Podcasts and Blogs
Our latest podcast-features and blogs appear here.
If you would like a member of our team to join your conversation,
please contact hello@pleacommunity.org.uk
Blog: Tears of a black patient
by Maz Mills
Originally posted via Chronic Click
Here I am, a black patient, feeling like the ONLY black patient, with a foot in the door, a seat at the table, where my voice can be heard. So why the **** am I crying so hard? It’s because under the mask has been the most epic emotional turmoil of potential, possibilities, opportunities and all that, but against a backdrop of racial disparities, white privilege, black conditioning, and guilt.
Blog: They were just words. Three years on, what disabled people need is a solution
In November 2018, current Health Secretary (and then Home Secretary) Sajid Javid ruled that medical cannabis would be made legally available for people with chronic conditions. At the time, he claimed the government had “now delivered on our promises.”
Blog: Vaporising at a festival
I don’t know about you, but I have spent a lot of time this year trying to plan something to look forward to when the world starts returning to some kind of normality. Live music is what I need to recharge my batteries, especially festivals. I had 4 booked but, predictably, one-by-one they cancelled until just Camp Bestival was left.
Blog: Mould and microbes
One of the big things that differentiates cannabis on prescription and what is obtained through other methods, be that growing your own or from the street, is the guarantee that the product is free from microbes and has been tested in an independent accredited laboratory. In order to meet Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), all products must adhere to a certain standard laid out by the MHRA.
Blog: MedCannID - A medical cannabis patient ID card
by Jack Pierce
Throughout the last few months I have spent a considerable amount of time seeking a new form of treatment for my complex autism condition. This newly approved treatment has been in the form of medical cannabis, enabling me to become an official holder of a legal cannabis prescription within the UK.
Blog: Finding your effective dosage
How do you find your effective medical cannabis dosage so that you are medicated for your symptoms, but remain functional? I am not an expert in this area, however, I have read a lot on this topic, and I can tell you what happened regarding finding the effective dosage from my experience.
Blog: How does cannabis help in managing my autism?
by Jack Pierce
Throughout the past few weeks, I keep being asked which strains I medicate with and how they help me in managing my autism. I thought a piece highlighting the strains I am currently prescribed would prove useful to others, who may be entering the world of medical cannabis and are unsure where to start when discussing flowers with their approved clinician.
Blog: How often are medicines recalled?
by Kevin Stevens
I, like many in the medical cannabis community, have been deeply troubled by the recent issue of mould in some of the prescription flower. I have questions. How could this have happened? Why was there confusion over recalling the product? Why were people left without their vital medicine for days?
Blog: One Year of PLEA
by Matthew Taylor
On the 13th of May 2020, PLEA officially launched. The founding team comprised experienced campaigners and advocates for Medical Cannabis, establishing a fresh, independent non-profit Community Interest Company to help patients navigate a dynamic and unpredictable new area of healthcare in the UK.
Blog: The epidemic no one is talking about - opioids or a greener future
by Shaylen Patel of Ascension Gardens
4,393 deaths related to drug poisoning were registered in 2019, with almost half of all drug related deaths involving opiates such as heroin and morphine. According to the Office for National Statistics, this is the highest number since records began in 1993- depicting a harsh reality faced by many thousands in the UK.
Podcast: Brown Don’t Frown
with Lucy Stafford
“Disabled people are infantilised, sensationalised or they’re just not believed.”
Brown Don’t Frown Podcast invited PLEA’s Lucy Stafford as a guest on their latest episode, to discuss raising the visibility of disability through advocacy, accessibility and destigmatisation.
Podcast: Cannabis Voices
with Justin Clarke
In this episode of Cannabis Voices, Mary Biles speaks with PLEA Patient Working Group member Justin Clarke about cannabis, autism and himself.
Video: CANNAMANtv
with Kayleigh Ross
This episode of CANNAMANtv hears PLEA Patient Working Group Member Kayleigh Ross opening up about her life as a patient and parent using medicinal cannabis.
Book Review: The Beginner’s Guide to Medical Cannabis
by Matthew Taylor
A professionally written, easy to follow beginner’s guide to Medical Cannabis that keeps things simple. It is open, honest, and personable, making the reader feel comfortable. Recommended for either a complete novice, or for those wishing to update their existing knowledge.
Blog: Cannabis as preventive medicine?
by Kevin Stevens
For the last 2 or 3 years I have been vaping a small quantity of cannabis every day in the belief that it is good for my health, but I do sometimes ask myself the question; do I really need to?
Podcast: Cannabis Voices
with Lucy Stafford
Join Mary Biles for her podcast Cannabis Voices, speaking with PLEA’s Lucy Stafford about her incredible journey with cannabis.
Podcast: Hunger for the Hustle
with Abby Hughes
For this episode of the Hunger for the Hustle Podcast, PLEA Chair & Outreach Director Abby joins long-time friend and host Jacob Fowler for a discussion around nonprofit business, what inspires her to volunteer her time assisting with PLEA, and on the importance of knowing the value and worth of your input.
Submission: CDPRG Call for Evidence
by Lucy Stafford
From patient testimony and discussion, PLEA have compiled a response to the Conservative Drug Policy Reform Group call for evidence. Thank you to those that contributed to our submission.
Podcast: Drug Science - Medical Cannabis, Mum & Me
with Lucy & Kate Stafford
Advocacy lead Lucy Stafford discuss her transformative medicinal cannabis journey, details of Project Twenty21 and the launch of PLEA, with Professor David Nutt and mum Kate, in this informative episode of The Drug Science Podcast.
Podcast: Cannabis Voices
with Carly Mayer
In Cannabis Voices, Mary Biles - medical cannabis writer and author of ‘The CBD Book – The Essential Guide to CBD oil’ - speaks to patients, carers, cannabinoid scientists, doctors and activists about the healing power of the cannabis plant.
Mary speaks with PLEA’s Carly Mayer (then Barton) in the first full episode of Cannabis Voices.
As a non-profit organisation, PLEA will only invest in projects that address accelerating access to prescribed CBMPs. We shall advocate for the patient community whilst remaining impartial and are not incentivised, influenced or motivated by financial gain. Our resources are offered to patients free of charge.