The first one is by George McBride published on the volteface.me website. It discusses the rather draconian approach adopted by this government over the use of CBD oil. There is, of course, a case for some regulation to ensure that the product being sold contains CBD. However, the system being introduced will only benefit large suppliers as, inevitably, the costs of licensing will be prohibitive for the small supplier. Step in Big Pharma in the form of GW Pharmaceuticals, currently supplying Sativex, as outlined in the article. It may be some years before CBD oil can be obtained legally in the UK.
The second article is the report of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Drug Policy Reform available through the endourpain.org website. It is a longish read but demonstrates very powerfully how far behind we are in this country, in our attitude to the use of cannabis as a valuable and effective medicine, compared to other countries.
The second link really is a shot in the arm for optimism.
That so many countries have changed their legislation to enable those suffering illness and pain, to acquire access to what is an incredibly influential, positive and largely benign, naturally derived, symptom management tool is remarkable.
I had no idea the extent to which EU based nations were amenable to providing medicinal cannabis. Of course i am aware of the change in policy in North America and in fact, it has filled me with a sense of guilt and frustration when i read posts in these forums, from people needlessly suffering due to the inadequacies afforded by âbig pharmaâ.
I wish all of you on that tiny island the very best of luck; it has been a long and hard fought battle. I recall yelling at the top of my voice, with several thousand others, âfree the weedâ during several marches through London about 20 years ago. My conviction was based upon the experiences and sufferings wrought upon my own mother, in contrast to the recreational influence such compounds had on many of my friends and associates.
A situation where old Doris has to trundle in her wheel chair in order to meet up with a pub car park drug dealer, is unreasonable and impracticable and yet, given the correct set of circumstance, it would yield a meaningful benefit. But this bizarre scenario is created entirely by a prohibition that fails to serve the public interest. In fact i would contend that it works toward the complete opposite. At last, the APPG paper seems to acknowledge this.
My friend in America has PPMS and is now legally allowed to grow her own cannabis she has a certain amount she can grow for her own use.
I think its time this country stopped shilly-shallying over this issue. My friends life is so much better now and she has thrown away tons of tablets which has enabled her to actually now get out and about more as she doesnt feel so fatigued and sedated.
I think that the recent APPG recommendation, based on the Barnes report, will fuel the debate and eventually lead to a change in legislation in this country. However, it will take time, as a government of vision will be needed to lead the way. A Tory party suggesting the decriminalisation of cannabis will have them choking over their toast in Tunbridge Wells. Furthermore, due to leaving the EU and other seemingly more pressing matters, the issue will be way down the government âto doâ list, if it even appears on such a list.
In the meantime our legal access to CBD oil appears to be curtailed until licences are issued. As this is a public forum I do not advocate breaking the law, however, it is incumbent upon us to continue lobbying MPs for change. I hope that the MS Society will feel the same once they have studied the implications of these recent developments.
As Sativex is not easily available in England, I have been looking at the criteria that neurologists have to apply to gain the funding prior to prescription. I may have misinterpreted the criteria but, in summary, the rationale seems to be that Sativex can be prescribed only as a last resort, when other drugs have either failed or the side effects are too appalling. That seems a strange approach to take.
I am sure that there are many of you, like me, who prefer, if possible, not to fill our bodies with chemicals but would like to try a more natural, plant based drug to alleviate symptoms. I am seeing my neurologist on 24 October and I plan to raise the issue with him. Does anyone have experience of being prescribed Sativex, outside Wales, and what hoops had to be jumped through to obtain a prescription?
Hi, I take cannabis at night in milkly tea at night, for pain and to help me sleep,I donât take any legal drugs I would rather take a natural drug, its terrible that its not legal in England for people with MS or other illness,I live in France its so hard to get Sativex [removed by admin].
Hi simone2, Just a wee reminder that this is a public page, so everything you post here is in the public sphere - If youâd like to continue your discussion, please use the PM facility.
Opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and not the MS Society and the safety and efficacy of cannabis is widely debated by medical professionals.
