Seed Our Future

Using my medical cannabis outside of Devon & Cornwall Police Headquarters

Sanskara and Seed our Future Begin Work with Local Police

In August 2023 I was relaxing by the seafront in Plymouth with my sister on what should have been a pleasant day. Instead, around 10 minutes after taking my medication, two police officers arrived who refused to accept my medication was legal and proceeded to detain me for 6 hours. Following my arrest I realised just how widespread the challenges facing medical cannabis patients were and decided to join The Sanskara Platform. 

After my release, Devon & Cornwall Police admitted they were “ill equipped to deal with patients lawfully in possession of cannabis”. I liaised with the Diverse Community and Serious Organised Crime Branches where they have confirmed the force are implementing a number of packages, including training for frontline police officers in being able to identify genuine medicinal cannabis patients and clarification that a medical cannabis card is not required. 

Despite the implementation of these packages, there are still a number of challenges that remain for medical cannabis patients, one such example is driving. Devon & Cornwall Police advised “If a positive test is obtained it is likely to lead to the arrest and detention of the driver on suspicion of being ‘unfit to drive through drink or drugs (S.5 RTA)’. Not until the individual has been through the ‘police custody experience’ would any lawfully defence such as a prescription be considered.”

Devon & Cornwall Police were open for further engagement on these challenges, so I got in contact with Guy Coxall from Seed our Future. Guy is a court expert on Cannabis and the Road Traffic Act, and lead author on the Cannabis Industry Council guidance on Cannabis and Driving. He was very happy to join the discussions. I got back in touch with the force and a meeting was arranged at their Headquarters in Exeter on 4th January 2024. 

At the meeting we were joined by a number of stakeholders from Devon & Cornwall Police including a Drug Expert Witness, Diverse Communities Officer, Road Traffic Officer and Drug Impairment Lead. Guy did a presentation on the Road Traffic Act and Swab Tests which generated a number of interesting discussions. In addition we touched on a number of other issues facing medical cannabis patients such as discrimination and hate crime risk, and employees of the force using their medication.

We also received a number of interesting updates including the training package Devon & Cornwall Police developed being shared with 18 police forces, and processes being put in place so people in police custody can use their legally prescribed medication. Devon & Cornwall Police will share a report on their work so far.

In the end we didn’t have time to discuss all points, and I think we all came away with more questions than answers! But the day set a foundation for future work with Devon & Cornwall Police, and The Sanskara Platform and Seed Our Future will continue to work with the Force to address these issues. Our hope is that this work will continue to spread beyond Devon and Cornwall across the UK for the benefit of all patients.

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Use of Prescription Cannabis at Work

The Sanskara Platform and Seed Our Future Co-Author Report with Cannabis Industry Council Urging Employers to Support Prescription Cannabis Patients

07/11/2023 – The Sanskara Platform, in collaboration with Seed Our Future, is pleased to announce the release of an important report addressing the rights of prescription cannabis patients in the workplace. This ground-breaking report, titled ‘The Use of Prescription Cannabis at Work,’ has been authored by Mohammad Wasway, Founder of The Sanskara Platform, and Guy Coxall, Founder of Seed Our Future. It forms a crucial part of the Standards Working Group within the Cannabis Industry Council (CIC).

The report, highlighted by the CIC, reveals a pressing issue affecting prescription cannabis patients and their rights in the workplace. It suggests that current employer practices may put them at risk of breaching the Equality Act. The Act mandates that employers must make reasonable adjustments to accommodate individuals with disabilities, which includes many prescription cannabis patients who often suffer from chronic pain and disabilities.

The CIC’s report underscores the necessity for employers to treat prescription cannabis patients just like any other medical patients, aligning with their legal obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

Report co-authors, Mohammad Wasway and Guy Coxall, expressed their concerns, stating, “We have heard from many concerned and vulnerable patients who have been harassed and mistreated by their employers simply for taking their prescription medication. We urge businesses to support their employees and implement sensible and proportionate solutions that will improve employee wellbeing and productivity.”

Elisabetta Faenza, Chair of the CIC Standards Working Group, emphasised the Council’s commitment to upholding workplace rights for prescription cannabis patients, asserting, “The Cannabis Industry Council will be working with employers and unions to uphold workplace rights for prescription cannabis patients, based on law, medicine, and basic compassion. Many businesses say they are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusivity, yet often underdeliver. Now is the time for employers to step up and support ill and disabled employees.”

The report not only sheds light on the medical context surrounding prescription cannabis but also suggests ways to manage its usage by employees. It includes user-friendly flowcharts and illustrative case studies to help employers navigate this complex issue.

Since 2018, specialist doctors have had the authority to prescribe cannabis medicines to their patients, who are then legally permitted to possess and consume this medication. Employers who fail to uphold the workplace rights of patients, including both employees and job applicants, face the risk of being taken to an employment tribunal.

This report is a significant step towards ensuring that prescription cannabis patients receive fair treatment and protection under the law. It calls upon employers to support their employees’ medical needs and uphold the principles of equality, diversity, and inclusivity in the workplace.

Read the report here

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