{"componentChunkName":"component---common-build-tags-template-js","path":"/tag/legislation/","result":{"data":{"allArticle":{"edges":[{"node":{"id":"Article_2229-markdown","title":"President Trump: Should Medical Marijuana Patients Be Wary?","slug":"president-trump-should-medical-marijuana-patients-be-wary","content":"As the year lurches closer and closer to November, Donald Trump's\r\ncampaign for the Republican nomination continues to gain steam. Trump\r\nhas a reputation as a political outsider who breaks from the GOP\r\nestablishment, and he's known for saying and doing unpredictable things.\r\n\r\nThere are plenty of issues where his stances are unclear. Particularly,\r\nTrump's opinions on medical marijuana have received little to no press,\r\nespecially compared with his outspoken positions on issues like\r\nimmigration and trade. With a Trump candidacy looking more likely with\r\neach primary, we should put some serious thought into what this wildcard\r\ncandidate's stance might be.\r\n\r\n**What Is Trump's Opinion on Medical Marijuana?**\r\n\r\nPart of the problem with predicting the position a Trump administration\r\nwould take regarding medical marijuana is that Trump himself has\r\nsubstantially changed his opinions on several issues over time. He has a\r\nreputation in the political press for [changing his\r\nmind](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/08/17/20-times-donald-trump-has-changed-his-mind-since-june/)\r\non issues as varied as abortion, ISIS and others.\r\n\r\nIn an\r\n[interview](https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19900414&id=eUoeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=EHoEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4675,4533445&hl=en)\r\nwith the Miami Herald in 1990, Donald Trump said he was in favor of\r\nlegalizing all drugs for adults. However, he announced at the 2015 [CPAC\r\nconference](http://www.c-span.org/video/?c4541840/donald-trump-marijuana)\r\nthat he opposes the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes.\r\n\r\nBut regarding medical marijuana, he's been more uniformly positive. At\r\nthat same conference, he said he is \"100 percent\" in favor of medical\r\nmarijuana, and he also [reiterated\r\nthis](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/10/29/trump-wants-marijuana-legalization-decided-at-the-state-level/?wpmm=1&wpisrc=nl_daily202)\r\nat a 2015 political rally.\r\n\r\nDespite the mercurial nature of Trump's opinions, it appears that he's\r\nrelatively constant about the merits of medical marijuana and how to\r\nenforce federal laws surrounding it. Still, we should keep a close eye\r\non any opinions the candidate might voice, just in case.\r\n\r\n**Chris Christie as Attorney General?**\r\n\r\nWith former New Jersey governor Chris Christie's recent endorsement of\r\nDonald Trump, pundits have speculated that Christie is [jockeying for a\r\nplace](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/02/26/4-reasons-why-chris-christie-endorsed-donald-trump/)\r\nin a Trump administration. While it's possible that Christie's trying to\r\nbecome Trump's vice presidential pick, there's been ample speculation\r\nthat he's leaning toward a position as Attorney General - especially\r\ngiven his previous experience as US Attorney for New Jersey. Since the\r\nattorney general heads the Department of Justice and makes essential\r\ndecisions about prosecution and the federal government's legislative\r\nauthority, whom the president chooses as his attorney general has a\r\nmajor impact on how federal marijuana laws are enforced.\r\n\r\nChristie generally takes a [very strong\r\nstance](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/14/chris-christie-marijuana_n_7066636.html)\r\nagainst marijuana legalization on a state level. If he were to become\r\nPresident Trump's attorney general, it's likely that he'd seek to pursue\r\nstrict federal enforcement of existing marijuana laws. However, while\r\nthe attorney general is a powerful figure, the attorney general works\r\nfor the president, and carries out the administration's policies. Since\r\nTrump's position on medical marijuana is more moderate than Christie's,\r\nit's possible that Attorney General Christie could soften his stance on\r\nmarijuana, especially medical marijuana.