The UK legalizes medical cannabis today, meaning UK doctors can now prescribe medicinal cannabis for patients.
The change in legislation has been met with an overwhelmingly positive response, with over 75% of the population in favor of it.
Doctors across England, Scotland, and Wales will now be able to prescribe cannabis after a number of controversial cases that made headlines this year.
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On paper, access to the drug could help thousands of people with chronic conditions such as epilepsy and multiple sclerosis. Those suffering from pain caused by chemotherapy can also avail of the drug.
However, the law specifies that prescriptions can only be given to those with an "unmet special clinical need that cannot be met by licensed products."
Some advocates fear that many patients won't get their needs met if a doctor deems their illness to not meet that criteria. And many in the medical field have been skeptical about the positives of the drug outweighing the purported dangers. It is very possible that a doctor may only consider cannabis treatment as a very last resort.
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In the UK, cannabis medicines were only given to patients in the most exceptional circumstances. And in those few cases, permission was granted at the government level.
The case of Billy Caldwell became a high-profile issue and a major catalyst for the new law change. Twelve-year-old Billy suffered up to 100 seizures a day caused by a rare form of epilepsy. He was finally granted oil by the Home Secretary Sajid Javid after a lengthy and controversial battle.
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Market
For businesses though, the UK will represent a massive new medical cannabis market. And making the drug medically legal should generate tax revenue to the tune of $1 billion for the country.
Now the discussion will move towards recreational cannabis as the door has been opened. Eyes will be on Canada, which has just made recreational use legal and has always held a close relationship to the UK.
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