Cannavist Issue 10 B2B

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Behind the

Editor’s Letter Scenes

The Editor Róisín Delaney

Assistant Editor Gordon Stribling

Journalist Caroline Barry

Creative Director James Parnell

Head of Design Hayley Parker

Graphic Designer Ayaz Arshad

Graphic Designer Aaron Rana

Design Support Lucy Booth

Marketing Director Katie Loomes

Web Developer Kain Alden

Marketing Executive Carrie Strouther

Photography Robyn Keetley

Photography Rob Rutley

Finance Director Kris Worton

Accounts Joanne Stubley

Finance Executive Anna Difusco

Finance Executive Rochelle Warsop

CBD Sales Manager Jason Bacon

Client Partnerships Manager Stephen Culf

Sales Executive Baz Bassr Sales Executive Peter Masters Sales Executive Kirk Martin

Managing Director David Turner CEO Paul Caplin

Dear reader. Sincere thanks for picking up a copy of our tenth issue.

We are immensely grateful to everyone who has been a part of The CANNAVIST thus far, our readers and those with businesses in this industry. We hope that at the other side of the pandemic, there will be a fruitful time to come for the health and wellness sector of which we are a part of. We would also like to offer thanks to those who have been eagerly awaiting our new issue! Lockdown makes things a bit trickier in the publishing realm, but here we all are.

Our journalists and associates get to work with some of the largest companies in existence in the legal cannabis industry, and it has been grounding to see everyone – big or small – affected by the current situation in some way.

We’ve had time for making and eating breakfast in the morning. Time to sit and read a magazine or that dust growing book on the shelf. Time to take in the outdoors. To block out any noise. To appreciate the sound of silence. To pick up the phone for an old-fashioned emoji-less conversation. To get back into nature and most importantly, to take care. In this issue, you will hear all about the benefits which CBD and medical cannabis have been affording people during lockdown. Geordie Shore’s Aaron Chalmers talks about his CBD journey as a new dad, and I interviewed a very special woman from Ireland who is battling terminal brain cancer with a punch of positivity. Plus, we share all of the details of our upcoming virtual event, CBD LIVE Europe, which takes place online March 29-31! You can register for free at voxpo-event.com.

This publication and the products shown herein are intended for an 18+ audience. The comments and opinions given by contributors to this publication are not the views of the editor or the organisation, unless otherwise stated. The products featured in this magazine are not sponsored, and have been included at the decision of the editor / publisher and were not seen or altered by the suppliers in any way prior to publication. While every effort is made to respect editorial and advertising standards, The CANNAVIST cannot accept liability for issues raised or comments made by those featured in this magazine. Should you have a query about the content in this publication, email the editor: editorial@cannavistmag.com

One change we have been witness to is the little joys of lockdown, which, I’m sure, we will all look back on in times to come and wonder, ‘how did we do it?’

Róisín Delaney | The Editor

The CANNAVIST is published by Orange Fox Media Limited in Derby, United Kingdom.

The CANNAVIST is printed and distributed by Warners Group Publications in the UK.

The CANNAVIST is a member of the Independent Press Standards Organisation. We abide by the Editors’ Code of Practice and we are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism.

If you think such a standard has not been met in this issue of the magazine, and you would like to make a complaint, email the editor at editorial@cannavistmag.com. We will endeavour to respond to your complaint as soon as possible, or within five working days. If we are unable to resolve your complaint, or if you would like more information about the IPSO Editors’ Code, go to ipso.co.uk. The CANNAVIST (print) ISSN: 2633-4097. The CANNAVIST is a registered trademark.

For all advertising enquiries email: jason@cannavistmag.com. For event enquiries, email: hello@cannavistmag.com. Want to speak about an editorial opportunity or work in PR? Email the editorial team: editorial@cannavistmag.com. For more information about this magazine, go to Cannavistmag.com or call the head office on +44 (0) 1332 650 239. Office hours are Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm.

Meet Raven Faber. Engineer and founder of EngErotics. Raven talks discovering CBD and her booming business. LADY BUSINESS FEATURES

Biohacking?

50 Meet

Bob Marley’s grandson Nico!

Contributors

In this issue, we feature some of the most experienced minds currently working in the UK’s legal cannabis sector.

Dr Leon Barron, GP

Dr Barron is founder of the Primary Care Cannabis Network, which supports GPs interested in learning about medical cannabis. The London-based GP and UCL tutor has a clinical interest in managing the often overlapping physical, psychological and social components of mental health. Dr Barron’s interest in cannabis as an alternative therapy has led him to undertake specialist training in medical cannabis prescribing from global experts in this emerging field. Dr Barron is also a member of the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society, the Drug Science Medical Cannabis working group and the Conservative Party Drug Policy Reform Group. In this issue, we ask Dr Barron about Epidyolex, one of two medical cannabis drugs available on the NHS.

Dr Elisabeth Philipps, PhD

Dr Elisabeth is a clinical neuroscientist and runs a health consultancy specialising in nutritional neurology, the endocannabinoid system and phytocannabininoids including CBD. She regularly presents at conferences and events, and provides expert opinion for the national press, specialist healthcare publications and health companies. In this issue, Dr Elisabeth writes about the benefits of CBD for chronic neuropathic pain in the ‘Ask the Scientist’ column. You can contact Dr Elisabeth via social media: Instagram, @drelisabethphilipps / Linked In - Dr Elisabeth Philipps and Twitter, @drphilipps

Felix Sundström

Felix is CEO of Cannadips EU and SpectrumLeaf. Cannadips is a unique CBD pouch delivering a rapid dose of broad-spectrum hemp without mess, combustion or vapour. Cannadips was founded in Humboldt County, California in 2016, modelled on tobacco dip, which is popular in America’s rural south. Prior to Cannadips, Felix spent seven years working for oral tobacco manufacturers, Imperial Tobacco, and three years at Swedish Match – the world’s largest manufacturer of snus pouches, making him a natural fit to bring the CBD pouch to Europe. In this issue, Felix discusses the scope of the CBD space in the UK and Europe.

Dr Parveen Bhatarah PhD, FRSC.

Regulatory and Compliance Lead, Centre for Medicinal Cannabis. Dr Bhatarah completed her PhD in organic chemistry from Imperial College London and is a fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry. She has held various directorship roles in the generic and herbal pharmaceutical industry with over 20 years of expertise in bulk drug substance and product development including clinical trials, commercial launches, technology transfers and manufacture for ANDA & MA submissions. Most recently, in the cannabis space she was instrumental in the THC project for seed to capsule development, passing pre-approval inspection by the FDA.

The EXTRACT

A round up of the latest news and developments from the global cannabis space.

FDA wants more data

In the US, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says it still lacks the ‘real world data’ it needs in order to move forward with regulating CBD. As the Trump administration left Washington DC, federal officials of the outgoing administration said CBD will be treated like any other substance under regulatory framework. But, officials said, small observational studies “are not adequate to fill the outstanding knowledge gaps,” a comment which will, no doubt, anger industry advocates two years on from the introduction of the Farm Bill.

Dank of England?

Le Cannabis

In France, the government is increasing its awareness of recreational and medical cannabis, with plans to roll out an online survey in order to “better understand the public opinion” on the use of recreational cannabis among the population. Several MPs have backed the petition. One member of parliament, Robin Reda, is behind the project. She told French media she expects the results to be published in spring. The move to gauge public opinion on cannabis coincides with the launch of the country’s first medical cannabis initiative. The programme, which will involve 3,000 French people, was earmarked to launch last year, but is now expected to launch in spring 2021 following delays caused by the pandemic.

More than 800 cannabis plants were seized in the vicinity of the Bank of England in mid-January from a basement set up which police have called a ‘cannabis factory.’ City of London police officers were notified of the strong smell and upon raiding a premises in close proximity to the Bank, they found 826 plants. Two suspects were arrested in what police say is the first ever cannabis seizure in the financial district. The news was the subject of great interest during an online event later hosted by the Bank, during which governor Andrew Bailey commented: “We are now going to be the subject of endless jokes about, now we know what the Bank of England has been on. I’m sure there will be many other jokes. It is very quiet around the Bank of England, I should say.” Detective Inspector Andy Spooner, who is leading the investigation, said: “This is the first cannabis factory in the City, no doubt being set up in response to fewer people being out and about during the pandemic who might have noticed any unusual activity.”

Irish

patients

get the green light

Almost two years after enacting legislation to make way for a national medical cannabis access pilot, Ireland has secured funding for the initiative to begin this year. The Department of Health announced the MCAP scheme would be added to the national Health Service Executive service plan for 2021. Making the announcement that funding had been secured, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said, “It is important to state that there are no plans to legalise cannabis in this country.”

Tobacco giant sets sights on CBD convenience market

British American Tobacco (BAT) has launched a CBD e-liquid cartridge compatible with its Vuse vaping device. The tobacco giant is behind several cigarette brands, and in recent years has branched out into harm reduction products on the vape market. According to CBD market insiders, CBD-Intel, BAT plans to test the product in Manchester with a 50mg and 100mg CBD content, priced at £9.99 and £14.99 respectively.

Uzbekistan beckons

Famous for its Silk Road, the name given to the ancient trade route between China and the Mediterranean, Uzbekistan is the latest nation to roll out a framework for hemp farmers. But don’t expect to see CBD coming out of Uzbekistan anytime soon. For now, the law only allows for the cultivation of hemp for the purposes of fibre and seed products. It is suggested that the production of some medical cannabis will be permitted for export only.

Novel Foods Compliance Partnership secured

The Association for the Cannabinoid Industry (the ACI) has partnered with Trading Standards as the industry prepares for the novel foods compliance deadline. The agreement, approved by the Home Office, will allow the ACI and its members to seek general and legally binding advice from Trading Standards officials. The ACI will also provide Trading Standards with educational resources to help officers identify non compliant products and Trading Standards will educate the ACI and its members on topics such as labelling, food management and advertising claims.

Announcing the news, ACI Innovation Director, Leila Simpson, said: “We are thrilled to further support the sale of safe and compliant CBD in the UK through this partnership with Trading Standards.

“This will enable us to ensure our members are getting the best available advice to help raise the standards of the industry and more easily share intelligence with the regulator about non-compliant products after the Novel Foods March 31 2021 deadline.”

The ACI is the UK’s membership organisation for businesses committed to nurturing a safe, legal and flourishing commercial cannabis extract market.

Thumbs up for CBD Down Under

In Australia, medicinal cannabis regulations have been eased to allow for the sale of ‘low-dose CBD’ without a prescription. Cannabidiol products containing up to 150mg of the popular cannabinoid can now be purchased over-the-counter in Australian pharmacies, following the approval of the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

0.3%

In the US, the Department of Agriculture has given its final ruling on the hot topic of hemp regulations, paving the way for an increase in hemp farming across the country. It’s officially been decided that industrial hemp grown in accordance with the 2018 Farm Bill can contain up to 0.3% THC. The rule also sets a higher THC limit for determining when a plant must be destroyed, that’s now set at 1%. This means that if a plant tests over 0.3% but below 1%, the farmer will not be in violation of the law. The rule also allows farmers to expand the sampling deadline, they will now have 30 days rather than 15. The changes come into effect from March 22. Since the doors to public consultation opened on what has been dubbed ‘hot hemp’, the USDA received more than 6,000 comments on the issue.

EPILEPSY PATIENTS ON BEDROCAN GIVEN JULY EXTENSION

The Department of Health said it reached a temporary solution with Dutch officials so that 42 British patients who rely on Bedrocan oil can continue to access the medicine from a pharmacy in The Hague until July.

Words by Róisín Delaney

Patients in Britain with severe forms of epilepsy who have a prescription for Bedrocan cannabis oil may continue to obtain the medicine from a pharmacy in The Netherlands.

The news comes as the end of the Brexit transition period caused concern that 42 patients in the UK, including some children, would no longer have access to the medicine.

In early January, the British Government said it was ‘working urgently’ with Dutch officials to find a solution, after a pharmacy in The Hague stopped dispensing Bedrocan to those in possession of a British prescription.

A spokesperson for the Dutch pharmacy at the centre of the issue told The CANNAVIST the Brexit deal reached before the new year would no longer allow for the export of the medicine to patients in the UK. Industry leaders in the UK have suggested this is becuase the Dutch product is not EU-GMP compliant. However the spokesperson for Tranvaal said it will be working with

a British company in the coming months to produce the cannabis oil within UK borders.

“We are glad to announce that within a couple of months the Transvaal Apotheek will work with Target Healthcare to produce the cannabis oil in the UK.

“As health care providers we feel that it is our duty to continue the supply for this small group of patients who rely on our products. For these patients switching to other cannabisbased products can lead to serious adverse events.”

Target Healthcare, based in Scotland, is a pharmaceutical wholesaler supplying generic, branded and unlicensed medicines across the UK.

In a letter seen by The CANNAVIST circulated on January 21, the Department of Health and Social Care said it is evaluating its options to find a permanent solution beyond the summer. A spokesperson said:

“The Dutch Government has today confirmed that they will allow continued supply of Bedrocan oil against UK prescriptions for existing patients only, until July 1, 2021.

“We are committed to using that time to establish a permanent solution. We are considering a range of options and will engage with patient representatives about these.”

In the weeks after Christmas, reports in the national media that a number of patients with a prescription for Bedrocan would have their supply cut off, due to the end of the Brexit transition period, caused great concern among the patient community.

Many feared that this was a sign of things to come for all cannabis-based medicinal products in the UK.

On December 15, 2020, a letter notifying of the change to come at the end of the transition period was sent to suppliers, clinics and stakeholders by the Department of Health and Social Care.

Immediate action was called for along the supply chain to ensure supply against current prescriptions and identify alternative products that may be suitable for their patients. The news caused particular concern and disruption over the Christmas

period among the families of those with severe forms of epilepsy who have tried every medical course of treatment available.

Dr Andy Yates is Pharmacy Lead for the UK’s Centre for Medicinal Cannabis. He said the situation is far from ideal for patients.

“Supply issues and discontinuations of medicines have always been a difficult challenge for the medical community to deal with, especially when dealing with vulnerable patients who are stabilised on a particular medicine.

“This situation is exacerbated when you are dealing with a complex medicine such as cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs).

Working with our members, we have been able to provide the DHSC with a list of CBMPs that may be suitable for substitution...”

Epilepsy Action is a British charity providing information, advice and support for people with epilepsy. Louise Cousins, director of external affairs at Epilepsy Action, told The CANNAVIST: “Some families are still having to find up to £2,500 every month to cover the costs of private prescriptions. Epilepsy Action has written to the Prime Minister urging him to take comprehensive action to remove barriers to accessing these products on the NHS and a long-term funding settlement for those who are currently accessing privately.

“Swift, comprehensive action, and a system of financial support, will give those affected the certainty and reassurance they so desperately need.”

Professor Mike Barnes is an adviser and consultant to some of those with a Bedrocan prescription. In an interview for this article following the

extension announcement, he said the interim solution will allow patients and their families to be at ease for a while.

“July is only six months away. They need to have a long term solution. But at the moment, we can at least for a month or so breathe a bit of a sigh of relief and get on with life whilst keeping a bit of an eye on the government...”

As to whether the issue lies with the Dutch product not meeting EU-GMP standards, Prof Barnes said: “It’s not inconsistent because what Transvaal do, probably better than most actually, is produce a batch-tobatch, publicly available certificate of analysis. If you go on their website you can see the consistency in it. Obviously, as a plant it varies a little bit. My understanding is that the flower is EU-GMP Bedrocan. Bedrocan’s other growers, they sell all their flower to the Dutch Government, the Office of Medicinal Cannabis. And then the government releases some of it to Transvaal, to convert into oil. So it’s a very good, very consistent product.”

Dr Andy Yates

NO SHORTAGE OF MEDICAL CANNABIS IN THE UK

Good news for medical cannabis patients as industry leaders say Brexit has not caused disruption to the supply chain.

Words by Róisín Delaney

With reports of medical cannabis shortages caused by Brexit circulating in the national media in January, should patients and their doctors be concerned? The CANNAVIST took a deep dive into this issue to see if it is, in fact, the case.

Two of the biggest players in the British and European medical cannabis supply chain are in agreement that Brexit has not interrupted the distribution of medical cannabis in the UK.

The comments come as high profile campaigner Hannah Deacon, mother of nine-year-old epilepsy patient Alfie Dingley, sounded the alarm in the national media that Bedrocan supplies were not guaranteed postBrexit. The shortage is said to have affected up to 42 patients, including many children with severe forms of epilepsy. The short supply at the beginning of the year is said to have come about after a pharmacy in The Netherlands stopped dispensing the cannabis oil to British patients citing the Brexit deal as the reason.

The message to patients from cannabis giants Grow Group and EMMAC Life Sciences is clear.

You shouldn’t need to import the prescription-only cannabis oil from The Netherlands when it can be produced closer to home for cheaper, easier access.

Grow Group is a biopharmaceutical company focused solely on cannabisbased medicines and improving global access to those medicines. It’s also the leading medical cannabis importer in the UK and Ireland. Pierre Van Werpen, Managing Director of Grow Group, told us he believes that the issue with the Bedrocan disruption in January stemmed from a lack of EU-GMP standards.

“Grow Group’s interpretation of the recent debate around imports from the Netherlands for a group of epileptic children in the UK is very straightforward.

“One used to be able to fill prescriptions written anywhere in the EU in any other EU country and therefore the way around the exporting and importing ban was to

personally go to the Netherlands and pick the products up in the actual pharmacy.

“With the UK exiting the EU, this work around isn’t allowed anymore. That is the only thing that has changed with Brexit.”

Ed McDermott (pictured) is the co-founder of EMMAC Life Sciences, which operates a vertically integrated cannabis model. Ed believes patients need to know ‘there is no systemic issue with access bar this one particular product.’

He adds: “We feel a great deal of sympathy for the families affected by the supply issue of this specific product to the UK. EMMAC’s focus since our inception has been on ensuring a consistent, reliable supply of high-quality products to our patients, and our wholly owned supply chain was designed to avoid such disruption.”

“Our UK-based EU-GMP manufacturing site produces a range of high quality, low-cost EU-GMP cannabis medicines and we sincerely hope that the families affected are able to access comparable treatment options available here in the UK.”

Following the news of the extension period which will allow Bedrocan patients to continue accessing their medicine from a Dutch pharmacy, IPS Pharma - a sister organisation to Grow Group - announced it is to produce the cannabis oils at its certified production facility in Surrey. The news will be welcome and could be just what patients in the UK need. If successful, Grow Pharma’s achievements would remove any import and export headaches at the border, and the cost would likely come down.

On February 2, a month after the Bedrocan disruption went public, Grow Pharma said it had started trials to extract cannabis-based medical products in the UK, making it only the second company to have do so after GW Pharmaceuticals. GW is currently the only UK-based provider of NHS approved cannabis medicines Epidyolex and Sativex.

Meanwhile, in the Republic of Ireland, the only EU member nation that shares a land border with the UK, Bedrocan patients are still being serviced by pharmacies on the continent.

The Irish Government recently announced that a medical cannabis courier service, transporting prescriptions from a pharmacy in The Netherlands to patients’ doorsteps is to continue after the pandemic.

Pierre Van Werpen, Grow Group plc

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POLICE COMMISSIONER CAMPAIGNS FOR CANNABIS

A Welsh Police and Crime Commissioner has started a campaign to see if cannabis could help to reduce opioid addiction and violence in prisons.

Words by Caroline Barry

Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales, Arfon Jones, is calling for prisoners suffering from addiction issues to be given cannabis for free. He believes that cannabis could help those dependent on dangerous opioids and it may reduce violence in prisons too.

Mr Jones, a former police officer, stresses that justice authorities “should be addressing the causes” behind such problems in the nation’s jails and refers to the synthetic drug spice which has caused overdoses in many cases.

Prisoners are currently given access to methadone and buprenorphine to help with opioid addiction, but these medications are not without side effects.

In a statement, Mr Jones said that in his opinion, opioids were far more dangerous than cannabis. “Opioids are a damn sight more

dangerous than cannabis. It would certainly be an improvement on the illegal spice smuggled in by corrupt prison officers too. If they’re on opioids, why can’t they be prescribed cannabis?”

He adds: “Let’s supply cannabis in controlled conditions and see

if offences reduce. The aim of the game is to make prisons safer. If they’re serious about reducing violence in prisons they should be addressing the causes and that’s psychoactive substances. Plus, there’s a whole range of issues that cannabis would be geared to reduce the risk of.”