\r\n\r\n**The Importance of States' Rights**\r\n\r\nPolitical conservatives in the United States have a strong record of\r\nsupporting the states' rights to decide policies about certain social\r\nissues, including abortion and gay marriage. The traditional\r\nconservative stance has been a strict construction of the 10th\r\nAmendment, saying that any powers that are not strictly enumerated by\r\nthe federal government are left to the states to decide.\\\r\n\r\nHowever, the legality of medical (and recreational) marijuana has\r\n[polarized](http://theweek.com/articles/569009/why-marijuana-legalization-rare-issue-that-divides-2016-republican-presidential-field)\r\nthe GOP field this election season. Some GOP candidates have expressed\r\ntheir support for states deciding and enforcing their own marijuana\r\npolicies, while others have said that various states' policies\r\nsurrounding marijuana are illegal vis-a-vis federal law, and that\r\nfederal law should be strictly enforced.\r\n\r\nBut further complicating the issue is the fact that a large part of\r\nTrump's appeal to voters is that he doesn't follow conservative\r\northodoxy. Trump leaves many of American politics' traditional\r\nleft-right distinctions behind. If Trump were to take office, would he\r\ntow the standard conservative line, and leave medical marijuana\r\ndecisions up to the states? Or would he follow suit with many of the GOP\r\ncandidates, and reject the legality of medical marijuana? Thus far, it\r\nappears that he generally sides with medical marijuana patients (and\r\nagainst recreational users), but only time may tell.\r\n\r\n**Conclusion**\r\n\r\nThis early in the race, it's difficult for us to say exactly how things\r\nwill pan out. It's not clear that Trump will become the Republican\r\nnominee. It's not clear who he'll choose as his attorney general, or\r\nwhere Chris Christie would fit into a Trump cabinet (if anywhere). And,\r\nof course, Trump's own positions are frustratingly vague to many\r\npolitical observers. On several major issues, he's regularly changed his\r\nstance, just during this election.\r\n\r\nGenerally, Trump seems to support medical marijuana prescription and\r\nusage. This is, tentatively, good news for medical marijuana patients,\r\nwho use cannabis for conditions as\r\n[diverse](https://www.hellomd.com/medical-marijuana-patient-survey) as\r\nglaucoma, chronic pain, migraines, anxiety and more.\r\n\r\nBut the tens of thousands of individuals in the US who rely upon this\r\ndrug shouldn't rest easy. With so much uncertainty surrounding this\r\nelection -- and the positions of the GOP frontrunner -- it's important\r\nto stay on top of the issues. Patients, caretakers and advocates should\r\neducate themselves about candidates' stances on medical marijuana use,\r\nas well as the legalization, regulation and taxation of recreational\r\nmarijuana. The US political arena is rapidly changing, especially\r\nsurrounding drug legalization, and if we educate and mobilize voters and\r\nconcerned citizens, we can make a huge difference for good.\r\n\r\n[Photo Credit](https://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/23975424301/in/photolist-CwCjmv-BGpGEq-CunnCo-BGpJm1-4mwzgP-Cuniqq-nA1rVe-9oAUqq-EsxmH-nwVj-BGwX76-6SWxYT-ebaoJu-C6q4TK-5T1Vx7-nUhD7B-9rTKRf-akkXc8-5HZc8c-zDKagq-9oAUoh-nAiF8N-kEGvd-bFa66k-9oAUn3-GwdGf-9CkAh7-eb4Lw8-9oAUkY-eb4Lx4-6nF17e-9oxQZV-rMrEv-bFPGXt-6cVHqj-6UC3BR-buUxhM-anfnqP-jj7rB-6qANwX-4Ay7dq-777Qgi-e4vqiJ-6LHCmp-63jb3b-7GxFMG-DArDY-CDVn7Z-BGwTMF-8sCfMT)\r\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/png;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.4814814814814814,"src":"/static/09893442d62329cec659ce8f52ca954d/ee604/62102dfcaf57e23f5b7f47343873a184.png","srcSet":"/static/09893442d62329cec659ce8f52ca954d/69585/62102dfcaf57e23f5b7f47343873a184.png 200w,\n/static/09893442d62329cec659ce8f52ca954d/497c6/62102dfcaf57e23f5b7f47343873a184.png 400w,\n/static/09893442d62329cec659ce8f52ca954d/ee604/62102dfcaf57e23f5b7f47343873a184.png 800w,\n/static/09893442d62329cec659ce8f52ca954d/e781a/62102dfcaf57e23f5b7f47343873a184.png 1143w","srcWebp":"/static/09893442d62329cec659ce8f52ca954d/58556/62102dfcaf57e23f5b7f47343873a184.