From stories making mainstream headlines in the UK, to regulatory developments across the globe, catch up on the latest news in the medical cannabis sector with Maple Tree's monthly digest. Sign up to the Cannabis Report at the bottom of the page to receive in your inbox every month.
🛡️ Authorised CBD products expected by spring 2025
In a long-awaited move for the UK’s CBD sector, the Food Standards Agency has announced a new roadmap that could see the first products given official approval by spring 2025. With three applications now having received positive safety assessments, the FSA and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) are set to launch an eight-week public consultation period early next year, before making a final call to ministers.
During a monthly board meeting to discuss, among other things, the future direction of CBD regulation in the UK, there were numerous suggestions the FSA is leaning towards a 0% THC approach for CBD products. Read more
🏛️ CIC calls for medical cannabis to be overseen by DHSC
In a submission to the Government’s Change NHS consultation, the Cannabis Industry Council has urged for Home Office powers on licensing, importation, research, and scheduling of medical cannabis to be transferred to the Department of Health and Social Care.
The CIC also called for the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) to be co-sponsored by the Home Office and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), with DHSC the sponsor for any and all medical cannabis matters. Read more
🇨🇿 Czech GPs to prescribe medical cannabis
From April 2025, GPs in the Czech Republic will be permitted to prescribe medical cannabis under a new decree published by the Ministry of Health, following years of lobbying from patients and healthcare professionals. Medical cannabis has been legal in Czechia since 2013 but currently only specialists are permitted to prescribe.
It is hoped that the new legislation, which has been supported by the Czech Association of General Practitioners, will significantly improve access to legal cannabis treatments. Read more
🇩🇰 Denmark announces plans for permanent medical cannabis framework
Denmark’s six-year medical cannabis pilot scheme could soon be expanded into a fully legalised market, following an announcement from the government at the end of November.
The pilot scheme has been running since 2018, and has continued to expand in both scope and patient numbers over the past six years, with four different access schemes now operating.
♀️Leading women’s health researchers recognise potential of CBD
Researchers from the Centre for Reproductive Health at the University of Edinburgh have co-authored a new review paper highlighting the potential of CBD in the treatment of endometriosis.
The new paper, published in the top-ranking journal Trends in Pharmacological Science (TIPS), finds that CBD is a “promising therapeutic agent” due to its varying effects on the body.
🇬🇧 Medcan Family Foundation visits Number 10
Hannah and Mike visited Downing Street earlier this month with Medcan Family Foundation, to highlight the urgent need for innovation in clinical trials to pave a way for second-generation full-spectrum cannabinoid medicines to be licensed and made available through the NHS.
A soon to be published peer-reviewed report highlights the prevalence of parents being forced into the illicit market in the UK. Charities such as Epilepsy Action, the Tuberous Sclerosis Association, CDKL5UK, the UK Infantile Spasms Trust, SRF UK, and the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society, have all supported the call for change.
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