new guidance on the prescription of cannabis medicines for children with epilepsy. However, the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society (UKMCCS) and Drug Science fundamentally disagree with this guidance. Expert clinicians from both organisations have produced a critique to provide commentary, evidence and further crucial information.

Download the commentary (PDF)

In the BPNA’s guidance, there is no recognition that the children in question have uncontrolled, drug-resistant epilepsy. They have a poor quality of life, often difficulties in school, in play and at home, and the whole family suffer from the consequences. In their commentary, the Society and Drug Science point out that recurrent seizures damage the developing brain and such severe seizures are associated with a risk of status epilepticus and death. The Society and Drug Science believe that clinicians must explore every avenue in an attempt to alleviate the seizures.

NICE guidance is now supportive of continuing prescription for those already on a cannabis product but sadly the BPNA will not change its stance on the subject. As a result, there are now only two prescribers, one of whom is retiring and neither of whom are taking on new patients.

This means over 50 children currently accessing their prescribed cannabis-based medicines are relying on just one doctor for continuing access to the only treatments that have kept them well and reduced hospital and ITU admissions. And, with no new children currently able to access a prescription, seriously ill children are at real risk of imminent harm.

Professor Mike Barnes, Chair of the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society said:

“Professor Helen Cross was the first clinician to prescribe an unlicensed cannabis-based medicine for childhood epilepsy in 2013. That was a brave and correct move when a child was in extremis. It is a pity that the BPNA’s current executive committee members have reverted to an old and outdated paradigm of efficacy to the clear detriment of many thousands of children in the UK. The Society will teach any paediatric doctor – free of charge – how to prescribe medical cannabis products and provide ongoing mentoring and support.

We call for recognition of the value of unlicensed cannabis-based medicinal products by sensible and caring paediatricians in the UK.”

All medical practitioners, and in particular the BPNA executive committee, should note the General Medical Council “Good Medical Practice” principles. We specifically draw attention to these points:

David Badcock, Chief Executive Officer of Drug Science said:

“Our research into childhood intractable epilepsy clearly and consistently shows that the benefits of whole-plant medical cannabis far outweigh any associated risks.

The parents we have spoken to, as part of this work, find medical cannabis to be the most effective treatment for their child’s condition. Yet the BPNA appear to have ignored our evidence and these experiences. Instead, they seem to be wilfully denying access to legal medicines, and causing needless distress for families who deserve better.”

The Society and Drug Science call for recognition of the value of cannabis based medicinal products by sensible and caring paediatricians in the UK.

 

How to read the document

The original wording from the BPNA is retained in black. Our comments and additions are highlighted in green.

Download

Free training and support for paediatricians

The Society will teach any paediatric doctor – free of charge – how to prescribe medical cannabis products and provide ongoing mentoring and support.

Please contact us to learn more.

Hilary Latham from York uses medical cannabis treatment as part of her cancer treatment. Here, she tells her story.

In September 2009 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. One mastectomy later I was told the operation had been a success. I was one of the lucky ones… or so I thought.

Ten years later, in February, I moved to York to be near my two daughters, my new grandson, plus another grandchild on the way. Things were looking good. Aged 65, single (apart from the love of my life, my dog!), I was still fit enough to chase my grandchildren around the garden and continue my successful painting and decorating business.

As this year progressed I noticed that my mild asthma was getting progressively worse and by July I was feeling quite ill. A trip to the doctors was quickly followed up by admission to hospital where I was told the cancer was back and had spread to my liver. As a secondary cancer, I realised I wasn’t going to be so lucky this time. My oncologist confirmed I had stage 4 cancer and my life expectancy, without chemotherapy, was just a matter of months, and with successful chemotherapy I had perhaps one to two years.

Considering chemotherapy treatment

I had always thought that if the cancer returned, I wouldn’t have chemotherapy, I didn’t want to spend whatever time I had remaining in this life to be spent on an endless merry go round of potentially debilitating treatment. I also hadn’t planned on the additional complication of hypercalcemia. The cancer was affecting the amount of calcium in my blood, which can be life-threatening. I was very poorly.

As an active outdoorsy type of person, quality of life is so important to me. I realized that the prognosis of just a few months to live wouldn’t give me the time I needed to make some precious memories. I knew I would have to take the chemotherapy route to try to reduce the cancer, which in turn would hopefully reduce the calcium in my blood. In my life I’ve been blessed with a positive mind et, never been one to say, ‘what if?’ negatively. This was time to get the gloves on, time to fight!