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/09893442d62329cec659ce8f52ca954d/61e93/62102dfcaf57e23f5b7f47343873a184.webp 200w,\n/static/09893442d62329cec659ce8f52ca954d/1f5c5/62102dfcaf57e23f5b7f47343873a184.webp 400w,\n/static/09893442d62329cec659ce8f52ca954d/58556/62102dfcaf57e23f5b7f47343873a184.webp 800w,\n/static/09893442d62329cec659ce8f52ca954d/ece39/62102dfcaf57e23f5b7f47343873a184.webp 1143w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2020-markdown","title":"Illinois's Restrictive Marijuana Laws: Failing Patients","slug":"illinoiss-restrictive-marijuana-laws-failing-patients","content":"At the start of the Illinois' five-year medical marijuana use pilot\nproject, I had great optimism for its success. Most experts were\npredicting that as many as [70,000\npatients](http://www.bnd.com/news/local/article50653235.html) would be\nsigned up by the end of five years. Now at the halfway mark, the state\nhas only been able to sign up 4,000 qualified participants. Based on\nwhat I've seen so far, it would be impossible for me to not attribute\nthese low sign-up numbers to the strict regulations set in place by the\nstate at the beginning of the pilot program.\n\n**Restrictive Laws to Blame**\n\nThe lawmakers of Illinois have set down some of the most restrictive\n[medical cannabis\nlaws](http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=3503) in the\ncountry. They added in specific restrictions like state ID, patient\nbackground checks and participant fingerprint requirements, measures\nthat will certainly be both time-consuming and costly to the patient,\nand may even prevent many patients from applying.\n\n**Doctors Targeted**\n\nThe program also requires there to be an established physician-patient\nrelationship before a prescription can be written. I have read reports\nthat at least two doctors are in hot water over this issue, and many\nother doctors are reluctant to prescribe cannabis to their patients. In\nfact, some doctors are reporting that their employers have requested\nthat they not prescribe cannabis at all. I believe this puts an undue\nburden on the patients, who now have to search for a doctor willing to\nprescribe medical marijuana and spend months building a relationship\nwith them before they can apply.\n\n**Overly Restrictive Medical Conditions**\n\nWhile these extra precautions are certainly hindering the effectiveness\nof the medical marijuana pilot program, I contend that the low number of\nmedical conditions that actually qualify for the program has been the\nbiggest roadblock. The latest report I read showed that the Illinois\nDepartment of Public Health (IDPH) has only approved just [35 different\nillnesses](http://norml.org/legal/item/illinois-medical-marijuana). This\nlist includes ailments such as cancer,\nAIDS,\nParkinson's\ndisease,\nlupus,\nand rheumatoid arthritis.\nUnfortunately, this list is also missing dozens of important medical\nconditions that can be managed with medical cannabis, such as\ndepression,\nbipolar,\n[diabetes](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness-marijuana/other-diabetes),\nand Crohn's\ndisease.\n\nLast year, the Medical Cannabis Advisory Board recommended the addition\nof 11 other diseases to the IDPH's list of qualified medical conditions.\nUnfortunately, the IDPH announced that it would not be making any\nchanges to the list of qualified condition. This year, the board reduced\ntheir request to just eight additional ailments, such as chronic\npain,\nPTSS\n(Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome), autism and\nosteoarthritis.