Medicinal Cannabis Matters: Friday Roundup - 9 January 2026
As the new year gets underway, conversations around medicinal cannabis continue to evolve across the UK and internationally. This week’s Medicinal Cannabis Matters looks at important developments affecting patients, clinicians and access to treatment from clearer police guidance in the UK to emerging evidence for chronic pain conditions and regulatory challenges abroad.
Clearer guidance for UK police and patients
New guidance issued to UK police forces is helping to improve understanding around the lawful use of prescribed medicinal cannabis. The updated advice reinforces that patients with a valid prescription should not be treated as committing an offence when carrying or using their medication responsibly.
For patients, this represents a positive step towards reducing confusion and unnecessary distress, particularly for those who rely on medicinal cannabis to manage chronic or complex conditions. While challenges remain, clearer guidance supports better awareness and more consistent handling across the country.
Germany’s medical cannabis framework under scrutiny
Elsewhere in Europe, Germany’s medicinal cannabis reforms are facing a critical moment. Experts have raised concerns that parts of the proposed framework may be difficult to enforce in practice, potentially creating uncertainty for patients and prescribers alike.
International developments like these are closely watched in the UK, as they often influence wider regulatory conversations. They also highlight the importance of building systems that prioritise patient safety, clinical oversight and clarity, lessons that remain highly relevant here at home.
Fibromyalgia and the growing evidence base
New research continues to strengthen the case for medicinal cannabis as a treatment option for fibromyalgia, a condition often associated with widespread pain, fatigue and disrupted sleep. Recent findings suggest that medicinal cannabis may help improve symptom control where conventional treatments have offered limited relief.
For many patients living with fibromyalgia, access to alternative, evidence-led options can be life-changing. Ongoing research and patient-reported outcomes play a crucial role in expanding understanding and informing safe prescribing practices.
As 2026 begins to take shape, progress in medicinal cannabis care continues to be driven by clearer guidance, growing clinical evidence and open, informed discussion. At Medicann, we remain committed to supporting patients with safe, regulated access and doctor-led care, helping individuals explore whether medicinal cannabis may be suitable for their condition.
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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.