Making that decision was so empowering. I couldn’t sit there waiting to fade away or fall prey to the debilitating chemotherapy. I understand many people have an easier journey than others on chemotherapy, but with my limited life expectancy, I needed to know my chemotherapy journey would enable me to have a quality of life to be active and enjoy my grandchildren.

 

Exploring medical cannabis treatments

In addition to being a decorator, I’m a complementary healthcare practitioner and I’ve had 20 years’ experience researching many potentially healing therapies. I believe that there are many avenues we can take to help in all areas of our health, and I was about to discover a great ally on my journey – medicinal cannabis. Do I hear an intake of breath, an occasional tut-tut, mutterings of illegal drugs at the mention of a natural plant that has been around for thousands of years?

To be absolutely correct, I didn’t ‘discover’ cannabis this year. I was already aware of its existence and had been for a couple of years. I was living in Portugal where the laws regarding cannabis are far more lenient than in the UK. Many people grow it for their own use and my neighbour at the time, a terminally ill lady with secondary cancer, purchased medicinal cannabis from Holland, another country that doesn’t look upon cannabis as an evil weed. I witnessed her final months and was amazed how well she managed – enjoying her life, socialising and being in her garden right up till the last two weeks of her life.

I have been in hospital a fair amount this year with the hypercalcemia and met some amazing people fighting for their lives with cancer. One lady mentioned to me she had bought some cannabis oil on the internet. At this time, I admit I didn’t have much faith in something I could ask Google for, so it was time for research.

 

Research, education and changing attitudes

I am blessed with a very special friend who has left no stone unturned on her quest to help me, spending hours and hours on research. That research led her first to America and then the UK – in particular to Prof Mike Barnes and The Medical Cannabis Clinics. I was told I would need to be referred by my GP to see a specialist. I can imagine the horror on some faces at the thought of approaching their GP to get cannabis!

Luckily for me,  my GP is something else. He goes that extra mile to help his patients and after his initial ‘rabbit in headlights’ reaction, he set about doing his own research and put me in touch with Dr Iveson in York.

 

The journey to treatment

Dr Iveson is a Consultant Physician specialising in complex care and symptom management particularly in the elderly and patients with stroke and long term conditions. She is working with the Medical Cannabis Clinician’s Society and charity Drug Science to further develop research into medical cannabis treatment and help educate and share her experience with fellow doctors.

During my initial consultation with Dr Iveson I was most impressed by her care and professionalism. My target was to take medicinal cannabis to help alleviate the potential side effects of chemotherapy such as nausea and sickness, plus help with insomnia and anxiety. I left with confidence in knowing I had made a major step forward towards a better quality of life during the daunting journey of chemotherapy.

After my initial delight in the positive attitude of my GP, I didn’t anticipate the reaction of others when I told them I was taking medicinal cannabis. Because of my research and openness to cannabis, I hadn’t realised the stigma behind something so natural. There is something about the word cannabis that really gets a reaction, either a snigger behind the hand or from friends warning me not to mention drugs in front of their partners. My favourite though is the ‘rabbit in headlights’ reaction which I received when I took my prescription to the chemist, which was followed by much huffing and puffing from the pharmacist on duty. But, the pharmacist did some research and realised he was part of something quite ground-breaking. It’s amazing what a bit of education can do!

 

The impact of medical cannabis treatments

I could hardly wait to begin taking my prescription. I am taking a balanced CBD:THC oil at night and a high CBD oil during the day to manage my symptoms and I am slowly titrating the dose upwards with support and close monitoring from Dr Iveson. It took a short while to appreciate all the benefits but it has been quite amazing.

My mouth ulcers have completely disappeared, I’m sleeping very well, and I’m managing my nausea and sickness so much better. One bonus I didn’t realize is that medical cannabis is an anti-inflammatory and opens the airways. It has helped my asthma and my breathing is so much better. I’m in a very positive state of mind and that in itself is a very powerful tool. My oncologist is aware I am taking medicinal cannabis and in the future perhaps we may see a great relationship forming between all health professionals working towards a better quality of life for all.

 

Medical cannabis for all

Medicinal cannabis is not cheap. I had some savings for a rainy day – but I didn’t think that rainy day would come so soon. My savings won’t last forever and I can only hope that in the not so distant future, the price will come down as the demand goes up. And one day, I hope it will be available to all on the NHS.

 

Hilary passed away in 2020. We are honoured that she chose to share her story with us.