Ministry of Justice figures show there was an 18% increase in drugs seized in raids between 2019 and 2020, with most of the substances uncovered being psychoactive in nature.

Mr Jones said HMP Berwyn in Wrexham should be one of the first to trial this course of treatment before rolling it out as a wider pilot programme.

Currently there are no such experiments on opioid addiction in prison inmates. But in the US, the idea of using cannabis to treat opioid addiction has been gaining attention among the veteran community. A doubled-blind, placebo-controlled study with 42 recovering heroin addicts showed that CBD use led to less cravings and reduced anxiety levels.

The idea for cannabis behind bars was first raised in 2018 by leading pharmacologist Dr Stephanie Sharp when she commented that

leaving prisoners to smoke spice was ‘condemning them to death’ adding that cannabis would be “much safer.”

Alex Stevens is a Professor in Criminal Justice at the University

of Kent. While he believes a new approach is warranted to combat substance abuse among the ‘overwhelmed’ prison system, he cautions that the police commissioner’s cannabis idea is untested.

“We desperately need a different approach, as the health harms and violence related to drug use are overwhelming prisons’ ability to deal with them. Prescribing cannabis to prisoners is an interesting but untested idea. It might have some benefits, but there are also risks.

“And it does not address the fundamental problem, which is that there are too many people in prison. As recommended by the ACMD and many other experts, we need to reduce the number of people with drug problems in our prisons.

“The easiest way to do this would be to reduce the use of short prison sentences in England and Wales, as has already been done in Scotland.”

Let’s supply cannabis in controlled conditions and see if offences reduce. The aim of the game is to make prisons safer.

SUPERBUG SUPER FIGHTER

CBD is the second cannabinoid to be touted as a ‘ground-breaking’ antibiotic for resistant bacteria thanks to new Australian research. CBD proved effective in killing the bacteria responsible for gonorrhoea and MRSA.

Words by Gordon Stribling

Ground-breaking CBD research in Australia could lead to the first class of antibiotics for resistant bacteria in 60 years. The research showed that synthetic CBD killed the bacteria responsible for gonorrhoea, meningitis and legionnaires disease.

The laboratory research has been heralded as a potential medical breakthrough, with drug-resistant infections set to cause 10 million deaths by 2050.

The study was conducted by the University of Queensland’s Institute for Molecular Science in conjunction with Botanix Pharmaceuticals.

Associate professor Mark Blaskovich, director of the Centre for Superbug Solutions, said: “This is the first time CBD has been shown to kill some types of Gram-negative bacteria.

“These bacteria have an extra outer membrane, an additional line of defence that makes it harder for antibiotics to penetrate.”

Gonorrhoea is the second most common bacterial STI in the UK, with 44,500 people diagnosed in England in 2017, according to the NHS. The bacteria is very good at developing resistance, meaning there is a constant demand for alternatives. CBD also proved highly effective against Gram-positive bacteria, including antibioticresistant pathogen, MRSA (also known as ‘golden staph’).

Dr Blaskovich said that CBD was particularly good at breaking down the biofilm which surrounds bacteria and allows MRSA to survive antibiotic treatment.

He said: “Cannabidiol showed a low tendency to cause resistance in bacteria even when we sped up potential development by increasing concentrations of the antibiotic during ‘treatment’.

“We think that cannabidiol kills bacteria by bursting their outer cell membranes, but we don’t know yet exactly how it does that and need to do further research.”

Botanix will now test a topical CBD solution in clinical trials, a company spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, Dr Blaskovich and his team will look at new formulations that take longer to break down than CBD. This is not the first-time cannabinoids have shown antibiotic potential in the lab. A 2020 study by McMaster University in Canada showed that another cannabis extract, Cannabigerol (CBG), prevented bacteria from creating biofilms and destroyed antibiotic-resistant cells.

Cannabidiol showed a low tendency to cause resistance in bacteria.

“

”

RAISING THE BAR

London-based firm raises £1 million to dominate in CBD with a ‘digital first’ approach.

Words by Róisín Delaney

An all-female led British firm has raised £1 million in efforts to become ‘The Hut Group’ of the cannabis space.

South West Brands is the first global, multi-brand consumer goods group developed specifically for the CBD industry. The all-female management structure will create modern, purpose-led brands with integrity. A recent funding round brought in £500,000 from credible institutional investors including an AIM-listed investment fund. South West will now take aim at the ‘unfocused and undifferentiated’ products that typify the CBD market, applying CPG discipline and winning brand strategies, the likes of which the British cannabis sector has not yet seen, according to the founder.

The London-based firm is powered by Rebekah Hall, the creator of Europe’s first CBD drink, Botanic Lab. In a pre-launch interview with The CANNAVIST, Rebekah said she doesn’t see any brands currently operating within the marketspace meeting the direct needs of consumers. “So much of what we see around consumer products with cannabis in them is just old sensationalist messaging, it’s almost like clickbait. There has been no real investment

in creating a true consumer proposition and filling a consumer need.”

South West Brands will launch two new brands in the menstrual cycle care, beauty and self-care categories in April-May 2021. Targeting high-margin and high-volume product categories, Ms Hall says the all-female led team of directors will invest heavily in brand IP, a ‘digital-first’ approach and unique licencing and celebrity partnerships. “They will be digital first brands that launch in April-May. Our strategies are very heavily aligned with celebrity endorsement so you will see that as being part of our marketing strategy. That’s something that North American brands have been much more on the front foot of in the cannabis industry, but not so much over here. And part of that reason, I think, is lack of funds, lack of investment.”

“We’re creating brands and products that contain CBD and CBD is relevant for those consumer needs. But we really need to tap into filling that need in the brand that we create, rather than what’s happened so far in the market, which is just placing CBD in a very unsophisticated way in anything that you can think of, putting it on the market without any degree of thought or branding. And I think that’s one of the problems that we see in the industry. And that’s why it’s so fragmented.”

When asked about securing £1 million in capital during the global pandemic, Ms Hall said: “Capital is the least of your worries if you’ve got a good idea and concept and a good team, you can always find the money for it. It is notoriously more difficult, though, for women to seek investment. Women entrepreneurs are drastically, underfunded.”

She added that the previous ambition in consumer goods was to end up on the shelves of high street retail giants. That’s all changed since the pandemic, online is king. “I think that’s impossible to ignore, both from the point of view of how people shop, but also, who the power brokers are on the high street. Two of the biggest High Street brands and names just been bought by digital players. So that really does impact our strategy and how we take brands to market. We’re launching with a very much digital first approach... I think looking back sort of 12 to 15 months ago, I probably wouldn’t have said Amazon was one of our priorities in brand launches, whereas now it’s impossible to ignore them, because of the way we all shop.”

Joining South West Brands on the mission to make the name a digital first CBD powerhouse is Jolyn Teoh, formerly of Goldman Sachs. The management structure also boasts several other high profile names and CBD industry experts. Chief Commercial Officer Lisa Shapiro has worked for some of the biggest consumer product developers in the world. Coca Cola, Jeep, Netflix, Star Wars & James Bond are among some of the brands she has nurtured. Meanwhile Hannah Skingle takes the position of General Manager after successfully building the consumer and contract manufacturing firm Dragonfly Biosciences. Fran Pearce takes the role of Brand and Marketing Director, following her success with Superdry and US-UK CBD brand, Pollen, under parent cannabis company Tilray. Together, the all-star all-female team aims to become the e-commerce leaders of the European CBD sector, citing The Hut Group model as inspiration.

The Hut Group began as a start-up in Greater Manchester more than 15 years ago. It is now home to some of the world’s biggest health, wellbeing and lifestyle brands, including ESPA and MyProtein. THG is also behind popular e-commerce platform Look Fantastic.

“I probably wouldn’t have said Amazon was one of our priorities in brand launches, whereas now it’s impossible to ignore them, because of the way we all shop.”

UK’s First Medical Cannabis Charity

Our mission is to reduce the nancial barriers of access to medical cannabis.

We were founded to aid in the nancial di culties that can a ect individuals who are unable to a ord the costs associated with medical cannabis prescriptions.

Sapphire Medical Foundation is supported by The Centre for Medicinal Cannabis

Get Involved

It is thanks to our incredible supporters and donors that we are able to provide life-changing support for patients through cannabis-based medical products.

Donate

We rely on the generous donations and fundraising of our supporters to enable us to provide nancial assistance to those with greatest need.

sapphirefoundation.co.uk/donations/make-a-donation

Volunteer

Get in touch and volunteer to help fundraise for Sapphire Medical Foundation

Sapphire Medical Foundation is supported by The Centre for Medicinal Cannabis

Find out more sapphirefoundation.co.uk

JERSEY START-UP GETS THE GREEN LIGHT TO CULTIVATE

Medical Cannabis

A start-up on the Channel Island of Jersey has been granted a licence to cultivate, manufacture and export high-THC medical cannabis.

Words by Róisín Delaney

Northern Leaf, founded in 2019, is just the second company to be granted such a licence under UK Home Office legislation. Epidyolex producers GW Pharmaceuticals was awarded the same permissions in 1998 and now supplies the medical cannabis oil to patients with severe and rare forms of epilepsy.

It could mean big news for Jersey. The company says it is committed to 'leading the development of a new industry' on the Channel Island.

According to reports, London-based corporate finance and investment firm Chrystal Capital Partners helped secure funding for Northern Leaf in 2020. In four years, the same firm has secured over $200 million (USD) in cannabis sector investments.

In a press release, a spokesperson for Northern Leaf said, “Northern Leaf is helping to build a new globally relevant industry on the island of Jersey."

What happens next?

Cultivation may only take place at locations approved by Jersey's Chief Pharmacist and Northern Leaf's facility is the first island site to be approved.

A secure, compliant and operational facility is already in situ and Northern Leaf's growers will now look to commence the growth of commercial quantities of medical cannabis in 2021.

The company says it will utilise 'stateof-the-art tracing systems' and has 'robust policies and procedures in

place to ensure the highest levels of quality from seed to sale.'

What does this mean for medical cannabis users in the UK?

The UK faces a medical cannabis crisis with access to prescriptions the biggest roadblock to a prosperous market. However, some reports suggest Britain is on course to become the biggest cannabis market in Europe by 2025.

According to cannabis market researchers at the Brightfield Group, eradicating barriers to medical cannabis access could see the market grow by 98% by 2025.

The main obstacle in the way of this is GPs in the UK are not permitted to write cannabis scripts. Only doctors on the specialist register have permission to do so. Add to this the emergence of a two tiered access system which has come about since legalisation of medical cannabis in November 2018. For the most part, patients are unsuccessful in their efforts to achieve medical cannabis patient status through the NHS. This has paved the way for a costly private system of medical cannabis clinics to grow across the UK.

Now that Northern Leaf has secured a licence under UK legislation, the

company is in prime position to take advantage of the growing market. But it won't be an open road to market success. There are more experienced and ever-expanding international medical cannabis developers already in operation, supplying most of Europe. Canadian powerhouse Aurora Cannabis operates a 100,000 sq. ft. greenhouse site in Denmark. Then there’s Tilray and EMMAC which both operate sites in Portugal. Tilray recently announced plans to create “the world’s largest weed company” following a merger with Aphria, yet another Canadian cannabis giant.

Northern Leaf says it has already secured purchase letters from distributors and manufacturers in the UK as well as Germany, Spain, Portugal and Denmark, which it intends to fulfil starting this year. Will this ambitious start up on the largest of the Channel Islands triumph in the legal cannabis big leagues?

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MEETS NEW

Cannadips is shaking up the European CBD market with an all-new take on a Swedish tradition. But for CEO Felix Sundström, CBD is just the beginning

Words by Gordon Stribling

The UK is a week into its third national lockdown when I chat with Felix Sundström. The Cannadips CEO is at home in his native Sweden, where a ‘lockdown lite’ has been introduced following a surge in coronavirus cases. The constitution had to be rewritten to allow the government to restrict the number of people in shops, businesses and certain public places and fine individuals for flouting the rules.

“We’re having a third baby now,” Felix says. “So for us, you know, life is still okay, I can still do my work from home. But you know, our life is we’re used to being at home a lot with the kids and everything. So I’m not that affected, but it must be hard for

young people and the elderly.” Cannadips itself is something of an outlier on the world stage. The hemp CBD pouch brand was founded in Humboldt County, California in 2016, modelled on tobacco dip, which is popular in America’s rural south but pretty much unheard of in Europe.

Felix spent seven years working for oral tobacco-manufacturers, Imperial Tobacco, and three at Swedish Match – the world’s largest manufacturer of snus pouches. So, he was a natural fit to bring the CBD pouch to Europe. Snus is uniquely Scandinavian, with a history going back around 200 years. Originally, they would boil tobacco leaves with salt and flavours like bergamot to create a

moist snuff. That product remained largely unchanged for 150 years until Swedish Match came out with the pouch.

“Sweden has the lowest incidence of male smokers in the whole Western world, and that’s for a specific reason,” Felix explains. “Men have instead used the oral, noncombustible alternative right from the beginning.”

Nicotine pouches are gaining traction in the UK as a tobacco alternative for those uncomfortable with vaping around others, during the pandemic, or having to keep their devices sanitised. And with the pace of the market, CBD users are inclined to embrace innovation. CBD, and cannabis more broadly,

are a much harder sell than the pouch itself, Felix says. There remains a long-held stigma around controlled substances, specifically in the Nordic regions, with everything falling under the ‘drugs’ banner with little acknowledgement or understanding relative to risks and potential benefits. But society is slowly coming on board.

“You place heroin and ecstasy and cocaine together with cannabis which is quite ridiculous from my perspective now,” Felix says.

“But looking back through the years, I would probably reason the same, because I think that is the general view. That’s also how we are brought up by our parents. But I would say that my learning curve, the last three years, has been quite steep when it comes to this.”

Outside of Sweden, the short-term aim is to get the message out to other European countries. First, they launched in Germany in 2018 and have since expanded into 16 offline distribution markets, including the UK, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Greece. Felix is all set to land in Poland and Spain next.

Beyond that, the Cannadips CEO is keeping a keen eye on the US, which continues to set the trend across the cannabis space. Liberal state cannabis laws have helped facilitate a booming interest in the minor cannabinoids,

such as CBC, CBN and CBG, and demand is now being seen across Europe.

That said, Felix continues to champion whole plant, broad spectrum hemp products where there’s the potential to boost favoured cannabinoids to meet specific customer demand. And he’s hopeful that Europe may open up to THC too, but that will, of course, take time.

“From a medical perspective, there are a multitude of benefits. And in the US, people are microdosing THC on a daily basis. We should be able to regulate these substances in the same way that we can regulate alcohol usage.”

“My learning curve the last three years has been quite steep”

WHERE IS THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY HEADED?

Words by Leila Simpson, Director of Innovation

The Association for the Cannabinoid Industry.

CBD really has taken off, hasn’t it?

There’s no slowing in the growth of the global CBD market which has been widely predicted to hit £16 billion by 2022. Millions of people worldwide are clearly finding value in this cannabis plant extract. Brands are only too happy to meet this de mand with increasing quality as new regulations are established. However, the focus on CBD, trans formative as it is for some, is really just one of the cannabis plant’s stories.

The future of cannabinoids

Cannabidiol (CBD) and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are the stars of the show currently. They are the most well-known, studied and in-demand cannabinoids that have been reported to help with wide-ranging issues such as anxiety, weight loss or pain management. However, other cannabinoids are starting to emerge onto the global market. Cannabigerol (CBG) is one to look out for; it has been suggest ed that it can slow bacterial growth, promote bone growth and help with insomnia.

Cannabinol (CBN) may also be attracting attention soon, with the suggested therapeutic benefits of helping with insomnia and pain relief. Early research on Cannabichromene

(CBC) indicates that it may have anti-epileptic properties and be able to reduce inflammation and prevent the growth of harmful cells.

It is worth noting that not all of these cannabinoids are currently legal, they vary between being medically and/or commercially available, and research is in its infancy, though growing more robust every day. The cannabinoid sector has an enormous amount of potential.

It will be interesting to see how the markets around these ‘neglected’ cannabinoids develop in the coming years, and whether the regulations that have sprung up around CBD are fit for other cannabinoids. There is also the challenge of the ‘entourage effect’ where cannabinoids alter the expression of each other, and how they interact with our endocannab inoid system differs from person to person. As technology develops, there may be a future opportunity to map one's own endocannabinoid system, potentially enabling individuals to tailor specific cannabis varieties to specific individuals’ needs as research progresses.

Global progress

Beyond plant-body interactions, the cannabis plant has a significant amount to offer us and the living

world we share. From construction and cleaning to feedstock and fibre, we are also seeing growing demand for cannabis products in the veterinary, cosmetics, tourism and gastronomy sectors, to mention only a few.

In many countries across the world, geneticists are working hard behind the scenes to curate cannabis strains for these different sectors. Scientists are busy developing a better understanding of cannabinoids, their uses and interactions. Global policy is slowly responding, leading to changes in cannabis availability, sparking the cannabis tourism industry and spurring on cannabis celebrities, such as sportspeople bestowing the virtues of cannabinoid-enhanced recovery and performance. This groundswell of interest in cannabis is not slowing down anytime soon.

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GEORDIE SHORE’S AARON CHALMERS SAYS CBD HAS HELPED HIS LOCKDOWN EXPERIENCE AS A NEW DAD

The former MTV reality star turned professional fighter says he has been ‘destroyed’ by sleepless nights and not being able to rely on the support network of family and friends in lockdown.

The couple’s second child is expected in May 2021.

Aaron has now revealed how CBD has helped him cope with the demands of becoming a dad for the first time, which left him feeling exhausted.

He says the pandemic made it even harder to cope.

Aaron is an ambassador for CBD retailer Natural Strains, and says that he found CBD helped to ease his anxiety and helped him sleep better.

Aaron started using CBD from Natural Strains to help him ‘chill out and get enough sleep.’ Like a lot of new parents, he says being awake all hours left him feeling ‘destroyed.’

“CBD has definitely helped me cope with everything being thrown at me.”

The former scaffolder from Newcastle rose to fame on the MTV reality show, Geordie Shore before he went on to achieve success as a professional MMA fighter.

Geordie Shore star and pro-MMA fighter Aaron Chalmers has told how CBD has helped with his ‘sleepless nights’ after becoming a new dad during lockdown.

Aaron, 33, who most will know from MTV’s reality hit Geordie Shore, welcomed a son, Romeo, in April last year with his partner Talia Oatway.

“It’s definitely been a tough year, with everything that’s going on with COVID and lockdowns. Since Romeo was born, I’ve been super busy doing things I’ve never done before like changing nappies and doing night feeds and everything else that comes with a newborn.

“We love him to bits, but nothing prepares you for how different your life becomes with a baba. I’ve been a lot more tired and stressed, my mind has been working overtime and it’s been a lot to get my head around.”

He adds: “I’ve been in the MMA world for around three years and it definitely takes a lot out of you both mentally and physically.

“I’ve suffered from anxiety and anger issues in the past, and training has always done me a world of good.

“CBD really helps me sleep and relax, which is very important to make sure I’m in the best shape.”

CBD isn’t the only health kick Aaron

“I’ve been a lot more tired and stressed, my mind has been working overtime and it’s been a lot to get my head around.”

has incorporated into his life as a family man. Taking to Instagram in November, he told his 2.3 million fans how he decided to cut back on alcohol too.

Natural Strains is one of the leading suppliers of CBD products in the UK. Founder Ian Lloyd says the effects of lockdown have seen more customers turning to CBD for stress and anxiety. “Lots of people are turning to CBD for help with sleep and anxiety and we have had customers telling us how the COVID pandemic has left them stressed and worried.”

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To drive adoption, cannabis as a cosmetic ingredient needs to take its place in a well-designed formula that product that contains luxurious golden CBD oil, but is

formulated with cheap ingredients containing parabens and SLS is not the path to convincing today’s consumers to consider cannabis skincare alternatives.

2021 will undoubtedly bring its own challenges for CBD brands, but it’s the perfect time to be taking advantage of the growing demand for CBD skincare and topicals by developing new ranges. At Cannafull, we would love to support you on that journey, so we’re offering free, daily 1-hour consultations until the end of February to any businesses looking to explore cannabis skincare this year. Find out more at www.cannafull.co.uk

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W R I T T E N B Y

R I C K MESS I T T C O FOU N D E R

Lady Business

With CEO Raven Faber

Words by Caroline Barry

Engineer and entrepreneur

Raven Faber hadn’t thought about entering the cannabis industry until CBD came to her. She worried that she could test positive in a drug screening for work, which could have put her career at risk.