\n\n**What We Already Know**\n\nA recent study by HelloMD\nsupports the notion of expanding the list of qualified medical\nconditions. Out of the 17,000 patients surveyed, which may well be the\nlargest survey of its type among medical marijuana users, the most\ncommon reason for using medical marijuana was for treating anxiety,\npain, stress, insomnia, depression, migraines and arthritis. These\nresults seem to fall in line with what the Medical Cannabis Advisory\nBoard is recommending. Even more impressive is the fact the 84 percent\nof the study participants believe very strongly that the use of medical\ncannabis has helped to control their symptoms. In addition, 96 percent\nwould recommend the use of medical marijuana to friends and family\nmembers.\n\nMore than 22,000\npeople\nsigned a petition at Change.org in reference to medical cannabis, to be\nsent to Governor Rauner, with many of the signers leaving heartfelt\nmessages behind. The hope is to entice the state to expand the list of\nmedical marijuana conditions before the program slides into total\ndisarray. Even celebrities like [Jim\nMcMahon](http://abc7chicago.com/news/jim-mcmahon-says-marijuana-helped-him-kick-pain-pills/1177764/)\nand Melissa Etheridge have touted the benefits of medical marijuana.\n\n**Far Reaching Consequences**\n\nWith the number of approved applicants falling well below the\nanticipated figures, my biggest fear is that the 23 licensed\ndispensaries will start to close up shop. HelloMD's [Medical Marijuana\nPatient Survey\nResults](https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/hellomd-news/HelloMD_Medical_Marijuana_Patient_Survey.pdf)\nshowed that 61 percent of customers purchase their cannabis locally.\nWithout these local dispensaries, patients will find it difficult to\nfind the cannabis they need. These approved dispensary owners claim that\nthey need to see an increase of about [20,000 to\n30,000](http://www.rebootillinois.com/2016/01/27/top-lists/emilyolsen/5-problems-with-the-illinois-medical-marijuana-program/52010/)\nqualified patients in order to become profitable. I think this increase\nis highly unlikely, given the state's refusal to expand the list of\nqualified medical conditions and the registration that the patients have\nto go through.\n\nOther states like New Jersey and Minnesota are also seeing dismal\napproved patient numbers due to restrictive regulations. Unfortunately,\nit is the patients who are dealing with chronic pain, anxiety, stress\nand other medical conditions on a daily basis that are suffering the\nmost. Some are filling the gap by using prescribed opioids to manage\ntheir symptoms, but these drugs can be addictive and dangerous, and come\nwith a long list of negative side effects.\n\n**The Path Forward**\n\nI think that Illinois should look at California's medical marijuana use\nlaws. The state has been at the forefront of this issue, approving the\nmedical cannabis law in 1996 and being the first state to license a\nmarijuana dispensary. California now has a long list of medical\nconditions that can be used to secure approval for medical marijuana\nuse. The state also issues more than 17 different types of cannabis\ndispensary licenses to make both opening one and staying compliant with\nregulations easier.\n\nI believe that Illinois could capitalize on the success of California by\nusing it as a model for its medical marijuana law. Unfortunately, if\nIllinois continues down this broken path, it won't take long for the\nentire program to crumble. Governor Bruce Rauner has hinted that he may\nbe interested in expanding the pilot program by two years. However, it\nseems to me that without immediate changes the program may not last that\nlong, and it is the patients who will continue to suffer the most.