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Navigating Your Rights as a Medical Cannabis User


A person in a white coat, with a blue tie and blue stethoscope around their neck, holds a small jar containing cannabis buds. The words 'navigating your rights as a medical cannabis user are in white text over a navy blue strip, and Equal Lives' logo is positioned below.
A person in a white coat, with a blue tie and blue stethoscope around their neck, holds a small jar containing cannabis buds. The words 'navigating your rights as a medical cannabis user are in white text over a navy blue strip, and Equal Lives' logo is positioned below.

This is the third blog in a series on the complex world of medical cannabis in the UK. In the first blog, 'Weeding Out the Truth', we explored the history of the cannabis plant, its legal status as a medicine globally, the health conditions that it's prescribed to manage, how cannabis works within the body and the side-effects associated with it.


In the second blog, 'Barriers to Cannabis-Based Medicine', we delved into the origin of stigma around cannabis use and the negative impact that the drug's strict legal categorisation has on furthering scientific research, creating a two-tier system of access.


Currently, many people are forced to spend vast sums of money with private companies to manage their symptoms, while those who cannot afford private care are forced to seek symptom relief from more harmful drugs, including high-potency 'street' cannabis that comes with greater psychiatric risks, as well as more conventional pain management options, which don't offer the impressive safety profile of cannabis and result in far more deaths.


Although things are improving, and knowledge of cannabis as a medicine is becoming more widespread, there are many situations in which medicinal cannabis users are still criminalised and judged harshly for using their medicine. In this blog, we're sharing a guide to 'Navigating Your Rights as a Medical Cannabis User'. This leaflet serves as a general guide; it should not be considered legal or medical advice, and should not be relied upon as such. 


You can download the leaflet below, which is in PDF format and has alt-text embedded throughout, making it the better option for screen-reader users. Alternatively, you can look at the leaflet pages below.



