News & Events
News from the CIC and members
Whether you are looking for insights into cannabis industry advancements, legislative changes, or updates from members, our latest news stories cover a wide range of topics, including collaborative projects, policy updates, and global trends that impact the legal UK and international cannabis sectors. By bringing together news from across the industry, we aim to keep you informed and engaged, supporting growth and innovation.
CIC member? Share your news by contacting us.
Latest news
The Cannabis Industry Podcast: Episode 3
In today’s episode of the Cannabis Industry Podcast, Luke Strong speaks with Heidi Whitman, a global cannabis strategist and co-founder of the EmpowHer Cannabis Society. Heidi dives into her journey, her strategies for creating inclusive and empowering spaces, and her vision for a cannabis industry where women are at the
MPs call for cannabis reform during debate
A debate was held in Parliament on Thursday 30 January over the benefits of medicinal cannabis. MPs speaking during the debate expressed support for electronic prescribing and for GPs to be allowed to initiate CBPM prescriptions. Jim Shannon MP (DUP) opened the Westminster Hall debate, commenting: “There is compelling evidence
Update on Tobacco and Vapes Bill
Currently the Government’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill is making its way through Parliament (it is currently at Committee Stage in the House of Commons). The Bill will have no impact on medical cannabis patients and industry (as “medicinal products” are exempted in the definitions). However, the Bill does contain provisions
The Cannabis Industry Podcast: Episode 2
In today’s episode of the Cannabis Industry Podcast, we speak to Dr Callie Seaman, Co-Chair of the Cannabis Industry Council and Research Director of Aqualabs. Callie shares her experiences advocating for medical cannabis, her hopes for the cannabis industry, and her recent Contribution to Science Award at the Cannabis Industry
Medical cannabis “should not be Home Office issue”, says CIC
Responsibility for all medical cannabis policy and regulation should sit with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), according to the Cannabis Industry Council (CIC). In a submission to the Government’s Change NHS consultation, the CIC has urged for Home Office powers on licensing, importation, research, and scheduling to
The Cannabis Industry Podcast: Episode 1
The Cannabis Industry Podcast, created by the Cannabis Industry Council, speaks with experts within the UK cannabis industry to chart the vision for the industry’s future. Join us in each episode as we explore how the transformative potential of cannabis can be realised. In today’s episode, we speak to Mike
Industry champions win awards
Two well-deserving industry champions were recognised at the inaugural Cannabis Industry Awards Dinner last week. The results, which were decided by public vote, were as follows: Contribution to Science Winner: Dr Callie Seaman (Aqualabs) Runner-up: Dr Mikael Sodergren and Simon Erridge (Curaleaf / Imperial College) Third place: Dr Simon Tordoff
Eight in 10 patients prefer prescriptions to illicit cannabis
Almost eight in 10 patients (79%) say they prefer prescription cannabis medicines to illicit cannabis (21%), according to new research from the Cannabis Industry Council (CIC). Patients were also asked whether they preferred prescription or illicit cannabis based upon a range of factors, including cost, quality, product range, reliability of
NHS failing to prescribe cannabis medicines to patients
The NHS is failing to prescribe cannabis flower medication to any patients, including those with conditions such as epilepsy, chronic pain, and cancer, according to new research from the Cannabis Industry Council (CIC). The CIC asked 152 NHS Foundation Trusts in England how many individuals they had prescribed cannabis flos
Medical cannabis could save NHS £4 billion each year
Allowing medical cannabis to be prescribed on the NHS for chronic pain could save the state healthcare provider almost £4 billion annually, according to a new research study. The research found that when a patient was prescribed medical cannabis for chronic pain, instead of alternative treatments, this saved the NHS
CIC releases cannabis clinic good practice guide
A good practice guide for prescription cannabis clinics has been published by the Cannabis Industry Council (CIC). The guidance includes 10 principles of good practice, as well as five specific policies for clinics to implement. The aim of the good practice guide is to encourage ethical and responsible operations, build
CBPM prescriptions rise annually by 83%
The “number of items for private prescribing of unlicensed cannabis-based medicines” increased from 6,137 in September 2021 to 22,431 in September 2023. That’s according to an NHS Business Services Authority response to a freedom of information request. Business of Cannabis report that this equates to an compound annual growth rate
Three additions to CIC leadership team
The Cannabis Industry Council (CIC) is pleased to announce three new additions to our Executive Committee, as follows: Standards Working Group Chair – Frances Crewdson (CannDo Consulting) Prescription Working Group Co-Chair – Sonal Patel (Aurora) Supply Chain Representative – James Leavesley (Dalgety) A very warm welcome to Frances, Sonal and
CIC writes to ACMD on industrial hemp
The CIC has written to the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) calling on them to back raising the THC permissable in hemp crops. The Government previously asked the ACMD to advise them on potentially increasing the limit to “at least 0.3%”. The CIC has also urged the
Landlords risk breaching Equality Act over prescription cannabis
Landlords, property managers, and housing associations are currently at risk of breaching the Equality Act over their approach to prescription cannabis, according to a new Cannabis Industry Council (CIC) report. Entitled ‘The Use of Prescription Cannabis in Buildings’, the report reminds housing providers of their obligations under the Equality Act
Voting open for the Cannabis Industry Awards!
