{"componentChunkName":"component---common-build-tags-template-js","path":"/tag/uk/","result":{"data":{"allArticle":{"edges":[{"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":5868,"name":"Uk","slug":"uk","country":"US"}},"staticQueryHashes":["3949754563","4179947113","4202924991"]}