The UK on the road to domestic production of medical cannabis

Despite the legalization of medical cannabis in the UK, domestic production has not yet begun, and medical cannabis products must be imported—sometimes at the patients’ own expense when they seek care from private providers. This could, however, change quickly.

The earliest British agricultural sites

The United Kingdom legalized medical cannabis last November, under pressure from public opinion and following a rise in the number of cases in which parents were arrested for bringing medical cannabis from Canada or the Netherlands for their sick children. Today, although it is legal, Cannabis is very hard to come by. The British National Health Service (NHS) is still reluctant to prescribe it. Most patients generally have to turn to private practitioners.

Private clinics specializing in medical cannabis are popping up across the United Kingdom to meet the growing demand for medical cannabis. They are, so to speak, attracting those who have been left behind by the NHS. The First Specialized Clinic had opened near Manchester in March. Another one is set to open in London. They both belong to the ECH (European Cannabis Holdings). The consultation costs £200.

Even if the NHS were more willing to prescribe cannabis, there is currently no local supply chain. The few patients authorized to use cannabis for medical purposes are issued an import permit. The NHS covers the cost of importing cannabis for patients treated in the public system, while patients in private care must pay out of pocket (at a cost of between £600 and £700 per month). In both cases, it remains very expensive.

Domestic production of medical cannabis is being considered as a way to reduce these costs. A cultivation facility was already approved last October in Wiltshire, England, near Bristol, and is currently under construction. Its exact location is being kept secret. It is owned by the London-based company Sativa Investment which has been granted permission to operate a three-hectare greenhouse. A second facility could soon be built in Scotland.

Medical Cannabis in Scotland

According to the Scottish press, the Australian company Leafcann, which already holds a license in Australia to manufacture cannabis-based pharmaceutical products, is in talks with local authorities in Ayrshire to cultivate and produce medical cannabis in the Irvine area. «Our team is committed to distributing high-quality products grown in cultivation facilities indoor«, said Leafcann’s chief scientific officer, Dr. Jaroslav Boublik. The company established a British subsidiary in January.

For now, the proposal is still under negotiation, but some Scottish politicians have already spoken out in favor of it. Monica Lennon, the Scottish Labour Party’s spokesperson on health, welcomed the news: «It is encouraging to see that discussions are underway that could improve access to medical cannabis in Scotland’s public health services.».

Opposition Health Minister Miles Briggs, for his part, stated: «As long as it is strictly regulated, there shouldn’t be any problems. »However, any cultivation site must first be approved by the local community to ensure that residents’ views are taken into account and that a strong emphasis is placed on safety.” Local authorities confirmed that they are in discussions with the Australian company but made it clear that no agreement has been reached at this time.