A person in a white coat, with a blue tie and blue stethoscope around their neck, holds a small jar containing cannabis buds. The words 'navigating your rights as a medical cannabis user are in white text over a navy blue strip, and Equal Lives' logo is positioned below.
A person in a white coat, with a blue tie and blue stethoscope around their neck, holds a small jar containing cannabis buds. The words 'navigating your rights as a medical cannabis user are in white text over a navy blue strip, and Equal Lives' logo is positioned below.
The photograph to the left shows tall, green cannabis plants growing in lines, in a huge, industrial greenhouse.
The photograph to the left shows tall, green cannabis plants growing in lines, in a huge, industrial greenhouse.
The graphics to the right of the page show the chemical structure of codeine, showing its molecular formula C18H21NO3 and its complex ring structure with hydroxyl, methoxy, and methyl groups, and below it is the chemical structure of Morphine, formula C17H19NO3.
The graphics to the right of the page show the chemical structure of codeine, showing its molecular formula C18H21NO3 and its complex ring structure with hydroxyl, methoxy, and methyl groups, and below it is the chemical structure of Morphine, formula C17H19NO3.
Below the text, three circular frames in a line show three different administration methods: A vaporiser, ground cannabis buds and an unground cannabis bud lay on a dark surface, someone in pale blue scrubs and medium blue latex gloves is holding a small cylindrical glass container with a pipette full of oil, and A pile of colourful gummy bears in red, orange, yellow, and green.
Below the text, three circular frames in a line show three different administration methods: A vaporiser, ground cannabis buds and an unground cannabis bud lay on a dark surface, someone in pale blue scrubs and medium blue latex gloves is holding a small cylindrical glass container with a pipette full of oil, and A pile of colourful gummy bears in red, orange, yellow, and green.
A table containing information on administration methods.
A table containing information on administration methods.
Central right: A person lying on a sofa covered by a blanket, with a table of medications and a glass of water nearby.
Central right: A person lying on a sofa covered by a blanket, with a table of medications and a glass of water nearby.
Central right: A brass balance scale with two empty pans hangs on a stand against a neutral background.
Central right: A brass balance scale with two empty pans hangs on a stand against a neutral background.
Central right: A person in glasses wearing a teal dress holds a pen and paper while looking at someone across a table.
Central right: A person in glasses wearing a teal dress holds a pen and paper while looking at someone across a table.
To the right of the body of text, two circular frames show different occupational situations; the top image shows two people in surgical scrubs and masks performing a medical procedure under surgical lights. The bottom image, aligned slightly left of the top image, shows a worker in a hard hat and safety vest using a pallet jack to move boxes in a warehouse.
To the right of the body of text, two circular frames show different occupational situations; the top image shows two people in surgical scrubs and masks performing a medical procedure under surgical lights. The bottom image, aligned slightly left of the top image, shows a worker in a hard hat and safety vest using a pallet jack to move boxes in a warehouse.
Bottom left: A small circular frame shows a person coughing into their hand, with blonde hair and a blue shirt.
Bottom left: A small circular frame shows a person coughing into their hand, with blonde hair and a blue shirt.
Central right: A photograph shows hands gripping a steering wheel while driving, with a blurred background of trees and mountains.
Central right: A photograph shows hands gripping a steering wheel while driving, with a blurred background of trees and mountains.
Top right: A long exposure of a roundabout at night with red and white light trails from cars under a dark blue sky.
Top right: A long exposure of a roundabout at night with red and white light trails from cars under a dark blue sky.
Central left: a police officer wearing a high-visibility jacket with the word POLICE in blue letters on the back, a black hat, and black trousers stands on a paved area next to a bicycle.
Central left: a police officer wearing a high-visibility jacket with the word POLICE in blue letters on the back, a black hat, and black trousers stands on a paved area next to a bicycle.
To the left of the text, small cannabis buds are inside the lid of a prescription container.
To the left of the text, small cannabis buds are inside the lid of a prescription container.
Central left: A person with long, brunette hair and fringe, wearing a black long-sleeved top, holds a cannabis bud, with their eyes closed, like they're smelling it.
Central left: A person with long, brunette hair and fringe, wearing a black long-sleeved top, holds a cannabis bud, with their eyes closed, like they're smelling it.
Bottom left: Graphic representing an ID card, with the outline of a person, green and yellow strips representing text, and a green cannabis leaf outline.
Bottom left: Graphic representing an ID card, with the outline of a person, green and yellow strips representing text, and a green cannabis leaf outline.
Bottom left: An older person wearing a pale blue polo shirt smiles while looking at a smartphone in their hands, seated on a grey sofa.
Bottom left: An older person wearing a pale blue polo shirt smiles while looking at a smartphone in their hands, seated on a grey sofa.
Central right: A group of five people gathered around a kitchen table, some are talking while others are looking at a laptop.
Central right: A group of five people gathered around a kitchen table, some are talking while others are looking at a laptop.
Central right: Cannabis buds inside the lid of a white prescription container resting on a silver mylar Ziplock bag with a white label that reads, 'Rx. Medical cannabis, strain: OG Kush'.
Central right: Cannabis buds inside the lid of a white prescription container resting on a silver mylar Ziplock bag with a white label that reads, 'Rx. Medical cannabis, strain: OG Kush'.
Top right: A medical professional in a white coat with a stethoscope holds a clipboard and pen, standing in front of a patient in a hospital bed.
Top right: A medical professional in a white coat with a stethoscope holds a clipboard and pen, standing in front of a patient in a hospital bed.
Top right: A suitcase is packed with clothes, a passport, and a hat. Nearby are a smartphone displaying a boarding pass, a map, a wallet, a compass, and a pair of trainers.
Top right: A suitcase is packed with clothes, a passport, and a hat. Nearby are a smartphone displaying a boarding pass, a map, a wallet, a compass, and a pair of trainers.
To the right of the text, three circular frames show photos of different environments: Top is a wide-angle view of a large, empty stadium with green grass in the foreground and rows of seats under a bright sky, middle is a lone figure stands on a stage in front of a large crowd, bathed in blue light and smoke, and the bottom is a bartender serves a pint of dark beer to a customer across a wooden bar counter, with beer taps visible.
To the right of the text, three circular frames show photos of different environments: Top is a wide-angle view of a large, empty stadium with green grass in the foreground and rows of seats under a bright sky, middle is a lone figure stands on a stage in front of a large crowd, bathed in blue light and smoke, and the bottom is a bartender serves a pint of dark beer to a customer across a wooden bar counter, with beer taps visible.
Bottom right: An elderly couple holding hands across a table in a café, looking at each other and smiling.
Bottom right: An elderly couple holding hands across a table in a café, looking at each other and smiling.
A person with blonde hair and sunglasses rides on someone's shoulders at an outdoor music festival, with a large crowd of people in front of stage tents and towers in the background.
A person with blonde hair and sunglasses rides on someone's shoulders at an outdoor music festival, with a large crowd of people in front of stage tents and towers in the background.
Top right: A macro photograph of a green cannabis bud with striking orange 'hairs' (pistils), and covered in sparkly Trichrome crystals.
Top right: A macro photograph of a green cannabis bud with striking orange 'hairs' (pistils), and covered in sparkly Trichrome crystals.
Source list
Source list

This leaflet was created by Arianne at Equal Lives.

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