Medicinal cannabis patients in the UK will be able to utilise a new cannabis exemption card from 1 November 2020, which will protect them from arrest and legal prosecution in the UK.

The new Cancard may help upwards of 1 million UK adults, who could eligible for the initiative and apply for the new card through their GP.

Supported by the Police Federation, medical cannabis patients and MPs, the new holographic photo ID will be available to people who suffer from conditions that have been prescribed for through private clinics since the laws surrounding medical cannabis changed in November 2018.

The use of cannabis-based medicines was legalised in the UK almost two years ago, for a limited number of conditions, after the prominent cases of two young epilepsy sufferers who were shown to benefit from using cannabis-derived medicines.

However, despite the development of a suitable legal framework efforts to make medicinal cannabis more accessible and affordable have been hampered by the lack of medical practitioners trained to prescribe medicinal cannabis.

There are, however, positive developments to look forward to, as Billy Caldwell, who suffers from severe epilepsy, after a long drawn out legal battle has finally had his NHS prescription for medical cannabis reinstated. Could this be the beginning of a wider acceptance of the medical benefits of cannabis and a move towards patients being able to access the same support?

Meanwhile, the Cancard has been developed with patients and was conceived by Carly Barton – one of the UK’s leading advocates for medicinal cannabis law reform. Prompted by the inequitable access to medical cannabis, fuelled essentially by the economic status of each patient, the card aims to waylay the residual fears of medicinal cannabis users who are concerned they will be targeted as criminals and prosecuted by the police.

Those able to acquire the new ID will be able to identify themselves to police as verified medicinal cannabis patients, providing them with an immediate legal defence provided by Cancard, should it be required.

Martyn Underhill, Police and Crime Commissioner for Dorset, who is backing Cancard, said: “Cancard will provide patients with an assurance that their ill health will not lead to a criminal record.

“Furthermore, it will also be a valuable tool to help frontline officers, saving them time by providing immediate verification of genuine medical patients and therefore giving them the confidence to use their discretion.”

To help patients, Cancard is partnering with the Primary Care Cannabis Network (PCCN), which believes that GPs are well placed to become key prescribers for medicinal cannabis.

They are working with Cancard to help disseminate scientific information to doctors to increase their understanding and are working on a campaign for patients whose GPs are reluctant to engage with the initiative.

This is essential as the application process for a Cancard will require professional medical assistance.

To obtain a card, a patient must first call or visit their GP, who will need to confirm their medical condition with Cancard.

The patient will then submit their application, along with a passport photo and their GP’s email address.

GPs will then be asked to complete a form that confirms a diagnosis that meets the eligibility criteria for a private cannabis prescription.

If the application is successful the patient will be sent their Cancard to use at their discretion, as and when it is required.

The application process will begin on 1 November 2020, but patients can register their interest now directly via Cancard.

If you have queries regarding Cancard or the rules surrounding the prescription of medical cannabis in the UK, please contact us.