When asked what she knew about CBD one day, she realised that there was a lot to learn and so she decided to educate herself on the now widespread cannabinoid.

“CBD came to us if I’m honest. One thing about the corporate career I had is that a lot of engineering firms have zero tolerance for cannabis. CBD wasn’t on my radar. I wasn’t willing to try it because I was in the corporate world and I was scared.”

“I worked at one firm around the time

when Colorado legalised recreational marijuana. They openly said, we are going to treat recreational cannabis the same way we treat alcohol: ‘What you do off the clock is your own business but don’t come to work intoxicated.’ Then there were other firms that did random drug tests where you have to pee in the cup to get your offer and show you are clean. I’ve always been 420 friendly, but I very much valued my career.”

Taking the plunge into her own business, EngErotics, was scary but rewarding for Raven. She explains that growing a company can often mean taking a leap of faith. “When it comes to CBD specifically, or entrepreneurship as a whole, there comes a point where you have to get

serious. I have this idea, let me start it and register the name. I want to see what I can do. There came a point where I thought, I bet I can grow this company but in order to do it, I have to get serious about it. I cannot do this and work a 9-to-5, 40 hours a week. I'm in a position now where I can leave and do this. If I want this to work, then I need to be all the way in.” With a history of working in adult toy sales and listening to the needs of clients, she began to realise she could, as an engineer, build better products than the competitors. The next step was incorporating a range of CBD products into the line which included bath salts.

“We have a private online group where people interact with the company. Someone posted about CBD to ask what we knew about it. I started learning about what CBD could do for the sexual response cycle. Additionally, there are lots of parallels between intimacy devices and CBD in that there are no rules, regulations or standards that hold manufacturers accountable for the quality and safety of their products.”

The similarities between the sexual wellness sector and the CBD arena don’t stop at the lack of regulation. Raven says adult brands can suffer

How does CBD fare as an interest in other industries? We speak to Raven Faber of EngErotics about incorporating CBD into a fully-fledged sector and the truth about running two booming businesses in the pandemic.

the same issues as the cannabis industry such as banking roadblocks and stigma.

“We specialise in two areas that have been deeply stigmatised. When you deal with hemp derived CBD, a lot of people don’t know what that means and they instantly go, ‘that’s marijuana.’ There is a lot of red tape that surrounds both adult products and CBD.”

“We spent a lot of time figuring out how to process credit cards. For us, it’s a double whammy because if it wasn’t the CBD then it was the intimacy devices. A lot of people said they would process for us if we removed one off the website as they couldn’t process both. I didn’t want to split them up because that is a big reason why we stand out as a company.”

Lockdown life has seen an incredible boom for both markets. Raven found herself running two companies that were simultaneously experiencing massive spikes in sales.

“It’s been a huge period of growth for the company and me personally. I’ve been pushed to the limit. EngErotics is one of two companies that I own and run. I’ve also been at home, raising kids and being a wife to my husband. Sliding into the end of 2020, I was exhausted! Orders were coming in and we entered into stores. All these incredible things have happened, but you don’t get to accomplish those things without being tired. It’s a double-edged sword.”

“It’s been tough. I don't want to see my companies fail. But, if there's ever been a time where I've had to dig down deep and, if there's ever been a time where I'm like, I really got to see what I’m made of then it was last it was last year.”

She adds: “On the business side, things took off a lot. People were staying home so our orders spiked. Everyone was buying sex toys in record numbers. Not only have people been ordering intimacy devices but they have also been ordering CBD. They are at home in isolation and have nothing else

to do so they are dipping their toe into things they wouldn’t have tried before.”

What advice would you give for young entrepreneurs looking to enter either industry?

“The first thing I tell women, especially black women, or anyone from a marginalised group, is that it is imperative that you connect with a network of people that can give you moral support. I don’t care how badass you are, having a support network of people is so valuable for advice, moral support and, someone to vent to.

“The second piece of advice is that you have to really want it. You can’t just be in halfway with CBD, you need to be in it to win it. There has been so much red tape, hurdles and setbacks that you have to really want it. I’ve been knocked down so many times, but you have to make a conscious

decision to get back up. It's really scary but it’s worth it.”

Raven has big plans for this year. “We are hoping to grow the company. We want to get into more stores, which is one of our big goals. When we started the company, we were just e-commerce, but we started breaking into our first stores and this year we want to increase that.”

Although the last year has been difficult for anyone who has their own business, Raven chooses to remember the positives. “It’s a real treat to be interviewing with The CANNAVIST,” she says, reminiscing on winning big in the USA CBD Expo awards. The awards were presented at The CANNAVIST USA party in Las Vegas in March 2020.

“It’s come full circle to be interviewing with you now. It blew me away and it still does. I’m forever grateful to have been invited and that spoke volumes that what I’m doing now is working.”

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GET UP, STAND UP

Bob Marley’s grandson and former NFL player, Nico Marley, talks CBD, lockdown launches and how cannabis can really heal.

Words by Caroline Barry

The name Marley is synonymous with reggae music, Jamaica and of course, cannabis. Far from being intimidated or pressured by his family legacy, Nico Marley has entered the game.

Nico and his business partner, Gaetan Khawly, launched their new line of CBD products Lion X Wellness in 2020 offering a range of edibles, oils and balms. Despite the difficulties of lockdown life, the team launched the brand successfully in a turbulent time.

Nico turned to CBD while playing American football to soothe the aches and pains caused by the ultra-physical sport, as he explains.

“I used to play American football from the age of 13 all the way through high school and university, then on to the Redskins, an NFL team. I was a smaller guy on the field and I started to get ailments that came along with the sport, so I began using CBD as a natural method to heal myself.”

He explains his decision to enter the industry after finishing with football. “I ended up getting cut from the Redskins in 2017 and I came to a crossroads in my life. I had to make the decision whether I keep playing football, go to another league or be a businessman. I chose to be a businessman as I wanted to merge both my lives as an athlete and live up to my family legacy.”

“My grandfather always had this one saying, ‘herb is the healing of a nation.’ I grew up with that and as a kid I never looked at it as a drug. I always saw it as medicine.”

With Bob Marley as your grandfather, it seems inevitable that you would go into the cannabis industry, but Nico disagrees.

“It wasn’t inevitable as its just what I grew up with, having that knowledge that the plant is a method of healing. I had that knowledge before it was cool and it’s been my

belief since I was a kid. There was no pressure as we are all our own people, but I do have my own expectations and standards that I set myself.”

Lockdown hasn’t been the easiest time for any of us, but the difficult days haven’t slowed the growth of the business. “It took about a year and half before we actually launched to source the proper products, get the right knowledge and branding to make sure everything was in line. There were a few hiccups here and there with some stumbles, but you get up and keep moving on. We launched in the middle of the pandemic so there have been some ups and downs, but nothing crazy.”

In April 2020, the NFL opened up to CBD, in allowing its professional players to treat pain with the cannabinoid. Two years prior, CBD was also removed from the World Anti Doping Agency’s list of prohibited substances. This has led to an ESPN study claiming that 61% of NFL athletes prefer to treat their pain with CBD products.

It’s not just American football players who are benefitting. More pro-athletes are speaking out about their CBD recovery process. Women’s soccer superstar Megan Rapinoe has also talked about using CBD for pain associated with injury.

Nico says: “The number keeps growing every day as people become more knowledgeable about it. Every day you hear about someone else using it or investing in a company so it’s going to continue to climb. CBD helps you with inflammation, pain, muscle soreness and clarity. It has a number of different benefits for athletes.”

He adds that the cannabinoid helps him to give back to athletes. “The reason I chose CBD was because I said I wanted to be able to give back to athletes and have a product they could use. When we were launching, there was still testing where if you tested positive then you could have a suspension. I couldn’t give a THC product to an athlete that was performing in the NCAA or NFL or any of these leagues. Now, it’s loosened up slightly.”

Things have changed dramatically in the past year in terms of testing among the major leagues in American sports. “I think they have loosened restrictions on even THC,” he says. “The MBA doesn’t test for THC. I think the NFL doesn’t test but I know the American Baseball League doesn’t for sure.”

Nico has a busy 2021 ahead. “We will continue to grow, we have some clothing coming soon hopefully at the top of the year. In the coming year we’d like to add at least one or another line with an additional product here and there.”

My grandfather, Bob Marley, always had this one saying, herb is the healing of a nation.

DIAGNOSED WITH A BRAIN TUMOUR AT 32.

What do you do?

Alannah is 32 and comes from County Tipperary, Ireland. She is a wife, a daughter, a mother and an experienced chef. While others her age were saving for a house deposit, planning weddings and celebrating happy milestones, Alannah was told she had a rare brain tumour. A year on from her diagnosis, she says discovering CBD has made all of the difference to her personal outlook on life and her future.

By Róisín Delaney

It’s one of those situations we all hope we never have to be in. But for some, living with cancer is an evil curse. No one deserves it, no one knows how or why it chooses its victims and you wouldn’t wish it upon your worst enemy. It’s the opposite of whatever winning the jackpot is. Every now and then, we come across another person’s story that really makes us think. That’s what happened when a friend sent me a link to Alannah Sheehan’s Instagram profile.

A couple of years older than myself, Alannah, like me, comes from a small town in county Tipperary in Ireland. Like me, Alannah has friends, family, plans and lots going on in her life. She’s great craic, as we’d say, and after spending only a couple of hours on the phone to each other and sending a few emails back and forth, I can tell we would hit it off over a few glasses of prosecco. This is Alannah’s story of how she found out she has a brain tumour, and what she intends to do about it.

“I was getting migraines and they were getting so bad when I was nearly 20 that I went for CT scan, but nothing came up. And like, it might have been different if I had an MRI or whatever, but nothing came up. When I was about 23, the headaches just stopped and that was that.”

Alannah’s symptoms returned in recent years, but with her age and lifestyle, like any of us, she put it down to something simple. No big deal.

“About three years ago, I started to feel really, really dizzy. I thought it was vertigo. But then it just got so bad. I ended up going to the doctor. I remember walking in town one day and I fell into the wall. I always felt like there was something in one of my ears, I don’t know, it’s just a really weird feeling.”

Now a busy mother to three small children, back then Alannah was working full time, saving ‘like crazy’ to buy a house with her husband Martin.

“I went to the doctor twice, I said there was something wrong. They checked me and said there was nothing wrong.”

Last year, the family decided to hold their newborn’s christening the week after Christmas with a whole day of celebrations planned. Alannah describes how that night, in bed, she had her first seizure.

“We had a lovely day and then that night, I had my first seizure ever. I was fast asleep and my husband, Martin, was in bed beside me. He woke up to me shaking like crazy. I was face down in the pillow, I was after biting down on my lip or my tongue.”

Alannah, describing Martin as a ‘messer’, couldn’t believe what she was hearing when she came around and heard from her husband what he had just seen.

“My lip was about five times the size it normally is. And then, I just looked at my pillow. There was blood everywhere. I wasn’t panicked but I was really, really freaked out because this had never happened before. I never would have thought in a million years that I have cancer or anything like that.”

After the Christmas and New Year holidays ended, Alannah went back to her doctor and told her what had happened. A month or so passed and COVID-19 hadn’t yet become a headline in Ireland or the UK. Lockdown was still a fantasy, something that happened in the movies. But so was what was happening to Alannah. While staying with friends for Valentine’s Day, she had her second seizure, and this time it was worse. Luckily, she wasn’t alone with the kids as she

Alannah Sheehan

had previously planned, and her friend was able to call an ambulance.

“I came back around in the ambulance, but I had no idea. I remembered what had happened up to that point, but I just didn’t have a clue what had happened afterwards, like, absolutely nothing. I had no idea of anything. I knew my name, but I didn’t know what age I was. I knew I had children, but I didn’t know their names or what ages they were, or if they were girls or boys. I just remember, I started crying and crying because I said, ‘where are my children?’ I just didn’t have a clue what was after happening.”

After spending a week in hospital, Alannah was told that something appeared on a head scan. She was told she would need to travel to Cork City, about two hours from her home, where she would meet a specialist.

With her mother and husband to accompany her, Alannah says she didn’t know what to expect, but cancer wasn’t on her mind that day.

“I don’t freak out until I’m told to freak out. I started thinking that I might have epilepsy or something. But I was I wasn’t thinking anything else because I didn’t know that your brain could make that happen. Like I never heard of anything like this.”

The neurosurgeon presented Alannah with an image from her recent MRI scan. On that scan she could very clearly see she had a mass on her brain, but it wasn’t clear whether it was cancer at this point.

“I would have said that my mental health was worse in my life before I had cancer than it is now. I’m so good mentally. And I really think CBD is the reason.”

“It basically showed there was a mass on my brain. It looked like a quarter the size of my brain. To me, it was like 25% of my brain was a different colour and that was the problem area. It was huge. The minute I saw that I just, I just stopped. I just got really, really scared.”

“Then he tells me the statistics, and I am a very positive person, I’ve had loads of stuff thrown at me in life and I am well-used to dealing with problems. I’m a good problem solver. I was very optimistic. I was like ‘yeah, I’ll be fine. It’s going to be OK.’ When presented with two options, she decided to do something about it. She underwent an awake craniotomy. This is a neurosurgical technique that allows a surgeon to work on a brain tumour while the patient is awake to avoid brain damage. “I came home from hospital and then I think within two days the whole country went into lockdown. It was like they basically shut the doors behind me!”

The specialist doctor, who she describes as ‘the most straight-talking person I have ever come across in my life’ phoned her three weeks after the surgery and biopsy to tell her that it was in fact cancer. Alannah recalls how at the time she thought, “I felt like saying, I just had a baby, I don’t need to have a brain tumour!”

Faced with adversity, and an incredibly difficult pill to swallow, Alannah decided she was going to remain positive.

Coming to terms with it

“The thing that made me most upset was, this is never, ever, going to go away. It’s going to go away when I’m dead. There’s no escaping it. How am I supposed to live my life? Then I began to think, right, I’m just not going to think about it. Everyone always says you should be in the

moment. I’m always thinking of what I have to do next, what am I doing next week?” Alannah says that for the first time in her life, she’s OK with taking things day-by-day.

“For the first time ever, I have finally mastered this, and I recommend it to everyone. I am so in the moment, and that’s why I am so good now. I’m not going to think about dying. I’m not going to die today, so I’m not going to cry about it. I am so in the moment with everything. “I always kind of get a little bit depressed before chemo. I just hate it. I hate putting it into my body. It kills my soul. It’s like ‘you’re sick’ and I feel like a sick person when I do chemo. My mind over matter – my head is just the best it’s ever been.”

Following the start of her chemotherapy treatment, Alannah’s sister-in-law came to visit her at home, on what she calls, ‘the day I found hope’. “Up until this point I was like, oh you know, I’ll stay smiling during the day but I am a lost cause, I’m going to die. I hate saying that now because I just don’t talk like that now. “She [the sister-in-law] came out to my house and she said look, here’s the plan, here’s what you’re going to do.”

Among the natural-first therapies and ideas which Alannah, at this point, found herself open to was CBD oil. She says taking CBD regularly is the one thing which has improved her sleep and overall mood during the most difficult time of her life.

“She got me CBD oil and I started taking it. I started sleeping like a baby at night, with no sleeping tablets. My mood is better. From that day, I did a full 360. I just completely turned it around. I was like, ‘I’m going to be fine. Like 100% it is just amazing. It stops my seizures. It stops any headaches that I have. When I’m doing chemo, I feel really nauseous all of the time. If I take my CBD oil it takes away a lot of the nausea, probably 90% of it, or I don’t actually need to take my anti-sickness tablets. I think my mood in general, like, I should be clinically depressed! But for the first time ever, it doesn’t make any sense, and I think it is the CBD oil because there’s nothing else that’s different.”

In a time where our mental health is challenged on a daily basis, you would think that someone in Alannah’s shoes might struggle to stay optimistic about life. But Alannah believes her mental wellbeing is better now, than ever before.

“I would have said that my mental health was worse in my life before I had cancer than it is now. I’m so good mentally. And I really think that is the reason.” So, as she enters her final round of chemo, what’s next? “Going forward I need to just be away from the hospital. I just think they’re so negative. Since I set up my Instagram and have been doing my own research, I am a lot more hopeful. I talk to people every day who have this, who are alive and well for way longer than the doctors gave me. They made it out like it’s some sort of rare thing and it’s not at all. So many people have this.”

Since our pre-Christmas interview, Alannah’s community in county Tipperary raised more than €176,000. The money raised via a Go Fund Me page will go towards Alannah’s medical expenses to ultimately help prolong her life.

Follow Alannah’s journey on Instagram, @worth_fighting4

“CBD flood” doesn’t seem likely

Companies do not feel much risk of a glut of CBD-containing food, drink and dietary supplement products or cannabinoid ingredients coming into the UK market if the EU follows through with its initial opinion classifying CBD as a narcotic.

CBD ingestible products will have to have a novel food application under way with the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) if they are to remain on the market beyond 31st March 2021. This means a flood of new food, drink or dietary products is unlikely as any new introduction would require the rigorous testing necessary for an application to be accepted.

There may be a further swing to cosmetics and topicals but that is a trend already under way, companies suggested.

White label manufacturer Taylor Mammon told CBD-Intel that it believes CBD could be diverted to use in cosmetics – which has not been impacted by the narcotics question – if the EU was to follow through on its preliminary opinion.

The EU decision has already led to some firms refocusing on cosmetics, so any further action would be a continuation of an ongoing trend, it added.

Taylor Mammon did warn that the UK could see its own smaller parallel action with companies unable or unwilling to meet 2021 compliance requirements looking to unload food, drink and dietary supplement products before the deadline.

It added: “The onus is on raw material suppliers to make full applications, although they have made supplementary submissions as an intermediary, for example with product stability studies.”

Vape specialists Infused Amphora said they were surprised and concerned by the preliminary European Commission decision. But inhalant products are not liable to novel food approval, so in the UK the company believes supplier compliance is enough but is also considering whether to seek additional approvals.

Dragonfly CBD does not expect to see much impact on its operations. It makes cosmetics which could continue to be sold in the EU market regardless.

Meanwhile, most companies believe that any downward pricing of ingredients from a surplus to EU needs may be more likely to affect the more standardised products sold at the lower end of the price range.

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We offer a one-stop source of market and regulatory strategic data for the CBD industry. Providing all the data in one online platform reduces the amount of time and money spent monitoring the sector for multiple international markets.

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trends, key players, regulatory obligations and industry dynamics.

CBD-Intel’s team is made up of lawyers, economists and journalists. The team is based in London, Barcelona and New York, and enhanced by correspondents and contributors from around the world.

We also offer customised research and consultancy support, and we publish ECigIntelligence and TobaccoIntelligence for the vapour and tobaccoalternatives sectors.

SCIENTIST

CBD for Chronic Pain: Does it work?

In each issue, we ask a scientist to break down the facts and issues around CBD. Here, clinical neuroscientist Dr Elisabeth Philipps explains how this powerful cannabinoid might be able to combat chronic pain.

Around 28 million people in the UK are reported to suffer from some form of chronic pain i.e. pain that has lasted for 3 months or more despite medication or treatment. That’s almost half of the UK population!

From back pain and arthritis, to migraines and fibromyalgia, neurogenic pain – caused by nerve damage –post-surgical and post-trauma pain, as well as psychogenic pain i.e. pain that is present in the absence of disease, injury or nerve damage. Chronic pain is a silent epidemic that has a dramatic and disruptive daily impact on the lives of many people.

Over-the-counter and prescription medications are available but these do not address the underlying root cause of the pain, plus pain-killing pharmaceuticals often come with unwanted side effects, making them frustrating for long-term use. It’s not surprising then, that so many people are turning to natural sources to try to ease their pain and live a normal life.

And plant-derived products including phytocannabinoids, like cannabidiol (CBD), is proving to be one such natural route gaining popularity in managing and even resolving chronic pain. But does the hype really stack up?

Simple Steps to Managing Chronic Pain

In my clinic, I recommend a combination of several things to help manage inflammation, the underlying cause of many chronic pain symptoms such as headaches, joint and arthritis pain and fibromyalgia. These include nutritional support (what we eat and drink can have a huge impact on inflammation levels in the body), suitable exercise like yoga and walking, Epsom salt baths and relaxation techniques like meditation and breathing exercises.

A good night’s sleep is also vital but as those with chronic pain know, this is a vicious circle where pain often seems to increase overnight, in part because we have fewer distractions and less movement.

“Chronic pain is a silent epidemic that has a dramatic and disruptive daily impact on the lives of many people.”

