Medicinal Cannabis Matters: Friday Roundup - 23 January 2026
In this week’s Medicinal Cannabis Matters, we look at the stories shaping access, understanding and progress in medicinal cannabis care, from developments in UK policy to growing patient-led influence and major international shifts. As the conversation around medicinal cannabis continues to evolve, these stories highlight a clear theme that patients are increasingly being heard, and momentum is building at both national and global levels.
Pushing for NHS Access: Parliamentary Support Grows
A UK MP has raised discussion in parliament around NHS access to medicinal cannabis, highlighting the growing recognition of the role medicinal cannabis already plays in patient care. Since legalisation in 2018, clinics like Medicann have been supporting patients through safe, regulated and clinically supervised treatment pathways, helping those with chronic and treatment-resistant conditions access care that works for them.
While wider NHS adoption will naturally take time, increasing political attention highlights just how important patient outcomes have become in this conversation. In the meantime, specialist clinics continue to bridge the gap ensuring that patients are not left waiting, and that access to evidence-based medicinal cannabis remains clear and supported by experienced prescribing clinicians.
Patients Shaping the Future of UK Cannabis Care
A new patient-led initiative is aiming to influence how the UK’s medicinal cannabis market develops, putting lived experience at the centre of policy, research and access discussions. The initiative focuses on improving education, representation and transparency across the sector.
This shift is important. Patients understand better than anyone what it means to navigate options and uncertainty around eligibility. By formally involving patient voices, the industry can move towards care pathways that reflect real-world needs.
Looking Ahead at European Progress
The upcoming Konopex Expo 2026 in the Czech Republic will celebrate cannabis legalisation and the right to cultivate, bringing together policymakers, clinicians, researchers and industry leaders from across Europe and beyond.
Events like this play a key role in sharing best practice, advancing clinical understanding and normalising evidence-led cannabis care. As more European countries develop clearer frameworks, the opportunity grows for collaboration that ultimately benefits patients across borders, including here in the UK.
There’s a wider shift happening across the medicinal cannabis industry as patient voices are gaining influence, political attention is increasing and international progress continues to shape how medicinal cannabis is viewed and delivered.
For individuals living with chronic or treatment-resistant conditions, these developments reinforce the important message that medicinal cannabis is no longer an outside conversation. It is becoming an established part of modern healthcare discussions, driven by evidence and patient need.
If you are considering whether medicinal cannabis could be suitable for you, the first step is to check your eligibility. Our online eligibility checker takes just two minutes and is completely confidential, helping you understand your options before speaking with a clinician.
Disclaimer: This blog post and the following featured articles are for information only and any articles on external platforms may be amended at any time. Articles that we refer to in our weekly roundup do not reflect the views of Medicann.