BY Bethan Bee Rose
Photo credit: Releaf via Cannabis Images
Published in Weed World magazine issue 168
On November 1, 2023, cannabis advocates across the United Kingdom rejoiced at the realization that medical cannabis legalization was not a fleeting decision by the government. That particular date marked a five-year milestone for Great Britain’s legal market, which materialized into reality in 2018 following Home Secretary Sajid Javid’s urge for a review of the plant’s legal status – a move inspired by intense lobbying from plant medicine supporters and the heartstring-pulling cases of epileptic children Billy Caldwell and Alfie Dingley.
As time progresses, the market is continuously flourishing, as is the volume of medical cannabis imports in the U.K. Based on recently published figures from the Home Office, medicinal cannabis imports are on a rapid incline this year, with the volume of imports more than tripling in comparison with the 7,762 Kg of cannabis imported in 2022.
According to Cannabis Industry Council CEO Mike Morgan-Giles, “While the regulatory and policy environment remains challenging, it is positive to see this notable growth in the amount of imported medical cannabis. This indicates that awareness of cannabis medicines is increasing, and prescription patient numbers are rising. We hope this momentum will continue, ideally alongside growth in the UK cannabis market – which will help boost the economy and create jobs.”
The U.K. Imported 23,890 Kg of Cannabis Imported as of September 19th, 2023
Chris Philp MP, the Home Office minister in charge of drug policy, crime, policing, and fire issues, recently discussed the rise in medical cannabis imports with Commons reporters. While discussing the subject in response to a parliamentary question, he said that the U.K. had imported 23,890 Kg of cannabis by September 19th. This amount is based on the plant in base drug form.
The UK Home Office plays a vital role in shaping the legal cannabis scene blossoming across the British landscape. Late last year, the London-headquartered government office accepted recommendations from the Advisory Council for the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) regarding legal cannabinoid levels per unit of consumption. Reacting to the ACMD report, which was published on October 24th, the parliamentary member said that the government is planning on accepting the proposed limit of 50 micrograms of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), as well as other controlled cannabinoids.
Products of this kind are accessible via private medical clinics, and the average cost rests between £6 and £11 per gram. Considering this price and the influx of imports entering the country, the annual value of the market already exceeds £143 million; this estimate is based on the idea of all imports being distributed among patients.
Last September, recommendations to broaden medical cannabis access were submitted by the United Kingdom’s Home Affairs Committee. Addressing the government in their plea, committee members requested that eligible medical cannabis patients receive more comprehensive and streamlined access to unlicensed cannabis-based products for medical use under the National Health Service (NHS) — England’s publicly funded health care system — before the current Parliament ends.
