15 Sep CLEAR Press Release: 15th September – Legally Imported Medicinal Cannabis

Contact: Peter Reynolds
peterreynolds@clear-uk.org

Reply to press@clear-uk.org

15th September 2013

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – NO EMBARGO

Legally Prescribed, Legally Dispensed, Legally Imported, Medicinal Cannabis Now In Britain.

A CLEAR member has returned to the UK from Holland with 90g of Bedrocan medicinal cannabis which was prescribed by his UK GP. He declared the medicine at customs, showed various documentation and was authorised to proceed.

For details see http://clear-uk.org/legal-medicinal-cannabis-in-britain-achieved/

CLEAR has obtained legal advice that while he is in breach of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (MoDA), any prosecution would be bound to fail.

This is the most significant breakthrough in the cannabis campaign since the Dangerous Drugs Act 1925 was enacted. Since it came into force herbal cannabis has been prohibited and after the MoDA, cannabis tincture was also banned. In 2004, Sativex, a cannabis tincture produced by sophisticated modern processes, became available. Its extraordinary cost of £560 for one month’s prescription means that it is very difficult to obtain from the NHS. Equivalent Bedrocan products are from one tenth to one fifth of the cost of Sativex. Most patients find Bedrocan far more effective and it does not produce the painful mouth sores very common amongst Sativex users.

Medicinal cannabis is now available in every country in Europe except France, Ireland and Britain. More than 50% of US citizens now have access to medical marijuana and Israel has an advanced medicinal cannabis programme.

Peter Reynolds, president and leader of CLEAR, commented:

“This is the breakthrough that we have been working towards. It drives a coach and horses through the government’s cruel and hypocritical policy on medicinal cannabis. This could benefit millions of people in Britain with a variety of painful and debilitating conditions. There is a crisis in British medicine with how to treat chronic pain as so many painkillers have proved to be toxic and highly dangerous. Science proves that cannabis is a very safe and effective remedy.”

Cannabis Law Reform (CLEAR) is a registered political party which aims to end the prohibition of cannabis most urgently for those who need it as medicine. CLEAR also advocates replacing the anarchic mess of prohibition with a framework of regulation which would allow proper control of the trade and of the product in terms of strength and purity while providing protection for vulnerable people such as children.

ENDS

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If you would like more information on this topic or an other aspect of the work of CLEAR Cannabis Law Reform, or to arrange an interview with Peter Reynolds please contact him on 07717 846487
peterreynolds@clear-uk.org