But simply reaching for prescription medication or self-medicating is not a long-term solution. This is why I also recommend CBD.

CBD and Chronic Pain

So how can CBD help? CBD works within the endocannabinoid system, which is spread throughout the body, as well as working at other sites in pain pathways situated in the brain and spinal cord. Research suggests that the multiple sites of CBD action reduces physical inflammation in areas such as joints and the gut associated with many chronic pain conditions, as well as acting within the brain and spinal cord pain pathways, reducing how we perceive pain. And this is why phytocannabinoids like CBD are such an exciting pain-relieving prospect – they are safe natural products that balance both our physical and emotional response to pain, which plays a huge role in how we experience pain and how much it impacts our lives.

Much of this CBD research is still pre-clinical but the use of both CBD oil and topical CBD balms (applied to the skin) in reducing inflammation and the associated pain response is promising for long-lasting therapeutic effects without any psychoactive side effects. There is also the research into medicinal cannabis products like Sativex showing significant analgesic effects in patients with arthritis, helping to raise the profile of phytocannabinoids like CBD, helping to reduce chronic pain. And it’s not just the role of CBD in balancing primary pain targets that

is key. As I have written about in previous articles for The CANNAVIST (in Issue 8), CBD can improve sleep and mood and reduce anxiety, so using a product such as an oral CBD oil, capsules and/or skin balm may help improve chronic pain through a multi-layered approach. One of the most frequent questions I get asked as a CBD expert is “can I take CBD if I’m taking other medication?”

CBD & Prescription Medications

Safety studies of phytocannabinoids have shown that taking less than 50mg CBD daily is not likely to interfere with the enzymes in the liver which breakdown medications like painkillers. But always consult your practitioner for further information and note that current guidelines suggest no more than 70mg CBD daily.

So, what now?

The research is beginning to stack up that CBD and other phytocannabinoids have a lot to offer in terms of managing both physical and emotional responses to chronic pain. Yes, large-scale clinical trials are needed to better understand the exact mechanisms and benefits but from my own personal use and clinical experience, combining CBD products such as oil or capsules from a reputable brand, alongside a CBD skin balm or muscle rub into your daily routine may help improve your wellbeing.

You can contact Elisabeth via social media.

Instagram: @drelisabethphilipps

Twitter: @drphilipps

Linked In - Dr Elisabeth Philipps

BSc Nutr Med

“Reaching for prescription medication or self medicating is not a long-term solution. This is why I also recommend CBD.”

Dr Elisabeth Philipps PhD BSc (Hons)

Dr Elisabeth is a clinical neuroscientist and runs a health consultancy specialising in nutritional neurology, the endocannabinoid system and phytocannabinoids including CBD. She regularly presents at conferences and events, and provides expert opinion for the national press, specialist healthcare publications and health companies including fourfivecbd.

PLANT MEDICINE IN 2021

Where’s it going? Is it boom or bust?

Dr Parveen Bhatarah writes, ‘CBD has been serving as a wellness alternative, quelling depression and anxiety during lockdown.’

Agrowing preference for naturally derived products, along with the rising popularity of environmental sustainability is driving the demand for herbal products across the world.

In recent times, the rising number of consumer health concerns, coupled with the growing expenditures on preventive healthcare products, have augmented the market growth for herbal supplements. The high prevalence of lifestyle diseases, such as diabetes, obesity, etc., along with the increasing global geriatric population, has propelled the demand for dietary supplements for mitigating health risks.

The herbal supplements market grew at a rate of around 7.3% between 2014 and 2019. Then the populace opted for natural alternatives like traditional herbal medicines as COVID-19 hit in the UK last year. Consumers are prioritising natural alternatives to over-the-counter cold and flu medicines, due to rising concerns about over-medicating and unnatural ingredients.

The herbal traditional dietary supplements which contain CBD are showing more dynamic growth due to increasing levels of stress related disorders. The ever-increasing demand for herbal traditional sleep aids is also linked to the increasing number of CBD-infused products within this category, which continue to attract customers as a powerful yet natural option.

According to the National Centre for Biotechnology Information, 2015, the

World Health Organization (WHO), reported that around 70% to 80% of people globally rely on herbal sources for their treatment.

According to the American Botanical Council back in September 2017, it was reported that in 2016, the sale of herbal supplements increased by 7.7% in the US.

Then in March 2020, PRNewswire reported that the global herbal supplements and remedies market is projected to grow by $65.7 billion, driven by a compounded growth of 7.7%. Poised to reach over $96.1 billion by the year 2025, multi-herbs will bring in healthy gains adding significant momentum to global growth.

The global herbal medicine market, by category, has been segmented into herbal pharmaceuticals, herbal functional foods, herbal beauty products, herbal dietary supplements. Based on the source, the herbal medicine market has been divided into leaves, root & barks, seeds, whole plants and fruits. By distribution channel, the market has been divided into hospital and retail pharmacies as well as becoming prevalent in e-commerce.

Although herbal products have become increasingly popular throughout the world, one of the impediments in its acceptance is the lack of standard quality control. The quality of herbal medicine has implications in efficacy and safety. Africa, with its rich heritage of traditional medicine, has not benefited optimally from this natural endowment due to the lack of standardised mode of preparation of medicinal herb unlike China and

India, which have developed and integrated the herbal medicine into their health care system. This has been flourishing in many countries. The increasing demand for natural medicines, increasing research funding for herbal medicines, and multiple applications of herbal medicines are expected to enhance the market growth. However, the side-effects and allergic reactions and lack of standards are projected to curb the growth of the market.

Moreover, the soaring prices of pharma products, coupled with the growing consumer preferences towards natural and organic products, will continue to bolster the growth of the global herbal supplements in the coming years provided necessary attention is given to the standardisation and analytical methodology to gain consumer confidence and product safety. This lack of clear analytical and regulatory framework within the herbal marketplace has led to the birth of an organisation I have co-founded, Green Gold Innovations (GGI). After Identifying the clear knowledge gaps both on the regulatory compliance and innovation areas of the cannabis, herbal and psychedelics, my cofounder Marc Burbidge and I sought to support the industry through providing multiple services in this area. You can find out more about this genre at our new website greengoldinnovations.com

Regulatory and Compliance Lead, Centre for Medicinal Cannabis. Dr Bhatarah completed her PhD in organic chemistry from Imperial College London and is a fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry. She has held various directorship roles in the generic and herbal pharmaceutical industry with over 20 years of expertise in bulk drug substance and product development including clinical trials, commercial launches, technology transfers and manufacture for ANDA & MA submissions. Most recently, in the cannabis space she was instrumental in the THC project for seed to capsule development, passing pre-approval inspection by the FDA.

Dr Parveen Bhatarah PhD, FRSC.

WHAT IS BIOHACKING AND CAN IT REALLY IMPROVE OUR Quality of life

With citizen biology on the rise, we ask an expert if cannabinoids could play a part in self-regulating our health?

Words by Caroline Barry

There has been a lot of discussion around biohacking or ‘citizen biology’ recently. Although it sounds terrifying, biohacking is actually a lot easier than it sounds. So what exactly is it?

Biohacking is defined as a way of modifying your diet or supplement intake to improve areas of your health. Experts say this could involve making changes to get better sleep, avoiding gluten because it makes you feel bloated or assessing what you could take to prevent a disease you may be at risk of. These types of changes can be made through intermittent fasting, switching diets or even by adopting simple breathing exercises.

Think you’ve biohacked yourself already? You may have if you started making lifestyle changes and you’ve seen

the benefits in real time. We asked Dr Swathi Varanasi, an integrative health pharmacist to take us through the process where the endocannabinoid system is concerned.

“When I think about the endocannabinoid system, the overall goal of it is to maintain homeostasis in the body or maintain that level of balance. If we want to biohack our endocannabinoid system, that really means we are looking for ways in which we can get it to function at its best. There are so many ways we can do that.”

“The first thing is if you have access to anyone who has a specialty or expertise in CBD or cannabinoids in general. It’s so nuanced and personalised for each individual patient. It’s important to speak to healthcare providers because there are many options out there.”

Tailoring your intake means research into which cannabinoid or terpene profile could help you. If it’s for sleep, looking outside of CBD could help. Another cannabinoid, which is actually a controlled substance in the UK, Cannabinol (CBN), is known for improving sleep and could be helpful when combined with the terpene limonene, found in lavender. Dr Varanasi suggests looking at another cannabis extract, Cannabigerol (CBG), which is gaining popularity in CBD manufacturing. CBG alone may have benefits for gut health.

“When it comes to gut health, it really comes down to how we can get our guts to function the best possible way. I think there is a lot of promise when it comes to the newest cannabinoid to the scene, CBG. I always think of CBG, G for gut, as a good way to remember it. So, utilising that cannabinoid into daily life could help. Intermittent fasting is also really big right now.”

She explains: “There is some really great research supporting this. It can improve our hormone regulation for example. It’s actually been shown to reduce the expression of CB1 receptors. So CB1 is one of the two receptors we know the most about in the endocannabinoid system. CB1 is associated with the central nervous system function. When we fast, that

is a way we can biohack our receptors to reduce the expression of them and increase the overall functionality.”

Along with discussions on which cannabinoid could suit particular health concerns and fasting, there has been a lot of interest in changing your diet to accelerate any positive effects. There are claims that the keto diet, combined with cannabis intake, could give your neurological system a boost. Keto is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate, carnivore diet that encourages the body into ketosis.

By lowering the amount of glucose burned through reducing blood sugar or insulin levels, the body starts to burn fat. Is there any truth to this or is it a fad? Dr Varanasi says:

“When we really look at those two diets as two of the top options to really try to influence our endocannabinoid system, I think the keto diet could be an option. It has a lot to do with fat. Endocannabinoids or cannabinoids in general, whether they are coming from the plant or synthesised in the body, they are high in fat content. So, from that perspective, I can see them working well together.”

Terpenes are the aromatic compounds found in green, leafy plants and like a lot of other plants which we consume, terpenes from cannabis can play a significant role in

improving the cannabinoids that we choose.

“Different terpenes are amazing as there are so many options. If we are talking about gut health, then there is beta caryophyllene which is found in spices like black pepper. It’s also found in a number of different herbs that we can integrate into our daily lives for stress. Curcumin, which comes from turmeric, is also associated with it. Beta caryophyllene can really play an incredible role in hormone regulation and appetite as well.”

Dr Varanasi stresses the importance of checking in with your doctor before making any drastic lifestyle changes. “It’s important to have someone like a specialist answer your questions. These things all depend on the person in the same way that cannabis therapy is highly individualised. It worries me when people just go on Google because there is so much misinformation out there on the internet about cannabis.”

She adds: “If there is a way you can connect with a specialist then that can be so beneficial because cannabis is so personalised that it can be trial and error. Patients can get really overwhelmed and discouraged by trying different things and not having it work. If you can get a level of guidance, then it can be really helpful.”

It’s important to have someone like a specialist answer your questions. These things all depend on the person in that the same way that cannabis therapy is highly individualised.

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EpidyolexWHAT IS IT AND WHO IS IT FOR?

CBD pharmaceutical Epidyolex is made in the UK and is one of only two cannabis medicines that has been approved by healthcare product regulators in the UK and US. We take a look at the medication one year after it was approved for prescription on the NHS in England.

Words by Gordon Stribling

We have just passed the one-year mark since Epidyolex was approved for the treatment of two rare types of epilepsy on the NHS in England.

The announcement that the epilepsy medication would be fast-tracked by the health service came just over a year after medical cannabis itself was legalised in the UK.

Epidyolex was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US in June 2018 where it is marketed under a spelling variant of the name ‘Epidiolex.’

Dr Leon Barron is a GP and founder of the Primary Care Cannabis Network. The network brings together practitioners from across the UK who share an interest in medical cannabis, providing a platform to educate and discuss ideas.

Here, Dr Barron breaks down who Epidyolex is for and the restrictions and regulatory landscape in place.

Epidyolex is a pharmaceutical grade and highly purified CBD oil which has been licensed for use in the UK and the US for the treatment of two rare forms of childhood epilepsy - Lennox Gastaut and Dravet syndromes.

Epidyolex contains no other active ingredients from the cannabis plant other than CBD and is thought to regulate the brain’s endocannabinoid system to suppress seizures.

A drug company must have a product licence to advertise and sell a medicine and to obtain a drug licence the manufacturer must prove that the drug works for the illness or condition to be treated and is safe. The licensing process and associated clinical trials are very expensive and in the UK the licence is provided by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, (MHRA).

Epidyolex is only licensed for two rare epileptic conditions so access is very restricted. It is estimated that there are a few thousand children in the UK with Dravet and LennoxGastaut syndrome.

Epidyolex has additionally been approved for use by NICE, the arm of the NHS that provides evidence based guidance and advice for health and social care practitioners. Scripts for Epidyolex are currently issued by specialists (neurologists) but there may be some cases where GPs are asked to continue scripts under a shared prescribing arrangement.

It is possible that specialists could prescribe Epidyolex for people with other types of epilepsy, but this would be on a case-by-case basis and “off licence”, perhaps for specific cases where other treatments have been unsuccessful.

Some patients with epilepsy find that they obtain greater relief from unlicensed, full spectrum cannabis-based medicines, available on private prescription. Whilst these medications can be legally prescribed by an NHS consultant, to date very few prescriptions have been written or funded through the NHS.

Clinical Trials

1. Lennox-Gastaut syndrome

The effectiveness of Epidyolex in reducing seizures in LGS patients was demonstrated in a 14-week clinical trial.

The researchers found:

Half of the participants who took 20mg of Epidyolex per kilogram of body weight every day had 42-44% fewer seizures

Half who took 10mg per kilogram every day had 37% fewer seizures

Half of those who took a placebo had 17-22% fewer seizures.

2. Dravet syndrome

A 14-week clinical trial investigated the use of Epidyolex as a treatment for Dravet syndrome in children and teenagers.

Participants were given either 20mg per kilogram or a placebo every day. Those who took Epidyolex had 26% fewer seizures than the placebo group.

Who makes it?

Epidyolex is manufactured in the UK by GW Pharmaceuticals, along with Sativex – a drug used to treat MS-related muscle spasticity.

Sativex was the first cannabis-derived pharmaceutical to gain market approval anywhere in the world.

GW is one of only two companies authorised to cultivate, manufacture and export medical cannabis from the UK. Global Epidyolex sales increased by more than 70% in 2020, according to CEO, Justin Gower.

Gower said: “Our goals in 2021 include driving further Epidyolex growth and advancing multiple US pivotal trials for nabiximols [Sativex] in the treatment of MS spasticity, with the first data readout expected this year.

“In addition to our previously announced pipeline activities, we are leveraging our world leadership in cannabinoid science to design and synthesize novel cannabinoid molecules and expect our first novel product candidate to enter the clinic in 2021.”

“Epidyolex is thought to regulate the brain’s endocannabinoid system to suppress seizures in children and adults”

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Being one of the UK’s most dependable and highly coveted CBD plants, we house a large inventory of CBD based products such as oils and creams, in addition to a horde of other topical CBD products.

Our most in-demand item is the CBD oil that we provide – and the reason for its popularity is the diverse range of flavours we offer. Whether you want the soothing sensation of a mixed berry flavour, or the summer mood of a lemonade oral drop – we have you covered.

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HOW OFTEN DO YOU WASH YOUR JEANS?

The fashion industry is the second most polluting industry in the world. We examine if hemp in fashion could make a big splash in prevention.

Words by Caroline Barry

The effects of global warming are on the rise and brands face increasing scrutiny about how they manufacture and sell products. While consumers are asking for less plastic or more recycling options, we often don’t consider water wastage as an environmental issue.

The fashion industry is responsible for the largest amount of water wastage and accounts for 20% of all industrial water pollution. It is estimated that 85% of this, which amounts to 1.3 trillion gallons, is from the dying process alone. Levi Jeans claim that it takes more than 3,000 litres to make and maintain just one pair of their iconic 501s – 49% is spent growing the cotton, 45% is used by customers washing their jeans at home and the remaining

6% is consumed during the manufacturing process, according to Levi’s.

It is thought that on average, women own seven pairs of jeans each and men own six, but we really only wear four of these regularly. No wonder fashion brands are looking for more sustainable alternatives in manufacturing.

The unsustainability of cotton has prompted the exploration of hemp fibre in recent years. In cultivation, hemp requires 50% less water per season and grows faster than the ever-popular cotton. Add to the equation that cotton uses more than four times as much water as hemp during processing and it is surely obvious that hemp is the more sustainable fibre.

It’s not just big brands like Levi’s that are starting to add hemp pieces to their denim lines, there are a number of alternative brands following suit too.

Family business, Canvaloop, describe their brand as a ‘slow jeans’ company using hemp fibres to make their line called SLOW. Towards the end of 2020, the small brand raised considerable start-up funds with the backing of 89 investors on crowd sourcing platform Kickstarter.

Shreyans Kokra, CEO, Canvaloop Fibre Inc. explains how natural and sustainable the Himalayan hemp they use in their denim really is. “SLOW saves 3,500 litres of water per pair and is more durable than a normal pair of jeans. Himalayan hemp is a cannabis sativa plant that grows in the wild, in the majestic ranges of India and Nepal. It has been growing with zero human input for over 5,000 years.” The planet and fashion conscious should note that for this Himalayan hemp, the sole source of watering is rainfall. It needs no fertilisers, insecticides or any human intervention for that matter, Shreyans adds.

“The seeds are not sowed by man but by nature itself twice every year. It takes only 90 days to grow and replenishes the soil it grows in.” Here in the UK, The Hemp Store has been making hemp clothing since 1999. More recently, the popular Cambridgeshire retailer has been so busy they say they can barely keep up with orders. Such is the popularity of their hemp-based apparel and socks made from bamboo.

“Our denim is always in high demand. We work with talented creators that make all sorts of wonderful garments from our

- Fashion United Data

fabrics and we can barely keep up with the orders. Sourcing from only ethical mills and organic farms is important to us which means we don’t stock denim from just any supplier, we vet the supply chain to ensure our denim is 100% wholesome.”

It isn’t just denim that is responsible for water wastage but its parent component, cotton. Experts have estimated that there are now 129 billion face masks produced globally along with 65 billion gloves per year. It is estimated that Britons are sending 1.6 billion single-use masks to landfill per month. These products are of course considered essentials in the fight against COVID-19. As the pandemic lingers, a large percentage of people have switched to fabric masks in a bid to reduce single-use waste.

In December, The CANNAVIST launched hemp-blend face masks offering a stylish but sustainable

option to the single use masks on the market. In collaboration with CUBID CBD, the limited edition masks come in three colours and are available at cannavistmag.com Editor Róisín Delaney explains why the The CANNAVIST chose to use hemp in the masks. “Walk down any street these days and you are bound to see littered masks dotted on the ground. Our hemp blend face masks are kinder to the environment, durable so that you can wear them wash after wash and kind on skin.”

“The hemp plant itself is one of the most versatile in the world, used for its fibres and seeds dating back thousands of years in Central Asia. It really is an underutilised fabric with a vast history many are unaware of.”

In 2017, 79 billion cubic metres of water went to waste in the fashion industry. That’s enough to fill 32 Olympic size swimming pools.

On average it takes 5,000 gallons of water to produce one pair of jeans and a t-shirt.

The Global Fashion Agenda and the Boston Consulting Group anticipate water usage in the fashion sector will increase by 50% by 2030

“On average, women own 7 pairs of jeans each and men own 6, but we really only wear 4 of these regularly. ”

THE WORLD OF EXHIBITIONS IS CHANGING

.

THE TOOTH OF THE MATTER IS…

As big brands release new hemp and CBD products, could we be about to witness a boom in alternative oral care products?

Words by Caroline Barry

Last year saw a big increase in international brands moving into the CBD industry with skincare, beauty and make up products. Everyone from The Body Shop to Garnier and Origins released a new collection infused with either hemp or CBD, as lockdown had us searching for new ways to take better care of ourselves.

In January 2020, Colgate-Palmolive announced it would be taking over natural health company, Hello. The brand can be found across the US with a range of vegan-friendly oral care products which carry the slogan, #BrushHempy.

Why invest in oral hygiene and hemp? It is thought that cannabinoids could help those suffering from conditions like gum disease due to anti-inflammatory properties.

A study from last year on plaque showed that CBD toothpaste could potentially outperform regular toothpaste when it comes to removing bacterial build-up. Sixty adults were sorted into groups depending on a Dutch periodontal screening system. They provided plaque samples which were placed onto a petri-dish before being treated with CBD, CBN, CBGa and CBG. The dishes were then tested against popular toothpastes, such as Colgate and Oral B, before being sealed and incubated. The results showed that cannabinoids have the potential to be used as an effective antibacterial agent against plaque associated bacteria.

