First published on Cannabis Health
Medical cannabis patients made history in London with a first-of-its-kind, patient-led education event focused on cannabis-based medicines, hosted at the Charterhouse.
The international patient organisation We, The Patients held its inaugural London event on Friday, 7 November, in collaboration with PatientsCann UK, with the goal of reframing how medical cannabis is understood and discussed in the UK.
A Historic Setting and a Landmark First
The one-day forum took place at the Charterhouse, a centuries-old site that played a key role during the Tudor period before evolving into a charitable foundation in 1611. For the first time in its 650-year history, the venue permitted patients to medicate and vape medical cannabis indoors.
Attendees heard from leading clinicians and researchers including Dr Rowan Thompson, Dr Mikael Sodergren, Julie Durrans and Dr Sameen Jalil, who brought together patient insight with medical and scientific expertise.
AI, Real-World Evidence and the Endocannabinoid System
Dr Sodergren, Head of Imperial College London’s Medical Cannabis Research Group and Chief Medical Officer at Curaleaf International, discussed the ongoing work his team is conducting to gather and analyse real-world evidence (RWE).
According to Sodergren, the UK Medical Cannabis Registry now includes data from more than 50,000 patients, making it the largest global registry of its kind. Information collected from the registry has supported over 30 peer-reviewed studies and 60 scientific presentations covering numerous health conditions.
While randomised controlled trials remain essential for validating efficacy, RWE provides strong safety data, he explained. His team is now integrating artificial intelligence (AI) to evaluate patient outcomes, identify characteristics suited to specific therapies, and model optimal cannabinoid combinations for treatment.
“If you consider the 140 cannabinoids we know of, the number of potential combinations is immense. Testing every mix in the lab would be impossible within our lifetimes,” said Sodergren. “Machine learning helps narrow the possibilities, identifying the most promising formulations. It cannot replace lab validation, but it guides us towards the most likely candidates.”
Dr Rowan Thompson expanded on the significance of the endocannabinoid system (ECS), noting its influence on a range of conditions including chronic pain, depression and endometriosis. She highlighted that low ECS tone is linked with anxiety, insomnia and infertility, while high ECS tone is associated with chronic pain, cardiovascular issues and obesity.
Despite its medical importance, Sodergren noted that the ECS remains largely absent from medical curricula, even at leading institutions.
“Cannabis Gave Me My Life Back”
Patient advocate Julie Durrans received one of the most emotional responses of the day, as she described how cannabis-based medicines transformed her life after years of chronic illness.
“Cannabis didn’t cure me, but it gave me my life back,” she said. “It gave me energy, clarity, community and hope.”
She urged that all patients should have the right to safe and effective treatment, and the option to cultivate their own medicine.
“My wish is that no patient ever has to hide or feel ashamed of their medicine,” Durrans added. “And that everyone might one day grow one plant themselves, to see where healing begins.”
A Moment of Connection and Progress
Carola Pérez, Founder and Chair of We, The Patients, said the event represented an important milestone for patient voices.
“We are thrilled to bring We, The Patients to London,” Pérez told Cannabis Health. “To gather in a 650-year-old building and speak openly about medical cannabis was truly a dream realised.”
She expressed gratitude to PatientsCann UK and UPA for their collaboration, noting the overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees.
“For us, it was more than an event; it was a moment of connection and recognition. We hope to return to London next year with another theme,” Pérez said.
Continuing the Discussion
Dr Rowan Thompson and other experts will continue exploring developments in cannabis-based medicines at the upcoming Cannabis Health Symposium in London on Tuesday, 25 November.
