On this week’s episode, we’re joined by Professor Mike Barnes, Neurologist, Director of Maple Tree Consultancy, and Chairman of The Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society.

We explore the future of Medical Cannabis in the UK by investigating current prescribing practices, stakeholder challenges, and how the government can help develop the industry.

→ View full show notes, summary, and access resources here:
https://www.canverse.global/shownotes/e135

About Professor Mike Barnes

Professor Mike Barnes is a neurologist and cannabis physician. He has worked in cannabis for 20 years, initially with GW Pharma on the first cannabis medicine – Sativex. He oversaw the first UK cannabis prescription for the child Alfie Dingley in 2018 and, after the law change in November 2018, then launched the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society in November 2018 which now has over 250 clinical members. In 2021 he launched the Cannabis Industry Council with over 100 members across the sector. He runs a medical cannabis consultancy with Hannah Deacon who is the UK’s best-known campaigner and mother of Alfie Dingley. He is the Clinical Director of the T21 project.

Quotables

‘[Cannabis’] medical history is actually more prominent and more robust… than its recreational history’ 09:36

‘It’s down to education. And I think it’s Tony Blair that said, education, education, education. And that’s the same with cannabis. It’s absolutely essential to educate the doctors first, educate politicians after say second, but it’s mainly the conservatism of medical professionals holding it back now’ 27:45

source