We don’t talk enough about our tooth care. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that severe periodontal disease is one of the most common diseases worldwide.

So why aren’t we telling the tooth when it comes to decay?

Global therapeutic medicinal cannabis company, Zelira Therapeutics, entered into a partnership with oral care company, Sprinjene to announce a new CBD toothpaste line. The US company has a unique formulation of zinc and black seed oil toothpaste that will now include 300mg CBD.

Black seed oil and zinc are thought to fight conditions like gingivitis and reduce gum inflammation, but it is thought the addition of CBD could make this even more effective.

Oludare Odumosu MPH PHD, CEO and Managing Director of Zelira Therapeutics USA, is excited to be able to offer a new way for CBD users to incorporate a daily dose into their routines.

“From a product perspective, we wanted to look at how we could help people do what they do normally

but incorporate some benefits. One of the areas of unmet need is oral care. It’s one area where we picked up very strong interest.

“We understand that some cannabinoids can be taken through the mouth so what if we helped people enhance their natural oral care? That’s one of the reasons we decided to explore that space.”

Oludare adds: “Sprinjene have established themselves very successfully as emerging leaders in using natural products like black seed oil, which is gaining a lot of notoriety. We’re very happy to combine the power of full spectrum cannabinoids, in this case focusing on CBD with the black seed oil and zinc. This is the first product in the world that has this type of combo.” The product is due to officially launch this year, but the feedback has, so far, been positive.

“The early reviews we are getting are quite encouraging. Some of the

feedback we have got is that this is the first product that is making a big move to reconcile the natural products used by people who like natural toothpaste with the products used by early adopters of cannabinoid products. Some of the things people have said is that they don’t have to use regular mouthwash anymore, that their gums have stopped bleeding and they have delayed their dental appointments.”

So far it seems a lot of companies tackling this niche appear to be in the US but there are some closer to home. Natural Enigma is a UK-based company with a line of CBD products from toothpaste to chewing gum.

James Collingwood, Director of Natural Enigma, developed the company after his mother was struggling with back pain. “We chose to use toothpaste and

chewing gum for a few reasons. No one else was in the UK at that time. We wanted something that could be taken with ease without someone having to remember to take it, without the bad taste and, without having to smoke or vape. We wanted to remove some of stigma around CBD which may put some people off.”

James adds that the UK restrictions on things like THC have slowed the industry but he has big plans for the company.

“The market over here seems to be slow as every other cannabis product is illegal other than CBD. Some companies have got a nice foot in the market and are sold on the high street. We are hoping to be lucky enough to be on the shelf in a big store very soon.”

ARE CBD BUDS ILLEGAL IN THE UK?

Cannabis flower is easy to find online and on the high street. But what does the law say?

Words by Gordon Stribling

From vape shops to head shops to online stores, CBD buds are widely available. And some sellers claim, completely legal.

Packed with CBD and other cannabinoids like CBG and CBC, these flowers often come with rich terpene profiles to deliver that sought-after entourage effect. Raw cannabis is very popular with both medical and recreational users for this very reason.

All about the THC?

The laws around CBD in the UK are notoriously confusing, even in 2021 when the public is pretty clued up about it.

One such law is the EU’s 0.2% THC cap. Consumers often interpret this to mean that CBD buds are legal as long as they contain less than 0.2% THC.

This tallies with the legal thinking in the US, where buds containing less than 0.3% THC can be sold legally. Meanwhile, in Switzerland, the cap is 1% of the weight of the flower.

But the reality in the UK is not that straight forward.

CBD vs Cannabis vs Hemp

Cannabis is a Class B controlled drug under Schedule 1 of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations (MDR) 2001. This classification applies to high-THC varieties and lowTHC ‘hemp’ varieties, from which CBD can be legally extracted.

Farming hemp must contain no more than 0.2% THC and only the fibre and seeds can be processed for commercial use, if the grower has a license to do so. The rest of the plant, including the flower, has to be destroyed.

Home Office Industrial Hemp guidance states: “The ‘0.2%’ reference is used solely to identify varieties which may potentially be cultivated, within the scope of this policy, and to differentiate between the fee level is applicable under the Misuse of Drugs (Fees) Regulations 2010.”

Finished CBD products like tinctures and edibles should contain no more than 1mg of THC per container. But this is irrelevant in the case of flower which is a Class B drug, regardless of THC content.

Many retailers selling CBD buds are unaware that they are illegal, understandably confused by the supposedly iron-clad ‘THC rule.’

But British police maintain that ignorance is no excuse for breaking the law.

Numerous shops selling cannabis flower have been raided under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

In August, police in Croydon seized a ‘large quantity’ of cannabis from three shops labelled as legal CBD suppliers.

Four people were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply and importation of a Class B drug.

Police Constable Ross Bennett who investigated the case, said:

“It is also not a defence to tell officers that you thought your cannabis was legal because you bought it from a CBD shop – it is a Class B drug and you will be dealt with accordingly.”

CBD weed, buds, hemp flower.

Whatever you call it, there’s a lot of it around.

WHAT LIES AHEAD FOR 2021 ?

Cannabis was one of the few industries to end 2020 on a high thanks to two major rulings at EU and international levels. What will these mean for cannabis in the UK and beyond this year?

Words by Gordon Stribling

The year 2020 will be remembered for mostly negative reasons. But at the end of the year, some major events unfolded in the cannabis space that could have huge implications in 2021 and beyond.

Lily Temperton is a consultant for leading cannabis consultants, Hanway Associates. We spoke to Lily over Zoom to find out how these key moments might play out this year and what else we can expect to happen over the course of the year.

CBD is not a narcotic in Kanavape case ruling

On November 19, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled that CBD is not a narcotic.

The ruling was made in an appeal by a company marketing a CBD vape product in France that contained whole plant CBD, legally grown and extracted in the Czech Republic.

France has strict regulations that only permit the use of the seed and stem of the plant. However, the court ruled that the French ban contradicted EU free movement laws.

Lily said: “The ruling overrides the European Commission’s preliminary stance on CBD being a narcotic, which was causing all of the big holdup with the novel foods. All the companies which had spent so much money, they did all the testing, they didn’t know whether the whole thing was just going to be going down the drain, with months of R&D time wasted.

“France is probably going to have to amend legislation in line with the EU law and a lot of other countries are going to have to do the same or explain why they’re not following the broader European Commission perspective.

“Another advantage, from a UK point of view, is going to be one less difference after Brexit. It’s going to be more of a consolidated market across Europe.

“There’s been quite a few consortiums that have gone in on behalf of their members, like the ACI and EIHA. And there also probably quite a lot of applications that we don’t know

about a lot of companies maybe aren’t being public. They’ve got quite a lot of important data they maybe don’t want to be made public.”

United Nations ruling

The United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) accepted a recommendation from the World Health Organization (WHO) to remove cannabis from Schedule IV of the Single Convention.

This historic decision means that cannabis can now be considered a less harmful substance, one with medicinal potential too.

Lily said: “A lot of countries look to these treaties to determine their own regulations. I think that we may see quite a few more medical programmes opening up or maybe through pilots at first. And the other thing I think may happen is potentially more research being permitted into medical cannabis. It’s very hard to even get the research licences in many countries.

“And this acknowledgment of the medical benefits, there’s going to be less of a standpoint for regulators to say, ‘we don’t deem this to be a suitable medical research avenue.’ “It’s going to be a lot harder for the NHS not to recognise the benefits and for the government to say, ‘this is unproven, this doesn’t have the backing of the UN.’ And now this is on a global level, we should now be acknowledging global research and all the global stuff that’s been happening. It’s not just a UK only ruling. So hopefully it will broaden up collaboration between countries as well.”

Broader UK reform

The legalisation of medical cannabis in 2018 was seen by many to be the first step towards a legal, recreational marketplace. But with the medical cannabis industry stunted by regulation and the lack of clinical evidence, there may be a long way to go before the government even begins to entertain a recreational marketplace like Canada’s.

Cannabis consultant Lily believes the appetite is there among the public.

“It’s a shame we don’t tend to have a public ballot style way of doing reform over here because that is what has driven it in the States. I believe, if we were to do a ballot, it probably would pass for recreational. I think it would be more how the Luxembourg proposals are going forward, very regulated, very sort of state controlled.

“There’s a lot of talk in the government about green recovery, really boosting our agriculture and how we can sustainably build new industry. Cannabis has the credentials to meet all of these targets, but it might need a Priti Patel-type person to spearhead it and give it some traction.

“On the hemp side of things, I think we can expect to see some reform, particularly on the selling of wholesale of flower, extracting in the UK, all currently prohibited. But I do think that we’ll probably move in line with our other European neighbours after that, particularly as we’ve left the EU. We’re also seeing things like the Cancard scheme pop up, which is a step towards decriminalisation and the police not targeting people self-medicating.”

“It’s going to be a lot harder for the NHS not to recognise the benefits of medical cannabis”

PSYCHEDELICS 101: PSILOCYBIN

Words by Gordon Stribling

The growing acceptance of cannabis as medicine has helped to pave the way for a medicinal psychedelic revolution.

Among the substances being explored by researchers in the UK and US is Psilocybin – a hallucinogenic substance found in more than 200 species of mushroom.

These fungi are consumed for their psychoactive effect for recreational, spiritual, religious and therapeutic purposes.

What does Psilocybin do?

The consumption of magic mushrooms, or Psilocybin, in its isolated form causes users to experience an altered sense of reality. This can manifest in visual and auditory hallucinations, enhanced tactile sensations, emotional changes, changes in time perception and a blurring of fantasy and reality. This is commonly known as a ‘trip.’ Some experts believe that psilocybin may have therapeutic value that lasts well beyond a sixto-eight hour trip. This is not a new idea. There have been thousands of studies exploring the therapeutic use of hallucinogens including psilocybin stemming from the 1950s and 1960s. However, rising use among the young counterculture led to

widespread crackdowns and the research was discredited.

How does it work?

We asked Dr Ben Sessa, chief medical officer at Awakn Life Sciences to break it all down. Awakn recently became the UK’s first psychedelic-assisted therapy clinic. The start-up has clinics planned for London, Brighton and Birmingham over the next year or two.

Awakn will initially offer ketamine assisted psychotherapy and will conduct training for psychedelic therapists and research into psilocybin and MDMA. In time, Dr Sessa hopes to gain authorisation to treat patients with a synthetic form of psilocybin from the clinics.

Dr Sessa is a consultant psychiatrist and licensed psilocybin and MDMA therapist who also prescribes medical cannabis.

Here, he explains how Psilocybin works in a clinical setting: “It’s a classic psychedelic and works on the 5-HT2A receptors as a partial agonist. It induces an altered state of consciousness and dissolves the usual ego boundaries and narratives that result in rigid thinking.

“This allows a stuck patient to reboot and rebrand and address difficult to access, repressed emotional issues and work through

with psychotherapy to rewrite the narrative.”

US research

Echoing the situation with CBD and whole plant cannabis medicine, the US is well ahead of the UK and Europe when it comes to embracing psilocybin.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has designated ‘Breakthrough Therapy’ status for two treatments for major depressive disorder (MDD).

This, it’s thought, should help speed up the development of a drug that has shown clinical potential for treating a serious condition substantially better than currently available treatments.

Esketamine, a drug with a similar chemical make-up to its parent, Ketamine, was given Breakthrough

Psilocybin, ‘magic’ mushrooms, have been used for spiritual and recreational purposes for thousands of years and now, after a few false starts, the medical establishment is opening up to its potential.

Dr Ben Sessa, Chief Medical Officer at Awakn Life Sciences

Therapy status for MDD in 2016 and was approved by the FDA four years later.

Usona Institut received its psilocybin designation in November 2020, with the Phase 2 trial set to be completed by early 2021. Dr Charles Raison, director of clinical and translational research at Usona, said: “What is truly groundbreaking is the FDA’s rightful acknowledgement that MDD, not just the much smaller treatment resistant depression population, represents an unmet medical need and that the available data suggest that psilocybin may offer a substantial clinical improvement over existing therapies.”

What are the risks?

According to a 2010 evidence review in the journal Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology , only two cases of individuals overdosing on psilocybin mushrooms without concurrent use of other drugs have been reported in the available scientific literature.

But while very low in toxicity, it can present a psychological risk to those with pre-existing mental health conditions when consumed outside of a clinical environment. The effects of psilocybin are often heavily influenced by ‘set and setting’ – where and with whom the drug is consumed and the state of mind of the person at the time.

In 2017, Dr Robin Carhart-Harris, head of psychedelic research at Imperial College London, warned: “[Magic mushrooms] make you psychologically vulnerable and you need the capacity to make sense of the experience.”

What does the law say?

Magic mushrooms and psilocybin itself are Class A drugs under the UK’s Misuse of Drugs Act, alongside their synthetic cousin LSD. Those caught in possession of either substance can face a penalty of up to seven years in prison, an unlimited fine, or both.

The most authoritative source of

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Lightning IN A BOTTLE

More and more of us are opening up about our mental health. But are we ready to open our minds to psychedelics? The pharmaceutical industry thinks so.

Words by Gordon Stribling

The idea that mainstream medicine might one day embrace psychedelic drugs as a mental health panacea felt more than a little far-fetched even five years ago. But now, the pharmaceutical industry is banking on just that.

MagicMed Industries is a biotechnology company working to partner with pharmaceutical companies to develop psychedelic medicines from the ground up.

CEO Dr Joseph Tucker explains:

“To treat the majority of people, you actually want an improved version of a drug with fewer side effects. What we’re doing is starting with a molecule and improving it, so that its side effects are significantly reduced.

“We’re making these molecules, and then we’re partnering them with major players, so they can take them through clinical trials.”

Dr Tucker believes that psychedelics are more of a natural fit for pharma than medical cannabis, for which GW Pharmaceuticals continues to hold

the monopoly. Sativex and Epidyolex are the only two cannabis medicines to have completed clinical trials and been authorised by both the MHRA in the UK and FDA in the US.

MDMA and LSD that’s out there right now, though those do have some applications.”

The anti-depressant drug market is expected to reach $15.98 billion by 2023. But both patients and doctors are increasingly questioning their safety and efficacy, so it’s little wonder that the pharmaceutical industry is beginning to explore alternatives.

A clinical trial by Imperial College London’s Centre for Psychedelic Research is set to be published this year and will compare 43 daily doses of an anti-depressant with just two 25mg doses of psilocybin.

Meanwhile, Ibogaine has been touted as a revolutionary treatment for addiction and clinical trials exploring MDMA and ketamine for depression are already underway.

“I think the psychedelics are unlikely to become as decriminalised, as legalised, as cannabis. I think it’s much more of a pharma play, a creative pharmaceutical.

“What the pharma industry is going to want is better molecules, new molecules, not the psilocybin,

Dr Tucker also has high hopes for DMT, the psychedelic found in Ayahuasca: the South American brew that has been popularised in the West by gap year backpackers and the wellness industry.

The medical application Dr Tucker is proposing for psychedelics differs

from most of the highly publicised research taking place in the psychedelic space, where a substance such as psilocybin is used alongside psychotherapy to help a patient confront challenging issues.

The purely pharmaceutical model might be more like microdosing, the MagicMed Industries CEO explains. A psychedelic pharmaceutical would work more like a nootropic, life-enhancing supplement than an adjunct to psychotherapy.

“What if you can a make version that still activates the receptors that get you to separate from your ego, but doesn’t cause debilitating side effects? You could put it in a pill and everybody can take that for depression, without having to go in and have therapy session.”

Dr Tucker believes that the only way to know for sure whether a psychedelic can work as a supplement is by safety trialling different variants.

“There hasn’t been a lot of rigorous study done, people haven’t gone and tried 5,000 variants of psilocybin to see if we can find all these different possibilities. That’s what we’re saying. We’ll make the variants. People can go and test them and find out.”

“What if you can a make version that still activates the receptors that get you to separate from your ego, but doesn’t cause debilitating side effects?”

PAYING

IT FORWARD

Words by Caroline Barry

We all know the benefits of taking CBD on the body and mind. But what if it wasn’t just you who benefited the next time you bought a tincture? There are lots of ethically minded CBD companies out there which focus on giving back to the community through charitable initiatives.

Here are some of our favourites that we picked to start the new year as we mean to go on.

Green Active: #ForMurray

For many children suffering with severe childhood epilepsy, medical cannabis is a life changing medicine. However, the cost can also be life altering with some medications costing £1,400.

Green Active has offered support to one child in the UK suffering from a rare epileptic condition called Doose Syndrome. Murray has suffered from several seizures a month but his medication means he is now out of a wheelchair and his seizures have stopped.

Green Active offers 100% of profits made on sales of their CBD when the code ForMurray is used at the checkout. To pay it forward ForMurray, try getting your next CBD purchase from greenactive.co.uk

As sales of CBD soar, maybe there is a way to give a little bit back as you buy?

CUBID CBD for the NHS

CUBID CBD started an NHS staff discount in the first lockdown and it’s still available today. The company offers discounts on any of their award winning products from body butter to oral oils for anyone working for the NHS. If you work for the nation’s healthcare provider, all you have to do is email hello@cubidcbd.com and quote your NHS email address to qualify.

Katie Loomes, Marketing Director at CUBID CBD, said: “In recognising the amazing work that our doctors, nurses and other hospital staff are doing and the sacrifices each member of the NHS makes on a daily basis, we want to say ‘Thank You’, and are offering 50% off our entire product range.” cubidcbd.co.uk

Warfighter Hemp for US veterans

This American company has donated over $123,875 so far to help war veterans live as independently as possible. Warfighter Hemp, founded by a retired lieutenant colonel of the US Marine Corps, offers CBD for veterans, by veterans.

Those who served their country often struggle with mental health conditions such as PTSD and depression. Warfighter Hemp offers 50% off when veterans verify their status. They also donate to veteran charities to provide tools, therapy and guidance, helping heroes wherever possible.

Founder and CEO Steve Danyluk was a guest at The CANNAVIST’s virtual CBD event in November 2020, during which he said: “I often travelled around the country to hospitals like military hospitals or veteran administration hospitals. On my travels, it became really apparent that all we were doing was sticking a

band aid on the wounds. I’m speaking of physiological or mental wounds. It became obvious that a lot of vets were using cannabis and they were doing it as a replacement for the meds that were turning them into zombies that the government were feeding them.

“We were definitely the first company to gear towards veterans.” warfighterhemp.com

see

cannabis brands do something with a tangible, positive impact. We thought it would be better to embody the change we wanted to see and hoped that other companies follow.

CBDiablo for mens mental health

Male mental health is often a silent issue. Scottish brand, CBDiablo, is drawing attention to this by donating 20% of their profits to supporting mental health services. They are currently donating to the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM). “When we set out to build CBDiablo, the CBD industry was less than ethical, and we wanted to see more cannabis brands do something with a tangible, positive impact. We thought it would be better to embody the change we wanted to see and hoped that other companies follow. We wanted to support all mental health generally, but we also realised that our brand was unconsciously somewhat a reflection of ourselves. We are both male and understand the mental struggles that men experience much more intimately. It made sense to

focus on those that we can have a genuine connection with. Suicide is the biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK, and these numbers are rising sharply.” cbdiablo.co.uk

YourHemp for youth mental health

The world is facing a mental health crisis as a result of isolation, lockdown and pandemic-related anxiety. It is thought that 1.5 million children have needed mental health support as a direct result of the crisis. YourHemp donates 10% of CBD profits to the UK mental health charity, The Mix. The charity offers essential support to anyone under the age of 25 who needs help with anything from bullying to depression. yourhemp.co.uk

Our Remedy for period poverty

We often don’t stop to think about the cost of sanitary products. This can be anything from the price of pain relief to tampons. Our Remedy decided to donate sustainable products to British charity, Bloody Good Period.

Rachel Mason, Managing Director of Our Remedy, said: “As a female founded brand, we know what it’s like to suffer with painful periods. It can be debilitating, overwhelming and cast a huge shadow over our daily lives.

“By offering donations to Bloody Good Period, self-care is no longer ‘selfish care’ since you’re helping yourself and others too.

“Until we began researching period poverty in depth, we had no idea about the extent of this heart breaking issue right here in the UK. It’s a very real problem and we feel privileged to be doing our bit to help.” ourremedy.co.uk

We wanted to

more

IS CANNABIS COMING TO the Big Apple?

