The latest annual report from the UN's International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) has shown the UK is by far the highest supplier of medicinal cannabis in the world, despite the difficulties some patients have in acquiring it.
The report analyses narcotics reports from governments from across the world and estimates the UK alone produced 320 tonnes of so-called legal cannabis in 2019, seeing the number more than triple from 2016 statistics.
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For 2019, the licit production of 468.3 tonnes was reported by the Board. However, as manufacturing processes and yields are not standardised, some data is being clarified with the relevant Governments in order to ensure consistency, the report states.
The use of cannabis for medicinal purposes has been legal in the UK since 2018, however, reports are circulating about the difficulties some patients face in acquiring it.
In 2020 the "cancard" was revealed, which allows UK residents to apply for a card that allows the use of marijuana without fear of arrest. The card's creators revealed it was to protect cannabis users who self-sourced the drug for personal medicinal use, likely owing to shortfalls through the regular legal channels.
In December 2020, the UN voted to remove medical cannabis from Schedule IV of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, effectively removing its classification as a drug.
However, using cannabis recreationally still remains illegal in the UK despite the consensus shifting in favour of legalisation or decriminalisation - the two processes being defined differently.
"Legalisation" refers to something being enshrined, protected and regulated under law and all legal penalties are removed, whereas "decriminalisation" is defined as something having no legal repercussions despite still technically being illegal.
A 2018 YouGov poll found that 43% of adults favour the legalisation of cannabis, with 51% of respondents who answered "no" to legalisation favouring a relaxing of laws against the herb.
The Independent reported in 2019 that 48% of adults in the UK favoured the legalisation of recreational cannabis, whereas 77% supported the use of it for medicinal purposes.
The UN's report suggests cannabis use continued to rise in 2019 - particularly for medical and scientific use.
The report states: "The cultivation and production of cannabis for medical and scientific purposes has been on the rise over the past five years. Prior to 2010, only the United States reported production, which was related to scientific research.
"Since 2000, in particular since 2015, an increasing number of countries have started to use cannabis and cannabis extracts for medical purposes as well as for scientific research and have also authorised the cultivation of cannabis."
The UN's report is based on official statistics from the UK government, however, the INCB is reportedly still waiting on confirmation from the Home Office for the true figure.
The news, which was originally broken by Left Foot Forward (LFF), has prompted a comment from a spokesperson from the Department of Health and Social Care.
The spokesperson told the news site: “We sympathise with every patient and every family courageously confronting life with hard-to-treat conditions.
“The government changed the law in November 2018 to allow specialist doctors to prescribe cannabis-based products for medicinal use where clinically appropriate and in the best interests of patients.
“We will consider what further action the government could take with regard to broader access to unlicensed cannabis-based products.”
The empirical consensus on the legalisation of cannabis for recreational use is still relatively mixed.
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Studies have found links between the legalisation of the substance and lower rates of opioid consumption, whereas others are still unsure as to the long-term effects on mental health, including its links to psychosis and anxiety and depression, although it is entirely possible these are causal at best.
Studies into the subject generally do not distinguish as to whether or not cannabis use increases the likelihood of mental health issues arising or whether or not those with mental health issues are more likely to use narcotics as a coping mechanism, which muddies the waters.
It is likely the evidence in favour will never be unanimous and attitudes to bodily autonomy may tip the odds in favour of legalisation in a number of countries.
However, the overwhelming scientific consensus is in favour of its benefits for medicinal use.
Aside from epilepsy, there is also medical evidence to suggest that the use of cannabis can cure chronic pain, including back pain, migraines, soothing for movement disorders or even as a treatment for cancer or AIDS patients.
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