\n\n[Photo Credit](https://www.flickr.com/photos/gletham/5380121646/in/photolist-9cqwJ3-rkpBpY-8LfqcV-djqPJa-eyVSTm-b6xQXz-7GQ5tq-5t8F1k-7Bb2e-5Fxh7A-9PiAFR-7W183D-bvq8cP-cTBdG7-a24inV-6aEHLS-9RMLN5-uPcHcK-wuZu-5jF2fi-86vU1w-7ts5cm-asy8Pc-ixBeu-7rGCTR-bpHD8d-bPmf1H-9b17Pj-exUZRo-pALm3e-cTBfwq-bzvGPH-aSsAKH-87iYPd-99hmB9-cRtPdW-99efxa-mVhawE-bL3ECz-oa3bZY-6PnNVM-ejVx6B-9EqwaD-6tx5jQ-iFZYiT-a8ekvR-dq7Dx5-6tsYkK-5Q6WBu-CUcuRr)","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAABQAAAAOCAIAAACgpqunAAAACXBIWXMAAAsTAAALEwEAmpwYAAADYUlEQVQozwFWA6n8AISFjKSlqLi7x87R3/78/sfDx9va3fr5/Ojq8svU6Pf5/N3g6cXF2p+mvMPL1/////Hv9Obk6tLS0dTRywCAgoeZmp6ytsLJztv6+fnGxcfS1Nj////z9Pna3+/6+v3c3efR0t6krcDDytT5+fvk5erR0ta8vb2Khn8AenuBlJWZpKm2rLLB6+rrs7K1z9DU+fj48PD2z9Tl9/f60NXcusHJk6K4w8vX7u/zwcfNwMPDr7KxbG9xAHt8gZGTlpadqoSIlLizsJuboaOotcLCyNfc5q+4ysvN2cLJ0Kewto2csb7G1Nri6a+2vbW4uK+yspymrABpa2+Jio6GjZt8gIuzramam5+XpLW1t73BxNGlrsCss8KnrriZoaeImay3wM+6ws2iqrGxtbaanqGOkJEAYGFjiYqLdnyIdXh/p6GckpWYmai2u7vDurzKoqq7jZKec3mHe36EcoKUiZWmiYyPmqCmkZSXhIaGfn99AG9vcoOChm90fW9xdZmVkoqLjY6UmqChpaKlsqOqu4OHkmdsd1FXX2p2hF9oc3FvaoOHjH6BhHd6fG9ycgBISkphYmJeXl5WVlVnZ2hnZ2d4dnV/foF+goaPlJx2eYJZXmh7cW58cnBIS1Fwb21/goNyc3J3d3OFhH0AOj03VlhUTU9NUE9OWFZYWltcYWFjbW5wYGNbU1dOQEJFTFFRsY2EkGldLSwtcW5mrKmfh4Z+jo2GlJOPAHFycG1uamNpa2t0d2x0d293e3uEh4yUlYWPkHSChnyNlm2BhIZsZm5VTm+JmI+fpIqSj3+Ef3B1b29zbgBib21xfn9fc3Zyho93iI57i4+RnqKlsK+WpKSRpKlpdHwoLDEjICAeGBcrNDt1g4iKl5WBjImAi4h/iYYAanp+doeNYHV2coWMeoqPeYqOhZWZm6enlaOjfY2PGBweEQ4PHBgbERQWBAQDIiUkf42LeomEeIWAeoaEAIqbrGt+hFlva26EjHuQmXiLkIeZnZ6srpirqkxXWgIEBBgTFSEXGhIVFg0PDgIDAlRfXoKWknCDfpSgmwCPnrFmeXpcdXV0jJV5j5d2jJOGmZ6Yp6mQpqY2P0IEBAQMDw8QEhMSExUJCwsAAQA0PDpufntYZWOTlJBA184VbPvi3gAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==","aspectRatio":1.4492753623188406,"src":"/static/d94b650cda43670a4c1c10a0beede05c/ee604/22a8c52ac0462ae3a727cd3cef12e6be.png","srcSet":"/static/d94b650cda43670a4c1c10a0beede05c/69585/22a8c52ac0462ae3a727cd3cef12e6be.png 200w,\n/static/d94b650cda43670a4c1c10a0beede05c/497c6/22a8c52ac0462ae3a727cd3cef12e6be.png 400w,\n/static/d94b650cda43670a4c1c10a0beede05c/ee604/22a8c52ac0462ae3a727cd3cef12e6be.png 800w,\n/static/d94b650cda43670a4c1c10a0beede05c/195fb/22a8c52ac0462ae3a727cd3cef12e6be.png 1130w","srcWebp":"/static/d94b650cda43670a4c1c10a0beede05c/58556/22a8c52ac0462ae3a727cd3cef12e6be.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/d94b650cda43670a4c1c10a0beede05c/61e93/22a8c52ac0462ae3a727cd3cef12e6be.webp 200w,\n/static/d94b650cda43670a4c1c10a0beede05c/1f5c5/22a8c52ac0462ae3a727cd3cef12e6be.webp 400w,\n/static/d94b650cda43670a4c1c10a0beede05c/58556/22a8c52ac0462ae3a727cd3cef12e6be.webp 800w,\n/static/d94b650cda43670a4c1c10a0beede05c/30d61/22a8c52ac0462ae3a727cd3cef12e6be.webp 1130w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_1959-markdown","title":"Cancer, Cannabis Oil, and the United Kingdom","slug":"cancer-cannabis-oil-and-the-united-kingdom","content":"There is a growing body of evidence that cannabis can help alleviate the\npain of cancer, reduce the side effects of chemotherapy, and even reduce\ncertain cancerous tumors. Despite this and other evidence that medical\nmarijuana is beneficial for a number of other diseases, the United\nKingdom continues to ban medical marijuana and criminalize the\npossession, use, and growth of cannabis.\n\nCancer in the United Kingdom\n----------------------------\n\nAs it is in many nations of the world, cancer is the leading cause of death in the United Kingdom, accounting\nfor 29 percent of all deaths in 2012. According to [Cancer Research\nUK](http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics),\nmore than 330,000 people are diagnosed with cancer every year, and about\n162,000 people die from it. The 10-year survival rate is 50 percent, and\ncancers of the breast, lung, prostate, and bowels account for more than\nhalf of yearly cancer diagnoses.