Why Are Doctors Still So Reluctant To Prescribe Medical Cannabis?

Joanne Griffiths says her son Ben was suffering up to 300 epileptic seizures a day. After trying him on medical cannabis, she claims, this fell to around six.

She told HuffPost UK how the family had tried everything else for Ben, who is now 10. In desperation, three years ago, they tried medical cannabis a friend had brought back from Canada.

“We were only giving Ben small amounts but it made such a difference,” she said.

Joanne, who lives in Preston, told Ben’s neurologist, who she says was keen for the boy to be prescribed medical cannabis and filled out all the application forms. But the hospital trust blocked it.

She feels many in the medical profession want their own evidence based in the UK before prescribing cannabis.

But she also believes there is a monetary element. “I believe there is a mercenary factor,” she said, “as hospital trusts would get money for taking part in trials.

“But the whole plant cannabis medication could help children now who desperately need it.”

Ilmarie Braun’s severely epileptic four-year-old son Eddie has a private prescription for medical cannabis. She says she has seen a remarkable difference, adding they had support from their doctor – but were still turned down for medical cannabis on the NHS.

Ilmarie, who lives in Chester, told HuffPost UK Eddie had tried everything recommended by the NHS before they started him on CBD oil in January 2017.

At first, he responded well. But when that plateaued, they wanted to try medical cannabis containing THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).

“When they announced they were setting up a panel, our doctor applied,” said Ilmarie.

“But the expert panel turned us down saying Eddie had not tried Epidyolex so he was put on this.

“It did help, but the side effects were very difficult to live with and he was still having a lot of seizures. It did not help him as much as we felt something with THC would.”

The family took Eddie to Holland and got him a prescription for medical cannabis. Soon after, in May this year, a doctor in the UK agreed to see Eddie and gave him a private prescription for the medication.

Ilmarie said: “Eddie has not had any focal seizures since he has been on whole plant cannabis oil, and we have not needed to call an ambulance. He is finally sleeping through the night, which he has never done before, and he is happy and started school in September.