Cancard: a card to protect medical cannabis users in the UK

A «cannabis card» system to protect medical cannabis users has been unveiled in the UK. The Cancard, designed by doctors and supported by the police, technically decriminalizes the possession or cultivation of cannabis for medical purposes.

In the event of a stop and search, the Cancard provides the police officer with proof that the person in possession of cannabis is using it for medical purposes. It also supports the officer's decision on how to use his or her discretion.

Although cannabis is now legally prescribed for certain conditions in the UK, few ordinances have been issued on the NHS, As a result, patients have to resort to expensive private prescriptions, black-market supplies or grow their own.

What does Cancard do?

The Cancard allows patients to possess cannabis with less fear of arrest. In the event of a stop and search, the Cancard provides officers with key information to support their discretion.

The National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) and the Police Federation have endorsed the Cancard. Each police officer will receive an information package from NPCC asking them to use discretion if they encounter a medical cannabis user, and suggesting that they not be arrested.

The program is run by activists, not the government, but police forces will ask officers to respect its users and their medical intentions.

Growing and consuming cannabis outside of specific medical circumstances will remain technically illegal. British police already recommends no longer criminalizing cannabis users and find alternative solutions.

Jason Harwin, NPCC Senior Drugs Officer and Deputy Chief Constable of Lincolnshire Police, said that arresting patients who take cannabis because of their medical condition «cannot be acceptable».

«This is a real problem, where the police service is stuck in the middle of a situation where individuals should legitimately access their prescribed medicines, but, due to unavailability and cost, they can't and therefore to treat their illness rely on illicit cannabis,» he said. «This cannot be acceptable and places the service in a position where we could criminalize someone because of their illness.»

How can I benefit from a Cancard?

To be eligible for the scheme, which launches today, patients must obtain a letter from their GP proving that they have an illness for which cannabis can be prescribed and covered by a private prescription, having tried or discussed at least two unsuitable treatments. People must also be unable to afford a private prescription (around £1,500 a month, €1,700) and be at risk of being criminalized, either through possession or cultivation of cannabis.

Illnesses mentioned include PTSD, cancer, anxiety, chronic pain, migraines and Crohn's disease.

Around 1.1 million people in the UK would be eligible.

A private initiative

The Cancard program was the brainchild of Carly Barton, a fibromyalgia patient who qualifies for a legal prescription for medicinal cannabis but grows her own cannabis due to the cost of private prescriptions.

She said, «We all know that cases where patients have proven legitimate medical use are unlikely to go to court, and if they do, these cases are systematically dropped. This is particularly the case when a patient comes forward with a condition for which it is privately prescribed. There is currently no way of identifying these people before she is worried and public resources have been wasted.»

«Cancard should give patients peace of mind and confidence that the police can use their discretion even before any stress is caused to vulnerable people.»