Thereâs a trial through my local m.s centre, via Sheffield hospitals so will be taking part in this if possible, in relation to spasticity. Doubt weâll see a change in weed policy due to the strengths. Anyone whoâs had a smoke of the real mcoy will know that itâs a sedative feeling, so a double edged sword in terms of use instead of this pill etc, and the money making meds have already got their feet under the table. Would say thereâs no way more side effects from it, unless you abuse it, and then thereâs a very good argument mental health wise regarding psychosis. Have to consider all bases, and as everyone knows the low thc stuff should be available if it helps the person concerned certainly in m.s.
Moderators / Admins in here are obliged to ask contributors to add their perspective with caution. I am grateful for this.
However, the âboiler plate responseâ to any debate regarding the medicinal use of cannabis has for many years been âthe safety and efficacy of cannabis is widely debated by medical professionals.â
This is no longer accurate.
I have challenged this dogma when it was aired previously and the moderator was kind enough to indulge me by presenting evidence to underscore the opinion. I might be biased, but the evidence was quite flaccid (small sample sizes, brief studies, inconclusive, much conjecture).
I would hope to provoke everyone to test the validity of claims, that cannabis safety and efficacy are still unproven.
By the same token, i would present evidence suggestive of the contrary:
As said, i fully understand why moderators add what they add. I am not looking to debate them. I am merely hoping that what they add is not simply taken as read. It is in all of our own best interests to become informed with regard to a matter that genuinely could be so life enhancing, so quickly and with minimal to no ill effect or negative consequence.
All the best.
And to Admin - Oliver, thank you for all of your work in here! It really is very much appreciated.
Following on from Paoloâs post I see that the government has released a statement today about CBD oil.
Although the idea sounds fine, the devil will naturally be in the detail. I worry that the bureaucracy and costs involved may exclude all companies other than Big Pharma.
I agree that the reality of a situation invariably differs to the concept that gave rise to it. However, i would hope âBig Pharmaâ does wade in with its monopolistic and cash grabbing tendencies, because with it, comes hefty price tags.
Along with the taboo of cannabis, the decades have nurtured a curiosity as to whether it is a âwonder herbâ of medicinal value. I would anticipate that even those who are fairly content with their current regime of drugs and chemicals, would still want to give CBD a try.
Such enthusiasm if it arose, would create a tremendous financial burden when prescribing the products. An easy fix to this, would be to tolerate the section of the population who could / would grow their own.
The SNP appear to be taking an enlightened view of the subject of cannabis legalisation.
Regrettably, the article ends on a rather negative and sour note. Despite the personal tragedy reported, blaming cannabis for its misuse by some individuals is not a rationale for not allowing its use in medical cases such as MS. I am not looking for a quick fix but a sustainable one, and cannabis based products may be the long term answer. Who knows if we are unable to try them without incurring the wrath of the law.
Thank you SNP delegates for taking a positive stance.
The argument that prohibition is to ensure public health is fallacious.
Opiates are widely (sometimes excessively) prescribed despite their inherent risk of addiction and abuse.
And then of course we have the timelessly classic, contradictory policy regarding tobacco; a plant that provides zero benefits and only death and disease.
l have been getting Sativex on nhs prescription since it became âlegalâ. ls it 6yrs. Before then l had to have a private prescription from my GP. The criteria was - you would have to have tried Baclofen/Tizandidine - and failed. GP contacted a neuro - who gave âhis blessingâ.
Even my vet - who does take a lot of interest in MS research- said out loud in the waiting room in front of everyone - âWhat you need is Cannabisâ! l replied that l do -and it is on the nhs.
Much cheaper than most meds - and with no side-effects. Unlike baclofen and tizanidine - that nearly had me a full time wheelie.
And they can cause liver and muscle damage used long term.
When you read the âpostâ of people on here who take a real cocktail of prescription drugs. ALL with very dangerous side-effects. One person - [who has stopped coming on recently] l used to worry about her - she was taking lots of paracetamol and codeine - plus Tramadol - and Valium - AND Diazepam. All highly addictive. And this was long term. She lived on her own - so how dangerous could that be.
Last time l saw a Neuro - he prescribed me Clonazepam. l donât know why. l did take it twice - and both times felt so bad the following day. Clonazepam is same family as Valium and Diazepam and for short term use only. When l told my GP - he said he would never ever prescribe it.
Taking more magnesium at night cured my painful legs - plus a bit more Sativex.