Cannabis reform won big in the 2020 US election, with six states voting in favour of recreational or medical reform. Now, on his third attempt, Governor Andrew Cuomo may finally secure legal recreational cannabis for New York State.

Words by Gordon Stribling

Governor Andrew Cuomo may finally be on the cusp of legalising recreational cannabis in New York after two previous attempts stalled. Cuomo introduced legislation to legalise it in 2019 and 2020, with his most recent attempt put on hold as COVID-19 struck.

If approved, the measure would permit adults aged 21 and over to buy cannabis from licensed dispensaries, bringing in an estimated $300 million in tax revenue.

In neighbouring New Jersey, 67% of voters approved an amendment to legalise recreational cannabis in the 2020 election.

Cuomo is hoping to recoup some of the $15 billion budget deficit largely caused by the pandemic. A recreational market would also bring tens of thousands of jobs to the state through sales, cultivation, packaging and legal services.

The proposal would also see the creation of a new ‘Office of Cannabis Management.’ The department would oversee the new recreational use programme, along with the state’s existing medical cannabis and hemp programmes.

The governor’s office said that the state would implement an ‘equitable structure for the adult-use market’ by providing support and licensing opportunities to

“This allows us to directly support the individuals and communities that have been most harmed by decades of cannabis prohibition”

people of colour who have been disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs.

Cuomo said: “Not only will legalising and regulating the adult-use cannabis market provide the opportunity to generate much-needed revenue, but it also allows us to directly support the individuals and communities that have been most harmed by decades of cannabis prohibition.”

Cuomo’s two previous attempts to legalise cannabis in New York were thwarted at the legislature. But now that the Democrats have reached a supermajority, they can override any veto and push the legislation through.

Meanwhile, two cannabis trade associations have written to New York’s health department with their

recommendations to improve the state’s proposed hemp regulations.

The New York City Cannabis Industry Association (NYCCIA) and Hudson Valley Cannabis Industry Association (HVCIA) ‘promote a legalised, sustainable marketplace for cannabis, in all its forms.’

The submitted report offers 11 ‘critical’ recommendations to improve the regulations, which include encouraging the health department to ‘consider aligning the proposed regulations at every opportunity’ with the FDA’s food and dietary supplement regulations.

The FDA is slowly developing its CBD regulations while cracking down on businesses that fall foul of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

The government body periodically sends warning letters to brands marketing their products will illegal

health claims, including at least one UK company that ships orders to the US.

The election of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris has given hope for reform at the federal level while state reform measures passed in Arizona, Montana, New Jersey and South Dakota.

Both the President and Vice President have supported decriminalisation in the past.

The Democratic-controlled House passed the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) act a month after the election.

The bill sought to decriminalise cannabis at the federal level by removing it from the Schedule I controlled substances list.

EN POINTE

CBD is becoming more well-known among athletes as the evidence suggests it can help with recovery. Professional dancers are also turning to the cannabinoid for the same reasons. We spoke to male ballet star James Yoichi Moore to find out how CBD keeps him on his toes.

Words by Caroline Barry

The benefits of CBD for athletes are well documented in sports such as rugby, American football, baseball and boxing. It is slowly becoming more widespread with athletes reporting positive effects on aching muscles and injuries. James Yoichi Moore is a Principal Dancer at Pacific Northwest Ballet and Artistic Director at Seattle Dance Collective.

James started his career early with ballet classes as a child. “I was four years old when I took my first class. My older sister was taking ballet and whenever my parents went to pick her up, I would dance around the studio. Her teacher said, ‘you should

put him in ballet’ so they did. I was the only boy for years then I got offered a scholarship to dance with the San Francisco Ballet School, which is where I started my formal training when I was nine.”

Ballet is a notoriously demanding dance form, often requiring dancers to start young and keep their bodies in peak physical condition during throughout their career. James turned to CBD after searching for a natural alternative to prescription medication.

“I had been doing a lot of research about ways to take care of my body as I progressed through my

career. It became more difficult to stay healthy. I had long periods of injuries that I was dealing with where I would take leave for several months, which was not something I wanted to do.”

“Anti-inflammatories are kind of dangerous when you take them for a long period of time. I would also be prescribed muscles relaxers and low-level steroids. Modern medicine has produced amazing drugs that we can use to help us come back from injuries but as a maintenance thing, this wasn’t sitting right with me. I was worried about the longterm effects, so I found CBD, started taking tinctures and it really worked for me. It felt gentler on my system.”

CBD offered James a way to experience pain relief while still being aware of how his body was feeling so that he could avoid further injury and keep working.

“The injury that really turned me onto CBD was when I was dealing with a sort of bulging disc. It was a frustrating time as we couldn’t figure it out, so I took three or four months off. I found that CBD could help me feel refreshed the next day after exercise. I felt that the pain relief drugs were masking the injury to an extent, so I wasn’t able to feel what I was doing to the area. CBD has some pain relief, but I was still aware of what my body was experiencing.

“CBD is not a miracle drug that will have me feeling 100% everyday but I do notice a difference. I think it helps me to maintain my body and it is another element I can add to my toolbox to help me recover for the next day. Dancing is like sports or athletics where it can be so physically challenging that it becomes mentally challenging. CBD helps me come back to a ground zero of sorts.”

“Dancing is like sports or athletics where it can be so physically challenging that it becomes mentally challenging. CBD helps me come back to a ground zero of sorts.”

Although CBD is becoming more widely accepted as legislation changes. Is it welcome in the professional dance community?

“It’s becoming much more widely used because of the fact that cannabis is legal in Washington state now. People are experimenting with CBD or feel they can do that now that it’s not illegal. It’s more widespread, especially in our company. People are starting to find that it can be a good alternative to alcohol and it’s much less damaging.”

He adds: “One of the major benefits of legislation is that now we can study this stuff. That’s been a major hinderance that we haven’t really been able to understand the benefits of the cannabis plant because it’s been off limits to study.”

With COVID-19 closing most venues and causing widespread chaos to both athletes and the arts, ballet has been hit hard with cancelled shows and closed venues. How has it felt to be socially distant while dancing?

“It’s been quite the challenge. I’ve been able to go in as we are one of the few companies that have been active, but a lot have cancelled their seasons. The stage near our studios have set up a live stream with equipment so we’ve been able to rehearse to a certain degree.”

“I personally haven’t been in the studio with other dancers as I’m not comfortable with that at the moment. I’ve been able to do three solos this year, so I’ve had other stuff to work on. Hopefully things will change, and we will be able to dance in larger numbers soon. A lot of 2021 depends on COVID, but we’d like to return to live performances. I know that dancers are starved for it and so are audiences. My focus will be trying to stay in shape so that I can hit the ground running and not have to spend a lot of time preparing to dance when the time comes.”

Photos by Angela Sterling

CAN CBD KEEP ‘EM

Sweet ?

Eating fresh fruit is a great way to lead a balanced lifestyle, but as a perishable food, uneaten fruit is often the source of household waste. Now, new research shows CBD could help keep one of our favourite fruits fresh for longer.

Words by Gordon Stribling

If you’ve resolved to live a healthier lifestyle in 2021, chances are you’ve been spending a lot of time in the fruit and veg aisle of your local supermarket. The ‘five portions of fruit and veg a day’ mantra is burned in our minds with almost as much intensity as ‘look both ways when crossing the road.’

But for many of us, this is not our first rodeo. We know that keeping the fruit bowl well-stocked is one thing, but months into the year, actually eating the stuff before it perishes is another. If only there was something out there that could keep it fresh for longer. Well, there is. It is, of course, CBD – for strawberries, at least.

That is the takeaway from a recent study by the University of South Florida (USF) published in

the journal, Postharvest Biology and Technology. USF researchers sought to find out whether CBD could be used as an effective treatment to keep strawberries fresh at home and reduce the chance of microbes, mould and yeast growing on them. After assessing their physical appearance and microbial loadto see how many microorganisms they contained - the team doused some of the fresh strawberries in CBD oil and left the rest untreated.

They then stored the strawberries at 1°C for eight days and then 10°C for a further eight days in an effort to test the preservative potential of the cannabinoid. At the end of the eight days, the appearance and microbial load of the berries was tested once again.

The strawberries doused in CBD oil scored higher on physical

appearance – actually exceeding the threshold score. The CBD strawberries also had a lower microbial load and were free of mould and yeast.

The team concluded: “This research shows that CBD oil has the potential to be used by consumers at home as an effective antimicrobial treatment and to

extend strawberry shelf life.”

While this study was focused on strawberries, the researchers said that the findings suggest that CBD has a broader ‘potential as an antimicrobial treatment to fresh produce.’

This is good news for the UK, where households generate some 4.5m tonnes of food waste each year, according to the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP).

On the release of last year’s WRAP report, Marcus Gover, chief executive of WRAP, said: “We are all thinking about what we can do for the environment and this is one of the most simple and powerful ways we can play our part.

“By wasting less food, we are helping to tackle the biggest challenges this century – feeding the world while protecting our planet.”

The strawberry study is not the first to have demonstrated the bug busting potential of cannabinoids.

In 2019, researchers at the Institute of Molecular Bioscience’s Centre for Superbug Solutions at the University of Queensland conducted test tube and animal model studies to compare CBD with established antibiotics.

While investigating topical cannabidiol on skin disorders, it was discovered that CBD killed many of the germs responsible for a variety

of illnesses. The bacteria did not become resistant to the CBD after 20 days, either.

And in a study published in 2020, Scientists at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada cured mice of MRSA with Cannabigerol (CBG). This up and coming cannabis extract is known as the ‘stem cell cannabinoid’ as it is the precursor to CBD, THC and all the other cannabinoids.

“CBD oil has the potential to be used by consumers at home as an effective antimicrobial treatment and to extend strawberry shelf life”

Med Cann

THE LATEST ON PROJECT TWENTY21, EUROPE’S LARGEST MEDICAL CANNABIS REGISTRY | REAL LIFE STORY ON SELF MEDICATING WITH CANNABIS | GET TO KNOW THE UK’S PATIENT AND CLINICIAN ADVOCACY GROUPS AND MORE...

The Med Cann section is brought to you in association with

BIG AMBITION

The landmark Project Twenty21 medical cannabis registry launched last year with a goal of lowering the cost of medical cannabis and improving access on the NHS. Director Amelia Middlemiss has big plans for opening the project up into new areas in 2021.

Words by Gordon Stribling

Amelia Middlemiss could not have chosen a better day to start her new role as Project Twenty21 director.

“I actually started on April 20, ‘Cannabis Day,’ she says. “The weird thing was, even though I've worked in cannabis, I didn't know it was Cannabis Day. So, when someone said it to me, I just was like, ‘Oh yes, of course!”

The landmark Project Twenty21 (T21) medical cannabis registry launched in November 2019 with two aims. The first, to build a huge database of real-world patient data to support wider prescribing on the NHS. The second, to lower the cost for those forced to rely on the private sector.

It’s taken a lot of relationship and trust-building to get the project off the ground.

“It's exceptionally difficult linking NHS, academia and industry

together,” Amelia says. “That's a massive challenge.” Co-ordinating a project of this size, unprecedented in Europe, has presented its challenges, least of all, a global pandemic. But the team has managed to stay on track so far.

T21 started the new year with more than 500 registered patients having received a prescription from a clinician. The team also has data from the end of November 2020, slated for publication in the Journal of Psychopharmacology in March, if all goes to plan.

Access has been improved thanks to the growth of video conferencing, with the rise in Zoom consultations being one of the big stories of the global shutdown. While this may not be an entirely new phenomenon (Amelia cites her own involvement in efforts to improve ‘teledermatology’ on the NHS), the technology has had implications for some medical cannabis patients.

“It makes sense, especially when you're talking about patients who are in chronic pain who can't get to an appointment with private doctors scattered all over the place. I really think that has definitely influenced us being able to get patient accessibility.”

Pain patients count for around 50-60% of enrolments so far on the registry. The next largest group is anxiety followed by other mental health conditions. One area Amelia hopes to expand into is paediatrics, where there are high levels of anecdotal evidence of cannabis helping to treat epilepsy.

“That potentially is going to be a bit of a challenge. But I'm hoping if I can work together with some of the organisations that are maybe a little bit more afraid, they might feel a bit more comfortable if they're involved. So, we can only hope.”

Meanwhile, more supplies have been brought in to ensure that as many people with diverse needs can get the cannabis medicine that works for them.

Shortly after the August 2020 roll out, reports of a flower shortage began to circulate on social media. Patients were told that they may have to wait months before they could access it. Amelia says that the team were devastated for the patients who were affected.

“We were really sorry about that. I will say some of that responsibility will be that we only had one flower available. So, when something goes wrong with one thing, you're pretty shafted.

“To counteract that, we brought in a new licenced producer at the end of last year, and they have now been able to support us with several different types of flower and to give us variety as well. Now we can really service a wider group of patients, like MS patients

who said to us, ‘we need a balanced product’. We've listened to the environment. And hopefully, now, we should have enough to help the majority of people.”

The team also hopes to move into new territory in 2021. Areas such as ADHD, where there is

already a growing community of patients medicating with CBD and cannabis. Excitingly, everything is in place to be able to treat adult epilepsy, too.

“These are all things we're planning, we've hopefully got a very large group of clinicians within a certain specialty coming on board, which will really open things up again. It’s just about having doctors coming on and having the courage to be those innovators in this area.”

The impact of this project in innovation is already being seen in the wider medical cannabis space, with clinics now offering cheaper medicine than ever before and more access schemes opening up.

“If other people want to come in and challenge and do lower prices, that’s fantastic. Do you know what? It's about patients and that's why Drug Science is doing it.”

It’s exceptionally difficult linking NHS, academia and industry together. That’s a massive challenge.

MEDICAL CANNABIS PATIENTS TO RECEIVE FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Sapphire Medical has launched a new grant scheme to cover patient treatment costs for at least a year. Prospective patients should apply before March 14.

Words by Róisín Delaney

Financial support by way of grants for medical cannabis patients with chronic pain, fibromyalgia, mental health conditions and more is to be made available for patients in the UK.

While the cost of accessing medical cannabis through a private clinician is coming down, continued care can be expensive. Treatment costs for cannabis-based medicines can range from £137-a-month in some cases, to many hundreds or even thousands a month. Costs are dependant on the condition being treated and the choice of clinic.

The charity arm of an awardwinning medical cannabis clinic in the UK, Sapphire Medical, is on a mission to reduce the financial barriers of access to cannabis-based

medicinal products (CBMPs). Tackling the barrier to access, the Foundation has launched a new grant scheme designed to cover the costs of treatment for at least a year for patients in need of support.

In partnership with the Foundation’s aims, the Sapphire Medical Clinic will also support the fundraising mission by donating the cost of all appointments for the year.

The grant system initiative for patients who are not able to meet the financial obligation of continued cannabis therapies on their own is now open to applications.

treatment. We will provide financial assistance to cover the costs of treatment for a minimum of one year for each patient who receives one of our grants.

“Our partner organisation Sapphire Medical Clinics contribute the cost of all appointments during the year.”

The patient support scheme is the latest in a list of initiatives taken by the Sapphire Medical group to boost access to medical cannabis.

In 2020, the clinic announced cut price treatments for chronic pain for as little as £5-per-day.

Last year, the Sapphire Medical Foundation helped 38-year-old patient Kirran Gill proceed through the first round of the grant process.

The Sapphire Medical Foundation is accepting grant applications for a six-week period from January 25 to March 14 2021.

Those who wish to apply for themselves, or on behalf or someone they care for, can do so online by visiting the Foundation’s website.

Applications will be assessed to ensure the grants are supplied to those who can benefit most from the support.

A spokesperson for the Sapphire Medical Foundation said:

“The high cost associated with prescriptions for medical cannabis can be a barrier to what is for some people a life changing medication.

“As a result, some patients are unable to meet all of their regular financial obligations which impacts the ability to start or continue

Kirran suffers with debilitating chronic pain due to fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis which was further exacerbated by a car accident six years ago.

Through the scheme, Kirran was able to see a clinical specialist who confirmed eligibility for treatment with cannabis-based medicines.

“Some patients are unable to meet all of their regular financial obligations which impacts the ability to start or continue treatment.”

How can I get financial support toward my medical cannabis care plan?

SELF-MEDICATING WITH CANNABIS: ONE MAN’S STORY

An estimated 1.4 million people in the UK have self-medicated with cannabis at some point. The reasons for doing so can vary from chronic pain to anxiety. According to a YouGov poll from 2019, 2.8% of the population spent an average of £100 per month on illicit cannabis. A year on from the publication of the data, The CANNAVIST spoke to a Multiple Sclerosis patient who self-medicates.

Words by Róisín Delaney

Gareth is 39 at the time of our interview. He was 30 when he was diagnosed with MS. He tells me over the phone how a visit to his local optician resulted in specialist treatment. He was first diagnosed with optic neuritis – a swelling of the optic nerve – but an MRI scan that followed showed a tiny hole in his brain, an indication of MS.

Fast forward to 2020 when our interview took place, just before Christmas. Over the phone, Gareth describes what spasticity feels like. He says it is a very tight sensation, almost like ‘how you would imagine someone who is having a fit, or a seizure.’

“MS as far as spasticity goes, you start off not really having any at the start. But then that would progress to the level that I’m out now. Which would be, if I was to say, get

nervous or anxious, the spasticity that I would get would be the equivalent of rigamortis.”

Gareth says self-medicating with cannabis has made his condition more manageable, and he is generally more comfortable. But there is a negative stigma in the public consensus towards cannabis users. And, as with any condition of this severity, Gareth is taking his other more conventional medication prescribed by his doctor. So, I’m eager to know just how often and why he feels the need to self-medicate.

“Cannabis, as regards to spasticity and my condition, it’s more something that you want to have there when you need it. Not that you need it all the time.

“You know it is going to work. But you just don’t use it until

you really need it… If I had to go without it, I could, but I wouldn’t be as comfortable.”

Gareth says, “The conventional drugs that are used for your pain, they are very, very dangerous” as he recalls some of the side effects.

But he says self-medicating with cannabis is becoming the new normal for many patients like him since the law on medical cannabis changed in November 2018.

“I’ve had several conversations with my doctors, nurses and social workers. They know a lot of patients self-medicating. Everyone is using it,” he insists.

He adds that his mental health improves when he has access to medicinal cannabis. “It almost becomes a bit of a PTSD situation. If I didn’t have this, my doctors would want me on anti-depressants, but I don’t like what they do to you.”

The American Association of Neurological Surgeons describes spasticity as ranging from a mild stiffness to painful and uncontrollable spasms. It’s usually caused by damage or disruption to the area of the brain and spinal cord responsible for controlling muscle and stretch reflexes.

In late 2019, a cannabis-based medicine manufactured by British company GW Pharmaceuticals, was approved for use on the NHS to help with cases of spasticity in MS patients.

Sativex is a mouth spray which, along with MS-related spasticity, has also been investigated for its effects on a number of other symptoms, including, pain, bladder symptoms, tremors and sleep disturbances. Gareth says he tried Sativex but he stopped taking it because of side effects.

As a patient of MS, Gareth says he would like to see the temperature lowered on cannabis for medicinal reasons.

“Going forward, as a patient of MS, I would like people to be more grounded whenever they’re talking about cannabis. To use facts, rather than hyperbole.” After speaking with Gareth about the physical and mental

benefits his medicinal cannabis has afforded his life, we contacted the MS Society to ask where things stand on cannabis treatments for MS patients in 2021. David Galloway, Director of the MS Society in Northern Ireland, said:

“MS is relentless, painful and disabling, and evidence shows cannabis-based treatments could help people with MS get relief from pain and spasms when other treatments haven’t worked for them.

“Yet it has been over two years since the law changed around medical cannabis, and people with MS are failing to get prescriptions, even for recommended cannabis products like Sativex.

“We need a cross-government plan on cannabis-based medicinal products to encourage innovative research, educate health professionals, and give people with MS access to these treatments.”

Medicinal cannabis is available on prescription from a range of private clinics now operating in the UK. Unfortunately for patients like Gareth, while cannabis based medicines have been approved for use, this course of treatment has not been broadly welcomed by the NHS.

Dr Sunny Nayee, Pain Specialist & Medical Director at The Medical Cannabis Clinics believes it is cheaper to go down the legal, privately sourced route, rather than selfmedicating with the illicit alternative:

“It is cheaper to buy legally, and you can trust in the medication being pharmaceutical grade.

“More important than anything else, you can be guided by a specialist medical consultant when medicating legally, which is imperative for patients, particularly those on other medications and complex cases.

