A new initiative is set to improve the medical cannabis industry by giving patients a voice and the chance to shape their future care.
Research and advocacy organisation Volteface and cannabis consultancy group Maple Tree Consultants have partnered to launch Patients First – a scheme which will pay medical cannabis patients for participating in professionally facilitated focus groups.
The initiative is being launched in response to the significant amount of patient dissatisfaction voiced across Facebook groups and Reddit forums in regards to the quality of UK medical cannabis. Patients First recognises the potential harms caused if patient voices are not accounted for. Failing to listen to the concerns of patients risks expanding the illicit market, as patients lose faith in legally supplied cannabis.
Volteface and Maple Tree are looking for patients to give constructive and accurate feedback on their experiences with medical cannabis. The insights collected from focus groups will aim to guide the industry in a more sustainable manner, and for the first time, give patients a formal outlet to voice their concerns and have a meaningful say in how the cannabis sector develops.
No personal data will be taken from patients due to the sensitive nature of the subject and all information provided to industry groups will be heavily anonymised. Insights from the sessions will be held on a secure database which will not be shared with any third parties directly.
Volteface and Maple Tree hope that this initiative will ensure that the medical cannabis industry engagement is ethical, considered and a positive experience for all involved.
Key Points:
- Any medical cannabis patient in the UK can sign up to the initiative via a secure database, answering a few short questions about their medical cannabis use
- Patients will be remunerated for their time
- All data will remain confidential and securely stored
- Patients may remain anonymous or use a pseudonym if they wish
Katya Kowalski, Head of Operations at Volteface, said: “At the moment there is a significant disconnect between patients and industry groups in the UK medical cannabis sector. Patients often feel their perspectives are not being heard by the industry. We recognise this is an issue and have set up Patients First to promote a patient-led practice in the industry with a clear vehicle to engage with them.”
Hannah Deacon, Director at Maple Tree Consultants, said: “In my time as a campaigner, I have found it difficult to connect with the industry. This new initiative will help patients feel heard, whilst compensating them for their time. We aim to create a sector which serves its purpose and supports its patients and their needs.”
Mike Barnes, Director at Maple Tree Consultants, said: “This is a great initiative, it’s about time that the industry properly listened to the voice of the patients. I really hope that the industry takes advantage of this brilliant opportunity.”
