A new industry body representing the UK’s fledgling medical cannabis industry has been established to set standards and help with the sector’s development.
The Cannabis Industry Council has almost one hundred members and as a first step wants the government to reduce the red tape currently restricting the growth of the industry.
As well as disparate organisations, businesses and working groups, membership invitation has been extended to representatives from the Home Office, The Department of Health and NHS England.
One of the CIC’s first acts will be to organise a round table, it said in a statement.
Leading public and private bodies across the UK will be invited to discuss how the UK can develop a robust cannabis industry that drastically improves patient access and stimulates the economy post-pandemic.
According to a report launched by Maple Tree and Mackrell.Solicitors last month, the medical cannabis market could be worth £2bn, create almost 100,000 jobs and transform patient access if the Government amended its outdated laws and regulations on the sector.
The CIC will initially be chaired by Professor Mike Barnes, with formal elections and organisational subgroup Chairs to be appointed.
“Despite having a reputation as a globally dominant medicinal cannabis producer, the UK is almost entirely unable to cater to the needs of domestic patients,” he said.
“As it stands, there are numerous restrictions on full medical access due to unclear governmental bureaucracy, a lack of medical education and restrictive guidelines from NICE and other regulatory bodies.
“With the participation of the Government, NHS and Home Office, the Cannabis Industry Council hopes to set a gold standard practice on how the sector should operate.”
Source: proactiveinvestors
Image: Unsplashed