Hannah Deacon, Executive Director, whose son, Alfie Dingley was the first patient in the UK to receive a permanent cannabis licence, tells her story.

When Alfie was born, he spent the first four months of his life in hospital, lived on and off life support and experienced his first seizure at just eight months old.

Alfie lives with a very rare form of epilepsy and, prior to medical cannabis treatment, experienced more than 500 seizures a month. Now, Alfie, aged eight, lives a relatively normal life thanks to using cannabis oil treatment.

After trying various treatments, anti-epilepsy drugs, a ketogenic diet and immuglobulins, the only treatment that reduced his seizures was a steroid called IV Methyl Prednisone that can cause severe side effects, including mood swings, restlessness and headaches.

At age five, Alfie’s condition got worse. He was visiting the hospital every week and receiving up to 25 doses of steroids a month.

Discovering medical cannabis

In 2019, Alfie’s mum Hannah, took action. After being warned by doctors around the dangers of his seizures and treatment, Hannah began to research other options for her son.

Hannah said: “When doctors advised us on the dangers of Alfie’s treatment, I needed to look into other options. I started to research epilepsy treatments and medical cannabis kept coming up – and felt confident that it was a positive option.

“I wanted to know that whatever happened, I had done everything I could to keep Alfie alive.”

After a series of setbacks from her GP, Hannah was eventually given permission to take Alfie to Holland for medical cannabis where he was assessed and immediately prescribed with the treatment he so desperately needed – Bedrolite CBD oil.

 

The beginning of Alfie’s miracle

After five weeks of medical cannabis treatment Alfie experienced 17 days without a seizure – the longest amount of he had ever gone without experiencing one.

Hannah said: “It was the beginning of our miracle.

“As time went by, we put up the dose of CBD and Alfie started to get better. We then added in a small amount of THC and he did even better. Treatment with cannabis oil has given Alfie a much greater quality of life and significantly reduced the number of seizures he suffers.”

 

Fighting for medical cannabis to be available on the NHS

Returning home, Hannah was ready to fight the biggest battle she had ever had – fighting for medical cannabis to be available on prescription for patients.

Hannah started work with the campaign group,’ End Our Pain’.  Appearing on national TV channels, she made BBC Breakfast where she told Alfie’s story.

After meeting with the Home Office but getting nowhere, Hannah submitted the group’s petition to former Prime Minister, Theresa May, and subsequently met with her.

 

Meeting Professor Mike Barnes

Alfie’s doctor was unfortunately unable to help due to the trust they worked for however, it was then when Hannah met Neurologist and Professor Mike Barnes. When Hannah told Mike about Alfie’s story, he agreed to help.

Hannah said: “Mike stood forward when no one else would. He gave his time and expertise for free because he felt it was the right thing to do. He has now become a lifelong friend and we now work together to improve access to medical cannabis for patients across the UK.”

 

Law changes for medical cannabis

In November 2018, after a long fight – the law changed which now allows medical cannabis to be prescribed as a ‘special’ by a consultant. Although around 500,000 people in the UK have epilepsy, not one more person has been prescribed the treatment on the NHS since this case.

The NHS is yet to offer medical cannabis on prescription due to very restrictive guidelines for clinicians. There is still a long way to go to ensure more people like Alfie can access medical cannabis to drastically improve the quality of their lives.

Join the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society at this exciting conference for clinicians interested in becoming prescribers and for sector professionals and others interested in the growth of access and the reality of medical cannabis in the UK today.

At Medical Cannabis in Practice: Prescribing, practicalities and the patient experience, you’ll learn from those at the heart of this new industry – from licensed producers working to grow and develop treatments, those working to import and ensure access through our pharmacies, and from doctors prescribing life-changing treatments.

Click to buy tickets now

Speakers will include Tonia Antoniazzi MP, Prof. Roger G Pertwee, Chair, Prof. Mike Barnes, Vice-Chair, Dr Dani Gordon and MCCS Committee Members Dr Leon Barron, GP, Dr Liz Iveson, Consultant Complex Care Physician, Dr Rebbeca Moore, Psychiatrist and Hannah Deacon, Executive Director and Patient Advocate.

With further speakers from across the medical cannabis sector soon to be announced, buy your tickets today and secure your place at this not-to-be missed event.

Interested in joining The Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society?

Membership is open to clinicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals interested in medical cannabis treatments. With peer support, training, evidence and exclusive discounts to events and conferences, find out more and join today by emailing [email protected].

You can also sign up during the event.