Although legalised in the UK in 2018, it is incredibly hard for patients to access these medicines on the NHS. The service said: “Very few people in England are likely to get a prescription for medical cannabis. It would only be considered when other treatments were not suitable or had not helped.”

As a result, they often have to go to private clinics to access potentially life-changing medication, a medication that a growing body of evidence shows could change lives.

A 2021 study published in the PLoS One journal concluded: “Cannabis appears to be effective for pelvic pain, gastrointestinal issues and mood, with effectiveness differing based on the method of ingestion.”

The main area where medical cannabis could be of greatest use is as a pain-relieving alternative to opioids. Recent research funded by The Brain Tumour Charity concluded that their data suggest a role for medical cannabis as “a safe and complementary treatment option in patients with cancer failing to reach adequate pain”.

Furthermore, medical cannabis is now being used as a tool not just for medical, but for economic treatments as well. Earlier this month, the Isle of Man announced it was hoping to licence up to 10 firms by the end of 2025 to grow and export medical cannabis products from the island.

The Isle of Man’s minister for enterprise, Tim Johnston, said the government was “really looking to diversify our economy”.

Away from the potential economic booms, there is a growing number of calls from patients for medical cannabis to be expanded to a bigger patient base, not all of whom can afford to go to a private clinic.

Estelle said: “I think there should be a change in attitudes towards medicinal cannabis. There is mounting evidence that medical cannabis can be a safe and effective treatment option for a range of conditions, including chronic pain, epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis.

“I believe that patients should have access to this treatment option and that medical professionals should be educated about its potential benefits.

My hope for the future is that medical cannabis will become more widely accepted as a treatment option for a range of conditions. I also hope that there will be more research into its potential benefits and that patients will have greater access to high-quality, regulated medical cannabis products.

“Ultimately, my hope is that more people with chronic pain and other debilitating conditions will be able to find relief and improve their quality of life through the use of medical cannabis.”

Source: express.co.uk

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