Some 29% of UK police officers are unaware that THC-rich cannabis is available on prescription from specialist cannabis clinics, new research has found.
Additionally, 89% of officers surveyed say they would welcome further education on the topic, with 66% saying their training on the laws around medical cannabis has been inadequate or non-existent.
This goes some way to explain the many reported cases of fully legal medical cannabis patients having their medicine confiscated by uninformed police officers.
Considering that medical cannabis has been legal since 2018, it is quite a surprise that the country’s police force have not been briefed on the updated laws.
The research
Commissioned by Sapphire Clinics, a private medical cannabis clinic, the research saw 200 police officers polled between October and November 2022.
Along with almost one third of officers unaware that cannabis can be legally prescribed, two-thirds (66%) say their training on laws around medical cannabis has been inadequate or non-existent and nine in 10 (89%) would welcome further education on the topic.
This is despite some 40% of officers having encountered someone using cannabis allegedly obtained on prescription.
12% of those surveyed reported previous contact with police regarding their legal cannabis, with 66% saying they fear interacting with police.
As a result, 69% are concerned about using their medication in public, with many often choosing to not risk it by leaving their medicine at home.
Seized
The findings come following a number of reports of patients’ medical cannabis being unjustly seized.
One patient we reported on had his medication seized by police officers after he called them to report harassment from his neighbours.
Another had his legal prescription intercepted in a Royal Mail sorting office before being seized by police officers, who went on to say the patient “just after drugs”.
Education
The police aren’t the only ones who don’t know high-THC cannabis flower (yes, just like that dangerous ‘super-strength skunk’ you’ve heard about) is legally available on prescription in the UK.
The vast majority (84%) of British people are unaware that cannabis flower is available on prescription from specialist cannabis clinics, according to a recent survey.
While it has been legal to prescribe cannabis in Britain since November 2018, education and communication issues are still prevalent when it comes to medical cannabis in the UK.
It’s clear that education is needed for both the police and the public regarding the changes in medical cannabis laws.
Medical cannabis patients should not be in fear of the police for using their legal medicine, and the public should know that medical cannabis is legal and accessible.
Sign up to our newsletter below for more UK cannabis news, detailed reviews and helpful guides…