\n\nTreatment traditionally consists of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation\ntherapy, or a combination of all three. Other types of treatment include\nimmunotherapy and hormone therapy. But traditional treatments don't\nalways work, and the side effects can be debilitating. Some of these\nside effects include:\n\n-   Nausea\n-   Vomiting\n-   Fatigue\n-   Loss of appetite\n-   Loss of hair\n\nIn addition, a cancer diagnosis and the accompanying treatment have been\nassociated with mental health disorders, such as [depression and\nanxiety](http://jco.ascopubs.org/content/early/2014/10/03/JCO.2014.56.0086.abstract).\n\nCannabis and Cancer\n-------------------\n\nCannabis has been used to treat many illnesses and conditions for\nthousands of years, despite the lack of scientific evidence for its use.\n[England](http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.timeline.php?timelineID=000026)\nhas a rich history of medicinal cannabis use. In 1621, Robert Burton\npublished *The Anatomy of Melancholy*, in which he supported the use of\ncannabis for treating depression. Thirty years later, Nicholas Culpeper\nrecommended hemp extract for treating headache, gout, and arthritis. In\nthe 1800s, Dr. William O'Shaughnessy promoted the use of cannabis for\nmuscle spasms, menstrual cramps, rheumatism, and seizures. Queen\nVictoria herself is anecdotally reported to have used cannabis to\nrelieve menstrual cramps. Despite cannabis's extensive history, the\nscientific basis was lacking.\n\nResearch into the effects of cannabis on cancer began in earnest about\n100 years later. In 1974, researchers at the [Medical College of\nVirginia](http://jnci.oxfordjournals.org/content/55/3/597) found that\ncannabis slowed the growth of cancerous tumors in mice.\n\nIn the past 20 years other research has found that cannabis can:\n\n-   Reduce [nausea and\n    vomiting](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3165951/)\n    associated with chemotherapy\n-   Reduce pain and inflammation of\n    [chemotherapy](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5596a4413264380006220000/kicking-cancer-and-chemotherapy-symptoms-with-cannabis)\n-   Reduce [cancer\n    pain](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5596a4413264380006220000/kicking-cancer-and-chemotherapy-symptoms-with-cannabis)\n-   Improve\n    [appetite](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5596a4413264380006220000/kicking-cancer-and-chemotherapy-symptoms-with-cannabis)\n-   Shrink\n    [brain](http://www.nature.com/bjc/journal/v95/n2/abs/6603236a.html)\n    and [breast](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22776349) cancer\n    tumors\n\nEven the [National Institute on Drug\nAbuse](https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana-medicine)\nin the United States has revised its publication on marijuana by\nrecognizing the positive effects of cannabis for some cancer patients.\n\nWhere the UK Stands on Cannabis\n-------------------------------\n\nIn 1928, the use, growth, and possession of marijuana became illegal in\nthe UK under the [Dangerous Drugs\nAct](http://moj.gov.jm/sites/default/files/laws/The%20Dangerous%20Drugs%20Act.pdf).\nThis occurred despite lack of evidence that cannabis was, in fact,\ndangerous. Cannabis is currently listed as a [class B\nsubstance](https://www.gov.uk/penalties-drug-possession-dealing),\nmeaning that its possession can result in a fine and/or five years in\nprison, and its cultivation can results in a fine and/or 14 years in\nprison.\n\nIn 2010, the oromucosal spray\n[Sativex](http://www.nhs.uk/ipgmedia/national/multiple%20sclerosis%20trust/assets/sativex.pdf)\nwas licensed in the UK for treating multiple sclerosis spasticity. This\nmedication is derived from two strains of cannabis and contains both\ndelta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinoids\nthat have been associated with many of the medical effects currently\nbeing studied. The use of Sativex is restricted only to multiple\nsclerosis patients who are not responding to traditional treatments or\nwho cannot tolerate the side effects of traditional treatment, and the\ncost of Sativex in the UK remains high and out of reach for many\npatients. Despite this relaxing of the cannabis ban, the use of cannabis\nfor treating cancer still remains illegal.