Medicinal Cannabis Matters | Friday roundup 2nd May 2025
Legal Wins, Safer Guidance & Industry Progress
This week brought a wave of progress across the medicinal cannabis landscape, with developments spanning legislation, patient guidance, and industry perspectives. In Slovenia, widespread public support is pushing national legalisation forward. Meanwhile in the UK, patients prescribed cannabis are receiving clearer direction around driving laws, helping to reduce uncertainty. Industry leaders are also reflecting on how cannabis could serve as a blueprint for integrating innovative medicines into mainstream healthcare.
Here’s what’s shaping the conversation:
Cannabis as a Catalyst for Embracing Innovative Medicines
In a recent podcast episode hosted by Maple Tree Consultants, Hannah Simon – COO of Script Assist and an early leader in the UK’s medical cannabis space shared her thoughts on how the sector has evolved since legalisation in 2018. Drawing from her experience helping to launch Britain’s first dedicated clinics, Simon spoke about the need to integrate cannabis more fully into mainstream care.
Her vision? A future where patients receive prescriptions from informed, confident clinicians and collect their medication from local pharmacies just like any other treatment. She also sees medical cannabis as a wider case study – a model for how the UK might approach other alternative medicines with greater openness, regulation and patient focus.
It’s a great listen that connects policy, practice and patient access in a way that’s both pragmatic and optimistic.
Driving on Prescription: What UK Patients Need to Know
In the UK, patients legally prescribed cannabis can continue to drive, provided they’re not impaired and remain within the boundaries of their treatment. While the legal limit for THC in the bloodstream remains low, those with a valid prescription have a statutory medical defence — provided they can show the medication is being taken as directed.
This clarity is essential for patients navigating daily life. It also reinforces the importance of speaking with a prescribing clinician about how cannabis may affect alertness and reaction time, especially when behind the wheel. As awareness improves, so does patient confidence in managing treatment responsibly.
Slovenia Takes Steps Towards Legalising Medical Cannabis
Slovenia is edging closer to legalising medical cannabis following a national referendum in which over two-thirds of voters backed reform. The proposed legislation would create a regulated framework for the cultivation, processing and distribution of cannabis for medical use, overseen by the Public Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices.
If passed, the law would bring Slovenia in line with a growing number of European nations recognising cannabis as a legitimate therapeutic option. It’s a significant shift in both policy and public perception — one that puts patients, safety and evidence at the centre of progress.
CBD Regulation in the UK Moves a Step Closer
After years of uncertainty, the UK’s CBD sector is finally heading toward clearer regulation. The Food Standards Agency has announced a forthcoming public consultation on its Terms of Authorisation for the first set of CBD product applications. These will address everything from labelling and formulation to THC safety limits.
What makes this moment significant is the FSA’s decision to set standards independently, without needing Home Office input. By treating CBD as a food safety issue — rather than a criminal one — regulators are recognising the importance of structure, consistency and consumer protection in a fast-growing sector.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a healthcare professional for personalised medical guidance.
