A manifesto for change in the cannabis space has been published by the Cannabis Industry Council (CIC), the voice of the UK sector.
The manifesto contains a number of policy proposals for the Government, which will improve patient access to medicines, increase foreign direct investment to the industry, and boost revenues for farmers. The specific manifesto policies are as follows:
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A clear pathway for patients to access private prescriptions for unlicensed CBPMs from NHS consultations
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NHS and insurers to increase reimbursement of private prescriptions of cannabis medicines for certain indications
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Home Office to enable the electronic prescribing of cannabis medicines, both from a legal and technical (NHS Digital) standpoint
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The Proceeds of Crime Act revised to enable legitimate foreign investment into the cannabis industry
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Home Office to allow the extraction of CBD flower with an Industrial Hemp Licence
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The Government to establish a new body which brings together the various regulatory responsibilities for cannabis
CIC Co-Chair Dr Callie Seaman said:
“The cannabis industry has the potential to make substantial contributions to health, the environment, and the economy.
“However, the industry is currently being stifled by unnecessary bureaucracy, unclear patient pathways to affordable access, and arbitrary restrictions on capital investment.
“The Cannabis Industry Council is pressing politicians and policymakers to make these uncontroversial, yet transformative, changes, to help deliver for patients and doctors.”
Additionally, the Government recently announced positive changes to hemp licensing practices, including increasing the permissible THC levels in hemp crops to “at least 0.3%”. The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) will provide advice on the THC limit by October 2024.
CIC Co-Chair Jamie Bartley commented:
“Increased temperatures in the UK can cause a natural increase in THC in the hemp plant, taking it above the limit. This leads to a risk to farmers, who may have to destroy any non-compliant crops.
“Increasing the THC limit would be a crucial vote of confidence in the farming sector, who have been hit by reduced subsidies, and increased competition from countries with lower standards.”