\n\nBud Buddies\n-----------\n\nFrom 2002 to 2005, a grassroots organization, [Bud\nBuddies](http://www.cannabiscure.info/files/bud_buddies.htm), supplied\nill patients with medical marijuana for free. This organization had\nresearched the benefits of medical marijuana from around the globe and\nfelt it was their mission to help those in need. Although they were\nforced to close in 2007, they continue their work on developing a\nhigh-quality cannabis oil, albeit in Spain, and to promote legislative\nchange in the UK through *Project Storm*. This\n[documentary](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58X5KhW80pw) features\nadvanced cancer patients in the UK who have come to rely on cannabis for\ntreatment and symptom relief.\n\nCannabis Oil in the UK\n----------------------\n\nIt is currently illegal for anyone in the UK to possess cannabis\nproducts, including cannabis oil. [Cannabis\noil](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/55b7e6426264330006310000/methods-of-administering-medical-marijuana)\nis concentrated oil extracted from the cannabis plant. Depending on the\nratio of THC to CBD, the oil can cause the high feeling of marijuana.\nWhile some continue to advocate smoking cannabis for the faster onset of\neffects, smoking is not always beneficial to those with cancer or those\nundergoing chemotherapy. Cannabis oil provides a healthier method of\ndelivery. It can be taken via an oral syringe, in a pill capsule form,\nor dropped under the tongue. For some, it can be added to food or drink.\n\nAccording to *Project Storm*, cancer patients continue to seek cannabis\nfor their illness, even with the knowledge that they could be arrested.\nSome have learned how to extract the oil themselves and grow their own\ncannabis plants. Some seek relief from black market suppliers, and some\nrely on overseas shipping from countries where medical marijuana is\nlegal.\n\n\"Reefer Madness\" seems to be alive and well in the UK. Despite the\ngrowing body of evidence that cannabis and medical marijuana can provide relief to those\nsuffering from cancer, numerous countries legalizing medical marijuana,\nand the pleas of many in the UK's medical community, the UK continues to\ntreat cannabis as a dangerous drug.\n\n[Photo Credit](https://www.flickr.com/photos/canonsnapper/302415829/in/photolist-sHXG2-9hBNtE-qGLLPP-qMpv14-5i77ha-qMpA4R-q83hG2-q7PGW1-qMpvr4-q83fsc-dYJSqj-5ibr59-qMnFD4-AnCnk-q7PNHS-qMpykR-r2wZqm-r4Fpsg-ceuMxE-r2x2cC-qMfgyU-qMnFjr-r2uwLE-4Uuen3-r2x3Rj-qLnNnG-r2wZ4E-q7PKqE-q7PHio-qMgLf1-qMnDP2-q7PMZC-q7PEeh-r4QoYM-qMfpRL-r4KwUd-qMgK9o-q7PJwW-q7PK9s-qMgMmQ-qMgDc3-eeq4Kq-eeq4F7-r1WbKK-5kBtyt-6nXDCP-bjdiYt-5KTb1K-92Kj1t-6FUAXd)","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.5151515151515151,"src":"/static/52ccbeb0fd97c9805d6ed5b66951acb1/14b42/b16f3720d4dad9a8523afa99b4cd6759.jpg","srcSet":"/static/52ccbeb0fd97c9805d6ed5b66951acb1/f836f/b16f3720d4dad9a8523afa99b4cd6759.jpg 200w,\n/static/52ccbeb0fd97c9805d6ed5b66951acb1/2244e/b16f3720d4dad9a8523afa99b4cd6759.jpg 400w,\n/static/52ccbeb0fd97c9805d6ed5b66951acb1/14b42/b16f3720d4dad9a8523afa99b4cd6759.jpg 800w,\n/static/52ccbeb0fd97c9805d6ed5b66951acb1/47498/b16f3720d4dad9a8523afa99b4cd6759.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/52ccbeb0fd97c9805d6ed5b66951acb1/58556/b16f3720d4dad9a8523afa99b4cd6759.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/52ccbeb0fd97c9805d6ed5b66951acb1/61e93/b16f3720d4dad9a8523afa99b4cd6759.webp 200w,\n/static/52ccbeb0fd97c9805d6ed5b66951acb1/1f5c5/b16f3720d4dad9a8523afa99b4cd6759.webp 400w,\n/static/52ccbeb0fd97c9805d6ed5b66951acb1/58556/b16f3720d4dad9a8523afa99b4cd6759.webp 800w,\n/static/52ccbeb0fd97c9805d6ed5b66951acb1/99238/b16f3720d4dad9a8523afa99b4cd6759.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}}]}},"pageContext":{"limit":12,"skip":0,"numPages":1,"currentPage":1,"id":5438,"name":"Legislation","slug":"legislation","country":"US"}},"staticQueryHashes":["3949754563","4179947113","4202924991"]}