#MCAW2022
With just three NHS prescriptions having been issued four years on from the law change allowing doctors to prescribe medical cannabis, Medical Cannabis Awareness Week 2022 aims to highlight the real need for real-world evidence in evolving access to this new treatment.
With our 2021 events involving over 50 speakers and 1500 live attendees, with 60,000 people reached, PLEA has once again collaborated with patients, doctors, colleagues and organisations from across the sector.
Patients unable to fund private prescriptions are suffering due to the fear, stigma and financial barriers preventing them accessing this safe, and potentially life-changing, treatment.
This is not right.
We are calling for fair access to medical cannabis treatment.
All sessions are free to attend and will be available to watch back at a later date. Please register individually for each session you wish to attend:
Tuesday 1st November, 6:00 - 7:30pm: Medical Cannabis Research on Paediatric Epilepsy
Wednesday 2nd November, 6:00 - 7:30pm: Women's Health
Thursday 3rd November, 6:00 - 7:30pm: Barriers to Access
Friday 4th November, 10:30am- 18:30pm: UK Patient Conference
Saturday 5th November, 12:00 - 1:30pm: The Future of Cannabis Cultivation
Sunday 6th November, 6:00 - 7:30pm: Industry Insights
Monday 7th November, 6:00 - 7:30pm: Condition Conversations
Overview
Watch back #MCAW2021 events
Day 1 - Patient Perspectives
A patient and parent panel share both the successes and continued barriers in accessing medical cannabis in the UK.
Day 2 - Condition Conversations
A conversation exploring the potential of medical cannabis treatment for a range of physical and mental health conditions.
Day 3 - Research Roundtable
A look at the latest research, highlighting the real need for real-world evidence in evolving medical cannabis access.
Day 4 - Industry Insights - Seed to Prescription
Ahead of our live Industry Insights event, the amazing team at Aqualabs put together this fantastic resource looking at medical cannabis, from seed to prescription.
Day 4 - Industry Insights
An insight into current industry ongoings, focusing on the need to centre and amplify patients in the medical cannabis sector.
Day 5 - Access Analysis
A step-by-step guide to support patients in making an informed decision in accessing medical cannabis treatment.
Day 6 - Diversity Discussions - POSTPONED
An open dialogue addressing cultural challenges and the urgent need to widen diversity in the medical cannabis sector.
Day 7 - Summary Session
A look into the findings from across Medical Cannabis Awareness Week 2021, mapping out calls to action and next steps.
How you can support
Medical Cannabis Awareness Week 2022
Patients
If you’re a medical cannabis patient already or you’re exploring the treatment as an alternative, here you’ll find all the resources you need to get involved.
Share your story, find help and support and learn more about Medical Cannabis Awareness Week 2021.
Healthcare Sector
Whether you’re a doctor, nurse, allied health professional, student, researcher, licensed producer or professional in the healthcare sector, thank you for getting involved.
Here you’ll find ways to get you, and your organisation, involved in Medical Cannabis Awareness Week 2021.
Supporters
Whether you’ve just heard about medical cannabis or you know someone who is using the treatment, here you’ll find all the information you need about this treatment.
Thank you for helping us spread the word during Medical Cannabis Awareness Week 2021.
Share your plea
Matthew Taylor shares his plea for Medical Cannabis Awareness Week 2020.
Has medical cannabis changed your life? Are you being denied access?
Are you restricted with your research?
What is your plea to support patient access to medical cannabis?
You can tell your story by recording a video, audio clip or writing it down, anonymously if you wish.
Click below to upload your plea, or share on social media using the hashtag #MCAW2021.
Our aim
The aims of Medical Cannabis Awareness Week 2021 are to:
Promote the need for real-world evidence in evolving access to medical cannabis treatment
Address the stigma faced by patients
Call for fair access to medical cannabis treatment on the NHS
Established by Patient-Led Engagement for Access, Medical Cannabis Awareness Week provides a week-long opportunity for patients, doctors and organisations to pledge their commitment to education, awareness and support for fair access to medical cannabis.
From sharing patient stories and taking part in webinars and education, to simply asking people to care about cannabis, there are many ways to support the Week year-round.
Patients are at the heart of the discussion about medical cannabis and through PLEA’s work to support our patient community we are trusted with concerns, frustrations, pains and successes experienced when accessing medical cannabis. It’s time to end the inequality and ensure everyone who needs it has the opportunity to benefit from medical cannabis treatment.
Medical Cannabis Awareness Week will take place during the first week of November every year.
Whether you are a patient, you work in the healthcare or medical cannabis sector, or you support fair access to life-changing medical cannabis, please support #MCAW2021.
Watch back: #MCAW2020
Patient voices with Mary Biles
Host Mary Biles asks our patient panelists; what is the biggest change to your life due to medical cannabis? Ian says he wouldn't be here without it. Justin can take part in many more social situations. Emily has been able to reduce her child's cocktail of meds. Gillian is more in control of her life.
Life with a medical cannabis prescription
How do patients overcome the stigma and misconceptions of medicinal cannabis in day-to-day life? Patients discuss their experiences around life with medical cannabis prescription.
Medical cannabis in paediatric care
Join Dr Evan Lewis, Epileptologist and Assistant Professor at University of Toronto in a discussion with parent patient advocates Joanne Griffiths and Matt Hughes, around the uses and complexities of medical cannabis treatment in paediatric care.
Building the evidence base with Drug Science
Join the Drug Science team to discuss research to improve understanding of medical cannabis. Drug Science’s Project Twenty21 aims to monitor the health outcomes of 20,000 UK patients using cannabis based medicinal products.
Is there a role for cannabis in palliative care?
Dr Claude Cyr, founder of Doctors for Responsible Access in Canada, leads the discussion, joined by Seed Change co-founder Dr Tara Mastracci, with patients Luzita Hill and Adriano Leto sharing their lived experience.
Where does medical cannabis come from?
Invited to explore Cannabis Pharm's facilities in Denmark, Dr Callie Seaman walks us through a medical cannabis cultivation and production facility, joined by Morten, Jacob and Anthony from Cannabis Pharm Denmark, and Joseph from Aqualabs.
Discussing medical cannabis w/ healthcare professionals
Discussing medical cannabis with healthcare professionals can be daunting for patients. Join a discussion between patients and primary healthcare professionals around how to approach the conversation, with practical tips, guidance and real-life patient experiences.
How can technology advance medical cannabis access?
How can patients use technology to enhance their experience with medicinal cannabis? How will research in cannabinoids be enhanced with technology? What is the potential future of medical devices to support cannabis medicines?
Creating an ethical, sustainable & patient-centred industry
Join a frank and honest discussion on developing an ethical and sustainable medical cannabis industry, and the importance of patient engagement.
A step-by-step guide to accessing treatment
What conditions can I be prescribed medical cannabis for? Do I need a referral? What can I expect from treatment at a medical cannabis clinic? Join us for a step-by-step guide to accessing treatment with Sapphire Institute for Medical Education.
Ending the criminalisation of medical cannabis patients
The vast majority of patients are unable to access legally prescribed medications - what is the law around possessing cannabis and what initiatives are protecting patients in this position?
About #MCAW2020