A summit was held to spread awareness of legal medicinal cannabis use five years after changes were made to the law.
The Brighton Medicinal Cannabis Summit invited patients to discuss how to “continue the fight against health inequality”.
It came after a law change allowed medicinal cannabis use in the UK with a prescription, something that the organisers have benefited from.
Clark French, who founded United Patients Alliance, benefits from medicinal cannabis use to treat his multiple sclerosis. He said: “We want to celebrate the fact that we have legal access, but getting a prescription is quite a difficult process.
“The industry is in a bit of a mess, and patients could face a criminal record without a legal prescription.
“The biggest aim is to empower patients. We are now protected as patients but it's still a fight sometimes and we really need to empower people to keep doing that more.”
The event at the Brighthelm centre in Brighton yesterday included talks from patients who use medicinal cannabis to treat their conditions.
Several Brighton MPs have backed the cause including Lloyd Russell-Moyle and Caroline Lucas.
Caroline Lucas said: "United Patients Alliance are a trusted and powerful voice for patients in the campaign for evidence-based policy making in relation to medical cannabis."
Lloyd Russell-Moyle said: “My position on this has always been clear: we shouldn't have the curtain twitchers and supposed do-gooders butting in on what should be a discussion between medical professionals and their patients.
“Medical cannabis was legalised a few years ago, but it still remains difficult to access and often expensive for the patient, who is forced to go private. Despite its effectiveness, safety, and affordability compared to other forms of drugs from the NHS, it is still inaccessible for many.
“If someone can relieve chronic pain and improve their quality of life, then who are we to stand in their way?"
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