Medical Cannabis Is cannabis prohibition a workplace disability

Medical Cannabis Is cannabis prohibition a workplace disability issue? Presentation by Disabled People Need Medical Cannabis to UCU DMSC 15/09/17

Cannabis/hemp • A genus of flowering herb • C. sativa, C. indica and C. ruderalis • Seeds are rich in healthy fat, protein and minerals • Hemp fiber comes from stalks • Female flower buds contain cannabinoids Presentation by Disabled People Need Medical Cannabis to UCU DMSC 15/09/17

Cannabinoids • Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – psychotropic, anti inflaminatory • Cannabidiol (CBD) – antioxidant, neuroprotective, pain killer • Cannabinol (CBN) – hypnotic, anticonvulsant • Entourage effect – they work together effectively Presentation by Disabled People Need Medical Cannabis to UCU DMSC 15/09/17

Indications • Multiple sclerosis –spasticity • AIDS - nausea • Neuropathic Pain /Chronic pain • Rheumatology • Cancer pain/chemotherapy nausea • Epilepsy • Psychiatry - PTSD • Glaucoma Presentation by Disabled People Need Medical Cannabis to UCU DMSC 15/09/17

UK Legal Status • Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 • Class B from 1928 • Possession – Up to 5 years • Cultivation – up to 14 years • Cannabis is not recognized as having any therapeutic value under the law in England Wales Presentation by Disabled People Need Medical Cannabis to UCU DMSC 15/09/17

Global Legal Status – medical consumption • Czech Republic • Finland • Netherlands • Spain • Portugal • Germany • USA – 29 states • Canada • North Korea • Uruguay • Peru • Jamaica • Australia • Italy • Mexico • Estonia Presentation by Disabled People Need Medical Cannabis to UCU DMSC 15/09/17

Sativex • Sativex - GW Pharmaceuticals • Cannabis is grown by British Sugar • Misuse of Drugs Act – included • NICE ” it is not a cost effective treatment” • Private prescription only • £ 412 Presentation by Disabled People Need Medical Cannabis to UCU DMSC 15/09/17

Is cannabis a disability workplace issue? • It is clear that many disabled people in the UK are given symptom relief from cannabis • May disabled people are choosing to break the UK law • Most medical users take it to feel normal and to be productive • Medical cannabis could be the difference between a disabled person working or not Presentation by Disabled People Need Medical Cannabis to UCU DMSC 15/09/17

Current Medical Cannabis Campaigns • Disabled people need medical cannabis • https: //twitter. com/dpnmcuk • Patients at Parliament Protest • 10 October 14: 00 House of Parliament • United Patients Alliance • http: //www. upalliance. org • Paul Flynn • https: //www. youtube. com/watc h? v=OEr 9 Kczt. VCA • UK Cannabis Social Clubs • https: //ukcsc. co. uk Presentation by Disabled People Need Medical Cannabis to UCU DMSC 15/09/17