Peter Reynolds

This clip is from ‘Sanjay Gupta MD’, CNN’s regular medical affairs programme.  It was broadcast on Saturday, 16th November 2013.

An hour-long documentary is to follow, probably in March 2014, when Dr Gupta will expose the terrible cruelty, hypocrisy, dishonesty and corruption which is UK policy on medicinal cannabis. The programme will investigate GW Pharmaceuticals and its cannabis medicines Sativex and Epidiolex.  It will also feature Bedrocan and its grow facility in Holland and look in detail at the process CLEAR has developed which has so far enabled five members successfully to import medicinal cannabis to the UK.

CNN Camera Crew, Jamie Watling (aka ‘Clarence Clear’), Peter Reynolds and Dr Sanjay Gupta

Although the UK government claims that cannabis has“no medicinal value”, it has licensed GW Pharmaceuticals to grow massive quantities of the plant which it then processes into its hugely expensive medicines.  The license, which was issued for research purposes only, was operated unlawfully between 2003, when Sativex became a commercial product, until March 2013 when the Home Secretary retrospectively legalised it.

Most CCGs refuse to provide Sativex because it is so expensive.  A month’s prescription of Sativex costs the NHS £560.00.  The equivalent from Bedrocan costs between £35.00 and £105.00 depending on which product is prescribed.

Successive governments have failed to act in the interests of British citizens.  Ministers have refused even to consider a change in policy and have ignored or rejected all the efforts of CLEAR and other groups to present evidence and make a case on behalf of those who need cannabis as medicine.

Even though medicinal cannabis was the subject most often mentioned in the written evidence to the recent Home Affairs select committee drugs inquiry, it was ignored.  No evidence was heard on the subject and no questions were asked.

Peter Reynolds, president and elected leader of CLEAR, commented:

“UK policy on medicinal cannabis is cruel and corrupt.  While ministers refuse even to consider reform despite overwhelming scientific evidence, hundreds of thousands of British people persist in pain, suffering and disability which could be relieved by cannabis.  The police are used as armed enforcers of GW Pharmaceuticals’ unlawful monopoly, arresting and even imprisoning sick people who are merely trying to improve their health.  I want to thank Dr Gupta for his work.  While he has travelled thousands of miles to tell this story, UK government ministers hide in their offices with their fingers in their ears.”