“We must always remember, not all patients will be able to obtain medical cannabis, only those chronically unwell patients that have tried and exhausted conventional treatments, without success.”

We need a cross-government plan on cannabis-based medicinal products to encourage innovative research, educate health professionals, and give people with MS access to these treatments.

“

“

Clinical Trials

NHS CLINICAL TRIALS TO COMMENCE ‘AS SOON AS POSSIBLE’

According to information obtained by The CANNAVIST via a Freedom of Information request, the Department of Health is eager to embark on two clinical trials this year centred on medical cannabis and epilepsy.

Words by Róisín Delaney

Almost a year since the National Institute for Health Research backed, in principle, the first ever government-funded medical cannabis clinical trials in the UK, the NHS wants to see progress ‘as soon as possible’.

This year, the NHS aims to commence a set of trials to gather clinical data on medical cannabis in the UK in an area which is attracting more and more patients – epilepsy.

Two randomised controlled clinical trials will explore the potential for medical cannabis in early onset and genetic generalised epilepsy, the NHS says.

Following calls for more clinical data on the subject, these investigations received the backing of the National Institute for Health Research in April 2020, and once complete, the data will be published on the NIHR website.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care told The CANNAVIST:

“This is a pioneering area of research and we hope the trials will start as soon as possible. The NIHR is working closely with NHS England, clinicians and patient representatives to develop this programme. These trials will be critical in ensuring that evidence for cannabisbased medicinal products can be developed to plan future NHS commissioning decisions for the many hundreds of patients in the UK with refractory epilepsy.”

Across the channel, in Europe, several government-funded clinical trials have been underway since 2018. In Denmark, the Ministry for Health commissioned an investigation into the effects of CBD when combined with a small dose of THC on central neuropathic pain and spasticity

in 450 adults. The research application, submitted to the European Union Clinical Trials Register, shows the aim of this particular investigation is to, “evaluate the efficacy of the cannabinoids THC, CBD and a combination of CBD/THC on central neuropathic pain and spasticity in patients with multiple sclerosis and in patients with spinal cord injury.”

Meanwhile researchers from Denmark and Switzerland are collaborating on a randomized, double-blind, placebocontrolled trial on medical cannabis for fibromyalgia. Over the course of 24 weeks, the 200 subjects will either be given a 50mg dose of CBD, or a placebo drug.

While the main focus of this investigation is to establish whether this regular dose of CBD alone can reduce pain levels associated with fibromyalgia, it will also record fluctuations in sleep quality and duration, energy levels, depression, anxiety and stress among other lifestyle changes.

Separate to any NHS-commissioned data collection, the UK is home to Europe’s largest register of medical cannabis patients, Project Twenty21.

Set up by Drug Science, the only completely independent, science-led drugs charity in the UK, ProjectTwenty21 aims to enrol 20,000 patients by 2021, creating the largest body of evidence for the effectiveness and tolerability of medical cannabis.

It is hoped that the findings of this observation-style research will provide evidence for NHS funding where the benefits of treatment with medicinal cannabis is proven to outweigh the potential risks.

UK Medicinal CANNABIS Summit 2021

Dr Keith Ridge

Chief Pharmaceutical Officer at NHS England, where he is head of profession for the pharmacy professions and the principal advisor on pharmacy and medicines use.

Evidence, Policy & Regulation

Keynote Speakers

Dr Paul Chrisp

Director of the Centre for Guidelines, NICE. Paul has been with NICE since March 2009, where he was responsible for setting up the Institute’s accreditation programme for guideline developers, and more recently was Programme Director of the Medicines and Technologies Programme.

Prof Roger Pertwee

Honorary Fellow of the British Pharmacological Society (BPS), has served as President (twice) of the International Cannabinoid Research Society (ICRS), Chairman of the International Association for Cannabinoid Medicines (IACM), and is on the IACM (and ICRS) Board of Directors.

George Freeman

Member of Parliament for Mid Norfolk and is currently serving on the Prime Minister’s Better Regulation Task Force (Life Sciences). George has formerly served as Minister of State at the Department for Transport and the Department of Health and Social Care.

FIND YOUR NEAREST MEDICAL CANNABIS CLINIC

Wherever you are located, many medical cannabis specialists are hosting consultancies via telemedicine.

INTEGRO CLINIC

Where: London

About: Integro Medical Clinic provides patient centric high-quality medical care. Their aim is to prescribe appropriate licensed or unlicensed medicine which includes cannabis medicines to patients. integroclinics.com

SAPPHIRE MEDICAL CLINIC

Where: London

About: Sapphire Medical Clinics enable access to medicinal cannabis for patients and provide telemedicine consultation with expert doctors. Sapphire is also the first British clinic to offer cut price medical cannabis prescriptions.

sapphireclinics.com

THE MEDICAL CANNABIS CLINIC

Where: London and Manchester

About: The Medical Cannabis Clinics offer innovative cannabis-based therapies for a range of people living with chronic and debilitating conditions when previous treatments have failed. themedicalcannabisclinics.com

CANNABIS ACCESS CLINIC

Where: London and Online

About: The first 100% online medical cannabis service in the UK proving better access to their prescribers.

cannabisaccessclinics.co.uk

MY ACCESS CLINICS

Where: London, Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester

About: My Access Clinics offer affordable specialist care for people suffering from debilitating and chronic conditions across England.

myaccessclinics.co.uk

SOLIHULL CANNABIS CLINIC

Where: Solihull Health Check Clinic, Solihull

About: One of the only medical cannabis consultancies in the Midlands, this purpose-built clinic is situated in the beautiful village of Dickens Heath outside Birmingham.

solihullhealthcheckclinic.co.uk

MEDICANN

Where: Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man

About: Until now, patients on the Channel Islands have had to appeal to doctors on the UK mainland to get a prescription. Both they and the cannabis company would have to then apply for importexport licenses. It is hoped the establishment of on-island facilities like this will make access to medical cannabis a lot easier. medicann.co.uk

KEY

INTEGRO CLINIC

SAPPHIRE MEDICAL CLINIC

THE MEDICAL CANNABIS CLINIC

CANNABIS ACCESS CLINIC

MY ACCESS CLINICS SOLIHULL CANNABIS CLINIC MEDICANN

HOW YOU CAN GET A PRESCRIPTION FOR MEDICAL CANNABIS

According to polls, more than one million people living in the UK may be eligible for medical cannabis therapies. If you have a chronic, life limiting condition, you may be wondering how to go about getting a prescription. The process differs from your usual trip to the local GP, here’s how.

In 2019, the UK’s drug advisory board, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), published guidance for healthcare professionals on how and when to prescribe cannabis-based medicines.

These kinds of CBD-rich cannabis medicines, which differ from your average CBD product, were legalised in 2018, but were only available through specialist clinicians. This meant on a private patient basis only.

Patients and their families were required to spend several thousands of pounds a year to obtain a recurring prescription, leading to many choosing to travel abroad for more cost-effective access. This still happens in 2021.

However, there are two cannabis based medicines available on the NHS now. These are Sativex and Epidyolex. Both are made in the UK and both have been approved and licenced for dispensing. Unfortunately, the NHS has not taken a widespread approach to prescribing either.

The NHS route

Medical cannabis is available on the NHS, it’s just not very commonly prescribed. The reasons for this are cost and a lack of doctors able to prescibe. In some cases, such as that of patient Lucy Stafford, who suffers from Ehlers Danlos syndrome, some NHS trusts simply won’t pay to bear the costs of these medications. Another barrier to access on the NHS is the short supply of specialist

doctors who are able to prescribe. GPs in the UK cannot write scripts for this kind of medication yet.

In November 2020, The CANNAVIST learned that since medical cannabis became available, only three prescriptions had been issued to patients on the NHS. This is despite Sativex and Epidyolex being approved for certain treatments.

According to patient advocacy group, End Our Pain, in November 2020 there were at least 20 families paying thousands of pounds for prescriptions

after being turned down by the NHS. Some estimate the costs of this process could exceed £2,000 per month.

The Private Route

A hesitance to prescribe on the public health side of this has led to a gap in the market for a private system of clinics to emerge in the last year or so. London’s Harley Street, famed for its popularity among cosmetic circles, is now home to medical cannabis clinics. These clinics aren’t just in London. They are scattered across the UK’s second cities too, and the Channel Island of Jersey recently

welcomed its first on-island medical cannabis centre. These are clinician-led organisations, removed from the NHS where specialists have a wider range of conditions which they can prescribe for compared to the NHS route.

Most of the doctors operating at these clinics hold virtual consultations with patients, given the travel restrictions inspired by the pandemic. These private clinics usually operate on a self-referral system, so while you do not need to be referred by your GP, your new medical cannabis specialist will still need to see your medical records.

The big question: How much does it cost?

The cost of a monthly medical cannabis prescription has come down in the last year. One clinic, Sapphire Medical, is even offering a service which can cost as little as £5-a-day, making a safer and cheaper alternative to street cannabis a reality for the first time. The clinic says it is able to do so by cutting out the typical accumulative costs which are normally presented along the supply chain.

SHARING IS CARING

So, you heard about medical cannabis, and you have a chronic condition. Maybe you need a helping hand in grasping the situation that is medical cannabis. More than one million people in the UK are thought to be eligible for medical cannabis treatment. Where to begin? Whether you are a doctor, a nurse or a patient, there are a number of community groups ready to provide you with the support and learning you need to decide if medical cannabis is for you.

PLEA Community – For Patients

PLEA stands for Patient-led Engagement for Access. This group is comprised of medical cannabis patients, many of which campaigned for the law reform in 2018 which saw medical cannabis legalised. PLEA is a volunteer-run non-profit for all UK patients who need access to cannabis based medicinal products integrated within mainstream healthcare. PLEA is a registered stakeholder in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, the national body which issues guidance to healthcare professionals. PLEA has partnered with Drug Science, the UK’s leading independent scientific body on drugs, which is carrying out Europe’s first medical cannabis patient registry, Project Twenty21 pleacommunity.org.uk

CPASS – For Nurses and Patients

The Cannabis Patient Advocacy and Support Services organisation was founded by a mix of professionals aimed at supporting Registered Nurses, so that they can support patients who may be considering cannabis treatments. In November 2020, CPASS launched the UK’s first medical cannabis educational series for nurses. As well as supporting nurses, CPASS also works to destigmatise the consumption of cannabis for medicinal purposes for the benefit of patients and their families. cannpass.org

Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society – For Doctors

The MCCS is an independent community of medical cannabis pioneers – the first prescribers of this treatment in the UK. The society gives clinicians the opportunity to share practical knowledge, develop transparent and independent guidance and lead the conversation as doctors in the sector. The MCCS is an expert-led, not-for-profit community, dedicated to bringing this safe, legal and effective medicine to people living with chronic conditions. ukmccs.org

The Centre for Medicinal Cannabis – For Patients and Businesses

The Centre for Medicinal Cannabis, based in London, is the UK’s only membership body for businesses operating in the cannabis-based medicinal product sector. The CMC, and its board of experts and advocates, have long been champions of patient access to medical cannabis and also provide support to the businesses providing treatment in this area. A registered stakeholder of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, the CMC counts some of the biggest cannabis companies in the world as members. thecmcuk.org

End Our Pain – For patients and their families

The patient-first group has had great success in its campaign to lobby politicians and has, on multiple occasions, given families a voice. It is through sharing patient and family stories about the life changing impact medical cannabis can have that End Our Pain spreads the public message of this often stigma-prone therapy. Endourpain.org Irish Medical Cannabis Council –

For patients and their families

The role of the IMCC, it says, is to be the focal point for information on medicinal cannabis in Ireland, for those with either a personal or professional interest in the sector. Also known by the name Medcanie, the organisation aims to reduce stigma and to represent the community to the government, the media, the medical profession and the public. The council is made up of elected officials, campaigners, patients, doctors and researchers. medcan.ie

CBD Circuit

CELEBRATING A YEAR OF ONLINE EVENTS, WE REPORT ON THE GLOBAL CANNABIS INSTITUTE’S SUMMIT AND WE TAKE A GLANCE INTO THE FUTURE OF EVENTS IN 2021.

GCI Virtual Summit

From COVID-19 to HIV and terminal cancer, this event touched on the many potential applications for cannabis-based medicines internationally.

Words by Gordon Stribling

If there was one positive development to emerge from 2020, it was the growth of the online CBD event. The industry had to adapt to the unprecedented global shutdown that was the year itself and, in doing so, made CBD networking and education more accessible than before.

One name to step up to the plate was the Global Cannabis Institute, with its virtual summit.

The event attracted an incredible group of speakers from all over the world, discussing everything from grassroots advocacy and spirituality to finance and the future of cannabis science.

Here are my two picks from the event.

1.Cannabinoid Research Advancements, Future Therapeutics & Adjunctive Treatments for COVID-19, featuring Professor Emmanuel Onaivi.

Professor Onaivi gave an inspiring overview of just how far society has come in accepting cannabis as a medicine, not just in places like the US, Canada and Israel, but also in European countries which are beginning to catch up. He explained that cannabis is one of the world’s most widely used drugs and has been used by some cultures for hundreds and perhaps thousands of years.

Recent years have seen an explosion of new knowledge about cannabis and cannabis research is now mainstream science as stigma continues to break down. We now know that the endocannabinoid system is involved in human reproduction, for example. This greater understanding has led to new therapeutics such as Epidyolex, which have further reduced the stigma around the plant.

Professor Onaivi also expressed his optimism that CBD and THC could help to reduce symptoms of cytokine storm as it can in HIV and AIDS, though research is still very much in its infancy on this.

Professor Onaivi told viewers: “COVID-19 enters through the gateways to the respiratory system, when it gets to the respiratory system to the cells in the lungs, it takes over and makes more of this coronavirus that now causes that cytokine storm.

“It then gradually moves to other organs, which can lead to organ failure in the body.

“We think that perhaps THC and CBD can reduce that cytokine storm, and other symptoms, just like HIV and AIDS.”

“We think that perhaps THC and CBD can reduce that cytokine storm, and other symptoms, just like HIV and AIDS.”

Case Study: Pilot Data Breakthrough for Patients with Glioblastoma, featuring Dr Janet Schloss.

Around 80,000 people are diagnosed with brain cancer each year and there has been no improvement in survival rates in the past 30 years. Dr Schloss explained that the current treatments for glioblastomas (GBMs) have limited effectiveness, with a high risk of recurrence of the disease and a poor prognosis and median life expectancy of just a year.

In Australia where one trial took place, four people die of brain cancer every day. It kills more children than any other disease and kills more people under 40 than any other cancer.

Dr Schloss’ double-blind trial looked at the tolerability of two strengths of oral cannabis oil in 88 participants with GBM as an adjunct to a standard treatment. Safety and efficacy were secondary objectives.

Group 1 had the standard treatment plus 1:1 CBD:THC, Group 2 had the standard plus 4:1 CBD:THC.

A total of 61 patients finished the trial, with 17 other participants dying before the end (this was not linked to the treatment but is sadly inevitable in studies with terminally ill patients).

There were also issues with supply, as a later phase coincided with the legalisation of cannabis in Canada. Overall, both 1:1 CBD:THC and 4:1 CBD:THC were tolerated well. The 1:1 formulation showed the best physical and functional results, with sleep drastically improving in both groups and both reporting increased energy and quality of life. GBM patients commonly experience problems in these areas due to treatment so this was good news.

As for efficacy, the condition stabilised in 34% of participants, 11% had a reduction in the disease and a third of patients were administered dexamethasone (to reduce swelling from brain tumours) compared to 91% in retrospective data.

Dr Schloss’ concluded: “Our study data suggests that cannabis, especially a 1:1 mixture, can be helpful for many symptoms affecting quality of life in this patient population, especially sleep disturbance, and this may be a valuable potential therapy for helping these patients endure the numerous treatments necessary to prolong their lives as much as possible.”

AMSTER -Ban?

Millions of people flock to Amsterdam every year to indulge in its cannabis culture. But if the city’s mayor has her way, cannabis tourism may soon be a thing of the past.

Words by Gordon Stribling

A visit to Amsterdam to sample the city’s coffee shops is a rite of passage for many people. According to government research, 58% of tourists cite cannabis as the main reason for their visit. But Amsterdam’s tolerant approach to cannabis tourism may be coming to an end.

Mayor Femke Halsema has submitted a proposal to only allow Dutch residents to enter its 166 coffee shops. Halsema believes that the city’s cannabis economy is too big and fuels organised crime. The ban has been backed by police and the public prosecutor.

Halsema said: “Amsterdam is an international city and we wish to attract tourists – but for its richness, its beauty and its cultural institutions.”

If the measure is passed, the ban could come into force next year.

Contrary to popular belief, cannabis is not legal in the Netherlands, rather it is tolerated. Possession of five grams

or less was decriminalised in 1976 and licensed coffee shops can sell it. A 2012 law banning tourists from entering coffee shops is already enforced in some border cities. Bar owner Robbert Overmeer said that it’s now time for the capital to do the same.

“[The] romantic image of the coffee shops is still there, and I think that is false sentimentality. Coffee shops don’t pay any VAT, there are only a handful who operate in the old fashioned way and many are in the hands of hardened criminals.

“We don’t necessarily just want people with a lot of money: we say come to Amsterdam for the museums, the food, for love or for friends, but not to sculk around, smoke dope and do drugs.”

Reducing tourism revenue may prove to be a hard sell if the Dutch economy is to fully recover from lockdown. But according to a World Economic Forum (WEF) report published in

December, the Netherlands is in the fourth-best position to recover from the COVID crisis, behind – you guessed it – Denmark, Finland and Norway. The Netherlands achieved a high score thanks to its digital economy, social facilities and reliable public institutions.

Henk Colberda who collected the Dutch data said: “The Dutch economy is so robust that it can transform itself well out of this crisis. You now hear economists say that the lockdown is bad for our economy. But the Netherlands can handle it well. The expected recovery capacity is great.”

“Amsterdam is an international city and we wish to attract tourists – but for its richness, its beauty and its cultural institutions.”

Event Guide

With vaccines on the horizon, we have a little bit of hope for 2021. Imagine being able to attend a real, live event! We recommend that wherever you are, throughout the year you should always check the latest event info online, as cities may be plunged into lockdown overnight if there is a surge in COVID cases. Details for events listed here as happening ‘On Location’ were correct at the time of publication. Here is our guide to some of the CBD and medical cannabis events that should be on your radar this year.

Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference – Online benzinga.com/events/cannabis/

The virtual conference will feature live and on-demand presentations from CEOs, investors and leaders who work within the canna-industry. Perfect for those looking for business advice.

February 25

Future Cannabis Strategy Conference Europe – Online arena-international.com/cannabis

A full line up of speakers and presentations on all things European and cannabis professionalism. The event includes a special appearance by The CANNAVIST editor, Roísín Delaney, who will be talking about how to advertise your CBD brand effectively and responsibly.

March 23 - 24

The Body – On Location

the-body.de

The body is back! A yearly event specially geared towards wellness pharmaceuticals, ideally suited to those with interests in CBD, sports and beauty. The CANNAVIST is a media partner to this event, which will welcome some of the biggest names in the CBD industry.

March 26 - 27

CBD Live Europe – Online

voxpo-event.com

It’s back and this time CBD LIVE, presented by The CANNAVIST, is going to Europe. Following the roll out of two successful 3-day live events in 2020, this event is specific to hemp, CBD and medical cannabis on the continent. We will also be using this opportunity to bring you the latest on other up and coming plant medicines and lifestyle aids, like psychedelics and adaptogens. Not sure what they mean, sign up to find out!

March 29 - 31

Cannabiznis Expo Slovenia – On Location

Cannabiznis.si

The perfect event for brands interested in CBD sales, hemp or processing in Eastern Europe. This A three-day event is scheduled to happen on location, and promises to cover everything from hempcrete building materials to the legalities of CBD in Slovenia and surrounding nations.

April 2 - 4

Virtual Cannabis Industry Marketplace Expo – Online and On Location

cannabisimp.com

We love that events making a comeback on location are still keeping online access open. Why this wasn’t normal practice before is the question us event nerds are asking. The Virtual Cannabis Industry Marketplace Expo is a collection of events and webinars specialising in all areas from processing to plant cultivation to public relations. All of the information you need to set up or improve your very own cannabis company. The events take place across the US on different dates starting in April.

April 14-18

IndicaSativa: The Hemp Fair Italy - On Location

indicasativatrade.com

Now back for its eighth edition, IndicaSativa is the first Italian fair dedicated to the world of hemp with over 200 exhibitors. It also means at least a 3-day trip to the beautiful Italian city of Bologna. Molto buona!

