An online crowdfunder has been launched to raise funds to kickstart a key campaign to generate awareness of prescription cannabis and cannabinoid therapy with the public.
The crowdfunder, being run by the Cannabis Industry Council (CIC), aims to raise £20,000 initially to undertake public relations and promotional activity around the existence and benefits of prescription cannabis.
Currently there are just 35,000 prescription cannabis patients in the UK, with many doctors and patients being unaware that prescription cannabis is legal. There are 10 times as many patients in Australia (with half the population), plus significantly more in Germany and North America.
Instead of prescription cannabis, patients often use strong opioid painkillers, highly addictive anti-depressants, or ineffective alternative treatments. While other patients resort to accessing cannabis off the illicit market for medicinal reasons.
Co-Chair of the CIC Prescription Cannabis Working Group James Smith said: “A major reason for the low number of patients is the lack of public awareness around the legality of prescription cannabis. Expanding medicinal cannabis prescribing will improve public health, reduce NHS waiting lists, and cut opioid dependency, as well as various other knock on benefits.
“We urge the industry to get behind this crowdfunder to help us kickstart this important public awareness campaign.”
The funding will be utilised on compliant promotional activity in support of prescription cannabis, with the allocations overseen by the CIC leadership team and any major donors.
The crowdfunder launched on 4 April, and runs initially for seven weeks. To donate to the crowdfunder, please visit – https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/cannacampaign.