Voting is open for the inaugural Cannabis Industry Awards, with two individual awards set to be handed out later this year. The two individual outstanding achievement awards are for Social Impact and Contribution to Science. The shortlist is as follows: Contribution to Science Award (sponsored by Gowling WLG) Alkyoni Athanasiou-Fragkouli
CIC writes to Government on research barriers
The CIC and Drug Science have written to new Drugs Minister Dame Diana Johnson MP, calling for a liberalisation of the regulations around research. We are calling on the Government to back a number of recommendations they have received from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD). Implementing
CIC welcomes new Student Ambassador
The CIC is pleased to welcome Luke Strong as our newest Student Ambassador. Luke is currently a second-year philosophy student at Queen’s University Belfast. He eagerly wants to aid in the pursuit of ethically realising the medicinal potential of cannabis and psychedelics. Luke aspires to contribute to these industries from
CQC guidance for CBPM providers
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has recently released a report called ‘The safer management of controlled drugs: annual update 2023‘. In a section entitled ‘Administration of CBPMs in health and social care settings’, the CQC have advised that providers (e.g. clinics, pharmacies) should consider the following in their policies and
CBPM prescriptions increase by 118%
A new report from the Care Quality Commission has found an increase in CBPM prescriptions of 118 per cent from 2021/22 to 2022/23. Specifically, the numbers released were as follows: 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022: 81,476 items dispensed. 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023: 177,566 items dispensed.
CIC response to the Kings Speech
Following the announcement of the Government’s legislative agenda in the Kings Speech this week, Cannabis Industry Council Co-Chairs Jamie Bartley and Dr Callie Seaman commented: “The Government has said that economic growth is a top priority for their period in office. Cannabis has the potential to grow the UK economy
New Rare Diseases Working Group
CIC has launched a new Rare Diseases Working Group, which aims to: Raise awareness in the use of pharmaceutical cannabinoids in rare diseases (engagement with rare disease charities etc…) Help create robust innovative clinical trials for pharmaceutical cannabinoids through life sciences Look to how we can incentivise industry to invest
New Government Ministers announced
Following Labour’s general election win on 4 July, new ministerial appointments have been made across Government. Notable positions for the cannabis industry include: Prime Minister – Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP Chancellor – Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP Home Secretary – Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP Health Secretary –
Party manifestos and cannabis
With the UK General Election set for Thursday 4 July, the main political parties are now releasing their manifestos. Below is a summary of their manifesto policies with direct and indirect links to cannabis (all text copied direct from the manifestos): Labour (manifesto here) As part of Labour’s life sciences
CIC publishes cannabis ‘manifesto’ for change
A manifesto for change in the cannabis space has been published by the Cannabis Industry Council (CIC), the voice of the UK sector. The manifesto contains a number of policy proposals for the Government, which will improve patient access to medicines, increase foreign direct investment to the industry, and boost