April 16 - 18

USA CBD EXPO Georgia World Congress Centre - On Location

usacbdexpo.com/atlanta

One of the largest CBD and hemp events in the US, this event in Atlanta is organised by an incredibly professional exhibition company. The USA CBD Expo Atlanta will combine innovative brands, the latest products and over 40 guest speakers. Perfect for anyone with an interest in or a business that sells CBD who happens to be in that part of the world this April. The CANNAVIST is a media partner to this event, expect to see our official showguide at this event!

April 16-18

Canna Food Grub ’s Up!

IT’S MOCKTAIL O’CLOCK

If you are one of the folks who gave up on Dry January after a week, this cheeky mocktail might just be what you need.

Thinking of going ‘on the dry’ for a period? You do you! Many of us are guilty of sipping on an alcoholic beverage on a more frequent basis thanks to lockdown. With the pubs closed for most of the past year, the supermarket alcohol aisles have become as much a part of the weekly shop as the fruit and veg section.

In 2020, Dry January attracted four million strong-willed participants. But this year that went out the window for many. According to consumer data reported 10 days into the third national lockdown, alcohol sales at Waitrose were up by a third. A recent YouGov survey showed that while most people (72%) who took part in Dry January this year managed to stay off the booze, nearly threein-ten had consumed alcohol only a week into the

REFRESHING CBD-INFUSED MOCKTAIL by Carrie Strouther

You’ll need

• 200 ml apple juice

200 ml cranberry juice

200 ml orange juice

Crushed ice

Orange slices for garnish

4 sprays Chill Brother Full Spectrum Water Soluble CBD

Method

1. Pour the juice to a large pitcher, add the CBD last and stir to combine. Stir for at least 30 seconds to mix in the water soluble CBD.

2. Serve in low ball tumblers over ice and garnish with orange slices.

Staying off the vino for a bit? Here are some useful free supports to help you stay on the dry.

Alcoholchange.org.uk

This site tells you how much you can save by giving up alcohol for a month. Of those who took part in Dry January, 86% said they saved money.

Drink Free Days App

This is an NHS app designed to help regular drinkers monitor just how much alcohol they consume. Drink Free Days is free and is designed to help us all cut back.

Drink Compare Quiz

Drink Aware is bringing back the lockdown quiz. The Drink Compare Quiz helps you see how much your habits might be putting your health at risk. And it compares your habits with others in the UK.

Chill Brother Full Spectrum Water Soluble CBD Spray, £35

DIY CHOCOLATE CAKE by Carrie Strouther

A CBD-infused take on an old favourite that’ll see you through Mother’s Day or Easter celebrations.

Raise a hand if you’ve become a bit of a baker in lockdown? From sourdough to cakes, there is a sense of achievement when you take that beautiful tin from the oven. This CBD-infused chocolate cake is just what you need for your at home celebration.

•

For the cake, you’ll need:

200g golden caster sugar

200g unsalted butter, softened plus extra for the tins

4 large eggs

200g self-raising flour

2 tbsp cocoa powder

1 tsp baking powder

½ tsp vanilla extract

2 tbsp milk

6 pipettes of Hippie Turtle Herbal Co Raw 20% CBD oil

For the buttercream

100g milk chocolate, chopped

200g butter, softened

400g icing sugar

5 tbsp cocoa powder

2 tbsp milk

Method

1. Preheat your oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Butter the base and sides of two 20cm round sandwich tins and line the bases with some baking parchment.

2. Pour all your cake ingredients into a large bowl and beat until pale.

3. Divide your mixture between the two prepared tins. Place in the oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the skewer comes out clean. (Make sure to place this in the middle of the cakes.)

4. Let the cakes cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

5. While the cake is cooling, prepare the buttercream. Chop 100g of milk chocolate, place in a heatproof bowl and melt in the microwave. Stir every 30 seconds. Once melted, let cool for 5 minutes.

6. In another bowl, mash 200g of softened butter and 400g icing sugar with a fork. Switch the fork for a wooden spoon or electric beaters, whichever you have to hand.

7. Sift in 5 tbsp cocoa powder with a pinch of salt and pour in the melted chocolate and 2 tbsp milk. Mix again until smooth.

8. Finally, grab a cake stand or large plate, sandwich the cakes together with half of the buttercream. Spread the remaining on top of the cake.

Delicious Tip:

For an Easter treat, dress this easy to make cake up by adding some Cadbury’s Mini Eggs to the buttercream on top!

Tried & Tested

From tinctures to skincare to edibles, we bring you the latest products to hit the market, tried and tested by our editorial team. The products featured here have not been paid to appear, and all reviews are authentic.

Top Tinctures

Our top picks and star buys for 2021!

All of these products are made in the UK. Don’t forget to support a small business when you shop!

Hustle of Health 1000mg HUSTLE

The peppermint corner of the tincture aisle is looking pretty crowded these days, so the competition is on! I tried Hustle of Health for the first time in the new year and honestly, it’s yummy. I hadn’t seen or heard of this brand before this 30ml brown bottle landed on my desk, but honestly, it’s one of the better peppermint CBD variants I’ve tried. It’s more holistic, more herbal, rather than the strong breath mint vibe that other brands have opted for. It also comes with 0.5ml and 1ml markers so you know exactly how much CBD oil you’re consuming per go (it measures 33mg per pipette). I really appreciate the soft aftertaste. It also comes with an adult-proof childlock cap you must master. Will be keeping this one! Hustle!

Canyou 10% Oil

If there were an award for presentation, Canyou would win hands down! You get such a spa-like aroma when you open the packaging at first, it’s uber calming. I appreciate how much effort some brands put into packaging because it really drives up manufacturing costs. This dainty wee thing makes a great first impression and passes the taste test with flying colours. My one concern would be the recommended use guidelines. It is a 10ml bottle and the advice reads: ‘use 2-3 times per day, 6-12 drops under the tongue.’ That sounds like a lot to me, but I tried exactly that. For me, it was a bit too much for everyday use. I finished the bottle within the week but that’s not to say it wouldn’t be the perfect amount for someone else. A really good, balanced use of terpenes in the flavour.

Redeyez 10%

This product says to take 1-3 drops per serving. I reckon that’s a little low for me so I went for roughly 6 drops on my first go. The hemp taste is quite pungent, I know some CBD superfans will love that. At 1000mg, Redeyez have packed a solid cannabinoid profile into this 10ml bottle. You’ve got CBD, CBDa, CBG and terpenes. It does leave a bit of an aftertaste however, that might be the pinene, just bear that in mind if you’re conscious of someone smelling that aroma afterwards. It’s also a darker golden colour that you don’t see too often. I always think this is great if you are mixing it in with a recipe as you get to see the oil blending in properly. For the taste and aroma alone, I think this would be a great addition to food items.

Cannaray 750mg

A solid go-to brand if you want a consistent quality of oil. A great bottle to have within reach for those days when working from home just isn’t working out. You get 25mg of lime-infused CBD oil and it gives a really fresh, ‘spring has sprung’ vibe.

The Original 20% 21 Atoms

The oil you should upgrade to

Oh hello, this one is for grown-ups. Only those of us who have truly mastered sophistication are worthy of this 20% oil (2000mg in a 10ml bottle). This is called The Original – and rightly so. With 10mg of CBD per drop, this oil gives a nod to where the CBD tincture market began. With a natural taste, brilliant aroma and that golden hemp glow. If you have already taken a natural, non-flavoured CBD tincture then this us your upgrade. This brand is fast becoming a favourite; it has an air of masculinity to it, which not a lot of CBD brands run with. 21 Atoms also do a CBD oil that has vitamin D3 in the mix. Botanical synergy indeed.

FIKA CBD 5% Berry Nice!

Lone and behold, a blueberry tincture! That is original. I was expecting the oil to be blue before removing the box but it is perfectly champagne gold. This is a 500mg CBD tincture made in Leeds, with a hefty amount of terpenes in the mix. At The CANNAVIST, we love the growing trend around terpenes in 2021, people are really starting to see their unique benefits. This is a 5% oil so a little weaker in terms of CBD strength compared to some of the others on this list, but that’s not a negative mark. This would be a fantastic introductory product for someone who doesn’t want that bitter botanical hemp taste. The blueberry notes are subtle and are most welcome. FIKA, this is a sweet escape…

Must Try!

Chocolate. They had us at Chocolate. The smell of this oil will make you melt. When this product arrived, we immediately made hot chocolate and added one full pipette per cup with a quick stir. It is delicious on its own but with frothy milk and marshmallows, it is absolute paradise. The perfect gift for any chocolate lover. This might not be your go-to everyday oil, but it is 100% authentic and a must for the kitchen cupboard. WISP, this is a really special treat. Thank you!

Another mint take here, so let’s see how this British brand fares. Iconic recently won The CANNAVIST Award for Best Edibles with their vegan gummies, so we know they know flavour. First of all, this oil is super clear and runny. If you’re used to taking a different product, don’t worry. This just means it’s based in MCT oil. This is a solid fresh mint oil that won’t lead you astray. A great first time CBD buy.

Virtue 500mg Berry

What a lovely brand with honest to goodness sentiments. I tried the berry flavour, and at first I loved it. But then it did leave quite a strong, medicine-like aftertaste. That didn’t put me off trying it again and again over the Christmas period. At The CANNAVIST, we love to see brands taking risks and I really do feel that this berry flavour has its place. It is just a tad too sweet for my tastebuds. If you’re in the market for a CBD tincture that masks the taste of hemp but is still a reliable, effective product then this is your guy.

Star Buy

Kaya Adaptogenic CBD Oil

As chosen by our editor

I’ve tried so many CBD oils that I thought I was becoming immune to the effects. Then I got this oil in a pre-Christmas PR drop so I decided to try it one night when I just couldn’t get to sleep. My head was reeling with my to do list for the following day. I can honestly say, this product has changed the way I sleep. I’m convinced the CBD element isn’t responsible for this alone, as the bottle only contains 500mg and I would usually go for something stronger. But the addition of Ashwagandha and Maca (ginseng) seem to be just the trick. I had heard of Ashwagandha before, but I hadn’t tried it. Now it’s my new favourite research topic! I’m obsessed! Like CBD and the endocannabinoid system, Ashwagandha helps our nervous system to cope with stress. This, for me, is the kind of product that will stand out in 2021. I’ve recommended it to several friends who have been hit by the lockdown night-time terrors and it’s also worked wonders in their lives. I can’t rate this tincture enough, 11/10!

Mother’s Day Buy

Soul 1000mg Zesty Fusion

Zesty is right, this one packs a punch. A fruity blend of lemon, lime and orange. This tincture screams Mother’s Day gift. From the way it is presented to how the information about CBD in general is outlined, this would be a fantastic present for mum this March. If citrus isn’t her jam, there is also a 500mg Au Naturel version. It’s also suitable for vegans and gluten free.

Harrogate Organics 2000mg

This is the classiest CBD product out there! The perfect gift for a girlfriend, wife or mother. In a dinky little box, this blend of CBD and sweet orange extract is delectable. I closed my eyes for a moment of mindfulness the first time I tried this oil and I felt like I was on a tropical island, not in my home office in a national lockdown.

I found the advised wait time before swallowing of 5-10 minutes a bit unrealistic, but if you have the time to just sit back and relax for a moment, it is extremely rewarding for the mind. (For your information: anything over a minute should be effective.) This is a premium product at an affordable price point at £35 per 10ml. A truly beautiful CBD product.

Baked Not Fried 2000mg Pink Edition

Love this vibe. The brand presents three oils, a pink, purple and grey edition. With 2000mg of CBD in a 30ml bottle, this is definitely a quality product at an affordable price. Don’t be put off by the brown hue to the oil. If you are in the market for a straight up, classic CBD tincture, this could be an option for you.

The Pink Edition, infused with Pinene and Limonene, is designed to give your energy levels a gentle boost. This is billed as a daytime oil so be sure not to take it before bed! If you seek something for night-time use, try the Purple Edition, infused with Myrcene and Linalool.

Nano tech

Hemporium

This is oh so simple, without all of the complexities of CBD forced into the packaging. We love it! I tried all three flavours between Christmas and New Years, and I can say that Hemporium have produced epic flavour combinations. Full disclosure, I practically had to force myself to try the Vanilla Custard as to me, it just doesn’t sound like a natural choice. But oh my, how delicious. Mint, on the other hand, is a CBD staple. Mint extracts really blend well with hemp extract and I think the Mint 2000mg CBD option will appeal to most of our readers. But if you’re craving something sweet, the Vanilla Custard is the one for you. Try it, you might be surprised!

Hemporium oils are packed with antioxidants and vitamins so this is definitely a great option for those on a health kick. They also utilise a fancy nano technology, which the manufacturer says, makes sure you get all of the benefits of the active components.

Skincare

Hustle of Health Nourishing Balm

Is there anything dreamier than the scent of lemongrass? So soothing. This nourishing balm from Hustle of Health is a spa in a tin can. Hustle of Health is a British brand, but as I understand it, this product is actually made in the US. The ingredients are super skin worthy. Think cocoa butter, shea butter, coconut oil, olive oil, tea tree, rosemary and that lemongrass luxury.

This product is incredible at soothing harsh skin. After applying it consistently to a patch of particularly dry skin on my wrist – no doubt from all of that hand washing – I chanced it as a lipbalm. Every winter I suffer with sore, dry lips so this was most welcome. A lemongrass kiss, if you will.

BNatural Men’s All-in-One Oil Man tested by Richard Cunningham

My skin is dry, I spend a lot of time outdoors these days. My fiancée gifted me this beard, face and body oil because she knows I’m not the best at maintaining a skincare routine. I used this oil every night for a week on my face, the first night after shaving. It didn’t sting, thankfully, and I didn’t think any more of it that night. But the next day I noticed my skin didn’t look anywhere near as dry as before. While this is an all over oil, it doesn’t actually leave any greasy residue behind. The women in my life will tell you I am the worst at the self-care trend, but I will stick with this oil until it runs out and report back.

CBD SUPPOSITORIES 500MG

Caroline’s pick

Period pain is tricky to treat but it can also ruin the whole day. There is nothing worse than having to work while experiencing cramps. It’s the first time I’ve had to wait for period pain before reviewing a product but that’s exactly what happened when Endoca sent some hemp suppositories my way. The small cacao and hemp pieces contain 50mg of CBD per dose. They are designed to be easily inserted vaginally or anally (you decide!) The vegan cacao butter melts into the skin before the CBD is absorbed by the mucosa there. I went from doubled over to pain-free in no time. While these may not be for everyone, and they may not be as easy as a tincture to take in public or at work, I found the pain relief noticeably stronger than CBD oils I have used before. Definitely worth checking out if you’re OK with the delivery system.

IT’S A REVELATION!

We pitch two Revolution Skincare London CBD-infused products against each other to see which one comes out on top.

The CBD soft foam cleanser available from Look Fantastic contains shea butter. While the Cleansing Cream is odourless, but with a rich and creamy texture. So, which one is better? Let’s investigate.

The cream comes in a tub reminiscent of a day cream. It’s nothing fancy and as far as the ingredients list goes, there are no surprises. The instructions say to massage the cream into the skin in the morning and evening before wiping the day away with makeup removal pads. The foam cleanser, on the other hand, relies on the old just add water method. You don’t need to use cotton wool pads, which will be music to the ears of those sustainable beauty worshippers. The foam contains more cleaning agents than the cream, which may be quite drying on already dry skin. But there is no doubt in my mind that the foam is the clearer winner of the two. Even after wiping the cream off, it felt as though it was still on my skin. In comparison, the foam was gentle and left my complexion squeaky clean. It even works on the most stubborn eye liner.

Edibles & Ingestibles

CBD Coconut Oil

Baked Not Fried sent us some CBD oils and this glass jar of coconut oil. Let’s see how it compares to the regular version. This hardened mixture sits perfectly in a cool dark place. Like your usual coconut oil, it doesn’t tend to go runny in the cupboard at this time of year, so there’s no need to keep it in the fridge. Unlike your average mainstream product though, the colour is more like Nutella. If you look very carefully at the front label, you will see it says ‘with Cacao’ under the product name. It is, in fact, a chocolate take on the old reliable. I probably wouldn’t try this in my stir fry but if you’re on a health kick and you still love a good chocolate pancake on the weekends, this would be a great alternative to a sugar-laden chocolate spread.

CBD Oral Strips

Elevar Leafs is an exciting new product line from Swedish company Cannadips. The team of experts know everything there is to know about consuming CBD orally, given the success of the parent brand. Now, they’re introducing a consumer product that I can really see working in any convenience store. With three flavours, these strips dissolve on the tongue, freshening the mouth while delivering 25mg of CBD per strip. Out of the three – fresh mint, lavender and berry mint – my favourite has to be lavender. The great thing about this is you’re getting the same dose of CBD as you would from your average tincture, but you don’t need to carry a bottle of oil everywhere. If you’re a regular gum lover, try this.

Rise & Shine Adaptogenic Food Supplement

Put simply, adaptogenic herbs and roots help us to adapt to whatever life throws at us. Well, life has been throwing a lot lately hasn’t it? I gave these daily capsules a go for four weeks, so I am almost finished the tub. Two capsules measures 10mg of CBD, but there’s also a dash of magnesium, vitamins and fascinating plant extracts that I don’t know much about, but they’re good for you! Kaya is built around the stress less MO, and they really have a good grasp on what we need. I notice I don’t tend to crave my second morning coffee as much since I started taking these. I’m not sure if it is entirely related, but the manufacturer says the idea is to combine seven adaptogenic plant extracts with B vitamins and minerals to reduce stress, improve energy, boost mood and heighten focus. I’d love to know if the sudden lack of interest in my extra coffee has been brought on by this supplement. The timing certainly fits!

Editor’s Pick

Mood & Focus Booster

Deep Union Maxcore Pod System

Reviewed by Kirk Martin

This is my first experience with Deep Union products and the Maxcore pod system at first glance comes across as very sleek. A mini pod system that has been developed for use with CBD oil. It has all the characteristics of a modernday piece of tech. It looks like a pair of air pods at first glance. Inside the case you can fit the actual mod and a spare pod and the case itself charges the mod whilst its inside.

The kit contains:

700mAh “Power Pack” carrying case

80mAh pen battery (charged by carrying case when inserted)

• Two 1.0 ML oil pods (single use)

USB-C charger

Size wise this is perfect. It fits in the pocket no problem at all and having the spare pod is handy as there is no need to constantly be refilling all the time whilst I am out and about. The mod itself is very small. To me this is convenient. It does the job perfectly and is very discreet. The draw is tight enough to get a perfect hit and the flavour on the coil is not muted. Its smooth on the inhale and enjoyable to use. Battery life is great. I would recommend this to anyone looking for the perfect little device to use with their CBD e-liquid.

The benefits of vaping CBD

Fast absorption rate for active components

Relatively affordable, if using a refillable device

Convenient for use on the go

• Wide range of CBD e-liquids now available in convenience stores

Golden CBD Paste

A must buy for bakers

Canyou Fruit Jellies

Gummies are evolving! Gone are the days where CBD jellies came in a sticky packet. This is 2021, and manufacturers of this kind are really levelling up to produce this kind of product. I just started taking these gummies about a week ago, and they are deliciously fruity.

Not sickly sweet, they are easy to add to your morning supplement routine. As well as containing 4.4mg of CBD per jelly, this product is rich in vitamins A and C, and it even contains that all important Vitamin D too!

If you’re new to CBD, you might get a shock when you open the box to find a syringe. Don’t panic. This is simply a refined, golden CBD rich oil in the form of a paste. I recently used this full spectrum product in baking a CBD-infused banana bread loaf. I tend to go for these whole plant extract products over a regular tincture in baking because the flavour is very much enhanced by the other extracts in the mix, not just the CBD. This is one of the better versions I have seen from this area of the CBD market. It is clean, free moving and with all of the essential details provided on the label. The syringe is conveniently marked with measurements too, ideal for dosing. The difference between this kind of a CBD oil and a tincture is the volume of cannabinoids you get per dose. In a 1000mg 10ml tincture, for example, you will probably get 25-30mg of CBD per millilitre. By using a product like this, you can achieve 20mg per 0.2ml. And that’s another reason why this is fantastic for using in the kitchen. Would also recommend for brownies or a DIY pizza base!

YOUR BEST SELF

We've created award winning products for some quietness away from the storm. A dose of calm and relaxation, sprinkled with serenity.

Contains 66% CBD, vegan & cruelty free, 100% natural

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