Is Cannabis the latest flavour of the month or should it become a menu staple to treat chronic health conditions?
In this webinar we hear from Professor David Nutt, Edmond J. Safra Professor of Neuropsychopharmacology and Director of the Neuropsychopharmacology Unit at Imperial College London.
After over 40 years of prohibition, new and exciting research is beginning to emerge about the potential medical and therapeutic benefits of cannabis products. However, after a 40 year hiatus, research will take many years to catch up with the questions we need answered about the effectiveness and safety of cannabis as a medicine. With this apparent gap in research, many patients with chronic health conditions are taking action into their own hands and self-medicating with cannabis products. NICE recently reviewed the use of cannabis as a medicine (NICE 2019) and although they have recommended its use for a limited number of conditions (epilepsy, MS and nausea associated with cancer treatment), they have not recommended its use for chronic pain or other chronic health conditions. NICE have stated that more research is needed and cannabis must also become more cost effective to the NHS before NICE will consider endorsing its use.
Professor Nutt talks to us about:
• The issues surrounding drug policy and NICE guidance in relation to the medical use of Cannabis,
• Where he sees things moving over the coming years and the challenges around using cannabis as a medicine.
• How his new cannabis prescribing programme Project Twenty21 will contribute to the body of evidence in relation to the medical use of Cannabis.
This event was co-hosted by the South Eastern and Western Connections Services, funded by the Public Health Agency in Northern Ireland.