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.
🌹Labour delivers ‘disappointing’ response during medical cannabis debate
The first parliamentary debate on medical cannabis in the UK under the new Labour administration delivered more of the same reasoning for the lack of progress as the previous government. This is despite Labour’s Minister of State for Health and Social Care, Karin Smyth, herself having delivered heartfelt pleas for government action on medical cannabis reform while in opposition.
Matt Hughes, Co-Founder and Director of Medcan Family Foundation, who attended the debate told Business of Cannabis:
“Labour’s support for our campaign while in opposition was commendable, making today’s response all the more disappointing.”
🇬🇧 Dalgety ships first product to UK patients
UK medical cannabis cultivator, Dalgety, shipped its first product to patients this month after five years and over £10 million in investment. The Midlands-based facility is the first in the UK to secure a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) licence to cultivate, manufacture and supply medical cannabis from a single location.
Currently only half of the 30,000 ft site is in operation, with the aim of producing enough plants to fulfil up to 4,000 prescriptions a month. By 2026, when the company expands to full capacity, the site is projected to produce 2,600 kg of cannabis per year. Prof Mike Barnes congratulated Dalgety on the news, highlighting the need for “good quality product with a reliable supply chain”.
🇪🇸 Spain submits draft decree on medical cannabis to EU
Spain’s medical cannabis programme took a tentative step forward at the end of January. The Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Products (AEMPS) submitted its draft of a Royal Decree to the European Union for approval, following numerous public consultation periods.
However, the proposals have been criticised by some as being too conservative with a number of conditions, and flower-based products, excluded.
🌱 OCT announces rebrand and £10 million fundraise
Following its delisting from the London Stock Exchange last year, UK-based Oxford Cannabinoid Technologies has announced a rebrand to the new name, Octavian Therapeutics, with Lord Mott appointed as non-executive chair.
The company has also sharpened its focus on small molecule drug discovery targeting the endocannabinoid system, with a £10 million fundraising drive to accelerate drug development.
🇨🇭Zurich to host Europe’s first patient-led medical cannabis event
Europe’s first patient-led event will return next month with a focus on the medicinal use of cannabis in chronic neurodegenerative diseases. Following a successful launch in Madrid in October, We, The Patients, will host its first event in Switzerland on 1 March at the Resident Zürich Seefeld.
The free event offers patients a platform to share their experiences, as well as accessing crucial information around the use of cannabis as a medicine.
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